Chapter 91 - On the Correct Way to Threaten People
Translated by Eve
Edited by Kitty, Serefina
8. On the Correct Way to Threaten People
Lance’s steps paused. He turned around to look at Sawyer coldly. When it was just the two of them, he didn’t feel like bothering to keep up the pretence.
When Sawyer saw this, he spread his hands out helplessly. He said, “Your Highness, has there been a misunderstanding? I didn’t know that you had already interrogated him like that. The only reason why I had made that suggestion was because I thought that it would be beneficial in helping us deal with the Federation.”
Lance met his gaze, “Is that so?”
“Of course. Everything I propose is for the sake of the Empire,” Sawyer said resolutely.
Lance’s gaze was fixed onto him. He suddenly sneered, full of contempt, “If that is what you wanted to tell me, then I think there’s no need for you to continue.”
Sawyer paused and forced out a laugh. “Of course… it was also partly fuelled by my harmless, selfish motives.”
Lance’s gaze was freezing. His thin lips parted, “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear last time, so I’ll say it again. Even if he’s just a slave, no one is allowed to dip their fingers into what’s mine.”
Sawyer shrugged and looked regretful, “Ai, honestly, it’s the first time it’s been so difficult for me to play with a slave. Your Highness, you’re really not tired of him yet?”
Lance’s voice carried a bone-deep chill, “When I’m tired of him, I’ll kill him. So it’s for the best that you don’t bank on waiting.”
After saying this, he left, not paying Sawyer any more attention.
Sawyer watched as Lance walked away, expression sinking. The frivolous smile on his face had completely disappeared.
He didn’t expect that Lance would rather publicly oppose the council than give up an insignificant captive. Honestly, handing Loren over was advantageous for Lance. He just had to let go of a worthless captive and he would be able to buy the military division’s council to his side, as everyone would get a portion of the credit. This would only benefit him and would bring no disadvantages. And yet, he had stubbornly and decisively refused… he would rather kill him than hand him over to someone else.
Did Lance really see Loren as just a slave? Sawyer narrowed his eyes.
………………………………
When Lance returned to his room, he found Xie He lying in bed, eyes shut. He was probably sleeping.
This time, he didn’t wake him up. Instead, he lowered his head and stared at him for a long time.
A long while later, Lance sat down on the side of the bed and gently pulled Xie He into his arms, brushing his bangs out of his face…. How could he hand him over? No one could make him hand him over.
This was the first time he was unwilling to let go of someone. You should feel honoured.…
Lance’s fingers traced the outline of Xie He’s face. His gaze stopped at that pair of enticing lips and he lowered his head, kissing them softly. He kissed and kissed until he couldn’t suppress his desire. He pried open the other’s jaw and plundered in.
Xie He shifted, uncomfortable. He slowly opened his eyes. When he saw that it was Lance, he immediately pushed him away, eyes cold.
Lance quickly pressed Xie He’s hands down. He let out a low chuckle, “You actually still have the strength to resist.”
Xie He smirked, “Yeah. Who told you to be such a let-down, ne?”
Lance wasn’t angry. He discovered that Xie He had recently learned to be sarcastic with him. Even if he was tormented until he was at his last breath, when his lips were the only thing he could move, he still wouldn’t forget to bare his fangs. Lance gently caressed the person in his arms and said, “I hope that you can publicly declare that you’ve sold yourself to the Empire. If you do that, I can grant you status as a citizen of the Empire and keep you by my side. You will not be a slave anymore.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, perhaps you should go see a psychiatrist? Delusional disorder is really serious, ah.” Xie He laughed.
“I’m very healthy. Moreover, I think that you will absolutely accept it.”
Lance smiled, the look in his eyes profound. He let Xie He go and turned on a holographic image with a remote. Instantly, a map of the northern planetary systems that the Empire reigned over appeared. Countless beautiful planets appeared in the galaxy like stars in the sky, so beautiful that it made people breathless.
Lance’s fair and slender fingers made a gesture, and a grey-coloured planetary system was magnified, appearing before them.
“Recently, the Empire’s forces were met with an ambush by the Federation in the Beilin Planetary System. The Beilin Planetary System is close to the Mento Planetary System. The resources of the Mento Planetary System have always been scarce. It’s an unregulated, lawless zone. After analysis, we speculate that this is one of the Federation’s bases. The Federation infiltrated the Beilin Planetary System via the Mento Planetary System. Therefore, we’ve decided to destroy the Mento Planetary System.”
Lance said indifferently, “Of course. This is but one possibility that our intelligence bureau has come up with. Perhaps there aren’t any members of the Federation’s people there. However, I’d rather kill on the off chance they are there than miss this opportunity. Besides, there’s only two hundred million people in the Mento Planetary System. They don’t own any special resources either. It’s nothing much to destroy them.
Xie He’s expression changed abruptly. He glared at him angrily. “You demons! Those are human lives!”
Lance turned a deaf ear, continuing to gesture with his fingers. The hologram displayed an enormous weapon that was currently being pointed at the Mento Planetary System. The beam of light it fired seemed unremarkable, but it actually possessed an incredible destructive power. Such a huge Planetary System was like dust, blown in the wind. Everything turned to nothing….
Countless lives quietly disappeared in space, without time to even wail in anguish.
Like they had been ruthlessly destroyed by time.
Such a terrifying might….
Xie He’s eyes were red. He grabbed Lance’s collar and angrily said, “You’ll suffer retribution!”
Lance looked down and gently pulled Xie He’s hand off of him. He said softly, “Don’t be so worked up. That was just a simulation. It’s still fine.”
“You—” Xie He glared at him furiously.
Lance pinched his chin, lips raised into a smile, “Actually, you can save them. So long as you agree to my demand, I can make the military give up on this endeavour and use a more gentle offensive tactic. Although… some people will still have to be sacrificed. However, haven’t you always said about having hope, or whatever? At least they can still live and look forward to having a future, ah….”
Xie He was so angry, his lips trembled. “You’re threatening me.”
“Yes, I’m threatening you.” There was a smile in Lance’s eyes. He was handsome and enchanting. He whispered into Xie He’s ear, “You won’t refuse me, right? Because I didn’t ask you to tell me any of the Federation’s secrets. So long as you stand up and say a few words, you can save countless lives. You wouldn’t refuse such a good offer, ba….”
Xie He shut his eyes, pained.
Yes, it was just a few words. But these few simple words would deprive him of his only way back home. From then on, the entire universe would know that he was a traitor of the Federation. Everyone would despise and hate him as much as they once trusted him…. From then on, everyone would spurn him. He would lose the last bit of honor he had as a soldier. He would become a filthy citizen of the Empire, the most disgraceful traitor.
Even if he would be able to escape from here alive one day, despite how big the universe was, there would be nowhere for him to go. The Federation would not take him in.
However, just as Lance had said, he would not refuse him….
A long time later, Xie He slowly opened his eyes, indifference covering them. “I agree.”
Lance smiled and kissed him. He pressed him back down onto the bed, pleased.
This way, you can only stay by my side. Aside from being here with me, there’s nowhere you can go…. From now on, only I can protect you and have you. I will be your only master, the only one you can rely on.
【Ding, the target Lance’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 75.】
……………………………………
【Xie He：Right now, I want to specifically thank my Marshal daren. Every helper gong is an adorable little angel, the quick transmigration hosts’ good helpers. They are the little gong’s life teachers. It is because helper gongs exist that love can be so beautiful and moving, unfolding on such magnificent scales. 】
【444：……】
【444：Host dada!!! Are you OK?! Σ( °△°|||)︴】Did he go mad from the pleasure last night?
【Xie He：I’m doing great. I’m just making a speech. Smile.JPG】
【444：…Oh.】He suddenly felt apathetic….
【Xie He：Moreover, I want to congratulate Lance on finally grasping what the proper way of threatening people is. I feel extremely gratified.】
【444：……】
【Xie He：He didn’t let my reminders that he had to few tricks up his sleeve go to waste. 🙂 】
【444：……】My heart feels so tired…._(:зゝ∠)_
Probably because of Xie He’s sarcasm, but Lance had really worked hard last night. As a result, Xie He really couldn’t get out of bed. A normal person could just barely endure being done by an Evolved Human. Lance had probably held back before because he was afraid of breaking him. Xie He really felt distressed for Lance. Not only did he have to make him feel extremely good in bed, he also had to restrain himself from taking things too far. It was really not easy! It was really hard on him! If it were Xie He, he would not wrong himself like this. Therefore, to sum it up: you can’t just randomly ingest any drug.
Xie He shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep. He then felt Lance pick him up from the bed and dress him. Halfway through being dressed, Xie He thought that it was about time and slowly opened his eyes. He raised his hand, wanting to push Lance away.
Lance immediately said, “If you’re not obedient, the Mento Planetary System will be punished in your place. How about it?”
Xie He’s hand immediately stopped in midair. In the end, it fell down, powerless. He pursed his lips into a straight line until they turned white. However, he didn’t move. He let Lance dress him.
Very good. Lance understood how to wait upon others. Xie He was very satisfied.
This time, what Lance put Xie He in was not the uniform of his personal guard or the simple and crude clothing of a slave. It was the clothing of the Empire’s nobles. The delicate, body-fitting material wrapped around the contours of his perfect physique. The inlaid jewels on his cuffs were conspicuous and the details were exquisite. The gorgeous clothes coupled with Xie He’s handsome face made him seem like a nobleman.
Lance was very pleased. He reached out and wrapped an arm around Xie He’s waist, unable to help but kiss him. This was the first time Xie He did not resist him. He only closed his eyes and silently endured, the hands by his side clenching tightly into fists.
Lance, however, was ecstatic. He used to think that he would immediately lose interest once this person submitted to him. However, that wasn’t the case. Even if it was just a tiny bit of fake compliance, it drowned him in excitement. If this person really accepted him, loved him… that kind of feeling would definitely be incredible….
He discovered that he no longer wanted to just obtain this person’s allegiance. What he really wanted was for this person to submit to him with a willing heart….
He wanted more.
Xie He was kissed until he almost suffocated. Only then did Lance release him. He supported the other up. “Let’s go out.”
“I… I can walk on my own!” Xie He gritted his teeth.
Lance did not force him. He obediently let go. Calm and unruffled, he glanced at Xie He. When Xie He lost his support, he immediately began to wobble…. Xie He took a deep breath and slowly steadied himself. With a cold expression, he said, “Let’s go.”
……………………………………
In order to create great fanfare for Xie He’s public declaration, he used the plaza of the Central Gardens, the Empire’s biggest plaza, as the venue. Many recording devices floated in the air, shooting the event from a 360-degree angle. This was the first time the famous Federation’s star would be declaring his position after having been captured.
Loren betraying the Federation was something that everyone in the Empire would be pleased to hear. It would also be a heavy hit against the Federation. Therefore, there were many people who came to enjoy the liveliness.
Before they got out of the car, Lance handed Xie He a piece of paper. He smiled, “This is your speech.”
Xie He received it, anger flowing out of his eyes after taking a glance. “I’ve already agreed to your demand. This is going overboard!”
Lance smiled. “Are you sure you want to refuse?”
“You—” Xie He’s teeth ground his teeth. In the end, he didn’t say anything more, tightly crumpling the paper in his hands.
“We’re ready. Go.” Lance pushed the button to open the door and gave Xie He a serene look.
Xie He sucked in a deep breath and got up. As soon as he got off the car, the car door shut behind him. Lance didn’t plan on showing up. He would monitor everything from behind the scenes.
The crowd outside was bustling. The employee who had been waiting for him below deferentially led Xie He to the podium.
Xie He stood with his back straight. His gait was calm. No one knew how much willpower it took to look this calm at this moment. Even though he had fallen to such a point, he was not willing to let the Empire’s filthy nobles see a sorry side to him!
The piece of paper had been crumpled into a ball. Xie He opened it up and looked at its words, reading each one out loud.
“My name is Loren. I was once a member of the Hope Federation. A lot of you must know me. The Federation made me into their hero for the sake of attracting more people into joining in on the resistance against the Empire. Actually these are all lies. The Federation is not as good as they proclaim…. I realized this afterwards. I was not willing to continue acting as a puppet, so I chose to defect to the Empire….”
“I want to thank the Empire’s leniency. Not only did they forget about our past hatred and take me in, the Empire has also granted me citizenship. I am extremely honoured.”
“From now on, I will be a glorious citizen of the Empire… I will do my best to defend the Empire’s regime….”
Xie He’s nails had practically pierced through the skin of his palms. The pain allowed him to keep a calm expression. There was even a smile on his face. He did not look like he was being forced at all.
“Thank you everyone for coming here today. My speech has come to an end.”
He took back the paper before him and left, expressionless.
This was being widely live-streamed. His words were currently being transmitted to every corner of the universe. All of his comrades-in-arms who used to believe in him and rely on him would hear his traitorous words. Everyone who had fought with him, shoulder-to-shoulder would see him abandon his own conviction.
No one would ever believe him again.
Because he could have chosen death, but he didn’t. Even if life was a harder road to walk.
Xie He descended the stage. All of the negative emotions he had suppressed finally released. It was so painful that he had a dizzy spell. It felt like he was walking on air. There were whispers all around him, mocking him, despising him… saying… look, ah… that’s the Federation’s traitor….
The entire Federation is a joke….
Xie He’s body began to sway. He couldn’t see the people around him clearly. Suddenly, he was pulled by the wrist into the crowd! He quivered, vision clearing in an instant. Just as he was about to fight, that person had already made him run quite the distance, having broken free from the staff member that had been watching over Xie He. The other person covered his mouth and said, “It’s me!”
Xie He instantly calmed down. He looked at Sawyer, who was wearing a hat, disguised, and asked nervously, “Why are you here?”
The author has something to say:
I have a bit of a writer’s block. _(:зゝ∠)_ Recently feel a bit tired.
Eve: I also feel tired. Sigh.
sere: this is atrociousssss poor Loren T.T