The moment Building 8 went into lockdown, Jing Xi heard Xiao Hong’s warning.

[A third party has hijacked Wushen! Signal from Building 8 is completely cut off!]

Jing Xi’s expression darkened, and he immediately sped toward Building 8.

It was currently the break time after the meeting. Aside from a few guests who had arrived early, there wouldn’t be many people over there.

When Jing Xi arrived, the main gates were tightly shut. A notice announced a temporary suspension of reception and directed arriving guests to rest in Hall 3.

Wushen was considered the highest-standard AI in the Empire. He didn’t believe just anyone could easily control it, let alone directly cut off the signal for the entire building.

Jing Xi connected to the main control console.

“What is happening with Building 8?!”

Unexpectedly, the other end was already in chaos.

“Reporting, Major General! Wushen has suffered a sudden systemic program disorder. We are conducting emergency repairs!”

Jing Xi frowned. “Program disorder? It wasn’t hacked?”

The tech soldier replied, “No traces of intrusion have been found so far. Wushen’s defense coefficient is extremely high; it is generally impossible for anyone to successfully hack it. Please rest assured, Major General!”

[Xiao Hong: They couldn’t even detect me.]

That was exactly what Jing Xi was thinking.

As he ran toward the side door, Building 8’s defense protocols activated. All doors and windows were reinforced, and the glass turned into one-way visibility.

Jing Xi: [Can you connect?]

[Xiao Hong: Parts of Wushen’s programs have been forcibly shut down. I need control clearance to open them. Attempting to hack now—]

Jing Xi looked around for a breach point, various conjectures flashing through his mind.

For Wushen to have such a major program disorder, aside from an external hack, it was also possible that it had been shut down from the inside.

Chi Yao had said that Ghost’s people had infiltrated the Capital Star to assassinate Pei Zhenyue at the military headquarters.

Regarding defense systems, aside from the Palace, the military headquarters had the highest security. Assassinating the Commander-in-Chief here was a pipe dream.

Without the support of an insider, the success rate was practically zero.

And this insider definitely held significant power.

The tracking showed that Chi Yao was also in Building 8. Under normal circumstances, with him there, Pei Zhenyue’s safety would be absolutely guaranteed.

But he was currently in his susceptible period—

He had to find a way to get in, fast!

---

On the other side, Zhao Hongyi’s adjutant rushed into the office.

“What is it?”

Zhao Hongyi was hosting a room full of guests. Seeing his adjutant barge in, his expression turned unpleasant.

The adjutant bowed to the guests. Some were high-ranking officials he knew; others were business partners.

“Sir,” the adjutant whispered into Zhao Hongyi’s ear. “Something has happened at Building 8. The Commander is currently trapped inside and cannot get out.”

Zhao Hongyi’s brow twitched. “What happened?!”

The adjutant lowered his voice further. “It seems to be a malfunction with the Wushen system. The control console is still attempting repairs.”

Zhao Hongyi’s gaze darkened.

So coincidental. The system fails right at this time, and it happens to be Building 8 where Old Pei went?

“Old Zhao, if you have business, go ahead and handle it.” Someone suggested.

Zhao Hongyi thought it over, then stood up and smiled apologetically at them. “Apologies, just a small matter. I’ll be right back. Please excuse my poor hospitality.”

Someone waved a hand. “We’re all old acquaintances, no need for formalities.”

Zhao Hongyi walked out of the office, his face changing instantly.

“Go mobilize a squad.”

The adjutant was startled. “You think this is man-made?”

Zhao Hongyi strode outward. “Whether it’s man-made or not, Pei Zhenyue absolutely cannot have an accident today!”

The adjutant’s eyes flickered. He looked around and whispered, “If he really—wouldn’t that be advantageous for us?”

Of the four candidates, one was away long-term, and one was chronically ill. Only Zhao Hongyi and Pei Zhenyue were strong competitors.

In the published approval ratings, Zhao Hongyi was second only to Pei Zhenyue, with a large gap between them and the other two.

If something happened to Pei Zhenyue today, Zhao Hongyi would be the direct replacement.

“That’s what everyone else will think, too,” Zhao Hongyi sneered. “An enemy who dares to extend their hand into the military headquarters… if they can successfully take out Old Pei, they can take me out too. If Old Pei really falls, I’m next.”

The adjutant’s eyes widened. He hadn’t considered that layer at all.

The voting results were already out. If something happened to Pei Zhenyue, the first thing everyone would suspect was the hand of the runner-up. In that case, not only would they take the fall, but they would also be in danger at any moment.

---

While waiting for Xiao Hong to bridge the system, Jing Xi heard a commotion at the main gate. Zhao Hongyi had surrounded Building 8 with a squad.

Him?

Jing Xi hid behind a pillar, his eyes cold.

[Xiao Hong: I’ve connected to a part of the control program. Currently, three windows on the left side of the first floor of Building B can be opened! You only have three minutes!]

Hearing this prompt, Jing Xi didn’t dare delay for a second. He skirted around the connecting corridor and ran silently toward Building B.

The windows, covered by several layers of protective shielding, were electrified with high voltage. However, the high voltage program on the three windows Xiao Hong indicated had been deactivated.

Jing Xi took out the tools he carried with him and flipped inside with only seconds to spare.

Just as he steadied himself, the window behind him clicked shut, the frame sizzling with electricity.

The air was thick with the heavy scent of blood.

Jing Xi drew his sidearm, chambered a round, and opened the door.

Seeing the situation outside, his expression changed.

The guards at every station were all dead.

Moving to the corridor outside the main building, he saw more than ten bodies lying in disarray on the ground. Most had their necks snapped.

Jing Xi crouched down to examine a man in a suit lying by his feet.

The man’s fingernails were very thick, the cuticles rough, looking as if he were on the verge of beast transformation.

It happened this fast!

Jing Xi was about to head inward when he caught a glimpse of the elevator indicator showing it was on the top floor.

He turned on his heel and headed for the stairwell.

---

Upstairs, Pei Zhenyue paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, ultimately worried about Chi Yao.

He lifted his chin and said to his adjutant, “Go bring the medical kit up first.”

The adjutant looked at the tightly closed conference hall doors, agreed, and left.

Pei Zhenyue hesitated, then knocked on the door.

“Chi kid, say something if you’re okay.”

But after a long while, there was no reply. A low panting sound was barely audible, sounding like the growl of some beast.

Something was wrong.

Pei Zhenyue frowned.

He pushed the door hard, but just as it opened a crack, something heavy slammed against it from the inside, shutting it again.

In that split second, Pei Zhenyue only had time to see a room full of crimson red.

A conference hall of several hundred square meters, and not a single spot was free of blood.

With this amount of blood, it looked as if everyone inside had been torn to pieces!

“Chi Yao?”

Pei Zhenyue tried to open the door again when he suddenly heard rapid footsteps behind him. He pulled his gun from his lower back, turned around, and was surprised to see it was Jing Xi.

“How did you get in?” Pei Zhenyue frowned. “Has the lockdown been lifted?”

“No, the backend is still repairing.” Jing Xi rushed over, his face looking grim as he saw the pool of blood in the hallway. “Where is Chi Yao? He isn’t with you?!”

Pei Zhenyue: “He’s inside. He kept shouting for you to come earlier, but he wouldn’t let us in.”

Jing Xi’s heart clenched tight.

“Sir, I brought the medical kit!” The adjutant ran back hurriedly.

Jing Xi took the kit from his hand and looked at Pei Zhenyue. “If the system comes back online, don’t rush to leave. You must wait for the Flying Dragon troops to arrive. Do not trust anyone else.”

Jing Xi knocked lightly on the door three times.

“Yao Yao, it’s me.”

The intimate nickname surprised the adjutant standing nearby. He looked at Pei Zhenyue, but found the Commander completely unresponsive, as if he were used to it.

Still, there was no response for a long time.

Jing Xi turned his head to them. “Please go rest first. I will handle things here.”

He was telling them they were in the way.

Although worried about Chi Yao, Pei Zhenyue left as requested.

Once they were far away, Jing Xi steadied his mind and pushed the door open with force.

The situation inside was even bloodier than he had imagined.

The white tables and chairs of the conference hall were dyed red. Blood splattered the walls and ceiling, and intestines were spilled across the floor.

The heavy scent of blood made Jing Xi dizzy, even though he was accustomed to battlefields.

“Yao Yao?”

Jing Xi put down the medical kit and stepped through the blood toward the interior.

Near the corner, he suddenly heard the sound of rushing water coming from the restroom.

He quickened his pace and pushed the door open.

A hand shot out from the gap in the door, thrusting toward his face.

Jing Xi turned sideways to dodge.

The fingernails on that hand were razor-sharp, easily leaving gouges in the metal door frame.

The door was pulled open from the inside. Jing Xi quickly retreated two steps, looked up, and saw Chi Yao standing in the doorway.

The man was covered in blood, seemingly soaked with water as well, droplets dripping continuously from the tips of his hair.

His eyes had turned into beast pupils, glowing gold in the dim light. The gaze he directed at Jing Xi held no human emotion, only icy killing intent.

His sleeves had been shredded by something into strips of rags, soaked in blood.

His exposed hands were longer and more powerful than usual, the backs covered in sparse white fur that was matted down with water, making it less obvious.

Seeing him like this, Jing Xi’s heart seized violently.

“Yao Yao.”

But Chi Yao didn’t respond. He charged forward to attack.

Has he lost his reason?

Jing Xi dodged and retreated, pulling an inhibitor from his pocket.

But before he could inject it, before he could even touch the other’s arm, the inhibitor was snatched away and crushed by a bare hand.

“Chi Yao, it’s me, Jing Xi!”

He had waited and waited, but Jing Xi never came. Chi Yao grew more and more groggy, his mind left with only one thought: kill.

Only killing could relieve the anxiety filling his heart.

In his daze, he seemed to hear someone speaking by his ear, sounding muffled as if underwater.

“Xi… I am… Xi…”

“Xi Xi…?”

Chi Yao shook his head, the pain threatening to explode.

Seeing him stop, Jing Xi’s eyes flickered. He approached cautiously, afraid the scent of his alpha pheromones would stimulate him again.

“I’m here.”

Chi Yao grabbed his own left arm with his right hand, dug his nails into the flesh, and tore downwards viciously.

The intense pain restored a shred of his sanity, and his vision finally cleared.

“What are you doing?!”

Seeing him self-harm, Jing Xi ignored everything else and rushed over to pull his hand away.

The wound on his arm healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This regeneration speed was astounding!

Even seeing it with his own eyes, Jing Xi found it incredible.

“Where did you go? You were so slow.” In just a few words, Chi Yao was panting, his emotions unable to settle.

Jing Xi held his hand; looking closely, the changes were even more obvious.

“I’m sorry.”

The heavy stench of blood made Chi Yao physically ill. He turned back toward the bathroom.

“Go inside.”

Jing Xi picked up the medical kit and hurriedly followed him in.

Using this moment of clarity, Chi Yao stripped off his shirt and entered the shower stall.

When Jing Xi entered, he saw him scrubbing his skin violently. Because his nails were sharp, he scratched many wounds onto his own skin.

“Why won’t it wash off!”

Chi Yao grew increasingly irritable as he scrubbed.

Jing Xi: “…”

You keep bleeding, of course it won’t wash off.

Jing Xi went over and pinned his hands down.

“I’ll help you wash.”

Chi Yao glanced at him and urged grumpily, “Then hurry up.”

Jing Xi took out the last inhibitor remaining in his pocket.

But when Chi Yao extended his arm, he hesitated.

The military headquarters wasn’t 100% safe, and neither were the drugs.

“Hurry up.” Chi Yao frowned. “Do you want to get hit again?”

Jing Xi: “…”

So fierce.

“I’ll wash you clean first, then you can hit me.” Jing Xi placed the vial on the sink, covered it with his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and lifted his chin at Chi Yao. “Sit there.”

Chi Yao sat heavily on the toilet lid, watching as Jing Xi approached with a handful of shampoo.

“Luckily, the bathroom in this conference hall has a shower function.” Jing Xi lathered the foam into his hair.

Chi Yao could feel the gentle fingers moving through his hair. He leaned his body forward slightly, resting his head against Jing Xi.

“Am I very ugly right now?”

Being this obedient and this large, for a moment, Jing Xi felt like he was washing a big dog.

“You care a lot about your image?”

“Nonsense.” Chi Yao’s voice was hoarse and muffled. “I planned to make you addicted to my beauty for a lifetime, unable to extricate yourself. Now the plan is ruined.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Jing Xi: “You think I like you for your beauty?”

Chi Yao looked up. “I don’t?”

Jing Xi intended to say of course not, but seeing that handsome face, he swallowed the words.

Thinking back, the reason he liked sticking to Chi Yao when they first met as children seemed to be exactly because he was pretty.

Maybe he really was obsessed with looks.

Jing Xi: “That sounds somewhat reasonable.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi squeezed a pile of foam and rubbed it onto his arms. “You know some people are furries? They like putting animal ears or tails on their partners.”

Chi Yao: “Are you?”

Jing Xi shook his head. “I’m not.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Then why did you bring it up?

Jing Xi looked into those beastly pupils, bent down, and kissed the corner of his eye, chuckling softly. “But I like these eyes of yours. They’re beautiful.”

Chi Yao’s gaze flickered. Before he could speak, Jing Xi kissed his fingers as well.

“These claws are also very cute.”

Chi Yao looked at his own hideous hands. “…”

Is there something wrong with his aesthetics?

Some places had too much blood. Jing Xi took alcohol wipes from the medical kit to clean them, ensuring no scent remained.

After washing the man from head to toe, he was sweating from exhaustion, and Chi Yao wasn’t having an easy time either.

Perhaps due to the susceptible period, his senses were extraordinarily sensitive. Heaven knew how much self-control he used not to pounce.

Chi Yao stood under the showerhead covered in foam, eyes fixed on Jing Xi, afraid he would run.

“Stay within three steps of me.”

Jing Xi stepped right in.

“I’ll rinse you off.”

Before his hand could touch, Chi Yao pushed him away.

“I can do it myself.”

Jing Xi: “Shy?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi: “Is there any part of you I haven’t seen?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Seeing his movements weren’t as rough as before, Jing Xi folded his arms and leaned against the side to watch.

“Better?”

“Yeah.” Chi Yao rinsed the foam off his body. “Can’t smell the blood anymore, head doesn’t hurt as much.”

It might also be because Jing Xi was here.

He didn’t say that part.

Even though they were both alphas, just having Jing Xi stand in front of him made his mood improve. No one would believe it if he said it.

Jing Xi recalled scenes from the past where Chi Yao would scrub his hands after killing someone.

This guy actually hates the feeling of killing, doesn’t he?

He couldn’t accept the beast transformation, hated the power it brought, and hated himself for turning into a beast.

Before, it would fade quickly, but this time there was no sign of it receding.

In this state, attending the reception was impossible.

Still needed the inhibitor?

Just as he was thinking about who to ask to send inhibitors, he suddenly felt Chi Yao approach. Jing Xi turned his head, and their noses brushed.

Jing Xi’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”

Chi Yao leaned in close to his neck and sniffed, his brow furrowing.

“Why is there another alpha’s scent on you?”

Jing Xi lifted his arm and sniffed. He couldn’t smell anything.

“Maybe I picked it up during the meeting—”

Halfway through the sentence, seeing Chi Yao’s face getting worse, he thought, Not good.

He had just calmed down a little; was he going to flare up again?

“Chi Yao, calm down—”

“How can I be calm?” Chi Yao slammed him against the wall, irritable. “Why did you let another alpha get close to you?!”

Emotions during the susceptible period came out of nowhere, often unreasonable and uncontrollable. Jing Xi understood this deeply.

But clearly, Chi Yao’s case was more severe than his.

“You don’t want me to have anyone else’s scent on me?” Jing Xi softened his tone as much as possible to avoid stimulating him.

Chi Yao slapped the wall, teetering on the edge of rage.

“You are mine!”

Watching him take deep breaths, Jing Xi knew he was trying his hardest to control himself.

Jing Xi pulled open his own collar. “Then put your mark on me. That way, no one else’s scent will stick.”

Chi Yao’s pupils constricted, and his fingers clenched tight.

Jing Xi placed a hand on the back of his neck, stroking gently with his thumb.

“Although I can’t be marked like an omega, you can still satisfy the craving with a bite. Want to?”

Being tempted like this, Chi Yao couldn’t hold back at all.

But as his lips touched the skin over the gland, he gritted his teeth and stopped.

“No. Can’t bite.”

Alpha pheromones were highly aggressive. Coupled with same-sex repulsion, two types of pheromones running wild in the body—he didn’t need to think to know how painful it would be.

But despite his thoughts, Chi Yao couldn’t lift his head.

He could faintly smell a cool, clear fragrance. Even though his instincts rejected it, it was filled with fatal temptation.

“Really not going to bite?”

The breath brushed lightly against his skin. Jing Xi flinched, his heart rate accelerating uncontrollably.

He patted Chi Yao’s head, feeling a bit of heartache.

He was about to lose his mind, yet he still cared about Jing Xi’s feelings.

Chi Yao endured and endured, then restrainedly kissed that patch of skin.

“Just a touch is enough.”

Jing Xi trembled violently. Before he could speak, he felt a lick there, followed by a suck.

Chi Yao: “Just a lick.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Being left hanging like this wasn’t easy for him either.

“Yao Yao.”

Chi Yao: “Hmm?”

Jing Xi: “Bite me.”

Chi Yao’s heart pounded violently.

The reason he was barely holding onto collapsed completely.

Just as Jing Xi finished speaking, a sharp pain shot through the side of his neck. Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

He clenched his teeth to keep from making a sound.

Strange yet familiar pheromones were injected into his body through the gland. He could clearly feel the two pheromones fighting.

When his canines pierced the skin, Chi Yao felt a satisfaction he had never known before.

It was like finally finding the exit in a dark maze.

Unknown time passed before Chi Yao smelled blood again.

He snapped back to reality.

The person in his arms was leaning against him, incredibly limp.

Chi Yao felt a sudden panic and immediately let go.

On the originally smooth and fair skin, a bloody bite mark remained, sunk deep into the flesh. Blood slid down the collarbone and into the collar.

If he had used a bit more force, that whole chunk of flesh might have been bitten off.

“Calmed down?”

Jing Xi’s voice was unusually hoarse.

Chi Yao’s expression changed.

“Xi Xi, are you okay?”

Jing Xi leaned against the wall, panting. “Thought you were going to bite it off.”

Chi Yao frantically wiped the sweat from him, angry at himself.

“You have more experience with susceptible periods than I do. Why didn’t you just punch me earlier?”

Jing Xi’s lip color was paler than usual, his eyelashes wet with sweat. He looked disheveled, but paired with his cold eyes, it added a thrilling beauty.

Jing Xi wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and chuckled lightly. “I wanted you to bite me.”

Chi Yao was freaking out.

The wound on the gland looked serious; he didn’t know if it would leave any aftereffects.

He turned to look at the medical kit on the sink and pulled Jing Xi over.

“Let me treat the wound first.”

Jing Xi watched him rummage quickly through the box, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

This guy had forgotten that his bodily fluids could heal wounds.

“Chi Yao.”

“Out of alcohol pads?” Chi Yao panicked the more he looked. “Why is there no antidote?!”

Jing Xi pulled his hand over and held it in his palm.

“Your hands have recovered.”

Chi Yao was stunned. Reminded, he realized his hands had returned to normal.

Jing Xi looked at him. “Your eyes are back too.”

Chi Yao looked in the mirror. Sure enough, they were black again.

Jing Xi looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled. “Seems I’m not completely useless after all.”

Chi Yao didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh.

He pulled the man over and kissed him fiercely.

“Try seducing me like that again next time?”

Jing Xi let out a low laugh through his nose.

“Try me.”

Chi Yao: “…”

So annoying.