Chapter 50: The Three Meet

“Shi Chan, your plan really worked,” Wu Hongyuan reported with a joyful expression two days later.

“The ‘Captain’ was initially disguised as an ordinary person,” the Captain was the codename the Swift Eagle pirates gave to this alien. “We disguised ourselves as an exploration team and saw him trapped in danger, so we saved him. But at this point, they hadn’t realized the ‘Captain’s’ true identity.”

“Later, our team members, following the principle of not letting any opportunity slip, casually waved that booklet in front of him. We didn’t expect that he would immediately grab the booklet…” Wu Hongyuan became excited as he described the process. “Especially when he saw the last line you wrote, he immediately exposed his identity.”

Then, the Swift Eagle pirates quietly returned to their home country.

“His guard has lowered,” Xi Ming commented briefly.

“Indeed,” Wu Hongyuan agreed. From what he described, the Captain seemed quite foolish. How could he be sure that the booklet hadn’t been taken by other countries?

“Maybe it doesn’t matter,” Shi Chan added. “He managed to escape from Qingye’s strict defenses. Even if he realized he had been tricked, he would have the means to escape.” The Captain was also from a military academy, and while his skills might not match those of Xi Ming, escaping from this low-tech planet wasn’t too difficult if someone had systematically studied interstellar knowledge.

“He will be here in a few days,” Shi Chan said to Wu Hongyuan.

Wu Hongyuan calculated, “It should be in three days. Once they return to Swift Eagle, their speed will be much faster.”

Three days later, the Captain, Shi Chan, and Xi Ming met in a small courtyard.

“Xi Ming?” The Captain frowned when he saw Xi Ming’s face.

“Liang Yongqing,” Xi Ming said with certainty, calling out an unfamiliar name.

The Captain was silent for a while. The hostility that had risen in him slowly faded. “It’s been a long time since anyone called me that name.”

Xi Ming didn’t respond, only giving him a brief glance.

“I didn’t expect Jin to be you,” Liang Yongqing said, looking at Xi Ming with a scrutinizing gaze. “Your injuries weren’t as severe as the rumors said.”

“You were infected by cosmic radiation,” Xi Ming didn’t answer the question but instead stared at him. “You’re about to die.”

Shi Chan had already cured Xi Ming’s cosmic radiation, and they had almost forgotten that ordinary people entering space were highly likely to be affected by cosmic radiation.

Liang Yongqing wasn’t among the lucky few; he hadn’t avoided the cosmic radiation.

When the wormhole was created, Liang Yongqing had been unconscious behind Xi Ming’s mech, and when the wormhole’s suction force pulled him in, he couldn’t resist. However, Liang Yongqing entered the wormhole after them, yet arrived two years earlier on this planet.

It was probably because at first, Xi Ming and Shi Chan took on greater pressure that Liang Yongqing was only lightly affected by cosmic radiation. In the interstellar world, with regular treatment, it might not affect his lifespan.

But on this technologically backward planet, even this small amount of cosmic radiation was slowly draining Liang Yongqing’s life away.

He was able to escape from Qingye because of the radiation. No one dared to stay close to him for long, which allowed him to find a gap in the defenses.

These years had been difficult for Liang Yongqing. He never understood why his comrades betrayed him.

While being tormented by the radiation, Liang Yongqing often recalled the past.

To prevent his brothers from sacrificing themselves in the political struggles of the Federation’s upper ranks, Liang Yongqing led those willing to leave and defected from the Federation. When he later heard of the deaths of those who had stayed behind, Liang Yongqing never regretted his actions, even if the pirate group they formed had to live in constant poverty because they adhered to their principles.

At that time, they were united. They even joked about being the “clean stream” among pirates, calling themselves the “moral ceiling” of the Blue Gorge.

But at some point, the difficult and secretive life caused arguments. Some began to resent Liang Yongqing for leading them to defect from the Federation.

Liang Yongqing knew he wasn’t a brilliant strategist. The only reason they escaped the Federation was because it was in chaos at the time, and no one was paying attention to them. After they hid in the Blue Gorge pirates, their life didn’t improve much, and the Federation was too lazy to take major action against them. They were only put on a wanted list, but no real punishment followed.

They couldn’t return to the Federation and didn’t fit in with the pirates. They could only drift alone in the vast starry sky.

Before the conflict escalated, “Jin” joined, and through black-market dealings, they quickly became wealthy and expanded their pirate force.

Liang Yongqing thought their good days had come, but the rapid expansion led to factional splits. The pirate group appeared large, but their internal relationships were extremely fragile.

At that time, Liang Yongqing was already discussing the issue with Xi Ming. Their next step was to reorganize the pirate group internally.

No one expected betrayal and accidents to come so quickly…

In terms of experience, Liang Yongqing felt he had similarities with Xi Ming. But Xi Ming was not an insignificant pawn like him. Xi Ming was capable, and even in a pirate lair like Blue Gorge, he quickly built his own faction.

To this day, there are still legends about “Jin” in the Blue Gorge star system.

When they first met, Xi Ming didn’t say much to Liang Yongqing. In fact, he hadn’t even decided whether to let him live.

At first, Xi Ming thought an extra person would mean extra strength, but after meeting Liang Yongqing, he realized that Shi Chan’s special abilities couldn’t be exposed in the interstellar world. Liang Yongqing had already discovered this because of their carelessness.

Xi Ming needed Liang Yongqing’s help but didn’t want anyone to discover Shi Chan’s secret.

After their first meeting, Xi Ming never saw Liang Yongqing again, as if he had forgotten about him.

Shi Chan still remembered their initial purpose for finding him and took the initiative to ask Xi Ming, “Ming Ge, why did you bring the Captain back but not care about him?”

Xi Ming looked at Shi Chan, paused for a while, then expressed his concerns.

“I don’t want anything that might put you in danger.”

Shi Chan then understood what Xi Ming was worried about, feeling a warmth in his heart while trying to comfort him. “But one day your identity will be exposed. If it is, others will definitely look for a way to cure your cosmic radiation.”

Xi Ming’s expression showed clear reluctance. “I can find another reason.”

Shi Chan smiled, reaching up to touch Xi Ming’s face. “Any reason will eventually be tested by others. The truth will be discovered sooner or later.”

“Ming Ge, when we return to the interstellar world, you might as well just say you found someone who can cure cosmic radiation, and all of interstellar society will come running to make appointments with you.”

Shi Chan held Xi Ming’s face, his eyes focused on Xi Ming. “You’re already the interstellar public enemy, yet you’re still living well. Even if I also spread the rumor of being someone who can help, in the end, I’ll still stay by your side.”

If it could make Xi Ming’s path to revenge easier, Shi Chan didn’t care about revealing his own abilities.

Having treated Xi Ming’s cosmic radiation twice, he had gained some understanding of this energy. Although it was disordered, it could be refined with his cultivation, benefiting his own progress.

Shi Chan had good intentions, but Xi Ming directly refused. “I can’t use you.”

“This isn’t using you,” Shi Chan said, but seeing Xi Ming’s insistence, he didn’t push further. “Fine, whatever you think, I’ll support your decision.”

Meanwhile, Liang Yongqing couldn’t control his mental power from erupting.

After the outburst, Liang Yongqing didn’t even bother to clean himself up. He immediately went to find Xi Ming.

“I don’t know how you can eliminate cosmic radiation, but I need your help now,” Liang Yongqing said, looking at Xi Ming, his body thin and exhausted from the radiation, like a stray dog. “Our enemies are the same. I, too, am unwanted by the Federation, the Empire, and the pirates. We’re natural allies. No matter what method, I won’t betray you.”

In the past, Liang Yongqing had always fought for the Federation, for his comrades, for his brothers, but now, he just wanted to live for himself.

“I won’t let the Swift Eagle pirates get away with betrayal,” Xi Ming said, looking at Liang Yongqing. “Including your comrades.”

Liang Yongqing’s eyes involuntarily flashed with pain, but soon his fists clenched, his eyes full of hatred. After a long silence, he said, “…I won’t forgive them either.”

Xi Ming stared at him. “Come back tomorrow.”

Indeed, this person was similarly rejected by many forces, and he was a natural ally for Xi Ming.

The next day, Liang Yongqing silently entered Xi Ming’s residence, his heart full of unease. Cosmic radiation was an incurable disease in the entire interstellar world. Did Xi Ming really have a way to cure it?

Shi Chan pushed Xi Ming into the room. Last night, Xi Ming had already told Shi Chan of his plan, and Shi Chan was happy to help. He immediately agreed.

As for the treatment method, Xi Ming didn’t allow Shi Chan to treat the patient the same way he treated him, such as with massages. He only allowed Shi Chan to try extracting radiation energy. If it didn’t work, Xi Ming wasn’t going to bother with Liang Yongqing’s survival.

Fortunately, Shi Chan had already reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, and his control over his cultivation was even stronger. As long as he touched the person’s wrist, he could begin drawing out the radiation energy.

Under Liang Yongqing’s astonished gaze, Shi Chan sat opposite him, placing his fingers on Liang Yongqing’s wrist. He closed his eyes and began extracting the radiation energy.

Meanwhile, Xi Ming stood by, his gaze constantly fixed on Liang Yongqing’s wrist. His deep eyes made Liang Yongqing feel like Xi Ming wanted to chop off his hand.

Though alpha had a natural possessiveness towards omega, this was a bit too much. Liang Yongqing thought, but he dared not speak.

After an hour of treatment, the radiation energy in Liang Yongqing’s body had been reduced by at least a quarter. His physical condition had improved noticeably, and he was so stunned he couldn’t speak.

Liang Yongqing had seen Shi Chan before, but he had never really remembered his name. To him, Shi Chan was like a symbol. He only remembered that Shi Chan was “Jin’s omega.” He had never imagined this omega would have such extraordinary abilities.

Now that he knew Jin was Xi Ming, Liang Yongqing was even more puzzled. This omega possessed this rare ability that even the entire interstellar world coveted. Why would he willingly stay by Xi Ming’s side?

Xi Ming wasn’t exactly known for his good reputation.

Of course, Liang Yongqing didn’t dare voice such thoughts. He just sighed with worldly perspective, then began to feel fortunate that Shi Chan was so dedicated to Xi Ming, which allowed him to survive.

Seeing that Liang Yongqing’s gaze lingered on Shi Chan, Xi Ming’s face grew darker. He began to urge him to leave. “Go, what are you still doing here?”

“Oh, oh…” Liang Yongqing snapped back to his senses, standing up and feeling his body, which felt much lighter. He was overjoyed, thinking he might die on this backward planet.

As he stretched his body, Shi Chan informed Xi Ming about Liang Yongqing’s physical condition.

Liang Yongqing raised his head again, only to hear Xi Ming’s unfriendly tone. “Come back every three days. After four more visits, you’ll be completely cured.”

“Okay,” Liang Yongqing’s gloominess disappeared, replaced with happiness. He felt the rare comfort in his body and his heart became much lighter.

As he reached the door, Liang Yongqing turned back and promised Xi Ming, “From now on, I’m your subordinate. I’ll never betray you.”