Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Qi Mingxi is an exceptionally stunning beauty.

No one could deny his attractiveness after seeing his face, even those with tastes that greatly diverge from the mainstream would find it hard to express such a dishonest sentiment.

He is the cosmetic surgery template for countless guides, yet none can replicate his beauty.

Heaven has favored him particularly, bestowing a face that incites longing and even madness in others, a face so unique that not even replicas are permitted, thus making him a peerless beauty without equal in this world.

Jing Cun, following closely behind Cheng Jiu, had his breath momentarily seized at the sight of Qi Mingxi's visage up close in reality. He instinctively wanted to restrain his boss to prevent him from being blinded by rage and lashing out at this beauty.

However, he soon regained his composure and curbed his impulse.

Even if a fight did break out, he wouldn't be able to intervene.

Both duty and strength dictated this.

Fortunately, Cheng Jiu wasn't so impulsive as to strike a guide.

He grabbed Qi Mingxi by the collar, hoisting him up until his toes barely touched the ground.

Qi Mingxi was a good half-head shorter than him, making the task effortless.

Cheng Jiu's face remained expressionless, his amber eyes like those of a beast, reflecting an inorganic light that made it impossible to discern his emotions at a glance.

Qi Mingxi wasn't the least bit flustered.

He let Cheng Jiu hold him aloft, his rosy lips curving into a beautiful arc as he looked at Cheng Jiu with unruffled composure. "As much as I appreciate the warmth of our reunion, if someone were to capture this moment, my fans might just tear you apart."

Cheng Jiu let out a derisive laugh, unmoved. "Your fans? You mean those internet trolls? Or perhaps the blindly loyal public manipulated by the council and the royal family?"

Qi Mingxi raised a finger and waggled it in front of Cheng Jiu. "Actually, that's not the point. The real issue is, what if this photo gets out and Major Lin sees it? What then, dear cousin?"

He turned his head towards the following bodyguard car. A window rolled down, and someone leaned out to give Qi Mingxi an "okay" sign.

What wasn't clear to Cheng Jiu?

This was all a deliberate act by Qi Mingxi.

Cheng Jiu released him, adjusted the edge of his glove as if he'd touched something filthy, and asked in a low, indifferent tone, "Out with it. What's the purpose of provoking me to return?"

Qi Mingxi opened the car door, gracefully inviting Cheng Jiu inside. "This is hardly a place for conversation."

Cheng Jiu got into the car without any pleasantries, shooting a glance at Jing Cun to snap him out of his daze.

Jing Cun hurriedly followed, sitting up straight, eyes fixed forward.

Internally, he was pondering how to deal with this 'cousin' of his superior.

He had been at Cheng Jiu's side since Cheng Jiu entered the Ninth Army, relying on his military merits to become an officer, and had been there through his promotion to Major General and taking charge of the Ninth Army.

Despite knowing that Cheng Jiu's relationship with the Qi family wasn't as the rumors suggested, this was his first formal interaction with a direct member of the Qi family, and he was uncertain of his stance.

This relationship... seemed fraught with animosity yet endured with forbearance?

Moreover, if he wasn't mistaken, Qi Mingxi's manner of speaking and his smile bore some resemblance to Major General Cheng.

No, it should be the other way around; Cheng Jiu resembled Qi Mingxi but lacked the sardonic undertones, instead exuding more coldness and dominance.

Qi Mingxi took the wheel himself.

In a good mood, he glanced at Jing Cun through the rearview mirror, and after a moment, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Cousin, has your aide always been so transparent with his thoughts?"

Jing Cun: "..."

He stole a glance at Cheng Jiu's expression, then withdrew his gaze, eyes on his nose, nose on his heart, consciously slowing even the frequency of his blinks, trying hard to maintain a steady rhythm.

Having followed Cheng Jiu for so many years, he prided himself on his ability to mask his emotions, yet it was the first time someone had accused him of wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Cheng Jiu remained silent, his face a perpetual scowl.

Qi Mingxi explained cheerily, "Your Major General was practically raised by me. He's been a shadow since childhood, so resembling me is only natural—don't be surprised. Sadly, now the kid's grown up and assertive, even I, the poor cousin, have to tread lightly around him, tsk tsk."

Jing Cun: "..." It seemed he now understood why his superior had been scowling since they arrived.

His superior was known for his sharp tongue, and he suspected that this trait was largely influenced by this cousin.

The Qi residence was situated in the central district of Moro Star.

The economy of Moro Star was flourishing, not far behind the capital star.

In some ways, due to lesser class conflicts, the environment here might even surpass that of the capital star, at least lacking the slums found there.

The hovercar journeyed through the cityscape, reaching the Qi family estate after an hour or so.

In the central district, vast swathes of land were cordoned off to house residences, lawns, gardens, and recreational facilities.

Such was the privilege of the planet's elite.

The Qi residence lacked a verification system; as the car approached, sensors detected its presence and the gates opened automatically.

This way of doing things seemed somewhat incredible to Jing Cun.

It was astonishing to see nobility leaving their doors wide open, utterly unguarded.

And judging by Cheng Jiu's expression, it was clear that the Qi family had always operated in this manner.

As they entered the main house, Qi Mingxi got out of the car and called out before even stepping inside, "Grandfather, your beloved grandson has brought you a visitor."

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Jing Cun felt that when Qi Mingxi uttered the word "grandson," it sounded almost like a curse.

Cheng Jiu strode through the door.

He was very familiar with this place.

Yet also quite estranged.

Contrary to what the outside world believed—that he was completely forsaken after being banished to a remote planet—he would, each year, be quietly brought here to live and study for a while before being sent back to his exile.

As per the agreement between the Cheng and Qi families, this child, born of their union and carrying the blood of both houses, would be left to his own devices after his banishment; his life or death left to fate.

The Cheng family held no affection for their supposed eldest son and family head, whereas the Qi family could never quite let go, secretly nurturing him and ensuring his life in exile wasn’t too harsh.

Over the years, Cheng Jiu never openly expressed any warmth towards the Qi family.

The Qi residence was adorned with simple elegance, spacious and bright, yet not ostentatious.

An elderly man in navy-blue military attire, his hair graying, stood at the top of the stairs, leaning on a cane, watching Cheng Jiu enter from outside.

A smile broke across his usually stern face, and he began descending the stairs with the help of his cane. Cheng Jiu moved swiftly to the foot of the stairs, reaching out to assist him: “Grandfather.”

“Ah,” the maternal grandfather replied, his voice trembling, a hint of moisture in his eyes as he patted the back of Cheng Jiu’s hand. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you in person, and you’ve grown so much.”

Cheng Jiu’s expression softened as he helplessly said, “Grandfather, we had a video call six months ago.”

Waving his hand dismissively, the grandfather replied, “What kind of meeting is that? A virtual facsimile, intangible, unfeeling. This is what a real meeting is like.”

Qi Mingxi, trailing a few steps behind with Jing Cun, entered from outside. Seeing the grandfather and grandson deep in conversation, he quipped with a lifted corner of his lip, “Ah, the moment Grandfather sees my cousin, he becomes blind to his other grandchildren. I’m truly pitiable.”

Hearing his backtalk, the grandfather laughed scoldingly, “You little rascal, always under my nose, as if you wish you could be a thorn in my eye, and yet you have the cheek to say that.”

Leaning on the sofa, Qi Mingxi propped his chin with a finger and mused, “Perhaps I should spend less time at home. Distance creates fondness, lest you grow tired of me.”

Not indulging in his banter, the grandfather waved him off and led Cheng Jiu towards the study.

The matters of the Ninth Legion were no secret to the Qi family, but the grandfather was more concerned about something else: “I hear you’ve got some ties with Major Lin from the Fourth Legion?”

Cheng Jiu sat upright, “You must already be aware of the general situation. It’s as you think.”

The grandfather’s mouth hung open; even with his suspicions, it took him a while to find his voice.

Pacing in place, he shook his head and asked, “Given your current circumstances, it’s not suitable to discuss this, right? You wouldn’t want that boy caught up in this mess, would you?”

Cheng Jiu laughed at the misunderstanding, “Grandfather, you’re overthinking it.”

He couldn’t resist running his fingers over the ring on his left ring finger. Through the glove, the sensation was blurred, feeling only a raised circle that, having been worn for so long, even its coolness was gentle.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke with resignation, “He doesn’t like me, at least not currently. Your grandson is just a poor, unrequited lover.”

Qi's maternal grandfather had never anticipated such a scenario.

In the entire empire, could there be guides who wouldn't want to marry Cheng Jiu?

Especially when noticing the movement of his hands, "Did you give away the storage vessel your aunt left you?"

Cheng Jiu: "Hmm... that was before, I owed him a life and caused him some trouble. He refused compensation, so I gave him the ring."

Qi's maternal grandfather was speechless for a long while.

With Cheng Jiu's personality, how could he casually give away something his aunt left him?

And what's this 'before'?

Clearly, as soon as the young man saved his life, he had already taken a fancy to him.

Let's set aside their emotional entanglements for now; currently, there's another matter of utmost importance.

"You've been so preoccupied with the Ninth Army these days that you didn't even notice the major commotion Major Lin caused on the Star Network. I presume you're also unaware of the current situation of the Fourth Army, aren't you?"

Cheng Jiu nodded: "On my way here, Jing Cun gathered quite a bit of intelligence for me, and I've glanced over it. The Fourth Army has indeed been experiencing exceptional abnormalities recently. The videos leaked on the Star Network are all internal recordings, which wouldn't be released without the upper echelons' permission."

His light-colored pupils were full of contemplation: "It's well known that the Fourth Army is disorganized without a commander, resulting in increasingly inferior recruits year by year and a continuous reduction in the territorial area they can manage. Five years ago, they had just allocated a region to the Ninth Army for assistance in defense, which provoked considerable debate in the council... they are on the verge of being dismantled. If it's for external propaganda, to recruit more soldiers, it makes sense."

"There were already rumors that the council has accelerated the dismantling of the Fourth Army. It wouldn't be difficult for the Fourth Army to get this information, and it's quite normal for them to take countermeasures."

Qi's maternal grandfather listened quietly to his analysis.

When Cheng Jiu was very young, he would lay out information like this in front of him, analyzing his own judgments.

Back then, due to his limited experience, he would overlook many things, resulting in errors.

But not anymore.

He said, "Everything seems normal, but who would issue such an order to a commander-less, soon-to-be-dismantled, chaotic legion, demanding full compliance?"

And the point of greatest concern to Cheng Jiu, which is also the reason for his visit here: "Is the team that disappeared from the council pursuing the Fourth Army's new recruit ship merely for Albert Harvey above them? Or is Lin Fu also the reason they're expending so much effort?"