The Potion Fails

No one slept very well that night. They had only briefly gone upstairs for a nap, and early the next morning, they were all sitting together on the sofa again. At a time like this, it seemed only by huddling together could they find a sliver of security.

Chu Sui had found out yesterday that Admiral Horton and the others would be holding a meeting here at nine o'clock today. They would probably pass by the main road not far from here. Peering through the window, he mentally calculated the distance, wondering what the chances were of catching their attention.

Chad looked like he wanted to bang his head against the wall, stammering, 'I... I really don't dare... He'll definitely kill me... Send another Zerg to test the waters...'

Chu Sui glanced at him. 'You are his Male Master, and you were the one who hurt him. What's the use of another Zerg asking? Even if you don't appear before him, do you think he'll let you go after this is over? It's better to be a little braver and go test their thoughts.'

Chu Sui now wanted to know whether Admiral Horton and the others were deliberately not choosing equal rights because they harbored resentment toward Chad and other Male Zergs, or if they truly wanted the Female Zergs to be supreme.

If it was the former, there should be some room for maneuver. After all, the environment had shaped the current character of the Male Zergs. If they were truly investigated based on their records, it was likely that eighty percent of the Male Zergs would have to be locked up in the Punishment Chamber.

Some mistakes can be rectified, while others cannot.

Chu Sui couldn't turn back in his previous life, because he never felt any remorse even in death. But the Male Zergs locked up here, for whatever reason, all felt more or less regretful.

They regretted whipping their Male Monarchs, regretted abusing them in the past...

Or perhaps those with a remaining conscience even regretted not treating the Female Zergs well before. If they could have coexisted peacefully, they wouldn't have reached the point of trying to overthrow the regime.

Chad said nothing, pressing his head against the wall, his expression hidden.

Chu Sui wasn't too worried about himself. He had no criminal record in this life, so it wouldn't be difficult to get out. It was a rare occurrence, but he was worried about the bigger picture.

Chu Sui estimated the time and looked at Chad, feeling he didn't need to be so afraid. '...If Admiral Horton really wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have survived until today.'

For a dignified admiral of an army, wasn't dealing with a single Male Zerg the simplest of matters?

Chad froze upon hearing this and said nothing.

Chu Sui didn't like to force others either. 'If you really don't want to go, then forget it.'

When the time came, he could pretend to sign the treaty and test them himself in person. However, it was still not as good as a private discussion, especially since such matters were most effectively resolved by the parties involved.

When a Male Zerg made a mistake, some Zergs believed that acknowledging the mistake and correcting it was enough. Others believed they should never be forgiven. But in truth, only the Zerg who had been hurt had the right to speak.

If they said they forgave, only then was it true forgiveness.

The admirals of the four armies held a certain amount of power. If he could persuade them to support equal rights, the plight of the Male Zergs would be much better.

Time ticked by. Chu Sui didn't have a watch; he could only keep staring at the road by the main entrance through the window. After an unknown amount of time, a squad of soldiers suddenly jogged in and lined up on both sides. Then, several high-ranking officers in military uniforms entered one after another from outside.

Chu Sui opened the window to look out, trying to spot Arno among them. However, before he could get a clear look, he was pushed aside by Chad. 'I-I-I... I see Horton!'

'Why are you so excited,' Chu Sui thought, 'weren't you scared shitless just a moment ago?' "Which one?"

Chad pointed at a tall Military Female. 'The one with brown hair, the really tall one.'

Chu Sui followed his finger and saw that it did indeed resemble Admiral Horton. Moreover, the other Zerg was already walking in their direction. He glanced at Chad. 'So, are you going or not?'

Chad hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. 'I'll go!'

If he was really going to die, there was no escaping it. Might as well take a gamble. Maybe he could even fight for a bit of freedom.

'Whether human or Zerg, they all get brave when facing life and death,' Chu Sui thought. He said to Chad, 'Remember what I told you yesterday. You must figure out what he's thinking.'

In a way, Chad was similar to the old Chu Sui—a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong. He had done bad things, but he didn't necessarily have a heart full of unforgivable evil. Hearing this, his expression was conflicted. 'I... I got it...'

The moment he finished speaking, a powerful force suddenly hit his back. Combined with the low windowsill, the entire Zerg tumbled out of the window like a falling spring onion. With a dull thud, before Chad could even react, the surrounding guards swarmed in like a tide and surrounded him.

"A Male Zerg is escaping!"

"Capture him!"

Most Male Zergs were weak and incompetent. Of all the Male Zergs they had detained, Chad was the first to dare escape so brazenly.

This commotion naturally caught the attention of Horton and his group. They stopped in their tracks in twos and threes. Alvin, ever the one to stir up trouble, remarked, 'Tsk, I really underestimated their stupidity. Can't even find a smarter way to escape.'

A Major General next to him said uncertainly, 'The escaping Male Zerg seems to be Admiral Horton's Male Master?'

Horton, walking at the very front, paused upon hearing this, his pair of resolute eyes looking over.

Chad was seeing stars from the fall. When he looked up, he saw dozens of guns aimed at him, and his face turned pale with fright. He leaned against the wall and shakily got to his feet, stammering, 'I... I wasn't trying to escape, I wanted to sign the treaty...'

The Military Female in charge of the guards looked suspicious. 'Didn't you all insist on not signing? Why the change of heart?'

Chad said, 'They are them, and I am me. I've changed my mind now...'

In any case, being willing to sign the treaty was a good thing. Hearing this, the guard in charge retracted his gun. 'Take him away.'

But Chad said, 'I can sign the treaty, but I have one condition. I... I want to meet with Admiral Horton in private...'

He knew Horton was nearby, and he couldn't help but feel terrified as he said this.

The lead Military Female frowned. 'Admiral Horton is very busy. He doesn't have time...'

Before he could finish, a deep voice suddenly sounded by his ear, 'Take him to the detention room.'

The Military Female looked over and saw that Horton was standing behind him at some point. He reflexively saluted. 'Yes, Admiral!'

Chad was taken away just like that. The soldiers who had surrounded him finally withdrew, and the area returned to its previous state.

Seeing this, Chu Sui could only pray that he wouldn't mess up. Otherwise, even if some of the Male Zergs here were released after signing the Female Lord agreement, their future days would likely be difficult.

Arno had been at the Research Institute all night. Something significant must have happened, as he was uncharacteristically late for this morning's meeting. When he walked in through the entrance, he didn't go straight to the conference hall but headed toward the place where the Area A Male Zergs were being held.

Chu Sui had been waiting quietly by the window for Arno. Seeing him walk this way, his eyes lit up. He was about to open the window when he was blocked by a guard. 'Please close the window.'

When under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. Chu Sui was still polite. 'Don't worry, I won't do anything. I just want to say a few words to my Male Monarch.'

'What's with the Male Zergs today,' the guard thought, 'one after another, they're all clamoring to see their Male Monarchs.' He saw Arno approaching with his adjutant and raised his hand in a salute. "Admiral."

Arno hadn't slept a wink the previous night. Seeing that Chu Sui was all right, his heart finally settled. He glanced at the soldier on duty. 'You may leave.'

The soldier hesitated. 'I'm sorry, Admiral Horton has given an order. We cannot leave our posts without authorization unless it's a normal shift change. Please forgive me.'

The Second Army and Third Army were both stationed nearby. It was only to be expected that Arno, who disagreed with Horton and the others, would be guarded against by them.

Arno glanced at the time. The meeting would start in ten minutes. He said to the guard, 'Open the window. I'll only say a few words.'

The soldier couldn't stop him any longer and had to agree. Chu Sui immediately pulled open the window. 'Arno!'

There were many eyes and ears around, so Arno couldn't do much. He just felt that Chu Sui had never suffered like this before and couldn't let him remain imprisoned here no matter what. He said in a low voice, 'I will definitely get you out.'

Chu Sui paused, then nodded. 'I know.'

He had always known.

After speaking, Arno scanned the surroundings and saw the soldiers furtively watching them. He retracted his gaze and said to Chu Sui with a hidden meaning, 'I'm sorry. About that pastry you said you wanted to eat yesterday, I tried making a few. The first one tasted very good, but the next two were ruined.'

Chu Sui's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He caught on and replied in a normal tone, 'It's fine. It's all the same if you make something else next time.'

The meeting was about to start. Arno gave him one last look. 'If you can, you should sign the treaty. But sign it according to your own ideas.'

The last sentence carried a hint of deep meaning.

Arno couldn't stay long. He finally turned to leave after Fedi's reminder. Chu Sui watched him go, then closed the window with a backhand motion, his eyes downcast in thought.

What did Arno's words mean?

The first one tasted very good, but the next two were ruined?

The day Chu Sui was taken away by Alvin, he had reminded Arno to investigate the Suppressant Drug. He wanted to confirm whether the drug, aside from calming Military Females in the early stages of a Bloodline Riot, had any effect on those in the middle and late stages. Hearing his words just now, it seemed there really was a problem.

If the drug could only calm Military Females in the early stages of a Bloodline Riot, then at most it could only extend their lifespan by five to eight years. In other words, the Female Zergs ultimately couldn't completely do without the Male Zerg's Pheromones.

What Chu Sui didn't know was that Arno had rushed to the Research Institute overnight and conducted another experiment with Yuli, the one in charge of researching the drug. They found thirty Military Females in the middle to late stages of a riot and injected them with the suppressant, but unexpectedly, it couldn't calm the rampant power within their bodies at all.

In other words, the Suppressant Drug could at best be considered a life-extending potion; it had no effect whatsoever on Military Females in the middle and late stages of a Bloodline Riot.

If this was true, the high command of the Military Department had likely already received the news. In that case, the Male Zerg side would have a few more bargaining chips during negotiations.

Chu Sui walked back to the sofa and sat down, finally feeling a bit more confident. Just as he was pondering his next move, the lock clicked, and Chad was unexpectedly sent back, a circle of gauze wrapped around his head.

Seeing this, Chu Sui subconsciously stood up. 'You were beaten?'

Chad shook his head, saying weakly, 'No, I accidentally hit my head when I fell out of the window... By the way, who pushed me? You're so strong.'

Chu Sui's eyelid twitched. He changed the subject. 'How did it go when you went to sign the treaty?'

Chad's expression turned complicated at the question, as if recalling something. He slowly sat down on the sofa. 'Don't mention it. I repeated what you taught me to Horton, and he almost shot me dead.'

The time was twenty minutes ago. Chad was taken by the guards to the detention room for signing the treaty. He wasn't particularly brave, and he had already regretted agreeing to Chu Sui's plan the moment guns were pointed at him. He didn't sit for even a minute before getting up and trying to go back, banging on the door incessantly.

'I-I-I... I don't want to sign anymore, let me go back!'

'Anyone there? Open the door!'

However, no matter how much he shouted, the guards ignored him. Chad could only brace himself and sit back down. But not long after, the door to the detention room clicked open. He subconsciously looked up and saw Horton walk in, which scared him so much he shot up from his chair.

Horton had a ruggedly handsome face and a tall build, definitely not the type that Male Zergs liked. Especially when he was expressionless, the oppressive aura around him was extremely strong. The moment Chad saw him, he froze like a wooden Zerg.

Horton sat down opposite him. 'You wanted to see me?'

His eyes, hidden under the shadow of his cap's brim, were chillingly stern.

Chad didn't even dare to sit, trembling as he hugged the base of the wall. 'I... I have something I want to ask you...'

Horton's attitude was distant, neither good nor bad. He frowned slightly and said in a low voice, 'Ten minutes.'

Ten minutes?

Chad was stunned for a moment before he understood what he meant. He haltingly organized his words and repeated what Chu Sui had taught him: 'You... you support the supremacy of Female Zergs because you hate me, or... or for some other reason...'

Horton probably hadn't expected that Chad, who had only ever known how to eat, drink, and play, would actually ask such a question. He raised his eyes to look at him, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, his voice low. 'What do you think?'

He had even dropped the polite 'you'.

Chad's mind went blank, but he knew Horton must hate him. 'I... I...'

He 'I'd' for a long time but couldn't say anything.

Horton simply pulled back his chair and stood up. The screeching sound of it scraping against the floor was jarringly loud in the quiet room. He walked toward Chad, forcing him to cower like a quail in the corner. His tall body cast a large shadow as he asked in an emotionless tone, 'What if it is because I hate you?'

Chad's back was pressed against the cold wall, with nowhere to retreat. He could only repeat the words Chu Sui had taught him. 'If... if it's only because you hate me, there's really no need to support the supremacy of Female Zergs...'

Horton's expression remained blank. He raised his hand to his waist, as if to draw his gun. Chad was so scared he squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face with his arms, crying out, 'Equal rights! Equal rights would work too! With equal rights, Male Zergs who've done wrong can still be punished, there's no need for Female Zergs to be supreme. I know I was wrong, you-you-you... I'll compensate you however you want!'

He fired off these words like a string of firecrackers, not even daring to lift his head for fear that Horton would shoot him dead. However, after cowering in the corner for a long time, the expected pain never came. He finally mustered the courage to peek and was shocked by the scene before him.

Horton hadn't fired. He had merely undone the military buttons on his uniform and taken off his jacket and shirt. His robust body was exposed to the air, its muscle lines smooth, hinting at the power contained within. But what drew the most attention were the crisscrossing scars on his body.

Stripe after stripe, gash after gash, they were savage and horrifying. There was barely an inch of unblemished skin on his upper body.

Horton looked at Chad with dark eyes and asked, 'What kind of punishment do you think you deserve to erase my hatred?'

The Military Female before him was excessively strong and excessively boring. He was taciturn and dull all day long, truly unlikable. Every time he was whipped, he would simply put his clothes back on and withdraw. This was the first time Chad had seen his scars so directly, and he was too shocked to speak.

Seeing that he had seen them, Horton put his clothes back on, buttoning them up one by one. 'Since you're going to sign the treaty, then sign it quickly. Don't do such pointless things again.'

As he spoke, a medic suddenly pushed the door open and came in. He looked at Horton. 'Admiral, what are your orders for summoning me?'

Horton didn't speak, just gave Chad a cold glance, gesturing for the medic to go and bandage him.

In his fright, Chad hadn't even noticed that his forehead was bleeding from the fall. He was helped up from the ground by the medic, who bandaged and treated his wound. He remained uncharacteristically silent from beginning to end. Horton glanced at the time and was about to leave when someone suddenly grabbed his wrist. He frowned and looked over to see it was Chad.

Chad was frightened by his gaze and subconsciously wanted to let go, but for some reason, he held back, stammering, 'Tha... thank you...'

Honestly, having reached this point, he never expected Horton would still be willing to get a doctor to treat his injuries. These past few days, Chad had been locked up here, experiencing the full spectrum of human warmth and coldness. For some reason, his eyes suddenly turned red.

Male Zergs were fragile and delicate; there was no saying about shedding blood but not tears. Chad buried his head deep, as if crying. 'Horton... I'm... I'm sorry...'

Horton watched him quietly, his thoughts unreadable. He silently clenched his jaw, his voice ice-cold. 'Let go. Don't force me to shoot you.'

The memory ended here.

Chu Sui pressed, 'And then?'

Chad's eyes were still a little red. With his baby face, he already looked young, but now he looked even younger. 'There was no 'and then'. I was sent straight back, and I didn't sign the treaty.'

After he finished, he seemed very dejected. He buried his face in his hands and didn't make a sound for a long time. Chu Sui thought he had been scared silly and was about to speak, but then he heard Chad ask with red-rimmed eyes, 'Chu Sui, do we... do we all deserve to die?'

Chu Sui paused. 'Why do you say that?'

Chad was definitely considered young among the Male Zergs, having just come of age. He still looked somewhat innocent. 'I... I don't know either...'

He was just suddenly filled with an inexplicable, gut-wrenching regret.

Chad was like a child who had done something wrong, crying intermittently. 'Horton... so many scars... they... they were all from me... He must really... really hate me... But he still got a doctor to treat... treat my wound...'

Chu Sui fell silent for a moment, then turned his head to look out the window. He suddenly recalled some memories that he had deliberately forgotten, but which were nonetheless real.

Arno had also once knelt before him, covered in wounds. The old scars on his back often hadn't healed before new ones were added...

At that time, Chu Sui had neither a System nor any rationality. He only felt that he was a person abandoned by the world, burying those past experiences deep in his heart, daring not and unable to speak of them. When his heart was imbalanced, he even felt an extreme sense of hatred.

Why did it have to be him who came to this world?

Why did it have to be him who left Blue Star?

Under the prolonged repression, the human memories in his mind gradually faded, and he was eventually assimilated by the Zerg Race, with not a trace of humanity left in his eyes.

Chu Sui had been a Zerg for a lifetime in his previous life, and Arno had suffered for a lifetime.

Now that he finally wanted to learn how to be a good Male Master, he was locked up here...

Chu Sui sat quietly for an unknown length of time before finally getting up. He walked toward the door and suddenly said to the guard, 'I want to sign the treaty.'

He said, 'I want to sign the treaty.'

The soldier was stunned for a moment, then reacted. 'Please wait a moment, I'll go report it.'

The process of signing the treaty was actually very complicated. It required an Adjudicator from the Military Department to bring the documents, personally witness the Male Zerg sign his name, and then take it to the database to check the data and verify if there was any prior record. Only after all these checks were completed and confirmed could he be released.

When Palin saw that Chu Sui was going to sign the contract, he initially wanted to stop him, but considering that he had no criminal record, he swallowed his words. He couldn't help but ask, 'Are you really going to sign the Female Lord contract?'

Chu Sui glanced at him but didn't explain, only saying, 'You all stay here. Don't sign anything.'

Palin was taken aback. 'What do you mean?'

Before Chu Sui could say anything, the soldier had already opened the door. 'Sir, please come with us.'

The guards were quite polite. Chu Sui took a Light Elevator upstairs and was led to a place resembling an office. A refined-looking Military Female was sitting inside, seemingly having waited for a long time. Seeing him enter, he stood up from his seat. 'Sir, the contract is ready. You can sign it at any time.'

The door closed with a click behind him. Chu Sui glanced back, then sat down at the conference table. 'Thank you.'

No one would deny that Chu Sui's reputation in this life was not only not bad, but could even be called good. Moreover, his handsome appearance and gentlemanly, polite demeanor invisibly increased his favorability.

The Adjudicator placed two contracts in front of him. 'You have no criminal record. After signing these two contracts, you can contact your Male Monarch to take you home.'

Chu Sui picked up the pen beside him and carefully read through the contracts. The first was a letter of agreement to abolish the Male Zerg Protection Law, and the second was the consent form for the supremacy of Female Zergs that Palin had mentioned. He glanced at the Adjudicator and asked casually, 'Are Admiral Arno and the others still in a meeting?'

The Adjudicator nodded. 'Yes. If you need it, we can arrange an escort home.'

Chu Sui shook his head. 'No need. I was just asking. After all, their meeting seems to have been going on all morning. I wonder what important matter is taking so long.'

Hearing this, the Adjudicator's expression changed imperceptibly, as if remembering something. 'I'm not too clear on that. You should sign the treaty as soon as possible.'

Seeing his vague words, Chu Sui understood. He took the pen and signed the letter of agreement to abolish the Male Zerg Protection Law, then handed the document over. 'I've signed it.'

The Adjudicator reminded him, 'You still have one more to sign.'

Chu Sui raised an eyebrow faintly. 'May I ask why the Imperial councilors insist that we sign this contract? After all, in my opinion, peaceful coexistence is actually better.'

The Adjudicator paused. 'I believe you are also very clear about how much harm the Male Zergs have caused the Female Zergs in the past. The painful experiences of the past have proven that the system of Male Zerg supremacy is fundamentally a mistake. Natural selection, survival of the fittest. Now that The Empire has developed the Suppressant Drug, then forgive my bluntness, but the Male Zergs are no longer suitable to occupy high positions.'

Chu Sui twirled the pen in his fingers. 'So what you mean, Sir, is that Female Zergs will no longer need the Pheromones of Male Zergs in the future, correct? But how come I've heard that the Suppressant Drug is only effective for Military Females in the early stages of a riot, and it can't suppress the middle and late stages at all?'

His calm voice echoed in the room, and the Adjudicator's face also changed imperceptibly. Last night, the Research Institute had suddenly sent back an experimental report, confirming that the drug could only provide a temporary suppression for Military Females and couldn't offer long-term pacification. The Imperial councilors had called an emergency meeting this morning precisely to deal with this matter. How did Chu Sui know?