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Master of Masters 30p2


Chapter 30 Part 2

Koeyle hugged him even tighter. The fluffy coat yielded slightly under the pressure, and he could feel the solid form beneath. The feeling of embracing He Yue filled him with a sense of completeness, the cotton ball in his arms seemingly filling the void in his heart.

“Don’t, let me accompany you, alright?” He nuzzled the comfortable coat, speaking sincerely, coaxing him like a child.

He Yue patted his head and agreed with a smile.

Receiving the affirmative reply, Koeyle didn’t let go, holding him possessively, his chin resting on the coat.

He could now observe He Yue’s gentle expression up close.

Unlike in the studio, the oppressive aura of absolute control that made him want to call him “Master” was completely gone, making him seem harmless. From this angle, looking up, he felt that He Yue’s cheeks, originally slender, were now slightly fuller, probably having gained some weight.

This strong sense of accomplishment was more satisfying than pushing himself to the limit in the studio to earn He Yue’s favor.

He believed he had taken good care of He Yue, with delicious food and the security and abundance his status as a colonel could provide.

This was his unique value. Only he was a colonel, not Wien, not any other female insect.

Koeyle finally found a way to justify his subservience, a reason to convince himself—

He Yue was a male insect who needed his meticulous care and protection. Whatever He Yue wanted him to do for amusement was his duty.

This was a female insect’s obligation, as long as He Yue was happy.


During the day, the snow had stopped. The ground and branches were covered in a layer of white, a blanket of snow as far as the eye could see.

He Yue warmed a glass of wine, half-reclining on the recently purchased lounge chair, covered with a blanket, enjoying the snowy scenery outside.

The slight intoxication slowed his thinking, but it was comfortable and pleasant.

As an animal trainer who had seen countless people at Castle, he had seen all kinds of expressions and understood their thoughts, but someone like Koeyle was indeed rare.

[Host, the conquest target’s value hasn’t changed for a long time. Do you need any assistance?] The system, perhaps due to the lack of change in Koeyle’s value, hadn’t spoken for a long time.

(I don’t need any help.)

He Yue understood the look in Koeyle’s eyes and knew that this seemingly deviant path was actually still on track.

Perhaps due to the unique social structure of the insect world, as a male insect, he was naturally physically weaker than he had been as a human before transmigrating. No matter how much he exercised, it would be difficult to build strong muscles. In front of a seasoned military officer like Koeyle, he was naturally perceived as fragile.

Even if it was just a perception.

(Do you know what the colonel considers me now?) He Yue suddenly asked.

[…Master?]

He Yue shook his head and took a sip of warm wine.

(A weak, small animal that needs his protection and love.)

[…?]

The seemingly deviant path was that Koeyle considered all his actions as caretaking. If following He Yue’s commands could make his Master happy, he would obey willingly.

Whatever He Yue said, he would do, even extending to meticulous care, treating him like a porcelain doll with layers of filters, carefully protecting him.

(Even when he kneels at my feet, he still considers it the tolerance of a superior.)

His ability to discern people’s hearts had been honed at Castle, and He Yue had no shortage of methods to tame them.

(If Wien is a golden retriever with nothing but “loyalty” in his mind, Colonel Koeyle is more like a cunning border collie. Some dogs always think they are the ones taming humans, and Colonel Koeyle is one of them.)

He Yue finished his wine, leaned back in the chair, and let the drunken flush creep up his cheeks, the haziness of intoxication invading his consciousness.

However, shattering the illusion of superiority, though more challenging, was often more interesting than other situations.

He Yue could dismantle this pride, crush his goal of breaking free from the genetic imprint and seeking freedom, and make himself the only, true guiding star in his lost world.

How could a mad dog tame a human?
——
As soon as Kano saw He Yue, he excitedly led him inside.

The painting at the entrance of the store remained unchanged, almost becoming the symbol of this auction house. Female insects lined up outside, most of them following their male insects’ orders, securing good spots for the afternoon auction.

Specially invited male insects, of course, didn’t need to queue. These must be the male insects without special invitations.

Fortunately, it was a clear day today, and it wasn’t too much of a hardship for them to wait in the snow.

“You’re so hard to get ahold of. What have you been busy with lately?” Kano greeted the other working female insects and poured them hot tea.

He Yue casually replied, “It’s cold, I don’t want to go out.”

“I understand, I understand.” Kano led him to the back of the exhibition hall. “If it wasn’t something good, how could I get such an important person like you to come out?”

He turned on the lights and pulled off the black cloth covering the glass display case.

Koeyle, standing behind He Yue, held his breath as he looked at the object inside.

Inside the glass case was a two-meter-long bone whip, sections of white bone connected by soft tissue, the patterns on the surface clearly visible. The flesh and blood had been completely removed, making it look like a delicate resin artwork.

This was the item that had piqued He Yue’s interest enough to make the trip after Kano sent him the photo.

“Your anonymous craftsman has a new piece?” He Yue was captivated by the artwork, his gaze fixed on it.

Kano wagged his finger mysteriously. “This isn’t a carved piece, it’s a spine extracted whole from an interstellar monster. Only the spikes on each bone segment were sharpened by the craftsman.”

There were two spikes on each side of every bone segment, densely packed from the first to the last, forming a two-meter-long whip. They were incredibly sharp, easily piercing flesh and drawing blood. But the connecting soft tissue was incredibly resilient, each bone segment able to bend 180 degrees, giving the whip incredible flexibility.

It looked less like a toy and more like a deadly weapon.

“Can this be used for play?” He Yue mused, teasing. “Has the nuclear hole crisis made your toy auction house switch to selling weapons?” He tapped the glass case, producing a rhythmic thud. “One lash with this, and half a life is gone.”

Even two-meter-long leather whips were considered high-difficulty and dangerous tools at Castle, let alone this bone whip with its extreme lethality.

Kano nodded meaningfully, glancing at Koeyle, who was standing behind He Yue in casual clothes. His trained and honed physique carried an aura different from ordinary female insects, a composure and solemnity in his demeanor, and the cold, sharp look in his eyes when looking at ordinary male insects, something ordinary female insects couldn’t even imitate.

He could tell at a glance that Koeyle wasn’t ordinary.

His gaze towards Koeyle changed slightly, and he said with a smile, “As long as their mental strength is sufficient, female insects can survive with just a breath left, even if their arms or legs are broken. Sometimes, female insects even resort to self-amputation to survive.”

Kano pressed a button, opening the electronic glass case for them to examine the whip up close.

“This bone whip isn’t short. If you can’t control its trajectory, you might accidentally hit yourself.” Kano chuckled. “I’ve seen many male insects whip themselves with soft whips and end up bedridden for a long time…”

He Yue scoffed. “Any male insect with a brain wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“So, from the male insects I know, even if they’re interested in it, they wouldn’t bid on it to use it at home. Those who truly like it would probably just buy it as a collectible.”

A shrewd glint flashed in the merchant’s eyes. “Your performance last time was truly impressive. I think, besides you, it would be difficult to find anyone else here who can handle it. If you like it, why don’t I sell it to you at the pre-bid price?”

He Yue rolled his eyes. “You’ve been waiting for me, haven’t you?”

“Not at all. If you didn’t like it, you wouldn’t have come to see it.” The shrewd merchant sensed a business opportunity. His gaze shifted to Koeyle, sizing up the tall, imposing female insect. He said with a smile, “The female insects around you are all top-notch. Even if this one can’t handle it, the more robust and well-built female insect from last time can definitely…”

He was cut short by a sharp glare.

Kano’s words were like a trigger, instantly snapping Koeyle out of his wandering thoughts. His gaze towards Kano changed from polite courtesy to an unconcealed threat.

He Yue glanced at him and shook his head helplessly.

This colonel was someone who even dared to lay his hands on his own accompanying male insect. He always considered himself superior, and even He Yue’s 40% submission hadn’t changed his attitude.

But unlike what He Yue thought, Koeyle didn’t lose his composure or argue loudly. Instead, he calmly took out the black gold card He Yue had returned to him from his coat.

“Does Master like it?” The coldness in his eyes melted away as he asked patiently, like an adult buying a toy for a child. “Don’t worry about me, as long as Master wants to play, I can play with you until you’re satisfied. He’s right, as long as I have a breath left and my mental strength is sufficient, I can adapt.”

Koeyle placed the card in He Yue’s hand, the coldness in his eyes completely gone, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve come back from the nuclear hole or the battlefield missing limbs. This thing can’t kill me.”

He was always extreme and thorough in his madness, even in his self-imposed “female insect duty.”

He Yue was amused by his words, taking the card and patting Koeyle’s face with it.

“Why are you competing with Kano? He just wants me to buy this unsold item.”

Kano, his intentions exposed, coughed awkwardly.

“Then does Master like it?” Koeyle pressed.

“It’s alright…”

He Yue frowned. This bone whip was indeed novel. After all, he couldn’t have encountered such an interstellar monster before transmigrating. If he were to design one, it would be made of resin or even steel, not real bone.

Likewise, with the unfamiliar feel, He Yue couldn’t guarantee that his experience would allow him to master this new item.

“That means you like it. Pay.”

Koeyle took the card from He Yue’s hand and gave it to Kano.

Sigh, this guy…

He didn’t know where he learned that proud look from. This prey seemed even more excited than he, the tamer.

He Yue rolled his eyes and stopped him. “The pre-bid price is five times the starting price. Why are you in such a hurry? He won’t be able to sell it.”

Koeyle looked at the number. “It’s fine, it won’t cost much.”

Who would volunteer to pay a hefty price for their own torture device?

He Yue weighed the packaged box, feeling its considerable weight. He wasn’t sure if he could even swing such a heavy object with one hand, and with such weight, one lash would surely be fatal, right?

He sighed and tossed the box back to Koeyle.

The bone whip was exquisitely crafted, and it would be a nice addition to the studio as a sculpture.

“Kano, do you have the contact information of that anonymous craftsman?”

“Yes, I do,” Kano said with a friendly smile, the excitement of making a large profit still lingering. “But he only added our official contact information. We only communicate for business purposes, and I don’t know if he’ll add you.”

“I have my ways.”

Kano wouldn’t go against his major client’s wishes and sent He Yue the craftsman’s contact information.

“I just want to commission him to make some toys,” He Yue said. “What if I’m the exception?”

He Yue sent a contact request to the mysterious craftsman on his optical device, the note reading—Castle.

As they left Kano’s store, heavy snow began to fall again. The female insects queuing outside were bundled up in winter clothes, stamping their feet continuously. Some, tired from standing, simply sat down on the ground, covered in a layer of snow.

He Yue checked his optical device; it was ten degrees below zero.

If he remembered correctly, the weather forecast this morning had said it wouldn’t snow and that it would be a warm day.

“Are weather forecasts just rolling dice now?” He Yue frowned, turning off his optical device.

[Host, abnormal energy fluctuations detected from the nuclear hole. You need to go back quickly.]

(What?)

The system’s mechanical voice was urgent: [The system can’t detect the specific cause yet, but it can be confirmed that…]

“Something’s wrong. The temperature in Area C, the center of the nuclear hole, is minus five degrees, and in the nearby Area B, it’s minus two degrees. The low temperature spreads outwards from the center of the nuclear hole. It’s impossible for Area A to be warmer than Area C.”

Koeyle’s voice interrupted the system.

“I understand, let’s go back.”

Koeyle nodded and used his special privileges to contact headquarters directly: “Calling, this is Colonel Koeyle of Area A base, requesting nuclear hole data verification. If any anomalies are detected, issue an evacuation warning immediately.”

He was anxious, but his strong professionalism allowed him to maintain his composure and clear thinking.

There were still many female and male insects on the streets, not noticing anything unusual about the slightly heavier snowfall and the ten-degree temperature drop.

Snow quickly accumulated on the streets, gradually reaching their ankles. Headquarters issued a warning, and the insects dispersed, shops quickly closing their doors, only a few insects hurrying home still on the streets.

Koeyle breathed a sigh of relief and took shelter under an awning with He Yue.

The base was some distance from Kano’s store. The female insect sent to pick them up had set off immediately upon receiving Koeyle’s message and would arrive soon.

Amidst the wind and snow, someone tugged on He Yue’s coat, and a very soft “Brother…” came from his feet.

He Yue looked down and saw a short, young female insect. There were frostbite marks on his face, and he was only wearing a thin, coarse cloth, shivering in the cold wind.

“Why aren’t you going home?” He Yue knelt down. “It’s very dangerous outside. No matter what, go home first.” He could tell the young female insect was poor and desperate, but staying outside wasn’t a safe option.

“Brother, can you… buy my candles… If I go back like this, I’ll be beaten… Please… I can sell them cheaper.”

The female insect held a plastic bag full of handmade candles, various colors and decorations. Tears streamed down his swollen eyes, and he knelt before He Yue in desperation.

“Please, even a little is fine.” His hair was messy, and his body wasn’t clean.

Candles…

Indeed an interesting tool.

He Yue pursed his lips, asked for the price, and looked up at Koeyle, who had approached. “Buy them.” He took the plastic bag and helped the female insect up from the ground.

This female insect looked no different from a little boy in the human world He Yue had come from. His first reaction wasn’t to see a female insect, but a pitiful little boy. A sense of pity inevitably arose, and He Yue walked over to Koeyle and whispered, “Give him a little more.”

Koeyle paused, a strange feeling welling up in his heart. He was surprised by He Yue’s request, yet he also felt this was indeed something his inherently kind Master would do.

He smiled and nodded, his voice gentle and kind. “As Master wishes.” He paid, patting the female insect’s shoulder reassuringly as the latter looked at him in surprise. “It’s a gift from Master.”

The strong wind whipped up the accumulated snow on the streets, obscuring the view.

Through the swirling snow, Koeyle saw a dark shadow.

An oval-shaped entrance, eerily similar to a nuclear hole.


Master of Masters

Master of Masters

主人中的主人
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Chinese
As a chief animal trainer, He Yue understands the meaning of "submission value" better than anyone. The indulgence and possession of emotions, the plunder and control of the spirit, the giving and seizing of security. And the identity of a male insect undoubtedly gives He Yue a cheat. Able to fly but physically weak, rare and noble. As a male insect, he possesses supreme power and status, and also has countless female insects vying for the favor of his soothing pheromones. In addition, male insects have a special ability— They can give female insects mind-altering imprints. Their commands become the female insect's creed and meaning in life, and they adhere to them for their entire lives. Lonely male insects imprint "You stay by my side." Love-starved male insects imprint "You love me." ... How childish, this is simply a waste of a good opportunity. He Yue imprinted his female insects with the creed— "You are my dog." He was born to conquer.
He Yue understands that female insects unconsciously obeying the imprint will not truly increase their "submission value." His half-human, half-insect genes give He Yue a more special ability than other male insects—he can remove the imprint. He Yue removed his female insects' imprints. Muscle memory and pheromone dependence make his female insects addicted. Even when they struggle to resist while conscious, they still instinctively crave comfort and embrace. Submission is etched into their bones and becomes instinct.
"I love you." "You are not allowed to love me." Love is equal, but we are not.

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