Chapter 74

Whom does he love? Whom does he love most dearly?

Shen Jin scoffed at the Little Waste's choice of words, dismissing it as a pipe dream.

The Little Waste, fiercely defending his naming rights, spoke with a torrent of clear logic and articulation, ensuring everyone understood.

This particular dispute couldn't be resolved for now, as such incidents were occurring daily across the nation.

"Where was the little boy taken?" Jiang Linchuan asked Shen Jin, "Is his life in danger?"

Shen Jin gazed at him silently.

Why hadn’t he noticed him earlier?

His perception certainly hadn't dulled, nor had Jiang Linchuan evolved to the point of being able to conceal his presence.

Shen Jin found himself involuntarily pondering Xie Qin's words.

Though he had dismissed them, those words had, like a seed, taken root and begun to sprout uncontrollably.

Seeing Shen Jin remain silent, Jiang Linchuan straightened slightly, leaning in to whisper in his ear, "How about I come to your villa tonight and kneel for you?"

He had accumulated half a month's worth of sugarcane; it should be enough for one pressing.

Shen Jin seemed lost in thought, his eyes clouded with a hazy mist, tinged with a hint of reluctance or disdain. Jiang Linchuan rarely saw such a spectrum of emotions in his gaze and was momentarily taken aback.

After a few days apart, his Abyss Lord appeared to have gained a touch more humanity.

"Not far, just eight hundred *li* straight in that direction," the Abyss Lord lazily indicated. "Don't worry, he won't die."

"..."

"Your Special Operations Brigade's work truly leaves much to be desired," Shen Jin deliberately quipped.

Before Jiang Linchuan could retort, a member of the Special Operations Team, exhausted from a full day's fieldwork, blurted out, "Abyss Lord, the sudden appearance of the Others in the human world was too abrupt. Why not designate a separate city for all the Others to reside in? This could avert many conflicts and help them adapt to human life more quickly."

During a previous meeting, Chen Lanzhi had stated that the Abyss Lord would not approve such a suggestion, but this member felt the Abyss Lord didn't seem unapproachable, so he decided to voice his idea.

Shen Jin slowly narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him.

The member met his gaze, and goosebumps prickled his skin, even though the man before him was clearly a refined and cultured individual.

He found the intensity of the gaze unbearable, his breathing quickening as he lowered his head to avoid it.

"So, you humans are once again planning to abandon the bridge after crossing it?" Shen Jin's gaze turned cold as he looked at Jiang Linchuan.

What difference would that make from staying in Baigu Town?

It was merely old wine in new bottles.

"Do you think he calls the shots?" Jiang Linchuan asked helplessly.

"Who knows? After all, human brains are all alike, riddled with calculations."

Shen Jin scoffed, then rose and walked out. As he passed the team member, he even offered a smile, causing the member's legs to give way, dropping him to the ground.

The special agents cleared a path. The little one hurried to catch up: "Xiao Bai, wait for me."

After a few steps, he turned back to take the handcuffed little willow tree, but was intercepted by the special agents.

The little one tilted his head, looking at him: "I want to take her with me. Is that not allowed?"

The special agents looked hesitantly at Jiang Linchuan.

Before Jiang Linchuan could speak, the special agent had already scaled the wall.

The little one's mouth fell open, then he quickly took the little willow tree's hand: "Come on, come with me, I won't hurt you."

With his other hand, he took Xie Qin's, and the three of them hurried after Shen Jin.

"Xiao Bai, puppy dad's subordinates can still be reasoned with. Don't be too hot-tempered, okay? The pretty teacher says we should be reasonable."

"Are you human?" Shen Jin retorted. "Humans are all trash."

"Then... I guess I'm not human." The little one tilted his head, then suddenly began boasting to the little willow tree beside him, "I'm a hybrid baby, you know. Very rare, super, super powerful."

"..." Jiang Linchuan watched the father and son thoughtfully.

Humans are all trash.

Indeed.

*

Naturally, the events here quickly reached General Wu's ears, including the reckless words of that special agent.

"Completely brainless," General Wu fumed, cursing under his breath, then turned to the composed figure seated opposite him. "Was the Abyss Lord angry?"

Jiang Linchuan leaned back. "It would be better if he were angry. The most frightening thing is that he doesn't get angry."

General Wu paused.

Indeed, anger implied communication and negotiation were possible, but the Abyss Lord didn't possess such a temper.

"You need to pay more attention to the Abyss Lord and avoid provoking him further," General Wu said, leaning back in his chair with a headache and sighing deeply. "But the current situation is indeed chaotic."

"Here's the proposal I've been working on. Please take a look." Jiang Linchuan leaned forward slightly, pulling a few folded, crumpled-looking papers from his back pocket and placing them before General Wu.

General Wu glanced at them disdainfully. "What is this nonsense?"

"I think Xingcheng would be suitable—vast and sparsely populated, and after the recent disaster, very few humans reside there. It could be made available for the Others to inhabit," Jiang Linchuan explained. "This outlines the guarantees we humans would provide for the Others after they move into Xingcheng."

General Wu straightened in surprise, leaning toward Jiang Linchuan. "Did I hear correctly? You support this proposal?"

"Of course. I've been thinking about it for a long time."

General Wu stared at him for a few more seconds before picking up the papers in disbelief and looking through them.

The document meticulously detailed everything from the Others' basic needs—eating, drinking, hygiene, and sleep—to their education and medical care.

After reading, General Wu looked up. "Do you think the Abyss Lord will accept it?"

"I'll find a way to make him accept it."

General Wu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, still feeling that something was amiss.

He hadn't forgotten what Jiang Linchuan had said to him when the Abyss Lord was locked in the box.

He is my beloved, and I must find my beloved.

Although this document primarily outlined arrangements for the Others, its ultimate goal was the benefit of humanity. If all the Others moved to Xingcheng, the human world would finally achieve complete stability.

"This idea of yours is biased towards humans. Given the Abyss Lord's temperament, you're practically inviting disaster." General Wu's gaze was scrutinizing. "Isn't he your beloved? Are you not siding with him this time?"

"This is a proposal that benefits both sides." Jiang Linchuan frowned slightly. "Why would he refuse?"

"Are you truly foolish, or are you just feigning ignorance with me?" General Wu glared at him. "Does the Abyss Lord care about the well-being of the Others? He only cares whether we humans uphold our promises. This..." General Wu tapped the document on the table, "...is a breach of contract."

Humans had initially promised the Abyss Lord to allow the Others into the human world. Later, the Others went to Baigu Town, and then humans broke their promise.

Now they faced the same situation again—concentrating the Others in one city. Even if the arrangements were meticulous, it appeared to be the same course of action as before.

General Wu had, by now, gained some understanding of the Abyss Lord. He cared neither for the well-being of humans nor the Others. He only observed whether humans honored their promises, and the current situation was a prelude to humanity's intention to breach the agreement once more.

"Let's try it; maybe it'll work," Jiang Linchuan said calmly. "I feel quite confident that I can persuade him to accept my suggestion."

"You can manipulate the Abyss Lord now?" General Wu was astonished.

"Well, I must have learned something from being with him." Jiang Linchuan crossed his legs, leaned back, and looked at General Wu. "Actually, if you understand him correctly, it's not impossible to subtly influence him sometimes."

General Wu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. When he looked at Jiang Linchuan again, there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

Based on his understanding of Jiang Linchuan, something seemed amiss.

In the conflict between humans and the Abyss Lord, Jiang Linchuan had always appeared neutral, rarely participating in crucial decisions. However, often, neutrality itself constituted taking a side. As the weaker party, Jiang Linchuan's neutrality implied that he had not actively sought to gain an advantage for humanity in this matter.

Of course, Linchuan was indeed an upright, selfless, and fearless individual. Whether it was bringing back the Abyss Lord or serving as the captain of the Special Operations Brigade, he had made immense contributions during this disaster.

But today's matter seemed like an attempt to outmaneuver the Abyss Lord, which shouldn't be something Jiang Linchuan would proactively propose.

"I need to consider it further," General Wu said.

After Jiang Linchuan left, General Wu repeatedly reviewed the document, finding no issues. From every perspective, it seemed to maximize human interests.

This matter had actually been discussed many times in military meetings, but due to fear of the Abyss Lord, it had always been rejected. Now that Jiang Linchuan was willing to facilitate this, it was naturally a most welcome development.

After pondering for a moment, General Wu picked up his phone and called Jiang Linchuan, agreeing to his proposal.

*

"What would it be like if I fell in love with someone?"

Sitting on the small balcony on the second floor, Shen Jin basked in the sun, contemplating human emotions and desires.

"Love is nothing more than possessiveness, jealousy, affection, and infatuation. While there might be arguments when together, there's longing when apart. And of course, there's the most fundamental carnal desire." Xie Qin spoke about these things with remarkable candor. "Biological instinct is also a part of love."

Shen Jin naturally understood the meanings of possessiveness and jealousy.

But was that love? He felt possessive toward his slave too.

"Captain Jiang has done so much for the Abyss Lord. Doesn't that move the Abyss Lord?" Xie Qin tilted her head to look at him. "If it were me, I'd probably love them to death."

"Why should I be moved?" Shen Jin lifted his thin eyelids, cold and detached. "Is being moved the same as love? If I get you a glass of water right now, would you be moved? Would you fall in love with me?"

Xie Qin was momentarily speechless. "That's not quite a fair comparison..."

"Of course it is. If he were to personally pour me a glass of water, he must love me to death." A familiar male voice came from downstairs.

Xie Qin looked down and saw Jiang Linchuan entering the small courtyard, his arms full of blue roses.

The tall man was dressed in iron-gray combat gear. Too busy to shave, he had a shadow of a beard on his chin, looking handsome and wild yet carrying the settled composure of a mature man.

Xie Qin glanced again at the elegant man sitting there with rolled-up sleeves and gold-rimmed glasses, gracefully sipping milk tea, and sighed. "Abyss Lord, if you were to choose a human to love, Captain Jiang would definitely be the best choice." Of course, he was also very easy on her eyes.

The delivery van was parked at the entrance. Jiang Linchuan and the driver made several trips to carry all the roses from the van into the courtyard. The roses still had their roots attached, clearly intended for transplanting into the small garden.

After the van left, Shen Jin stood with his arms crossed on the second floor, looking down at him.

Jiang Linchuan smiled at him. "But I don't need you to pour water for me. You just need to take it for granted that I love you."

Xie Qin's eyelid twitched involuntarily. Captain Jiang was far too sappy in private.

Shen Jin, however, frowned slightly.

He remembered Jiang Linchuan asking him before: "Shen Jin, do you want to experience what it feels like to love me?"

He had indeed piqued his interest somewhat.

But now this damned human said he no longer needed him to fall in love with him.

Shen Jin walked from the second-floor balcony into the bedroom, then descended to the first floor. He opened the door and stepped into the small courtyard.

Jiang Linchuan had taken off his jacket and was arranging his roses according to pictures on his phone.

"I just went to see General Wu. There's something I'd like to discuss with the Abyss Lord."

Shen Jin didn't speak, simply watching the man before him.

Jiang Linchuan wore only a black tank top. Under the sunlight, the muscles on his toned upper body looked particularly solid. Shen Jin thought of him drenched in sweat, diligently pressing sugarcane juice, and couldn't help but purse his lips.

"If all the Others were to go to Xingcheng, would you agree?"

After saying this, Jiang Linchuan paused. A few seconds later, he looked up to see Shen Jin watching him with an unreadable expression, surprisingly not appearing angry.

"And then?" Shen Jin asked him.

Jiang Linchuan couldn't help but laugh. He straightened up and looked at him. "Quite emotionally stable, Abyss Lord. I thought I'd be smacked away by now."

"Heh." Shen Jin scoffed derisively. "Didn't you say you love me? Love me to death? Surely you wouldn't dare betray me?"

"Hey." Jiang Linchuan raised an eyebrow. "Don't go overboard studying all this relationship nonsense and get carried away. Who told you that loving someone means you won't betray them? Deception often comes in the guise of love... My Abyss Lord, you'll never become a true human, so there's really no need to understand these things. Just be the Abyss Lord who smacks away anyone who displeases you, anytime, anywhere."

Shen Jin glanced at him. This damned human was acting strangely.

Jiang Linchuan brought over a garden chair, pressed on Shen Jin's shoulders to make him sit, then crouched down to continue planting flowers.

"Many of these Others nowadays aren't very intelligent. They're as simple as blank slates, yet they possess offensive capabilities. Confining them all in the Special Operations Brigade for training isn't feasible—there's not enough space, and it's unclear how long it would take for them to adapt to human life. So, I think it's necessary to have them all concentrated in one city."

Jiang Linchuan looked up at Shen Jin. "Of course, the Alien Management Office will still exist. Humans will provide classes for the Others, just like preparing for college entrance exams. Those who pass the tests can still enter the human world to live, according to the original agreement."

After speaking, Jiang Linchuan observed Shen Jin's expression.

"Mm, and then?" Shen Jin remained calm.

"What do you mean, 'and then'?"

Shen Jin scoffed. "This is a method humans would devise, but these words shouldn't be coming from your mouth. If they are, there must be another underlying reason."

Jiang Linchuan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Even General Wu hadn't detected anything amiss with his words, yet Shen Jin had noticed?

Jiang Linchuan's heart pounded uncontrollably. "Since when did you understand me so well?" Was his Abyss Lord actually beginning to understand human nature?

"If you love me, you should naturally consider my interests, but I didn't sense anything in your words that benefits me," Shen Jin stated matter-of-factly. Wasn't that the definition of human love?

Jiang Linchuan sighed helplessly, then broke into a smile. Devoid of emotion and purely rational analysis—no wonder the Abyss Lord was so sharp.

Jiang Linchuan turned and knelt on one knee before Shen Jin, resting a hand on his leg and looking up at him. Shen Jin's reflection was mirrored in his dark pupils.

"Shen Jin, I know you're powerful, but humans are strong too. One day—perhaps ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred years, or even longer—they will still find a way to come after you. It's an inevitable outcome."

No matter how courteous, generous, or tolerant humans were toward the Abyss Lord now, it was only because they were the weaker party, not because they genuinely submitted.

Even if their sincerity was genuine now, it would fade with time.

"Can you guarantee you'll always be the strongest? What if humans someday develop a way to defeat you? What will you do then? What about the little one?" Humans excel at learning from failure. A century ago, they deceived the Abyss Lord into entering Baigu Town; a century later, they dared to imprison him in a small box. What about another century from now, and another?

Shen Jin looked down at the handsome man bathed in sunlight. "So, what's the purpose of this city?"

Jiang Linchuan reached up to caress his face, lingering gently on his brow. "Send the Others to Xingcheng; that will be their home."

"When they leave Xingcheng to enter the human world, they will always remain the Others of Xingcheng. That's a sense of belonging."

Right now, the Others were like scattered sand, drifting aimlessly into human society. What would be the ultimate outcome?

As long as Jiang Linchuan lived, he could do his best to maintain a superficial peace. But after he was gone? When General Wu was also buried deep underground, who would then govern all this?

He had pondered these matters for a long time. Shen Jin and the little one would live on indefinitely. Seeing the confused Others and the unaccepting humans, he could envision history repeating itself years later—a time when he would no longer be able to accompany the father and son.

"In that city, there will be an Abyss Lord who offers shelter to the Others, no longer the useless lord they speak of."

"If humans grow powerful one day, those sheltered Others from Xingcheng will stand before the Abyss Lord, becoming his shield and sword."

"While I'm still alive and capable, I want to make this happen." Jiang Linchuan gazed at Shen Jin. "This is the only thing I can do for myself."

"For yourself?" Shen Jin blinked slowly. "Not for me?"

"Because it will give me peace of mind. Otherwise, lying in my coffin, watching my beloved and child being bullied while I can do nothing—I'd be so furious my soul would scatter. So, yes, it's for myself."

Leaves rustled, the wind whispered, and colorful roses lay half-planted in the soil, not yet fully arranged.

Xie Qin noticed the lines on her computer screen suddenly fluctuating together—slowly, then urgently, like a tiny stream merging into the ocean, rising and falling before calming into a gentle flow.

Shen Jin sat there expressionless, tempted to mock Jiang Linchuan for overthinking and to scorn the useless humans who wouldn't possess such capability even after millennia.

But he said nothing.

He didn't know why.

"Do you want me to love you?" Shen Jin finally spoke.

"Not anymore," Jiang Linchuan replied without hesitation.

Shen Jin narrowed his eyes.

Jiang Linchuan reached out and gently traced Shen Jin's pale, almost translucent chin, a soft laugh escaping his throat. "This is fine, Shen Jin. This is good enough."

"Letting me love you is already sufficient."

"Don't fall in love with me, and don't fall in love with anyone."

This was his selfish wish. Once capable of loving one person, one might love many others.

Then his coffin lid would never stay shut.

Shen Jin's expression softened slightly, but he remained silent, whether from not understanding or for some other reason. He simply pushed past Jiang Linchuan and walked into the house.

Jiang Linchuan hadn't expected a response. Every word he'd spoken was sincere. What if Shen Jin did fall in love with him? Things were fine as they were.

"You agree, then? I'll report it to the higher-ups, and then we'll renovate Xingcheng," Jiang Linchuan called out to his retreating figure, then stretched and continued to arrange the roses.

Midway through, he pulled out his phone and ordered barbecue takeout—oysters, kidneys, leeks. Tonight, he'd treat himself to a good meal.

Blue hair, champagne-gold cheeks, blue eyes—Jiang Linchuan tried to recreate the flower field from last time, filling the canvas with bright red roses.

He'd even set up a small flower patch next to it for the little one.

Sweat dripped from Jiang Linchuan's forehead as someone stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

The seaside villa offered beautiful scenery—the salty ocean breeze, the sea shimmering under the twilight glow. But now, all he could see was the person before him.

A transparent glass was pressed to his lips. Jiang Linchuan leaned back and looked up. "What?"

"Aren't you thirsty?" Shen Jin asked flatly.

"I am." Jiang Linchuan's throat was parched from working, but—!

"Is there even water in this glass?" Jiang Linchuan was speechless. Wasn't it empty? Was he seeing things?

"There's water," Shen Jin said calmly.

"Where?"

"Open your mouth."

Jiang Linchuan resignedly opened his mouth. Fine, go ahead, suffocate me with an empty glass.

Shen Jin raised his hand, his slender wrist tilting slightly, and tipped the glass toward Jiang Linchuan's mouth in the fading sunset light.

Jiang Linchuan cooperatively tilted his head back, stretching his neck.

There was indeed water—a thin stream trickling from above, moistening his dry throat.

But only a sip.

After feeding him water, the Abyss Lord shuffled away in his slippers.

Jiang Linchuan stared in confusion, then glanced toward the house. Xie Qin stood at the doorway, her large eyes glimmering with fragmented light.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jiang Linchuan asked, puzzled, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "Did I get dirt on me?"

"What else can I do if I'm not calm?" Jiang Linchuan sighed. "I should be grateful he even offered me a sip. One must know when to be content." How many people throughout history have had an emperor pour water for them? Even an empress wouldn't get such treatment.

Xie Qin rolled her eyes, stomping her foot in frustration. "The Abyss Lord was saying he loves you! Can't you see that?"

Jiang Linchuan thought Xie Qin had lost her mind.

"I'm not deaf, but I think your ears might have some issues. Either that, or you need to hit the books again. The word is 'listen,' not 'look.'"

"..." Xie Qin walked over to him. "If he pours you a glass of water himself, it must mean he loves you to death. Those were your words, Captain Jiang. Have you forgotten all of them?"

Jiang Linchuan froze for a moment, then laughed. "That was him pouring water for me?"

"Yes, it was indeed pouring water for you." Xie Qin said with a serious expression. "But since he doesn't love you to death yet, he only gave you the dregs."

"But that's still saying 'I love you'."