Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 49

After persuading the little girl, Lizard was delighted. He waved Luo Le off, telling him to return and prepare himself.

Luo Le watched Lizard’s silhouette disappear around the corner before getting up to leave.

He headed to the rendezvous point they had arranged earlier

Beneath a massive leaf.

When Luo Le arrived, he saw a cocoon lying there. The thought of Huo Lanjing being inside made him chuckle.

What did you find out? Huo Lanjing asked.

Luo Le recounted everything that had happened and then asked, Is everything alright on your end?

Mm.

They couldn’t speak the insect language. Their only excuse for not speaking was the injury Huo Lanjing had sustained during the mission.

Any discerning observer would have noticed something was amiss, but fortunately, no one seemed suspicious.

He used to be an Imperial citizen. Do you know anyone who might harbor a particular hatred for the Empire?

Huo Lanjing frowned in thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Luo Le sighed. It was a long shot anyway. Huo Lanjing spent so little time in the Empire each year how could he possibly know?

But as far as Luo Le knew, no such person existed.

Actually, there’s one possibility that fits.

Who?

The Li Family’s Omega.

Luo Le stared at him, puzzled. The Li Family?

How could he not have heard of them?

Huo Lanjing noticed his confusion. Thirty years ago, the military asked the head of the Li Family to assist with a mission. But during the operation, he betrayed them, selling out the military and causing immense losses. Afterward, the military ordered the arrest of all Li Family members.

And then? Luo Le asked.

By the time the military arrived, the Li Family’s estate had already been consumed by flames. From that day forward, the military ordered the Li Family’s existence to be erased.

Huo Lanjing’s explanation fit the facts perfectly.

But…

Weren’t all the Li Family members supposed to have perished in the fire? And why specifically the Li Family’s Omega?

His Bio-Card signal flickered two years ago.

Luo Le nodded. So that’s it. The military must fear the Li Family’s potential danger.

What did the Li Family do before? Why would they need his help?

Huo Lanjing paused. I’ll send you the files later.

Luo Le couldn’t see his expression, but he could practically feel the disdain radiating from him.

Does he think I’m asking too many questions?

Luo Le turned away, unwilling to keep pressing his warm face against Huo Lanjing’s cold shoulder.

Then let’s leave it at that for now.

Just as he was about to speak, Luo Le saw the Lizard approaching and quickly slapped Huo Lanjing’s hand.

Huo Lanjing followed Luo Le’s gaze and spotted the lizard approaching.

The lizard sauntered over, glancing between them. You two…

Luo Le glanced at Huo Lanjing. Just discussing some things.

I’ve never seen you with anyone before, the lizard said, a teasing glint in his eyes. Didn’t realize you had a taste for… this. He gestured toward the cocoon beside Luo Le. But won’t you two face reproductive isolation?

Luo Le flushed with embarrassment. We’re just talking. It’s not what you think.

The lizard scoffed. Boring. Come on, let’s head back. I need you for something.

Luo Le nodded and followed him, giving Huo Lanjing a quick gesture before leaving.

Huo Lanjing had no idea what they’d discussed, only that Luo Le had left with the lizard.

Luo Le followed the lizard to prepare for the conversion process. His task was to test the necessary instruments and ensure their readings were accurate before initiating the transformation.

You’re really going through with the conversion?

The lizard’s sudden appearance startled Luo Le.

After a moment’s thought, Luo Le nodded. Yes, I am.

Participating in the conversion would allow him to get close to the little girl and gain access to classified information.

That evening, Huo Lanjing sent him all the information.

The Li Family had originally been involved in biological research. The Zerg, eager to curry favor with them, had alerted the military to this connection, prompting the military to seek their assistance.

It remained unclear what the Zerg had told the Li Family. Perhaps they had been persuaded, or perhaps bribed, leading them to deceive the military.

Armed with false intelligence, the military led tens of thousands of soldiers into a Zerg trap, resulting in the loss of twenty-five thousand lives.

The Empire’s upper echelons were enraged and ordered the complete extermination of the Li Family, leaving no survivors.

If that person truly was a member of the Li Family, their hatred for the Empire would be understandable.

Luo Le sighed, washed up, and went to bed.

For the next three days, he focused on testing and refining his adjustments. Finally, the adjustments were perfected.

During this time, Huo Lanjing wasn’t particularly busy in the Maintenance Department. He spent his time gathering information, exploring restricted areas, and piecing together a map based on his findings.

Luo Le informed Huo Lanjing about the conversion surgery.

They agreed to proceed as planned, adapting to any unforeseen circumstances.

The little girl was an Imperial citizen. The moment Luo Le saw her, he was reminded of the Empire’s notorious child abduction cases.

At the time, fearing panic, the Military District suppressed the news, preventing it from spreading.

If his mentor hadn’t told him, he would never have known.

On the fourth day, just before the transformation surgery was about to begin, he finally met the little girl.

Both he and the girl were wearing blue and white hospital gowns, each with a wristband bearing a unique identification number.

His number was 19567, hers was 19566.

This likely represented the sequential order of patients who had undergone the surgery.

Luo Le turned his head and saw the little girl huddled on her bed, trembling as if terrified.

After a moment’s thought, he got out of bed, walked over, and pulled her into his arms. Don’t be scared, he said in the Imperial language. Your big brother’s here. Everything will be alright.

He used the Imperial language, assuming she would understand.

For some reason, seeing her like this tugged at his heart.

The little girl looked up, her face streaked with tears. Brother, I don’t want to become a monster like them…

Luo Le ruffled her hair. Who are they? The other children with you?

Many children from the Empire had been abducted, but during his days wandering this place, Luo Le had only seen this little girl.

The girl seemed lost in painful memories, her face contorted with anguish. They… they’re dead. Those people gave us medicine. When I woke up, only a few of us were left. Then they were taken away and turned into monsters. I don’t want to, I don’t want to…

Luo Le paused. Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you become like that.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Luo Le quickly set the girl down and lay back down himself.

Several Zerg pushed them into the operating room.

He and the little girl were in the same operating room, as if only the Lizard had the capability to perform this procedure.

Surrounded by white walls, Luo Le couldn’t tell where they were.

The Lizard had never revealed their location, maintaining strict secrecy.

Soon, the Lizard entered alone, pushing a small cart. The Zerg closed the operating room door behind him.

Luo Le frowned, watching him. Was he really going to do this alone?

Lizard approached the little girl and said to her, Don’t be scared, Uncle will help your brother first. You take a nap, okay?

Luo Le watched as Lizard gave the girl an injection, and she drifted off to sleep.

He then returned to Luo Le’s side.

Yours is simpler, with a high success rate. Don’t worry.

Luo Le gripped the knife behind his back, staring intently at Lizard.

Lizard suddenly frowned, lowering his head to sniff the air. Why do you always smell like Imperials?

He took a step back. No, you are an Imperial.

Luo Le knew he was in trouble. He flipped off the bed, wrapped his arm around Lizard’s neck, and pressed the knife against his throat.

Don’t move. Get us out of here.

Lizard suddenly laughed, as if completely unconcerned by the blade.

Who are you to this little girl?

So Huo Lanjing and the others haven’t been discovered yet, Luo Le thought, relieved.

It’s none of your business. If you’re tired of living, I can end your life right now.

Alright, alright, Lizard said. I’ll get you out of here.

Luo Le wrapped the sleeping girl in a bedsheet and lifted her into his arms, keeping one hand around Lizard’s neck.

Lizard led them out of the corridor, answering questions with a smile that dispelled any suspicion. The journey proceeded smoothly without incident.

Luo Le hadn’t expected him to be so compliant, which made him wonder if Lizard had ulterior motives.

They walked quite a distance from the entrance, reaching a secluded spot with no one around.

This should be far enough, Luo Le said, setting the little girl down. He swiftly moved behind Lizard, intending to tie him up.

But before he could touch him, Lizard narrowly dodged the attempt, twirling the book knife in his hand with a smile. I’ve done everything you asked. Why would you still want to tie me up?

Luo Le patted his body, realizing his knife was gone.

Shielding the little girl behind him, he glared at Lizard. Are you the Li Family’s Omega?

Lizard paused, surprised. You’ve been investigating me?

Luo Le looked at him, puzzled. Why do you hate the Empire? Your Li Family betrayed it first.

At this, Lizard suddenly grew agitated. He didn’t betray the Empire!

Luo Le pressed on. But the information he transmitted led to the military losing over twenty thousand soldiers.

The information he sent was correct! It was the military personnel who misinterpreted it!

Luo Le remained vigilant, unsure whether to trust Lizard’s words.

The military came to our Li Family for help in the first place, yet they left him to face danger alone, without a single protector. In the end, they brought about the destruction of the Li Family. They all deserve to die, Lizard snarled.

Then why not hate the traitors? Luo Le countered. You’ve lived in the Empire for so long. Don’t you feel any attachment to this land? Do you truly want the Zerg to rule the Empire?

Lizard burst into mocking laughter, as if he’d heard a ridiculous joke. Do you think they don’t know? They know the traitors were dealt with long ago. Our Li Family has been dedicated to biological research for generations, and we refused to submit to the Military Department. How could the Empire tolerate that? They targeted the Li Family from the very beginning.

He pointed his blade at Luo Le. You’re with the military. Which Military District?

Luo Le scooped up the little girl from the ground and bolted toward the door like a madman.

Caught off guard by his reaction, Lizard gave chase. But after less than five minutes of running, he was already gasping for breath.

This was a lingering side effect of his transformation, and he hadn’t yet found a solution.

Wait a minute… If that man is with the military, it means Imperial forces have infiltrated.

Lizard grabbed his communicator. Imperial military forces have infiltrated. Initiate a full sweep. Every operative who returned from missions in the past four days is a suspect. Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty escape.