An Ming thought to himself: Is the plot about to clash? Will LAN run head-on into the Human Emperor’s Imperial Guards, leading to a conflict that sparks his hatred for the Emperor?
For the sake of LAN’s safety, and to ensure his own sanctuary lasted a long time, the best course of action was to leave Planet Blackpool immediately to avoid any form of confrontation with the Guards.
However, the raw materials were also important.
Through the meeting, An Ming had learned that the raw material for the inhibitor was a crude liquid extracted from the fruit of a rare Cinnamomum shrub. It was rich in calming factors and produced a soothing effect similar to pheromones; it only grew in the extremely specific cold environments of a few planets.
In truth, chemical inhibitors manufactured in labs were also usable they were sold in bulk on the Star Network at affordable prices. But this pure, natural version worked better and had no side effects. LAN insisted that everyone within the military use this high-grade stuff.
Simply telling LAN to leave definitely wasn’t appropriate, and LAN wouldn’t agree anyway.
While the little merman was lost in his own chaotic thoughts, LAN and the other two were also deep in thought.
The Zerg folded his arms and sneered, “This place is close to the star territory of the extinct Dragon Empire. What is the Human Imperial Guard doing here?”
“And since when did Planet Blackpool start trafficking Merman Omega pheromones?”
The hybrid Dragon-Human thought of something and tapped the armrest of the pilot’s seat. “The ones who captured An Ming before were also Imperial Guards.”
An Ming remained silent.
LAN assumed the little merman was having bad memories, so he gently patted An Ming’s hand and continued, “An Ming told me they thought he was an Omega and wanted to sell him to the Home Star to make a fortune.”
“But clearly, it was to bring him to the Home Star, not to sell him. The Guards’ mission isn’t hard to guess.” LAN analyzed and reached a conclusion: “They are under orders to capture Merman Omegas. Someone in the Royal Family is seriously ill.”
An Ming recalled the setting in the book: a Merman Omega’s tears were a miraculous cure-all that could treat any incurable disease. The traffickers had even mentioned it could fix impotence.
After LAN finished speaking, his expression was cold and solemn.
Evan: “Are you worried about…”
“That stupid boy? It won’t be him. Mark doesn’t care that much about him.”
Mark was the name of the Human Emperor. An Ming knew this from the book.
But he was a bit confused who was this “stupid boy”? And looking at the conversation between Evan and LAN, why did it seem like LAN was somewhat anxious?
Just as An Ming thought LAN would pay extra attention to the Imperial Guards which was exactly what he didn’t want LAN’s next words confused the little merman again.
“Forget it, it has nothing to do with us. We’ll let the matter of the resources being snatched go. We’ll keep a low profile and avoid a head-on clash with them.”
Number Nine chimed in from the side, “Exactly, let’s not deal with them. Hmph!”
An Ming: “…”
So I don’t need to worry about preventing the two sides from meeting?
He couldn’t figure it out. LAN seemed to care, yet also seemed indifferent.
Then how did LAN develop such intense murderous intent toward Emperor Mark later in the original book? A decisive event must occur. And from the looks of it, that event wouldn’t happen on Planet Blackpool.
An Ming relaxed slightly, only then realizing his palms were covered in cold sweat.
An Ming: “…”
The mission plan was readjusted.
Since the inhibitor raw materials couldn’t be obtained until the day after tomorrow at the earliest, today and tomorrow would be spent purchasing food and seeds.
The warship landed on a public parking mountain area, very close to the town where the people of Planet Blackpool gathered. It was only a ten-minute walk.
It was already afternoon. The distant daylight spilled obliquely onto the permafrost. As far as the eye could see, every building and the ground were covered in white frost. The air was extremely dry and cold, with a large coniferous forest growing nearby.
But the market was very lively.
An Ming hadn’t been outdoors for a very long time. Putting his worries aside for a moment, he was exceptionally excited by everything before him. Even the biting, ear-stinging cold wind became charming.
He watched the bustling crowds, his heart leaping with joy.
Since this trip to Planet Blackpool won’t trigger the plot, I might as well enjoy the local customs!
However, he soon found himself unable to stay happy.
From the moment their group stepped into the market, An Ming noticed they were being stared at.
The accompanying soldiers were tall and imposing, and LAN and Yvain had extraordinary temperaments, but that shouldn’t have attracted this much attention.
The key was that the appearances of the little merman and Number Nine were too outstanding.
Whether it was the shopkeepers or the travelers, their naked gazes made An Ming extremely uncomfortable. They didn’t just look them up and down brazenly; they even began to “whisper” loudly:
“Is that a Merman Omega and a Male Zerg?”
“Heavens, either one is rare enough, but two appearing together?”
“I really want to taste them. They say each is sweeter than the last.”
An Ming heard them clearly, and naturally, so did LAN.
The hybrid Dragon-Human’s face visibly clouded over.
However, most of the people around had eyes in their heads; they knew the people surrounding the “Merman O” and the “Male Zerg” were definitely not to be messed with. After some cheap talk, they left it at that.
But LAN’s expression did not improve.
Terrified, An Ming grabbed LAN’s arm. “It’s okay, I’m not an Omega anyway.”
LAN was the leader, and whether An Ming was a subordinate or a partner, he was considered LAN’s person. He was afraid LAN would stand up for him and cause a scene that would attract the Imperial Guards.
The hybrid Dragon-Human didn’t speak.
His green-gold vertical pupils narrowed dangerously, flashing with a cold light like a frozen blade.
An Ming desperately released pheromones, trying to soothe him.
However, LAN had already made his move.
A wave of highly aggressive, odorless pheromones poured out like an ice storm, crashing down on everyone within a dozen meters.
In an instant, An Ming felt a domineering yet gentle spiritual force envelop him. It pressured him strongly, but it was manageable.
Others were not so lucky.
The four Alpha subordinates behind him showed expressions of pain. The merchants and travelers were even worse before they could even realize what was happening, they either collapsed on the street or slid down clutching their stalls, their legs weak and their faces pale.
“Ugh…” Those with weaker ranks even started groaning incessantly.
Evan, a high-level military Zerg, frowned but didn’t stay idle.
He directly located the traveler who had talked about “tasting” them. With a flash of his Zerg-transformed blade-arm, he “snip-snapped” off a large portion of the man’s hair.
“Next time, it’s your head,” the Zerg said coolly.
A faint smell of urine wafted through the air; the man had wet himself while kneeling.
An Ming: “…”
You two… didn’t you say we were going to keep a low profile?
” Evan.” LAN stopped the spiritual pressure and looked at his hand with a hint of confusion.
“Scram,” the white-haired Zerg said, retracting his sharp claws and spitting at the person on the ground.
That person didn’t dare utter another word. With his pants soaked in urine and mud, he scrambled away on all fours.
The entire market was silent.
“Staring? What are you still staring at? Want to do it again?” Number Nine threatened, shaking his fist.
His words worked perfectly, making everyone snap out of it instantly. They scrambled up from the ground and acted as if nothing had happened, returning to their shouting and haggling. No one dared to pay attention to them anymore.
An Omega and a Merman O accompanied by such people… they must be top-tier big shots! Can’t provoke them, can’t provoke them.
An Ming also breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned to look at LAN with an apologetic face, his eyes innocent and pitiful. It was as if he were saying, It’s not my fault I’m good-looking.
The hybrid Dragon-Human immediately cast his doubts aside, his blue circular pupils softening.
“Did I scare you?” he asked.
An Ming shook his head. “No.”
Though he hadn’t been with LAN for long, they were partners who shared a bed; he wasn’t exactly afraid.
However, at that moment, the image of the cruel and sinister villain from the book had briefly overlapped with LAN. But LAN was even more… inconspicuous about it.
He thought of something else and asked, “Did you just release a burst of spiritual power?”
“Yes,” LAN replied softly.
An Ming rolled his eyes. “I thought it was fine.”
The hybrid Dragon-Human smiled. “Our compatibility is very high; I won’t hurt you.”
“Oh,” the little merman replied.
Number Nine had brought two scarves down earlier; the two of them wrapped themselves up again, burying half their faces in the fabric.
They continued their walk.
The shopping finally began in earnest.
They had only looked at two vegetable stalls and hadn’t even asked for prices when they were interrupted again.
This time it was Evan. At some point, he had bought two thick, fleece-lined earflap hats from a clothing store across the street. They were wide, thick, and ugly. Holding one in each hand, he said to the little merman and Number Nine, “Put these on.”
Number Nine looked disgusted. “Why?”
Evan: “Tsk, because you’re a ‘violation.’ Put it on.”
Number Nine had finally gained a physical body and was very reluctant to wrap himself up like this. He struggled, saying, “I’m a Top! My setting is a Male Zerg. What can they do to me? Beg me to take them?”
“Shut up! Anyone with a hole can take you!” The Zerg snapped, unceremoniously shoving the hat over Number Nine’s entire head. “Just wear it. It’s not like you need to breathe.”
Number Nine poked his eyes and the tip of his nose out, panting heavily. “Wasn’t it all to be realistic? And who says I don’t need to breathe? I spent a long time making sure every part of me is real, okay?”
Evan ignored him and turned to hand the second hat to LAN. “Chief, for yours.”
LAN held the hat and looked at the little merman.
An Ming stammered, “I… I’m also a Top…”
Without waiting for the future villain’s answer, he grabbed the hat and obediently put it on.
Sob… it’s really so ugly…
He was originally wearing a tight combat suit and a grey fleece cloak, so his figure was still quite slender. Suddenly having a massive thick hat on his head made him look exactly like a little radish…
Number Nine stood nearby, glaring at the Zerg soldier, muttering under his breath, “What a waste of my peerless beauty…”
An Ming slightly agreed.
Just as he was feeling depressed, his hand suddenly felt warm.
LAN had taken his hand.
“Little Radish,” the hybrid Dragon-Human said. “Watch the road. Hold on tight, don’t get lost.”
An Ming was indignant at first so you also think I look like a radish! but then he realized his hand was being held.
It was the kind of hand-holding shared by couples in love, with fingers interlaced.
An Ming: “…I won’t get lost.” His fingers curled slightly, trying to pull away.
LAN held on tighter. “They’re still looking at you. Secretly.”
An Ming: “…?”
Is LAN… declaring ownership to those around us?
A little “Omega” merman being intimately protected by a top-tier “Alpha” boss anyone with a brain would see this and, no matter how much they lusted in their hearts, wouldn’t dare do anything reckless.
An Ming: “…………”