Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Lin Fu stroked the panther's fur from the crown of its head down to its spine before tugging its ears to pull it slightly away.

The black panther, with its amber eyes, exhibited a look of grievance as it attempted to nuzzle his face.

Only to be coldly and indifferently pushed away by Lin Fu.

Cheng Jiu's lips curved with a trace of amusement as he grasped Lin Fu's calf, gently but firmly pinching it.

Lin Fu pondered over when his spiritual essence might recover.

Perhaps until his spiritual essence was restored, he would remain on the Imperial Capital Star.

……

The military conference was scheduled to be held a week after the arrival of the two major legions on the Imperial Capital Star.

The conference was a grand affair, having been publicized repeatedly a month prior to its commencement.

Unlike the secretive nature of military conferences following major beast tides every decade or so in the past, the Royal Council seemed to have abandoned their aloofness overnight, becoming surprisingly approachable and even willing to share military intelligence with the public.

Even though it was impossible to fully disclose such a high-level conference to the public, they did not hesitate to repeatedly announce more related information to the masses.

With their deliberate reminders, the attention of all Imperial citizens towards this military conference soared to unprecedented levels.

They almost forgot that this was a meeting for presenting military reports and discussions, not a military tribunal for criticism and punishment.

Lin Fu had no objections to this, almost as if he was anticipating a spectacle.

The movements of the Fourth Legion became increasingly covert, no longer making public appearances, lying low in utter silence.

If possible, the Ninth Legion would like to adopt the Fourth Legion’s approach.

However, the positions of the two legions within the military, and their standing among the populace, differed significantly. A notion that the Ninth Legion was implicated by the Fourth Legion seemed to simmer among the people, voicing a hope that the Ninth Legion would soon see the situation clearly and sever ties with the Fourth Legion.

Cheng Jiu acted as though he neither heard nor saw anything.

For the military conference, commanders, adjutants, and leaders of the major legions attended in full regalia.

Everyone was seated in a grand hall cast from black and gold metal, its brilliant lights illuminating the expressions of each individual.

The sound of military boots striking the ground resounded crisply, a steady "tap, tap" of footsteps echoing with resolute strides.

As the members of the various legions made their entrance, a light, floating sound, incongruous with the steady footsteps, intermingled.

It entered from the door on the right-hand side, slowly approaching the seating area of the Fourth Legion.

The gaze of those in the hall gradually shifted, settling upon the emerging figure.

Dressed in an ink-blue military uniform, his chest adorned with the badge of the Fourth Legion. His shoulders and chest were decorated with medals of merit, their platinum gleam shining ever brighter under the luminous lights.

Yet, his youthful, almost immature face and his frail body, appearing delicate even among guides, stood in stark contrast with his splendid military achievements, inciting a begrudging envy.

The young guide, sensing the eyes upon him, relaxed his otherwise stern lips into a subtle smile, returning the gaze.

His dark eyes swept over each face in the room, eventually resting on a position slightly to the right of the First Army.

There sat a short-haired young sentinel.

Among the crowd of centenarians filling the hall, he was one of the mere three youths present.

As his gaze lingered on the youth’s face, the latter cracked a friendly smile, "Major Lin, long time no see."

Indeed, it had been a long time.

In just a year's time, this spiritual leader of guides, a military prodigy revered above sentinels, the youngest legion commander, had transformed into the pale and frail figure before them.

Perhaps, with a mere push in front of Lin Fu, the general would fall to the ground, shedding tears like any other guide.

Malice churned beneath Simon Constantine's smiling eyes.