Chapter 22: He… Cannot Do It

Chapter 22: He... Couldn't Do It

A dull ache throbbed in his ankle. Upon lifting his trouser leg, he noticed a swollen, reddened patch there.

Luo Le stared at the mud on his hands, feeling utterly frustrated.

It seemed that when one's luck was down, even drinking water could cause a toothache.

After receiving Huo Lanjing's message, Captain Lin returned with his men.

Upon discovering no one on the wall, they assumed Luo Le had gone back on his own.

Just as they were about to leave, a slender figure lying on the ground caught the corner of their eyes.

Closer inspection revealed it to be Luo Le.

He lay there, covered in mud and gazing blankly at the sky, seemingly indifferent to his condition.

Captain Lin followed Luo Le's gaze upward at the sky. It appeared quite ordinary.

He strolled over hesitantly and asked, "Madam? What are you looking at?"

"Luo Le," she spoke calmly, "look at how the endless sunset turns the sky into a crimson hue. Isn't it beautiful?"

Lieutenant Lin: ...

"It does look rather beautiful, but Madam, there's no need for you to lie down, right?"

Luo Le felt sticky and damp. As the wind blew, he shivered uncontrollably.

Realizing what had happened, Lieutenant Lin glanced up at the wall and then back at Luo Le. "Madam... You're injured, I apologize for not noticing earlier. Quick, someone, carry Madam to the infirmary."

Luo Le allowed them to carry him to the infirmary without resistance. After a simple treatment, they returned him to his quarters.

After Little Yuan gave him a bath, Luo Le lay down on the bed.

After placing the medicine on the table, Captain Lin looked at Luo Le's leg, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

The warning words lingered on his tongue, unable to be uttered.

But with Madam's current condition, it seemed unnecessary to convey the general's message.

"Madam, I'll take my leave now. Just call me if you need anything."

Luo Le acknowledged him and then refocused on the forum.

By the time he finished reading, it was bedtime.

Glancing at the tightly wrapped plaster on his foot, he called out, "Little Yuan."

"I'm here, Young Master, what do you need?" Little Yuan glided over from the kitchen.

"I want to sleep. Carry me up."

"Understood."

With a gentle nudge from Little Yuan's robotic arm, she encouraged him to ascend the stairs.

Hardly had I settled onto the bed when a video call request popped up.

The words "Huo Lanjing" on the intelligent system stood out prominently.

Luo Le firmly pressed the communicator on his wrist, applying so much force that it stung. He rubbed it gently.

The scene gradually illuminated.

Only the lower part of Huo Lanjing's face was visible, and it seemed he had just finished grooming himself, clad in a thin inner garment.

His sharp jawline was distinct, while his long fingers held a pen, scribbling something down.

Huo Lanjing remained silent, as if he hadn't noticed that the call had connected.

Luo Le watched the slight movements silently, propping herself up with her hands.

Huo Lanjing came from an illustrious family, possessed good looks, wealth, and exceptional abilities. For many years, he had consistently topped the Empire's list of the most desirable Alpha to marry.

This marriage was something countless others longed for; he should be content.

Yet, he couldn't help but feel discontent. Why couldn't they understand each other? Why couldn't Huo Lanjing love him?

Lost in thought, the video call screen changed.

Huo Lanjing's large face filled the entire display, snapping Luo Le back to reality.

Recalling Huo Lanjing's words, anger still simmered within him.

"What do you want?"

Huo Lanjing lifted his eyes indolently. "Your leg."

Luo Le lifted his injured leg. "Here, look, it's fine. No need for amputation."

Seeing the sudden appearance of a thick cast on the screen, Huo Lanjing paused.

Luo Le then pulled the blanket back over, covering it once more.

"So, that's what you wanted to ask?"

Huo Lanjing didn't reply but instead gazed at him. "Don't cause any more trouble before the training ends."

Luo Le lifted his head upon hearing this, only to meet Huo Lanjing's sharp gaze. He silently shrunk back.

It seemed that this was Huo Lanjing's true intention.

Indeed, he had never shown concern before, so why would he suddenly care now?

"Oh," Luo Le responded.

A sudden fit of violent coughing erupted from Huo Lanjing's end of the screen, as if his lungs were about to burst.

Luo Le furrowed his brow. "What's wrong?" His tone was laced with worry.

Huo Lanjing coughed again and then pressed his index finger against his lips. "It's nothing."

One could hear that he was putting great effort to suppress it.

"You've been..."

"Let's leave it at that for now."

With that, he hung up without waiting for Luo Le to finish her sentence.

Luo Le looked at the restored interface of her AI console with a furrowed brow, feeling a sense of unease in her heart.

It seemed that Huo Lanjing had been injured.

He was unsure of the severity of the situation.

Luo Le's thoughts drifted further into the past.

Suddenly, it seemed like he remembered something, and he switched on his forum to search through its contents.

He took out the newly purchased chip and motherboard to begin examining them.

Over the next two days, Luo Le was both physically restricted and confined.

With time on his hands, he dedicated himself to programming and improving the motherboard.

During the day, he locked himself in his room, sustenance coming only from nutrient solutions.

Every day, he would call Huo Lanjing via video link at the same hour, though their conversations were often cut short.

Nonetheless, he didn't mind; at least Huo Lanjing had answered.

But on this particular evening, he found himself unable to get in touch with Huo Lanjing no matter how hard he tried.

Luo Le's heart raced as he initiated a video call with Captain Lin.

Despite his persistent inquiries, he couldn't glean any information.

It was uncertain if Huo Lanjing had left any instructions before departing.

Luo Le clenched his fists, his pupils constricting as he gazed coldly at Captain Lin.

"I'll ask again, where has he gone?"

"Apologies, madam, but I cannot disclose that information," Lin Yu said, his head lowered, yet unyielding in his stance.

Luo Le suddenly chuckled. "Well, I see that General Huo's subordinates truly are loyal. I've learned my lesson."

With that, he hung up without hesitation.

Perhaps he had been too accommodating lately, causing them to forget his true nature.

Luo Le angrily threw the crutch aside and, leaning on the table for support, took a few steps forward.

The pain was still there, albeit bearable.

He marched upstairs straightaway to pack his belongings.

Just as he finished placing his items into the storage ring and descended the stairs, he found Captain Lin standing respectfully by the sofa.

Luo Le slowed his pace, casting his gaze past him to the two sternly poised figures at the entrance.

"What's the meaning of this? I don't recall inviting you in."

The tone was icy.

Captain Lin removed his cap and placed it over his heart, bowing respectfully.

"Madam, forgive my rudeness. From today onwards, you won't be able to step out of this house even once."

Luo Le approached the sofa with an awkward gait and sat down with a casual, leisurely air.

She scoffed. "May I ask what you intend to do? If Huo Lanjing can't control me, how could you?"

"Madam overestimates my abilities. I'm merely following orders. If I've offended you, I'll willingly accept punishment when the General returns."

"Then, I shall take my leave and not disturb Madam's rest. Goodbye."

Captain Lin bowed again and left, closing the door behind him as he exited.

Luo Le glanced aside, noticing that every three meters outside the vast window, there was a person standing guard.

He turned to gaze at the closed door, his thoughts becoming increasingly troubled.

Rising, he casually picked up a glass object from the table and threw it, shattering against the door into countless fragments.

His hand trembled slightly.

He sank into the soft sofa behind him, staring at the hanging chandelier as anger intertwined with hurt engulfed him entirely.

Why did Huo Lanjing always do this...

Keep everything from him.

Treat him with three parts distrust and seven parts suspicion.

A veil of mist began to form in Luo Le's eyes.

He could have easily washed his hands of the matter, but...

He couldn't bring himself to do it.

It seemed impossible...

After an indeterminate amount of time, the bright sky turned crimson before fading into a grayish hue.

Luo Le scratched his palm and, with a weary body, climbed the stairs step by step with great difficulty.

He took out each item from his storage ring one by one.

He neatly folded the clothes and arranged the rest of the items in front of him on the floor.

Staring blankly, he fell into a daze once more.

Suddenly, he heard a rhythmic tapping sound coming from outside the window.

Upon turning around, he saw a pair of large hands rise up and gently fall back down.

In confusion, Luo Le approached the window. Below the windowsill stood a figure he couldn't be more familiar with.

He hurriedly opened the window, and Wind City swiftly jumped inside.

Luo Le glanced around and, upon noticing no one paying attention, quickly closed the window and drew the curtains.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Why are you here?"

Wind City grinned. "Brother Le, I came to visit you."

Luo Le pointed behind him. "That's not what I'm asking. How did you get in?"

Wind City scratched his head. "Oh, you're asking about that? Actually, I've been here several times before, but they were all outside with tight security. Maybe they haven't adjusted their deployment for today. There's a gap during shift change, and I slipped in through there."

Luo Le's lips twitched. So these people had been guarding him all along, just from the inner courtyard now.

He pointed behind him again. "How are you planning to leave? Can you take me with you? I have something important to attend to."

Wind City glanced at the mess behind Luo Le and curled his lip. "Brother Le, are you going to find... General Huo?"

"Uh-huh."

Wind City fell silent, then slowly looked up. "But Brother Le, the Ninth Planet is a war zone now, very dangerous. Why don't you just forget it? General Huo will be fine."

Huo Lanjing, since he first stepped onto the battlefield at fourteen, had never suffered a defeat. He was regarded by the empire's citizens as its strongest individual. Everyone believed he was invincible. If Luo Le hadn't seen how exhausted Huo Lanjing had been these past few days, he too would have held that belief. The mere thought of his ashen face left Luo Le unable to find peace. "No, I'm going. Either you tell me when the guards are weakest and where to exit, or I'll go on my own tomorrow." Looking down at Luo Le's determined expression, Wind City sighed. "Brother Le, I can take you away, but if we go together, I won't feel at ease letting you go alone." It was the first time Luo Le had seen Huo Lanjing like that. From this perspective, the Ninth Planet now seemed fraught with danger. Safety could no longer be guaranteed.

He shook his head, gazing resolutely at Wind City. "No, you focus on your training. If you leave with me, you won't be able to come back. There's no need, I'll be fine."

Wind City: "I..."

"Stop with the 'I, I, I.' You said before that it was because of me you could join the First Army, but if we ranked last in combat, we wouldn't be first either. You're very suited to be a soldier, you're strong – there's no need for self-doubt."

"So you don't have to keep seeing me as your savior. Aren't we partners, after all?"

In truth, Luo Le had already regarded him as a friend, and he genuinely disliked the recent change in Wind City's demeanor.