He Qing disguised himself as “Mr. He,” carefully checking his face, making sure to remove any scars. Apparently, the palace had a rule that only people with proper facial features could be hired…

He Qing then put on a mask, tying his white hair into a neat bundle behind him.

Sun Tu glanced over and remarked, “Is this your original form, you little demon? You’re definitely a disaster waiting to happen.”

“I can’t control it,” He Qing shrugged as he changed into a black outfit. He sent a message to Qiao Yi: [Mentor, where are we meeting?]

Qiao Yi replied: [Meet directly at the palace gates. I’ll wait for you.]

[Please wait a moment, mentor.] Once He Qing finished dressing up, he quietly slipped out the door.

Qiao Yi stood at the palace gate, locked in a staring contest with the guards. They were beginning to suspect that this middle-aged, disheveled man might be up to no good.

Qiao Yi approached with a cigarette in hand. “Want one?”

The guard frowned. “Sorry, Mr. Qiao, we’re on duty.”

Qiao Yi chuckled and lit it for himself, “You need to learn how to relax.”

“…” The guard’s expression darkened further. “You’ll have to wait until after our shift. What are you really trying to do?”

“I’m just waiting for someone. Don’t worry, I’m not about to storm the palace.” Qiao Yi’s smile was anything but reassuring.

The guard stared at him even more warily—after all, there was a rumor that Qiao Yi had stormed the palace when he was younger.

Qiao Yi felt somewhat helpless. He wasn’t the impulsive youth he used to be; he was far more mellow now. But where on earth was He Qing? He was about to check his terminal to rush him when he noticed someone approaching.

The newcomer had white hair, green eyes, and was wearing a mask and all-black attire—looking incredibly cool.

“Wow,” Qiao Yi whistled as he approached the person. “Hey, handsome, got time for a drink tonight?”

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

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

“Yep.” He Qing tucked the mask away with a faint smile. “Still up for that drink, mentor?”

“No thanks.” There was no way he was going drinking with his student! Qiao Yi still had his principles. He circled around He Qing, stroking his chin. “Wow, you’ve really transformed. Is this what your kind truly looks like?”

He Qing pursed his lips. “I’m a spirit, and technically I’m still not of age in the spirit world.”

“…” Qiao Yi’s eyes widened. Damn! Could it be that Duan Chenhui had his eye on a minor? But wait—He Qing had lived for thousands of years! Claiming to still be underage was seriously pushing it.

“Are you close to adulthood then?” Qiao Yi asked, shifting the topic.

“More or less. I’m almost ready to bloom,” He Qing nodded calmly.

Qiao Yi suddenly remembered something. “How big is your flower?”

“Hmm… about the size of a star lotus when it blooms.” He Qing made a gesture with his hands.

“A man-eating flower, huh?” Qiao Yi muttered around his cigarette. That lotus could swallow several people whole! Now he was a bit worried for his friend.

“It’s not like I want to grow that big,” He Qing replied, looking innocent. “Shall we meet the king now?”

“Right, right.” Qiao Yi notified the king, and soon enough, the guards received the message to let them through.

This was He Qing’s second time visiting the palace, but this time, he was entering deeper within.

“Please, come in,” a guard outside the office doors said, pushing them open.

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

The king put down his documents and looked up, momentarily stunned when he saw He Qing. “Are you an Omega?”

He Qing smiled, eyes curving, “Your Majesty, you can test my abilities if you like.”

Qiao Yi watched the scene with interest but didn’t offer to help He Qing. “Yes, have the captain of the guards fight him and see for yourself.”

The captain, standing beside the king, twitched. Qiao Yi, why drag me into this?

The king chuckled and stood up. “No need, no need. I trust your recommendation, Mr. Qiao. What’s your name, young man?”

“He Qing.”

The king felt the name was familiar. “So it’s Mr. He. Where did you work before?”

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

“…” The king turned to look at Qiao Yi, who grinned. “He’s of age now. You can sign the contract.”

The king thought for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. Please present your ID card.” He placed the contract on the table.

He Qing walked over, handed his card to the secretary, who scanned it. Within seconds, He Qing’s full-body hologram appeared in the air.

The king glanced at the image and rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t that old or senile, was he? This was Duan Chenhui’s delicate Omega spouse—the one rumored to enjoy flower arranging!

The guard captain was shocked and pointed at He Qing, “You stole someone else’s identity card!”

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

Qiao Yi added, “He’s that ‘little black horse’ I mentioned. You can ask Central Intelligence if you’re unsure.”

The king raised his hand to signal the captain to calm down, then laughed as he observed He Qing. “Interesting. Very well, we’ll go with you.”

“Your Majesty! I think there’s something off about him!” the captain nearly shouted. This Omega seemed too suspicious! They had reviewed He Qing’s file when Duan Chenhui married him—he was supposed to be a complete nobody!

“No worries,” the king smiled. “It’s not like General Duan’s family is going to rebel against us, right?”

He Qing smiled back, “Your Majesty is wise.”

“…” Whoever called He Qing a pure, ethereal spirit clearly hadn’t met him. Qiao Yi coughed lightly. “Since we’re all in agreement, I’ll take my leave now. Goodbye, Your Majesty.”

“Goodbye, Dr. Qiao,” the king waved him off.

He Qing also said, “Goodbye, mentor.” After watching Qiao Yi leave, He Qing signed the contract. “When will Your Majesty need me?”

The king glanced at the time. “The kings of the Octopoid and Starfish alien races are arriving soon, and we’ll need to visit the border. Go change into your special agent outfit.”

“Yes.” He Qing bowed like Qiao Yi had, and the king signaled for his secretary to lead him to the dressing room.

Once He Qing had left, the captain leaned in to the king and asked, “Are you sure about this?”

The king packed up his documents and smiled. “Generals at war, families at home—it’s all for the sake of galactic peace.”

“…” The captain pondered silently. Even though the king was a Beta, his cunning was undeniable.

The king stood up, hands clasped behind his back. “Ah, when will I be able to retire peacefully? This job is exhausting—all the lords are out for my life.”

“…” The captain quietly took back all the admiration he had for the king.

After He Qing changed and rejoined the king, they boarded the ship. The king even invited him to play a game of chess during the journey. “It’s too dull otherwise.”

He Qing sat down, only to be thoroughly crushed in the game. Humans are way too ruthless when it comes to chess, he thought.

After winning a round, the king was in high spirits. “You’ve got a lot to learn.”

“I’ve been working on it,” He Qing replied as he cleaned up the board.

“Good attitude. Let’s play another,” the king said.

And so, the journey to the border passed with He Qing playing chess with the king. On the Nth day, He Qing finally managed to corner the king.

“Checkmate.”

The king looked at the board, then back at He Qing, “I concede.”

“Thank you for your guidance over the past few days, Your Majesty,” He Qing smiled as he tidied up the pieces. “Now I’ll be ready to play against General Duan when we return.”

“No need to thank me…” The king stood up, once again clasping his hands behind his back. I’ve just shot myself in the foot. Turns out, too much teaching can backfire.

The captain hurried in. “Your Majesty, General Duan is giving a speech on Planet YU-456. Should we head there directly or wait at the hall?”

“In disguise, of course,” the king declared with a wave of his hand.

The captain hesitated, and the king pointed at He Qing. “Don’t worry. I’ve got my little black horse.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty,” the captain inwardly cringed at the nickname. Was he just a little jealous? Maybe.

With that, the group disembarked and hurried to the square where General Duan was speaking.

On the other side, Duan Chenhui sat beneath the stage, watching the passionate speech of an alien diplomat. The diplomat’s eight tentacles waved wildly in the air. Most of the crowd had gathered just to see the aliens up close.

“Wow, it’s my first time seeing so many aliens from this close!”

“I heard their tentacles can grow back if you cut them off.”

“Slurp… I’m going to get some octopus balls later.”

“Shh, quiet down.”

Duan Chenhui massaged his temples as he listened to the crowd. His personal guard leaned down and whispered, “General, the king has arrived.”

“I hope the king stays at the hall. It’s dangerous out here.”

“The king said he’s already in disguise.”

Duan Chenhui fell silent, and nearby General Sun laughed, “In disguise again? Isn’t he always saying how all the lords are out to kill him?”

“Contact him immediately,” Duan Chenhui ordered.

“Yes, sir,” his guard replied. Aliens were not as friendly as they appeared.

Suddenly, screams erupted from the crowd, followed by a series of explosions. Duan Chenhui’s expression darkened as he looked towards the square’s center, where thick smoke was rising.

“Damn it! A pheromone bomb! Run!”

“Help! Someone help!”

Chaos spread as civilians began to panic. Even the aliens on stage fled. “Your security system is a disaster,” one of them grumbled.

Duan Chenhui gripped the armrest of his wheelchair and looked up at him. “Don’t worry. Everything is under control.”

The alien diplomat looked down at him, clearly skeptical. “Won’t your people go out of control in their frenzy?” It seemed like they were hoping to test if Duan Chenhui was truly disabled.

Just as Duan was about to reply, people around them began collapsing one after another. Duan turned his head to see someone walking over—a figure with long white hair, calm green eyes, and an impossibly flawless face.

“He Lian?”

“General, need some help?”

“Mr. He has already been of great help.”

Duan Chenhui smiled as he gazed at the familiar-looking face. He was finally seeing He Lian’s true appearance—the same as He Qing’s, but even more refined.

He Qing wasn’t even bothering to hide his prayer beads this time. The little trickster.

The aliens were dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events. “What…?”

Duan Chenhui raised his hand. “It’s been taken care of. Take the unconscious to the hospital.” He turned back to the octopus diplomat. “Satisfied now, envoy?”

“As long as everything is fine… hah…” The envoy forced a laugh, exchanging glances with his companions. Damn it. Is this guy another Enigma? They’ve got too many strong ones.

“Everyone must be tired. Please return to the hall and rest,” Duan Chenhui said, gesturing politely.

“Right, right.” The aliens grudgingly ended their day.