Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The suddenness of it all caught everyone off guard.

Fortunately, by coincidence, a squad of soldiers returning from the frontline passed by and temporarily stopped at Monroe Star for rest and repairs.

By the time the garrison forces arrived in response to the news, the chaos had mostly been dealt with. The agitated civilians had been calmed and were being transported to the hospital for treatment. On the ground, soldiers were clearing the bodies—those of humans awaited identification by relatives, while the corpses of the insectoid species were piled up, ready for incineration.

The garrison captain's legs buckled upon seeing the pitch-black mech beside the pile of insectoid corpses, his mind filled with thoughts of utter doom.

Unexpectedly, this incident had involved Major General Cheng.

With Major General Cheng here, didn't that mean that the entire upper echelon of the Ninth Legion was now aware?

The captain was preoccupied with visions of Monroe Star being held accountable. As he approached, the pitch-black mech suddenly began to crouch slowly, its palm extending forward towards the ground as if to set down something it was holding.

From a height of four to five meters, a slender black figure leaped from the palm of the mech and landed steadily on the ground.

The owner of the black mech also detached from the cockpit, the steel giant being stored away in a high-grade storage space, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Lin Fu stared briefly into the man's familiar amber eyes, then averted his gaze, the gratitude in his heart dissipating significantly: "Thank you."

Cheng Jiu’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he reached out to brush non-existent dust from Lin Fu's shoulder, feigning concern and gentleness: "Remember not to put yourself in danger next time. It's not every time that someone will descend from the heavens to save you, alright?"

Catching sight of two individuals running towards him from not far away, Lin Fu patted the clothes Cheng Jiu had just brushed and responded indifferently with an "Oh," without waiting for Cheng Jiu’s reaction, striding towards Tang Qian and the others.

Cheng Jiu stood behind him, squinting as he observed Lin Fu's actions. The smile on his lips grew wider, a hint of playfulness evident. Upon noticing the garrison captain, the remnants of sharpness in his eyes concealed themselves. With a somewhat nonchalant wave, he greeted: "Yo, you've arrived."

The garrison captain wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and approached with an apologetic smile: "We truly owe it to the Major General this time. Once the cleanup here is finished, I will definitely inform the Star Lord and request that he speak in favor of the Major General before His Majesty."

Cheng Jiu adjusted his hat with a smile, looking down to straighten his collar, his eyes and brows hidden under the brim. His tone was somewhat playful as he replied: "Is that so? Well, I truly appreciate it. My chances of promotion rely on you!" With that, he gave the captain a hearty pat on the shoulder.

The garrison captain nodded and smiled apologetically, trying his best to appease this venerable figure to avoid the Ninth Legion getting wind of the incident here.

Standing not far away, Albert was frightened by Lin Fu. He clutched Lin Fu, checking him up and down to confirm no injuries, and then with a grave expression, he chided, “I’ve told you before to get a private mecha. Even if you don’t want to buy one, isn’t the one I gifted you sufficient? If you had a mecha, would today’s danger have occurred!?”

Tang Qian also had a grim expression, unable to utter words of blame, but his stance was enough to show whose side he was on.

Lin Fu himself hadn’t anticipated such an event.

He hadn’t bought a mecha firstly because he couldn’t afford one, and secondly because he hardly left the military academy before graduation, hence there was no need to carry a mecha outside. There was no use for a private mecha, no rush to make an early commitment.

Nobody had foreseen today’s situation.

All he could do was obediently admit his fault: “I’ll place an order as soon as I get back.”

Only then did Albert’s face lighten up slightly as he admonished, “Go to our family factory. When we return, I’ll have the designer come immediately. Tell him what you want; our family’s factory manufactures the most outstanding mechas, and we won’t charge you.”

Lin Fu helplessly responded, “Okay, I’ll start thinking about what I want right now.”

Albert still felt some discomfort in his heart, unable to articulate why. He turned to Tang Qian and suggested, “Given what’s happened on Monroe Star, it’s not safe for your parents to continue staying here. It might be better to take them with you to the Imperial Capital Star, so you can concentrate on your training at the academy. They could visit you at the academy if they miss you.”

Tang Qian thought the same and nodded, “Let’s go back now. I’ll talk to them.”

Lin Fu glanced at the chaotic scene. Just half an hour ago, this was the famous Monroe Twins, bustling with tourists laughing and chatting.

Monroe was a central planet, not the heart of the empire’s territory, but still quite distant from the bug race.

How could so many of the bug race appear here?

They had suddenly emerged from petrified bug eggs, and the land fissure had started at the roots of that tree.

Lin Fu suddenly regretted not jumping up with Tang Qian earlier to take a closer look at those bug eggs.

Albert tugged at him, “Stop looking, let's go.”

Lin Fu withdrew his gaze and followed the two onto the hovering car, heading back to the Tang residence.

Tang Qian communicated with his parents via video call, and they quickly agreed to the move, ready to pack up.

When the trio arrived at the Tang residence, they unexpectedly saw Cheng Jiu under the small attic.

He took off his hat towards the three of them, waving it casually as a greeting, “My name is Cheng Jiu, affiliated with the Ninth Legion, with the rank of Major General. Nice to meet you for the first time. Apologies for not bringing a gift.”

Tang Qian greeted with a dazed expression, “Hello.”

Albert’s eyes sparkled when he heard Cheng Jiu's name, wearing a look as if he was bursting with gossip. But given Cheng Jiu’s presence, he could only stealthily make eye gestures to Lin Fu.

Lin Fu had an immense urge to cover his face, wanting to tell Albert that Cheng Jiu wasn’t blind.

Cheng Jiu, catching a glimpse of Albert, slightly reined in his frivolous demeanor and said, “Since young master Harvey is also here, it saves me another trip. If you’re not busy right now, you should go home immediately.”

Albert’s heart skipped a beat, and that feeling of discomfort intensified. He wiped the sweat from his palms on the seam of his pants and asked Cheng Jiu, “What’s the matter? Can you tell me in advance?”

Cheng Jiu looked at him and after a half-second said in a subdued voice, “Your father and brother have both fallen in battle. Their bodies are being transported back on a starship to the Imperial Star. By the time you get back, they should just be arriving.”

He continued, “Your mother and the others probably need you right now.”

Albert, mouth agape, took a couple of breaths, then suddenly turned and rushed into the hovering car, his eyes red-rimmed, heading to the starship port.

Lin Fu watched dumbfounded as Albert’s actions were too swift, leaving no chance for them to react.

Tang Qian was worried about him causing a scene, “Lin Fu, follow him. Don’t worry about this place, I’ll arrange everything with my parents and we’ll soon be on our way to the Imperial Star.”

“No need to worry,” interjected Cheng Jiu into their conversation, “There are people at the port waiting for him; they will ensure he safely arrives at the Imperial Star. Young friend, I came to speak with you about something. Do you have a moment?”

His gaze settled on Lin Fu, clearly indicating his intention.

Lin Fu: “...Sure.”

He advised Tang Qian to pack and prepare for the trip to the Imperial Star, while he followed Cheng Jiu to a secure location to talk.

Just having arrived, Lin Fu stated plainly, “I’ve kept your badge at the military academy, unseen by anyone. Once we’re back at the Imperial Star, you can retrieve it whenever you like.”

Cheng Jiu couldn’t help but be amused by Lin Fu’s directness. He rubbed his forehead, chuckling, “No rush. More than the badge, I’m curious as to why you want to join the military academy.”

Lin Fu countered with a question of his own, “Should I have stayed at the guide school instead?”

Cheng Jiu: “I heard you were injured in the Cahel District that night?”

Lin Fu propped his chin, took a sip of juice through a straw, and finding it to his liking, continued to drink while holding the glass, “Oh.”

It was rare for Cheng Jiu to be treated with such nonchalance and indifference.

Everyone in the past either loved him immensely or hated him greatly. Especially the guides, no matter how dissatisfied, they would put on an act in front of him.

He revealed his intention for the day, "You saved my life, and you've been troubled on my behalf. I'm aware of the treatment you receive from the Lin family. Should you wish it, there's no need for you to continue at the military academy. I can offer you a better status, one that doesn't depend on the Lin family."

Lin Fu showed no interest in the offer, "There's no need. I don't rely on the Lin family for my living, even at the military academy."

Cheng Jiu said, "You are a guide, not suited for the battlefield. If you're as smart as I think, you'd understand what happened to the last guide who tried to enter the battlefield."

Lin Fu abruptly looked up, meeting Cheng Jiu's gaze.

Cheng Jiu held his gaze for a moment, observing the unabashed ambition burning in his eyes.

It was like a flame, kindling a halo of light, unwilling to extinguish even after consuming its medium, leaving a dark void that captivated one's gaze.

In a blink, those illusions flickered away.

He guessed Lin Fu had intended to say something, revealing those hidden depths in his eyes, but then thought better of it, concealing them so completely and quickly it made one doubt their own sight.

Once Lin Fu decided he disliked someone, every glance and minute gesture radiated this sentiment. His tone was laced with impatience, "Is Major General Cheng finished speaking? If so, I'll be taking my leave first."

Cheng Jiu donned his hat, rising with a gentlemanly smile, "Young friend, since you've addressed me as 'Major General,' how could I let you return alone? My fleet is also bound for the Imperial Star. Let's travel together. That includes your classmate and his family."

Indeed, traveling with a military ship would be safer.

Lin Fu didn’t refuse again.

Upon returning, he could give back what belonged to him and eliminate any further trouble.