FMLB Chapter 107

Chapter 107 – Frankness

 

He fell into a long dream in an ocean, with undulating waves and rays of light eroded by the sea floating in it. He walks step by step into the sea, the water soaking his body, his soft fur damp and turning into translucent white or deep red scales.

 

He was a newborn soul, transformed into a fish in the ocean. Perhaps everyone has been a fish at some point, some fish were caught in the net of fate and washed ashore, some fish die peacefully and their bones rest in shells, some fish are called Kun, and they turn into large birds called Peng.

 

He swayed  his fish tail in the water and suddenly saw the ripples of rain hitting the sea surface. The rain quietly tapped on the sea surface, and in the deep sea, only he, a fish, discovered this light rain. So he floated to the surface, reaching out to catch the raindrops. 

 

The raindrops fell on his face, as if someone was gently kissing his cheeks, the pattering sound echoing in his ears, as if someone was whispering softly.

 

That person said, He Ruge.

 

So all the pattering sounds turn into He Ruge, gently calling out, as if the sky is gently kissing the sea surface. But suddenly the rain becomes heavier and heavier, turning into a storm, from a light kiss to a deep one.

 

He Ruge was kissed awake.

 

The moment he opens his eyes, it’s as if he hears something fluttering and quickly retracting with force. He Ruge didn’t think much about it. His attention is all focused on the drool at the corner of Xi Guican’s mouth and the silver threads connecting their lips, not yet broken.

 

… Pulling sugar*.

 

*T/N: Stealing some sweetness

 

It’s quite embarrassing.

 

Like a big cat caught cheating, Xi Guican’s brain went blank. He stared at He Ruge in a daze, the gentle familiarity in the young man’s black eyes, tinged with indulgence.

 

Not the lofty compassion of a god overlooking all living beings, the Qiong Qi in his memory particularly disliked Bai Ze’s distant compassion in the past, even though he distributed kindness equally to everyone, but each person only received a little favor.

 

This was his Ruge.

 

Blue eyes suddenly burst with dazzling light, like the sea and sky igniting. Bathed in such scorching eyes, He Ruge’s heart seems to be enveloped by hot streams. During his disappearance and unconsciousness, Xi Guican must have been very anxious and upset.

 

He Ruge sat up, hugged the warm Xi Guican, and gently kissed the corner of his mouth, as if soothing a small animal. Just as he finished the simple kiss and prepared to talk to Xi Guican, Xi Guican suddenly embraced his waist and deepened the kiss.

 

They collapse onto the bed, He Ruge indulgently letting Xi Guican kiss him, allowing those large hands to continuously stroke his cheeks and shoulders. 

 

This kiss was very long, causing a slight moisture in the corners of He Ruge’s eyes and mouth. Xi Guican’s hand also moves from his shoulders to his fingertips, clasping tightly. It’s unclear whose palm had a thin layer of sweat, emitting a misty fragrance.

 

He Ruge looked at the ceiling, thinking he must like this kiss, the long, warm kiss, the warm embrace, even the strong possessiveness appears gentle because of careful touches.

 

“I thought…” the man’s hoarse voice sounds in his ears, “you would hate me.” 

 

Xi Guican hugged him, saying gloomily.

 

He Ruge reached out and pats the other’s back, “How could that be?” 

 

He recalled the tension contained in Xi Guican’s kiss and suddenly understood the reason, “Are you worried that Bai Ze will hate Qiong Qi?”

 

“Guican, do you remember what you said to me when you confessed that you were the reincarnation of Qiong Qi?” 

 

He Ruge looked at those blue eyes attentively, “You said to me, Qiong Qi is Qiong Qi, Xi Guican is Xi Guican. So now I’m telling you, Bai Ze is Bai Ze, He Ruge is He Ruge. Look, Bai Ze and He Ruge are different races.”

 

Furry tiger ears suddenly twitched out, as if Xi Guican couldn’t contain his joy. Unable to resist, He Ruge reached out to rub Xi Guican’s tiger ears. After rubbing the tiger ears, he remembered the little wings. 

 

He couldn’t forget the palm-sized wings, “Guican, can I see your Wings of Slaughter?”

 

For a moment, He Ruge felt like Xi Guican’s smile stiffened, a fleeting panic, but when he looked closely, ignoring the nervously raised tiger ears, Xi Guican’s expression was flawless.

 

“I have something I haven’t told you yet. We’re in the heartland of the Insect race on Star Seventeen.”

 

Bringing up business, He Ruge temporarily put aside the wings. His light brain was taken away, so he didn’t know what happened between Xi Guican and the Insect Queen. 

 

Since Xi Guican could find him, there were only two possibilities: either Xi Guican defeated the Insect Queen and came to find him, or Xi Guican abruptly left the battle halfway. Although He Ruge hoped for the first possibility, the latter was more likely.

 

If that’s the case, there must be a lot of criticism against Xi Guican on the star network.

 

He Ruge didn’t dare to ask. 

 

He listened quietly as Xi Guican spoke, “This is the lair of the glutton on Star Seventeen. The Insect Queen dares not set foot here, but if we go out, we’ll see that the outside has been surrounded by the Insect race.”

 

“If I’m not mistaken, the glutton cultivates an evil technique similar to the second elemental infant technique of human cultivators. This evil technique not only feeds on negative emotions to strengthen itself, but also uses negative emotions to refine puppets. After cultivation, it can gain nineteen extra lives for free. The host needs to be carefully selected; too many negative emotions will cause the glutton to lose its mind. It attaches itself to individuals with firm wills and treats them as hosts.”

 

“During the refining process, due to the influence of the evil technique, the host’s mind is clouded, and they don’t know they’re possessed by the glutton, nor do they know what the glutton does with their bodies.”

 

“The Commander of the Whale Clan, Hang Shikuang, is probably one of the hosts.” 

 

Xi Guican mentioned Hang Shikuang with a cold gaze. Although he knew that Hang Shikuang did harm to He Ruge because he was possessed by the glutton, Xi Guican still couldn’t help but feel resentful towards him.

 

Hang Shikuang is still unconscious, thrown by Xi Guican into the room next door where the glutton keeps its torture devices.

 

“So, are the people on the kill list possibly candidates for hosts?” He Ruge blurted out. 

 

He had been puzzled before. Since the glutton wanted to kill the people on the list seventeen years ago, why are these people still alive and well seventeen years later? 

 

Did the glutton suddenly not want to kill them anymore?

 

Or are these people already “dead” in the eyes of the glutton? Puppets and dead people, in a sense, are the same.

 

“The contract signed by the Insect Queen and Qiong Qi probably involved the power of the glutton. The Insect race sensed my reincarnation, so this star war happened and they attacked at all costs. So what benefit does the star war have for the glutton?” 

 

Xi Guican said softly, “War always gives birth to countless negative emotions. Before the first star war, there had never been live broadcasts of wars in this world.”

 

The scenes of war are too bloody and violent, with flesh and blood scattered everywhere. No one has ever thought of broadcasting the battlefield live. But when the first star war broke out, the Federal Parliament proposed the “Star War Live” bill.

 

Wu Chengdeng was the first member of the Dovish faction to support this bill. Once doubts arise about something, previously unnoticed questions come pouring in.

 

Why couldn’t the Federation shake the mysterious live broadcast for so many years, is it because they were powerless, or because they never really investigated?

 

Why was the glutton so sure that Xi Guican would watch the live broadcast, and how could Wu Chengdeng send the live broadcast link to Xi Guican at such a time?

 

After looking at each other, He Ruge and Xi Guican both had answers in their hearts.

 

Although He Ruge didn’t know as clearly as Xi Guican, he vaguely guessed that the top figures of the Hawk and Dove factions should all have a part of the glutton’s consciousness.

 

“We need to leave here quickly. The souls of the Land 1 Class students and teachers are preserved by Bai Ze, but Bai Ze’s power is running out. It can only last for two days at most. If we can’t send their souls back to their bodies within two days, they won’t be able to return.” He Ruge’s tone was somewhat urgent.

 

Xi Guican pursed his lips, then said with some difficulty, “I… I’m a little injured. I may not be able to take you out in a short time.” 

 

The blood contract consumed half of Xi Guican’s blood and spiritual power, and the battle with the Insect Queen consumed a lot of energy. In addition, he voluntarily broke the Wings of Slaughter. 

 

In the condition of severe injury, he rushed into Star Seventeen. Not to mention the great sorrow and joy Xi Guican experienced after He Ruge was abducted by the glutton. His current situation is only slightly better than when he had Vortex Mental Devouring Syndrome.

 

He Ruge’s heart tightened. With Xi Guican’s character, a slight injury is equivalent to a severe one. 

 

“Where are you injured? Let me see.”

 

Xi Guican lowered his head somewhat apologetically, “It’s just some minor injuries.” 

 

He was stripped of his clothes by He Ruge. The pale, tight chest muscles, the continuous abdominal muscles like mountains, and even a strand of white curls not covered by his pants.

 

Facing such a perfect body, He Ruge had no impure thoughts. He carefully touched it with his hands, then rigorously examined Xi Guican’s back. 

 

No matter how Xi Guican tried to hide it, the obvious swelling and bruising on his left shoulder blade couldn’t be concealed. Not only was it swollen, but there was also blood stasis. Even the demonic mark on the shoulder blade was distorted by the swelling.

 

The option “Wings of Slaughter” that he saw in the live broadcast before passing out flashed before his eyes, and He Ruge’s heart seemed to ache as if someone were squeezing it hard. 

 

He gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice, “Did you self-harm?”

 

At that time, He Ruge was locked in an iron cage. Although he was very drowsy, he vaguely heard the glutton muttering to himself. The glutton couldn’t touch him, but the blood and similar clothing were prepared very well. 

 

At that time, He Ruge was very uncomfortable and completely powerless to think about the deeper meaning behind the glutton’s actions of snake spirit illness.

 

Now that he woke up, he suddenly understood the glutton’s purpose behind the self-directed performance.

 

Xi Guican still stubbornly insisted, “It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious.”

 

He Ruge grabbed the snowy tiger ears, his face stern, “Bring out the Wings of Slaughter.”

 

The tiger ears drooped instantly, and Xi Guican gritted his teeth to summon the wings. The wings, over a meter long, were incredibly beautiful, each feather shimmering with a glossy sheen. In contrast to the perfect right wing, the broken wing appeared especially pitiful, hanging weakly on the bed, held there only by a thin layer of wing flesh.

 

“It will be fine, President.” 

 

Xi Guican said softly, “After I kill the Insect Queen, this wing will be restored to its original state.” 

 

To make He Ruge feel better, Xi Guican added with an uplifted tone, “After I kill the Insect race, the fully adapted Wings of Slaughter will have a complete form of four meters in length. You’ll definitely like it.”

 

When Xi Guican appeared in beast form, the Wings of Slaughter will be even bigger and longer than in human form.

 

Staring stubbornly at the Wings of Slaughter, He Ruge’s eyes were filled with deep self-blame and heartache. After noticing that He Ruge hadn’t spoken for a long time, Xi Guican lifted his gaze and saw the black feathers wet with tears. 

 

Xi Guican looked at his tearful lover somewhat helplessly for a long time. Then, holding his breath, he wiped away the tears from He Ruge’s eyes as gently as possible.

 

His fingertip touched the soft, wet, defenseless skin, and his heart felt as if it had been stung by something soft and damp.

 

“Guican, you always lie to me.” 

 

Back then, when the little monster was dying, he lied and said he wasn’t in pain at all.

 

The silver-haired, blue-eyed man quietly gazed at him. With long wings, a handsome and classical face, and a bare upper body sculpted like a statue, he embodied the image of an angel in an oil painting. 

 

After a while, Xi Guican said seriously, “You once told me that as long as you and I have physical contact, I wouldn’t feel any pain.”

 

He opened his arms to He Ruge, his blue eyes filled with deep, unbreakable affection. 

 

“I want to hold you.”

 

He Ruge hugged Xi Guican tightly, his hands pressing against Xi Guican’s bare skin. The man’s warmth passed unimpeded into his palms, suddenly reminding He Ruge of the third level of the dual cultivation technique, where they had to be completely honest with each other.

 

Maybe it was due to his koi-like luck, or maybe it was just how the game was designed to favor him, but every reward He Ruge received was exactly what he needed most. Could it be that the reward for reaching the third level would be a medicine to heal Xi Guican?

 

This guess made He Ruge’s heart race. He took a deep breath to hypnotize himself, telling himself that since they were both men, being seen wouldn’t cost him anything. After this self-hypnosis, He Ruge raised his head and said seriously to Xi Guican, “Guican, let’s practice the third level of the dual cultivation technique.” 

 

He wanted to get it over with quickly, so he undressed decisively and efficiently. His clothes fell onto the bed, revealing a body that had not seen sunlight for years.

 

White, as if emitting a soft glow.

 

Two equally pale bodies intertwined, one pale and the other snowy white, one strong and the other delicate. He Ruge felt as if he were melting, pressed against a large furnace—so hot, yet so comforting.

 

…

 

After their dual cultivation, both of them had rosy complexions. He Ruge’s skin was a healthy red beneath the white. He wrapped himself in the cool blanket and dressed under its cover. Even though they had done nothing but simply press their bodies together, there was an inexplicable and lingering sense of awkwardness.

 

He Ruge tried hard to shake off the strange thoughts in his mind. Just as he was about to discuss serious matters with Xi Guican, Xi Guican took his hand and gently put a light brain ring on He Ruge’s finger. His focused and affectionate expression as he looked down gave He Ruge a momentary illusion, as if Xi Guican was placing a wedding ring on him.

 

Although sometimes Xi Guican still acted like a kid, at this moment, He Ruge no longer saw him as a child but as a partner worthy of lifelong commitment.

 

He Ruge and Xi Guican logged into the game to check the rewards, and as He Ruge had guessed, the reward for the third level could heal the Wings of Slaughter. He Ruge also checked his merit points and found that they had increased to 68%. Perhaps, after killing all the gluttonous clones, his merit points would reach 100%.

 

He couldn’t help but be curious about the rewards for 100% merit points.

 

After finishing the game, He Ruge checked the Star Wars livestream replay and saw many comments cursing him and Xi Guican.

 

He didn’t mind being insulted, but when he saw people cursing Xi Guican, he was almost amused by how angry he got. Was the achievement of a hero who killed ten high-level Zergs and protected the Federation so easily erased?

 

Xi Guican was also checking his game. The reward for the third level had already taken effect on his wings, making the broken wing itch unbearably as if it were being gnawed by countless ants. However, Xi Guican had incredible endurance and focused on the game interface to divert his attention. The data had changed to:

 

[Destiny Shift Level]: 68%

 

He Ruge

 

[Fatherly Love]: He Ruge loves you very much, although sometimes it’s the love of an old father for his child (Fatherly Love Deterioration Progress 89%)

 

Xi Guican: “!!!”

 

This was a historic breakthrough!!!

 

[Awakened]: He Ruge has finally passed his awakening period and turned into a mermaid. His racial advantages are being developed by you.

 

Body

 

[Lips]: Sensitivity 40, he likes your kisses.

 

[Ears]: Sensitivity 42, his ears are very sensitive. Blow a breath and his toes will curl.

 

[Waist]: Sensitivity 13, your fingers are strumming the strings.

 

[Tail] (Locked)

 

[Chrysanthemum] (Locked)

 

Voice

 

[Pure]: Purity 85, such a clean and ethereal voice, never gets old.

 

[Seductive]: Seductiveness 13, this voice will remind you of intimate pleasures.

 

Xi Guican recalled the low moan that He Ruge accidentally let out while practicing the third level of the dual cultivation technique. He felt an urgent need for a cold shower.

 

Sleepyblue’s corner:

Blush blushh… It was so hard to keep a straight face while translating this chapter…