Chapter 155: How Much Longer Do You Plan to Hold Me?

Xuan Xuan felt that something was amiss. Since Xuan Guo was so certain, she must have had other reasons to be confident, though she probably wouldn't voice them. Xuan Xuan pondered; recently, the Zerg seemed to be making significant moves.

There were the clandestine migrations of late, coupled with Xuan Guo's reaction.

She fixed her gaze on Xuan Guo. Could there truly be something wrong with the Zerg?

The mental energy of the Zerg was unique. The "Truth Serum" had no effect whatsoever, and even those parasitized by the Zerg were immune to its influence. Otherwise, Xuan Xuan would have long since dealt with Xuan Guo and the Zerg residing within her.

At a subtle gesture from Xuan Xuan, four marsh pits materialized beneath the feet of the four individuals surrounding Xuan Guo, each bound by a spatial lock. Xuan Xuan then looked directly at Xuan Guo.

Xuan Guo shrieked, "You possess spiritual abilities?"

Her voice was shrill, laden with disbelief. In her eyes, Moji Xuan Xuan was a complete good-for-nothing, incapable in both literary and martial pursuits. How could she suddenly possess supernatural abilities and effortlessly subdue the four people around her?

Xuan Guo was not a fool. Seeing Xuan Xuan control the four individuals with a mere wave of her hand, she realized her opponent had backing. Hesitating for a moment, she prepared to release her mecha.

Conversely, Xuan Xuan found it curious as to why she herself couldn't do that.

A smile curved the corners of Xuan Xuan's lips. Although arrogant, Xuan Guo was not entirely stupid. With another spatial lock, Xuan Xuan subdued her as well. After struggling in vain for a short while, finding no way out, Xuan Guo began to panic as she watched the others slowly sink into the marshes without the slightest possibility of resistance.

Terror filled Xuan Guo's eyes. She did not want to die like this; she wanted to live well, and above all, she refused to die at the hands of Moji Xuan Xuan.

To fall into Xuan Xuan's hands with such utter helplessness—she was deeply unreconciled!

Xuan Xuan had no intention of letting Xuan Guo vanish just yet. However, she raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Are you afraid?"

Xuan Guo frowned at her.

Naturally, Xuan Xuan was not addressing her. She was speaking to the Zerg parasite inside Xuan Guo. Ever since Xuan Guo had been restrained, the Zerg within her had begun to stir. Xuan Xuan's lips curled upward. It seemed the creature feared death as well.

Clutching her chest, Xuan Guo felt the Zerg inside her growing intensely agitated. Ultimately, the creature took up residence near her heart. Glaring viciously at Xuan Xuan, she demanded, "What did you do?"

Xuan Xuan had done nothing at all; it was simply that the Zerg inside Xuan Guo was now terrified and attempting to burrow out and escape. To force its way out, it naturally had to drain the life force and energy from Xuan Guo's body.

Ignoring her, Xuan Xuan concentrated on probing the Zerg inside Xuan Guo with her mental energy.

Noticing Xuan Guo's expression grow increasingly strained, she realized the Zerg was extracting too much of her energy and life force. Although what happened to Xuan Guo was of little consequence to her, she had no wish to let the Zerg use Xuan Guo as nourishment and grow overly powerful.

Retrieving her communicator, Xuan Xuan contacted Moji Yi. "I've caught Xuan Guo. Can she be dealt with?"

Moji Yi was left completely bewildered. A glance at the situation around Xuan Xuan made him understand, and he asked, "Are you alright?"

Xuan Xuan nodded, reiterating that she was the one who had captured Xuan Guo. "Can she be disposed of?"

"Last night, when Xuan Guo contacted Xuan Qin, we already tracked Xuan Qin down. She is no longer of any use," Moji Yi stated. "Do not take matters into your own hands. Where are Moji Weixuan and the others? Bring her back; there are plenty of people here to handle her."

Moji Yi had no desire to expose Xuan Xuan to bloodshed at such a tender age, completely unaware that his granddaughter treated dismantling the Zerg with the same casual habit as dismantling a mecha.

Unbelief washed over Xuan Guo's eyes. She had never anticipated that all her actions were under the control of the Moji family, and a fresh wave of panic gripped her. She did not want to die.

Shaking her head, Xuan Xuan replied, "I need to extract the Zerg from within her."

With that, she severed the communication and looked at Xuan Guo. Xuan Guo was truly courting her own death. Had she retained even a shred of utility today, Xuan Xuan might not have planned to extract the Zerg right away, especially since Xuan Guo was already deeply poisoned, and Xuan Xuan was not kind enough to cure her. As long as the Zerg remained inside her, she might have lingered, but once it was removed, Xuan Guo's prospects were grim indeed.

Just as Xuan Xuan was about to make her move, a distant figure flashed past, and before she could react, she was already pulled away.

Her gathered magical energy dissipated because the person behind her was all too familiar. Looking up at him, Xuan Xuan asked, "What are you doing here?"

"The Zerg inside Xuan Guo is extremely dangerous, especially when there are so many accomplices around. Why would you take the risk of separating from Moji Weixuan and the others?" Zhan Yu's tone carried a hint of reprimand. Only after inspecting Xuan Xuan thoroughly and confirming she was entirely unharmed did he exhale in relief, continuing, "What would you have done if something had gone wrong?"

Watching Zhan Yu, she couldn't help but feel he had been acting rather strange lately.

Even stranger than during the military training on the uninhabited planet, and increasingly so by the moment. The tone of his voice made Xuan Xuan's skin crawl.

After carefully inspecting him with her mental energy and confirming that Zhan Yu had not been parasitized by the Zerg, she relaxed slightly. "I'm fine."

Zhan Yu gritted his teeth and glared at her. She would never understand how worried others could be.

Taking risks was something she did habitually. Casting a cold glance at the four individuals—whose lower bodies had already sunk into the marsh—and at Xuan Guo nearby, he realized that Xuan Xuan had actually been entirely in control. From afar, seeing her surrounded, he had assumed she was in danger.

Now it appeared she had simply been setting a trap for others. He sighed softly; she was just chronically troublesome.

Xuan Guo struggled frantically, but she was utterly incapable of breaking free from Xuan Xuan's spatial lock, leaving even Zhan Yu somewhat astonished by how someone so young could possess so many bizarre abilities.

As Xuan Guo thrashed, the Zerg within her grew increasingly restless. Not far away, Bai Ruchen's temples throbbed violently, and his entire physical state deteriorated rapidly.

Moji Weixuan, Moji Weihan, and Lou Yitong behind them stared at him in bewilderment. Moji Weihan demanded, "What on earth are you trying to pull?"

Bai Ruchen's affliction escalated in severity alongside the crisis of the queen mother. The Zerg were a textbook example of a gregarious species, and the status of the queen mother was undisputed; when the queen mother was in peril, all Zerg would strive desperately to rescue her.

Bai Ruchen harbored a larva parasitized within him. When the queen mother faced danger, the larva naturally sensed it, and its host was inevitably affected.

Lou Yitong suddenly whispered to Moji Weixuan, "The larva inside him is acting up."

Startled, Moji Weixuan opened his mouth to speak, only to see Bai Ruchen dart away with bloodshot eyes.

Exchanging a glance, Moji Weixuan and Moji Weihan brought Lou Yitong along and hurried after him.

They had barely taken a couple of steps when they realized Bai Ruchen had vanished from sight. Moji Weixuan hastily contacted Moji Lianhao, briefly recounting the situation.

Bai Ruchen had not gone far before someone blocked his path. Ironically, it was Bai Rumeng, whom he held in the lowest regard. Accompanied by several subordinates, Bai Rumeng barred his way. Noticing Bai Ruchen's abnormal expression, she said, "Second Sister, the young master's condition is not right."

"We cannot let him pass. Knock him out and bring him back," Bai Rumeng instructed.

The men swiftly moved to render Bai Ruchen unconscious, and Bai Rumeng ordered the group to withdraw. Casting one distant glance back at Xuan Guo, who had fallen into Moji Xuan Xuan's grasp, she sneered inwardly: This was the good-for-nothing you all mocked for years.

Then, glancing at the retreating form of the unconscious Bai Ruchen, the curve of her lips widened. She had never imagined he would commit such a foolish act this time.

Returning to the spot where Xuan Xuan had just been standing, before she could utter a word, she heard an icy voice demand, "How much longer do you intend to hold her?"

Zhan Yu realized he was still holding Xuan Xuan in his arms. Catching sight of Moji Lianhao, who had just arrived, the corner of his mouth twitched, wondering just how utterly shameless he must look in Moji Weixuan's eyes right now.

Faking a couple of coughs, he hurriedly set Xuan Xuan down. Xuan Xuan cast a regretful glance at Xuan Guo—it was a pity; she couldn't extract the creature now.

Then she glared at Zhan Yu; it was all his fault.

Moji Lianhao called out once more, "Xuan Xuan."

Xuan Xuan nodded, walked over to Moji Lianhao's side, and looked at her father and the few individuals accompanying him, baffled as to why her father had come here as well.

"I truly must thank Young Master Zhan for today's events," Moji Lianhao stated coldly.

Zhan Yu looked at Moji Lianhao. Although the words were polite, the expression on his face was anything but. Giving Xuan Xuan a wry smile, he wondered how he had managed to leave yet another bad impression on Moji Lianhao. "Third Young Master."

Moji Lianhao let out a cold snort. "I wouldn't dare. It's just that our Xuan Xuan is still young and cannot yet distinguish right from wrong. She still requires guidance from a teacher like Young Master Zhan."

Zhan Yu felt a splitting headache coming on from Moji Lianhao's words. Just what were the underlying implications of that sentence?

Was he being reminded that Xuan Xuan was still underage and that he was acting like a pedophile?

Was he being reminded to maintain his propriety as an educator and harbor no improper thoughts toward his student?

And as for the remark that Xuan Xuan couldn't distinguish right from wrong, was that a subtle way of calling him a bad influence whom Xuan Xuan couldn't see through, politely telling him to keep his distance?

Coupled with another two awkward coughs, his face flushing crimson and pale by turns, he glanced at Liao Kun, who wore an ambiguous smile beside Moji Lianhao, and gritted his teeth inwardly: What an unprincipled old principal!

Glancing sideways at Xuan Xuan, he wished she were a bit older, that she could distinguish right from wrong, understand matters of the heart, and best of all, comprehend his intentions.

Yet it was painfully obvious that Xuan Xuan was utterly oblivious.

Just as Zhan Yu was about to reply, Moji Lianhao asked Xuan Xuan, "What happened here?"

Zhan Yu's retort clogged in his throat, while Liao Kun's smile grew even more profound. He had always wondered why that old fox of the Zhan family had so generously sent Zhan Yu over as a treasure; so this was what it meant.

Still, Zhan Yu's tastes were quite extraordinary. Wasn't this young girl still a minor?

Zhan Yu's face shifted through various shades of green and white under Liao Kun's scrutiny.

Xuan Xuan glanced at Liao Kun, failing to recognize him as their school principal. Turning her attention back to Moji Lianhao, she spoke candidly, "The Federal First Military Academy leaked information. Xuan Guo and the others discovered that I built the mecha and intercepted me beforehand. They shouldn't be the masterminds, though."

Liao Kun, who had been enjoying Zhan Yu's discomfiture, never expected the fire to suddenly spread to him. He immediately denied, "Impossible! How could the Federal First Military Academy ever leak information?"