VFMESR Chapter 72

The Burke galaxy holds countless planets, with the royal palace situated in the capital star, the most concentrated and powerful military hub. 

 

Jiang Qian arrived at the border planet of the Burke galaxy—desolate and backward, sparsely populated. Being at the edge, it had a heavy guard presence, soldiers now fully geared up with military mechas ready for combat as per the Majesty’s orders, quietly surveilling the movements of the invading enemy ships within the defense perimeter.

 

Beyond the border, in the stellar expanse, a fleet of imposing warships loomed overhead, headed by a young man, accompanied by the mysterious figure Jiang Qian hired.

 

They lingered, waiting for their target to arrive.

 

Before long, the air seemed to shift, a palpable surge in spiritual energy, felt by all from a distance—they knew he had arrived. Jiang Qian frowned; this level of spiritual prowess was momentarily beyond his reach.

 

Jiang Qian even began to question whether today truly was Chu Wenyu’s most vulnerable day, as suggested by 008. He felt somewhat uncertain.

 

Nevertheless, he had planned his escape route in advance. Even if the unexpected happened, making his way back to Charles alone wouldn’t pose a challenge. Glancing around indifferently, he asked 008, unable to contain himself, “Do you have any confidence left?”

 

008 remained fixated on the source of the overwhelming aura he sensed, a sense of gravity settling on his face. It appears that the spiritual power of interstellar humans is indeed a formidable force.

 

Glancing at the data on the second most dangerous individual, he displayed a hint of disdain. Even if their talent is exceptionally sharp, having used his cleverness in some areas, he deemed that he could compete with them, making them not particularly formidable.

 

“Your Highness, there’s hope if you and I work together to attack his weaknesses,” the mechanical voice lacked emotional inflection. Yet, the choice of words shifted to ‘hope’ rather than ‘probability,’ as inconsistencies remained between the exhaustive data searched for over the years and the present reality.

 

“Humph, if worse comes to worst, just bringing back the Crown Prince will suffice as completing the mission.” Jiang Qian remained more fixated on this, as expected.

 

008, however, held no interest in the Crown Prince mentioned by him. Their master tasked them solely to meticulously study the strongest spiritual power user among interstellar humans, disregarding other insignificant matters.

 

Evidently, he hadn’t received the latest updates.

 

Both of them awaited eagerly, their gazes locked in a particular direction.

 

Finally, the legendary ruler emerged within their sight. His frail appearance made him seem vulnerable; Jiang Qian could even look at him condescendingly when he was sitting in the wheelchair. However, this did nothing to boost Jiang Qian’s confidence or dominance. In his fluster, he even found himself avoiding the other’s gaze.

 

Especially upon noticing the familiar figure behind the man, Jiang Qian redirected all his attention to him.

 

The two seemed incredibly intimate, instantly evoking the rumors Jiang Qian had heard from the King about their relationship. At that moment, looking at his brother sent shivers down his spine.

 

“How disgraceful,” Jiang Qian muttered under his breath.

 

With the main character now present, Jiang Qian beckoned one of the soldiers beside him to convey his instructions while he remained in place, observing Chu Wenyu’s actions closely.

 

“He wants my people?” Chu Wenyu chuckled deeply, displaying extreme impatience with the absence of pleasantries. His personal appearance was solely to teach this brat a lesson. Despite his considerable talent, attempting to compete with him now was clearly an overestimation of his capabilities.

 

Chu Wenyu gestured, signaling his men to rudely detain the soldier who had come with the message.

 

Such a move set both sides at even greater odds, the tension almost reaching a breaking point.

 

The grave atmosphere was ignited by the unauthorized actions of 008.

 

Seemingly detached from Jiang Qian’s employ, 008’s eyes held caution and excitement, completely disregarding Jiang Qian as he whispered among his own companions. The golden hues in their eyes seemed to shimmer more intensely.

 

The soldiers from both sides engaged in combat using mechas, a display far beyond the scope of ordinary battles. It was Jiang Qian’s first time witnessing such a magnificent and powerful spectacle.

 

Chu Wenyu remained grim-faced, completely dismissing the petty clashes between the soldiers on both sides.

 

With an overwhelming spiritual prowess, Chu Wenyu could easily overpower Jiang Qian and all his comparatively weaker soldiers. However, both nations would avoid such an unequal display of strength. It was similar to a powerful galaxy possessing planet-destroying weapons; initiating such action would lead to mutual destruction. Hence, it was reserved for self-defense but not for casual use. By the rules, Chu Wenyu would only target Jiang Qian, also possessing an SS-level spiritual power. The outcome of the impending war would essentially be decided between them.

 

The significance of having such powerful beings within a galaxy is crucial. A weaker star, if inciting war, would inevitably face destruction, lacking the capability to counterbalance the presence of other galaxies.

 

Jiang Ling also entered his own white mech, with minimal hands-on combat experience aside from facing Chu Wenyu. However, Chu Wenyu primarily restricted Jiang Ling’s movements to areas he could protect because, despite Jiang Ling’s formidable spiritual prowess, his ability application was average due to twenty years of neglect. He struggled to wield even a tenth of his innate potential, which was why Jiang Ling was currently far inferior to him.

 

Like a training exercise, Jiang Ling attempted to tangle with enemy soldiers on the field. Due to his unfamiliarity with operation, several hits landed on certain parts of his mecha. However, as supervised personally by Chu Wenyu, the mecha’s quality remained intact, posing no threat to Jiang Ling himself. 

 

Having a strong ability to comprehend and adapt, Jiang Ling began to counter after grasping certain rules. He infused his spiritual energy, barely striking the abdomen of the soldier’s mecha. Instantly, a burst of fire emanated from the impact site, revealing a crack. The soldier coughed blood and was ejected from the mecha before it exploded.

 

Jiang Ling was taken aback. He didn’t pursue further. To him, today was like a military exercise. His intention was merely to make Jiang Qian retreat, not to cause casualties.

 

Seemingly unable to control his spiritual power moments ago, the commotion he caused was minor on the battlefield. 

 

However, Chu Wenyu, though focused on Jiang Ling, glanced briefly in their direction, confirming Jiang Ling’s safety before resuming his cold demeanor, dealing with the two now cooperating against him.

 

When battling with 008, Chu Wenyu sensed something peculiar about the person’s spiritual power, distinct from regular individuals yet exhibiting the level of a double S-class. Jiang Qian’s strength was completely unsurprising, and it was no different from what he had guessed.

 

Chu Wenyu, disinterested in prolonging the battle, directed all his force towards Jiang Qian. Despite feeling weak today, he still possessed seventy percent of his usual strength.

 

The speed was too swift, and the oppressive spiritual force made it challenging for Jiang Qian to evade, resulting in a direct hit.

 

He staggered back several steps, the mecha leaving several meters-deep craters in the ground. Within the mecha, Jiang Qian tasted blood in his throat, his spiritual domain turned upside down by Chu Wenyu’s attack.

 

Regret surged within Jiang Qian’s heart; he hadn’t anticipated the vast difference in their current abilities.

 

Immediately, he glanced at 008, who appeared even more cautious now and refrained from directly confronting Chu Wenyu.

 

Jiang Qian cursed under his breath, privately determined to teach 008 a lesson.

 

The outcome of this battle was already glaringly apparent—they stood no chance against Chu Wenyu.

 

Seeing this situation, the soldiers from Charles Star lost their morale. They no longer desired to fight and began preparing to retreat.

 

When everyone relaxed their vigilance, 008, who had distanced himself from Chu Wenyu, suddenly charged towards Jiang Ling. Leaping from the mecha, he expanded into a colossal creature, harder than the mecha itself, transforming from human form into a giant insect with obsidian-like black body and golden eyes, startling everyone.

 

Unable to confront Chu Wenyu head-on, 008 stealthily observed, finally identifying the opponent’s fatal weakness.

 

In a flash, 008, wielding his wings, struck at Jiang Ling. What the Zerg are most proud of is their own strength, which is far stronger than when using a mecha, several times more powerful.

 

Jiang Ling had never encountered such a creature, yet he reacted swiftly, leaping from the mecha in an instant. The unmanned mecha, defenseless, was sent flying dozens of meters by a single wing, crashing into the mountainside.

 

Jiang Ling was about to warn Chu Wenyu about the creature when suddenly, Chu Wenyu’s blue mecha rushed towards his own, the scent of gunpowder smoke thick in the air.

 

Jiang Ling was stunned. He was very familiar with this smell. It was the scent he had noticed the first time he witnessed Chu Wenyu fainting during a seizure. His mind went blank, realizing the urgency of the situation, and he immediately shouted, “Your Majesty—”

 

But it was too late. Chu Wenyu, who thought Jiang Ling was still in the mecha, was now disoriented spiritually. Desperately jumping out of the mecha, he left his back vulnerable to the creature, focused solely on rescuing Alpha.

 

008’s golden eyes lit up, and he seized the opportunity instantly. He was as fast as light, after all, his race was the best at flying.

 

Knowing of Chu Wenyu’s leg disability, 008 instantly attacked his legs, shattering the devices supporting him, leaving the legs a garbled mess. Chu Wenyu, feeling extremely weak, didn’t sense any pain, merely collapsing to his knees.

 

With his mask fallen off at some point, Chu Wenyu didn’t look back, fixated only on the entrance of the white mecha, muttering, “Jiang Ling…” as he tried to crawl towards him.

 

Jiang Ling was the most sensitive to Chu Wenyu’s spiritual power. He could sense that this time his spiritual power fluctuated stronger than ever before, and he could no longer even hear his own voice in reality.

 

Staring hard onto 008, veins bulging on his forehead, eyes reddened, Jiang Ling was consumed by rage.

 

Almost instantly, Jiang Ling seized a soldier’s mecha, charging towards 008.

 

At this moment, Jiang Ling, who had been entirely unskilled just moments ago, seemed transformed. Instinctively, he channeled all his spiritual energy from his consciousness into his chest, infusing it into the mecha. Acting on pure instinct, Jiang Ling controlled the mecha, aiming to sever the giant insect creature into half.

 

008 wings that were about to attack Chu Wenyu froze in the air, his eyes vacant, before exploding into pieces the next second, hot liquid splattering on the ground, causing extreme nausea.

 

Simultaneously, the mecha controlled by Jiang Ling also ruptured under the pressure of his spiritual energy.

 

Alongside the gunpowder scent, another terrifying surge pulsed through the air, entwined with the chaos.

 

The soldiers stood stunned, feeling the lingering vibrations beneath their feet. Meanwhile, Jiang Qian, already injured and witnessing it all, widened his eyes in disbelief.

 

As it turned out… his spiritual power wasn’t double S-class after all…

 

Jiang Qian shot a resentful glance at Jiang Ling, then decisively turned towards the direction of retreat. The soldiers accompanying him promptly followed suit.

 

However, 008’s companions exchanged glances, unwilling to let them escape. Their general’s mission remained unfulfilled; they needed to report back at the very least.

 

No longer concealing themselves, they transformed into their true forms. While they dared not interfere with that side, these soldiers from Charles Star were still their enemies. Dealing with them would also be considered a service.

 

Jiang Qian had long since lost his strength to fight. He heard the screams coming from behind but showed no reaction. Instead, he boarded a military warship and departed swiftly.

 

008’s blood was black, yet there were crimson stains on the ground belonging to another person.

 

Stimulated by that scene, Chu Wenyu’s spiritual state deteriorated completely, and he became insane, shutting out any signals from the outside world.

 

In his sight, he could only see the alpha standing not far away from him, steadily moving forward without pausing. The metallic taste of blood flooded Chu Wenyu’s throat; he felt astringent and tangy inside. Every time he closed his eyes, an unbearable heartache rushed, and he couldn’t help himself. When he opened his eyes again, tears were streaming down his face.

 

Images of Alpha wanting to leave him in the past flashed through Chu Wenyu’s mind like scenes from a movie. He pursed his lips, unwilling to give up the idea of catching up to Alpha.

 

“Jiang Ling, don’t go, they’ll harm you.” His voice sounded fragmented, echoing his shattered feelings.

 

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t grasp the hem of Alpha’s trousers.

 

In reality, Jiang Ling had already hurriedly arrived at Chu Wenyu’s side. But Chu Wenyu, lost in confusion, couldn’t see him at all, instead, he mindlessly climbed toward his mecha.

 

He heard murmurs from the other’s lips and stopped him with a pang in his heart, “Your Majesty, I’m here, I’m fine.”

 

Only when Chu Wenyu heard the repeated calls did he turn around, gazing at Jiang Ling holding him. “Why are you crying? Do you hate me so much that you don’t want to stay?” He seemed puzzled, then, something struck him, making his breath quicken, his heart sinking like a stone.

 

However, instinctively, he reached out to wipe Alpha’s tears. As he lifted his hand, it was smeared with crimson bloodstains between his fingers.

 

Jiang Ling picked up Chu Wenyu, whose legs dangled almost numbly, soaked in blood.

 

He gazed in a certain direction, traces of Chu Wenyu’s blood still lingering on his handsome face. Then, he reluctantly smiled and gently nudged Chu Wenyu’s head with his chin, “Why are you so stubborn? You’re thirty years old and yet you act like a child.”

 

Otherwise, how could he not distinguish the situation just because he was worried about him? He dared to disregard the creature irrationally. Even if he was truly inside the mecha, this person shouldn’t have come to see him first. 

 

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to blame Chu Wenyu. Faced with someone like him, he couldn’t bear to say anything more.

 

Alpha’s pheromones nourished Chu Wenyu’s disoriented spiritual state, making him feel uncomfortable at the nape of his neck, both itchy and numb.

 

It was indeed foolishness. Chu Wenyu, still not fully awake, was completely unaware of his own blunder, speaking out loud what he had been thinking all along.

 

Rubbing the back of his neck, Chu Wenyu pouted, “You’re the one making it hard, I’m thirty and you still don’t mark me.”

 

Jiang Ling paused, furrowing his brows in confusion, but immediately, he hugged Chu Wenyu and headed back to the palace.

 

---

 

Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters.  (๑>ᴗ<๑)