Chapter 31

The other party responded with an air of great pretension. Bai Ruonian tilted his head, not understanding.

This was Rank #2, wasn’t he? What was his connection to Majesty Highness?

Seeing that Bai Ruonian hadn’t caught on, Shen Zeyi lifted his chin and added, “That’s my alt account.”

Shen Zeyi had been inwardly gloating about his cool entrance. He’d planned a grand spectacle after receiving his lackey’s message and had been busy switching accounts.

A scenario where the other party is in dire straits, he descends like a god from heaven, and after switching his alt, he saves them from their predicament—a classic power fantasy plot. His little lackey would definitely have starry eyes, typing away, saying ‘His Majesty is so awesome, truly worthy of being Emperor Shen.’

As he imagined this, he chuckled to himself, delighted.

However.

The little lackey before him just tilted his head. “Why did you switch accounts? What are you doing online?”

….

“What am I doing online? Saving the day.”

Something was wrong.

There were no starry eyes as he’d imagined. Instead, there was a slightly chilly feeling. Something was watching him.

Only then did Shen Zeyi notice the familiar ice crystals surrounding them.

The vanload of people his little lackey had mentioned was now nowhere in sight. Only ice crystals, residual, annoying ice crystals.

They reminded him of someone he strongly disliked.

Shen Zeyi quickly checked the public chat, finding it scrolling rapidly, a dizzying display of frequent logins from ranked players.

He had clearly missed some excitement.

There was a player with a ridiculously named ID, [ImJustHereToSeeGodLAndHisWife].

What the hell was that name? Another Lu Mingjin fanboy.

His wife? His wife was the spy he planted, okay? Even if they weren’t particularly obedient.

….

Shen Zeyi looked around, and his smile completely vanished the moment he spotted that obsidian mecha. His face immediately darkened.

Damn, what bad luck.

So that’s why.

Lu Mingjin.

At the same time, a cold, gloomy gaze was cast in his direction.

Lu Mingjin looked at that flashy, oversized winged figure, expressionless. Not surprised. This was clearly Shen Zeyi’s style.

Seeing the level of familiarity between Bai Ruonian and Shen Zeyi, he narrowed his eyes.

What’s the meaning of this?

Those two actually knew each other?

Shen Zeyi spat in disgust. Damn it.

He hadn’t logged on for three years, and now he shows up for this???

And apparently, he’d incidentally helped his little lackey out of trouble.

He stomped on the unthawed permafrost on the ground, recognizing it as Lu Mingjin’s common tactic.

Not online for eight hundred years, and the moment he comes on, he steals his thunder.

Having missed the earlier events, Shen Zeyi didn’t know exactly what had happened, but that didn’t stop him from trembling with rage and overthinking.

From birth until now, this manufactured experiment had taken far too many things from him.

His Imperial Mother’s affection, his Imperial Father’s attention, everything, all sorts of things.

And now it was his turn to have his gaming lackey stolen?

Shen Zeyi thought Lu Mingjin wouldn’t log on just to help a little lackey for no reason. But if he knew about this lackey’s relationship with him, then it was a different story. The possibility of him deliberately causing trouble, deliberately intercepting, was quite high.

Although he had killed Lu Mingjin’s cat, wasn’t it just a cat? This bastard had retaliated by annihilating an entire galaxy of his. Countless crucial data points were lost, and his research was nearly destroyed.

When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred.

He took a few steps forward. Lu Mingjin also gathered a storm behind his expressionless face.

In the game, killing him meant he could just revive anyway.

Kill him ten times first.

Bai Ruonian felt something was definitely wrong.

Hadn’t he come to help him fight? Then what was with this look like they were about to throw down??

Even though he was just a kitty and not great at reading social cues, seeing both sides practically aiming their cannons gave him a general idea.

He quickly intervened, blocking Master’s path. He stammered to Shen Zeyi, “That’s… that’s….”

Was he his Master?

Was he his hubby?

What was he…

He froze.

Lu Mingjin watched Bai Ruonian heavily from behind.

His first instinct was to explain to this show-off?

And he even froze up.

Hm?

Shen Zeyi was also very unhappy.

Why was his lackey standing in front of Lu Mingjin?

“Aren’t you my lackey? What are you doing? I came to help you.”

When the word ‘lackey’ was said, Bai Ruonian had no reaction. Lu Mingjin narrowed his eyes.

He couldn’t imagine Bai Ruonian trotting along behind Shen Zeyi.

A storm seemed to be brewing within the game space.

Bai Ruonian thought this was a bit bad. These two clearly didn’t get along; he couldn’t let them fight. They were both good people.

So he quickly addressed Shen Zeyi, “It’s fine, those guys…”

He paused a beat.

“They’re all offline now.”

Having been beaten.

Bai Ruonian thought for a moment. “You didn’t actually come online just for me, did you?”

Shen Zeyi’s expression soured. He was trapped.

It was true he’d come up for this lackey, but mainly to show off.

So he gritted his teeth and said, “No.”

Bai Ruonian finally found an out. His eyes brightened. “Th-then… shouldn’t you go do your own thing? I… uh… it’s all taken care of here.”

If a fight really broke out, Big Wings definitely couldn’t beat his Master.

He was doing this for Shen Zeyi’s own good.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

Lu Mingjin’s voice echoed darkly. “He’s telling you to scram. Understand?”

Bai Ruonian jumped, startled by this sudden remark.

He turned back, eyes wide with surprise.

Master had never been so direct.

It seemed these two really were at odds…

Shen Zeyi stared at Lu Mingjin, utterly furious, fuming to death, his face black with rage.

From childhood to now, no matter what it was, this guy always got it in the end.

The world’s attention, his Imperial Mother’s affection, and now, he even wanted to steal his lackey.

Moreover, he’d logged on to help. What was the point of slinking away? It was rare for him to do a good deed, and this was how he was treated.

He stood his ground. “I’m not leaving. On what grounds should I leave?”

Shen Zeyi fixed his eyes on Bai Ruonian. “You’re my lackey, what gives you the right to make me leave?”

His gaze shifted down, noticing the gems on Bai Ruonian’s mecha. He grinned. “It can’t be because he gave you items that you’d choose him, right?”

With a slight gesture, as if by magic, he scattered a dazzling pile of gems across the ground.

Like a street vendor setting up shop.

The public chat scrolled rapidly. Though Shen Zeyi tossed them on the ground as if they were worthless, those in the know recognized their immense value.

【My god, you’re just… just throwing Mental Stones on the ground?】

【Just one of those fitted on my mecha would drastically increase my chances of getting into the Imperial Academy, you know?】

【Heavens… can’t you spare just one piece?】

“I’ve got stuff here, too. Him or me?”

Having said his piece, Shen Zeyi lifted his chin, looking at Bai Ruonian, childish and direct.

The tense, undercurrent-ridden atmosphere suddenly became a bit farcical.

Bai Ruonian let out an “Ah?”, not fully grasping the turn of events.

Lu Mingjin raised an eyebrow, his face blank.

Was this guy an idiot?

This was his reality-matched omega.

They were already bound in-game. Did this guy think throwing money around could steal him away or something?

Ridiculous.

Something was wrong with his brain.

But he also spoke up, his gaze settling on Bai Ruonian, calm and composed. “Then choose.”

Bai Ruonian’s eyes widened.

What the heck???

Why had Master joined in too?

What was this, huh?

Making things difficult for him.

Was it this hard to be a person?

Bai Ruonian looked at the pile of gems on the ground and swallowed hard.

Lu Mingjin caught this action and was silent for a moment.

He’d forgotten about that. This omega liked shiny things.

Throwing money might not work, but throwing shiny things might.

Before Lu Mingjin could move, Shen Zeyi escalated things.

“What’s some in-game stuff worth? Choose me, and I’ll give you a house on the Capital Planet. Permanent residency on the Capital Planet.”

He cleared his throat, even stepping forward two paces, determined to win. “Choose me, and I promise you won’t lose out. I promise you’ll get whatever you want.”

“Money, power, extending far beyond the game, all easy, just a word from me.”

Lu Mingjin’s expression relaxed.

Betting on the wrong horse, buddy.

Bai Ruonian had no reaction.

It took him ages just to process their words.

What permanent residency?

And a house, Capital Star? He was on Capital Star.

Everything Shen Zeyi said was so abstract. He didn’t need any of it. He didn’t want any of it. All he wanted was to be with his Master.

“Must I choose only you? Can’t I choose you both?”

“No.” Shen Zeyi was firm, almost coercive.

Unlike Shen Zeyi’s torrent of promises, Lu Mingjin just stood there.

Completely confident.

【Why is God L so calm?? His person is about to be stolen, hey!】

【Even I’m tempted.】

【God L is so calm.】

Lu Mingjin watched the constantly refreshing public chat. Wasn’t it obvious?

If he didn’t choose him in the game, he couldn’t run in reality either.

“Just choose.” He spoke, his tone detached. “I’ll understand whatever choice you make.”

Bai Ruonian was deeply moved.

Wuwuwu.

This was his Master.

Never forcing him to do anything he didn’t want to do.

Wuwuwu.

And so, Bai Ruonian walked toward Shen Zeyi.

A subtle shift appeared in Lu Mingjin’s expression.

?

This time, the smile shifted to Shen Zeyi’s face. He curved his lips, watching his little lackey walk towards him step by step.

Hehe, he loved taking stuff from Lu Mingjin.

Unexpectedly, Bai Ruonian approached him clutching those gems. “You can have these back. I’m sorry, okay.”

His voice was sticky-sweet but firm.

If he absolutely had to choose, he could only choose his Master.

Shen Zeyi stiffened for half a second, his lips pressed into a tight line. After stewing for a moment, he spat out, “I don’t want these anymore either. Toss them.”

Damn it.

His lackey, who’d played with him for so long, wouldn’t even choose him. Was Lu Mingjin’s charisma really that great?

And this little lackey was quite something, so unmoved by wealth and power. He really was different from most others.

Shen Zeyi’s face was a mask of pure displeasure. Unable to utter another word, he turned around and logged off directly.

The public chat was now supremely satisfied with the drama, scrolling madly.

【Holy crap, a love triangle showdown!!】

【Rank 1 and Rank 2 fighting over the same person, heavens…】

【If it were me, I’d pick Emperor Shen, he’s rich in real life.】

【Heh, pfft. In this interstellar age, everything depends on mental power. With God L’s level, he walks tall wherever he goes. Money’s useless, try telling that to the Space Pirates—】

【Whoever it is, this is just the best thing ever…】

Bai Ruonian wasn’t feeling the best right now.

Mainly, he was confused.

He tilted his head, thinking for ages, still not understanding why he absolutely had to choose, and then when he did make a choice, the other person didn’t want it.

So strange.

Under their mate bond system, he could see Lu Mingjin’s face directly. It was still cold and handsome, but somehow, he thought he’d just seen Master smile.

Meow, he was this upset and Master was still smiling.

Wuwu.

His gaming buddy…

“My gaming buddy left, you have to make it up to me…” Bai Ruonian pouted, sounding aggrieved.

Lu Mingjin looked down at the white mecha before him. The latter was as bright as in that photo, like a little sun. When holding those gems, his eyes seemed to hold swirling galaxies, lifting one’s mood just by looking.

Very interesting.

Truly very interesting.

Aside from his cat, it had been a long time since anyone could stir his emotions like this.

“Of course.” He said it.

=

After logging off, Shen Zeyi smashed his entire gaming pod. Frustrated, he lit a cigarette, his mind filled with the image of his little lackey holding out that pile of gems to return them to him.

…

He didn’t quite understand it and was very annoyed. He opened the StarNet forums, first going to Star Dome Bot to see if anyone had posted his humiliating moment.

But the moment the page loaded, his fingertips froze.

The trending topic was very eye-catching, impossible to miss.

#Shocking, Ancient True God, Offline for Three Years, Logs On to Find His Wife

He suddenly remembered the ID he’d seen earlier. [ImJustHereToSeeGodLAndHisWife].

Oh.

So that was it.

He understood now.

So it was his wife, huh?

Had they actually developed feelings?

He let out a cold chuckle.

Fine.