Lan could not help thinking, 'Marshal, who exactly was your language teacher? Just how did they teach a rare talent like you?'
If He did not know the Marshal's character… He would probably think the other side was deliberately stirring conflict between the two.
For example, the sentence where the Marshal scolded Hua.
'What does it mean that the project is very dangerous?'
'The Marshal did not want Marty in danger, yet seemed quite at ease about Hua?'
Even though in terms of combat strength, dozens or even hundreds of Martys would not be Hua's match.
But Hua was also personally raised by the Marshal, and the bond between them was very deep. That sentence was really hurtful. How would Hua feel hearing it?
Finally, there was the most hurtful sentence.
"Can you two be the same?"
Whether Marty or Hua, after hearing that sentence, they would only feel the Marshal favored the other person.
The Aeon quietly watched the three people with different expressions.
Lan subtly raised a hand and lightly patted Hua's shoulder to comfort her.
Hua lowered her eyes. Very quickly she adjusted her emotions, then raised her eyes again to look at the Marshal.
The Marshal's face turned cold after a long time. Expressionless, he first swept Hua with a gaze without warmth, then looked at the researcher named Marty.
Marty opened his mouth, trying to find suitable words. He seemed never to have seen the Marshal with this expression before.
He met the Marshal's eyes for a moment, then hurriedly lowered his head, avoiding the gaze.
When he looked up again, Marty's voice trembled, "Marshal sir, this matter has nothing to do with the Crown Princess…"
Zero's eyes shifted slightly.
In the end, it was his fault.
He had not controlled his emotions well and frightened Marty.
Only… even though Marty was scared by him, he still tried hard to speak up for the heir, afraid of dragging others into it.
General Cangcheng, who was at the rear of the convoy, arrived late. Noticing the nearly frozen atmosphere among them, she lightened her steps and quietly stood aside.
Seeing this, Zero unconsciously softened his tone and said gently, "I know, this isn't your fault."
"For humans, solving the 'longevity plague traces' is not easy. This project carries certain risks. That's exactly why… I didn't want your team coming to Cangcheng."
Marty stammered, "If it's for you…" then what do these dangers even matter?
Zero shifted his gaze to the silent General Cangcheng.
For this reception, his subordinate had clearly put in a lot of effort.
Zero spoke to interrupt Marty, "Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's eat first."
General Cangcheng beamed with joy, quickly stepped forward, went beside Zero, and introduced the residence she prepared for welcoming the Marshal's group, along with the private chef team famous across the star seas for their cooking.
Marty stepped forward.
Hua and Lan lagged slightly behind, gradually creating some distance from them.
The Aeon spoke to comfort her, "You and him are different."
Hua said quietly, "I know."
"Not long ago, he took me to Xuling and showed me many… strange objects."
"In that cavern heaven, he left many things. He said those were all left for me."
"But there is one thing he didn't leave for me."
Lan understood immediately and said firmly, "It's 'Feather Dust.'"
"Yes." Hua paused, then asked, "Before, you said if you could save him, you would act."
Lan answered seriously, "No need to worry. I will keep my promise."
After speaking, one god and one person quickened their pace, caught up with the others, and followed General Cangcheng into the residence she had prepared earlier.
The first thing they saw was the Cloud Knights guarding the courtyard.
The Cloud Knights were well trained, standing straight. After seeing the arrivals, they bowed together. Only after the group left did they stand upright again.
General Cangcheng's eyes turned slightly. She mentioned Xianzhou etiquette, then changed the topic to ancient kneeling rites.
Her words were firm, clearly carrying the attitude that she would not give up unless the Marshal agreed.
The General said loudly, "Marshal sir, rituals must not be abandoned--"
Zero glanced at his subordinate and refused without hesitation.
Seeing herself refused, the General was not discouraged. She then brought up physical patrol currency.
Logically speaking, physical patrol currency should have long been replaced.
But the previous generals were unwilling to give up.
If Marshal sir would not ascend the throne, then printing his face on paper patrol currency should at least be acceptable, right? Issuing only a small internal portion should be fine, right?
Of course, as generals, they were quite wealthy.
And Xianzhou people usually paid with jade communicators, so physical patrol currency was rarely needed.
Then as generals, helping Xianzhou people handle some unused patrol currency was not a problem, right?
As time passed, the superior's appearance became top secret across the star seas, so the generals had to settle down.
And now, they had already cleared all obstacles. They should finally be able to change the currency design, right?
Zero clearly understood his subordinate's intentions. After finally deleting his own information, how could he possibly agree to this suggestion?
He refused again, automatically ignoring the subordinate's pitiful look, led everyone to sit, and picked up his chopsticks first.
The subordinate vividly described fighting the "Abundance" Emanator together with the Cloud Knights.
"Shuhu really looks… unpleasant to the eyes."
"I won't mention his appearance at the dining table."
"He can revive life and absorb others' flesh and blood to feed himself."
The subordinate seemed to think of something, frowned, and immediately began complaining.
"Marshal sir, you don't even know how excessive he was! Do you know what he said to us?"
Zero cooperatively asked, "What did he say?"
The subordinate said angrily, "He said my pain might please him..."
After the words fell, the atmosphere at the table instantly froze.
Zero slowly put down his chopsticks and gave a light laugh, "Heh, how interesting."
He asked with interest, "Speaking of which, when you interrogate prisoners, what do you usually do?"
The General's expression froze for a moment.
Beating them repeatedly until near death…
And all kinds of punishments unsuitable for two-hundred-year-olds to hear…
Could such things even be said?
Wouldn't saying them dirty the Crown Princess's ears?
The General said awkwardly, "We beat them, for example slapping and such."
"And we humiliate them, for example… lifting their chin with the tip of a shoe."
Zero nodded thoughtfully and gently comforted his subordinate, "Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll vent your anger for you."
The General's expression changed sharply. She said stiffly, "Marshal sir, no need to trouble yourself. I'll go vent my anger on him later."
Marty glanced sideways and saw the General's ears completely red.
He could not figure it out no matter how he thought.
Wasn't this about interrogation? Why was the General so excited?
Then Marty thought again. Someone who could sit in the General's position could hardly be simple. Having some special little hobbies about tormenting death row prisoners seemed normal, right?
For example, Yaoqing's higher-ups liked going to the Nether Prison every so often to mess with assassins.
Marty figured it out and continued eating quietly.
After eating and drinking their fill, General Cangcheng clapped her hands, and more than ten people filed in.
They wore various clothes, their faces and figures unmemorable, most suitable for blending into crowds to protect the Marshal.
As a subordinate, she understood the Marshal well.
When he traveled, he was extremely low-key. Clearing areas and blocking roads happened only rarely.
This time, if the Crown Princess had not accompanied him, the Marshal might have brought just a few people to Cangcheng again.
What could she do? Of course, within the Marshal's acceptable range, find ways to protect him and select guards.
"For this period, they will be responsible for your safety."
Her expression relaxed, her tone like she was acting spoiled toward an elder.
"You've refused me twice. This time, you can't refuse me again."
Zero was extremely helpless.
"Alright, alright, alright. I agree."
He looked at Marty.
"Come take a walk with me."
Marty was overjoyed and immediately agreed.
The two left the residence. Behind them, more than ten people hid among the crowd, following neither too close nor too far.
They arrived at the busiest streets of Cangcheng.
Cangcheng residents had long heard news they would move away from here to other Xianzhou ships.
Some accepted it well. Others were unwilling to leave their homeland.
Zero had expected this.
If it were before, he might have asked Cangcheng residents for their opinions, followed their wishes, and let them choose new residences themselves.
Luckily he had an heir.
Luckily he shut down the system early. Otherwise he might have increased his own workload just to max out resident satisfaction.
Each Xianzhou ship built several new cavern heavens for this and sent personnel to help Cangcheng residents relocate.
Among the bustling crowd, Zero saw a Vidyadhara person.
His gaze stayed on that person until they disappeared from sight, then he withdrew his gaze.
Zero's voice was barely audible.
"Except for infertility… the Vidyadhara really are a perfect race."