The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 26

Upon hearing that Cen Li had recovered, Duke Jolai was just as delighted as Admiral Derek had described. He summoned Cen Li back to the Duke’s estate that very day. A single glance revealed that all of Duke Jolai’s female attendants and even his female slaves were present, showcasing the importance of the occasion.

“Has your body truly fully recovered?”

The moment Duke Jolai saw Cen Li, his gaze lingered on his legs, which moved without any sign of trouble. When his eyes returned to Cen Li’s face, he nodded secretly in approval.

“Yes, Father,” Cen Li replied.

Duke Jolai smiled with satisfaction. Cen Li was his only A rank male cub; the others were mostly B or C rank, none as impressive as an A rank. Even Duke Jolai himself was only B rank, highlighting the rarity of high ranking males.

Before his accident, Cen Li had always been the best candidate in Jolai’s heart to inherit the title. He possessed excellent mental strength and was of noble birth, being the son of the Female Monarch. Although the family had no precedent for someone with a physical disability inheriting the title, and Jolai’s resolve had once wavered, he was more than happy with the current turn of events.

“How could Cen Li possibly stand up?!”

A sharp voice suddenly exploded among the gathered insects. Miha Wu’s eyes were glued to Cen Li, specifically to those legs that were now perfectly intact. His face twisted for a fleeting second. It was only when a dozen gazes turned toward him simultaneously that he realized he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud.

Seeing this, Renzo immediately gripped Miha Wu’s arm. He forced a flawless smile and looked at the displeased Duke Jolai, making excuses for his cub.

“Miha Wu is simply so pleasantly surprised to see Cen Li in good health that his mind is muddled; he does not even know how to speak properly. After all, after so many years of struggle, for him to suddenly get better is quite a surprise for everyone.”

Renzo smiled amiably and asked Cen Li in a naturally drawn out voice, “How exactly was this illness cured?”

Led by Renzo’s words, the crowd looked toward Cen Li again. Cen Li maintained a cold expression and shook his head, sticking to the story that he did not know either and that it had happened mysteriously. No one doubted the truth of his words.

Except for Renzo and Miha Wu. They exchanged a glance, both seeing the questions in each other’s eyes. That potion was extremely precious and capable of evading Imperial detection. Renzo had spent a fortune and used royal connections just to get a lead with the Federation. There was no antidote for that drug.

How exactly did Cen Li get better? Furthermore, Xi Ya had not informed them of such a major event beforehand! What exactly was he good for?

At the dinner table, everyone had different thoughts. Cen Li noticed Xi Ya’s body was trembling. He shifted his gaze and saw Miha Wu staring gloomily at Xi Ya, stabbing the meat on his plate with his fork as if he were venting his anger on someone. Xi Ya, for his part, did not dare to raise his head, keeping it low enough to almost bury it in his rice bowl.

Cen Li’s gaze drifted back. He had no intention of rescuing Xi Ya as he took a bite of the interstellar vegetables. It was said that these were grown by the only S rank male in the Empire, who had also researched other delicacies like ice cream and milk tea, starting a culinary trend in the galaxy. These were very popular among pampered males who valued the taste of food. However, as soon as Cen Li heard this, he realized these were things readily available on Earth. He suspected that the so called gentle and polite, black haired, and black eyed male was from Earth just like him.

Duke Jolai’s smile never faded throughout the night. He even proposed holding a celebratory banquet for Cen Li, scheduled for seven days later. Asher sat at the end of the table, eating quietly. Amidst the occasional conversation, his back looked lonely, like an insect that had been forgotten.

In the blink of an eye after dinner, Xi Ya was nowhere to be seen. Cen Li looked around and noticed that Renzo had also disappeared.

“Why did you not report such an important matter as Cen Li’s recovery?!”

Xi Ya kept his head down and his neck shrunk as he followed Renzo. Once they reached a quiet, deserted spot, Renzo turned around and gave him a harsh scolding. Miha Wu stood to the side, arms crossed, looking down at Xi Ya with narrowed eyes.

“You have not betrayed us, have you?”

Being watched by the two of them like a hawk, Xi Ya had grievances but could not speak them. “How could I defect? My brother is still in your hands; I would never do such a thing!”

“It is the Master. His body simply got better overnight. I did not have time to notify you.”

“Overnight?” Renzo and Miha Wu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with suspicion.

Xi Ya was eager to clear his name. “Yes, that is exactly how it happened!”

Renzo did not actually believe this timid sub female would switch sides. He murmured, “Could Cen Li have discovered something? There is no antidote for that potion. When we tested it on others before, this never happened.”

Xi Ya said, “I am not sure if the Master discovered anything, but he has become much more distant toward me lately. Instead, he has been favoring that military female, Asher!”

“The Master has even handed over most of the household authority to Asher. I cannot even get close to his daily meals, and Asher is unwilling to cooperate with us.”

At the mention of Asher, Renzo stated directly, “Asher is indeed a nuisance. If it were not for him, Cen Li’s recovery might not have happened at all.”

Miha Wu’s eyes darted around, a creepy smile appearing in his sinister eyes. “Father, leave Asher to me! I will make Cen Li loathe him completely; he will not be an obstacle to us.”

Renzo scrutinized Miha Wu for a moment. He knew his cub had wanted to get his hands on Asher before but had failed. He was just a female insect, after all; if Miha Wu wanted him, so be it.

Renzo nodded and did not forget to give a warning. “Mind your manners.”

Xi Ya heard every word of their conversation. He stood there restlessly, feeling conflicted. Should he tell the Master about this?

When Cen Li saw Xi Ya again, his face was still slightly pale and his pupils trembled for a second. Xi Ya walked to Cen Li’s side and whispered an explanation. “Master, I did not say a single word that I should not have said.”

Cen Li glanced at him, leaving Xi Ya’s heart hanging in suspense. He said hesitantly, “The female attendant Renzo still wants me to continue monitoring you.”

Cen Li had not yet finished what he intended to do, so he had no plans to alert the enemy for the time being. “Just do as they say.”

Cen Li’s answer immediately calmed Xi Ya’s nervous heart. He patted his chest and gave repeated assurances. “Rest assured, Master, I will not betray you.”

Xi Ya thought it over and ultimately decided not to tell the Master what he had heard.

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