AEKMEM chapter 77

After hearing about the Zerg traces found at the border, Chu Heng was the first to leave the competition venue.

An Qiao sat in the VIP section waiting for the organizers to announce the competition results so he could go on stage to receive his award.

Actually, he had wanted to leave earlier.

However, he thought it would be too disrespectful. Having come to participate in the “Plant Affinity Contest,” an official imperial-level competition, leaving without reason would appear arrogant and disrespectful.

“His Highness the Crown Prince actually abandoned the Crown Princess and left first. That’s unexpected,” someone said sarcastically from a nearby VIP table.

The voice wasn’t loud, but it drew attention nonetheless.

An Qiao’s icy blue eyes swept over the person who made the sarcastic remark.

The nameplate on the table showed that the person’s surname was “Mo.”

Was this the Mo family, the maternal family of the Second Prince’s mother?

An Qiao was already somewhat irritated, and now this person had walked right into his line of fire.

He glanced sideways at the person. “What’s so surprising about Chu Heng leaving early due to unforeseen circumstances? I thought it would be more surprising if I won and your Mo family research institute came in second.”

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Mo family member’s face darkened considerably.

He had come to watch the competition, not to see An Qiao, the Crown Princess, looking smug, but to see him make a fool of himself.

However, who could have imagined that the unawakened An Qiao would win the competition so easily, while his highly anticipated researcher from the Mo family, Fan Weixin, would be easily crushed, making him a laughingstock?

Before the competition, he had confidently declared that the glory would definitely go to the Mo family researcher, implying that An Qiao, who hadn’t awakened yet, had no self-awareness.

Now, sitting in the VIP section, he looks like a clown. He could feel the unspeakable mockery in the eyes of the judges and audience members who knew him. He could imagine the gossip they would spread about him behind his back.

The thought alone made him want to explode!

Just then, Fan Weixin arrived at the VIP section.

Seeing him, the Mo family member knew he shouldn’t be angry with him, but rather offer words of comfort to the unfortunate loser—

As an elite researcher in the Mo family’s plant graduate program, Fan Weixin possessed an S-level plant-based ability, a high affinity for plants, and exceptional research talent. He brought considerable benefits to the Mo family and was an indispensable genius.

Still, the Mo family member couldn’t help but feel angry, his face turning unpleasant. An Qiao glanced at the Mo family member’s barely concealed unpleasant expression, then turned to Fan Weixin. “Interested in a change of work environment?”

Before the competition, Song Leran had gossiped with him about Fan Weixin, who was favored to win.

Born on a remote planet, he possessed exceptional research talent and held a pivotal position in plant research and improvement. The Mo family’s plant research institute was entirely reliant on him.

Many research institutes had tried to recruit him with high salaries, but all had failed. This was because Fan Weixin seemed somewhat withdrawn and resistant to adapting to new work environments.

However, he had a weakness: his passion for plant research, especially exotic plants. He was hopelessly addicted to studying exotic flora. Improving crop varieties was merely fulfilling the tasks assigned by the research institute.

Moreover, the people at the Mo family’s plant research institute seemed to increasingly exploit Fan Weixin, taking advantage of his continued presence.

An Qiao poached someone from the Mo family right in front of the Mo family. No wonder the man nearly burst with anger.

“You…”

If he hadn’t realized in time that scolding An Qiao would provoke Chu Heng and lead to a “sparring match” with him, he would’ve beaten An Qiao.

How dare he undermine him right in front of him!

Fortunately, Fan Weixin was utterly loyal to the Mo family and would certainly not be recruited.

“Thank you, I’ll consider it.” After a moment of silence, Fan Weixin said calmly.

The Mo family member: “??!”

He couldn’t help but feel panic and regret.

If Fan Weixin left, what would happen to the research institute’s new projects, agricultural planets rented at high prices to cultivate new crop varieties, and related development plans?

The family head would definitely tear him apart!

An Qiao glanced indifferently at the Mo family member, who had suddenly changed expressions. He nodded inwardly with satisfaction.

Tsk.

The Mo family—

Serves them right!

**

Chu Heng left the competition venue and encountered his adjutant, Jiang Qi, who was rushing over.

“Your Highness!”

“Let’s talk as we walk.” Chu Heng gestured, his expression cold and composed as if nothing could hinder him.

Jiang Qi, who had been on the verge of exploding with anxiety, immediately calmed down.

“Yes.”

“Traces of the Zerg have been detected at the border. Adjutant Xue has likely already mentioned this to Your Highness. He will provide you with a detailed report on the situation after you return.”

“Furthermore, the principal of the Empire’s First Military Academy said he had important business with you, but unforeseen circumstances forced him to return to the capital planet. He asked me to inform you that Mr. Zhen, their teacher with prophetic abilities, predicted that the Zerg would invade the Empire again. Although the accuracy of this prophecy is uncertain, he felt it was necessary to inform you.”

After reporting this important matter, Jiang Qi paused. Then, he couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, do you think war will break out again soon?”

Chu Heng’s expression didn’t change much; only his blood-red eyes darkened: “That possibility cannot be ruled out.

“However, we still need to analyze the situation before making a decision.”

Logically, the Zerg had only retreated a few months ago, so it was impossible for them to have returned so quickly.

According to past patterns, after a war, the Zerg usually needed twenty or thirty years to recuperate and build up enough strength to attack again.

Chu Heng felt that the Zerg’s retreat had been too swift this time. At a joint military-political meeting, he mentioned that the Zerg queen’s injury might be a sign of weakness and that they might attack again within a year or two — or even several years — when the Empire’s defenses were relaxed. He stressed the need to remain vigilant against the Zerg, who were eager to seize empire territory.

Therefore, although he was ostensibly on leave and not with the Second Legion, he had it constantly monitor Zerg activity along the border, never letting its guard down.

The rumors outside said he was severely injured, unable to recover, and suffering from worsening mental turmoil—and he had intentionally allowed those rumors to spread. In reality, he had indeed been injured when he and the Zerg Queen suffered severe damage on the battlefield, but it wasn’t serious. Coincidentally, the injury stimulated further awakening in his bloodline, allowing him to gradually receive the inheritance of the Dragon Clan. Breaking past the 3S peak to reach an unprecedented level was within his reach.

The Zerg Queen was “feigning weakness,” but wasn’t he also “feigning weakness”?

He was ambitious; he wanted to destroy the Zerg Queen and achieve something never seen in the Empire’s history. The Zerg Queen was cunning and careful, especially this generation. He was extremely afraid of death. At the slightest hint of danger, he would flee.

By feigning weakness, he emboldened the Zerg Queen to underestimate and lower her guard.

Eliminating the Zerg Queen meant that the next generation wouldn’t devour its predecessor. Becoming a true “Zerg Queen” would require consuming countless resources and taking hundreds or even millions of years to develop, thus eliminating any threat to the Empire.

Chu Heng had also planned to use the period before the Zerg invasion to clean out the “rotting parasites” within the Empire, using his “feigned weakness” as bait. To handle external threats, one must first stabilize the internal situation. He would not tolerate anyone dragging him down, like those who siphoned high-grade energy crystals meant for the front lines in the last war.

But now, unexpectedly, not even a few months have passed, and the Zerg might be invading again.

“Has the Queen lost her mind? The Zerg army suffered heavy losses in the last war, and the Queen herself was seriously injured. She was always so cautious and valued her life; she shouldn’t have made this decision.”

Of course, they’ve only detected traces of the Zerg at the border, so a large-scale invasion isn’t necessarily imminent.

However, even if the Zerg launch a major offensive, he’s not afraid.

He fought the queen to a draw last time, and his bloodline has awakened further since then, increasing his combat power.

He could take this opportunity to eliminate the Zerg queen completely so that he can leave with Qiaoqiao and accompany him “back to his parents’ home.”

**

Chu Heng returned to his garden castle and immediately contacted Xue Luo, the adjutant stationed with the Second Army Corps, via holographic video to learn about the Zerg situation at the border.

Meanwhile, news spread that An Qiao had won the “Plant Affinity Contest.”

The Imperial citizens’ first reaction was disbelief.

Could an unawakened elf have actually defeated experienced S-rank plant-type superhuman beastmen and won first place in the “Plant Affinity Contest”? Was this a joke?!

The StarNet was in an uproar.

Some suspected that the organizers went easy on An Qiao because of his status as the “Crown Princess.”

However, others offered explanations: An Qiao’s elven bloodline is 99% pure, nearly reaching the level of a reverted elven state. It’s possible that he has a high affinity for plants and is attracted to exotic ones.

Those who were initially unaware of the truth were left speechless. “…?”

Could they really do that?!

Those who secretly hoped that the Crown Princess, An Qiao, would be humiliated and disgraced in the competition, thus bringing down the Crown Prince, Chu Heng, as well, were utterly disappointed.

Some were jealous and resentful that An Qiao, a good-for-nothing who hadn’t awakened, had climbed up to Crown Prince Chu Heng. They secretly cursed and swore at him, daring not to do so openly for fear of Chu Heng’s “lawyer’s letter” or him coming to their door for a “sparring match.”

Of course, most people were normal and couldn’t help but marvel at An Qiao’s abilities.

An Qiao truly resembled an elf. Aside from his lack of awakening, he was every bit like a legendary elf—from his face to his temperament.

His face was truly beautiful!

—Unfortunately, there were no photos of An Qiao on the entire Star Network. His Highness the Crown Prince had cleaned them up completely.

His Highness the Crown Prince is petty and possessive!

Unfortunately, although An Qiao resembled an elf and had an exceptionally pure elven bloodline, his awakening attempt failed. Otherwise, he would have been an S-rank or 2S-rank elven being—a perfect match for the Crown Prince.

While the imperial populace was shocked and disappointed, they also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

No wonder the Crown Prince agreed to let An Qiao participate in the “Plant Affinity Contest”—he planned it all out!

They knew the Crown Prince wasn’t the type to be blinded by beauty.

They had previously worried that he would be swayed by his wife’s words and make a lapse in judgment by allowing the unawakened Crown Princess An Qiao to participate in a competition that would lead to embarrassment and disgrace. In hindsight, His Highness the Crown Prince was quite rational. He wasn’t someone who could be easily swayed by beauty.

**

An Qiao returned after finishing the “Plant Affinity Contest.”

As he traveled, he thought about the recent news regarding the detection of Zerg traces. He recalled what he had noticed while treating Yun Jianchen’s insect poison some time ago.

The poison in Yun Jianchen’s body bore many similarities to the poisons found in some demons in their world.

At the time, he suspected that the insects in this world might be genetically or bloodline-related to the demons in their world.

It was similar to the elves of this world, who were somewhat related to their elves. Though the connection is now extremely tenuous, the elves still carry elven blood—or, in this world’s terms, elven genes.

At the time, it was just conjecture, not confirmed.

And it’s still not confirmed.

However, An Qiao subconsciously felt that his suspicions were correct.

Moreover, he had a very bad feeling that the Zerg would become restless again in a few months and act unpredictably. This could be related to the remnant soul of the Demon King who came to this world.

However, the Demon King’s remnant soul should have been destroyed.

An Qiao frowned slightly.

**

Chu Heng came out of the study. A light rain had begun to fall outside.

An Qiao stood in the corridor, his eyes slightly raised as he gazed at the misty sky. His silver hair cascaded down his back, his eyelashes drooping slightly, his snow-white profile exquisitely perfect. Against the backdrop of the hazy light and shadows of the rainy day, he resembled a cool yet breathtaking ethereal painting.

…Well, if not for the fact that he was holding a rose-filling, crispy-skinned fresh-flower pastry, with one cheek slightly puffed as he bit into it.

—Of course, a beauty nibbling on a pastry is beautiful too.

Chu Heng sighed inwardly.

He noticed An Qiao’s brows furrowing slightly as if he were deep in thought.

He was about to ask, “What’s wrong?”

The adjutant beside him, Jiang Qi, couldn’t hold back any longer. He spoke up, “Your Highness, An Qiao, you are the elf’s messenger. Do you know where he is?”

“The Zerg are stirring right now. Could you please ask the elf to come examine His Highness’s injuries?”

An Qiao: “… ”

He almost choked on the flower cake in his mouth.

Especially since Chu Heng, who knew his true identity, was standing right next to him.

Chu Heng: “…”

His expression was also somewhat subtle.

Adjutant Jiang, the “elf” you mentioned is right under your nose!

“What’s wrong? Why are you two looking at me like that?”

Jiang Qi felt that what he said was reasonable.

He knew that Chu Heng had suffered serious injuries in the previous war with the Zerg and that his injuries were healing. He assumed that Chu Heng’s condition was good now, but he didn’t know the extent of his recovery. Chu Heng was using a “feigned weakness” tactic to lure others into revealing his specific condition.

Jiang Qi thought that Chu Heng probably hadn’t returned to peak condition in just a few months and might have lingering injuries.

Given the current unstable situation and the Zerg’s activity, Chu Heng, the marshal of the Second Legion, could not afford even the slightest accident. That was why he wanted to invite the elf.

An Qiao: “… ”

An Qiao glanced sideways at Chu Heng and slightly raised his chin, signaling to him with his eyes that he should handle it himself.

But Chu Heng looked “confu

sed,” innocently pretending not to understand. He was deliberately waiting to see An Qiao make a fool of himself!

Cursing Chu Heng inwardly, An Qiao took matters into his own hands.

“If I see that elf, I will mention it to him.”

Having never expected to be exposed, he spoke these words without the slightest guilt.

You can read the full completed story here with instant full access. ✨