ABFMV Chapter 18 Part 2

Hugging a stuffed animal tight, Xu Linlang twisted its long ears, fretting. What if the military really executed Qiye in secret?

If he died, she might escape her destined calamity.

But that would also mean the story had already veered completely off its original path.

The world would only become more and more unpredictable from here.

For Xu Linlang, who knew the game’s plot, this was a serious disadvantage.

Rong Ruyue pushed the door open, carrying a medical kit, and went straight to the bedside. She pressed her fingers against Xu Linlang’s right leg.

“Mom, you don’t need to. My injuries are already healed.” After all, when she was in the wheelchair, Rong Ruyue had treated her right away.

Rong Ruyue opened a jar of ointment and spread it over skin that was perfectly intact. “It looks healed, but the tissue was damaged. You can’t be careless.”

Xu Linlang took the ointment from her. “Then let me apply it myself.”

Standing nearby, Rong Ruyue said casually, “Do you know who it was that saved you?”

Xu Linlang’s hand froze. Of course, she knew. It was none other than Qiye—the game’s ultimate villain.

But that was something she absolutely couldn’t say aloud to Rong Ruyue.

She answered cautiously, “I heard his father was Zerg?”

“That’s right.”

Xu Linlang probed, “So, you want me to keep my distance from him? Stay out of any connection?”

But Rong Ruyue shook her head. “Quite the opposite. I want you to grow closer to him. It would be best if you became friends.”

“Friends? But isn’t he half-Zerg?”

Xu Linlang asked instinctively. She was genuinely startled. She had never imagined Rong Ruyue would actually encourage her to get along with Qiye. That didn’t add up. By all rights, people were supposed to despise the Zerg.

Rong Ruyue lowered her gaze. “We analyzed his blood. There’s no trace of Zerg genes. And his genetic rating… should be S.”

Xu Linlang feigned surprise. “S-level?”

Within the Empire, an S-level genetic rating marked the elite of the elite. The current generals all ranked S.

And SS-level? Only one person had ever reached that height—Marshal Xu himself.

At Lilan Academy, only her brother and Lu Xiao were S-ranked.

And now, Qiye had to be counted among them.

Rong Ruyue took her hand. “I’ll be honest with you. On the battlefield, your father once promised a comrade a marriage pact for his children. For years, that comrade never came to claim it, and I put it out of my mind. Until today, when I met his son.”

Xu Linlang was stunned. She hadn’t expected her mother to so openly mention the marriage pact.

“Of course, I want you to be happy—to marry someone you love. But your status means you’ll be swept into political struggles, just as I once was. I was lucky. Your father treated me well, and I loved him deeply. But not every political marriage turns out so well.” Rong Ruyue’s tone was gentle.

Yet beneath those words, Xu Linlang heard the iron tang of blood.

Political marriages were nothing new.

From ancient times to now, those in power have always used such alliances to maximize their advantage.

On the surface, daughters of noble families looked cherished—draped in gold, showered with affection. But at any time, they could be sacrificed for the sake of family and state.

Privileges always came with obligations.

And the ambitious, those hungry for power, saw high-born daughters as prized meat: marry one, and your status and resources soared.

That meant endless struggle.

Even with Xu Linlang’s tarnished reputation, there was no shortage of nobles willing to marry her. The reason was obvious.

Who wouldn’t want to tie themselves to the Marshal’s family—and become part of the main bloodline?

Emperor Rong Chen knew this as well. If he ever sought to weaken the Marshal’s household, he would never allow her to marry into another powerful clan. Most likely, he would intervene and force her to wed some hollow noble, strong in appearance but rotten inside.

The very thought sent a chill down Xu Linlang’s spine.

In the game, the original character had died early and never lived to face marriage. But now that she intended to survive in this world, a political marriage was unavoidable.

After a long silence, Rong Ruyue said softly, “Of course, my daughter—if you don’t want to marry, then don’t. The entire Marshal’s household will be your shield. I just think… since Qiye’s father was once tied to your father, and since Qiye himself is capable, decent-looking, and not without weaknesses, the Emperor won’t oppose such a match. That’s far better than marrying into another noble house.”

Then she took a necklace from her pocket. A small violet crystal gleamed at its center.

“These things… you can take your time to consider. As for Qiye’s weakness, I’ll leave it in your hands.”

Xu Linlang touched the crystal. Its coolness seeped into her fingertips. Confused, she asked, “Qiye’s weakness?”

Rong Ruyue stroked her hair. “As a precaution, we installed something in Qiye—a device not unlike a timed bomb. If you shatter this crystal, he’ll die.”

Xu Linlang’s fingers trembled. She immediately let go. “What if I… what if I accidentally break it?”

She was scatterbrained enough that it was possible. If she slipped and shattered the crystal, wouldn’t Qiye become the most absurdly wronged villain in history?

Besides, planting such a device in him felt inhumane.

The thought alone made her shiver.

Rong Ruyue chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s not that simple. A mere crack won’t matter. Only if it’s crushed to powder, with every signal point destroyed, will the device activate.”

Xu Linlang half-understood, still reluctant.

Rong Ruyue asked, “If this were in someone else’s hands, would you feel at ease?”

Xu Linlang froze. In the end, she didn’t take the necklace off.

Rong Ruyue was right—if anyone else held it, she’d never feel safe.

Not knowing about it was one thing. But now that she did, if Qiye ever died because of this necklace, she would never forgive herself.

Before leaving, Rong Ruyue reminded her, “Don’t tell him about this.”

Xu Linlang gently lifted the pendant. The violet crystal was flawless, its surface shimmering with shifting light, dazzling from every angle.

Qiye’s weakness now rested in the palm of her hand.