Free Web NovelChapter 46: Chapter 46: She’s Back
Listening to Shi Lan, Levito was reminded of his younger, hot-headed self just after he had joined the army. Back then, after seeing the Insect Clan injure his friends, he had angrily declared they must exterminate the entire clan. But the Major General had stepped forward to calm him, telling him that the situation with the Insect Clan was far more complex.
Remembering the Major General’s past support and guidance, his turbulent heart settled as he faced Shi Lan.
He said softly, "These days, there are far more males than females. This gender imbalance can easily lead to social chaos. Before the Insect Clan emerged, there were many cases of females being harmed."
"After the Insect Clan appeared, some males found an outlet for their pent-up energy. When people are constantly worried about their basic safety, they don’t have time for other wicked ideas." freēwebnovel.com
"So, the army’s mission isn’t so much to exterminate the Insect Clan as it is to control their population, keeping it at a manageable level..."
Levito explained a great deal to Shi Lan. At first, she only grasped bits and pieces, but by the end, she gradually understood. The Insect Clan had unwittingly become a tool for the Empire to maintain social balance, a tool whose benefits were deemed to outweigh its costs.
But Shi Lan was still confused. The Insect Clan posed the biggest threat to the strong—they were the most likely to die. Yet, it was precisely these powerful individuals who were stationed at the border in the greatest numbers.
’Aren’t they... afraid of dying?’
As she was mulling this over, Levito suddenly added with a smile, "Of course, the Insect Clan isn’t so easily wiped out. As long as the Insect Mother is alive, they will breed endlessly. And the Insect Mother can conceal wormhole fluctuations, making it impossible to pinpoint its true location."
Shi Lan snapped out of her thoughts and nodded. ’It’s true what they say,’ she thought, ’wherever there are people, there are politics.’ To think that even the situation with the Insect Clan had so many convoluted schemes behind it.
...
The Teleportation Spaceship was incredibly fast. The journey from the Border Defense Star to Black Star was about one-third of the distance from the Capital Star, so they arrived at Black Star roughly three hours later.
It was now past 11:00 PM.
The temperature on Black Star was even lower. While they were still on the spaceship, Shi Lan took the initiative to return the Blue Crystal to Levito.
"Black Star is colder, so I shouldn’t need this."
Levito shook his head. "It’s fine. I have plenty of Blue Crystals. You should keep it, just in case."
The two had gotten to know each other quite well over the past few days, so hearing him say that, Shi Lan didn’t hesitate and accepted it.
Since he was here, Levito planned to visit the Major General. He had already sent a landing request to the planet’s administrator during the trip.
Although Black Star wasn’t a public planet, one could land with permission from one of the prisoners, the Prison Director, or the planet’s administrator. He wasn’t breaking any rules.
Although only five short days had passed, when Shi Lan stepped onto the soil of Black Star again, she felt a sense of nostalgia and relief, as if she were returning home. After all, this was the place where she had spent the most time. Without realizing it, this place had become more than just her workplace; it felt like her first home in this new world.
She naturally got out of the vehicle and led the way. Watching her cheerful and jaunty back, Levito sighed in relief.
’It seems the whole ordeal on the Garbage Star really didn’t affect her.’
Levito felt a sense of gratification, proud of the Major General’s taste. ’No wonder the Major General hasn’t been with any female all these years,’ he thought. ’The one he likes is truly one of a kind.’
She went with him to the prison. Though it was late, the men inside were still awake. They heard the faint, familiar sound of light footsteps in the distance, and their gazes all turned towards the entrance, a soft glimmer of anticipation and longing in their eyes. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Soon, Shi Lan appeared inside the prison. Cell Block One was closest to the entrance, and He Hanshi’s eyes were the first to land on her.
Shi Lan announced happily, "Everyone, I’m back!"
The corners of her mouth were upturned, her fair complexion rosy. She looked full of life.
After looking her over, He Hanshi finally relaxed. ’Shi Lan truly is no ordinary female,’ he thought. ’She wasn’t easily intimidated by what happened.’
His blue eyes, like ice beginning to thaw, gazed at her. "Welcome back," he said gently.
Across the way, Mu Tangfeng, who always loved to bicker with Shi Lan, awkwardly turned sideways and fiddled with a mushroom on the transparent barrier with his wing. In a tone softer than anyone had ever heard from him, he mumbled, "It’s good that you’re back."
Ye Ming also stood before the blue light screen. Though his vision couldn’t reach Shi Lan, he still faced in her direction, an imperceptible softness in his deep green eyes. "Mm. It’s good you’re back."
Jiang Xia instantly forgot the ball of yarn in his hands, pacing enthusiastically by the barrier of his cell. His relief was the most palpable of all. "This is wonderful, Shi Lan! I’m so glad you’re okay!"
Even Yan Huoshui in Cell Block Five couldn’t help but exclaim joyfully, "A warm welcome to our Prison Director, returned safe and sound."
The five men were so focused on Shi Lan that, for a moment, they completely forgot Levito was also present.
It took Levito clearing his throat to break the intimate, family-like atmosphere, making his presence felt like an outsider looking in.
He Hanshi finally turned his attention to him. He looked at Levito, who seemed to have grown even taller in the last two years, and said earnestly, "Thank you."
Through the transparent blue light screen, Levito placed his hand on the barrier. He gazed at the man who resembled a caged White Lion, a pang of bitterness in his heart. He blinked, then shook his head. "I’m the one who failed your trust, Major General."
"No. I’ve always believed in you. You have never once failed me."
He Hanshi didn’t truly blame Levito for failing to protect Shi Lan. He would only ever hate the kidnapper, and himself, for being trapped in this tiny prison, unable to protect her.
He Hanshi looked at him with gentle forgiveness. Under that gaze, the guilt and self-reproach in Levito’s heart finally found release.
He couldn’t help but think of Shi Lan again. ’She and the Major General are somewhat alike,’ he mused. ’They always treat others with such magnanimity.’
’She didn’t blame me, either.’
Although Levito hadn’t said anything or let it show on the journey here, he had been deeply hesitant about seeing the Major General. Perhaps it was the apprehension that comes with a long-awaited reunion, or perhaps he was just afraid of seeing disappointment in his eyes.
Thankfully, the Major General wasn’t. He was still the same man—stern within the army, but gentle to his friends.
Levito finally broke into a smile. "Thank you, Major General."
"I should be thanking you. You handled this situation with Shi Lan very well, communicating with us promptly."
He Hanshi was incredibly grateful for that. If Levito had hidden the matter out of fear of being blamed, he couldn’t imagine how much more Shi Lan would have suffered on the Garbage Star.
Just thinking about it made his chest ache. His gaze drifted back to Shi Lan, lingering for a long moment before he finally said, "It’s getting late. You should head back. Be careful on your journey. I’m fine here, you don’t need to worry. Just focus on leading your unit."
"Understood."
Levito hadn’t applied for an overnight permit and wasn’t allowed to remain on Black Star for more than three hours. He had only wanted to see the Major General, and now that he had and saw that he was doing well, he felt more at ease.
Shi Lan had been waiting for him nearby. Seeing that they were finished talking, she walked him to the exit.
Levito asked her to stop at the door. For the first time, he dared to look directly into her eyes and made a sincere plea, "Please, take good care of the Major General."
"I will."
Hearing her reply, Levito’s lips curved into a smile. And with that, he bid her farewell.
It was not just a departure from Black Star, but also a final farewell to the fleeting fantasy he had briefly harbored in his heart.
