Ever since they parted on the Capital Star, Jiang Ci had never thought that when she saw He Zhun again, they would meet in such a situation.
He Zhun was still wearing his familiar white coat, with soft short chestnut hair and a gentle smile on his handsome face.
Everything seemed to be the same, yet Jiang Ci felt as if she was in another world.
He clearly realized that there seemed to be something different about He Zhun.
Jiang Ci quietly watched the other person's slightly bent eyebrows at this moment, and suddenly recalled a long time ago -
In the yellowed memories, the man with a blurred face pushed another older child in front of Jiang Ci.
[Aci, this is Brother He Zhun, he will live with us from now on.]
At that time, the nine-year-old He Zhun gave him a soft and slightly shy smile and tried to show his affection to him cautiously.
[Hello, Aci.]
That smile overlapped with He Zhun's face at this moment, as if nothing had changed, yet as if everything had changed.
However, the young Jiang Ci responded to He Zhun by silently eating the last bite of cake, then picking up the plate without saying a word.
With a loud "bang", He Zhun's head was hit and bleeding.
Surprisingly, He Zhun, who was only nine years old, did not cry or even scream in pain. He just subconsciously covered his bleeding forehead.
Like... now—
He Zhun’s first reaction after being injured is always to hide the wound and pretend nothing happened.
Of course, later on, Jiang Ci was severely scolded by her father, had her palms slapped, and was punished to kneel for a day. In the end, she cried and apologized to He Zhun.
He Zhun was brought back to the Jiang family by Jiang Jinsheng when he was nine years old. At that time, Jiang Ci was only four years old.
He Zhun, the older child who was suddenly brought back by Jiang Jinsheng, was initially disliked by Jiang Ci because Jiang Jinsheng seemed to care about and love him very much.
He Zhun is obedient, well-behaved and sweet-spoken, but Jiang Ci is taciturn and has a strange temper.
He Zhun can enter and exit Jiang Jinsheng’s most precious laboratory freely, but Jiang Ci cannot.
Some people even say that He Zhun might be Jiang Jin's illegitimate son born outside, just like Grandpa Jiang also had an illegitimate son named Zhou Jiuya outside.
All in all, all of this made the young and sensitive omega child feel extremely threatened and wronged, and for a long time he regarded He Zhun as his number one imaginary enemy.
Therefore, Jiang Ci attacked the enemy who attempted to take his father away when they met for the first time.
Later, this incident became the only thing Jiang Ci regretted in her memory.
Less than a year after He Zhun came to the Jiang family, Jiang Jinsheng passed away, and the custody of Jiang Ci was transferred to Zhou Jiuya. But apart from the inhuman existence of Xiao X, the one who spent the most time with Jiang Ci was He Zhun.
—Because Zhou Jiuya is too busy.
Since the disintegration of the alliance and the establishment of the empire, the church and the empire have been in a delicate state. However, the human world is not completely left with only two forces, there are also some third-party small planet countries that took the opportunity to become independent.
Therefore, large and small conflicts and wars lasted for a long time. It was not until Jiang Ci grew up and started middle school that the situation in the four borders finally stabilized.
Zhou Jiuya has always wanted to take over his brother's role and play the role of a father, but in fact he is powerless. Not only because he is busy, but also because he is the illegitimate child of the Jiang family and has never felt the true father's love since he can remember.
Therefore, the legion commander had no idea what a proper or normal father was like.
Moreover, he was a single straight A, and he had spent most of his life in a military camp with a group of rough alphas. He had no idea how to take care of a delicate and sensitive omega child.
Whenever he wanted to express his concern, he was always in a panic and ended up in a very embarrassing situation.
As a child, Jiang Ci was not a clingy and talkative person. Because when Jiang Jinsheng was alive, he was also very busy, sometimes even busier than Zhou Jiuya.
He stayed in the laboratory all day long, and was exactly the most glorious and positive image of a scientist described in history textbooks, working hard and devoting his life to the country.
As a result, the Jiang family's young master, who is envied by outsiders and should be pampered in every way, actually has no idea how to be a child who knows how to act coquettishly and be loved.
He was taciturn, cold and aloof, unable to communicate or express himself. He spent most of his time holding Little X in his arms, hiding in a small corner of the huge Jiang family mansion.
—Until someone finds it.
To be precise, it was found by He Zhun.
[Aci,]
The handsome boy stretched out his hand to him, his eyebrows curved into a gentle arc.
[Are you playing hide and seek with me again?]
[… ]
Even when Jiang Ci was kidnapped that year, He Zhun was the first to find him.
Day after day, month after month, year after year, Jiang Ci finally reconciled with his number one imaginary enemy and included him in his most secretive and softest area.
So in the end, Jiang Ci could go to Tiandong Star alone for He Zhun in her weakest physical state, and completely disregard principles, military regulations, and laws to protect him and find ways to reduce his sentence.
Because in a sense, it is not wrong to say that Jiang Ci was raised by He Zhun.
Although Jiang Ci always called him "He Zhun" and "He Zhun", as they grew up, their relationship was more like brothers than friends.
He Zhun seems to be a bit sloppy and unreliable, but in essence, in Jiang Ci's heart, He Zhun has always been playing the role of a gentle and infinitely tolerant brother.
It is an indispensable existence.
So at this moment—
When Jiang Ci discovered with her own eyes this dark and painful secret that belonged only to He Zhun, the first thing that came to her mind was not extreme shock, nor anger at being deceived, but deep self-blame and sadness.
He felt guilty and sad for the shadow and pain that He Zhun had buried deep in his heart, which he had never noticed.
"He Zhun,"
Jiang Ci walked out slowly. He opened his mouth, but after a few seconds he found his dry voice.
"What did he just say?"
Jiang Ci heard everything, including Badhua's humiliation of He Zhun.
If killing the other party rashly might not put He Zhun in danger, Jiang Ci would have taken action just now.
"Ah... you heard it."
He Zhun lowered his eyes, suddenly chuckled, and sighed like a brother
"Our Ah Ci has also reached this age."
But he didn't intend to say anything more, and even at this time, he still used his usual joking tone and said,
"But this kind of thing is so embarrassing to talk about. I'd better not listen to the details, Aci."
"… "
Jiang Ci pursed her lips and didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she changed the subject.
"You did invent a new type of inhibitor that is harmless to the body, but it's not extracted from the rose flower, right?"
In fact, when He Zhun first mentioned Zhimeihua, Jiang Ci had some doubts. His keen military sense made him immediately feel countless strange and suspicious points, but in the end, Jiang Ci still believed what He Zhun said.
"If it were someone else, I wouldn't believe it. But I believe you really did it for me... You were willing to touch the forbidden items of the Empire to create a new inhibitor for me."
Jiang Ci has always thought this way and has never had any doubts about He Zhun's motives.
That's why he went to Tiandong Star and entered the auction in the way he hated the most, pretending to be a commodity coveted by countless people, in order to find out the source of the Zhimei flowers and the mastermind behind them, so as to find a way to reduce He Zhun's sentence.
Even when he was blocked in the alley by countless alpha men, Jiang Ci never blamed He Zhun.
"Really... Ah Ci, you are still as naive as ever."
He Zhun smiled and shook his head.
When he decided to lure Jiang Ci to Tiandong Star, He Zhun had already foreseen that he and Jiang Ci would become enemies. He just didn't expect that when the fragile, paper-thin deception was exposed, the other party's performance was completely different from what he imagined.
"I thought you would immediately suspect me and report me. At least... you should have questioned me. But I didn't expect that you actually didn't suspect me at all and went to Tiandong Star obediently."
At this point, He Zhun paused and let out a cold sigh.
"—it's just a pity."
"In order to let you divert the attention of Zhou Jiuya and Ye Shu, I spent so much effort in vain, and also exposed my identity that I had hidden for so long."
The smile on Dr. He's face gradually faded.
"I didn't expect the appearance of that alpha and the incompetence of Leinster. Otherwise, the core of the Forbidden Abyss wouldn't be in your hands now."
"… "
So, that was the purpose.
It turns out that this is the calculation.
Jiang Ci closed her eyes deeply.
He couldn't explain clearly what he felt at that moment. In fact, he had already had doubts in his heart after their last communication on Tiandong Star, but he didn't have the courage to question He Zhun.
Once some things are said, there is no going back.
"Why… "
He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turned white and trembled. He didn't grow his nails because he needed to fight, but he still felt the pain due to the extreme strength.
The final questioning is unavoidable, and even becomes more acute due to procrastination and evasion.
“Why do you do this?”
Jiang Ci couldn't find a reason, not even a vague motive.
But He Zhun said,
"Because I can get the best research equipment and materials here. I can do everything that the Empire does not allow..."
"—Are you still treating me like a fool, He Zhun?!!"
Jiang Ci finally couldn't remain calm anymore. He rushed forward and grabbed He Zhun's collar tightly.
How could it be such a shallow reason?!
How could it be such a... ridiculous reason
When he was extremely angry, even the medicine that concealed his eye color was ineffective, and a red color as explosive as magma appeared in the depths of his brown eyes.
"—I'm asking why you're here!!!"
"Why are you hanging out with these disgusting guys?!"
“Why do you want to help people in the church?!!”
At this point, he suddenly paused, as if his breathing was suddenly choked and he paused for a few seconds before he uttered a difficult and trembling voice.
"Why... let them hurt you?"
"Why... lie to me?"
"… "
He Zhun looked at him quietly without explaining. After a long silence, he asked softly,
"You look so angry, are you going to hit me too?"
"… "
also
Jiang Ci's extremely angry expression suddenly froze when she saw purple, almost black finger marks crisscrossing the loose gap in He Zhun's collar.
At this moment, Jiang Ci almost let go of He Zhun's collar as if he had been electrocuted. For a moment, he couldn't help but purse the corners of his lips, revealing an expression of heartache that made him want to cry.
"Speak nicely... He Zhun..."
Jiang Ci gently pressed his shoulders and tried to calm her tone, but she still couldn't calm her chaotic thoughts.
"Please... tell me clearly... no matter what your difficulties are, no matter you..."
"—I have no hardship."
He Zhun pushed him away slowly and without letting anyone refuse, a kind of indifference that Jiang Ci had never seen before appeared on his face.
"Jiang Ci, let's stop here with our childhood sweetheart drama. You and I have never been the same kind of people."
"You are just lucky. You have become a willful young master that everyone envies, born into a wealthy family, and loved by everyone."
"From the first moment I saw you, I hated you."
"… "
Jiang Ci stood there in a daze, as if all the blood in her body had run cold at this moment.
"Do you remember the first time we met? At that time, you lived in the Jiang family's luxurious mansion, surrounded by maids. You were so high and mighty that even the small plate you smashed against me was worth a fortune."
He Zhun slowly expressed the most unbearable evil thoughts and darkness in his heart, and turned them into a sharp dagger, ruthlessly shattering the most precious and fragile thing between them.
"Jiang Ci, your existence itself,"
He spoke word by word.
"It makes me feel infinite jealousy and disgust."
"… "
Is this the truth
So He Zhun has been thinking this way for all these years
Jiang Ci tried desperately to deny it, but couldn't find a reason. - Because it made perfect sense literally.
Whether from a rational or emotional perspective, it is very reasonable, because human jealousy is one of the most terrible things in the world.
Jiang Ci heard the other party sneer.
"But, who made you Jiang Jinsheng's son?"
"The father of imperial technology, the top mecha manufacturing master, Marshal Huo Chao's most trusted backup, Jiang Ci, the man whose memory has long been blurred, even though he is dead, he still left many, many secrets."
"The Emperor of the Empire is your father's best friend, the commander of the First Legion is your uncle, and even the Lord of Tiandong Star has been silently paying attention to your growth for so many years..."
He Zhun finally took off the friendly mask, revealing coldness and cruelty in his eyes.
"Look, if I stay by your side, I can get in touch with so many important people and get the best education and research resources in the empire. In fact, as long as I control you, I can easily contain so many important people."
"If it weren't for these reasons, why do you think I have endured for so many years, pretending to be nice to the person I hate the most?"
"… "
The person I hate the most... is a hypocrite
Jiang Ci closed her eyes deeply.
At this moment, he finally realized clearly that Jiang Ci had never been Jiang Ci. From the moment he was born until now, in everyone's eyes, he was just Jiang Jinsheng's son.
—are not even independent and can be called separate human individuals.
It's just one that can be used to exploit the soft spots and weaknesses of those big shots.
He is the best breakthrough point for all conspiracies.
"So He Zhun, over the years..."
Jiang Ci stared at the extremely familiar yet suddenly unfamiliar face in front of her, her eyes slightly reddened.
"Every word you said to me, everything you did, was out of... exploitation and conspiracy?"
"… Why, wasn't what I said clear enough?"
He Zhun pulled the corner of his lips and mocked mercilessly,
"As expected, omegas are delicate, soft, and sensitive. They are very easy to trust others and are quite blind and stupid when it comes to emotional issues."
At this moment, he suddenly came closer, put one hand on Jiang Ci's shoulder, then turned his head slightly and leaned close to her ear.
"Moreover, they easily and irresistibly succumb to the alpha's physiological control. It seems that you are no exception, Jiang Ci."
He Zhun touched the teeth marks on the back of Jiang Ci's neck, lowered his head and sniffed, then sneered in his ear,
"It's only been a short time. With such strong pheromones, have you already fallen in love with him?"
"… "
Perhaps only the people closest to you know how to stab you in the most painful place.
Jiang Ci understood the meaning behind all his words—
He Zhun first severed the family relationship that had lasted for so many years between the two of them, and then denied the significance of Jiang Ci as an independent and self-respecting individual.
In the end, the omega gender and the concept of physiological control, which Jiang Ci was most sensitive to, completely overturned the emotions that he, as a human being, could produce and possess.
Whether it is family affection, love, or even the meaning of being an independent individual, it must be completely denied.
This set of rhetoric was extremely meticulous and progressive, targeting almost every weakness that Jiang Ci cared about the most. Hitting any one of them would arouse the Major General's explosive anger.
It looks like it was carefully prepared. For other people, it may take repeated consideration and careful deliberation to achieve such a perfect attack effect, but for a smart man like He Zhun, it is not impossible to speak out such true feelings on the spur of the moment.
Jiang Ci closed his eyes deeply, and for a moment, an expression appeared on his face, as if he was drowning and suffocating.
But that expression was fleeting, and soon it became as calm as dead water. He said slowly in a difficult voice,
"Do you really... hate me so much, He Zhun?"
"Don't think too highly of yourself, Jiang Ci,"
He Zhun pushed him away coldly.
"You are just a tool that I will throw away after I use you. Why do you hate me?"
There was a subtle impatience in the young man's tone.
"Do you think this is still the Empire's territory? With the legion commander protecting you, you can do whatever you want? Wake up, Jiang Ci. The final result of an omega like you showing up here is that you will be eaten by those people until not even a bone is left!"
He Zhun tightly grasped Jiang Ci's wrist.
"If you know what's best for you, hand over the Forbidden Abyss's core immediately. Maybe I can reluctantly show you a way out."
"… "
Jiang Ci didn't say anything. He suddenly realized that something was wrong.
boom!
At this moment, the tightly closed door was suddenly kicked open from the outside, and Bahuad rushed in with a group of high-ranking believers.
"Tsk tsk tsk, what a deep brotherly love. I almost cried when I heard it outside."
"… "
Damn it!
He Zhun suddenly closed his eyes without showing any surprise, but his breathing frequency became obviously disordered at this moment.
After all, even he could sense Jiang Ci's presence, so how could Badhua not sense it
Badhua's fierce eyes were fixed on Jiang Ci's face, and he looked at him wantonly, as if he was confirming something.
After a moment, the man sneered maliciously.
"It's been a long time since we last met. That milky omega kid has grown up now."
Jiang Ci's pupils suddenly shrank.
He finally understood why he felt familiar when he heard this man's voice just now—
[I have to say, Jiang Jinsheng did so many disgusting things, the only thing that made me slightly happy was that he had an omega son.]
In the dark and damp basement, the man grabbed the silver-haired boy's hair and took a deep breath:
[This kid still smells like milk, much better than those betas.]
Badwa…
—The person who kidnapped him together with Leinster!!!
"White Pond!!!"
choke!
In a flash, Jiang Ci didn't hesitate at all, and directly grabbed the transformed spear in mid-air and stabbed it straight at Badhua. He was now surrounded, and if he waited any longer, he would only be more passive. Now he could only seize the opportunity by surprise.
In an instant, Badhua's pupils tightened and he dodged in an instant, and the sharp tip of the gun almost grazed the man's face.
At this moment, Badhua twitched his nose and his face changed suddenly. He sensed something extremely terrifying and ferocious. The pheromones of the strange alpha were like an angry beast, roaring to declare its sovereignty.
"Damn it, who tagged you?!"
What answered him was a sharp silver light.
Jiang Ci's close combat skills were all taught by Zhou Jiuya. Although he is an omega, his fighting style is swift and fierce, and every shot is like thunder.
But Badhua had more combat experience. He took out a pitch-black scimitar, and almost every slash brought about a sharp electric spark. In just a few seconds, the two sides fought for more than a dozen rounds. Every collision splashed out dazzling flames several meters away!
Everything around was shattered almost in the blink of an eye by the air waves and electric sparks caused by the attack.
In such a fierce battle, the people around had no chance to intervene.
However, the indoor space ultimately limited Jiang Ci's performance. What's more, Badhua knew Zhou Jiuya's combat style too well, so he was still one step ahead of him.
boom!
The silver spear was violently bounced away, Jiang Ci felt a pain in his abdomen, and slammed into the wall, causing a violent collapse. There was a bloody knife mark on his arm.
The next second, Jiang Ci felt that all the strength in his body was suddenly drained away.
His pupils suddenly dilated.
—It’s a drug!
The next second, he felt a violent tug on his scalp, and the other party grabbed his hair again.
boom!!!
The big hand pressed Jiang Ci to the ground.
"stop!!!"
He Zhun's pupils shrank and he suddenly shouted loudly.
Badhua turned his head, as if he had caught something on He Zhun, and his eyes suddenly became proud and sharp.
"how?"
He Zhun could hardly hold back his expression at this moment. He stared at Jiang Ci, who was pinned to the ground with a look of pain on her face. He tried hard to calm himself down and said,
"…The core of the Forbidden Abyss is in his hands. Take it back first."
The Forbidden Abyss Core and the Bai Ze Core are placed together, and are constantly nurtured and charged by the Bai Ze Core.
"Ah, that's easy. Omegas are creatures that, once marked, will do whatever they want."
"… "
He Zhun was stunned for a moment, and almost immediately realized what he wanted to do. He opened his eyes to the extreme and suddenly rushed forward.
"stop!!!"
However, it was too late now, as the two white-robed cultists held He Zhun down tightly.
boom!!!
The young man's kneecap hit the ground heavily, making a dull sound that made people's scalp tingle.
"Badwa!!!"
But He Zhun didn't care. He struggled frantically, his eyes were red and bloodshot.
"you dare!!!"
But at this moment, the man took out a needle and pierced it directly into Jiang Ci's neck.
"Although I don't know which alpha marked him,"
Badhua stared at the medicine being gradually injected, his pupils shrinking due to excessive excitement.
"But what a shame, it's just a temporary mark. I can just wash it off."
He stroked the omega's painful face and whispered,
"You know what, Jiang Ci, when Zhou Jiuya destroyed my eye for you, I swore—"
"In this life, I must make him live a life worse than death..."
(End of this chapter)