Chapter 72

Chapter 72

The crown prince, upon receiving the message from his subordinate, asked eagerly, "Did they catch that bastard from the Harvey family?"

The subordinate replied, "Your Highness... our men couldn't enter the Artemis Military Academy. General Cheng Jiu's aide personally received him. Our men were shaken off."

Simon Constance asked in disbelief, "Say that again?"

The subordinate stammered, "The flow of people from the Imperial Star was too great, they entered the main thoroughfare, so... our men were shaken off."

Simon Constance closed his eyes, offering no reaction to his subordinate's words.

Without a solid hold, relying on Lin Fu's capabilities, they might end up getting bitten back instead.

He opened his eyes and asked the aide sent by his father, "Now that Lin Fu has passed the Council's assessment, the royal family naturally can't stop him... Isn't there a banquet at the palace in a few days?"

The aide confirmed, "Yes."

Simon Constance said, "Tell the emperor that I will attend that banquet. I will soon inform him of my solution and hope he will trust me one more time."

The aide responded, "Of course, Your Highness."

……

Just as the crown prince had predicted, the Fourth Army soon stirred trouble.

They had secretly recorded footage and silently retrieved surveillance from the main thoroughfare and patrol robot logs, uploading this along with the news of Albert Harvey and his companions' arrival on Imperial Star to the Star Web.

According to the Fourth Army, Albert Harvey and his team were summoned to Imperial Star by Lin Fu and had barely set foot on the planet when they were pursued by unidentified forces.

They had legitimate concerns that a force was targeting the Fourth Army, and perhaps the Empire as a whole.

The implication was clear: there might be traitors within the Empire, inciting division.

The public was in uproar.

Throughout history, internal strife and division have been among the most taboo for any nation, especially despised by the common people.

Because when such events occur, it's always the masses at the bottom who suffer the most.

The announcement stirred immediate outcry among the citizens, and, guided by someone, a petition was initiated. Countless civilians logged in to sign, providing their information and requests, demanding a thorough investigation by the Council and the Royal House to give an account to the Fourth Army and all citizens!

They would not tolerate the targeting of soldiers reclaiming territory at the front lines, nor would they allow anyone to attempt to divide their nation!

Overnight, the entire Empire seemed to be in turmoil, countless people wore worried expressions, constantly watching the Council, hoping for the answers they sought.

The Council presented the petition to the Emperor.

In return, they received a promise.

They were satisfied with the outcome.

And the citizens got the answer they wanted.

There was no division, no infighting, just a few fools envious of the talent beside Colonel Lin, attempting to kill them off and take their place.

That was all.

Indeed, the populace was easily stirred, yet also readily appeased.

What mattered was that both the Fourth Army and the Council had achieved their desired outcomes.

……

The Emperor handed over a dozen individuals involved in the pursuit, to be dealt with by the Fourth Army.

Before handing them over, their psychic seas were destroyed, to prevent the Fourth Army from extracting knowledge they shouldn't possess.

Lin Fu gladly accepted the responsibility.

His previously stalled application was approved, and after attending the award ceremony, he would be officially promoted to a general.

The Harvey family was granted a royal mine, in hopes that Albert Harvey would cease further inquiries into the matter.

Tang Qian and Zhong Si were both promoted to the rank of Major. Lacking Harvey's background, the titular ranks served as the least compensation for them.

They all accepted the offer cheerfully.

Good or bad, any occasion that cost the royal family was a cause for their delight.

And the royal family, hemorrhaging from their concessions, was shrouded in an atmosphere so heavy it could almost freeze.

Everyone was in a hurry, lips sealed, cautiously tiptoeing to avoid making any noise.

With the crown prince still not returned from the army, the emperor's wrath had no outlet, leaving these servants as the recipients of his displaced anger.

Even though the emperor seethed at the Fourth Army, the palace still had to hold a banquet for this occasion and invite Lin Fu, now promoted to Brigadier General, to attend.

*

Albert returned to the Harvey residence with Tang Qian and the others.

Accompanying him were a few of Lin Fu's close soldiers.

Lin Fu himself was personally guarded by Cheng Jiu.

Albert stepped out of the car at the front gate, looking up at the scene inside.

He hadn't returned for three years, and the Harvey household had fallen into decline, a shadow of its former self.

Had it not been for the strenuous efforts of his mother and sister, the Harvey family might have been swallowed up by other factions within these three years.

But now, he was pleased.

A mine was just the first step for the Harvey family to return to their former glory.

He verified his identity at the gate and entered with his entourage.

The butler, alerted by the smart system, hurried to the door in astonishment: "Young Master! You've returned!? How have you come back!?"

Albert revealed a smile: "What, am I not welcome?"

The old butler hastily shook his head: "How could that be! But shouldn't you be in the military…"

Albert replied, "Haven't you seen the latest news online? Major General Lin has returned to the Imperial Capital Star, and we received a redeployment order, arriving together at the Imperial Capital Star." He stuck to the official story, avoiding excessive details to prevent any eavesdroppers lurking in some corner from overhearing.

Supporting the old butler by his arm, he quickly moved inside: "Let's not talk at the door, let's go inside. Are mother and sister home?"

"They are, they are! The lady and the young miss were just saying they planned to visit the factory this afternoon, and here you are back."

Albert said happily, "Then I've returned just in time."

Upon entering the house, he pressed the butler's hand: "Please entertain my friend for me, I'm going upstairs."

He knocked on his mother's door, but when no one responded, he immediately turned towards the study.

Sure enough, he found the mother and daughter duo engrossed in reviewing the operational status of the Harvey family's business.

Mrs. Harvey was momentarily stunned, and along with her daughter, was embraced by her son: "I'm back!"

The mother and daughter couldn't believe it at first, but after a while, they accepted that Albert had truly returned and had even been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Albert pulled out a document from his storage device and handed it to the two: "This is the mining rights authorization for the Dithyramb Star vein, a compensation from the royal family to the Harvey family."

He quickly recounted the major events of the past three years, omitting the perilous parts, and said cheerfully: "Securing this mining vein from the royal family, all thanks to Lin Fu. The Emperor must be livid!"

His sister was amused by his tone: "Yes, the Emperor must be livid. And what about you? Are you hurt?"

Albert sat back on the sofa, rubbing his fingertips: "I'm not injured, but Lin Fu is in bad shape. His mindscape has encountered some issues, so he couldn't come with me to see you all today."

Mrs. Harvey sighed and looked up: "Albert, could you check if the door is properly closed?"

Albert glanced back and responded, "It's closed."

He continued rubbing his fingertips: "Mother, I'd like to drink some tea that you've brewed."

Mrs. Harvey rose and closed the study door behind her as she left.

Albert's expression changed instantly, devoid of the previous melancholy and sadness. He swiftly pulled out a jamming device from his storage and hurriedly installed it in various hidden corners of the study, finally activating it.

Throughout the entire process, his sister quietly watched him, not uttering a word.

Albert adjusted his photon brain, ensuring that, just as Lin Fu had stated when handing it over, it was completely isolated from external communication, before he let out a soft sigh.

He crouched before his sister's knees, earnestly grasping her hands, "Sister, Lin Fu isn't seriously injured and will recover soon. Later, relay this to mother so she won't worry."

His sister nodded, "But outwardly, we must appear greatly concerned, correct?"

Albert squinted and smiled, "Yes. Of course, not too conspicuously."

Sister: "Mhm, we'll control the degree well. After all, how can one let sorrow be perceived by others? Unless they deliberately dig deep."

Albert gently high-fived his sister.

He took out a beautiful necklace from his storage device and placed it in his sister's palm, "This is a gift."

Sister asked, "What's inside it?"

Albert replied, "Something similar to what I just installed in the room. Later, the Fourth Army will entrust our factory to manufacture a batch of mechas, and perhaps the Ninth Army will too."

Sister: "Do you need me to integrate it into this batch of mechas?"

Albert nodded, "Yes, anywhere is fine. They're very small."

The sister, holding the necklace, draped it around her neck, "Thank you for the gift, I really like it."

Albert was about to speak again when suddenly his sister cupped his face.

She gently caressed his cheek and placed her palm on the top of his head, saying in a warm voice, "Albert, remember, the Harvey family will unconditionally support all your decisions. They are yours."

Albert remained crouched, embracing his sister's waist, "Sister, I know. I trust Lin Fu just as I trust you all."

The sister tenderly stroked the top of his head, "I understand."

……

The royal banquet unfolded silently, and Lin Fu received the invitation.

It was a three-dimensional recording from a palace manager.

He leaned against the sofa and turned off the recording.

Cheng Jiu passed him a glass of water, "They couldn't wait to get their hands on the news; the palace must have been decorated overnight."

Lin Fu finished half a glass of water and set it down, "I dreamt about it all night. They're eager to confirm my condition, fearing the more they wait, the more variables might arise."

Cheng Jiu's gaze followed Lin Fu's movements, landing on his pale lips. His eyes circled around before he retracted them, "Would you like to go out for a stroll?"

Lin Fu lifted his eyelids to look at him, "Where do you have in mind?"

Cheng Jiu stroked his chin, "I bought an estate on Emperor Star... It's being set up right now. How about you help me with some suggestions?"

Lin Fu let out a nasal huff, "Instead of buying houses on Emperor Star, General Cheng might find building a house on the front lines more practical."

Cheng Jiu wasn't the least bit offended, smoothly going along with Lin Fu's comment, "A house is like a planet; one can never have too many. Besides, I have money... Let's go, General Lin. Consider this estate a gift to you."

Lin Fu's dark eyes sized up Cheng Jiu. Despite looking ill, his presence remained intimidating, causing Cheng Jiu's heartbeat to quicken.

He smiled, bending down and suddenly lifting Lin Fu into his arms, "I'll suffer a loss and carry you there."

Lin Fu: "...Let go."

"I'm changing clothes."

Cheng Jiu triumphantly set Lin Fu down, casually taking the half glass of water from the table.