Su Yan, Feng Qi, and Jiang Yi rushed to Jiang Zheyu’s side, their eyes filled with worry.

"Yu Yu, how are you?"

"Jiang Yuyu, are you alright?"

"Mistress, quick, wipe it away."

Jiang Yi took a cloth from his pocket, gently pulled Jiang Zheyu’s hand over, and began wiping the blood from her face.

’This blood stinks.’

Jiang Zheyu’s face scrunched up in discomfort.

Su Yan quickly produced a bottle of water for Jiang Zheyu. "Yu Yu, quick, wash your face."

As if he were her savior, Jiang Zheyu quickly took the water and began to wash her face.

"If you’re going to kill a Zerg, can’t you drag it away first?" Feng Qi’s expression darkened as he walked toward the man with the buzz cut, his tone dripping with annoyance. "You just had to kill it right in front of her. What if she’d gotten hurt?"

The buzz-cut man’s thick eyebrows lowered menacingly. He stared at Feng Qi, his deep voice rumbling with hostility, as if the sound were low pressure rising from his chest. "Hah? What did you say?!"

The "hah" was drawn out and menacing, sounding like a deliberate provocation. It hinted at a terrible temper, as if he might throw a punch at any moment.

"You looking for a fight, brat?" Shan Xun’s gaze landed coldly on Feng Qi. His arm shot out with vicious speed, grabbing Feng Qi by the collar and yanking him forward.

His brows were furrowed, radiating an aura that screamed ’don’t mess with me.’

Feng Qi seized Shan Xun’s arm, his own expression even more defiant and challenging. His voice was like splintering ice. "Let go!"

After wiping her face clean with the cloth, Jiang Zheyu saw the tense standoff and grew anxious. She quickly spoke up. "It’s a misunderstanding! It’s a misunderstanding! I’m alright. There’s no need for this, really."

’She had heard Feng Qi’s voice while she was washing her face. It seemed this conflict had started because of her. She knew Feng Qi was just concerned and wanted to get an apology on her behalf, but she had only been splattered with a bit of Zerg blood. It was nothing. There was really no need to make a fuss over it.’

Seeing the worried expression on Jiang Zheyu’s face, Feng Qi didn’t want to upset her. He was the first to lower his hand, turning his head away.

Shan Xun’s eyes narrowed slightly before he shoved Feng Qi away.

Thrown back by the force of the shove, Feng Qi stumbled back a few steps. His expression soured as he shot a cold glare at Shan Xun. "You’re asking to die!"

"Useless!" Shan Xun’s tone was even harsher. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Feng Qi was practically exploding with rage. He wanted to fight the man right then and there, but he hesitated, mindful of Jiang Zheyu standing beside him.

"And you are?" Su Yan stepped forward to ask.

Shan Xun glanced at Su Yan, then answered coolly, "Shan Xun, Commander of the -2 Zone Second Legion."

His tone seemed to carry a rebellious indifference, a contempt for everything.

Su Yan processed this and asked, "Did the Star Emperor send you to Zone -1 to protect Princess Zheyu?"

"Yeah," he grunted. The sound was full of annoyance, as if squeezed from his throat.

’Shan Xun was, in fact, incredibly pissed off. His life in Zone -2 was a constant battle against the Zerg Race. From the moment he opened his eyes to the moment he closed them, all he did was fight Zergs. He never thought about anything else; there was no time. He had planned to keep fighting them, to defend Zone -2 until the day he died.’

’But then the Star Emperor had to transfer him from Zone -2 to Zone -1. Zone -1 was, of course, safer than Zone -2. You didn’t have to face the Zerg Race every day. And his new assignment wasn’t some other mission—it was to protect a female. That meant he’d be stuck in the safest place possible.’

’The whole thing felt wrong.’

’To Shan Xun, being transferred from Zone -2 to Zone -1 was no different from a demotion. Only Male Beastmen with real power were stationed in Zone -2.’

’In his opinion, Zone -1 was far too comfortable compared to Zone -2. He belonged in Zone -2, killing members of the Zerg Race every day.’

Shan Xun glanced at Jiang Zheyu, then quickly averted his gaze. He hadn’t seen a female in over a hundred years.

’To Jiang Zheyu, it seemed he was extremely annoyed with her, as if he couldn’t stand the sight of her.’

’When Jiang Zheyu realized this man was supposed to protect her, she actually grew even more terrified. He looked difficult to get along with, had a terrible temper, and seemed like he might lash out at any moment.’

’His broad shoulders and powerful muscles looked like they could burst through his black combat uniform. It felt as if a single one of his punches could kill her.’

’She recalled how he had torn a member of the Zerg Race apart with his bare hands.’

’A shiver of fear went through her.’

"Let’s go. Everyone, with me," Shan Xun said, taking the lead. His gaze shifted to a few of his soldiers. "Clean up this damn bug’s corpse."

The other soldiers received the order and replied in unison, "Yes, Captain Shan!"

’Feng Qi seethed inwardly. He couldn’t believe the Empire would assign someone so violent to protect Jiang Zheyu.’

’Then again, he knew most Beastmen from Zone -1 and Zone -2 had the same rough attitude.’

Seeing Su Yan, Feng Qi, and Jiang Yi by her side, Jiang Zheyu felt a sense of security wash over her.

’As long as her Beast Husbands were with her, she had nothing to fear.’

’At the same time, Jiang Zheyu reflected on what had just happened. She should have been able to crush that Zerg with her spiritual power, but she had been so frightened she couldn’t even manage to use it.’

’It was so pathetic.’

’She had to work on her courage.’

’That meant she would have to get used to seeing more of those giant Zergs.’

Jiang Zheyu couldn’t help but shiver as she remembered the Zerg. ’So disgusting, and so huge.’

Jiang Zheyu and her Beast Husbands followed behind Shan Xun.

At the main gate of the Research Institute, Shan Xun stopped by the fingerprint lock. He looked over at Jiang Zheyu. "You..." ’What was her name again?’

’Jiang Zheyu saw his hostile gaze land on her. With his buzz cut and his grim, unapproachable face, he looked just like one of the street thugs from her past life—the kind you knew not to mess with.’

Her heart fluttered nervously. She quickly stepped forward and said, "My name is Jiang Zheyu."

She felt like a student who had just been called on by the teacher.

"Mm, come enter your fingerprint," Shan Xun said. His gaze paused for a moment on Jiang Zheyu’s face, which was still flushed from being washed, before he looked away.

’He thought his own voice sounded perfectly level.’

’But he was probably so used to using that harsh tone with his subordinates that it had become second nature.’

But to Jiang Zheyu, it sounded like an extremely hostile command.

"Okay, okay, I’m coming," Jiang Zheyu said, hurrying over. She was afraid he would yell at her if she were too slow.

Jiang Zheyu walked up to the device beside the gate. She had never seen one like it before. ’How do I even enter my fingerprint?’

’The device isn’t even on; the screen is black. Am I supposed to turn it on myself?’