Chapter 190
Chapter 190: Even the insect clan had bugs that didn’t follow the usual playbook—can you believe it?
Jiang Tea Tea didn’t really buy it. “If you’re planning to send me to the insect clan, and I’m dressed like this—with only a unit number showing—would they even know who I am?”
Chong Ming shot back, “Classmate Jiang Tea Tea, you didn’t see Agris either. So how did you know he came?”
“Of course I could tell from the ability fluctuations…” Jiang Tea Tea blurted, then stopped short and swerved hard. “Fine. You have a point. Last question—are the insect clan fun?”
The cubs in her belly were seven and a half months along. In the dragon clan, pregnancy could last anywhere from ten to fifteen months.
She wasn’t a female from here, so she planned for fifteen. That meant the dragon hatchlings still had seven and a half months to go.
Five dragon hatchlings. Chong Ming didn’t know there were that many. If he found out later, who knew what kind of bloodbath it would stir up? He might not let her keep a single cub.
With her current strength, she couldn’t withstand the heavy weapons in his subordinates’ hands. If it turned into a real firefight over the cubs, she couldn’t win.
Besides, once she completed her contract with the fake heiress, she planned to find a way home and take the dragon cubs back to the Demon Clan.
She was a tea tree demon. Giving birth to dragon hatchlings was insane. She had to go back and show off properly—make the other demons jealous to death.
So she needed a safe place to give birth. She’d even considered the insect clan. If it was a good spot, she’d let them capture her voluntarily, just to scout it out in advance.
Chong Ming’s voice dipped. “The insect clan isn’t fun. Every adult female has thirty to fifty husbands.”
Jiang Tea Tea blinked. “Seriously? That many?”
Even a lust demon would have trembling legs.
“Seriously,” Chong Ming said. “If you don’t believe me, look it up online. Thirty or fifty is nothing. Some females marry seventy or eighty—some even one or two hundred—so they don’t have to work and can still live well.”
“The insect clan’s laws say that once a male marries a female, the primary husband only turns in fifty percent of his income, but the other consorts have to turn in seventy to eighty percent.”
“Some females, to maintain their quality of life, marry husbands whenever they feel like it.”
“And the insect clan has fewer females and more males, with females above males. Reproduction is instinct. For the sake of offspring, male insects are very willing to marry female insects.”
Jiang Tea Tea cut in fast. “No, no. I don’t want to go to the insect clan. I’m just curious.”
Everything was food to her. Getting pregnant with dragon hatchlings was already beyond her imagination and completely unplanned. If someone tried to make her marry bugs on top of that, that would be turning heaven upside down—she’d get struck by lightning for it.
Chong Ming said pointedly, “I thought you asked if the insect clan was fun because you wanted to go.”
“But if a pure human with your ability level went, I bet the insect queen would try to keep you. Either she’d find you one or two hundred insect husbands so you’d never want to leave and would work for her, or she’d eat you as a tonic.”
Jiang Tea Tea sucked in a breath. “Eat me as a tonic?”
Chong Ming’s voice dropped even lower. “Classmate Jiang Tea Tea, you’re still young. There are things about the insect clan you don’t know.”
“For example, not every bug in the insect clan eats plants. Plenty of them crave blood and meat.”
“And ‘blood and meat’ doesn’t just mean ordinary animals. It includes intelligent beastfolk and pure humans too.”
“For nearly a thousand years, insect clan members’ mental power has been unstable. They’ve offered a lot of special perks to bring in beastfolk healers and pure human healers.”
“Before they went in, everyone knew. It shocked the whole galaxy. After they went in, silence. No one knew whether they lived or died.”
“Guess where those people went.”
Jiang Tea Tea’s scalp tightened. “They got eaten by bugs?”
Good grief. She hated bugs the most.
Especially the meat-eaters—the ones that burrowed into roots.
They would bite her leaves, drill into her roots, and gnaw at her bark.
Back when she hadn’t cultivated a human form yet but already had awareness, she couldn’t drive the bugs off her body. She could only endure them chewing and burrowing into her, over and over.
Chong Ming asked flatly, “Where else did you think they went?”
Jiang Tea Tea gave a dry laugh. “Alright. The insect clan is way too savage. I’m done talking. You keep working overtime. You stay busy.”
Chong Ming reminded her, “Remember to eat.”
Jiang Tea Tea was about to hang up. His reminder made her complain, “There’s only nutrient supplements and nutrient solution. There’s nothing to eat.”
“In your storage button,” Chong Ming said, “there’s a red box. The red box has food.”
Before he even finished, the call cut off.
Chong Ming stared at the dark lightbrain screen, let out a silent laugh, and shook his head. When he turned back, his smile vanished. He switched on the video conference audio, looked at the managing directors from the major planets, and his voice turned icy.
“Everyone, the white wolf clan’s Hope Gene Research Institute has existed for more than a thousand years. Sixty percent of their clients come from the major planets of Zhen Lin Empire, and forty percent come from other countries in the M31 Star System.”
“I’ve already had the personnel lists in your jurisdictions sent to you. In the coming days, before you search by the list, conduct a full internal sweep of your own planets. Don’t miss a single illegal lab.”
“Most importantly, crack down on the unequal belief that ability users are superior.”
“In my Zhen Lin Empire, whether you’re an ability user or an ordinary beastfolk or a pure human who hasn’t awakened, you are equal.”
“For ordinary people who haven’t awakened abilities, reserve more positions for them. Don’t let any ability user stand above them.”
The people in charge of the major planets answered, “Yes, Commander-in-Chief!”
Chong Ming’s sharp gaze swept across them through the screen. “Four months will be one cycle. During these four months, dedicated supervisors will monitor your work. After four months, I’ll send people to conduct public opinion surveys across the major planets.”
Again: “Yes, Commander-in-Chief!”
Chong Ming added a few more instructions before ending the conference. Then he went straight into another meeting—another pile of government work.
Meetings came one after another, with barely time to drink water. The secretary team led by Secretary Wen rushed along behind him, busy without pause.
After the call, Jiang Tea Tea followed Chong Ming’s reminder and rummaged out a red box from her storage button.
It was like the white one earlier—a food crate weighing about fifty jin, stuffed with all kinds of good food and drinks.
Even though Sui Xuan Chu and the other seven had already taken nutrient supplements and nutrient solution, they still tore into the feast.
Of course… it wasn’t just them. Other people on patrol break saw it and came to join. More than fifty jin of food was wiped out in no time.
Lunch break ended, and they went back to patrolling. In the afternoon, even more ordinary citizens came to see the space expo than in the morning.
No one dared slack off. They started at 1:30 p.m. and patrolled until 6:30 p.m., when the expo closed.
After the expo ended, they returned to the lodging camp. The citizens who came either went back to their hotels or headed for the snack streets and specialty streets.
Officials came to sell weapons and buy weapons. Ordinary citizens, after finishing their tour, went shopping for snacks and specialties from across the galaxy.
They couldn’t afford weapons, but they could afford food and souvenirs. Zhen Lin Empire handled it brilliantly—hotels and specialty streets both had item teleport portals everywhere.
Once you paid the transfer fee, anything you bought could be teleported anywhere across the M31 Star System as long as there was a portal. It was unbelievably convenient.
The managing director in charge of Ri Pan Star was practically laughing himself rich. The space weapons exhibition only sold 100,000 tickets a day to ordinary citizens, but the first three days of visitors already reached 500,000, and opening day hit 200,000.
Based on the space station’s ticket bookings, the number was still climbing. Tomorrow’s visitors might reach 250,000.
Every day, two or three million tourists of all races flowed through. Eating, drinking—everything was money, all of it planetary revenue. No wonder people were grinning their faces off.
Apart from the space weapons exhibition area, even the lodging camp had rules. After 6:30 p.m., unless higher-ups gave orders, they weren’t allowed to go out.
They’d patrolled all day and only rested an hour and a half in the middle. Jiang Tea Tea didn’t feel tired, and the cubs in her belly were lively too.
She showered, changed, and—like yesterday—slept on the ground with a single blanket. She turned her legs into tree roots, sank into the earth, and spread out endlessly, reaching farther away to absorb more nourishment.
Agris removed his disguise and went to Atuya’s room.
Atuya was checking the order volume from the expo’s first day. Seeing him, she put away her lightbrain tablet and stood. “Your Highness…”
Agris stepped up, kissed her lips, and said, “Keep working. I just came to see you.”
Atuya’s heart fluttered. She grabbed him. “How’s your ability turbulence? Is your mental sea okay?”
“Do you want me to smooth it out for you?”
Agris sat down with her, watching her. “Sure.”
Atuya laced her fingers with his and released mental power to soothe his mental sea.
But hers wasn’t plant-type mental power. The soothing was clumsy—treating symptoms, not the root.
Agris released mental power too, feeding it back to her and helping smooth her mental sea. Two insects soothing each other brought them closer.
Half an hour later, Atuya withdrew her mental power and brought Agris drinks and food.
As he ate, Agris asked, “About Jiang Tea Tea, on your end…”
Atuya met his gaze. “I already had people tail her and scout the location.”
Agris brightened. “The scouting’s done? Where is she staying, and what are the odds we can snatch her by force?”
Atuya said, “She’s currently staying at Patrol Camp 59 of Zhen Lin Empire. We don’t know how many people are in that camp, but one thing is certain—the odds of taking her by force are zero.”
Agris frowned. “Why is it zero? Your subordinates include insects with invisibility, blink shift, and hypnosis abilities.”
“Send them out. Hypnotize her first, give her a designated meeting point, let her go there herself, then have the blink shift and invisibility subordinates take her onto our ship. Wouldn’t that work?”
Atuya reached up and smoothed his brow. “That plan might be worth trying, but every military camp in Zhen Lin Empire has transparent rays crisscrossing the air above it, and the ground below is covered by a full-information anti-ability system.”
“If I send an invisibility subordinate with a hypnosis subordinate by air, the transparent rays will cut them in half. If they go from below, they’ll be intercepted from all directions.”
Agris caught her hand and pulled it away. “This won’t work, that won’t work. So when will it work?”
Atuya’s voice turned even gentler. “Your Highness, you’re too anxious.”
Agris paused. “I’m anxious?”
Atuya nodded. “Yes. Today is Day 1 of the space weapons exhibition. There are still twenty-nine days left. If you’re this impatient, even if we get lucky and snatch Jiang Tea Tea, can you guarantee our ship can escape the Zhen Lin Empire system?”
Agris deflated. “You’re right, Atuya. But I really want to take Jiang Tea Tea back to the insect clan.”
“You and I can only soothe each other superficially. We can’t fully smooth it out at all.”
“But Chong Ming has her, and not only does his ability turbulence stop and his mental sea stabilize, his level is even gradually rising. I’m jealous.”
“The Empress Mother is already unhappy with me and the Crown Princess. If my level doesn’t rise, I won’t be able to help the Crown Princess—or you. The Empress Mother will treat me like a discarded pawn and kick me aside.”
Atuya lay back into his arms and hugged his waist. “I know, Your Highness. You’re doing it for the Crown Princess—for our future.”
“Don’t rush. What I promised you, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen. Even if it doesn’t, it’s fine. During this space weapons exhibition, sign more deals with more countries. Meet Her Majesty the Queen’s expectations, and Her Majesty won’t have anything to say.”
Agris held her close. His green eyes were full of desire—for Jiang Tea Tea’s plant-type ability, and for his own rising power. He murmured a soft, “Mm.”
On the morning of Day 2, Jiang Tea Tea and the others got up and trained as usual. After yesterday, they didn’t need to patrol for ten-plus hours today—only six. The rest of the time was free.
But even during free time, the face paint wasn’t a one-time thing. It ran on ten-day cycles, and going out was too much hassle.
So they didn’t go out. Aside from checking the camp, they stayed in the lodging camp to do the homework their teachers assigned.
Just like that, ten days passed. Their face paint faded, and they wore their own clothes and went out to play.
They hit the specialty street and bought everything. Then they hit the snack street and ate everything. Eight mouths never stopped, and eight pairs of hands never stopped grabbing.
After two hours, Sui Xuan Chu and the other seven had bellies that looked a size rounder. Jiang Tea Tea’s belly was only slightly curved—if you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t notice. No one could imagine she had five cubs inside.
They were stuffed, yet each still held a cup of pure fruit juice, sipping as they walked back to camp to settle their stomachs.
They hadn’t even gone a quarter of the way when Atuya, dressed in insect clan military uniform, blocked them with her people. “Hello, Miss Jiang Tea Tea. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Atuya, one of the insect clan’s top ten Generals, and the person in charge of the insect clan’s space weapons exhibition this time.”
Sui Xuan Chu and the others snapped into guard. Weapons came out, ready in their hands, their eyes fixed on Atuya.
Atuya stayed polite. “Everyone, don’t be tense. I have no ill will toward you or Miss Jiang Tea Tea. I stopped you today only because I want to say a few words to Miss Jiang Tea Tea. Please do me this courtesy.”
Most of the insect clan were arrogant and rude, noses in the air, convinced they were the strongest race in the galaxy—the rulers.
Someone as courteous as Atuya was the only one Sui Xuan Chu and the others had seen. But bugs were bugs. No matter how polite she sounded, they couldn’t afford to relax.
“Sorry,” Sui Xuan Chu said. “Miss Jiang Tea Tea isn’t available, and neither are we. General Atuya, please leave.”
Atuya ignored him. Her gaze went straight to Jiang Tea Tea. “Miss Jiang Tea Tea, I’m in uniform today, in full view of everyone. I absolutely can’t do anything to you.”
“Please believe me. I only want to speak with you alone for a few words, nothing more. Is that okay?”
Ten days of the space weapons exhibition had already passed. Agris and Atuya hadn’t made a move. Jiang Tea Tea didn’t believe they’d spent all that time thinking about her without acting at all.
“Fine,” Jiang Tea Tea said. “Don’t go too far.”
“Sister Tea…” “Roommate…” Sui Xuan Chu and the others protested.
Jiang Tea Tea soothed them with a look. “Don’t worry. Look over there—what’s that?”
Sui Xuan Chu followed her chin and saw Zhong Li He, the Chief Executive of Da Xi Nation. Beside him stood a male about the same height, dressed casually and carrying snacks. Not far away, Zhong Li He ate while watching them and lifted a hand in greeting.
Seeing Zhong Li He, Sui Xuan Chu relaxed a fraction. Da Xi Nation and Zhen Lin Empire were friendly, and Zhong Li He had personal ties with his uncle. If anything happened, Zhong Li He would step in—and he could ask his uncle for help.
Jiang Tea Tea walked a little aside with Atuya and said bluntly, “What do you want with me? Say it.”
Atuya didn’t hide her admiration. “You’re calm and composed. Your presence is on par with Commander-in-Chief Chong Ming.”
Jiang Tea Tea’s lips curled. “Thanks, but I don’t think you asked to see me alone just to flatter me. Speak plainly. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Atuya kept it crisp. “To be honest, my fiancé is Agris, Your Highness, the insect race’s Eldest Prince.”
“Previously, Commander-in-Chief Chong Ming invited him to stay on the capital planet of Zhen Lin Empire for a while. His abilities and mental sea haven’t been doing well.”
“You are the only mutant plant-type 3S healer in Zhen Lin Empire—maybe even the entire galaxy. I beg you to help my fiancé, Your Highness Agris, calm his ability turbulence and smooth out his mental sea.”
“Of course, I won’t ask you to work for free. I can offer five hundred million star credits. If that’s not enough, I don’t have that much cash, but I can add rare raw gemstones. What do you think?”