Chapter 51: Divorce

Amidst the intensifying flames with the risk of secondary explosions, Luo Le couldn't afford to tend to his injuries. Pushing himself up from the ground with his hands, he turned and dashed towards the exit behind him.

Before he could reach it, a scorching wave hit him from behind, forcing him inside. He managed to regain his balance by holding onto the railing.

Luo Le descended the stairs and, upon stepping out, instinctively headed in the direction where Huo Lanjing and the executor had just left.

In the dense forest, a black mecha engaged in combat with an insectoid, stirring up clouds of dust and debris.

Arriving just in time, Luo Le witnessed the black mecha slide several meters to the left in front of him. He quickly sought refuge behind a tree.

After observing for a while, Luo Le noticed that something was off with Huo Lanjing's condition.

He couldn't help but recall that fateful night when Huo Lanjing's abdomen was wrapped in bandages...

Presumably, his injuries hadn't fully healed yet.

But if even Huo Lanjing couldn't handle the insectoid, he was even more helpless.

Yet, he couldn't just stand by and watch.

The black mech was crushed under the executive's foot, a blade piercing towards the cockpit, causing a thin crack to spread.

The mech was connected to the pilot's senses. Huo Lanjing felt his abdominal wound being ripped open, a suffocating sensation overwhelming him.

He wanted to move but couldn't.

Huo Lanjing's gaze grew hazy. Suddenly, he sensed the hand around his neck disappear.

Opening his eyes, he saw a beam of white light.

A white mech knocked the insectoid several meters away. Enraged, the insectoid gritted its teeth and lunged at the white mech, only to be sidestepped effortlessly.

This white mech, Huo Lanjing had seen it before. It belonged to Luo Le.

He knew Luo Le was no match for the executor.

But thanks to Luo Le, the time had come.

Huo Lanjing summoned a holographic screen to issue orders to Captain Lin.

Luo Le watched, frozen, as the black mecha stood still. Filled with anxiety, he tried to evade the executor while maintaining communication with Huo Lanjing.

"Run, what are you waiting for?"

As soon as he spoke, Luo Le was seized by the executor, who slammed him to the ground and dragged him along.

A gruff voice boomed, "You, fighting me? You're not worthy!"

With his neck in the executor's grip, Luo Le couldn't reply.

Just when he thought he would suffocate, the pressure on his neck eased.

Clutching his lips, he coughed, regaining the memory of how to breathe.

Raising his gaze, he met the Executor's contorted face. "Disgusting Imperial scum, where was it again... Oh, the left side."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the Executor smeared green liquid from his mouth all over his hand and lunged forward.

Luo Le attempted to dodge, but his body was utterly immobilized.

The Executor's hand pierced into his left chest.

Searing pain radiated from his chest to his head.

Damage inflicted upon the mecha would ultimately manifest as mental trauma.

Luo Le clutched his head; it felt as if a bomb had detonated in his brain with a thunderous boom.

He could hear nothing but the pain, oh, such excruciating pain.

When a mecha sustained severe damage, it would eject its pilot.

A blinding white light illuminated the area as the mecha vanished, leaving Luo Le plummeting downward from mid-air.

Just as he was about to hit the ground, Luo Le was caught by the Executive's hand.

He glanced down, intending to summon the grappling hook, but the Executive suddenly tightened its grip.

Luo Le grunted, a wave of suffocation engulfing his entire body.

The Executive's grip was incredibly strong, pressing all parts of his body together.

Looking at it, Luo Le summoned his dagger and stabbed fiercely behind him.

The Executive felt a sharp pain in its hand and instinctively released its hold.

Before Luo Le could summon the grappling hook, his body was caught by the black mecha.

He lifted his gaze, noticing that the light within the cockpit had deepened.

His burns screamed in protest, while a searing pain erupted at the back of his head.

Luo Le was enveloped in a burst of white light. In the next moment, he sensed a familiar aura wrapping around his body.

Lifting his gaze, he found himself lost in those profound eyes.

Huo Lanjing's hand rested on Luo Le's waist, their bodies almost pressed together below the neck, their breaths intertwining.

"Uh... I'll sit up," Huo Lanjing lowered his gaze, started to speak, then paused, swallowing his original words, "Help is on the way."

Luo Le hurriedly pushed himself up with his hands, "Oh."

He suddenly remembered that Huo Lanjing had an injury on his abdomen.

Yet, the hand behind him still held his waist, preventing him from getting up.

Luo Le lifted his head, about to ask him to let go when suddenly, his vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

In the most authoritative hospital of the empire, in the exclusive A3209 room belonging to the Huo family.

*

The beeping of medical equipment echoed continuously.

Luo Le, clad in a hospital gown, lay within a massive healing pod, various wires attached to his skin to monitor his vital signs.

With a piercing beep of the machinery, Luo Le opened his eyes.

Upon recognizing the patterns on the ceiling, he knew precisely where he was.

He pulled out the wires connected to him and pressed the button on his right.

All fluids were drained, and the glass dome opened.

"Madam, you're awake."

Luo Le turned his head, spotting Captain Lin standing by the door.

He requested, "Could you please help me change my clothes?"

Captain Lin nodded, replying, "Of course, Madam. I'll fetch someone immediately."

Twenty minutes later, Luo Le sat up in bed, dressed in a fresh hospital gown.

Lieutenant Lin was seated nearby, seemingly having noticed Luo Le's gaze on the fruit basket by the bedside.

"Madam, for the next few days, you'll have to stick to nutrient injections or liquid diets."

Luo Le pressed his lips together. He wasn't hungry, but he didn't feel like explaining himself either.

"How long has my convalescence period been?"

Lieutenant Lin replied, "It's exactly a full day today."

Just right on the dot.

The corners of Luo Le's lips lifted slightly into a smile. "Has Huo Lanjing returned? I want to see him."

For some reason, Lieutenant Lin sensed a hint of determination in that smile.

Ever since Luo Le was admitted to the hospital, Huo Lanjing had only been present during the initial rescue attempt. After that, he instructed Lieutenant Lin to stay here and wait.

In the past month or so, Huo Lanjing had visited only twice.

Captain Lin was uncertain whether their General would attend or not. He gazed at the frail young man before him with utmost care, his tousled hair partially concealing his eyes. After a moment's contemplation, he hesitantly replied, "Very well, but the General and Deputy Chen have just returned from the palace and there are numerous pressing matters to attend to back at the military district... I'm not sure if he..."

Luo Le clenched his fists, lowering his gaze. "Tell him that if he doesn't come, we'll meet in court."

Captain Lin paused, "Madam..."

"I'm in a predicament."

After Luo Le finished speaking, he lay back down, pulled the covers over himself, and closed his eyes, giving off an air of not wanting to communicate further.

Captain Lin sighed, "Madam, please take good care of yourself."

As the door clicked shut, Luo Le opened his eyes, showing no signs of weariness.

The hospital was situated in the heart of the city, with a panoramic view from the 32nd floor. Luo Le watched the largest Ferris wheel in the empire rotate round and round.

If possible, he truly didn't wish to make things too unpleasant with Huo Lanjing.

Luo Le let out another sigh. His marriage with Huo Lanjing had been a mistake from the start, and now it was time for them to return to their rightful paths.

He waited until nightfall, but Huo Lanjing never showed up. After finishing his nutrient solution, he dozed off.

The lights from the Ferris wheel filtered through the vast floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a kaleidoscopic hue across the room.

The more Luo Le looked, the more lucid his thoughts became, and the more irritated he felt. Eventually, he propped himself up and got out of bed.

His legs were unharmed, but his mental energy had taken a hit. Coupled with lying down for too long, his body now felt somewhat unresponsive.

He switched on the small bedside lamp and gingerly placed his feet on the ground.

Then, holding onto the bed, he attempted to take two steps. It was a simple action, but it felt as though he had just run a dozen kilometers with a heavy load on his back. beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

In the end, he decided against it. Supporting himself on the bedside table, he started to walk back.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and the light above my head flickered to life.

Fresh from the palace, Huo Lanjing had heard Luo Le's message conveyed through Commander Lin. Without even pausing to quench his thirst, he had come immediately.

The adolescent in hospital garb had lips pallid as parchment, beads of glistening perspiration adorning his delicate clavicle, while the hand gripping the bedside table trembled ever so slightly.

Huo Lanjing's brows knitted together, and with a swift step, he approached Luo Le. Before the latter could fully comprehend the situation, he scooped him up in his arms.

"Not fully recovered yet, why the show of strength?"

The sensation of suspension made Luo Le feel uneasy; he instinctively wrapped his arms around Huo Lanjing's neck.

Lifting her gaze, Luo Le noticed the faint stubble on his jawline.

Huo Lanjing was notoriously fastidious, always maintaining impeccable cleanliness at all times. This was the first time she had seen him in such a state.

Has he been very busy lately?

Forget it, it's none of his concern.

Huo Lanjing carried Luo Le back to the bed, tucked him in, and then moved a chair over, sitting down.

Luo Le glanced at the entrance. The door was closed, suggesting that Huo Lanjing had come alone.

"What brings you here?"

Recalling Luo Le's words, Huo Lanjing's expression turned grim.

"I want a divorce," he stated straightforwardly.

Huo Lanjing's face darkened; this was the second time he'd heard those words.

"Luo Le, do you think I won't divorce you?" There was a hint of menace in his tone.

Luo Le appeared composed. "I'm serious. This marriage was a mistake from the start. You... sharing a bed with someone you despise for all these years must have been torturous. Now, you're free."

Set him... free?

A mysterious emotion stirred within Huo Lanjing.

"What did you say?"

Huo Lanjing fixed his gaze on him, attempting to detect any sign of deception in his expression, but found none.

Luo Le stared intently at him. "I'm saying, you're free, Huo Lanjing. I don't want things to get ugly. Tomorrow, we'll go and file for divorce. I want..."

Before he could finish, a hand landed on his shoulder, lifting his chin. He narrowed his eyes at the person before him.

Huo Lanjing looked down at him from above, his gaze profound.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

This scene was just like the last time.

Recalling what had followed last time, a tide of indescribable emotions washed over Luo Le.

Luo Le turned his head away, shouting angrily, "Huo Lanjing, are you deaf or do you have hearing problems? I said divorce, divorce! Do you understand?"

Huo Lanjing's hand moved, turning Luo Le's head back, then leaned in, narrowing the distance between them.

"Divorce? Do you know what that means?"

Luo Le didn't want to look at his face anymore, but his head was firmly held in place, so close that he couldn't avert his gaze.

"Let go."

Huo Lanjing remained still as if he hadn't heard, proceeding to say, "This means the Huo family won't be assisting your Luo family in resolving problems anymore, nor will we offer you any conveniences. You can no longer freely use my credit card, enter military zones at will, or casually visit other planets for mecha exhibitions and fashion shows. Do you understand?"

The hand on his chin tightened, causing Luo Le some discomfort.

Gathering strength, Luo Le pushed back. Unprepared, Huo Lanjing was pushed a meter away.