Chi Yao looked at the enlarged virtual window, finding a familiar ID among the dense data.

“Li Bo?”

Jing Xi: “Xiao Hong checked over a thousand associated accounts and only found him.”

Regarding Li Bo being a “Ghost,” neither of them was surprised.

But Chen Bingfeng was a Lieutenant General. They had expected the exposed “Ghost” to be of a higher rank.

“If it’s him, then there’s more to investigate.”

Chi Yao rubbed Jing Xi’s hands, helping to warm them. “But finally not having to watch him prance around is not bad.”

Jing Xi leaned against the table beside him, pondering for a moment before whispering, “Do you think there might be a Ghost among the Four Great Generals?”

The term “Four Great Generals” wasn’t actually accurate anymore. Pei Zhenyue had already become the Commander-in-Chief, leaving only three generals holding key positions.

There were many generals in the Empire, but many held the rank without actual duties.

Chi Yao counted on his fingers for him.

“The old man’s possibility is very low, Pei Zhenyue’s isn’t high either. That leaves Zhao Hongyi and Bai Yi, both are possible.”

If Lin Chengde were the mole, Chi Yao wouldn’t have had to investigate so hard all these years.

He was already the leader of the Dark Division, with authority equivalent to half a Commander-in-Chief. There was simply no need to act.

And Pei Zhenyue was already sitting in the Commander-in-Chief’s seat. If he were a Ghost, then both the Dark Division and Extreme Shadow would have been finished long ago.

“Between Zhao and Bai, Zhao Hongyi is more likely,” Chi Yao analyzed. “Li Bo and Chen Bingfeng are both his people. He also had a part in suppressing you. Always opposing Pei Zhenyue, he doesn’t look like good news.”

Jing Xi was thoughtful, feeling like something was missing.

All the clues were scattered, lacking the most important thread.

“On the surface, it seems so.”

Hearing this, Jing Xi snapped back: “Surface?”

Chi Yao scoffed: “People who are openly bad aren’t scary. Those who smile to your face while stabbing you in the back are the real scum.”

Jing Xi narrowed his eyes slightly: “You think Bai Yi is problematic?”

Chi Yao said lazily: “Been on sick leave for twenty-something years yet still holding heavy power. It must be because there’s no one else in the military, right? Others can’t do it, so he has to work hard.”

A light flashed in Jing Xi’s mind. An image flashed before his eyes but too fast to catch.

“The Bai family is a great noble family with a long history. His power not being dismembered is largely due to this.” Jing Xi frowned. “But now that you mention it, it is indeed a bit strange.”

Among those standing at the peak of the pyramid, who wasn’t from a distinguished background with illustrious war exploits? Bai Yi dragging his sick body among them without showing the slightest fatigue, even handling things with ease.

“I heard the old man mention once that Bai Yi is gentle, acting as a lubricant among the four of them.” Chi Yao smiled. “Not fighting or grabbing, staying home sick, yet power just falls into his bowl.”

“You think he’s pretending? For what?”

Jing Xi tilted his head to look at him, puzzled. “If he wants to fight for Commander-in-Chief, this is a great opportunity, but he hasn’t acted—”

“How do you know he hasn’t acted?”

Chi Yao looked straight into his eyes. “If Old Pei didn’t have us, let alone being Commander-in-Chief, he would have been devoured by those Ghosts long ago.”

Jing Xi: “Even if General Pei is removed, he isn’t the first in line for replacement.”

“Yeah, so no one suspects him.” Chi Yao said faintly. “Is it that hard to get rid of Pei, then get rid of Zhao?”

Although it was based on assumptions, following this line of reasoning, Jing Xi couldn’t help but harbor some suspicion.

On the day of the ceremony, Old Lu said both Zhao and Bai had been to Building 8.

It was very likely one of them went to inspect the results of the mission. After all, victory was in sight; who could stay calm?

The more Jing Xi thought about it, the more problematic it seemed. He immediately contacted Pei Zhenyue.

In the screen, Pei Zhenyue was sitting in his office, with several other Lieutenant Generals in the frame.

Jing Xi: “Sir, I have several issues from the front line to report to you.”

Pei Zhenyue understood and asked those people to leave.

“Is that hand in the photo Chen Bingfeng’s?” He asked directly.

Jing Xi nodded, not planning to hide it.

He hadn’t intentionally hidden the Lieutenant General’s uniform when taking the photo, warning the mole not to provoke again. However, uninformed people would only think the military was joking with a bear paw.

Pei Zhenyue rubbed his brow wearily: “No wonder Old Zhao is jumping up and down again.”

Jing Xi frowned: “General Zhao?”

Pei Zhenyue: “In the high-level meeting last night, citing safety reasons, he proposed a physical examination for all members of Extreme Shadow. We were discussing this just now.”

Jing Xi thought for a moment, then asked: “Any movement from General Bai’s side?”

Pei Zhenyue paused, looking up at him: “Old Bai? Did you discover something?”

Jing Xi shook his head: “Just asking casually.”

Pei Zhenyue was silent for a moment, leaning back in his chair, his voice somewhat cold.

“My people are monitoring. No movement for now.”

Jing Xi’s eyes flashed: “You suspected him long ago?”

“Can’t call it suspicion.”

Thinking of the incident at Building 8 that day, Pei Zhenyue’s expression was faint. “Just in case.”

Seeing Jing Xi’s solemn face, Pei Zhenyue glanced at the window: “Where is that kid Chi Yao? Not clinging to you?”

Jing Xi: “He has many things to busy with.”

Busy my ass.

Pei Zhenyue complained internally. “I heard from subordinates that thousands of accounts claiming to be star pirate groups suddenly appeared on social platforms recently. Afraid of causing online disputes, mention it to Chi Yao more often. Those people only listen to Chi Yao.”

Jing Xi looked at him: “What conditions can you offer?”

Pei Zhenyue choked: “Managing the star pirate circle is his responsibility and obligation. What conditions does he want?”

Jing Xi with a wooden face: “Do you think he is the kind of person who works for free?”

Pei Zhenyue: “…”

While the two were talking, Chi Yao walked into another meeting room and sent a video call to Lin Chengde.

Having been angry all night about not getting the weapon, seeing his beloved disciple calling, Lin Chengde instantly felt relieved.

“What’s up, any problem with the twenty thousand sets of steel claws?”

Chi Yao scoffed, giving him a look, too lazy to even respond to that.

“How much do you know about Bai Yi?”

Irritated by his negligent attitude, Lin Chengde was puzzled hearing Bai Yi mentioned suddenly: “Why ask about him?”

Chi Yao pulled out a chair and sat down casually.

“Bored.”

Lin Chengde: “…”

Lunchtime, Yan Kai, as a competent underling, brought them a table full of dishes.

Chi Yao forcibly dragged the work-obsessed Jing Xi to the dining room.

“Eat first.”

Jing Xi: “I’m not hungry.”

Chi Yao: “I am.”

Hearing this, Jing Xi sat down obediently.

“What you said this morning reminded me of something too.”

Chi Yao consciously moved the pickled cucumbers far away from him.

“What thing?”

Jing Xi glanced at him, picked up a slice of pickled cucumber, and ate it.

“Remember what I told you about my father before?”

“How could I forget?”

Chi Yao looked at Jing Xi sitting opposite. “Died accidentally during an expedition, the entire legion was gone.”

Jing Xi nodded: “Back then, my father was Major General Bo’s adjutant, and Major General Bo was the junior General Bai valued most.”

Chi Yao’s fingertip twitched, inexplicably feeling very uncomfortable.

“Back then, General Bai’s military achievements among the Four Great Generals were second only to General Lin. He was once a hot candidate for Commander-in-Chief, and Major General Bo was infinitely glorious because of it.”

Jing Xi paused, then continued, “After Major General Bo’s accident, General Bai was overwhelmed with grief, his old illness relapsed, and he went on sick leave not long after.”

Chi Yao put a piece of braised pork in his bowl, asking faintly: “What kind of character was this Major General Bo?”

Looking at the meat in his bowl, Jing Xi’s voice was very low: “Heard from Grandpa that even the Royal Family valued him highly. Many people once thought he would get a skipped promotion. Must have been a very powerful general.”

The Commander-in-Chief position had been vacant for a long time. The oldest generation fought amongst themselves but couldn’t catch the Royal Family’s eye, while the younger generation’s brilliance was faintly starting to overshadow the old.

At that time, many thought the Royal Family was scouting for a Commander-in-Chief candidate among the younger generation.

“Judging from the situation here, that organization started operating at least forty years ago.”

Chi Yao said casually, “From this perspective, Bai Yi’s possibility decreases quite a bit.”

With a distinguished background and strength, picking a disciple more outstanding than anyone else, he seemed to have no motive to cause trouble.

Seeing Chi Yao didn’t seem very interested, Jing Xi probed: “Do you think we should investigate this Major General Bo’s information in more detail?”

“Whatever.” Chi Yao put some vegetables in his bowl. “Unless he was a modified human, it doesn’t mean much—”

A careless sentence made both their expressions change simultaneously.

Chi Yao frowned: “The person is dead. Can the military still find information on his genes?”

“These data are preserved permanently.” Jing Xi put down his bowl and chopsticks, expression grave. “But the accuracy is hard to say.”

That extraordinary strength completely crushing his peers… if proven to come from genetic modification, then Bai Yi would be a major suspect.

Chi Yao: “Does he have any family or children left?”

Genetic modification had a certain degree of hereditability.

Jing Xi’s heart skipped a beat, looking up at him.

Seeing him staring blankly without speaking, Chi Yao put down his chopsticks.

“Tired?”

Jing Xi shook his head: “His partner sacrificed with him, but they left behind an alpha son.”

Chi Yao: “Then it’s easy. Test his genes. As long as he was modified before having the child, it can be detected.”

Just after speaking, his hand on the table was held.

“Yao Yao.”

Jing Xi said with difficulty, “That child—”

For no reason, Chi Yao suddenly sensed something from Jing Xi’s eyes.

He pulled back his hand, suddenly not wanting to hear further.

“The ribs are done well, eat more.”

Such obvious resistance made Jing Xi swallow back the words on the tip of his tongue.

Perhaps Chi Yao lived comfortably in the darkness relying on himself, but it didn’t mean he accepted all this gladly.

Parents who abandoned him, the accident that caused him to get lost, the evil genetic modification organization—these were the sources that made him unable to grow up like a normal child.

Regarding these, he still couldn’t let go.

Jing Xi picked up his chopsticks again.

“I will investigate this matter personally.”

Chi Yao lowered his eyes to hide the complex emotions within.

He didn’t know if the half-sentence Jing Xi didn’t say was as he thought.

If so, what expression should he use to accept it?

For so many years, he had long accepted the fact of being alone. Having Jing Xi’s company was already an unexpected joy.

But why did his chest still hurt so much?

Busy all day, it was late night again when returning to the rest cabin. Chi Yao was already asleep.

After washing up, Jing Xi opened the quilt and quietly burrowed in.

Just as he lay down, his waist was embraced, and his whole body was pulled into a warm, life-sized body pillow.

“Xi Xi, I can’t sleep.”

Chi Yao nuzzled his neck, his deep voice carrying a bit of grievance.

Jing Xi turned sideways and patted his head.

“Why didn’t you let Iron Bear sleep with you?”

Chi Yao looked up: “Why would I want him to keep me company?”

In the darkness, his eyes flashed gold, looking like two small light bulbs, a bit creepy.

Jing Xi: “Aren’t you used to dogs sleeping with you?”

Chi Yao almost laughed in anger.

“I have a wife and don’t sleep with him, but sleep with a dog?”

Jing Xi kissed the corner of his eye, his cool voice revealing a hint of a smile.

“Then try doing something that helps with sleep?”

Chi Yao embraced his narrow waist, long legs crossing over, holding the person completely in his arms.

“Try then try.”

Five minutes later, Jing Xi finished the first children’s story.

“Asleep yet?”

Chi Yao sniffed his wife, closing his eyes and saying lazily: “With your emotionless reading machine voice, it’d be strange if I could sleep.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Complaining now?

Jing Xi felt he wasn’t as bad as claimed, preparing to find another story to redeem himself.

An itching sensation came from his neck. Feeling Chi Yao’s teeth grazing his gland, Jing Xi couldn’t help trembling slightly.

“Yao Yao?”

Hearing Jing Xi’s muffled groan, Chi Yao smelled the sweet fruit wine scent again.

His body screamed resistance, but his mind was incredibly satisfied.

Body and mind pulling at each other, as if about to tear apart any moment.

In the blink of an eye, Chi Yao’s pupils turned into vertical slits, breathing gradually becoming heavy.

Fingers running through Jing Xi’s hair, Chi Yao licked across his gland.

“The tooth marks from last time are gone.”

Jing Xi gripped the sheets under his hand, unable to control his accelerating heartbeat, voice tight.

“Disappeared long ago—mph!”

Chi Yao planted a light kiss on the gland, then suddenly bit down.

He gently opened Jing Xi’s hand to interlace fingers, feeling the trembling body relax a bit.

Intense pheromones released from his canines. Two powerful alpha pheromones interwove and collided within the body. Jing Xi broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Chi Yao wanted to claim this person for himself, letting the whole world know this person was his.

His mind screamed to bite down, but reason made Chi Yao restrain himself, daring not to use too much force.

Just satisfy the craving, otherwise his wife would hurt too much.

Opening his mouth with difficulty, Chi Yao was about to let go, but Jing Xi held the back of his head and pressed him back.

Jing Xi: “Deeper.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Chi Yao: “Doesn’t it hurt?”

Jing Xi’s breathing was messy: “Hurts, but feels good.”

Chi Yao: “…”

At a time like this, how could Chi Yao withstand teasing?

Opening his mouth, he bit down with an “awoo.”

The smell of blood accompanied by the scent of pheromones made the whole air burn.

Jing Xi asked for deeper, and Chi Yao really only went a little deeper.

He licked away the blood on the gland, looking at the deep tooth marks, quite satisfied.

“I used to think my teeth were fucking straight.”

Jing Xi: “…You have no other thoughts?”

Chi Yao looked up, kissing away the cold sweat on his forehead, from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth, intertwining lips and teeth with him, laughing muffedly.

“When I recover, the first thing I’ll do is make you unable to get out of bed for a week.”

Jing Xi held the back of his neck, kissing back.

“Who won’t be able to get out of bed is uncertain.”

[Xiao Hong: Warning! Detected your heart rate is too fast, pheromone concentration abnormal, please seek medical attention immediately!]

[Xiao Hei: Dummy, sleep it off and it’ll be fine, no need for a doctor.]

[Xiao Hong: Oh~]

Chi Yao/Jing Xi: “…”

Half an hour later, the two came out of the bathroom dripping wet.

Through the slightly open collar of Jing Xi’s bathrobe, Chi Yao’s eyes swept over that tooth mark, then forcibly looked away.

Looking any longer, he would definitely be unable to resist eating him up.

Hair still wet, Chi Yao was about to help Jing Xi dry it, but Jing Xi beat him to it.

The two chatted idly, rarely this relaxed.

Jing Xi suddenly thought of what Pei Zhenyue mentioned, saying casually: “Heard thousands more star pirate group accounts registered.”

Idle anyway, Chi Yao opened the social platform. Private messages were too many to receive.

He set a few keywords to filter, finally seeing the star pirate groups tagging him daily to clock in.

[Plowed another ten acres today, will Boss Chi see me? @Chi Yao]

[Another hundred saplings in 787 wasteland, this is cheetah speed @Chi Yao]

[Rake ground into a needle [cry-laugh], can I trade it for a new one? @Chi Yao]

Chi Yao: “…Are these idiots bored?”

Jing Xi ran his fingers through his wet hair, movements gentle.

“In their eyes, you are already the Bandit King.”

Star pirates had always been like rats crossing the street, never seeing the light.

But Chi Yao opened a hole, letting them see hope—hope of being respected and recognized.

Jing Xi: “They are using illegal accounts, can’t verify without you.”

Chi Yao looked up at him: “My power is that big?”

Jing Xi couldn’t help touching his beautiful jawline, voice cool: “I’ve already verified your account, but for them, no one but you will help verify.”

Chi Yao laughed out loud.

“No wonder.”

He opened his homepage and posted an update.

[All star pirate groups who completed the quota for land reclamation and wasteland opening, leave a comment under this post for verification.]

After posting, it refreshed automatically, comment numbers multiplying geometrically.

“Aoaoao captured a live Captain Chi!”

“Can non-star pirate groups request reclamation missions? QuQ”

“Viper has exceeded the quota, requesting verification [palms together]”

“Wolf Dog has completed the quota, requesting verification [winking cute]”

“Hunting Dog has exceeded the quota…”

Comparing with the list sent by his subordinate, Chi Yao clicked on Viper’s account, completing verification according to prompts.

By the third one, he had lost all patience.

“Why am I doing this crap for them in the middle of the night?”

A light chuckle came from above his head. Chi Yao felt Jing Xi pressing closer.

Jing Xi reached over him, tapping on the virtual screen.

“You can batch verify like this.”

A small golden real-name circle appeared in front of the verified star pirate group account names.

Star pirates staying on various barren stars to open up wasteland partied all night, drinking and singing. Singing and singing, they started wailing.

“I finally fucking have a household registration waaaaaah—”

Ordinary to citizens, but for the verified star pirate groups, that small symbol was their “household registration” on the internet.

With this registration, could real household registration be far behind?

Viper Captain wiped snot and tears, excitedly posting an update on the homepage.

[Hello everyone, we are the Extreme Shadow Viper Squad, please advise us in the future [handshake]]

After playing single-player for half a month, unexpectedly not long after posting this, there were many comments.

The Viper group gathered together to watch.

The captain tremblingly clicked open comments, afraid they were all cursing them.

“First star pirate group verified by Chi Yao Yao, welcome welcome~”

“Hahaha, come, queue up for a number ticket.”

“Checked previous updates, turns out you guys really were reclaiming land properly, thanks [bow]”

“Suddenly feel star pirate groups are so cute hahaha”

Everyone in Viper was stunned.

This was the first time not being scolded.

So satisfying!

Following Chi Yao closely was indeed the wisest choice!

In the middle of the night, star pirate group accounts verified by Chi Yao were toured by netizens.

Pity those who didn’t get verification.

Meng Dahu watched Wolf Dog Group get the small golden circle, pouted, craving it so much he almost cried.

“Viper grew twenty thousand fans! Even Wolf Dog grew several thousand, over three thousand comments, so nice.” The underling beside him discussed in a sour whisper.

“They came earlier than us, otherwise we would definitely be the first batch too!”

“Starting tomorrow, we do 24-hour shifts, definitely finish in a week!”

“Don’t know when Boss Chi’s next verification is—”

Meng Dahu slapped his thigh, shouldered his rake and left.

“Stop dawdling, grab your gear and get to work!”

The underlings were energized: “Yes sir!”

In the rest cabin, the two dried their hair and lay back in the warm bed.

Jing Xi nestled in Chi Yao’s arms, burying his head, too comfortable to sleep.

Chi Yao reached out to tuck the hair scattered on Jing Xi’s face behind his ear, his mind repeating the unfinished sentence Jing Xi said and the expression he had when looking over.

“Xi Xi.”

Chi Yao’s voice was very low. He hesitated for a long time. Just as he was about to ask, Jing Xi’s terminal vibrated.

Jing Xi swiped lightly with his slender finger. The lit virtual screen popped up a message window from Qiu Tianlin.

[The first version of the repair agent is out—]