The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 10

Asher lowered his eyes. The male had called it a trouble, so he surely would not help. He smiled mockingly in his heart. He should have expected this, shouldn’t he? A few vague words from the male had raised expectations that never should have existed.

Cen Li did not notice the light in the female insect’s eyes fading into gloom. He spoke again.

“They are not worthy of touching my things.”

Cen Li’s eyes flickered with a cold chill, as if he were displeased that something bearing his label had been handled without permission. Even though Asher was being objectified as a piece of property, his expression remained neutral. Perhaps the female insects had already accepted this way of thinking.

In a Zerg society where males were supreme, a married female was listed under the male’s identification as property. From the moment a female married a male, their assets no longer belonged to them; everything was transferred to their Male Sovereign. In contrast, a male needed to do nothing more than offer a position as a female attendant to have countless females clamoring to offer everything they owned, including their bodies.

It was only when Asher saw Cen Li actually instructing Xi Ya to call the Male Protection Association that a look of surprise finally crossed his face. Xi Ya, who had been standing aside for a long time, could no longer hold back upon hearing the command.

“Male Sovereign, if you unlock Asher’s mental restriction collar, he might cause you harm.”

Xi Ya believed it was Asher’s failure to protect him that led to the male’s injury. He did not understand why Asher, a rigid soldier, deserved to have the Male Sovereign personally intervene to remove his restriction collar. While Cen Li’s phrasing remained as arrogant as ever, in Xi Ya’s eyes, this gesture was practically a form of favoritism.

“Are you questioning my decision?”

Cen Li glanced over, his gaze like a cold blade piercing through the air, making Xi Ya’s skin crawl. Reluctantly, Xi Ya dialed the hotline for the Male Protection Association.

The Association’s reaction was immediate and intense. A male was attempting to remove the mental restriction collar of an S-rank soldier? They were not only baffled but also suspected that Cen Li was being coerced by the soldier.

Half an hour later, a group of uninvited guests arrived at Cen Li’s home.

“Excellency, do you truly wish to remove your female attendant’s mental restriction collar?” asked a female insect wearing a black uniform. The emblem of the Male Protection Association was printed on his chest. He discreetly scanned the room, looking for signs that the male might be under threat.

“Of course,” Cen Li answered without hesitation. He assumed that a face-to-face confirmation would satisfy them.

However, as soon as Cen Li spoke, the members of the Association erupted. This was not normal. It was highly irregular. They crowded around Cen Li, offering a flurry of advice.

“How can this be allowed, Excellency?”

“You just returned from the hospital, and the cause of your injury is still unknown. This female attendant beside you is the greatest potential danger!”

“Yes, Excellency. For your safety, we do not recommend removing his collar.”

Xi Ya watched Cen Li’s brows furrow tighter and stepped forward, reaching out to smooth the male’s forehead. Just as he was about to touch him, the male tilted his head to avoid the contact. Cen Li swept a glance over him. He did not speak, but the warning in his eyes was unmistakable. Xi Ya withdrew his hand, not daring to move again.

He tried to change the subject. “Male Sovereign, they are doing this for your own good. You should reconsider.”

“There is no need to reconsider. I will not change my decision.”

The other insects tried to speak again, but Cen Li waved them off with an impatient hand. “You are too noisy.”

The females shut their mouths sheepishly, finally realizing that no amount of persuasion would change his mind. The male was indeed stubborn and willful.

The lead official sighed. “Excellency, if you truly wish to remove Major General Asher’s collar, there is a mandatory three-day observation period according to regulations. If your female attendant shows no misconduct during that time, we will remove the collar as requested.”

Cen Li was annoyed. A three-day observation period was such a hassle.

The system then whispered a reminder. “They also equipped Asher with devices to suppress a female’s recovery rate. The torture instruments at the Punishment Center were soaked in a special solution designed to slow down healing and aggravate wounds.”

Cen Li realized the truth. No wonder Asher, despite having an elite S-rank constitution, had returned in such a weak state. While the original soul would whip Asher to vent his anger, he used ordinary leather whips that caused bleeding but were not life-threatening. The whips at the Punishment Center, however, were covered in barbs and soaked in the chemicals mentioned by the system.

Cen Li’s expression turned grim. “What else did you put on him?”

“Just some small toys for punishing soldiers,” the official replied nonchalantly.

Cen Li spoke through gritted teeth. “Take them off.”

The females were confused. Before they could argue, Cen Li snapped, “Asher is my female attendant. When it comes to his punishment, you do not get to decide.”

The members of the Male Protection Association were stunned. Under the male’s coercive gaze, they were forced to remove the silver rings that suppressed the soldier’s recovery. However, they insisted that the mental restriction collar could only be removed after three days. Cen Li frowned, dissatisfied with the result. But he was even more tired of their constant chattering, so he waved them away.

Asher felt the sudden lightness around his ankles. Although the mental collar remained, the silver rings suppressing his powerful recovery were gone. This was an unexpected gain.

He looked at Cen Li in the wheelchair. The male’s eyes were lowered, his gaze hidden beneath a layer of coldness. He seemed to be in a foul mood. Asher thought that perhaps the male simply did not want him collapsing on top of him again, which was why he had been so kind today.

He walked to Cen Li and bowed slightly, performing a standard shoulder-touching salute. “Thank you for your generosity.”

Asher wore a well-fitted black and gold military uniform. The high-quality fabric clung to his body, highlighting his lean, powerful waist. As he bowed, the gold medals on his shoulders caught the sunlight.

Cen Li snorted. “I simply do not wish for the Major General to faint from weakness again. After all, a cripple like me cannot handle being crushed by you a second time.”

It sounded like self-deprecation mixed with sarcasm. Asher felt a sense of relief upon hearing those words. He bowed his head and apologized for the earlier incident.

“It was my incompetence, Male Sovereign. It will not happen again.”

Cen Li remained noncommittal. He covered his nose in feigned disgust. “Major General, the smell of blood on you is so thick it is practically overflowing.”

Asher paused. “My apologies for offending you. I will go and clean myself up immediately.”

Seeing that Cen Li did not object, Asher took it as silent permission and turned to leave. Nearby, Xi Ya, who had been acting as a background character for some time, watched Cen Li stare at Asher’s retreating back. A faint, unidentifiable sense of strangeness rose in his heart.

The Male Sovereign seemed different than before, but he could not quite put his finger on why.

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