ABFMV Chapter 57 Part 1

Hami furrowed his brows, a hint of confusion in his expression. “What kind of joke is this? How could I ever team up with filthy insects?”

Xu Linlang blinked. “Wasn’t it your decision to have the Red Flame Corps launch the strike on Lilan Military Academy this time?”

Hami stubbed out his cigar. “Another such operation… interesting.”

Though Hami showed no emotion, Xu Linlang sensed a certain lethal edge beneath his calm demeanor.

It seemed someone had secretly orchestrated this raid on Lilan Military Academy and even covertly contacted the insect race.

He glanced sideways at her. “In that case, I’m afraid you won’t be leaving.”

Xu Linlang: !

Xu Linlang: “You’ve gone back on your word?”

Hami’s lips curved into a slight smile. “That’s right, I’ve changed my mind. You are a very good bait—not for luring Xu Gongyu, but for drawing out those who break the rules.”

Xu Linlang: “And what exactly do you plan to do?”

Hami smiled faintly. “Sit back and watch a fine show of power grabs and scheming.”

The words power grabs and scheming made Xu Linlang’s mind race. She knew that well. The imperial family’s tiny minds spent all their energy on this sort of intrigue.

She glanced at the bar counter, which was stacked with snacks. “Does watching the show include meals and lodging?”

Hami seemed surprised she would ask such a question. “You’re quite adaptable, aren’t you?”

Xu Linlang sat down on the barstool. “And if I said I didn’t want to watch, would you let me leave?”

Hami looked at her teasingly.

Xu Linlang: “Of course not. Since this show is unavoidable, I might as well watch it comfortably.”

Hami propped his chin on his left hand and smiled. “I like your reasoning, even if it’s twisted.”

One had to admit, though Hami was a ruthless, marauding interstellar pirate, he was remarkably attentive when entertaining guests.

Xu Linlang had been aboard his starship for two days and had already enjoyed two full days of luxury treatment.

Hami had truly made her stay comfortable.

Yet over the past two days, Xu Linlang had sensed the increasing danger emanating from Hami.

But that sense of lethal intent wasn’t directed at her.

She thought, whoever dares betray Hami is sure to meet a terrible end.

Dinner was her favorite—curry beef—and she felt like the most comfortable hostage in the galaxy.

Just as she was about to eat, some trivial noises came from outside the starship.

Her first instinct was to watch Hami’s expression. His eyes slanted slightly, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

She asked, “Your people?”

Hami flicked the ash from his cigar. “Likely, my people are letting your people in on purpose.”

Xu Linlang: “He’s planning to watch the fight from the sidelines?”

Hami nodded with interest.

Given Xu Linlang’s status, anyone rushing to rescue her would be an elite military. Even Hami alone couldn’t defeat them.

The plan: wait until both sides were exhausted, then strike and eliminate Hami, claiming control over the entire Red Flame Corps.

Xu Linlang tilted her head at him. “Care for a trap?”

Hami chuckled lightly. “You seem very concerned about my affairs.”

Xu Linlang took a bite of her meal with her silver spoon. “Since this is aimed at me, I should give them a counterstrike.”

Hami slowly sipped his wine, then pulled a terminal from his pocket and pressed a blue button.

The airlock opened.

Outside floated a black mecha.

Xu Linlang’s eyes widened. This mecha was one she knew very well.

She had assumed the military would come to rescue her, yet here was Qiye—single-handedly—arriving.

She froze, facing the mecha, feeling the pilot inside staring right at her. Her heart tightened.

She raised her head. “I’m fine.”

The black mecha tilted its head toward Hami, its attack stance unchanged.

Xu Linlang: “This is Hami, the head of the Red Flame Corps. But he means me no harm; everything that happened before was his subordinates acting on their own.”

The cockpit opened, and a boy leaped out. As he landed, the mecha retracted into his spatial storage device.

Xu Linlang could see that Qiye’s expression wasn’t good.

He scanned her up and down, only lowering his guard after confirming she was unharmed.

Xu Linlang: “How did you find this place? And… why are you here alone?”

Qiye sighed. “Your personal terminal has a locator.”

Xu Linlang realized instantly.

Hami’s lips curved slightly. “Your friend isn’t simple. I haven’t seen a hybrid in a long time.”

Xu Linlang’s alarm bells rang. She spun to stand in front of Qiye, blocking Hami’s probing gaze.

Yet Qiye remained calm, replying with silence, simply staring back at Hami.

Hami watched Xu Linlang’s protective reaction and smiled faintly. “It seems your fusion has some flaws. You probably know this—forcing your abilities will backfire, and each time worse than the last. You forced your way here earlier… I imagine you’re feeling it now.”

Xu Linlang froze. “You’re hurt?”

She hurried over to check on Qiye. There were no obvious external injuries, but his face was noticeably paler than usual, and beads of sweat dotted his temples.

Qiye remained silent.

Xu Linlang grew anxious. “What’s going on?”

Qiye shook his head. “It’s nothing. Just need some rest.”

Seeing Qiye’s weakened state, Xu Linlang couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something, not telling her the full truth.