To get to Shengguang Hall, they had to cross the entire palace. Rong Shi piloted at high speed, getting attacked almost every three seconds.

The virtual screen displayed various data, with one panel tracking the situation of Song Yu’s mecha.

Song Zheng and Yin Rong sat in the temporary seats behind the cockpit, their eyes glued to the screen.

“He’s learned a lot in these past six months at the military academy.” Amidst his serious expression, Song Zheng showed a joy that was difficult to perceive.

Yin Rong was pleased. “His Highness’s skills are on par with those of the young generals.”

As Rong Shi piloted 01, expertly dodging through the air, he spared a glance at the virtual screen.

Song Yu had jumped into a group of guards and crushed several of them with his bare hands.

Ever since being notified by Ji Ling that the King was gravely ill, he had been suppressing his explosive temper, like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment, destroying anyone in his path.

“The young generals are just a few; none of them are as skilled as Xiao Yu,” Rong Shi said confidently. “His fighting style alone is more pleasing to the eye than theirs.”

Song Zheng nodded with a serious look. “He strikes fast and ruthlessly, without any hesitation. It’s truly impressive.”

Rong Shi: “I taught him.”

Song Zheng: “…”

Before Rong Shi and Song Yu entered the palace, Song Zheng had already made comprehensive deployments, just waiting for Ji Ling’s men to make a move so he could suppress them.

Now, both sides were fighting everywhere, with explosions heard from time to time. The palace had completely turned into a battlefield.

Although 00 was there and the shield above blocked heavy beam weapons, so Song Yu shouldn’t be in any real danger, Rong Shi was still uneasy leaving him there alone.

After delivering the King to the escape ship at Shengguang Hall with the utmost speed, he immediately turned back.

Before boarding the escape ship, Song Zheng instructed, “Let them handle this here. After you find him, bring him over.”

By the time Rong Shi reached Song Yu, he had already swept through a large area.

Seeing a cannon vehicle approaching out of the corner of his eye, its barrel aimed at them, Rong Shi clenched his right hand, and the metal gradually stretched, transforming into an electrified long sword.

The assassins inside the cannon vehicle locked their target on the cockpits of the two mechas.

This model of cannon could blast straight through the entire cockpit.

But before they could fully lock on, they saw the larger mecha flying straight towards the cannon’s muzzle.

The three assassins in the vehicle panicked.

“Quick! Fire!”

“He’s coming! So fast!”

“Shoot! Shoot now!”

The first shot went out, slightly off target.

They thought this would stop the mecha from getting closer, but in the next moment, they saw the mecha raise its sword and casually swing it, the blade grazing the shell’s casing.

The shell shot into the sky and exploded.

“He’s here! Retreat!”

“No, it’s too late!”

The assassins in the cannon vehicle tried to open the doors to escape, but before the doors could open, they and the vehicle were sliced in half at the waist.

Rong Shi landed on the ground and turned his head to look at Song Yu, who had just landed as well.

“Let’s go. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

After venting, Song Yu felt a bit better.

“Mhm, I happen to have some questions for him too.”

The escape ship docked with the First Legion’s warship.

When they arrived, Song Zheng was in a holographic meeting with Qian Li and several other legion commanders, discussing battle plans.

The command cabin door opened, and the sight before Rong Shi was so familiar it felt like coming home.

In his previous life, Lu Youqi had wanted to arrange a position for him in the Ninth Legion. But Lu Youqi was already the commander of the Ninth Legion, and his son, Lu Ming, had also been placed in the Ninth Legion. The highest he could have risen was to vice commander.

He had no intention of accepting the other’s goodwill and felt his potential was greater than that, so he chose to join the First Legion.

The legions’ strengths were simply ranked by number: the First Legion was the strongest, the Second was slightly weaker, and so on.

At that time, the commander of the First Legion was Marshal Qian Li, who held the position concurrently. The vice commander position was vacant, and actual combat operations were run by a five-person command team, with Qian Li providing remote guidance.

This model was only abolished after he was promoted to commander.

It was only later that he learned that the vacant vice commander position had once belonged to his father, Rong Guang.

“Xiao Rong, come over here.”

When Qian Li saw Rong Shi, he beckoned him over. In front of all the commanders, he asked, “The rebels are entrenched and not scattering. Do you have any thoughts?”

The commanders, including Jin Dazhao, all looked at the young alpha.

Although he was just a first-year military academy student, almost everyone in the military knew of him.

The fact that Elder Qian would give Rong Shi the opportunity to express his opinion in such a formal setting was enough to show how highly he regarded him.

Rong Shi stared at the virtual screen, his fingers swiping across the sensor area, and the image moved accordingly.

When he saw a certain warship, his expression darkened slightly.

“01, scan this warship’s energy system.”

Having already shown itself, 01 no longer hid. It turned into a small sphere and hovered in front of the console, spinning a few times.

“Model LIN701 warship, but the energy system has been modified to use B384-type energy stones.”

Rong Shi’s eyes flashed as he suddenly understood a few things.

In his previous life on Snow Star, the model of warship those legions used most was the LIN1001, which also consumed B384 energy stones. The LIN701 was its predecessor.

Back then, the use of B384 energy in military equipment was already quite widespread, so he hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

But in this era, B384 hadn’t even been discovered yet. Why were they already using it?

The answer was obvious.

B384 was the new energy source they had secretly developed to evade energy regulations. It was only many years later, when it circulated into the normal market, that it officially began to be used as a new type of energy.

In other words, they were the first to discover B384.

No wonder 01 had been blocked by their anti-detection programs multiple times.

They already possessed the energy systems of a decade later. In a sense, their technology was about ten years ahead.

Qian Li squinted at the small metal sphere but didn’t ask anything.

“Xiao Yu,” Rong Shi turned to look at Song Yu. “I remember you said there was an organization stealing energy stones?”

Song Yu: “Mhm, it’s already been brought under control.”

When he discovered it, he had his subordinates raise the price and limit purchases.

If the other party played by the rules, he would treat it as a windfall. If they didn’t, it was a perfect opportunity to wipe out their base.

After hearing Rong Shi’s explanation, Song Yu sent a message to his subordinate.

“Cut off all energy supplies immediately. Tell them to get ready to blow up their energy processing base.”

Fan Shu: “Yes, sir!”

Seeing that both Qian Li and Song Zheng were a bit confused, Rong Shi said calmly, “They’re using a new type of energy, and that energy is now basically all under Xiao Yu’s control.”

Qian Li slammed the table. “Brilliant!”

The other commanders discussed in low voices, their faces showing admiration.

Jin Dazhao smiled. “You two really know how to make big moves quietly. How impressive!”

Controlling the energy supply was equivalent to grabbing the enemy by the throat.

Even without doing anything, they could wear the enemy down to death.

Song Zheng looked at his son with growing satisfaction.

Song Yu and Rong Shi high-fived. Noticing Song Zheng’s gaze, he turned his head away, the smile on his face vanishing instantly.

Song Zheng: “…”

You don’t have to change your expression that fast.

The battlefield was in the skies above the Imperial Capital Star. If the firepower wasn’t controlled properly, the capital would suffer.

After some discussion, the four of them unanimously agreed to focus on defense first, drive the enemy forces out to a safe distance, and then launch a counterattack.

Noticing from the corner of his eye that Song Zheng was frequently rubbing his temples, showing signs of fatigue, Song Yu frowned, growing more irritable.

“Uncle Yin, take him to rest first.”

Yin Rong looked troubled. He had already tried to persuade him several times in private, but he wouldn’t listen.

“Alright.” Song Zheng pushed himself up from the table. “Report any developments to me immediately.”

Yin Rong: “…”

His son’s words really are effective.

As soon as Song Zheng turned around, his vision suddenly went black. He swayed and stumbled uncontrollably to the side.

Yin Rong was about to support him, but Song Yu was a step faster.

“How did you become so weak?” Song Yu said, annoyed.

Seeing that Song Zheng had no intention of explaining, Yin Rong supported his other arm and said in a low voice, “The timeline was moved up too much, and the plan had to be greatly adjusted. In order to close the net smoothly, His Majesty hasn’t slept properly in a long time. He also had to endure the torment of Ji Ling’s pheromones from time to time—”

At the mention of Ji Ling, Song Yu couldn’t suppress his urge to kill.

He took a deep breath and supported the man toward the rest lounge.

“Brother, I’ll leave things here to you for now. I’ll be back soon.”

Rong Shi: “You should go rest too. I’ve got this.”

Qian Li saw everything. After they left, he looked at Rong Shi and said, “Even now, do you still insist on your previous decision?”

Rong Shi switched between multiple angles to view the standoff between the two armies, his expression calm. “Please don’t try to persuade me, sir.”

Qian Li: “In ten or twenty years, when he no longer has that beautiful appearance, you—”

“He won’t.” Thinking of the beautiful cat from the video, Rong Shi’s face was expressionless, but his heart pounded. “He will only become more and more beautiful.”

“…” Qian Li gritted his teeth in frustration. “Then when he becomes an old man, I’ll see if you still—”

Rong Shi: “Then he will surely be the most beautiful old man.”

Qian Li: “…………”

Forget it. I won’t persuade him anymore. Trying to persuade someone so smitten with looks is exhausting!

In the rest lounge, Song Yu helped Song Zheng to the bed and casually told Yin Rong to call for a military doctor.

“No need.” Song Zheng leaned against the headboard, his voice weary. “I’ll be fine after some rest.”

Song Yu sat down in the chair by the bed and sneered, “If I wasn’t afraid you’d just drop everything, I wouldn’t bother with you.”

With only the father and son left in the room, the air suddenly froze.

After a moment of silence, Song Yu said in a low voice, “I’ve been thinking, once this is all over, I must properly apologize to you. Father has wronged you all these years.”

Song Yu’s eyes flickered, and he turned his head to avoid his gaze.

“Is a single ‘I’m sorry’ the end of it?”

Song Zheng: “In the first few years, I was heavily controlled. My reproaches toward you were often unconscious. Later, I gradually broke free of the control, but in order not to let them notice, I could only imitate my past behavior and continue acting.”

Song Yu clenched his jaw, saying nothing.

“Actually, I had many opportunities to tell you the truth, but you were still young. I didn’t dare to involve you. I was also afraid that after telling the truth, I would grow too attached to our family bond and be unable to continue the act.” At this, he gave a bitter smile. “In the end, I’m not a very strong person either.”

Song Yu snorted coldly, still silent.

Song Zheng’s expression was dejected, his voice heavy. “You don’t have to forgive me, but don’t be sad about those past events anymore.”

The room fell silent again.

Several times, Song Yu opened his mouth, but couldn’t say anything.

What was past was past. There was no point in bringing it up again.

“What about Dad?” Song Yu changed the subject. “You said you sent him away. Where is he now?”

At the mention of this, Song Zheng’s eyes flickered. “He—”

Knock, knock, knock!

The door was knocked.

Yin Rong walked in with a young military doctor.

“Your Majesty.” After saluting, the beta doctor put down the medical kit he brought with him.

It wasn’t appropriate to continue the conversation with an outsider present. Song Yu got up to make way for the doctor and walked to the foot of the bed.

After a series of routine checks, the doctor put down his instruments.

“Your Majesty, the level of pheromones in your body is very unstable. Combined with extreme fatigue, you are already showing symptoms of partial organ failure. Please be sure to rest…”

After the diagnosis was over and the medication was checked, Song Yu walked out.

At the doorway, feeling a gaze on his back, he paused.

“Get some good rest. We’ll talk about everything else later.”

Song Zheng: “Alright.”

He waved at Yin Rong, gesturing for him to leave as well.

The cabin door closed. Song Zheng turned his head and quietly watched the doctor who was setting up his IV drip.

A moment later, the doctor packed up his tools.

“Alright. Don’t move this hand too much. Please get some good rest.”

The doctor picked up his medical kit to leave, but his hand was suddenly caught.

“Sinian,” Song Zheng’s voice was very low. “Can’t you stay with me a little longer?”

The doctor froze and turned to look at him.

He had thought Song Yu had gone to rest, but unexpectedly, he returned in less than half an hour. Rong Shi was helpless.

Song Yu sat down next to him and said matter-of-factly, “How could I possibly go to rest at a time like this?”

Rong Shi: “How is His Majesty?”

At the mention of him, Song Yu’s brow furrowed. “He’s been tortured quite badly by Ji Ling.”

Rong Shi took his hand and comforted him, “With proper care, he’ll get better.”

Song Yu looked into his eyes and said probingly, “Let’s hope he doesn’t get sick and never recover, like in the dream.”

Rong Shi’s eyes flickered. “Dreams are the opposite of reality.”

The two stayed up in the command cabin until midnight.

The fighting outside had subsided slightly, and the legion had driven the rebels to the edge of the atmosphere.

Qian Li waved his hand and shooed the two kids who were stubbornly refusing to rest away.

It was time to rest, but both of them were too agitated to sleep.

On the way back to their rest cabin, the two walked hand in hand, chatting idly.

Rong Shi: “Where did you get the information for that deepfake video?”

Given Ji Ling’s cautious nature, it was unlikely he would have left any obvious clues.

Song Yu: “In a dream.”

Rong Shi’s fingers paused.

Noticing this, Song Yu said nonchalantly, “In the dream, I caught Ji Ling and interrogated him. He told me about that scene, but he didn’t say that the person wasn’t my father.”

Rong Shi: “Because he didn’t know it wasn’t His Majesty either.”

Song Yu nodded. “It was only after my father explained it that I remembered. When I was little, Dad once mentioned to me that Father had a professional body double when he was young.”

Rong Shi: “A body double?”

Song Yu: “It’s exactly what it sounds like. Father didn’t like socializing. When he had to go, he would send the body double.”

“The body double looked about fifty to sixty percent similar to Father. He would use makeup for every mission. Someone not particularly close wouldn’t be able to tell.”

Entering the rest cabin, Song Yu leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his brow wearily.

“I should have realized it sooner, but at that time, Father’s attitude toward me suddenly changed, so I thought Song Ke was really Father’s child.”

Rong Shi stood behind the sofa, taking his hand to massage his head.

“To think that after so many years of careful planning, he got it wrong from the very beginning. The blow to Ji Ling must have been severe.”

Song Yu leaned back relaxedly and closed his eyes.

“No. There was nothing he truly wanted in that plan. He had nothing to hold onto. He just wanted to destroy everything and not let anyone be happy. He didn’t care if he died for it.”

Rong Shi thought for a moment and nodded. “He repeatedly emphasized that he was a tool. He has severe self-destructive tendencies and a lack of self-worth. It’s possible he lacked affection from a young age.”

But his own father, who also lacked affection, grew up normally and became a gentle and warm father, so Ji Ling wasn’t worthy of sympathy.

“Seeing him go mad was like seeing myself.” Song Yu pulled Rong Shi’s hand over and kissed his palm. “Without you, his fate would have been mine.”

“Nonsense again.” Rong Shi leaned down and nipped his lips, his voice very low. “Don’t you dare compare yourself to him. There’s no comparison between you two at all.”

Song Yu lifted his chin to kiss him back, a few low chuckles rumbling in his throat.

Late at night, the rest cabin was dark.

Rong Shi held Song Yu in his arms, placing a light kiss on his sweat-dampened forehead and pulling up the thin blanket to cover the love bites on his abdomen.

“Rong Shi,” Song Yu’s voice was more languid and deeper than usual.

Rong Shi: “Did I wake you?”

Song Yu turned over to face Rong Shi.

“I had another dream.”

Rong Shi’s fingers gently brushed through his bangs. “What did you dream about?”

Song Yu: “It was the same dream as before. Only this time, it reached the end.”

Rong Shi: “The end?”

“In the dream, I built a time machine and sent you back to the past.” At this, Song Yu looked into Rong Shi’s eyes. “Unfortunately, I woke up right there.”

Rong Shi looked at him, saying nothing.

Song Yu’s expression was serious. “So, did I succeed?”

---

Author’s Note:

Rong Bunny: My wife will still be the cutest even when he’s old! But my wife won’t get old [serious face]

Qian Li: Enough, get lost!