Chapter Twenty-Six: Departure

Chapter 26 - Departure

The youth behind them stood up and left, granting them space.

After the door was softly shut, Luo Le turned his head slightly, catching sight of the person seated beside him.

He had a lot to say earlier, but now that he saw the person, he didn't know what to express.

Silence instantly filled the room.

After a moment, Luo Le spoke, "Have you informed Captain Lin?"

Huo Lanjing glanced at him and replied, "He'll be here tomorrow."

"Oh."

Huo Lanjing furrowed his brows slightly. If it were any other day, Luo Le would have rushed over already. Something seemed off about him.

Luo Le kept his head down, revealing only his profile. His thick eyelashes were distinct, glistening with moisture.

Luo Le, awaiting a response for quite some time, assumed that Huo Lanjing had left. As he raised his head to confirm, he found himself staring into the depths of Huo Lanjing's dark gaze. He quickly averted his eyes.

Huo Lanjing, who had witnessed the entire exchange, felt a jolt in his chest. An unidentifiable flame ignited within him.

His gaze remained fixed on Luo Le.

The intense stare made Luo Le feel uneasy, yet he kept his head down.

When he first encountered Huo Lanjing, he had been subjected to a scathing rebuke.

If she were to engage Huo Lanjing in further conversation and inadvertently reminded him of that incident, they would undoubtedly end up in an argument.

There was no need for that. Anyway, he planned to submit his application to return to the Empire as soon as he got back.

Recalling Huo Lanjing's icy words these past few days, Luo Le felt a surge of frustration.

It was always like this. No matter where Huo Lanjing was or what he was doing,

the moment he appeared, Huo Lanjing would depart, just as he did now.

Luo Le huffily pulled the covers over himself, effectively dismissing the other person.

"I'm going to sleep now, you..." His words were cut short as Huo Lanjing firmly held onto his wrist.

Looking up, Luo Le saw Huo Lanjing's face suddenly loom closer, the fine hairs on his face visible.

Struggling to free his hand, Luo Le failed in his attempt.

"What are you doing? It hurts."

Huo Lanjing shifted his knee forward slightly and leaned in with his upper body, their proximity mere fractions away from a kiss.

Luo Le could smell Huo Lanjing's breath on his nose, causing him to involuntarily swallow.

A shadow of darkness veiled Huo Lanjing's deep eyes. "Does it hurt?"

His tone turned ominous, and the pressure in his grip intensified.

Luo Le rotated his wrist again. "Let go!"

Huo Lanjing seemed to recall something and swallowed his words back.

Gazing at Luo Le's slightly reddened lips, he released his grip and slowly stood up.

Seeing that he finally let go, Luo Le propped himself up and rubbed his wrist. "What's wrong with you, Huo Lanjing? Look, it's red. I was trying to save you, and all you do is thank me by pinching me. Are you trying to repay kindness with enmity?"

Huo Lanjing paused but didn't respond. "Tomorrow, you'll follow Captain Lin back."

Luo Le looked up. "What about you?"

"..."

Luo Le saw his sour expression and waved dismissively. "I get it, I get it. I'll head back then."

"Alright, eat your supplements before sleeping."

On the tray were various nutrient solutions.

After his instructions, Huo Lanjing left.

Luo Le wanted to stop him but couldn't think of anything to say.

Once the door closed, he picked up the nutrient solution, shook it, then tossed it aside before lying back down.

He had so much to say, but he knew Huo Lanjing would only find him annoying.

If he could join the First Army based on legitimate reasons rather than as the wife of Admiral Huo,

Would Huo Lanjing dislike him less...

The next morning, before Luo Le woke up, Captain Lin arrived.

In the main hall, Huo Lanjing sat in the seat of honor and picked up an item beside him.

"Take this back and have them study it."

Captain Lin reached out to take it. "What is this?"

The crystal was translucent and purely orange in color, with an octagonal structure embedded within. Lin had never seen anything like it before.

"I'm not entirely certain yet."

"Alright, General, when shall we depart?"

Huo Lanjing rubbed his thumb against the second joint of his index finger a couple of times before responding, "I have other matters to attend to. Take him back first."

"How can that be?"

Lieutenant Lin had assumed that the General would return with them, hence he hadn't brought many people along.

"It's too risky."

Huo Lanjing's obsidian eyes swept across Lieutenant Lin. "That's an order."

Lowering his head, Lieutenant Lin forcefully ignored the imposing aura and countered, "General, it's really too dangerous. At least let me stay behind."

Huo Lanjing remained silent. He picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, a frosty glint forming in his eyes.

Captain Lin observed and, with an awkward smile, retracted the crystal. "I understand, Sir. I'll escort Lady back in a moment."

"This time, make sure you keep a close eye."

Captain Lin sensed the implicit threat and nodded humbly. "Yes, Sir."

Luo Le opened the door after waking up, only to be greeted by a shadow. Upon recognizing the person standing before her, she furrowed her brow. "Where's Huo Lanjing?"

Captain Lin's eyes crinkled into a warm smile. "Good morning, Lady. It's time for us to depart."

Luo Le paused. "I'm hungry."

"The nutrient solution is already prepared."

As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier stepped forward with a tray, carrying the nutrient solution and some beast meat.

"I haven't had a chance to freshen up yet."

"There's a relaxation chamber on the ship, Lady. You can go there to wash up or continue resting if you wish."

"I wish to meet your general."

Lieutenant Lin stepped forward, blocking Luo Le's path. "The general has already left, Madam. Please proceed."

Luo Le: "..."

What was Huo Lanjing playing at? After all, he had saved his life; was he just going to kick him out like that?

"I want to meet the young man who saved me. Surely that's acceptable?"

Lieutenant Lin took a step back. "I'll escort you there, Madam."

Luo Le turned and walked down the single path, with Lieutenant Lin following behind.

Unlike Huo Lanjing, he had a conscience. The young man had saved both their lives, so he needed to express his gratitude.

"Mr. Luo? Why are you here?"

Huo Lanjing must have told him Luo Le's name.

"Thank you for saving us."

The young man smiled. "You're too kind. Admiral Huo saved me before, and Mr. Luo Le also gave me that precious medicine. Admiral Huo granted me what I desired as well."

"I wonder how I should address you?"

"I'm called Sarah Well, but you can just call me Sarah."

Luo Le hummed in response, pondered for a moment, then took out a pendant.

"If you ever visit the Empire, you can use this to find me. You're welcome to come and play in the Empire."

"No need..."

Luo Le tossed the pendant into the youth's arms. "No, you must accept it."

With the mission accomplished, Luo Le hurriedly left the room.

Captain Lin stepped forward, blocking Sarah's path. "Since our lady has given it to you, you should accept it."

Sarah Well could only stop.

On the spaceship, at night.

Lieutenant Lin gazed at the closed door, finding the situation increasingly perplexing.

This time, their lady surprisingly didn't cause any trouble, didn't attempt to escape, and there wasn't even a hint of commotion.

No commotion? !

Lieutenant Lin hurried over to knock on the door. "Madam, Madam?"

With each tap, his strength increased, yet there was still no response from inside.

Just as he was about to break the door down, it creaked open.

Luo Le rubbed her head, her eyes still blurry with sleep. "What is it?"

Lieutenant Lin withdrew his hand and gave an awkward smile. "Nothing, I just wanted to ask if Madam is hungry? You haven't eaten anything all day. Would you like some fruit?"

Luo Le yawned. "What is it?"

"The Ruby Grapes, Three Scenic Lychees, and Dusk Melons."

"Let's go with the grapes then."

"Sure thing."

Lieutenant Lin left to prepare the fruit.

Watching his departing figure, Luo Le suddenly remembered something. She closed the door, walked over to the desk, and began writing.

After a while, Lieutenant Lin returned with the grapes. Just as he set them down, he heard Luo Le calling him.

"What's up, Madam?"

Luo Le pointed at the piece of paper she had just finished writing on the table. "This is for you."

Confused, Lieutenant Lin picked it up. At the top, in large characters, it read: Application for Withdrawal from Battle.

A sudden pang of concern struck him. "Madam, what are you doing?"

"I'm going back to pack and leave. Prepare a spacecraft for me."

Captain Lin glanced at the paper in his hand, then at Luo Le, with an indescribable expression.

Seeing this, Luo Le's lips curled into a smile. "What's wrong? Are you too happy? After all, I am just trouble."

Captain Lin denied it outright. "I just didn't expect Madam to withdraw your troops."

Luo Le knew he was just following orders, and she was venting her frustration with Huo Lanjing on him – which wasn't fair.

"I was joking. If he doesn't ask, don't tell him about my withdrawal for now. Don't worry, he won't hold it against you. He never wanted me to stay in the first place – you know that better than I do."

Captain Lin wanted to argue, but Luo Le's words were indeed true.

"When he returns and finds out I'm gone, if he asks, just say I failed the assessment and was dismissed. Anyway, he wouldn't be bored enough to check the application himself."

Captain Lin was stunned for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Indeed."

"By the way, did you give Wind City a hard time?"

Luo Le was so exhausted that he fell asleep as soon as he got on the spacecraft, and only now did he suddenly remember Wind City.

Captain Lin sighed. "Madam, please don't do this again in the future. It puts us in a difficult position too."

Luo Le was taken aback. In truth, he hadn't intended to involve Wind City in the first place.

"It was all my doing. Release him."

"The military jail doesn't detain unrelated individuals. He's already been let go."

The corners of Luo Le's mouth twitched. This Captain Lin had quite a sense of humor.

After that, he dismissed Captain Lin.

When Luo Le returned from washing his hands, he received a message.

Upon seeing the sender's name, Luo Le couldn't help but frown. Without even glancing at it, he immediately clicked to block the contact.

Satisfied with his actions, he picked up a grape and popped it into his mouth.

It was sweet, with a rich, aromatic fragrance.

-

Luo Le didn't have much to pack. He simply rolled up the few outfits he had chosen and left.

Before leaving, he paid a visit to Wind City.

The spaceship prepared by Captain Lin was one that Huo Lanjing typically used, adorned with the prominent logo of the First Military Division on its exterior.

Luo Le had traveled with Huo Lanjing in this ship before. His favorite spot had always been the lounge.

The journey back to the Empire would take a few days, so Luo Le spent those days lounging inside.

During this time, he also took the opportunity to reply to the messages he had received previously.

Finally, the spacecraft touched down, landing precisely on the rooftop of their home.

Luo Le emerged from the spacecraft, clutching a small bundle of his clothes.

He could have easily stowed them away, but for some reason, he didn't feel like it.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Luo Le's lips as he gazed at the small package in his hands. Perhaps if his mentor saw him like this, he might take pity on him and spare him from exploitation.

With this thought, his mood improved. He slung the bag over his shoulder and strode towards the house with a light step.

"Madam, welcome back."

It was a diminutive robot, identical to Little Yuan.

Luo Le acknowledged it with a soft hum, handing over the bundle. "Wash and iron these for me. I'll wear them tomorrow."

As he spoke, he made his way into the house.

"Of course, Madam. Your family is waiting for you in the living room."

Luo Le irritably raked his fingers through his hair. "Who let them in?"