“You must be really disappointed with us, Lord Tong, all because of this useless group of female bugs!”
……
The discontented voices grew louder, each sentence targeting the bugs staying beside Lord Tong. Just when their dissatisfaction reached a peak, the figure they had all been yearning for appeared. Silence fell upon the crowd, as if the loudest noise had suddenly been muted.
The young male bug, surrounded by admirers, wore a simple, loose hospital gown. He squinted against the outdoor light, shadows lightly cast under his eyes. He appeared crystalline and translucent, his extraordinarily pale skin contrasting sharply with his rare ebony hair. If one hadn’t seen him in person, it would’ve been hard to imagine that a male bug could look so much better in reality than in photographs.
They all took a deep breath, the already crowded bugs becoming even more chaotic. Like a tidal wave, they surged forward, drawn in by an irresistible attraction, pushing aside any obstacles in their path like moths to a flame.
“Beep beep beep!!”
The warning whistle sounded, and the military females raised their weapons. Yet, the swarm of bugs seemed oblivious, hastening their steps uncontrollably, closing in on the final warning line.
“Lord, look at me!”
“Don’t leave, I really want your bug offspring!”
The military females had no choice but to fire warning shots into the air. The loud bang startled Tong, who instinctively shrank away, but was soon sheltered in the midst of the crowd.
“Lord, hurry and leave, ignore these crazy bugs.”
Tong stepped onto the military ship and glanced back one last time. Countless figures swarmed like a tide, all heading in the same direction. A shiver unexpectedly ran down his spine.
After the military ship closed its hatch, the din of voices was cut off. A cup of warm water appeared in front of him, carrying a hint of sweetness.
“Lord Tong, please take responsibility, it was our inadequate arrangements that frightened you.”
The old female bug, dressed in a suit, appeared regretful. The insignia of the Male Bug Protection Association hung from her chest, “Rest assured, we will return and ensure that not a single one of these bugs escapes punishment!”
A fleeting image of White Starfall crossed Tong’s mind as he replied, “There’s no need for any repercussions; nothing severe occurred.”
He was just feeling somewhat unsettled.
Tong set the cup down and gazed out at the clouds, hoping he wasn’t arriving too late.
Imperial Central Prison.
Dozens of military ships were stationed at the entrance of the Imperial Central Prison. Using the uniquely marked royal ship in the center as a reference, they formed a guard around it.
A commotion of guards descended, culminating in a group of noteworthy high-ranking individuals. The prison warden had never encountered so many important figures in his life; he was nervous to the point his hands trembled, swallowing hard repeatedly.
Tong stepped down and looked up at the towering walls, frowning instantly.
“Prison?”
His two seemingly nonchalant words were colder than his usual tone, sending cold sweats down the insects’ spines.
“According to Imperial law, White Starfall has committed a crime and should be incarcerated. We are merely following protocol…”
The head of the Male Bug Protection Association interjected, “General White Starfall hasn’t faced any hardships here, correct?”
The prison warden wiped his sweat; he almost dropped his handkerchief.
How could he be here to see White Starfall?
The ones locked in the underground prison were all guaranteed death-row inmates—how could they attract so many significant figures?
“Warden! Speak up!”
“Right, right! We didn’t dare treat him harshly! Rest assured!”
Proceeding to the location where White Starfall was held required passing through a long section designated for inmate containment.
They walked deeper inside as a large group.
The criminals, originally locked in individual cells, transformed into rabid dogs at the sight of meat; they beat against their metal cages, hurling a barrage of filthy curses.
And Tong, being the last to walk in, felt the hostile criminals whistle upon his entrance.
Various crude gazes glued themselves to Tong like a malignant curse: “Where did the Warden get this young male bug? Are we receiving benefits?”
“Shut your mouth.”
A gun barrel jabbed into one of the criminals’ mouths; a military female pulled the trigger, “Say one more word, and I’ll blow your head off.”
However, the criminals grew even rowdier.
“Not effective at all, don’t jab us with guns.”
“Hahaha I prefer that little male bug’s gun!”
Tong shot a fierce glare at the shameless criminal female.
That criminal female immediately closed her mouth, shocked; that glare nearly petrified her.
Where did these old folks find such exquisite bugs?
Tong quickened his pace.
The thought of White Starfall being stuck among these loathsome characters made him fear that White Starfall might pick up some strange knowledge and behave oddly upon return.
The stretch of road leading to the underground prison grew emptier, and a strange smell lingered in the air, reminiscent of residual fumes from welding.
It was faint; whenever Tong concentrated to sniff, it seemed to vanish.
After inputting a series of identity verifications, they smoothly boarded the elevator, descending to the solitary prison cell.
When the elevator doors opened, they found several bug wardens lying on the ground.
Moreover, the door that should have been tightly shut was wide open, leaving the inside empty.
“What’s going on?”
Tong’s heart sank, hastening his steps to approach but being blocked instead.
“Lord, there may be danger.”
A squad of military females rushed out from behind them, beginning a careful search.
“You said he was being held here? Then where is he? Speak up!”
Tong had an inexplicable certainty that White Starfall’s character wouldn’t voluntarily escape; his sudden disappearance could only mean—
“Sir, look here.”
A military female opened her palm, revealing a small flag emblazoned with the emblem of the feared Star Pirate Corps that sent shivers down every bug’s spine.