He Qing disguised himself as “Mr. He,” examining his face, making sure to remove the scars. After all, it’s said that the palace only hires people with well-proportioned features…

He Qing then put on a mask and tied up his white hair.

Sun Tu glanced over, “Is this your original fairy form? Definitely more of a heartthrob.”

“I can’t control it,” He Qing shrugged, then changed into a black outfit and messaged Qiao Yi: [Mentor, where shall we meet?]

Qiao Yi: [Right at the palace gate, I’m waiting for you.]

[Please wait a moment, Mentor.] He Qing finished dressing up and quietly slipped out of the house.

—

Qiao Yi stood at the palace gate, locking eyes with a guard, who was beginning to suspect that this scruffy middle-aged man had some ill intentions.

Qiao Yi approached and offered a cigarette, “Want one?”

The guard’s face darkened, “Sorry, Mr. Qiao, we’re on duty.”

Qiao Yi chuckled, lighting one for himself, “People should learn to relax.”

“…” The guard’s face darkened even more. “At least wait until you’re off duty. What exactly are you trying to do?”

“I’m waiting for someone. Don’t worry, I won’t try to break into the palace.” Qiao Yi grinned with the cigarette dangling from his mouth, sounding totally untrustworthy.

“…” The guard grew even more nervous. It was rumored that, in his younger days, Qiao Yi had indeed broken into the palace once.

Qiao Yi felt helpless. He wasn’t young anymore, no longer the hothead he used to be. But why was He Qing taking so long? He raised his wrist to check his terminal, intending to hurry He Qing along, when he spotted someone walking toward him.

The person had white hair, green eyes, was wearing a mask, and dressed all in black—a very cool look.

Qiao Yi clicked his tongue a few times and swaggered over to strike up a conversation, “Hey handsome, where are you headed? Got time for a drink tonight?”

“…” He Qing silently removed his mask, “Mentor, it’s me.”

Cough cough cough Qiao Yi choked on his cigarette, “He Qing?”

“Yes.” He Qing tucked the mask away and smiled faintly, “Still want to invite me for a drink, Mentor?”

“Nope.” He absolutely wasn’t going drinking with his student! He had some teacherly dignity left. Qiao Yi circled around He Qing, rubbing his chin, “You’ve really changed a lot. So this is your fairy form?”

He Qing pressed his lips together, “It’s a spirit form. Technically, I haven’t reached adulthood yet in the spirit world.”

“…” Qiao Yi’s eyes widened. Damn! Could it be that Duan Chenhui messed around with someone underage? But wait, He Qing had lived for thousands of years! Claiming he wasn’t an adult yet was really pushing it.

“So… you’re close to adulthood?” Qiao Yi changed his approach.

“Almost. I’m about to bloom.” He Qing nodded calmly.

Qiao Yi suddenly thought of another question, “How big will your flower be?”

“Hmm… After blooming, about the size of a galactic titan lotus.” He Qing gestured with his hands.

“Definitely a man-eating flower,” Qiao Yi bit his cigarette. That titan lotus could swallow several people whole! He was starting to worry about his friend.

“It’s not like I chose to grow that big,” He Qing said innocently. “Can we go see the King now?”

“Alright, alright.” Qiao Yi lowered his head to notify the King, and soon, the guards received the message and let them in.

—

This was He Qing’s second time visiting the palace, but this time, they were going deeper inside.

“Please, this way.” The guard outside pushed open the door to the King’s office.

He Qing and Qiao Yi entered and saluted, “Good day, Your Majesty.”

The King set down his documents and looked up. When he saw He Qing, he was momentarily stunned and almost blurted out, “Are you an Omega?”

He Qing smiled, his eyes curving slightly, “Your Majesty, feel free to test my abilities.”

Qiao Yi watched with interest but offered no help, “Yeah, have the Captain of the Guard spar with him, then you’ll know.”

The Captain, who was standing beside the King, twitched at the corner of his mouth. Qiao Yi, you’ve gone too far! Why drag him into this?

The King chuckled as he stood up and walked over, “No need for that. I’m just a bit surprised. But if Mr. Qiao recommends you, I trust you. By the way, what’s your name?”

“He Qing.”

The King felt the name was oddly familiar, “Oh, Mr. He. Where have you worked before?”

“I’m still a student,” He Qing replied.

“…” The King turned to Qiao Yi, who smiled and said, “He’s already an adult. You can sign the contract.”

The King thought for a moment, then nodded and returned to his desk, “Alright, please present your ID card.” He placed the contract on the table.

He Qing stepped forward, pulled out his ID card, and handed it to the secretary, who swiped it to read the information. The next moment, He Qing’s full-body holographic image appeared.

The King glanced at it and rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t senile yet, was he? Wasn’t this Duan Chenhui’s pampered Omega spouse? Wasn’t he supposed to be some florist?

The Captain of the Guard pointed at him in shock, “Did you steal someone else’s ID card?”

“Your Majesty, I am He Qing,” He Qing repeated calmly.

Qiao Yi added, “Your Majesty, he’s the little black horse. You can check with Central Intelligence.”

The King raised a hand, signaling for the Captain not to get too worked up. He smiled and observed He Qing for a moment, “Interesting. You’ll do.”

“Your Majesty! I think his background is questionable!” The Captain was practically shouting. From every angle, this Omega seemed suspicious! When Duan Chenhui got married, they had reviewed He Qing’s file, and it showed him to be completely useless.

“Relax,” the King said with a laugh. “It’s not like General Duan’s family is plotting rebellion, right?”

He Qing smiled in response, “Your Majesty is wise.”

“…” Whoever still said He Qing was some ethereal, unworldly spirit, Qiao Yi would personally shut them up! He cleared his throat, “Since you’ve come to an agreement, I’ll take my leave. Goodbye, Your Majesty.”

The King waved, “Goodbye, Dr. Qiao.”

He Qing also said, “Goodbye, Mentor.” As Qiao Yi left, He Qing signed his name and asked, “When does Your Majesty require my services?”

The King glanced at the time, “The octopus and starfish alien kings are here. We’re heading to the border for a courtesy visit. Go change into a special agent uniform.”

“Yes, sir.” He Qing saluted like Qiao Yi and was led to the changing room by the secretary.

The Captain of the Guard watched He Qing walk off, then leaned in to the King, “Are you sure about this?”

The King tucked away his papers with a smile, “The general handles the battlefield, the spouse stays home. All for the sake of world peace.”

“…” The Captain mused silently. The King may be a Beta, but he was a sharp one, no doubt about that.

The King stood with his hands behind his back, “Ah, when will I be able to retire? This job is too tough. All the lords want me dead.”

“…” The Captain withdrew his previous admiration for the King.

—

After changing, He Qing joined the fully prepared King on a spaceship. The King invited him to sit and play chess, “The trip is long and boring. Come, play a game.”

He Qing sat down, only to be utterly wiped out. He thought to himself, human chess players are ruthless.

Having won, the King was in good spirits, “You need to study more.”

“I’ve been trying,” He Qing tidied up the pieces.

The King said, “Ambitious. Let’s play again.”

During the trip to the border, He Qing spent most of his time playing chess with the King. By the Nth day, He Qing finally managed to outplay him.