Chapter 62

When Ludwig emerged from the command room, there was no abnormality on his face. His facial features were sharply chiseled like a knife’s edge, his aura intimidating and unyielding. He remained the Red Blood commander who struck fear across the entire interstellar region.

Ludwig furrowed his brows, his sharp and profound red eyes narrowing. He pursed his lips. “Who took the initiative to leak the information? The White Prison? Or Andre?”

Following these two leads downward, it could only be one of these two parties.

The deputy lowered his gaze. “Andre.”

It was Andre again. Ludwig let out a cold laugh. “Arrange a meeting with Andre.”

The meeting was not delayed for long. Almost the instant Red Blood sent the signal to Andre, an encrypted video call came through from the other side.

The golden-haired male insect on the other end had not yet changed out of his parliamentary attire. He had been bustling about and had already risen to the upper echelons of Parliament, yet he was still working overtime into the late hours.

Andre tidied up his documents, the arc of his smile perfectly standard—even measured with Parliament’s ruler, it couldn’t be more precise. He spoke up. “Your Excellency, good day. What urgent matter brings you to me now?”

Ludwig narrowed his eyes. “How much longer do you intend to play Parliament’s roundabout games?”

Andre waved his hand in helpless fashion. “No choice, that’s just how it is after spending too much time there. Haven’t you spent some time in Parliament yourself?”

Ludwig cut straight to the point. “I know what you want to do. Make changes? I wasn’t interested last time, but now I’ve changed my mind. This rotten empire does indeed need to be wiped out entirely.”

Even though he had been mentally prepared, hearing Ludwig’s decisive response still caused Andre’s movements to pause as he sorted documents. It still felt unreal.

When Andre had detected someone trying to investigate Sadro through him via counter-tracking, he had half-believed it and followed Sadro’s suggestion to leak the information.

Andre did not believe in so-called love from female insects, but what about all these generous rewards? What were they tied to?

Love truly was a poison, capable of dragging even the freest eagle back to earth.

Andre lowered his gaze, but everything had gone too smoothly—smooth enough to stir a faint unease in him. He suppressed the anxiety in his heart and looked toward the tall red-haired female insect opposite him.

Ludwig spoke. “But I have one condition.”

Stating a condition and exchanging it for a price—this actually put Andre’s mind at ease. He asked, “What condition?”

A cold light gleamed in Ludwig’s eyes. “It must be me who personally destroys the empire and severs his head.”

Andre was momentarily stunned, his golden eyes flickering. Then he laughed. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

“I don’t care if this is happening under his tacit approval, but Andre—whatever the reason, whatever the purpose—”

Ludwig gave him a cold glance and disconnected the video call.

“The moment you treat him as a bargaining chip, you’ve already lost him.”

That day, Ludwig was weeding the plants growing in the courtyard. Shen Yu stood amid the deep greenery of the yard and suddenly remembered something. He turned his head and asked him:

“Ludwig, today is the Vineflower Festival. Shouldn’t we go on a date?”

The Vineflower Festival was entirely organized by the Male Protection Association. During this time, large numbers of male insects went out, and for female insects, there was the hunting ritual to win the favor of male insects. Thus, the Vineflower Festival was also known as the lovers’ festival.

On the bustling main street, the air was filled with the sweet, intoxicating scent of vine flower wine. Male insects paraded about with crowds of female insects, reveling in pleasure.

All male insects, female insects, and sub-female insects were intoxicated in this hazy dream. Crowds surged everywhere, with vine flower viewing events, performances, and exhibitions unfolding one after another.

In the throng, the silver-haired male insect had a cold expression, his long hair cascading down his body, his sidelong gaze cool and serene like a mountain snowfall.

The tall red-haired female insect had his hands in his pockets, his brows furrowed fiercely. His posture was casual and unrestrained, yet he steadfastly guarded the male insect’s side, preventing others from approaching.

They looked perfectly matched. Quite a few people secretly sized them up.

Suddenly, a roar of fierce cheers erupted.

Shen Yu and Ludwig followed the sound up the steps to a spacious high platform. Above the platform stood numerous sub-female insects and female insects, while in the center, surrounded by the crowd, was a group of noble male insects dressed in elaborate formal attire.

Below the high platform lay the ferocious beast-fighting arena, where bare-chested female insects were locked in combat.

This was the hunting ritual, originating from ancient times. In the hunting ritual, female insects could not beastify to fight. Victory meant hunting the marked beast among all the ferocious ones, severing its top horn, and exchanging it for a vine flower wreath to present to a male insect as tribute.

The victorious female insect could make one request of the male insects watching from the high platform.

As a male insect, Shen Yu was immediately ushered to the center of the high platform upon ascending to watch the ritual.

The male insect beside him was clearly a playboy who didn’t discriminate between males and females. His eyes lit up at the sight of Shen Yu, and he sidled over with a cheeky grin. “Beauty, got plans tonight?”

Shen Yu unceremoniously pushed away the male insect’s grinning head with one hand. His gaze swept downward, and he suddenly noticed a familiar figure entering the hunting field.

That red-haired female insect abruptly threw his head back and looked straight at him, a wild grin spreading across his face. His aura screamed “this is my territory,” like a beast patrolling its domain.

Shen Yu paused, instinctively glancing around. Sure enough, the area was empty—no idea when he had slipped away. He withdrew his gaze and looked down.

The male insect noticed his line of sight and glanced downward himself. His eyes lit up again. “Fancy him, huh? Tsk, he’s handsome alright, but he looks too fierce. Bet taming him would be thrilling.”

Shen Yu finally deigned to lift his eyelids and glance at him.

The pampered male insect gazed at him with a smiling simper, like he was begging for a satisfactory gift. “Though it’s tough. Wanna team up?”

Shen Yu frowned and parted his lips. “Scram.”

His possession—even if he didn’t want it—wouldn’t go to anyone else.

The male insect froze at the chill in Shen Yu’s eyes. He blinked, gritted his teeth in annoyance at his momentary lapse, his smile rapidly fading. With a cold snort, he turned away.

The hunting field was surrounded by dense woods. Sunlight filtered through the canopy gaps. Ludwig’s muscles tensed, his movements swift and precise. He quickly located the marked beast.

The red-haired female insect’s actions were swift and precise. In the instant the beast lunged and missed, he spun around and plunged the knife into its vital spot. The series of moves flowed seamlessly, and then he deftly severed the beast’s top horn.

“Easy peasy.”

Ludwig arched one sharp, thick brow, nudged the half-dead beast’s body with his foot, and with a flick of his wrist, smoothly sheathed the knife in his tall boot.

Envious female insects immediately swarmed him. Ludwig tilted his head, rubbed his wrist, and sneered inwardly. One punch per head—he showed no mercy and knocked them all flat.

The red-haired female insect quickly took the lead. At the center of the hunting field, he stretched out his arm and plucked the purple wreath symbolizing victory and glory.

A long staircase extended downward from the high platform. Ludwig spun the wreath idly in his palm with a roguish flair. His tall military boots stepped onto the stairs, ascending to the platform step by step.

All eyes instantly converged on him.

This victorious female insect had an exceptionally handsome face, with flamboyant red hair and a wild temperament—rogue with a hint of bad boy charm. Amid the cheers of victory, he drew the gazes of quite a few male insects present.

They couldn’t help but wonder: to whom would this wreath be offered?

The crowd automatically parted like a sheep path. Ludwig strode forward, only to find his path blocked by a noble male insect.

This male insect was half a head shorter than him, arms crossed, chin lifted arrogantly. He spoke in a haughty tone. “Hey, you lower-class bug. Young master here has taken a liking to you.”

Even if given eight lifetimes, Ludwig never would have imagined being blocked in such a manner one day.

Finding it too absurd, Ludwig didn’t even feel angry—just a twitch at the corner of his mouth. He rolled his eyes and looked toward Shen Yu behind him.

Shen Yu propped his chin on his hand, a faint curve at his lips, watching leisurely like he was enjoying a show.

“…” Ludwig’s gaze lingered on the curve of his mouth. He itched to pin him down right then, tickle him senseless, and swallow that smile.

Ludwig’s dark red eyes shifted. He pointed a finger at Shen Yu and tossed out lightly, “Oh, I’m his female slave.”

Back at the court gathering, from everyone’s attitude toward Sainka, he knew “female slave” wasn’t a flattering term. Most male insects avoided it like the plague, and “his” immediately indicated prior acquaintance.

The obstructing male insect’s expression indeed changed. Recalling his earlier hot face against cold ass, he felt played. He whipped his head aside, shot Shen Yu a vicious glare, and stormed off with a foul look.

Shen Yu: “…”

With the obstacle gone, Ludwig strode up to Shen Yu and dropped to one knee.

Shen Yu watched his every move.

Ludwig grasped his hand, gloved in pristine white. Under the crowd’s gaze, he firmly drew Shen Yu’s hand to his vulnerable throat.

A frivolous, roguish smile bloomed on the red-haired female insect’s face.

Ludwig looked at Shen Yu, his voice low and husky. “Your Excellency, may I steal a kiss from you?”

The request completely caught the surrounding male insects off guard, filling them with shock. The other female insects and sub-female insects reacted even more dramatically, erupting in gasps almost instantly.

Everyone knew this intense, primal hunting ritual was one of the rare chances for female insects to win a male insect Your Excellency’s favor.

The participants were generally low-status, so past victors’ requests were things like “one night,” “pheromones,” or “position as female attendant.”

Yet this low-class female insect—even a female slave—didn’t ask for help shedding his slave status or anything else. Instead, he made this utterly foolish yet supremely romantic demand.

Was it to pry open the heart of this beautiful male insect Your Excellency before him?

Far too stupid.

Some spectacle-loving male insects clapped, casting teasing and mocking glances at Ludwig. Of course, most female insects itched with hatred—especially his defeated subordinates, who wanted to shove the female insects aside and take their place.

Shen Yu was happy to play along in this pure-hearted roleplay, a faint curve lifting at his lips.

Shen Yu’s fingers twitched slightly, brushing the throat beneath. His voice was clear and cool. “Of course.”

Thus, Ludwig lowered his head, carefully guiding his hand to plant a scorching, fervent kiss on the back of it.

Breath transmitted heat and itchiness through the soft glove fabric. Shen Yu wiggled his fingers and tilted his head. “Just the back of the hand?”

His words drew instant reddened eyes from the surrounding female insects. They couldn’t help sucking in sharp breaths.

Insect God above—was this how you moved a male insect? Were male insects this easy to move? And this was a stunningly beautiful noble male insect?

Ludwig’s brow arched lightly. He stood, his misty gaze seizing Shen Yu. He deliberately amplified his voice. “Then, Your Excellency, shall we go somewhere else to kiss in secret?”

Ludwig emphasized “kiss in secret.” Amid the crowd’s jaw-dropping stares, he cheerfully led Shen Yu away.

Twilight slanted in. They bought vine flower wine at the market. Beneath swaying purple vine flowers, light filtered through. Shen Yu lowered his eyelids, his long lashes like frosted snow, somewhat drunk.

Seizing the wine’s momentum, Ludwig kissed the corner of his lips and truly stole his kiss.

A smile appeared in the female insect’s eyes. Under the flickering lights, he gazed unblinkingly at Shen Yu. Stolen from by him, perhaps buzzed from the alcohol, Shen Yu wasn’t annoyed. He merely lifted his lashes, staring back unblinkingly at Ludwig.

“Ludwig, do you want to spend every Vineflower Festival with me from now on?”

Shallow blue eyes rippled layer by layer.

The wind swayed.

Purple vine flowers swayed.

Lights swayed.

Thus, everything happened naturally. Ludwig reached out, cupped his face, and kissed his lips.

“I couldn’t ask for more.”

The music signaling the Vineflower Festival’s curtain call began. People flooded the dance floor, starting to dance.

Ludwig held Shen Yu’s hand, joining the flow into the dance floor. He led him in slow turns—no need for strict etiquette or norms, no focus on grace or socializing. It was just a dance: relaxed, casual, free.

People drowned in the scents of wine and flowers, catching a moment to breathe.

The music stopped. The Vineflower Festival ended. Dusk had fully fallen.

The two walked back to Azure Sparrow Hill under the moonlight. It was late at night; normally at this time, Ludwig would have already left. With the Empire engaged in an external war and large contingents of troops withdrawing, Andre and Ludwig had reached a cooperation agreement—this was the perfect opportunity.

Lights fell around them. Shen Yu stepped on Ludwig’s shadow and asked him puzzledly, “Why aren’t you leaving today?”

Ludwig narrowed his eyes and grinned roguishly as he leaned in close. “The atmosphere is so good, Your Excellency. Really not up for a round?”

Shen Yu turned and walked away.

“Hey, hey.”

Ludwig hurriedly grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back.

Shen Yu stopped, his back to him, and scoffed. “Spit it out if you have something to say.”

Ludwig hugged him from behind. An aggressively potent aura instantly overwhelmed him. Shen Yu’s shoulder blades and lower back pressed against the female insect’s scorching, warm chest. Ludwig wrapped both arms around his waist and held him tight.

The red-haired female insect buried his head in Shen Yu’s shoulder. Breath laced with alcohol sprayed against his neck, the heat rising freely.

Ludwig held him in a completely possessive embrace but said nothing for a long time.

Yet Shen Yu keenly sensed that he had something to say.

“Sadro, the freedom I’ve pursued my whole life has lost its shine because of you.”

Even knowing it’s a trap, I’m willing to fall right in.

You’ve given me too many sweet temptations.

I’m willing to draw a prison on the ground for you, become the sharpest blade in your hand.

Ludwig pressed a light kiss to his neck and murmured, “I love you.”

Shen Yu drooped his eyelashes. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but a powerful emotion struck him. He stayed silent until Ludwig released him and the sound of retreating footsteps echoed.

Shen Yu stepped into the courtyard. Lush greenery filled the space, and it was far quieter than usual.

Shen Yu opened the door. The moment he pushed it open, white mist surged in from all directions.

The instant he caught the scent, Shen Yu lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.