The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 17

As Cen Li prepared to board his aircraft after leaving the Duke’s estate, a voice called out to him. He turned around to find Admiral Derek.

He wondered if the Admiral had learned of what just happened and had chased him down to persuade him to stay. Cen Li’s brow furrowed slightly as he considered how to decline the Admiral’s invitation.

Admiral Derek walked over quickly. He cast a brief glance at Asher, who stood behind Cen Li, before returning his gaze to the male. As if sensing Cen Li’s thoughts, he chuckled softly. “Little Li, I am not here to convince you to go back.”

Admiral Derek was extremely doting toward his only child, almost to a fault. As long as Cen Li did not do anything so egregious that it could not be ignored, Derek generally turned a blind eye. Besides, he could not stand Renzo and the others anyway.

Hearing this, Cen Li met Admiral Derek’s smiling eyes with a silent inquiry.

“Your physical symptoms have improved quite a bit, have they not?” Admiral Derek continued. “I just consulted with the Empire’s most authoritative doctor. Since your legs are starting to regain some sensation, using massage techniques can clear the meridians and promote blood circulation, helping your legs recover more effectively.”

Cen Li waited for the Admiral to finish his thought.

“So, I was thinking, perhaps Xi Ya should go and learn some massage techniques.”

Cen Li’s eyes immediately filled with resistance. “There is no need for such trouble.” Even without a massage, his legs would recover soon enough.

Admiral Derek’s words took a turn. “Then let Asher learn.”

“What?!” Cen Li looked directly at him, and even Asher, standing behind him, lifted his head.

He had expected Admiral Derek to drop the matter after being rejected, but he simply switched the candidate and brought the topic right back around. “What do you think, Little Li?”

Cen Li opened his mouth. “I think,” it was not a good idea.

Predicting that Cen Li would refuse again, Admiral Derek turned to Asher. “What do you think, Asher? You must be very eager to share your Master’s burdens, right?” Admiral Derek’s gaze was pressuring, clearly forcing Asher to read the room and act accordingly.

Asher nodded. “Of course.”

Having secured the desired answer, Admiral Derek turned back with a beaming smile, giving Cen Li no further opportunity to decline. “Then it is settled!”

Cen Li swallowed his words, looking helplessly at Admiral Derek, who had already arranged everything.

As he left, Admiral Derek gave a heartfelt instruction, “Do not try to fool me; sticking with the massage will definitely yield results.” Meeting the Admiral’s gaze, which felt as though it could see through everything, Cen Li stiffened his neck and nodded. Only then did Admiral Derek leave, satisfied.

After boarding the aircraft, Asher heard Cen Li sigh. He assumed his Master was dissatisfied with Admiral Derek’s arrangement. After a moment, he spoke up, “Master, you can have Xi Ya perform the massage for you.”

Seeing Cen Li look over, Asher added, “I will not tell Admiral Derek.”

Cen Li instantly realized that Asher had misunderstood, assuming he wanted Xi Ya to do it. But that was not the case at all. If he had to choose between the two, Cen Li would certainly not choose the scheming Xi Ya.

Therefore, he rejected the idea flatly. “There is no need.”

Meeting Asher’s slightly surprised gaze, Cen Li said slowly, “I want to try the Major General’s skills.”

Asher lowered his head and replied with a “Yes,” though his inner astonishment only grew. Had Xi Ya truly fallen out of favor? Come to think of it, his Master’s attitude toward Xi Ya had indeed become increasingly cold lately.

Cen Li’s progress in collecting Humiliation Value remained largely unchanged, climbing at a slow and steady pace. While there was income every day, it seemed insignificant compared to the massive target of one hundred thousand. Furthermore, Cen Li had not yet found a faster way to collect points.

Consequently, in less than a week, the System began prodding him to do his tasks. “Host, you must not be slack!”

Cen Li had no choice but to head to the military headquarters. On the way, he sent a brief message to Asher: “I will arrive at the military headquarters in ten minutes.”

On the other end, Asher was in a meeting room. Suddenly, his terminal screen flickered. He scanned it quickly, and his gaze froze. Why would his Master suddenly want to come to the military headquarters?

Asher’s mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but he silently reached out and turned off the screen. The rest of the meeting felt like sitting on pins and needles. Asher checked the time constantly, and even his adjutant, Yero, noticed something was wrong.

When the meeting ended and the others rose to leave, Yero watched the Major General’s flustered movements as he gathered his documents and asked curiously, “Major General, are you in a hurry to do something?”

It was already five minutes past the time his Master had specified. Asher could not help but think that his Master might be angry because of this. Making a noble male wait was an extremely disrespectful act.

Hearing Yero’s voice, Asher forced himself to calm down and thrust the organized documents into Yero’s arms. “My Master is here. Please put these in my office for me.”

Yero instinctively grabbed the thin stack of papers. “Hey!” By the time he looked toward the door, Asher was already halfway out.

Yero muttered to himself, “Is he really in that much of a hurry?” Suddenly, his brain caught up with a realization. Yero slapped his forehead. “What is the Major General’s Master doing at the military headquarters?!”

The military and males were like two non-mixing substances. No male would ever want to visit a military headquarters filled with nothing but stiff, hard-edged females. Therefore, when a male appeared at the entrance, he attracted the attention of almost everyone present. Many military females recognized Cen Li, not only because he was a rare A-rank male but also because his physical characteristics were quite distinct.

Cen Li sat in his wheelchair, his fingers slightly curled as he tapped the metallic armrest, staring boredly at the entrance. The sun overhead was dazzlingly bright, making Cen Li squint. He regretted arriving so early.

A moment later, a voice sounded, accompanied by slightly labored breathing. “I, I am sorry, Master. I am late.”

Cen Li looked over toward the sunlight. Likely from jogging over, Asher’s chest was still heaving slightly, and his pale eyes beneath his brows were filled with apology.

Cen Li looked down at the time and stated flatly, “You are exactly twelve minutes late, Major General.”

Asher could not defend himself, finally managing to say, “Master, I was in a meeting when you messaged me. I rushed over immediately after it ended.”

Cen Li naturally did not doubt the truth of Asher’s words, but when someone was looking to cause trouble, they would not bother looking into the cause or circumstances. Cen Li watched the expression on Asher’s face gradually turn into one of trepidation, and he curled his lips.

“Have I been too kind to you lately, Major General? Have you forgotten your place?”

The mocking words crashed down on Asher, leaving him at a complete loss. His entire being seemed as if it were on trial; his back stiffened, and the light in his eyes slowly dimmed. Asher opened his lips, but only weak words could escape.

“It is not like that, Master.”

Cen Li shifted his gaze away, refusing to meet his eyes. Thinking about what he was about to do, he suddenly felt a wave of guilt.

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