After returning home, the two of them drank lotus seed and lily soup for lunch and resumed their polite but distant relationship.

One day, as He Qing was casually browsing StarNet, he noticed that people were heatedly discussing the latest bill.

[I hope the General’s proposal passes! Those people deserve harsh punishment! I’ve heard some families even beat people to death! It’s the interstellar era! This is just a human rights disaster!]

[Some families really are more feudal than even ancient times.]

[Phew, at least I’m just from an ordinary family.]

[Not really, some ordinary families have severe domestic violence issues too. Scum exists in both rich and poor!]

This last comment stirred the masses, and soon the conversation shifted to condemning domestic abusers.

He Qing glanced at StarNet and then looked over at Duan Chenhui. The more praise there was for him online, the more golden light of virtue seemed to shine from Duan Chenhui.

He Qing stared at the virtuous golden glow surrounding Duan Chenhui, propping his chin up thoughtfully. A mortal, yet bathed in the golden light of virtue and imbued with the power of faith—he’s no ordinary person anymore.

It was a pity this timeline wasn’t his own; none of them had spiritual roots, so they couldn’t cultivate.

Duan Chenhui was downstairs discussing wedding arrangements with the butler when he suddenly glanced upward.

He Qing waved at him, “General, need any help?”

“No,” Duan Chenhui refused outright. He had discovered that He Qing liked white and green, but this was a wedding, not a funeral.

After glancing at the decorations around him, Duan Chenhui turned back, only to find that He Qing had already gone. He looked at his wristwatch—must be his meditation time. He Qing was always punctual with his meditations and chanting.

Once Duan Chenhui was satisfied with the arrangements, he returned to the house. At that moment, he received a message from Dr. Zhang:

[General, there’s an auction on Capital Star tomorrow. It’s rumored that the rare herbs we’ve been looking for will be available.]

[I’ll go personally.]

[But… it starts at 3 a.m.]

[I’ll make it back.]

Duan Chenhui ended the call and looked down at his legs. Even with only the slimmest chance, he wouldn’t give up. Dr. Zhang had previously found medicine to suppress the insect queen’s poison at an underground auction, but the sellers were impossible to track down once the auction ended.

The next day, Duan Chenhui set out with Yang Fan. Before leaving, he noticed He Qing by the lotus pond, leisurely feeding the koi. He gave him one last glance before turning and boarding the hover car.

Yang Fan drove for a while before asking hesitantly, “If the General were to meet someone he liked in the future…”

Duan Chenhui lowered his head slightly, adjusting his cuff. “If He Qing wants to leave, he can go. If he doesn’t want a divorce, I’ll stay with him for life.”

Yang Fan was taken aback. He finally understood—Duan Chenhui never considered who he might like. Even if such a person appeared, Duan would prioritize maintaining his marriage, valuing rules and responsibility above all else.

Yang Fan pondered whether this was a sign of loyalty or just cold indifference.

As they arrived at the auction entrance, Yang Fan didn’t stop the car but drove straight into the underground city. After passing through a green tunnel, they were greeted by a vibrant, neon-lit city.

Duan Chenhui glanced out. The entertainment facilities here were more lavish than those aboveground. Colorful lights, giant billboards, and crisscrossing aerial walkways set the tone for this world of revelry.

The flashing lights were a bit harsh for Duan Chenhui. “Go lower.”

“Yes, sir.” Yang Fan adjusted the vehicle, driving closer to the ground.

Suddenly, they encountered a commotion ahead.

“Insectoids! How can there be insectoids here?!”

“Run for your lives!!”

“General!” Yang Fan immediately stopped the car.

Duan Chenhui stepped out, looking up at a massive insectoid flying in the sky. Its form was grotesque, with pitch-black skin and wings spanning at least ten meters.

But no weapons or mechs could be used in this area.

Furrowing his brow, Duan Chenhui’s eyes flashed with a spark of light. At that moment, the insectoid screeched and then, with a loud “boom,” fell onto the central fountain, sending water spraying everywhere.

Duan Chenhui paused as water droplets splashed in front of him. He quickly ran forward, spotting someone standing alone ahead, calmly gazing at the insectoid.

“3S-level mental power?” Duan Chenhui stopped at a cautious distance, uncertain. He hadn’t sensed any mental power fluctuations.

“General Duan, I’ve heard of your reputation.”

The person turned around—waist-length white hair, black clothing, and a mask covering their face, revealing only a pair of green eyes. Even their eyelashes were white, resembling an albino with colored contact lenses.

Duan Chenhui was momentarily surprised. He knew every 3S individual in the Empire, but none had white hair and green eyes.

“Were you the one on the ship?” Duan Chenhui could only think of that incident.

“I have no idea what the General is talking about. I also don’t have any mental power,” He Qing took a small step back. He had just used his spiritual power and wanted to test whether Duan Chenhui could sense it.

“Even though I couldn’t sense it, your abilities are comparable to those of a 3S-level individual,” Duan Chenhui now suspected that the man might be from another race. “I mean no harm.”

Faced with a mysterious outsider, Duan Chenhui adopted a diplomatic approach.

He locked eyes with the person’s calm, green gaze.

He Qing took another step back. “I have urgent business. Goodbye.” He turned to leave, clearly signaling he wanted no further interaction.

“Until we meet again, then.”

He Qing hesitated briefly before continuing forward.

Duan Chenhui watched his retreating back but didn’t pursue him. He had no desire to clash with a 3S-level individual, especially since he didn’t know the person’s race.

Yang Fan rushed over. “General! Why didn’t you detain him?”

“He could be an outsider.”

“But such a powerful person hiding their identity and lurking on Capital Star… Shouldn’t we be concerned?” Yang Fan asked, worried.

“Unless they want war with the Empire.” Duan Chenhui narrowed his eyes, glancing back at the insectoid. “This one is only unconscious for now. Deal with it.”

“Understood,” Yang Fan responded, contacting the local guards immediately.

He Qing weaved through the crowd, touching the mask on his face. His test confirmed that people here couldn’t detect spiritual power, which would make future actions much easier.

After escaping, he regrouped with Jing Yi, who was sitting in a private box, sipping tea. He wore a white shirt and frameless glasses, looking like a polished scoundrel.

“Mr. He, are you enjoying your stay too much to leave?” Jing Yi greeted him teasingly.

“I ran into the General,” He Qing replied, removing his mask to reveal his handsome face. “Luckily, he didn’t recognize me.”

Jing Yi adjusted his glasses, smiling slyly. “If he knew it was you, he’d be in for a huge shock.”

“And I’d be scared out of my wits,” He Qing said, swallowing a disguise pill and rubbing his face, turning into an ugly creature.

Jing Yi couldn’t help but laugh at his appearance. “If the General saw you now, he’d be terrified. I think the General might have a thing for looks.”

“Amitabha, beauty is a curse.”

“Enough with the vanity. Let’s head in—the auction’s about to start,” Jing Yi said, standing up. “So, how did you run into the General?”

He Qing told the story as they walked to the auction venue, finishing just in time. They registered their “virtual identities” to enter, with He Qing going by “Mr. He.”

All transactions at the auction were handled directly by the Central Intelligence, making them mostly secure—unless someone with a lot of power checked the Central Tower records…

For some reason, He Qing thought of Duan Chenhui. But with his personality, he probably wouldn’t personally investigate, right?

Jing Yi asked, “You’re eager to make money as soon as you leave White Tower. What are you selling?”

“Some exotic plants, which are also medicinal herbs,” He Qing replied with a smile, though he was really referring to spiritual herbs. “I can’t keep spending the General’s money forever.”

“How much did he give you?” Jing Yi’s interest was piqued.

He Qing thought about the stack of gold cards. “It seems like… an unlimited amount?” There must be a lot.

“I didn’t expect the General to have that stereotypical macho Alpha attitude,” Jing Yi laughed. “Alphas and their strong egos.”

“Maybe the General thought I wouldn’t be okay without pocket money,” He Qing mused, offering a reason for Duan Chenhui’s actions.

Jing Yi glanced at him through his glasses, teasing, “You haven’t been ‘bribed’ by the money, have you?”

“I’ve just realized how important money is in the mortal world,” He Qing sighed. “Also, I’m looking for a specific mineral.”

“What kind?”

“Um… it’s green, has energy, but I don’t really know how to describe it,” He Qing said vaguely, as he was really looking for spirit stones. He was running low, and to progress to the Nascent Soul stage, he’d need more. There was a chance he could find some at the auction.

Jing Yi didn’t press further, understanding their mutual discretion. “Well, let me know when you find it,” he said as they headed toward the backstage area to register their auction item.

An attendant soon greeted them and led them to a private room.

“What are you consigning for auction? We charge a 20% service fee.” The attendant asked politely, unfazed by their ugly disguises.

He Qing took out a spiritual herb with blue flowers. “This is Blue Spirit Flower. It can alleviate insectoid poison.”

The attendant was momentarily stunned. Wearing gloves, he picked up the flower and examined it closely. “Is this the exotic plant that appeared at a previous auction?” He then took out a magnifying glass for a closer look. After a moment, he exhaled and put it down. “Indeed. Recently, people have been offering high prices for it. It’s even made it onto the reward list.”

He Qing smiled, feigning ignorance. “Oh, I see.”

The attendant studied them briefly before saying, “I’ll place your herb in the final round of the auction. Any objections?”

“None,” He Qing agreed.

The attendant produced a form. “Please fill out the basic information and transfer details for the item.”

He Qing took an electronic pen, writing on a special sheet that instantly converted his writing into standard interstellar text. He handed it back to the attendant.

The attendant gave them a card. “After the auction, please return here for the transaction.”

He Qing accepted the card, stood up, and left with Jing Yi. They hadn’t booked a VIP room, so they sat in the general seating. He Qing checked the time—they should be able to make it back…

Jing Yi whispered, “The auction should be over by 6 a.m. at the latest.”

He Qing asked, “Why hold it in the middle of the night?”

“For the thrill and atmosphere,” Jing Yi shrugged. “That’s always been the way with auctions. I’ve heard some underground ones can be dangerous, with people going rogue and attacking others, even committing robbery.”

“Sounds like an opportunity,” He Qing thought. His first reaction wasn’t about danger, but about the chance for growth. As a cultivator, opportunities were often found in perilous situations.

“I’m interested too. I’ll look into it and let you know where to go,” Jing Yi replied just as the lights dimmed in the hall, signaling the start of the auction.

He Qing remained silent after that, and in the end, his herb sold for a high price. He and Jing Yi then returned backstage.

However, a different person was waiting for them. The man stood up, smiling warmly. “Greetings, I’m the manager here.”

He Qing smiled as well, his facial scars twisting grotesquely. He sat down. “Why the change of personnel?”

The manager observed them for a moment before explaining, “Someone wants to bid higher for the herb you auctioned and is interested in a long-term deal with you. I’m just acting as an intermediary. Don’t worry, we haven’t disclosed your location.”

Jing Yi glanced at He Qing. It must be Duan Chenhui. That was exactly the person He Qing had targeted. The money from Duan Chenhui’s account was basically just moving from one pocket to the other!

He remembered that He Qing had registered Duan Chenhui’s starbank account for the transaction! Duan’s account was top secret, and no one could access it unless Duan Chenhui himself went to the Central Tower to check!

Jing Yi suddenly realized how cunning He Qing was. And was this some kind of playful trick between married couples?

“I’d like to meet the buyer first,” He Qing said, wanting to confirm if it was indeed Duan Chenhui.

“Of course.” The manager looked relieved and quickly contacted the other party via his terminal. “General, we’re in Room 007.”

“…” Jing Yi had no words.

He Qing touched his face and put on a mask for both himself and Jing Yi.

Jing Yi, already disguised, was exasperated. “Are you scared?”

“Amitabha, better safe than sorry. Caution leads to longevity,” He Qing said, hands clasped together in a prayer gesture.

“Careful not to crash your ship,” Jing Yi teased. “And drop the monk-speak—you’ll blow your cover.”

“Got it,” He Qing quickly dropped his hands. Just then, the sound of the door opening came from behind them, making He Qing’s spine stiffen as he turned to look.

Duan Chenhui walked in, with Yang Fan following behind.

Today, Duan Chenhui was dressed casually, his jacket draped over his arm. His dark blue eyes still had a lingering glimmer of light, resembling a deep, cold pool.

He Qing’s eyes landed on Duan Chenhui’s jacket, which was soaked in parts, likely from the fountain spray.

The manager quickly walked over but didn’t dare touch Duan Chenhui. “General, allow me to introduce you. This is Mr. He, and this is Mr. Jing.” He then turned to He Qing and Jing Yi. “And this is General Duan. I’m sure you’re familiar with him.”

He Qing stood up. “Pleased to meet you.”

Duan Chenhui looked at He Qing’s mask, a bit surprised. “Didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” He extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He Qing smiled but placed his hand on his chest, bowing slightly. There was no way he’d shake Duan Chenhui’s hand. One touch, and his identity would be exposed—someone of Duan Chenhui’s caliber could sense a lot just through physical contact.

Understanding immediately, Duan Chenhui casually withdrew his hand, nodding politely before walking over to the single armchair. He hung his jacket on the armrest and sat down.

“Mr. He, Mr. Jing, I’m very interested in your herb,” Duan Chenhui said, getting straight to the point without prying into their personal details. “How many more do you have?”

Jing Yi, pretending to be absorbed in his tea, left all the conversation to the more capable “Mr. He.”

He Qing shook his head. “I’m afraid this herb requires a very specific environment to grow… and it grows slowly. General, I only have ten more.”

Spiritual herbs could take hundreds or even thousands of years to bloom and bear fruit. Humans simply couldn’t wait that long—it wasn’t that He Qing didn’t want to help them.

Duan Chenhui thought for a moment. “I see. I’ll take the remaining ten.”

“Alright.” He Qing took out the remaining Blue Spirit Flowers. He had found them in a hidden realm, and their blue, lantern-like flowers emitted a faint glow.

Duan Chenhui picked one up, inspected it for a moment, and, satisfied, placed it down. “Where did you discover them?”

He Qing smiled and started spinning a story. “We stumbled upon them by chance. Last time we were exploring, we got sucked into a wormhole and barely made it out alive.”

“Though it’s a bit forward of me to ask, could you tell me the general location?”

“It’s in the Black River Belt,” He Qing answered. He had done his homework—the Black River Belt was a dangerous area where both insectoids and a meteor belt were present.

Duan Chenhui’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s indeed dangerous. You’re very brave, Mr. He.”

“You flatter me, General,” He Qing replied calmly.

Duan Chenhui looked at the Blue Spirit Flowers again. “Following the rules, I’ll pay double the price.”

The manager immediately handed over a digital payment device. “Please, General, proceed with the transaction.”

He Qing watched as Duan Chenhui completed the payment. A moment later, his own terminal chimed with a notification. He took it out to check—one, two, three, four, five… a lot of zeroes.

Smiling, He Qing stood up. “Well then, we’ll be off. Goodbye.”

If they didn’t leave soon, they wouldn’t make it back in time for the wedding!

Duan Chenhui also stood up. “Until we meet again. If you find more of this herb, do get in touch with me.” He glanced at the time, seeming a bit rushed himself.

“Certainly,” He Qing nodded and exited the room.

Jing Yi followed with a smile. These two were getting married tomorrow, yet they’d spent the night attending an auction. He was more anxious for them than they were!

As soon as they left, He Qing glanced at the time. “Hurry, get me back.”

“Hop in,” Jing Yi opened the car door.

Meanwhile, Duan Chenhui also boarded the hover car waiting outside.

Yang Fan glanced back. “General, you’ve been out too long today.”

“It’s fine,” Duan Chenhui frowned slightly, massaging his numb knee. In front of someone of equal strength, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

“I can look into his background,” Yang Fan offered. They had the authority to investigate anyone within the Empire.

Duan Chenhui considered it for a moment, gazing out at the lights. “Go ahead.”

“Understood.” Yang Fan paused. “Actually, we already know all the 3S individuals, including those in the Federation and among the aliens. Do you have someone in mind, General?”

“No,” Duan Chenhui hesitated. “He’s too young.”

“Indeed,” Yang Fan sighed. The youngest 3S in the Empire was Duan Chenhui himself, and other countries’ 3S individuals were even older. That person’s identity was indeed worth investigating.

The car soon returned to the General’s mansion, where it met another hover car pulling in at the same time.

Duan Chenhui frowned and stepped out, only to find himself face to face with He Qing.

“General, where did you go?” He Qing asked, feeling guilty and trying to get the first word in.

“I should be asking you that,” Duan Chenhui retorted, glancing at the mansion’s entrance. “You’re only getting back now?”

“I was out with friends—one last bachelor party,” He Qing quickly came up with a modern excuse.

Duan Chenhui scrutinized him for a moment. “I thought you had run away from the wedding.”

“How could I? I’d be on the Empire’s most wanted list!”

“Oh, so you know that?”

The two of them exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing—thank goodness they made it back in time.

The ever-worried butler opened the door, his face full of concern. “General, Mr. He, if you don’t change quickly, you’ll miss the wedding ceremony!”

“Ahem… General, we’d better hurry, so no one thinks we both ran away,” He Qing joked, quickly reviving his energy.

“Let’s go then,” Duan Chenhui agreed, walking inside. As they passed the lotus pond, he glanced back at the pool of white lotuses, suddenly recalling that person. Though outwardly pure white, their core was black.

The butler led them to have breakfast first, then whisked them off to get dressed.

He Qing put on a red suit, and for a festive touch, he tied a traditional double happiness knot into his hair ribbon. The knot swung back and forth as he moved.

Duan Chenhui stared at the eye-catching knot, finding it somewhat dizzying.

“Stand still.”

“What’s wrong?” He Qing asked, puzzled, turning around.

Duan Chenhui pressed his right hand against the armrest of his wheelchair, rubbing his forehead. “You’re making me dizzy.”

He Qing quickly rushed over. “Are you feeling unwell, General?” He recalled that Duan Chenhui had walked quite a bit last night—perhaps he really was unwell.

“I’m fine,” Duan Chenhui replied, adjusting the red flower pinned to He Qing’s chest. “It’s almost time.”

He Qing helped him stand, and the two of them walked out, boarding the hover car that would take them to the sky garden, where the wedding ceremony would be held.

Suddenly, He Qing felt a wave of nervousness wash over him. After all, today was his wedding day. Life had three major events: the birth ceremony, the wedding, and the funeral. As he mentally calculated, it felt like his connection to Duan Chenhui grew a bit stronger.

He Qing silently recited a prayer. This was inevitable.

Duan Chenhui, sensing something was off, asked, “Are you nervous?”

“Aren’t you?” He Qing shot back, staring at Duan Chenhui’s cold face. His eyes were actually dark blue, so dark that they were nearly indistinguishable.

Duan Chenhui rested both hands on the armrests, leaning back comfortably. “There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

He Qing looked down at his hands. Whenever Duan Chenhui placed both hands on the armrests, he was deep in thought. This time was no different. He Qing smiled, bringing the bouquet closer to Duan Chenhui’s nose. “Does it smell nice?”

“Hm?” Duan Chenhui raised an eyebrow, unsure of the point.

He Qing chuckled, “Amitabha. Life’s big events boil down to birth, marriage, and death. Being nervous is normal.”

Even the most fearsome War God in the galaxy would feel nervous about this, so it was only natural that He Qing felt the same way.

With that, He Qing felt a little more at ease.

“You’ve got a point,” Duan Chenhui admitted, glancing at him. He wasn’t annoyed by being called out. He was indeed a bit nervous. After all, this was likely his first and only wedding.