Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 48

Luo Le stepped forward. Why? Wasn’t it voluntary?

Huo Lanjing glanced at him dismissively. Don’t interfere.

Luo Le continued to stare at him. I took elective courses on the Zerg. I know their habits and language. I’m not messing around—I can really help.

Seeing Luo Le’s unusually determined expression for the first time, Huo Lanjing lowered his head in thought for a moment before relenting. Go find Captain Lin.

Surprised by his easy agreement, Luo Le eyed him suspiciously. You’re actually letting me go?

Huo Lanjing shot him a glance. If you don’t go, come back.

Luo Le immediately darted forward. I’ll go find him right away!

Huo Lanjing watched his retreating figure for a long moment before turning and walking in the opposite direction.

Luo Le explained the situation to Captain Lin, who, after confirming the details with a puzzled expression, reluctantly handed him the holographic device.

He reached out to take it and began fastening it to his body.

The back clasp stubbornly refused to close. Luo Le struggled to fasten it when suddenly a hand gripped his from behind.

He turned to see a massive pupa standing before him. Though it had no hands, he could clearly feel a hand holding his.

Luo Le froze, his body instinctively recoiling backward, only to be firmly restrained.

A familiar, deep voice murmured, It’s me.

Huo Lanjing?

Luo Le stared at the chrysalis, stunned. How could you…

Huo Lanjing didn’t answer. He turned to the soldiers behind him and gave them instructions.

After he finished, Luo Le stepped behind him. You should stay here. You shouldn’t go inside.

Huo Lanjing glanced at him coldly where Luo Le couldn’t see. Shut up and follow orders.

Luo Le paused, then activated his holographic device, transforming into a bee. He said nothing more.

Two hours later, a group of Zerg approached.

The soldiers lay in wait until the creatures were almost upon them.

Huo Lanjing gave the order. A cloud of smoke drifted over, and as the Zerg began to collapse, the soldiers caught them and dragged them back.

They removed the tags from the Zerg’s bodies.

Huo Lanjing ordered the soldiers to guard the area, then led Luo Le and the others deeper into the stone forest.

This area was another stone forest, guarded by two Zerg at the entrance.

Luo Le and Huo Lanjing walked side by side at the front.

Luo Le stared at the terrifying Zerg, struggling to maintain his composure.

As they approached, the guards suddenly blocked their path.

Huo Lanjing addressed the Zerg on the left in a language Luo Le didn’t understand. He saw Luo Le reply, and the two began conversing.

After a moment, the Zerg parted, creating a path. Luo Le glanced at Huo Lanjing, signaling him.

Huo Lanjing immediately understood, and the group proceeded into the stone forest.

As soon as they stepped inside, the interior was nothing like what they had seen from the outside. Instead of a barren landscape, they found themselves in a dense forest teeming with various Zerg species.

Luo Le glanced back and noticed a membrane separating the interior from the outside world, distorting the view from either side.

Show me your identification badges, a voice instructed.

Everyone promptly produced their badges.

Near the entrance, a map-like diagram displayed the layout of the facility.

Luo Le studied the map and pointed out the directions to their respective destinations.

Huo Lanjing was headed to the Maintenance Department, while Luo Le was going to the Research Department.

This marked their parting. After exchanging contact information, they dispersed one by one.

Eventually, only the two of them remained.

Assuming Huo Lanjing was still unsure of the way, Luo Le stepped forward. Just walk straight for 800 meters, then turn right and go another kilometer. You should be there.

Huo Lanjing paused for a long moment before saying, Be careful.

This was the first time Luo Le had ever heard Huo Lanjing express concern for him.

Luo Le smiled bitterly. Back when he had been in the car accident, he had desperately wished to hear those words from Huo Lanjing. Now, after deciding to leave, he finally heard them.

It’s… I don’t even know what to say.

I will. You too.

Since their departments lay in opposite directions, Luo Le watched Huo Lanjing leave before heading the other way.

Along the path, he spotted several insect species he had never seen before.

They were all small, yet Luo Le couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Was this place truly so different from the outside world, or were the appearances outside merely illusions?

It wasn’t far Luo Le reached his destination in no time.

A Zerg guard stood at the entrance. After Luo Le showed his badge, he was allowed to enter.

Luo Le was startled the moment he stepped inside. Glass containers lined the walls, each filled with insects.

How could there be so many?

As he walked deeper into the facility, he continued to observe his surroundings. Suddenly, a Zerg rushed toward him.

You’ve finally arrived… Come with me.

Luo Le was puzzled but remained silent, following the Zerg.

Inside, rows upon rows of glass containers stretched into the distance, each housing insects, half-human half-insect hybrids, or creatures with insect heads and human legs.

The Zerg are conducting experiments on humans and insects? So… they plan to disguise themselves as humans and infiltrate the Empire?

After a few minutes, the Zerg ahead stopped. As its figure moved aside, Luo Le saw the person in front of him.

The Lizard.

But Huo Lanjing had said the rescued individual was an Imperial agent.

Why is he here?

Come here, the Lizard said, stepping forward.

Luo Le took a step, then hesitated and pulled back.

The Lizard had spoken in the Imperial language.

Lizard, noticing Luo Le hadn’t followed, was about to question him when something else occurred to him.

My apologies. I instinctively spoke in the Imperial language. Come with me.

Luo Le nodded and walked behind him.

So Lizard used to be an Imperial citizen. Why would he work for the Zerg now?

Look, Lizard said, it won’t be long before these cocoons hatch. Our plan is about to begin. Do you want to become an Imperial again?

Luo Le nodded instinctively.

Lizard suddenly turned, his expression puzzled. You seem different.

Luo Le blinked. How so?

Didn’t you always say you didn’t want to?

Luo Le’s mind raced. After a moment, he replied, During this mission, I suddenly realized…

Lizard smiled. That’s the right attitude. You should think that way.

Watching Lizard’s demeanor, Luo Le couldn’t help but ask, Will you become one too?

Lizard chuckled. Me? No. I hate all Imperials. Isn’t this way better?

He must have a deep-seated grudge against the Empire.

Luo Le nodded with a smile, though Lizard couldn’t see it.

A quarter of an hour later, they reached a small compartment. Inside, an Imperial was bound, naked, with his hands and feet restrained.

See that? That’s the one who impersonated me. They thought they were so clever, but I still managed to escape. We wouldn’t have made such rapid technological breakthroughs without this Imperial.

This guy’s too stubborn. Hold him down while I inject the bee venom. Just enough to shock him, not kill him.

The man’s face was deathly pale, as if he might slip away at any moment.

Luo Le stepped forward. Let me try. You ask the questions.

Lizard nodded and released his grip, letting Luo Le take over.

Luo Le approached and splashed a basin of water on the man’s face. The man slowly regained consciousness.

When he saw them, his eyes immediately widened with terror.

Lizard Speak. What are your follow-up plans?

The man twisted his head away. I don’t know.

Luo Le pressed a knife against the man’s neck. Think carefully. You only have one life.

Remembering his current identity, Luo Le spoke in the Zerg language and glanced at Lizard.

After Lizard translated, the man spat at him.

Imperial soldiers should always be prepared to sacrifice for the Empire. I’m not afraid to die. But you, an Imperial, working for the Zerg? You’re truly…

Luo Le turned slightly and slapped the man across the face with his wing, then followed up with a hard slap from his hand.

A pained scream erupted from behind him. He hadn’t even used much force.

Luo Le turned his head in confusion and saw a man with a knife embedded in his forehead, bl00d streaming down his face.

The man’s eyes were wide open, as if he had died with unfinished business.

Some bl00d splattered onto Luo Le’s hand.

Luo Le stared at the man in shock. He’s just… dead?

Those without value shouldn’t live. Death suits him better.

Luo Le saw a hint of madness in the lizard’s scaled face. He lowered his head, afraid to speak.

If I’m recognized now, it’s all over.

The lizard approached him and sniffed. You reek of Imperials.

Luo Le froze, his legs subtly shifting toward the door.

Is… is that so?

The lizard grabbed his hand. Luo Le thought he was done for, but the next moment he was flung to the right. Don’t associate with Imperials. They’re all tainted with that foul stench.

Luo Le breathed a sigh of relief. This holographic device really works well. I thought I’d been discovered.

Right. Is there anything else? If not, I’d like to head back.

Head back where? Haven’t you been working under me all this time?

Luo Le paused. I just wanted to return to my quarters to tidy up.

The lizard wiped his hand. Wait a moment. Come with me to see someone first.

Luo Le nodded and followed him to a small room.

As soon as the door was pushed open, a swarm of flies buzzed out.

Luo Le instinctively stepped aside, afraid of being touched.

After the flies dispersed, Luo Le followed the lizard through the door.

The back room was pitch black. He fumbled around until he found the light switch.

When the light flickered on, Luo Le spotted a little girl huddled in the corner, her face buried between her knees, arms wrapped tightly around them, her body trembling slightly.

Lizard approached her. Be good, let’s cooperate with the experiment, okay? Don’t make a fuss.

Even with the Imperial as a reference, the success rate remained low. The host needed both a strong body and an indomitable will to endure the agonizing transformation period.

The little girl retreated further into the corner, her back already pressed against the wall, leaving her nowhere to go. Her face was etched with terror.

Clearly, she was terrified of Lizard.

Lizard bared a menacing grin and lunged forward, but Luo Le saw her fear.

Stepping ahead of Lizard, Luo Le faced him and pretended to sweep her with his wings, secretly taking her hand.

This was a risky move. If the girl revealed he had hands, his disguise would be blown.

Fortunately, the girl merely froze, as if she knew she was being watched.

Luo Le wrote Don’t worry in her palm.

Seeing the girl’s lack of resistance, Lizard’s eyes lit up as if he’d discovered a new continent. So you like bees after all! If you agree, you can have any one you want.

The girl’s face remained frozen in terror. Luo Le wrote Agree in her palm.

She hesitated, bit her lip, and nodded.