First Interstellar Guide Chapter 86: Marshal’s Sudden Visit

Chapter 86: Marshal’s Sudden Visit

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The next day, when Yu Ran woke up, he found Lu Zexuan rolling up his sleeves, head down in the kitchen cooking. The morning sunlight fell on the handsome man’s profile, the usually stern and aloof sentinel general, now wearing an apron and cooking, emanating a sense of warmth of a homely man.

Yu Ran looked at Lu Zexuan’s busy figure in the kitchen with mixed emotions. This scene made him momentarily forget the danger they were about to face, as if they were just an ordinary couple, getting up in the morning, the sentinel cooking breakfast for the guide, exchanging good morning greetings. After all the dust settled, he also wanted to spend a peaceful and stable time with Lu Zexuan like this. But it was too early to say these things now. The enemy was powerful, and they didn’t have a guarantee of victory.

Yu Ran averted his gaze and turned to wash his face. When he returned to the dining room after freshening up, Lu Zexuan had already prepared breakfast: light and tasty fish porridge, freshly baked bread, and two plates of easily digestible vegetables.

Lu Zexuan said softly, “You were too tired yesterday. You fell asleep without dinner. You must be hungry.”

Indeed, Yu Ran hadn’t eaten dinner last night. He had been kissed by Lu Zexuan and then fell asleep in his arms. He touched his empty stomach and took the spoon of porridge Lu Zexuan handed him. After taking a sip, he couldn’t help but praise, “It’s delicious.”

The porridge had obviously been simmered for a while, the grains were very soft and melted in the mouth. It seemed Lu Zexuan had gotten up early. Yu Ran felt warm inside and started eating heartily.

Lu Zexuan watched him eat with his head down, smiling, “If you like it, I’ll make it for you again in the future.”

The future? Yu Ran wasn’t sure if they would have a “future,” but facing Lu Zexuan’s gentle gaze, he softened and nodded, saying, “Okay, I’ll leave breakfast to you in the future.”

The two of them rarely enjoyed a cozy breakfast together, then drove to the Eagle Legion’s office building. General Lu had been taking Yu Ran to work with him recently, and the soldiers of the Eagle Legion were already used to it. In front of them, Yu Ran still looked like a cute and innocent C-level guide, obediently following General Lu.

When they arrived at the office, Yu Ran’s expression became serious. He closed the curtains and said in his mind, “We’ve already controlled two legion commanders according to the Dark Night Organization’s requirements. Their next target should be President Harrison and Chief Zhu of the Investigation Division.”

Lu Zexuan said, “The president’s guards are all professionally trained, and Zhu Tianyi is also strong. It won’t be easy for them to strike. But the Dark Night Organization is colluding with the Star Pirates. I’m worried they might use the Star Pirates to ambush the president during his tour…”

The two were in a mental conversation when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Lu Zexuan said, “Come in.”

A young A-level sentinel entered, wearing the Eagle Legion’s black uniform, his spirit body a common tiger.

Lu Zexuan asked, “What’s the matter?”

The sentinel didn’t speak to Lu Zexuan but handed Yu Ran a note.

Yu Ran opened it and read, “The Marshal is about to visit. Be prepared and don’t reveal anything.” Yu Ran nodded at him, “Understood. You may leave.”

The sentinel quickly left, considerately closing the door behind him for the two of them.

Lu Zexuan remarked, “It seems that the Dark Night Organization has planted another contact within our Eagle Legion, facilitating the transmission of important information to us. This Major Cheng, obviously, is also under their control.”

Yu Ran frowned with worry, “They’ve improved their drug formula; they dare to target even S-level sentinels’ minds. Controlling A-level sentinels should be as easy as pie. If more and more A-level sentinels are controlled by them in the future, the situation in the capital star will spiral out of control.”

What worried Yu Ran even more was that the Marshal was visiting the Eagle Legion today, and he and Lu Zexuan were completely unaware. The fact that the Dark Night Organization’s intelligence was faster than the official notification from the Marshal indicated that there were Dark Night Organization informants even around the Marshal.

Just as they were thinking about it, another internal phone call came through.

Lu Zexuan answered the call, “Hello, what’s the matter?”

A stranger’s voice came from the other end, “General Lu, hello, I am Marshal Qin’s assistant secretary. The Marshal will arrive at the Eagle Legion’s office building at three o’clock this afternoon. Please prepare for his reception.”

Lu Zexuan and Yu Ran glanced at each other. “Okay, understood.”

Marshal Qin Xiao, although he didn’t hold actual military power, was the overall commander of the military and needed to coordinate relations between the various legions and make strategic deployments. Therefore, every few months, he would visit the major legions to inspect the work of the generals.

During this time, he had visited the Sun Legion, Snow Leopard Legion, and Starlight Legion’s office buildings, but had never come to the Eagle Legion. Yu Ran thought his grandfather was avoiding suspicion. But now it seemed that his grandfather was inspecting in the normal sequence. His usual inspection of the legions followed the order of Sun, Snow Leopard, Starlight, and Eagle. Following this routine would not arouse the enemy’s suspicion.

After seeing the Marshal, they would have to put on another act.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, Marshal Qin Xiao arrived at the Eagle Legion’s office building on the capital star with a few trusted aides.

Lu Zexuan had already notified the soldiers to line up for the reception. Marshal Qin Xiao greeted everyone in a friendly manner, inquired warmly about everyone’s work, and the soldiers all answered earnestly. Finally, the Marshal came with everyone to the top floor conference room.

There were many Eagle Legion generals present, as well as the Marshal’s bodyguards.

Qin Xiao looked at Lu Zexuan and smiled, “General Lu, you are indeed outstanding at such a young age. To become a legion commander at the age of 25 and manage the Eagle Legion so well, I believe your father’s spirit in heaven must be very pleased.”

Lu Zexuan said solemnly, “Thank you for your affirmation, Marshal. I can adapt to the legion’s work thanks to the help and support of my predecessors.”

Several old generals of the Eagle Legion smiled at this and politely said, “It’s what we should do.” 

“Yes, the old generals are gone, so we will fully assist the new General Lu.”

The atmosphere was harmonious.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Marshal Qin Xiao seemingly casually glanced at Yu Ran and said, “This is Yu Ran, the guide, right?”

Yu Ran, feeling honored, stood up with a blush. “Yes, Marshal.”

Marshal Qin Xiao smiled and said, “The story of you two has already spread throughout the military. I heard that General Lu brings you to work every day?”

Yu Ran replied shyly, “The General just doesn’t trust me to stay home alone.”

Marshal Qin Xiao chuckled, “Is that so? There has never been a precedent in our military for bringing family to work.”

The expressions of the people present changed slightly.

Actually, Lu Zexuan bringing Yu Ran to the office had caused quite a stir within the Eagle Legion. Everyone felt it was unreasonable for General Lu to bring a young guide to work. Some senior figures had advised him to be mindful of the influence, but he had stubbornly refused, saying, “I know what I’m doing.”

Yu Ran appeared obedient and helpful, serving tea and water for Lu Zexuan every day, and never interfering with his work. Lu Zexuan had just lost his father, and his mother had returned to her hometown. He indeed needed companionship, so everyone turned a blind eye to it.

But now, Marshal Qin Xiao had noticed it during the inspection… It was like airing the family’s dirty laundry in public. On the surface, Marshal Qin Xiao was joking, but in fact, it was already a public criticism.

The faces of the old generals of the Eagle Legion didn’t look good. They felt like the Marshal was implying that Lu Zexuan was a “king bewitched by beauty.” Yet, Yu Ran, looking puzzled, scratched his head and timidly said, “Then, I won’t be in the General’s office tomorrow. I’ll go to the next room and study by myself. Is that okay?”

Everyone was speechless. This weak tone and pitiful look really made him seem like a little lamb bullied by a wolf pack. He seemed genuinely scared by the Marshal and even trembled slightly when he spoke.

Marshal Qin Xiao coughed uncomfortably and said, “I didn’t mean to blame you.” He looked at Lu Zexuan and said seriously, “I just hope that General Lu can be mindful of the influence. After all, you are the legion commander now, and you need to set a good example for your subordinates. If everyone in the Eagle Legion brings family members to work like you, what will become of our military?”

The focus shifted to Lu Zexuan, and everyone awkwardly lowered their heads.

Lu Zexuan also bowed his head and said, “I understand your teachings, Marshal. Starting tomorrow, I will arrange a separate room for RanRan and let him study by himself. I won’t allow him to casually enter my office anymore… I apologize for not considering this properly. I just can’t bear to leave him alone at home, and I hope the Marshal can understand.”

After a moment of silence, Marshal Qin Xiao waved his hand, “Forget it. Yu Ran, come with me, I have something to discuss with you.”

Everyone thought that the Marshal calling Yu Ran over was to educate this guide who didn’t know his place.

Yu Ran nervously followed behind the Marshal and went to the adjacent room. Through the transparent window, everyone could only see the Marshal’s serious expression and Yu Ran, blushing, nervously bowing his head like an obedient student being scolded by a teacher.

In a place unseen by everyone, Marshal Qin Xiao’s mental tendrils quickly connected with Yu Ran.

In the depths of the ocean, he heard Marshal Qin Xiao’s low and gentle voice, “Ranran, you’ve been through a lot lately. I’ve been wanting to find a chance to meet with you, but there’s a spy from the Dark Night Organization by my side. I can’t directly get rid of him, so I can only talk to you a few words during the legion inspection. General Lu Tingyu shouldn’t have really sacrificed himself, right? Beneath the wormhole he fell through was the Red Spider Star where you survived all those years ago. I believe this must have been arranged by you intentionally. How is your investigation into the Dark Night Organization progressing?”

In the depths of the ocean, familiar transparent bubbles pulled Yu Ran into Marshal Qin Xiao’s mental landscape, where countless beautiful jellyfish floated around. Those jellyfish were actually attacking spirit bodies, but Yu Ran felt safe under the protection of the jellyfish. Both his grandfather’s and father’s spirit bodies were jellyfish, and he had played with these jellyfish since he was a child. Seeing them now, he felt incredibly familiar and comfortable.

Mimic octopuses could mimic the appearance of humans, but they couldn’t mimic the mental world. Initially, when Yu Ran saw Marshal Qin Xiao, he had been cautious, afraid that it was another mimic octopus pretending to test him. But now, being pulled into the ocean by his grandfather’s familiar mental energy, seeing the mental world and jellyfish swarm identical to his memories, Yu Ran completely dispelled his doubts.

Moreover, besides Lu Zexuan and his aunt, only the Marshal knew that he was an undercover agent. Being able to accurately mention the secret of the Red Spider Star, the person in front of him must be the Marshal himself.

“The sacrifice of General Lu was indeed arranged by me,” Yu Ran paused and asked, “Grandfather, do you remember the mimic octopus?”

“I do. This type of spirit body went extinct 200 years ago.” Marshal Qin Xiao looked at Yu Ran in confusion, “Why do you suddenly mention this?”

“I’ve made contact with the core of the Dark Night Organization. Their leader, one of them is the scientist Morvi, my father’s most respected teacher; and another one is the mimic octopus. He can change his appearance at will, disguising himself as anyone he’s seen before.”

“No wonder!” Marshal Qin Xiao suddenly realized, “Those government officials, business tycoons, couldn’t possibly listen to just a scientist like Morvi. So, it seems the mimic octopus disguised himself as someone more powerful, attracting many followers?”

“Yes — he can disguise himself as the president.”