Chapter 162: The Weakness They Spoke of Is Bai Zhi!
Hu Yan warned, "Everyone, be careful of that Insect Mother!"
Based on his adjutant’s recent experience, this Insect Mother was unusual. They had discovered its layer of fat was abnormally thick; ordinary firearms couldn’t penetrate its defenses. They would have to find another way.
The Beastmen who entered after them didn’t know why Hu Yan had told them to be wary of the Insect Mother, but since the Third Prince said it, he must have had his reasons.
Besides, the Insect Mother was undeniably massive, so everyone remained vigilant.
The underground space was vast, with numerous rooms. They were less like rooms and more like a series of caves, but they were so beautifully decorated that they looked quite pleasant.
Moreover, the caves were warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making them ideal for the Insect Clan to inhabit.
BANG BANG—
CRASH—
Gunshots, the loud thuds of bodies slamming into walls, and the clang of various weapons echoed one after another, filling the entire space.
Amidst the chaos, the Insect Mother suddenly spoke, her voice filled with unquestionable authority. "Finish them for me! The insect who kills the most can join the Tidebreaker Squad! And whoever captures Hu Yan alive will receive my favor once and have the chance to birth their own child in the next brood."
Hearing the Insect Mother’s words, all the insects’ eyes lit up with excitement.
To have their own child!
For them, the temptation of having their own offspring was immense!!
Instantly, all the insects went berserk, as if they’d been shot up with stimulants, and charged madly toward Hu Yan and his group.
But having just experienced his strength, the insects who knew their own limits attacked the Beastmen like mad, while the relatively stronger ones began a frenzied assault on Hu Yan.
While fending off the swarming insects, Hu Yan tried to use his spiritual power to attack the Insect Mother’s spirit sea, bit by bit. However, he could feel a barrier obstructing his assault.
The Insect Mother also seemed to feel the mental pressure. Her head felt as if it were being pricked by invisible needles, the pain unbearable.
"AHHH—"
The Insect Mother let out a shriek.
Her body trembled violently from the strain, causing the entire ground to shake along with her.
The insects immediately swarmed toward the Insect Mother in concern. "Yas, get the Insect Mother out of here!"
The insect called Yas gathered a team and turned to escape with the Insect Mother. Just then, Hu Yan swiftly constructed a barrier with his spiritual power, blocking the insects who were trying to flee with her.
A few of the insects didn’t notice and slammed right into it.
When the Insect Mother crashed into it, the insects that had hit it first were crushed against her front. From the other side of the barrier, they could be seen flattened, their faces twisted in grimaces.
The impact thoroughly enraged the Insect Mother. "Unforgivable!!"
She suddenly turned her head toward Hu Yan and said with a sinister tone, "That female you’re close to... she’s very important to you, isn’t she?"
Hearing this, Hu Yan’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained mostly unchanged. Only his adjutant, who had been by his side for many years, noticed something was wrong.
The Third Prince rarely showed his emotions, but the adjutant had been with Hu Yan since they were young and had followed him directly into the military. Because of their long-standing companionship, their unspoken understanding allowed him to catch Hu Yan’s subtle shift.
’So the weakness they mentioned was Bai Zhi!!’ Hu Yan recalled the conversation he’d overheard between the Insect Mother and someone on the Main Star.
He didn’t dare show any sign of concern, because if the Insect Clan found out, Bai Zhi would only be in more danger.
He tried to enter Bai Zhi’s spirit sea but found he couldn’t get in!
He tried several times without success, and his heart grew heavier and heavier.
This was the first time this had happened since he gave Bai Zhi his mark. For it to happen now... was clearly not a good sign.
The only people who knew he had brought Bai Zhi back to the Main Star were Zelda and the butler.
’But Zelda would never leak the information. So who could it be?’
Hu Yan suddenly remembered the elder and the lawyer from when Bai Zhi signed the contract.
They might not have known the specifics of his relationship with Bai Zhi, but they could definitely guess that it was out of the ordinary.
He had made many enemies, and plenty of them wanted him gone for good. But few would have the guts to collaborate with the Insect Clan.
’Especially someone who would gain the most from eliminating me in collaboration with the Insect Clan, and who has the authority to obtain all sorts of military secrets...’
’—The Eldest Prince, Hu Ao!!’
’Even if it wasn’t him directly, it had to be someone very close to him, or a high-ranking military officer from the Eldest Prince’s faction.’
’No wonder the Insect Clan has been probing at the border for years without making a move, only to suddenly launch an attack now.’
’It was because my sudden return provoked Hu Ao.’
’Or rather, the Eldest Prince’s faction was worried my return would hinder Hu Ao from becoming Emperor—that I was a stumbling block in his path—so they wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible.’
’Then the insect the Insect Mother mentioned lending him... could it be an Illusion Insect?’
’No wonder my adjutant couldn’t find it when I had him check last night. I originally thought the Illusion Insect had escaped, but it turns out it never even went!!’
’The Eldest Prince borrowed the Illusion Insect to capture Bai Zhi and use her against me!’
’And after recognizing me, the Insect Mother wasn’t nervous at all. She was even arrogant. Aside from her revered status among the Insect Clan, it was probably because they had already succeeded, which is why she’s so brazen!’
’If that’s the case, then it all makes sense!!’
But for now, he had to deal with the situation here before he could rush back.
With this in mind, Hu Yan retorted, "The female you’re talking about... who is she?"
The Insect Mother was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Hu Yan to question her back. She spoke with a hint of fury, "Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill that female?"
Hu Yan’s expression didn’t change, and his voice grew even colder. "Who you kill is none of my business. But eliminating you is my duty."
Hu Yan’s indifference made the Insect Mother a little suspicious. ’Could it be that the female has nothing to do with Hu Yan?’
But the thought was fleeting. If there was truly no connection, why would that person have gone to such great lengths to borrow an Illusion Insect and an Enchanting Heart Worm from her?
The Insect Mother revealed a sinister smile. "Is that so? Then I’ll just give her away to someone."
The adjutant knew a little about the Third Prince’s relationship with the female, so he could clearly tell Hu Yan was barely holding himself back. If this continued, the Third Prince might lose control. They had to end this, and fast.
So he shot a look at one of the Beastmen and made a gesture behind his back.
That Beastman immediately shouldered a Quantum Cannon, aimed it at the Insect Mother, and yelled, "I’ll blast you all to avenge my brothers!"
BOOM—
KABOOM—
The Quantum Cannon was immensely powerful. The Insect Mother’s words had barely faded when one of her ’arms’ was blown off.