Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 23

Although Feng Cheng had generally followed Luo Le’s advice in the past, he had never been this overly cautious.

This made Luo Le deeply uncomfortable.

Luo Le lowered his gaze and noticed Feng Cheng’s bowed head and trembling shoulders. He paused.

Had he said something wrong? He was about to offer reassurance when Feng Cheng suddenly snapped his head up, nodding vigorously.

Yes, you’re right! We’re partners. I’m sorry, Brother Le, I was being an idiot.

Luo Le withdrew his hand, gave a slight nod, and silently turned to gather the scattered items on the floor.

Brother Le, I’ll follow your lead this time and stay behind. But please be careful and stay in touch.

Luo Le hummed in acknowledgment, settled onto the carpet, and poured himself a cup of tea.

He gestured with his free hand. Want a cup?

Feng Cheng obediently walked over, sat down, and took a sip.

Ugh, it’s so bitter! What kind of tea is this?

Luo Le casually poured himself another cup and took a sip. Imperial Beauty.

Feng Cheng’s eyes widened. Imperial Beauty? The kind that only produces 100,000 leaves a year and is practically priceless?

Luo Le smiled and nodded.

Feng Cheng picked up his cup again and took another sip. Actually, it’s only slightly bitter. The aftertaste is sweet, and the aroma is exquisite.

Luo Le smiled and set down his teacup.

Actually, I don’t really like tea. Xiao Yuan just brews it out of habit.

Feng Cheng also put down his cup and glanced at his Smart Brain. Brother Le, in ten minutes, I’ll take you out. Check if there’s anything else you need to bring.

Luo Le shook his head. He had everything he needed.

Alright, we’ll leave in ten minutes. But we can’t use the original exit anymore. Hmm… there’s one other way out, though it might require Brother Le to make a bit of a sacrifice.

Luo Le shook his head again. He didn’t mind.

As long as we can get out.

Ten minutes later, Luo Le followed Feng Cheng, carefully climbing out the window.

They crept silently through the shadows, avoiding the guards.

Soon, they reached the lightly guarded area Feng Cheng had mentioned.

Finally, they slipped through the exit.

Luo Le glanced back and suddenly noticed several guards rushing toward the path they had just taken.

He quickly pulled Feng Cheng aside to hide.

Once they were sure they hadn’t been spotted, they moved in the opposite direction.

Even though they were out, Luo Le still couldn’t pilot his mech to leave.

The military district had interference layers that prevented unauthorized mechs—those not registered or outside designated areas—from making interstellar jumps.

Or perhaps he needed to move more than ten meters away from the military district to return to normal.

Luo Le continued following Feng Cheng, the path growing increasingly secluded.

They rounded a corner into a quiet alleyway.

Brother Le, this is it. Aside from the previous spot, this is the only place we can climb over.

Luo Le followed Feng Cheng’s gaze to a section of wall barely ten meters long, significantly lower than the surrounding walls but still slightly higher than the previous spot.

If height were the only obstacle, it might be manageable. But this wall was lined with sharp, slender spikes about a meter and a half tall, their tips razor-sharp.

How are we supposed to get over this?

Feng Cheng gestured with his hands, measuring the gap above the spikes. It’s about this wide up there. I’m too bulky to squeeze through, but you’re slim enough, Brother Le. You should be able to make it.

Luo Le stared at the gleaming, razor-sharp spikes, a chill running down his spine.

Is there anywhere else?

Feng Cheng sighed and pointed to a smooth section of wall nearby. Brother Le, can you tell what used to be there?

Luo Le studied the polished surface, his expression puzzled. He shook his head honestly.

Feng Cheng chuckled. Yesterday, that was a dog hole. They filled it in overnight.

Luo Le paused, impressed. That’s incredible.

Feng Cheng grinned in agreement. Exactly!

But how am I supposed to get across?

For some reason, the buildings on both sides were built flush against the walls, leaving virtually no gap between them.

The only space available was the alleyway, roughly ten feet wide.

Summoning a mech was out of the question.

Feng Cheng paused, then pulled a vest and gloves made of rigid material from his coat.

Here, Brother Le, use these.

Where did you get these?

Feng Cheng chuckled sheepishly. I bought them.

Luo Le took the items, teasing, You’re getting along well with them, aren’t you?

Feng Cheng grinned. Aiya, Brother Le, hurry up. The patrol will be back in seven minutes.

Right.

Feng Cheng went ahead and stacked two large stones together.

Come on, Brother Le, give it a try.

After putting on the vest and gloves, Luo Le stepped onto the stones and stretched on his tiptoes, but still couldn’t reach the top.

Seeing this, Feng Cheng cupped his hand. Brother Le, step here. I’ll boost you up.

Luo Le hesitated, but realizing there was no better option, glanced at the light at the alley entrance.

Excuse me.

Brother Le, stop being so formal. It’s making me uncomfortable.

Luo Le forced a dry laugh and said nothing, placing one foot on Feng Cheng’s hand and reaching for the top.

The method worked perfectly. With Feng Cheng’s help, he easily climbed up.

But the most dangerous part was yet to come.

Luo Le stared at the dense array of needles before him, his hands trembling slightly.

Through his thin gloves, Luo Le could feel the sharp points pressing into his palms. One wrong move, and he’d be impaled.

Still, the gap was just wide enough for him to squeeze through.

Brother Le, how’s it going? Feng Cheng’s hushed voice drifted up from below.

Luo Le edged forward slowly, relieved that nothing went wrong. He gave the men below an okay sign.

He continued moving, making good progress. Just as he was about to reach the other side, a blinding light swept across the alley, freezing him in place. The once-dark alley was now fully illuminated.

Luo Le pressed the back of his hand against his forehead to shield his eyes from the glare, barely making out several figures through the gaps between his fingers.

This is bad, Luo Le thought grimly.

Where do you think you’re going, Madam? a familiar voice asked, laced with amusement.

It was Colonel Lin. How did they get here so quickly?

Luo Le clenched his fist slightly, glancing over his shoulder. He was so close.

Then he turned to face the men below, his expression icy. None of your concern.

Madam, return with me now, and I won’t report this evening’s events to the Admiral.

Luo Le’s mind flashed back to Huo Lanjing’s exhausted face earlier.

He stared at Colonel Lin, his expression impassive. You intend to stop me?

Colonel Lin sighed. I’m merely following orders.

That same line again.

Luo Le felt a surge of frustration. He was so close. But when he looked down at the men below, his heart sank, and his head slowly lowered.

Suddenly—

Brother Le, catch!

Luo Le instinctively raised his hand and caught the object.

He looked down and saw a black ring.

Glancing up, he saw Feng Cheng nod at him.

In that instant, Luo Le knew the answer.

A faint smile curved his lips.

Thanks.

He turned and dove down with lightning speed.

Colonel Lin’s pupils narrowed. Seize the madam! he barked, sprinting toward the edge.

He had barely taken a few steps when a majestic, colossal mech in black and white surged upward with blinding speed.

In a heartbeat, it vanished.

Colonel Lin gripped the hilt of his saber, staring at the spot where the mech had disappeared, his mind reeling.

Colonel Lin, what should we do with this man?

Colonel Lin snapped back to reality, grinding his teeth. Take him back.

Seeing no one pursuing him, Luo Le exhaled in relief and tapped the holographic screen.

Based on Colonel Lin’s gaze that day, Luo Le had already roughly deduced the location of Huo Lanjing’s warship.

However, he couldn’t be sure if they had moved since then.

He had been gathering intelligence these past few days, though the information was a mix of truth and falsehoods. Still, he could roughly estimate their direction of travel.

At their previous speed, they should be…

Luo Le mentally filtered through the possibilities.

Finally, his finger stopped at a point on the map.

This was the most likely location.

It wasn’t a region prone to Insectoid incursions, making it relatively safe.

Two days later, at night.

Unlike its usual quiet, the bustling marketplace was ablaze with lights.

Sir, would you like some fresh lion beast meat? Just hunted!

Luo Le, dressed in black, tightened the black hat on his head.

He was about to decline when his peripheral vision caught sight of a pair of ravaged hands.

They were covered in purplish-blue venom, likely from the beast meat on the ground.

The man wore animal skins, his entire left chest exposed. He looked utterly exhausted, and behind him stood a frail-looking man.

Luo Le’s gaze locked onto the exposed wound on the left side of the man’s face.

Noticing his stare, the man’s temper flared.

He stepped forward, shielding the man behind him completely, his tone hostile. If you’re not buying, move along. What are you staring at?

Luo Le displayed his wrist. I’ll take it all.

The man was about to refuse, but then he remembered the wound on the face of the person behind him and relented, his voice cold. Do you want it processed?

Unfazed by his attitude, Luo Le shook his head with a dismissive wave, and the beast meat vanished.

The man awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Luo Le allowed him to deduct the Star Coins.

Seeing that Luo Le still hadn’t left after the transaction, the man took another step, completely blocking his line of sight, and glared at him warily.

Sensing the hostility, Luo Le took a step back, spreading his hands in a gesture of explanation. Don’t misunderstand. The injuries on his face were caused by Insectoids, right?

What do you want?

I’m with the First Legion. I got separated from my unit during a battle three days ago. Oh, I have a bottle of medicine here that might help with his facial injuries.

Remembering his earlier presumptuous behavior, Luo Le offered the medicine.

The man hesitated for a moment before taking it. When he read the label, his expression turned to disbelief.

This medicine not only neutralized Insectoid venom but also repaired skin damaged by the venom and even had anti-aging properties.

It was rare even in the Empire, let alone on the Ninth Planet—a medicine virtually impossible to obtain.

And now, someone was just giving it away? What kind of luck was this?

What do you want in return?

Nothing. Just answer a few questions.

What?

Where did he get injured? Have you encountered the First Legion, or do you have any news about them?

Upon hearing this, the man forcefully returned the medicine, his voice laced with impatience and anger.

Keep it. I’m not selling it anymore. Give me back my beast meat.

This person was acting strangely, asking about the First Legion. He might be a spy from an enemy nation.