Chapter 72: The Radiation Healer

“It’s been two months already, hasn’t it? How come there are still so many people on our planet? I’ve never seen so many interstellar tourists in my entire life!”

As the native residents of this insignificant border planet of the Empire, they had witnessed an unprecedented influx of visitors over the past two months. Countless spaceships and starships, many of which they had never even heard of before, were crowded into the various spaceports, creating an eye-opening spectacle.

“I heard it’s because a divine healer appeared here, someone who can cure radiation sickness. That’s why all these big shots have come—they’re here for treatment.” One person spoke with absolute certainty.

“So many important people suffer from radiation sickness? I always thought that was just a disease from legends.” Someone else remained skeptical.

“You think those people are like you, never setting foot beyond your home planet? These big shots live on spaceships every day, traveling to one planet today and another tomorrow, always in space. Of course, a lot of them end up with radiation sickness.” The confident tone of this speaker convinced the others that the lives of the elite were indeed spent mostly in space.

However, those very “big shots” being discussed had already received word that the radiation healer had left. Many had followed suit and departed from the planet, while others remained either because they hadn’t heard the news yet or were simply hoping for a stroke of luck—just in case the healer returned.

At this moment, the healer they were all longing for, Shi Chan, had already arrived at their destination—the core planet of the Stellar Organization.

Yes, after much development, Stellar had evolved from a struggling faction with no money, people, or territory into the largest power in the border region, complete with its own habitable planet, now renamed “Stellar.”

Gathered on this planet were the core members of Stellar, the team from Gudu, and the mech warriors who had been recruited and treated.

Most people adapted quickly—whether they were Stellar’s core members or the visitors from Gudu, they carried out their duties without issue. The only exceptions were the newly recruited mech warriors. Since they included both Federation and Empire soldiers, tensions ran high despite their shared fate of serving Stellar. Even though they had been there only a short time, they had already fought multiple times.

When Xi Ming led Shi Chan to the training grounds, they arrived just in time to witness a chaotic brawl among the still-recovering warriors. The entire space was thick with aggressive, clashing pheromones.

Xi Ming immediately reached out and pulled Shi Chan to his side, securing his hand at the back of Shi Chan’s head, bringing him almost flush against his own chest.

Soon, Shi Chan caught the familiar scent of Xi Ming’s pheromones and chuckled softly.

Noticing this, Xi Ming ignored the brawling warriors below and lowered his head to ask, “What’s funny?”

“Nothing. Just thinking that when we first met, you were in far worse shape than them.” Back then, Xi Ming had been like a wild beast, completely out of control. Any other Omega would have been terrified and fled. Shi Chan had only dared to approach him because of his own cultivated strength.

Looking back, he realized that he and Xi Ming had already been together for four years. Though one year had been lost due to traveling through a wormhole, they had still spent three years by each other’s side.

Listening to the steady sound of Xi Ming’s heartbeat, Shi Chan closed his eyes and gently rubbed his cheek against Xi Ming’s chest. He still liked Xi Ming very, very much.

Xi Ming also recalled their first meeting—his mind had been ravaged by mental instability, and he had even suspected that Shi Chan was an Imperial spy sent to frame him for harming an Omega.

As he absently ran his fingers through Shi Chan’s soft hair, Xi Ming couldn’t help but feel grateful that he had marked Shi Chan that day.

“What were you thinking when we first met?” Shi Chan asked, feeling slightly awkward. After all, as an Omega, asking an Alpha to mark him right upon meeting… Thinking back, he worried that it might have left a bad impression.

Xi Ming hesitated before giving an honest answer. “…That if I was going to die, at least I would take an outstanding Omega from the Empire down with me. That would be a win in my book.”

“…” Shi Chan was momentarily speechless. He looked at Xi Ming with a helpless expression before breaking into laughter. “That’s so you.”

They lingered in their moment together for quite some time before finally being noticed by the warriors below.

“Shi Shi¹!”
“It’s Shi Shi!”
“Shi Shi is here!!!”

Hearing this, Xi Ming’s face darkened. “What are they calling you?”

Shi Shi? Did they really think they could call him that?

“Shi Shi Chan², why are you here?!” someone finally called out the full title, and only then did Xi Ming grasp the meaning. But his expression remained displeased.

“If they want to say ‘Shi Shi,’ then say the whole thing! What’s with the nickname?!” His gaze turned sharper the more he spoke.

Back when Huo Mengming had harbored obvious feelings for Shi Chan, Xi Ming had noticed it almost immediately. Regardless of whether those feelings were tainted by personal interests, Xi Ming had disliked the idea of anyone coveting his Omega.

For that reason, no matter how busy he became, he always accompanied Shi Chan to treatment sessions. After all, people in desperate situations were the most prone to developing feelings for their savior.

He, himself was living proof of that.

The training ground continued to echo with excited shouts. Xi Ming, growing impatient, vaulted over the railing from the second level and dropped into the fray, ready to discipline this rowdy group who had gotten too comfortable after their recovery.

Shi Chan stepped forward, resting his elbow on the railing, his gaze fixed on Xi Ming as he fought. His lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

From his pocket, a small white creature poked its head out, letting out a few soft whimpers before climbing onto Shi Chan’s shoulder and pawing at his arm, asking to be held.

Shi Chan, still watching the fight, stood up straight and picked up the furry little creature, stroking it a couple of times. “Feifei, if you keep growing, you won’t even fit into my pockets anymore.”

Feifei made a few indifferent noises, snuggling into Shi Chan’s chest, completely uninterested in the conversation.

Noticing the ongoing brawl below, Shi Chan idly poked Feifei’s head and murmured, “By the way, have you seen that chubby little bird? I feel like I haven’t spotted it in days.”

Feifei twitched its ears in confusion, thinking Shi Chan wanted to play, and happily pounced on his hand.

“You little fool,” Shi Chan chuckled. He wasn’t too worried about the chubby bird—it was a spiritual beast, after all. If it sensed danger, it would return on its own.

Meanwhile, Xi Ming had single-handedly defeated all the warriors below. Even though they were still recovering from radiation sickness and had weakened abilities, the fact that he alone had bested them all was impressive.

More importantly, Xi Ming was living proof that one could fully recover from radiation sickness.

The warriors, lying on the ground, stared up at him with blazing eyes, filled with renewed hope. They, too, could be cured. They, too, could return to their peak.

Strength was the simplest way to command respect from warriors.

And Xi Ming had done just that.

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“What the hell is going on lately?! What are you all doing?! The Federation spy escaped, countless resources from the capital star were deceived by Steller, merchant caravans outside are being raided every day, and now even the Empire’s army has lost to those ragtag space pirates! If you don’t want your heads anymore, just cut them off yourselves! Can you use your brains when you act? The entire Empire is questioning us right now. If you’re incompetent, just go home and raise pigs instead of disgracing the Empire!”

Inside the Empire’s council chamber, aside from the furious roar of the person in the main seat, no one else dared to make a sound. They all kept their eyes lowered, as if the documents in their hands were suddenly fascinating, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

“And what exactly is this Steller organization? Is it true that they can cure cosmic radiation? Who is that healer? Why are you all suddenly mute?!”

After more than a year of war, the battle between the Empire and the Federation had shifted from an initial balance of power to the Empire suffering defeat after defeat. Just this past month, they had even encountered the Steller organization on the battlefield, and the Empire was caught off guard by the reckless, almost suicidal tactics of their fighters, losing significant territory and becoming the laughingstock of the Federation.

Now, the Empire was determined to take revenge on those space pirates and that mysterious Steller group that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“General Xu, for this mission, you will oversee operations from the rear and coordinate with Wu Li to eliminate the space pirates. Crush their arrogance and drive them back home. Let them know the price of provoking the Empire!”

The voice from above was sharp and ruthless, but Xu Lihan couldn’t shake the unease in his heart. He had a nagging feeling that these space pirates had come prepared and that their strategies bore a faint resemblance to someone he knew well.

Someone whose name had not been spoken by the Empire’s high command for years, as if it had become a forbidden topic.

The recent rumors about a cure for cosmic radiation—everyone was choosing to feign ignorance, pretending that the once-brilliant leader who had led the Empire to unmatched glory had completely vanished.

As if by refusing to listen, to speak, or to think about it, the fact that they had knowingly abandoned him because he was tainted by radiation would cease to exist.

After the meeting ended, Xu Lihan returned home, his brows furrowed as he pondered the possibility that Xi Ming was still alive.

“What’s wrong?” A clear voice rang out, tinged with obvious concern. “If something’s bothering you, tell me. We can figure it out together.”

“It’s nothing.” Seeing the omega in military uniform stepping out of the room, Xu Lihan’s gaze softened. “I just received a new mission in the meeting and was planning things out.”

Noticing the other’s attire, he reached out to adjust the collar and asked, “Where are you headed?”

“I’m delivering a document. I’ll be back soon. What’s the new mission? Do you need my help?” Ye Wen picked up the file from the cabinet and looked at Xu Lihan with admiration in his eyes.

“Let’s go together. After you deliver the document, come to my office—we’re holding a meeting.” Xu Lihan was always decisive in his actions.

“Alright. Who needs to attend? I’ll take care of the arrangements.” As Xu Lihan’s personal aide, notifying people about meeting schedules, locations, and attendees was Ye Wen’s responsibility.

“I’ll tell you in the car.” Before stepping out, Xu Lihan gently kissed him, his posture upright and his gaze unwavering. “Thank you for your hard work.”

In this era of war, meeting an omega like Ye Wen—one who was willing to fight for the Empire—was Xu Lihan’s greatest fortune.

They would walk this path together, protecting the Empire side by side.

They had to be destroyed.

1. The translation is ‘Healer Shi’ but originally it’s something like ‘Shi(Healer) Shi(Surname)’ it kinda sounds like a nickname i.e. Xi Ming is Jealous. So I kept it as ‘Shi Shi’ for better understanding. ↩︎
2. Here ‘Shi Shi Chan’ means ‘Shi(Healer) Shi(Surname) Chan(Name)’. ↩︎