Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Tang Qian always maintained a cautious stance towards Cheng Jiu. Hearing the implications in his words, his expression turned sour: “Why would General Cheng be with Lin Fu? Shouldn’t you be stationed within the Ninth Army right now? Why hasn’t Lin Fu contacted us himself?”

For once, Albert and Zhong Si didn't try to stop Tang Qian's questioning.

They wanted to know as well.

The four men, each harboring their own anger, faced off in a hostile stalemate for nearly two minutes.

Cheng Jiu was the first to break the deadlock, responding, “He’s not in a good mental state, he’s sleeping.”

Albert and the others: “......”

Anyone hearing this could easily have their thoughts wander in an inappropriate direction.

Fortunately, the trio quickly curbed their misdirected thoughts.

How could Lin Fu have time for romance right now?

Albert asked, “Is there a problem with his psychic power? Is it serious? Wasn’t it said that the toxin had been cleared?”

Cheng Jiu didn't expect to mislead them for long and replied indifferently, “I will send Jing Cun to pick you up. Don’t make any rash moves before meeting him. As for the rest, you can ask Lin Fu yourself.”

Gritting their teeth, the trio could only agree.

They needed to see Lin Fu, and the sooner, the better.

Cheng Jiu mentioned picking someone up, and in less than an hour, Jing Cun appeared outside their door.

They boarded the hovercar with relief, finally feeling at ease after the tumultuous wait.

It had been a close call, but they had managed to get to this point without incident.

Jing Cun, sitting in the co-pilot seat, lowered the partition and asked the three in the back, "How did you get separated from Colonel Lin?"

"Weren't you tracking us? The reason should be quite clear."

Jing Cun was taken aback, having underestimated the trio's keenness.

No wonder they had managed to evade everyone's eyes and arrive on the Imperial Capital Star.

Jing Cun tilted his head, about to ask another question when his copilot suddenly tensed up and warned, "Colonel Jing! On the opposite side... Brace yourselves!"

Three hovercars charged head-on, blocking all possible escape routes.

The copilot gripped the brake lock and control stick, abruptly elevating the car to an almost flipping angle. The vehicle somersaulted in mid-air, grazing the tops of the oncoming cars before accelerating at a speed and altitude that defied road limits.

The passengers grasped whatever they could to stabilize themselves. After a brief moment of panic, they calmed down and peered out of the windows to assess their surroundings.

They were being surrounded.

The copilot asked Jing Cun, "Colonel! Should we take a detour? Continuing this way into a dense traffic area will not only make it harder to lose them but also potentially harm civilians!"

Before Jing Cun could respond, Zhong Si unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed over from the back seat, "Let me handle this!"

Hesitating for a split second, Jing Cun gave an order to his copilot, "Assist him and move aside."

The copilot handed the control stick to Zhong Si and awkwardly shifted to the back seat, leaving Zhong Si in full control.

With bright eyes, Zhong Si announced, "Hold tight!"

He activated the reserve energy, maxing out the thrusters. The hovercar's nose dipped dangerously low, skimming just above the ground – a hair's breadth away from a catastrophic collision.

Zhong Si called out, "Colonel Jing, I need a marker!"

Jing Cun, astonished by his adept maneuvering, activated his light-brain computer, "In 5 kilometers, a 90-degree turn leads to the main thoroughfare, height clearance 5-23. After 13 kilometers, the clearance drops to 3-20."

For a hovercar, five kilometers is an exceedingly brief distance, especially when its propulsion is cranked up to the max; it might take less than a minute.

The already low-hovering vehicle dipped even further, then made a sharp turn into the main thoroughfare, where vehicles from all directions converged. Upon sliding under the traffic, the dense flow of cars blocked out the light so completely, it was as if we had entered a pitch-black tunnel.

The co-pilot was already petrified in the back seat, anxiously watching the distance to the ground, terrified of a disastrous crash.

What mattered was the destruction and potential loss of life, which would not be among the highly resilient sentinels, but rather the innocent pedestrians above.

The two beside him remained calm, as if accustomed to such scenarios, monitoring the pursuit: "Three cars are closing in from the upper right, and there's a major junction ahead on the left. Remember to avoid it."

Zuo Si retorted, "Avoid? I'm tired of avoiding! They expect me to keep dodging even on Capital Star? Dream on! Check the fastest route to Linfu!"

They had been relentlessly pursued and cornered along the way, suffering indignities like never before. Just as they were about to rendezvous with Linfu, more trouble sought them out, igniting the temper of usually amiable Zuo Si.

He weaved through the traffic, reaching the left fork Albert mentioned, and soon spotted an unusual vehicle merging into the main flow.

He maneuvered his vehicle close to the underside of the other, opened the window momentarily, and let his psychic entity leap out and climb onto the roof.

The beast stood diminutive amidst the lanes filled with mechanical steel torrents, hardly noticeable to anyone.

It looked up at the energy chamber beneath the vehicle above, bared its teeth, and let out a dangerous growl from its throat.

The hovercar's position rose, inching ever closer to the undercarriage.

The beast leaped, its sharp claws and teeth tearing through the harsh steel, causing liquefied energy stones to leak out from the fissures, sprinkling onto the ground in a hiss, scattered by the wind, tracing a luminescent blue path.

Jing Cun instructed, "Find a way to bring it down. Don't let it disrupt the regular traffic. I've alerted the Capital Star garrison to clean up. Also, turn on the 3D recording, we need to preserve the evidence."

Zuo Si replied cheerfully, "It's already on!"

Albert's psychic entities also opened the windows and climbed onto the roof, their fur disheveled in the howling wind, looking up at the undercarriage above, their sleek muscles taut and ready to spring.

The energy from the opposing vehicle was nearly depleted; the three psychic entities pounced nimbly, dragging it down away from the regular lanes, into the underflow of traffic.

Zuo Si slowed down, allowing his vehicle to land heavily on the one in front.

A loud crash echoed, and emergency alarms blared on the lanes, as the traffic above began to slow down, maintaining a safe distance from each other.

On the ground below, the pulled-down hovercar tumbled, scraping the pavement and igniting a dazzling firestorm.

The opponents released their psychic entities too, but clearly lacking the prowess of the three high-level sentinels, they helplessly clung to the side of their vehicle, struggling to reduce the speed of its rolling.

The golden-maned lion pounced, swiftly closing the distance, its maw snapping viciously at the enemy's psychic entity. With barely any strength to retaliate, the foe could only wail, dodging the lion's assaults. One pitiful yelp echoed as a psychic entity, bitten at the neck by the lion, whimpered and vanished.

Jing Cun cautioned, "Master Harvey, please call your psychic entity back. Don't get too close to them, to avoid any mishaps."

Albert ordered, "Return!"

The lion stepped off the vehicles and leapt back onto the roof, squatting alongside its two companions.

Mechanical inspectors were surveying the road conditions.

Unwilling to be detained, they swiftly left the scene from beneath the vehicles, taking the shortest route to the hotel where Linfu and the others were staying.

Zuo Si exited the car, his mood uplifted, and ascended the stairs, eager to try, "Next time, I'll take Linfu for a joyride."

Tang Qian rolled her eyes, "Figure out your explanation first."

Zuo Si: "..."

Albert said, "Don't look at me, I have the Harvey family."

Concerned about his family and his mother and sister, it was a legitimate reason; Linfu had no grounds to scold him.

Zuo Si: "..."

He pulled a crumpled hat from his storage device and wrapped it around his head.

Upon reaching the door of the room, the three became significantly more solemn.

Especially after encountering Linfu's personal guards.

The group sized up the trio's attire and finally saluted, "Major, Captain, we've been expecting you!"

Tang Qian pursed her lips, assessing them for a few seconds before nodding, "Is it convenient to enter now?"

Ped Lat and the others hesitated, uncertain, "We may need to seek permission from the superiors before..."

The trio had different thoughts for a moment, but one thing was common; they all felt a bit uneasy.

It was as if a ball of cotton was stuffed in their chests, weightless as if non-existent, yet decidedly uncomfortable.

Jing Cun knocked on the door, "Admiral, the individuals have been brought back."

The door opened, and Cheng Jiu stood at the entrance.

Jing Cun glanced up but immediately averted his gaze.

The Admiral had changed clothes.

Cheng Jiu was dressed in a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, still wearing his military trousers and boots. His light-colored eyes swept over the three who had arrived disheveled at the Imperial Capital Star and stepped back, "Come in."

The three entered one by one, while the others remained outside.

Jing Cun and Ped Lat stared at each other, wide-eyed.

……

Linfu had only just woken up.

He sat on the sofa, hunched over with his elbows on his knees, his skin pale and ashen.

Cold sweat had soaked the collar of his shirt at the nape.

Hearing the sound of the door, he straightened up and turned to look at the three who entered.

Seeing them safe and unharmed, he relaxed with relief, "It's good you're okay."

But the three furrowed their brows tightly, "The problem now is you. You slipped away without telling us for over a year, and look what you've done to yourself?"

Cheng Jiu closed the door, his voice cool, "Did you come here to quarrel? With a patient?"

The three pursed their lips, their remaining anger dissipating.

Linfu's condition indeed made it impossible for them to start an argument.

Even uttering a few more words felt like bullying him.

Dissatisfied with their level of guilt, Cheng Jiu continued to fan the flames, "He should be lying in bed resting, not here arguing with you."

Linfu, with a headache, interjected, "Cheng Jiu."

Cheng Jiu: "...Fine."

He extended his hand naturally, offering a handkerchief, "Wipe off the sweat and let's start with the most important details, be succinct and clear."

Linfu acknowledged, "I understand."

Linfu inquired of Albert, "Have you had any contact with the Harvey family?"

Albert shook his head, "No, you can be assured."

Linfu replied, "Good. In a moment, I’ll have Putian Xiangri get in touch with you. He will inform you about how to handle your affairs after arriving at the Imperial Capital. Just follow his instructions. Tomorrow, I'll arrange for someone to take you to the Harvey household. You need to meet your mother and sister, as there are some matters I need to inform them about."

Albert nodded in agreement.

"Tomorrow morning, I will make your presence in the Imperial Capital known. Representatives from the palace will come to see you. There’s a banquet I need to attend, but I am unable to go for now. Albert, you will go in my stead, accompanied by the other two. Cheng Jiu will be with you, turn to him if you encounter any situation you cannot handle."

"Furthermore, at the banquet, you will definitely meet the Crown Prince. Avoid any conflicts with him, especially do not let him lead you to secluded places or get photographed in any misleading situations. If they ask about me, tell them the truth that I'm ill, experiencing a psychic storm, and unable to rise from bed."

The trio was startled by his words, "A psychic storm!?"

Linfu clarified, "Of course, it's fabricated, but you must make them believe it’s true, understand?"

Tang Qian expressed his concern, "So what’s really going on with you? By the looks of it, you’re not faring much better than if you had a psychic storm."

Linfu chuckled wryly, "It's a good thing. My psychic power is recovering. This is just a temporary phase of weakness during the recovery period; it won't last long."

He paused, closed his eyes, and the veins on his forehead twitched slightly as cold sweat flowed more freely.

A black leopard materialized beside his feet, leaning against his knee, lazily yawning and swaying its tail onto Linfu’s knee, giving Albert and the others a drowsy look with sleepy moisture in its black eyes.

The trio jumped in shock, "A, a psychic entity!?"

Linfu confirmed, "Yes."

The psychic entity took a brief stroll around before returning to the psychic sea, leaving Linfu looking guilt-ridden, with large beads of sweat rolling down.

Convinced by Linfu’s claim of psychic recovery, and understanding his current discomfort, they swiftly rose, "Rest now. We’ll take care of the rest."

The trio departed, leaving Cheng Jiu and Linfu alone in the room.

He braced himself on the sofa, trying to rise, when a taste of rust surged in his throat.

With swift movements, Cheng Jiu scooped him up, his expression stern. "You handle them with such care, yet is the situation as light as you claim?"

He then ordered, "Spit it out!"

Lin Fu turned his head and spat a mouthful of blood into Cheng Jiu's palm.

His complexion grew increasingly grim, gazing at the crimson in his palm. Clenching his fist, he grabbed a glass of water for Lin Fu to rinse his mouth and laid him down flat.

Lin Fu closed his eyes, murmuring, "Telling them too much is pointless, it only serves to worry them."

Sitting beside his bed, Cheng Jiu gazed at his pale face, wiping the blood from his palm with a handkerchief, whispering, "I'm truly afraid you'll treat me the same."

The person in the bed made no sound, breathing steadily, already asleep.

……

Outside the door, the trio met eyes with Pedder Latt and his group again.

Having seen Lin Fu just once, the cotton-like lump previously stuffed in their hearts had vanished without a trace.

Albert inquired, "Where will the three of us be staying?"

Pedder Latt replied, "You and the two captains will be staying next to the colonel's quarters."

He handed the access cards to the trio.

Instead of returning to their individual rooms, they squeezed into Tang Qian's room, and upon shutting the door, their solemn expressions collapsed, staring blankly.

Zhong Si asked, "Have you ever seen a leopard-shaped spirit?"

Tang Qian, resting his chin in his hands, pondered, "I've seen them in black, yellow, white, spotted, striped—all sorts."

Albert asked, "What about a guide spirit in the form of a leopard?"

Zhong Si admitted, "...I haven't seen one."

Tang Qian added, "...I've seen more of the rabbit, hamster, cat variety."

Albert questioned, "Does a black panther count as a cat?"

Zhong Si replied, "I suppose... it falls within the feline family."

The trio: "..."

Zhong Si sat cross-legged on the floor, deep in thought: "Is he truly a Guide? Could it be a case of developmental abnormalities caused by psychic toxins, a gender misidentification, making him a Sentinel who has simply matured later than usual?"

Albert kicked him over from behind: "You're the one who seems like a developmentally challenged Sentinel."

Tang Qian nodded, contemplatively: "If he gets through his vulnerable phase, could that leopard take a bite out of the crown prince's head?"

Albert, also deep in thought: "It seems feasible. Might even take a chunk out of the crown prince's psychic entity as well."

Tang Qian remarked, "Good idea."

Zhong Si on the ground: "..."