Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong-Chapter 99 - On How to Successfully Leave Your Name in the Annals of History

Chapter 99 - On How to Successfully Leave Your Name in the Annals of History

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina, Kitty

16. On How to Successfully Leave Your Name in the Annals of History

Lance kissed Xie He’s finger. He looked up at the man before him. His clear and melodious voice echoed in the night air. At this moment, there was just his voice in the whole world. It was like some kind of unchangeable oath. He said, “I love you.”

A flash of some complicated emotions and struggle appeared in Xie He’s deep blue eyes. He stared at Lance in a daze. For a long time, he didn’t react. He even forgot to pull his hand back.

Lance had already prepared himself to be rejected. When he said ‘I love you,’ he already knew that his heart would be mercilessly thrown to the ground and trampled on. However, he still said it without any regrets.

However, what surprised Lance was that the mocking he thought would come didn’t for a long time…. Lance could see the hesitation and struggle in Xie He’s eyes. He didn’t know why, but a baffling, vain hope emerged in his heart…. It couldn’t be that Xie He was a bit moved by him?

Otherwise, why didn’t he reject him outright?

What was he hesitating over?

A long time later, Xie He’s lips moved. A slightly hoarse, soft voice came out, “Thank you.”

There was astonishment in Lance’s eyes. What did he hear just now? Thank you? Lance’s hand began to tremble slightly. This ‘thank you’ was too sudden. He had thought of all sorts of ways in which he would be rejected, but the only thing he hadn’t expected to hear was ‘thank you’.

At this moment, warmth and softness enveloped his heart. He was so full of intense emotions that he almost lost control.

He had never thought that his feelings would receive a response.

Even though it wasn’t a positive reply—it was just a ‘thank you’…but…he felt content like never before. He had never known that he was such an easy person to satisfy.

Lance stared at Xie He in a daze. At this moment, he felt like a young fellow experiencing his first love. With a nervous voice, he asked, “What did you say?”

He suddenly felt anxious. Was it because he yearned for the other too much that he imagined it…?

Xie He suddenly smiled. His sharp, handsome face perceivably softened. There was even a slight smile in his eyes. This smile was warm and touching. It was something Lance had never seen before….

Xie He said, “I said ‘thank you’. Thank you for letting me see everything.”

The hand Lance used to hold Xie He’s suddenly tightened. His fingertips began to shake.

No… it is I who should thank you. Thank you for letting me meet you. Thank you for letting me fall in love with you.

He hesitated for a moment before standing up. He gently held the person in front of him and kissed those soft lips he’d been yearning for for so long.

This was the person he loved deeply, ah…. He thought of him like this, wanted him like this.

Xie He looked a bit uneasy. He seemed hesitant, as if he wanted to push Lance away. However, he didn’t move in the end…. He slowly closed his eyes, eyelashes fluttering slightly. Like the wings of a cicada, they tickled Lance’s heart and evoked the rise of his emotions in his chest like the wings of a butterfly.

Lance passionately kissed the person in his arms. The man didn’t resist him. Although there had been times he had been this compliant before, he could feel the resistance and disgust in the other person before. But this time… although the other wasn’t welcoming him, Lance knew that there was a tacit acceptance to his actions.

He had had this person so many times before, but it was the first time the other had given his silent agreement.

And wasn’t forced.

Lance gently placed Xie He onto the grass. He looked down at the other’s face and planted another kiss on his lips and earlobes. Lance did his best to control himself. There was suppressed passion in his voice, “If you’re not willing, I won’t touch you.”

Xie He’s body froze. Then… it was as if he hadn’t heard those words. He kept his eyes closed, not moving an inch.

At this moment, happiness practically overflowed from Lance’s golden eyes. He gently peeled off the other man’s clothes, carefully entering him.

He finally, thoroughly had this person.

He no longer had to force him. The person he loved was willing to accept him. This ending made his soul feel light….

This was the person he loved, ah. He was willing to offer him the whole world.

【Ding, the target Lance’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 100.】

【This world’s target has been successfully captured. Depart from this world within three days.】

……………………………………

Xie He panted quietly, biting his lips. He slowly opened his eyes. The familiar, deep night entered his eyes. The refined scent of the Lanling grass entered his nose. For the first time, that scorching thing filling his body didn’t make him feel disgust. He actually felt a strange sort of contentment.

At this moment, his spirit that had been empty and desolate for so long had returned to that place he had yearned for in his dreams. His cold body was enveloped by another, warm body. It was a warmth that filled him from the inside out….

If this person wasn’t his enemy, how good would that be…?

Xie He slowly reached out and gently caressed Lance’s face. He gazed at his handsome face and could see his own reflection in the other’s eyes that held deep love…. Xie He smiled softly and dug his fingers into Lance’s hair, pushing him against his own neck. He whispered, “I’m sorry.”

In the next moment, he pulled off the sharp, metal badge from Lance’s uniform and stabbed it into the side of Lance’s neck!

Blood gushed out madly, splashing all over Xie He’s body and face. The blood passed through his lips and entered his mouth. He swallowed it. The metallic taste… was Lance’s blood.

So long as he could kill this person, he would even go against his own heart and pretend to accept his love.

He had always thought that he was a straightforward and upright person. But with Lance, he had once again done something despicable. He had exploited Lance’s love for him to hurt him.

Yes. He also had such a despicable side.

Xie He gazed into Lance’s eyes. He showed him a silent, self-mocking expression. He smiled and smiled until something suddenly began to bubble in his chest. He spat out blood. Xie He’s body already couldn’t hold on for much longer. It deteriorated quickly as his mood fluctuated violently.

He felt that he probably couldn’t kill Lance… but he had tried his best.

He had done everything he could. He had endured every torment and hurt the person who loved him dearly. Right now, he was about to reach the end of his life…. If he couldn’t continue holding on, then he should be able to pass on at ease, ba?

Underneath unimaginably beautiful scenery, the Lanling grass emitted a faint light. It was said that in the Sea-Blue Planetary System, lovers would pledge their love to each other under the Lanling grasses’ luminescence. Right now, the two of them had each other in their hold like a pair of passionate sweethearts who were tightly entwined under the night sky.

Xie He’s gaze gradually turned fuzzy. The blood was all over him. Some of it was Lance’s, some of it was his own….

He parted his lips, but no sound came out.

Lance looked at the person in his arms. He didn’t even bother with his own wound. He let the blood dye the ground red, permeating the soil.

He understood what Xie He wanted to say but couldn’t say.

He wanted to say, Sorry… I still have to kill you….

It probably felt like this when falling from Heaven to Hell, ba.

It turned out that when he thought their hearts had become one, when he thought his love had been accepted, it was all just a plan to take his life.

His heart that had just been blazing seemed to freeze. It was cold to his soul.

Lance suddenly thought&#k2026; that it wouldn’t be bad to die like this. He suddenly hated his strong Evolved Human body. Even if his heart was pierced, even if his arteries were punctured, even if his bones were crushed, he would not die&#k2026;.

Meanwhile, the person he loved would die before him. Everything was his fault. Everything had been destroyed by himself.

He had personally sent his beloved to the grave.

……………………………………

【444：/(ㄒoㄒ)/~~】

【Xie He：Baby, when did you come back?】

【444：When you were on the verge of dying….】

【Xie He：That’s pretty early.】

【444：……】He was about to develop a psychological shadow, OK…. Why was blood suddenly shed when they were doing it? He shouldn’t have come back so early. QAQ

【Xie He：What’s wrong, Baby?】

【444：You already captured him… QAQ I thought that you would choose to leave right then….】

【Xie He：Although it would feel really good to leave after a final lay, I am a perfectionist that cares about finishing things through.】

【444：…A final lay???】So Host dada didn’t do that for the sake of assassinating Lance, but for the sake of having a final lay?？Σ( ° △°|||)︴

【Xie He：I love him like that. After all, whether it be his looks or his technique, I like it all. I really felt a bit regretful when thinking that I would soon have to leave and no longer be able to enjoy that little vixen’s service. I did this to leave both him and me one last beautiful memory. 🙂 】

【444：Really a beautiful memory, ne….】He would like to know just how big the psychological shadow of the person involved, Lance, was. _(:зゝ∠)_

Xie He opened his eyes and discovered that he was inside the Life Support Capsule.

The medical officer that had been standing guard outside this whole time saw that Xie He had awoken. He immediately dragged him out and quickly gave him a series of examinations.

Xie He’s body was extremely weak but his expression was very calm. It was like he had no reaction to still being alive. He asked, “Where’s Lance?”

The medical officer thought of Lance’s injury and suddenly hated the person in front of him to the extreme. Why did this person have to trample all over His Majesty’s heart? Was it because His Majesty loved him that he thought he could hurt His Majesty again?! The medical officer didn’t want to reply at all, but when he thought of Lance’s orders, he unwilling replied, “His Majesty went to the conference room. Because he wants to establish you as his Empress, he has aroused the intense dissatisfaction of the Empire nobles. Therefore, the council members have gathered together to question him.”

Xie He said expressionlessly, “I understand.”

He stood up and slowly returned to his and Lance’s quarters. He dismissed all of the servants and opened up a communications device to contact Joanna.

Joanna had been at home all this time, depressed. She didn’t think that Xie He would contact her and was extremely surprised. She looked at him, stirred up and nervous, and a series of questions popped out, “Lance didn’t allow me to come see you. Are you OK? Is he making things difficult for you? Why is your complexion so bad?”

Xie He smiled. “I’m fine. I just suddenly thought of something that I want you to help me with. I thought about it over and over, and it is only you who can help me.”

When Joanna heard that Xie He wanted her help, her eyes immediately lit up! She said, excitedly, “What do you need me to do?”

“I’ve sent a secret message and the liaison password to your system. I hope that you can leave the Capital and give this to the Federation’s Marshal Sawyer. Ask him to come save me.”

Xie He looked at her softly. “I can’t send this out of the Capital myself. Therefore, I can only ask you to do this for me…. It’s rather dangerous. If it’s not convenient for you, then you don’t have to do it.”

Joanna hesitated for a moment. Send a message to the Federation… it was indeed outside of her expectations. However… Xie He said that no one else could help him. She was the only one who could help him!

Joanna said, “OK. I will definitely help you send it.”

Xie He seemed to be relieved. He looked at her gratefully, “Thank you. I hope that you can leave at once!”

Joanna nodded, determined. “Yes! I will definitely find someone to come save you! Wait for me!”

After saying this, she hung up.

Xie He stared at the black screen. There was remorse in his eyes… I’m sorry.…

I’m sorry for deceiving you.

………………………………

Joanna followed Xie He’s instructions and launched a spacecraft from the Duke’s residence, secretly leaving the Empire Capital. With her identity, it was really easy to leave.

After leaving the Empire Capital’s blocking system, Joanna turned the autopilot function on and used the liaison password to get in touch with Sawyer. Sawyer was actually hidden in an asteroid near the Empire’s Capital. He had always been looking for an opportunity to rescue Xie He. At this moment, he suddenly received a secret liaison request.

When he accepted, he found out that it was actually Joanna. Sawyer was really surprised. He said in a low voice, “It’s you.”

Joanna was rather nervous. She knew of Sawyer’s betrayal. Everyone had been cursing Sawyer, calling him a traitor to the Empire. She also felt like she was betraying the Empire, so she felt extremely guilty. With a trembling voice, she said, “Yes. It’s Loren who had me contact you… he said to tell you to rescue him. Right, he also prepared a message for you.”

Sawyer did not suspect Joanna’s words. No one would be so stupid as to use Joanna as a spy. Moreover, only Xie He knew of the secret liaison password. He said in a deep voice, “Send it to me.”

Joanna quickly sent the encrypted message over to Sawyer. She then waited anxiously.

Sawyer had Xie He on his mind constantly. He had personally sent the person he loved to another man. When Xie He had woken up, he had left the Federation on his own. He had never given up on saving Xie He. What had happened… to make Xie He, who had always faced death without batting an eye, to ask him to save him?

Sawyer couldn’t wait to open the message. Xie He’s handsome and steady face appeared before him. His smile was exuberant. He seemed to be doing really well.

“Sorry. Right now, I’m sending you this message only because I want to tell you that you don’t have to come save me.

“My body won’t be able to hold on for long. I hope that I can do something more meaningful.

“Lance has decided to make me his Empress. I agreed. As the Empire’s Empress, I have the same authority as the Emperor. Therefore, I want to try and see if I can activate the Empire’s Capital’s self-destruction protocol. If I succeed, I hope that you all can immediately make arrangements to deploy troops and catch the Empire unprepared. If I don’t succeed….”

Xie He paused and didn’t continue. He gave Sawyer a deep look and chuckled, “I understand how you feel, but you shouldn’t wait for me. Right… help me take care of Joanna. Please.”

When Sawyer heard this, his expression changed drastically. This was not a call for help, but a farewell! Xie He had decided to risk setting off the self-destruction protocol in the Empire’s Imperial Palace. He was prepared to die there!

No… why couldn’t you wait for me to save you? Why can’t you wait a little longer?!

At this moment, an unprecedented despair washed over Sawyer. He realized that he was about to completely lose this person. No, he couldn’t do this! I said that I would definitely save you!

Sawyer’s eyes turned red. He suddenly stood up.

【Ding, Sawyer’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 100.】

……………………………………

Xie He heard the notice about the Favourability Value. He smiled. He then got up and went to the main hall of the Imperial Palace. He stared up at the throne, situated high up.

He raised his hand. There was a silver ring on his finger. This ring was the exact same as Lance’s. In the beginning he thought that this ring was just the controller Lance used to control his metal collar. Afterwards, he discovered that it was not just that. No matter what the circumstances, Lance’s ring was never taken off his finger.

It was actually a controlling device that represented his authority. Its ability to control the metal collar was just one of its insignificant uses.

As the Empire’s Empress, he and Lance practically had equal standing. This ring represented the same scope of authority that Lance’s did. With Lance’s love for him, it was no wonder that he would give him this sort of authority.

From the moment Lance had proposed to him and given him this ring, Xie He had thought of this. Only, he was not completely sure. However, there shouldn’t be any harm in giving it a try? In any case, he had already maxed out the Favourability Value.

Xie He walked over to the throne and slowly sat down. His right hand grasped the armrest. A moment later, the ring lit up. Xie He turned the ring and an electronic voice sounded. “Your Majesty, the revered Empress, do you wish to open the central control room?”

Xie He said, “Yes.”

The electronic voice replied, “OK. It shall be opened for you.”

A passage suddenly appeared on the reflective, smooth floor. The throne quickly descended. In the end, he ended up a thousand meters beneath the Imperial Palace.

This was the heart of an immense control center. However, there wasn’t a single person.

Xie He had manned all sorts of machinery, weapons, and warships. Although he was unfamiliar to the Empire’s operating system, he had the highest level of authority, so navigating it wasn’t difficult. Very quickly, all the lights turned on.

He took a stroll. In the end, his gaze fell on a button encased in a red cover.

The majority of the planets’ royal families all had the same self destruction protocol. This was a country’s last resort. As the royal family of the colossus Empire, because they had absolute control over the Empire, he thought that the Empire’s royal family ought to have one too. It was the last line of defense.

Fortunately, he had won the bet.

Xie He reached out to stroke the glass lid. He aimed his ring at it and the cover opened with a positive beep. From all around came an ear-piercing warning: “Attention! Attention! Please confirm whether or not you wish to initiate the self-destruction protocol!”

Xie He turned around and locked the door to the control room. He then pushed the button without any hesitation!

“The self destruction protocol has been initiated. Countdown: nine minutes and sixty seconds!”

“Countdown: nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds!”

“Countdown: Nine minutes and fifty-eight seconds!”

【444：Oh my god, Host dada, what are you doing, ah? Σ( ° △°|||)︴】

【Xie He：It’s as you see, ah, Baby. Smile.JPG】

【444：You’re about to blow up this planet!】

【Xie He：Yes, is there a problem?】

【444：……=口=】What the heck, he really wanted to say that, yes, there was a problem, but when he thought it over carefully, there weren’t any at all! There was no fault to this at all! It was completely in accordance with his character settings! However, it was really frightening. Ah ah ah, Host dada wanted to blow up the planet, ah!!!

……………………………………

Meanwhile, Lance stood inside a huge hall at his meeting. He glanced indifferently at all of the council members that questioned him.

Their criticisms mixed with each other, echoing in his ears.

However, Lance’s thoughts floated back to the Imperial Palace. They went to that person…. If it was before, these criticisms would not have existed, ba? Who would have expected that he would fall in love with someone, that his heart would be touched.

The moment Xie He initiated the self-destruction protocol, Lance knew. He looked at the ring on his finger, and he appeared absent-minded for a moment. A faint smile then appeared on his lips. His beloved, ah. He was truly intelligent and heartless… but even so, Lance loved him.

Lance lowered his head and took a look at the repulsive faces of the council members.

They were all itching to stop his decision because his decision would threaten their interests and sway the Empire’s foundation. They would not allow a slave to break free from their control. This would make even more slaves want to resist. They were afraid of resistance.

They were afraid that one day, their sinful rule would be overturned. They would no longer be able to manipulate the lives of others as they wished.

These icy, ugly hearts were exactly like his from before.

Lance sat down in place, not moving an inch. He didn’t think of going to stop Xie He at all.

He didn’t want to do anything.

What he thought of was what the medical officer had told him. Even if they exhausted all of the Empire’s resources, they could no longer prolong Xie He’s life. So if this was what Xie He wanted, then Lance would help him accomplish his goal….

It was at this time that Lance’s communications device rang. It was Xie He. Lance was rather surprised, but he still answered with a soft expression.

The person he loved deeply appeared in front of him again, smiling at him.

The corner of Lance’s lips raised, “What’s the matter?”

His tone was normal, as if this wasn’t a final farewell.

Xie He said, “I realized that there was something that I forgot to tell you.”

Lance looked at him softly. “What?”

Xie He’s smile grew wider. “I wanted to tell you that if we aren’t enemies in the next life, then perhaps I will fall in love with you.”

Lance was startled. However, the other side had already terminated the communication.

He looked down at the group of startled and dumbstruck council members. His mood suddenly improved. Just now, the person he loved said that he might fall in love with him in their next life. This was the most moving words of love Lance had ever heard.

For once, Lance smiled contentedly. He said, “What were you all saying? Continue, ba.”

“Your Majesty, you must not install Loren as your Empress! This kind of action will severely damage the Empire’s interests. This is not something a competent Emperor should do!” A representative roared.

Lance said, “You’re right. Indeed, I am not a competent Emperor.”

That representative thought that he had finally convinced Lance. He took a deep breath and was about to continue gabbing on when the head of Lance’s personal guard burst in. With a loud, fretful voice, he said, “Your Majesty! The Imperial Palace’s self-destruction protocol has been initiated! This place will explode in approximately nine minutes! Please immediately depart from the Capital planet!”

These words were like boiling oil falling into water, causing the room to explode!

“What? The Imperial Palace’s self-destruction protocol?”

“The Capital planet is going to explode!”

“Heavens! Quickly, escape!”

The immaculately dressed representatives that had been putting on a show were now as frightened as if they were facing a looming apocalypse. The fear of death enveloped them, and each of them began to run madly. None of them were in the mind to criticize Lance, as even Lance’s guard was persuading Lance to escape. If even the Emperor was about to escape, then it was irrevocable! Inwardly, they all only had one thought: Escape for your lives!

It was too frightening. This kind of frightening dream would actually happen to them!

They had all forced countless races to death and countless Planetary Systems to be reduced to hell on earth or disappear from the cosmos. But they had never thought that there would be a day when this kind of calamity would befall their own heads!

Lance looked at the crowd of jumping clowns dispersing in confusion. He chuckled to his personal guard, “You go, ba. However many can escape should escape.”

The guard looked at Lance anxiously, “Your Majesty, are you not leaving?”

Lance looked at the guard, a smile on his face. He said, “No. The person I love is still here. He hopes that I will accompany him.”

After saying this, he shut his eyes.

I’ll accompany you to death. Are you happy?

………………………………

From the moment Sawyer received that message, he had launched his warship and tried to rush to the Capital Planet and save Xie He! However, before he could even get close, he saw a gorgeous firework explode in the distance.

That firework lit up the dark universe. With it came an intense heat. It burned the universe’s greatest evil before disappearing with it.

It was the most beautiful firework in the world.

Sawyer had no way to get close. He stared at the sight in front of him, gaze unwavering.

The Capital planet was destroyed.

Astronomic calendar, Year 3754. The Empire that had governed the universe for thousands of years collapsed. The Empire’s royal family and the majority of the Empire’s nobles, as well as that enormous, beautiful planet, perished at the same time.

Only a few escaped, but they had lost the formidable royal family. That rag-tag bunch had no way to restore the Empire from its heavy losses.

The Federation did not hesitate to attack. They defeated many of the Empire’s strongholds. Without the Empire’s central and higher level command, the Empire’s army could not prevail. Rather, they began to get confused and internal fights began. Some escaped….

Countless colony planets revolted. There were also many Empire nobles that escaped to remote places and began to do their own thing.

The universe sank into unprecedented chaos.

Although it was chaotic, hope existed everywhere.

After another hundred years, the flames of war gradually quieted down. The head of the Federation, Cecil, took control of the majority of the Planetary Systems. He formulated a proposal for a fair regime and gave rights to the people. Although it was unavoidable that there would be some oversights, they at least had peace.

Sawyer fought everywhere. He beheaded most of the escaped nobles. The surviving nobles would be terror-stricken upon merely hearing his name.

Slowly, a new rumor circulated through the universe.

It was said that everyone who had obtained their freedom should thank someone named Loren. They said that he was the Federation’s most admirable soldier. He was the person the Empire’s Emperor loved the most dearly. That heart-rending love sparked countless stories but they all had the same ending.

For the sake of peace and liberty, Loren had chosen to take the Empire’s Capital planet down with him. And the Empire’s Emperor who loved him deeply chose to die with him.

Loren had changed the world with his own power.

The surviving members of the Empire said that Loren was a filthy slave that had seduced their Emperor and that he was an extremely shameless and despicable person. They said that their own Emperor had been seduced into becoming an incapable ruler who mercilessly abandoned his subjects by choosing to die with that deceiver. However, most other people thought of their love with fondness.

They were grateful for all they had today.

On a remote, beautiful little planet, there was a single orphanage. It provided a place to stay to the orphans who had lost their parents to war. Although they had lost their parents, they still had their homes and had their basic necessities taken care of. They all liked their Director, Mrs. Joanna, the most. They loved to hear her talk about the tale of Loren, the Great Hero.

Joanna was no longer young. However, the years had not changed her soft and kind heart. She patiently waited for the children to finish eating and said with a smile, “Do you want to listen about the tales of Loren the Great Hero again?”

“Yes, yes! We want to hear it!” The crowd of children surrounded her, nodding with all their might.

Joanna laughed in spite of herself. A nostalgic light flashed through her eyes. She said, “Speaking of him, we were actually acquainted back then. I had even pursued him, oh….”

The children all let out gasps of shock, lengths varying. They looked at her with wide eyes. “Really? Director Joanna, you really knew Loren?”

Joanna nodded and laughed. “Yes, this happened a long time ago….”

The author has something to say:

~\(≧▽≦)/~Lalala, this world has ended, la. The next world’s announcement! It will be ‘The disciple’s cultivation furnace’~ a master and disciple relationship with a younger gong. Heiheiheihei….

sere: ASDF ok scum gong is scummy but i wish he went to find XH and stayed with him when the planet blew up. Also if Joanna was capturable im pretty sure he would’ve gotten 24,000 more exp… _(:зゝ∠)_ (wait also guys get ready for a shitstorm in the next arc, it’s pretty wild)

Kit: When the world and system were just like, “Nope, you can only capture guys.”

Eve: This ending was sweet. Definitely a wistful feel of: if only and what if? Song Recommendation to set the mood (aka just what I was translating to…on repeat): 你的姑娘 – 隔壁老樊. I couldn’t find one with eng sub so I did a rough, quick translation for anyone interested. Just click the spoiler dropdown below. :3

The lyric content isn’t the same as what Lance is going through per se (the song is about a man whose gf dumped him while he was away serving for the army) but I feel like the sort of reminiscent, longing, lamenting feel the song has kind of matches Lance’s feelings. The way you wanted to give the person you love everything but in the end, they betrayed your feelings (not that Lance didn’t quite deserve it haha).