After these words, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. Even Song Yu couldn’t help but glance at him twice.

Rong Shi: “What, unwilling?”

Song Yu withdrew his gaze. “No.”

Seeing his profound expression, Rong Shi was somewhat surprised.

He had expected the other’s reaction to be either mockery or triumph.

---

Being greeted by a large crowd right after disembarking was commonplace for Rong Shi, but this time, Rong Shi was being selected as a promising talent, not a leader.

As they approached, the lead instructors from both academies led the other students and the Royal Academy staff, along with the three major generals, in a salute.

Rong Shi’s gaze swept over the three, his eyes cold.

[Zhao Ji, 47, Deputy Commander of the Fifth Legion—Qin Zhao, 45, Commander of the Thirteenth Legion, seven years later to serve as Commander of Rescue Headquarters—Lin Yue, 45, Commander of the Eleventh Legion. These three are all war criminals; they riddled me with holes! Can I execute them on the spot?]

Rong Shi knew their true colors well.

In his previous life, these men had all died by his hand; the revenge had long been exacted.

The most important thing now was not to take their lives, but to uncover the full story.

Before the lead instructor could introduce him, Zhao Ji looked at Rong Shi. “You are Rong Shi?”

Zhao Ji’s appearance resembled that of the Zhao family, with tightly knit eyebrows, prominent cheekbones, and a cunning face.

His sticky gaze was like a venomous snake, leaving behind highly toxic and disgusting slime in its wake, causing physiological discomfort.

Rong Shi had no intention of saluting such a person.

Everyone’s attention was focused on him. Seeing that he didn’t answer for a long time, they all grew anxious.

That was a legion commander! A major general! Who would dare offend him?

But Rong Shi either didn’t hear or wasn’t fully awake; he remained motionless.

Seeing Zhao Ji’s face visibly darken, Instructor Li Ru, the team leader, felt his heart pound. His mind raced, trying to think of a way to remind Rong Shi not to cause trouble right from the start.

Basically, legions with a numerical order of three digits or less were major legions. Compared to those deployed to various planets, their strength was significantly greater.

The smaller the number, the stronger the force.

At the beginning of the semester, Rong Shi’s audacious actions had already offended these powerful figures. With this current attitude, if he truly angered them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Before he could come up with something, Song Yu spoke first.

His face was expressionless, his voice relaxed: “Major General Zhao seems to be interested in my husband?”

Zhao Ji’s gaze shifted to him: “As long as it’s good talent, I’m interested.”

There was an unwritten rule in the Empire: royal family members who had not been formally introduced to the public in an official setting were not required to be saluted upon meeting.

Generally, to ensure the prince’s safety, they would not make public appearances before the age of twenty.

Their first public appearance was usually either for a wedding or a coronation ceremony.

Even nobles or high-ranking military and political officials who were close to the royal family and knew their identities were not permitted to disclose them.

Song Yu: “That’s a shame. He’s already mine.”

His double entendre made Zhao Ji’s eyebrows twitch. He probed, “My interest in him and your interest in him don’t conflict.”

Song Yu: “But I don’t like my belongings being labeled by others.”

Before he could finish, Qin Zhao also spoke.

“If you want to keep a canary, you should first see if the person agrees.”

Lin Yue also spoke.

“Forced relationships don’t last. Do you want your partner to achieve nothing?”

These old foxes, seasoned in official circles, understood human nature best. Their words were more venomous than the last.

Song Yu turned his head, smiling at Rong Shi: “They’re saying I don’t respect you.”

Rong Shi’s voice was faint: “Being a canary sounds good.”

Qin Luo: “…”

Eating soft rice with a hard stance? (Living off someone else while maintaining pride)

Chen Chen and the others: “…”

He’s a true old salted fish.

Zhao Ji’s expression was poor. He signaled to the school staff, turned, and left.

Coming here personally to pick up students was already beneath him; arguing further would be too undignified.

The other two followed Zhao Ji when they saw him leave.

Leaving a multitude of students unsure of what had happened.

“No way, did he just piss off the big shots?”

“Still so arrogant on Imperial Capital Star? As expected of the Chairman, a role model for our generation.”

“I feel like it’s not that simple.”

“Let’s just hope it doesn’t affect us,” murmured a quiet discussion in the crowd.

---

After a private discussion between the school staff and the lead instructors, the top three teams were asked to stay for a reward-related meeting, while the others were sent back to rest.

It was rare for Central Military Academy and Royal Academy to collaborate, and there would be a series of activities to follow.

Liu Hong hated this “leaving individual personnel behind” routine the most; it felt exactly like being kept after class for extra homework as a child.

“I’m not interested in the rewards. Can I not participate?”

Instructor: “No, you must.”

“We’re going back,” Song Yu said, taking Rong Shi’s hand, ready to leave.

Rong Shi, however, didn’t follow. “If you’re tired, go back and rest first.”

Song Yu tilted his head, meeting his gaze, and then released his hand.

“Then I’ll wait for you in the dorm.”

Rong Shi: “Okay.”

This was a rare opportunity; it was perfect for collecting the pheromone information of those three.

Just as everyone was gathered, the general saw Song Yu and Qin Luo casually walking in the opposite direction and loudly called out to them.

Qin Luo didn’t look back, waving his hand: “My brother is injured; I’m taking him for a re-examination.”

The instructor frowned, muttering under his breath: “These young masters are truly one more disobedient than the last.”

He Nian watched Song Yu’s retreating back until it was obscured by the greenery, then withdrew his gaze.

A group of people followed the instructor into the nearest conference building.

Second place was Lu Ming’s team, and third place was the Royal Academy’s team.

Chen Chen said unenthusiastically, “I hate this kind of thing the most.”

Hu Feng: “Guess what this is for?”

Old Bai, with an honest face: “I’d guess with my toes that it’s probably a brainwashing session.”

They entered the large conference hall and took their seats. The three major generals who had left earlier were sitting at the head of the table, waiting. Zhao Ji was in the middle, flanked by Lin Yue and Qin Zhao.

Once everyone was seated, Zhao Ji was the first to speak.

“You are outstanding talents nurtured by the Empire—”

Barely half a sentence in, and most of them were already feeling sleepy.

Old Bai leaned into Hu Feng’s ear: “See? What did I tell you?”

Rong Shi listened to Zhao Ji’s long-winded speech, his expression unchanged.

[Zhao Ji’s pheromone data collected, adding to comparison list—Qin Zhao’s pheromone collection 35%… 70%…]

The higher the pheromone intensity, the more control one had over its release. Coupled with the effects of suppressants and isolation agents, it was extremely difficult for accidental pheromone leakage to occur.

For individuals like Zhao Ji and the other two, even though their pheromone intensity wasn’t low, their control over pheromones gradually decreased with age, allowing collection even from a distance.

On the other end, Song Yu walked alone to the temporary residence.

Qin Luo: “Brother, what’s Sister-in-law doing over there? Listening to them preach?”

This wasn’t the first time he’d heard him call “Sister-in-law,” and it filled Song Yu with contentment.

“Too bored.”

Back at the residence, as soon as the door closed, Qin Luo heard him say: “Go and re-investigate Rong Guang’s matter. Don’t alert anyone except your old man Qin.”

“Rong Guang?” Qin Luo frowned, “Haven’t we investigated him already?”

“I want more detailed information,” Song Yu poured a glass of water, drank it in a few gulps, and sat on the sofa. “From the time he entered Central Military Academy, I want his detailed whereabouts for every year, everything that’s on record.”

Qin Luo’s eyes darted. He ran to sit on the small footstool beside the sofa, lowering his voice to ask, “Could Rong Guang be a spy? And what about Rong the Big Shot? This is exciting.”

As he spoke, he became uncontrollably excited.

No wonder His Highness and Rong Shi had been getting along so well lately. It turned out he was using a honey trap to extract information.

But how could His Highness do such a thing himself?

Qin Luo was heartbroken, his eyes gleaming: “Brother, this kind of thing, leave it. I’ll do it!”

Song Yu’s eyes turned cold as he glanced at him: “You’ll do what?”

He was displeased.

Qin Luo made a zipping-his-mouth gesture and immediately ran off to contact his father.

In the room, Qin Zhuo frowned deeply: “He doesn’t trust Rong Shi’s character?”

There hadn’t been any close friends around His Highness for many years, and Qin Luo shared his thoughts.

“After all, Rong Guang’s confidential file has such a record. His Highness definitely wants to clarify things.”

Qin Zhuo, however, felt that this matter was not so simple.

After a moment of silence, he instructed: “This is a critical period. Every step the Qin family takes will bring you danger. Protect him well. If necessary, you can retreat further.”

“Retreat further?” Qin Luo was startled, “Where would we retreat to?”

“He knows,” Qin Zhuo hung up the communication without further explanation.

“That old man! When will he change his habit of saying half and hiding half!” Qin Luo couldn’t figure it out himself and hurriedly ran out to find Song Yu.

“Brother—” Qin Luo’s words suddenly caught in his throat.

In the small living room, Song Yu looked out the window, lost in thought.

“Does he have something to tell me?” Song Yu didn’t turn around.

Qin Luo ruffled his slightly longer buzz cut: “He said if necessary, you can retreat further.”

Song Yu seemed completely unsurprised: “Hmm.”

Qin Luo: “We’ve already retreated this much. How much more can we retreat?”

After he asked, Song Yu remained silent.

Just as Qin Luo thought he wouldn’t answer, he heard him murmur: “I don’t know if I should involve him.”

“Huh?” Without context, Qin Luo didn’t understand. “Who?”

Song Yu: “Bunny.”

“Damn it!” He Nian’s face flashed across Qin Luo’s mind. “Speaking of that, it pisses me off. How did that He-what’s-his-name know?”

Song Yu scoffed: “Star Wars is just a public gaming platform. If you want to check, it’s not impossible to find out.”

Qin Luo: “But he’s too weak. Even if Rabbit God is an omega, he’s not just a pretty face in my heart.”

Rong Shi’s cold face flashed across Song Yu’s mind. His tone held no discernible emotion: “Yes, they’re truly different.”

“What do you mean by getting involved? Did you arrange to meet?” Qin Luo asked.

Song Yu: “I probably know who he is now.”

“Holy crap!”

Qin Luo, halfway through peeling an orange, shot up: “Who? Who is it?!”

It’s your sister-in-law, Song Yu didn’t answer.

“I originally didn’t want to involve him, so I kept my distance, but he’s already in the game. But there’s still a way out now.”

He speculated Rong Shi’s goals were twofold: investigating the abnormal omegas and investigating his father’s affairs.

As long as these two matters were resolved, he could withdraw.

But once he jumped into the vortex of the succession struggle, it would be a fight to the death.

His Highness actually knew who Rabbit God was without saying a word?!

Qin Luo buried his head, repeatedly recalling the omegas he had encountered recently. The more he thought, the more he crumbled.

Except for He Nian, His Highness hadn’t seemed to speak to any other omegas!

Could He Nian really be Rabbit God? That’s too disillusioned!

“Brother,” Qin Luo squatted beside the sofa armrest, “Have you two confirmed it with each other? No mistake?”

“Not confirmed,” Song Yu rubbed his temple with his hand, a bit of a headache. “But I can pretty much confirm it.”

Qin Luo excitedly said, “You said ‘pretty much’! Maybe there’s a misunderstanding! How awkward if you got it wrong?”

Song Yu narrowed his eyes: “Are you questioning my judgment?”

Qin Luo shook his head like a rattle-drum: “N-no! But what if, just by some unfortunate coincidence, you got it wrong? Where would you go to regret it?”

Seeing him so unusually persistent, Song Yu felt a flicker of doubt.

Bunny wasn’t just anyone; he indeed needed to be more careful.

Rong Shi said Bunny’s virtual image was created by him.

Rong Shi said it was his father’s drawing, and there were only four styles in this world.

Rong Shi knew everything about Bunny like the back of his hand.

If one were to be strictly logical, this information couldn’t definitively prove that Rong Shi was Bunny.

Even if Rong Shi said his stick figure rabbit was the image of Bunny, it could be that their relationship was good, and Rong Shi taught Bunny.

But in this world, would anyone else be wholeheartedly good to him besides Bunny?

If Rong Shi wasn’t Bunny, why would he save him multiple times?

If Rong Shi wasn’t Bunny, how should he repay this kindness?

Recalling it now, Rong Shi had never admitted to being Bunny from beginning to end.

Perhaps he really wasn’t—

“Impossible,” Song Yu stood up irritably, striding into the room. “He has to be.”

Qin Luo: “…”

“Has to be”? What the hell, wuwuwu, is Your Highness’s vision obscured by sh*t?

---

Song Yu had just embraced the plush rabbit, barely two seconds into his healing, when his terminal rang. It was someone he both wanted and didn’t want to see.

“Father King.”

Song Yu stood before the holographic projection, looking at his father whom he hadn’t seen in days.

“Was it you who dealt with A’Ke?”

No greeting, just immediate blame and questioning. Song Yu’s faint hope vanished into thin air.

“What if it was?”

The King slammed his fist on the table, roaring: “He’s your brother!”

Song Yu’s face was cold: “He’s not my brother. He’s your illegitimate child from your philandering.”

“Impudent!” The King’s voice rose again, his fists clenching audibly. “If your dad knew you were like this now, he’d be resurrected by anger!”

Song Yu scoffed: “If you hadn’t betrayed him, angered him, would he have died? You’re the one who forced him to his death, Father King.”

“Shut up!” The King’s lips trembled with rage, his fists audibly cracking. “You will return to the palace tomorrow, immediately!”

Father and son, for the umpteenth time, parted on bad terms.

---

Rong Shi and his four teammates endured over three hours of the brainwashing lecture. Rong Shi was then called separately for a private discussion that lasted an hour. When he was finally released, his face was darker than the night.

“Any results?”

[I compared their samples from 15 years ago with current ones. Zhao Ji and Lin Yue’s pheromone curves are fairly similar, showing natural aging. But Qin Zhao’s is vastly different, completely two distinct curves!]

He swiped his finger across the terminal, activating battle armor standard mode. Qin Zhao’s two pheromone reports automatically appeared before his eyes.

[I extracted a small segment and compared it with Hu Feng and Gu Yan’s. The similarity is very high.]

Rong Shi walked towards the temporary residence while looking, basically confirming his suspicions.

Qin Zhao had either voluntarily or involuntarily come into contact with a problematic omega; perhaps that person was already his partner.

As he passed through a courtyard, his thoughts were interrupted by hushed discussions from a distance.

“No way? That’s too cruel, to injure His Royal Highness the First Prince like that!”

“Why not? Everyone who came back said so! It’s even posted on the forum, they just don’t dare to name names. It was His Royal Highness the Second Prince who framed the First Prince. Otherwise, how could he have been so severely injured?”

“I knew it! It’s possible to sustain minor injuries in a competition like this, but severe injuries, especially to royalty, can the leaders afford to be responsible for that?”

“He’s been acting increasingly erratic these past few years. No wonder he was exiled. Nothing good happens when he returns.”

Rong Shi frowned. With a thought, the Royal Academy forum appeared before his eyes—in standard mode, no commands were needed; 01 could be controlled by thought alone.

However, it was very power-consuming.

He blinked, pulling up a large number of related posts from the forum. Under the guise of praying for Song Ke, the posts were all defaming Song Yu.

[This scale doesn’t look spontaneous. Should I investigate?]

“Yes.”

It was obvious who was slandering Little Song Cat, but the methods were a bit too low-grade.

[The lower the grade, the more effective it is~ If enough people say it, it becomes fact. Benefactor is so pitiful, sniff sniff.]

Rong Shi: “…”

Whose battle armor are you, exactly?

[Yours, but aren’t you the benefactor’s?]

Rong Shi: “…”

---

As he scanned his terminal to enter the temporary residence area, 01 coincidentally found footage of Song Ke pushing Song Yu in the arena at that time.

[I stole this from the terminals of those present at the time. The footage is fragmented; I assembled it from clips taken by five different people.]

Many people had a habit of keeping continuous recordings while in the wild.

Song Ke had chosen a tricky angle that neither Mortis nor others had captured, but through 01’s comprehensive search, by synthesizing the tiny bits of footage captured by each person, it had actually formed a complete scene.

Rong Shi saved this less-than-ten-second video.

“Extra work.”

[Yo, yo, check it out! Yo yo yo yo, check it out!]

Rong Shi: “…”

Rong Shi replied to the post with the most responses.

[What good deeds Song Ke did, let him wake up and tell you himself. If you continue to spread slander, you’ll bear the consequences.]

Upon refreshing, a long string of people cursed at him below.

[What good deeds did he do? Tell us!]

[Oh, someone’s hired internet trolls have arrived.]

[This post doesn’t welcome certain people!]

[Bring the evidence if you have it, otherwise get lost!]

01: [They want evidence, give it to them!]

“No rush,” Rong Shi walked to the temporary residence door, scanning his terminal to enter. “Wait until it gets bigger before posting.”

[…I’m too young.]

After opening the door and entering, he only saw Qin Luo in the living room.

Rong Shi: “Where is he?”

Qin Luo, eating potato chips, lifted his chin towards the bedroom door: “He’s been cooped up in there all afternoon.”

Influenced by public opinion?

Rong Shi walked to the door, just about to knock, when the door suddenly opened from within—

---

Author’s Note:

Rong Bunny: Concentrate fire first, then deal with it uniformly. Anyone who curses my wife, no matter how far, shall be annihilated [dog head]

01 applauds: Truly professional, damn it.

Song Cat: … [What are these master and servant doing?]