AHDIBCB Chapter 58

The overly blunt yet completely self-assured answer made Scarlet Snake pause in shock—he never would’ve imagined hearing something like that come out of Li Heng’s mouth.

He looked toward Winter Wolf in confusion, hoping for some reassurance. Back when Yuan Yi was affected by Aminanka, he had indeed worked hard to help search for it, but he never expected the General to love this deeply. Wasn’t that supposed to be a marriage of necessity? And yet it had such power? Enough to make the cold and terrifying commander of an entire fleet be so… casual.

Winter Wolf said, “The General is doing very well—you don’t need to worry. The Madam is also doing very well—you definitely don’t need to worry.”

Scarlet Snake felt even more worried after hearing that—no matter how he listened, the answer just sounded like they’d all been brainwashed together.

At this moment, Night Wolf said, “This name sounds powerful, and also full of love. It’s great.”

Scarlet Snake: “……”

Li Heng asked, “What is it?”

Scarlet Snake said, “Nothing, just suddenly remembered a term—‘the conformity paradox.’”

When the opinions of most people—or all people—are highly consistent, that very consistency should actually raise suspicion and caution, rather than build trust. That Yuan Yi… could there be something wrong with him? After all, he was still someone brought up by Zhou Tandai.

Li Heng said, “Go contact Flight Wolf.”

Scarlet Snake, still full of doubt, hurried to make the arrangements.

One week was already enough for someone who had just experienced the taste of love to fall deeply into longing.

Li Heng got into a light-energy vehicle and went to his quarters aboard the Zhenyuan. This resting cabin was at least ten times larger than the one on the Ghost Ship. However, Li Heng had no interest in looking at any of it. He took a light computer from Scarlet Snake, leaned casually against the interstellar floating-sand map table.

On the light computer, Flight Wolf’s face was already visible—but Yuan Yi was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is he?” Li Heng asked Flight Wolf.

“The Madam is in class with Snow Wolf.”

“In class?”

“Yes, General. The Madam is learning how to read star maps and interstellar routes from Snow Wolf. Just earlier, he finished a course on weaponry theory and practical training. Today is the final day of this lesson. The Madam can already name all the weaponry currently used by our Heavenly Wolf fleet, as well as their functions and operating mechanisms—he knows them like the back of his hand. He can also operate light and ultra-light weapons on his own.”

Scarlet Snake: “……”

Li Heng asked, “How much longer until class is over?”

Flight Wolf said, “About thirteen more minutes.”

Li Heng thought for a moment and decided to wait. He told Flight Wolf not to inform Yuan Yi about the video call for now—just to go over and let him see. He wanted to look at Yuan Yi.

The others were also somewhat curious.

Not all of the backbone personnel of the Heavenly Wolf fleet were present—most of them were still on the Heavenly Wolf with Fei Qian. The ones here now were those whom Li Heng, in past years while still in command of the fleet, had found excuses to “kick out” or who had “died in battle” outside. No one on the outside knew these people were still working under him.

Aside from Winter Wolf, Night Wolf, and Scarlet Snake, there were also two very capable subordinates—one named Bichan, the other Zilu. Both were alpha females.

At this moment, they too were interested in seeing Yuan Yi.

So Flight Wolf opened the communication feed, set it to mute, and headed to where Snow Wolf was giving the lesson—which was, in fact, the command center of the Ghost Ship. Only here could one see the clearest star maps and interstellar routes. Naturally, it also displayed their current location and route options.

Yuan Yi heard footsteps but didn’t even turn his head. Floating to his right was Li Mian, and to Li Mian’s right was Yang Mei. On Yuan Yi’s left was Snow Wolf, who was currently explaining the characteristics of Planet Gaellich and the insect race, as well as the nearby special teleport bridges that had transport capabilities, and the surrounding celestial bodies.

Yuan Yi listened attentively, taking notes while listening—sometimes sketching things out. If he didn’t understand something, he would ask Snow Wolf. During this time, Li Mian would help record everything from start to finish. When Yuan Yi reviewed at night, if there was something he didn’t understand, he could just ask Li Mian, who would immediately help him find the answer.

Night Wolf asked, “Why is the Madam learning all this?”

Li Heng frowned slightly but didn’t reply.

Flight Wolf had found a good angle, so they could clearly see Yuan Yi paying close attention. With his belly sticking out, it already looked hard enough on him—and yet he still stood to listen. This was because, generally speaking, the floating-sand holographic table was positioned in the very center of the command center, where no chairs would be placed. Also, it really wasn’t suitable to sit while viewing a floating 3D projection—since what one saw would change depending on where the viewer was standing.

Winter Wolf said, “The Madam has quite a strong desire to learn. Maybe he just wants to understand more.”

Zilu asked, “But was it really necessary to learn how to use weapons too?”

She really was curious. She knew there were some omegas with more extroverted personalities, strong curiosity, and a liking for things that, most of the time, only alphas and betas tended to enjoy—but they were still the minority. Omegas usually preferred doing more refined things. Even someone lively like Liang Wanfeng would lean toward less aggressive interests, like keeping pets, doing design, or maybe planting flowers, learning music, and so on.

Li Heng had originally been silent, but at this moment, he said, “He’s always a little different.”

Night Wolf added, “That’s true. So many omegas confessed to you before—sending gifts, writing love letters—whether gorgeous or delicate-looking, what type wasn’t there? But you never liked any of them.”

Bichan said, “Am I the only one paying attention to the Madam’s belly? That’s definitely the General’s genes—it’s grown so big!”

Li Heng replied, “Twins. Of course it’s big. Alright, all of you—get going and take care of your own tasks. What, the war’s over since you’re all gathered here?”

He didn’t like people crowding around and gossiping about Yuan Yi, so he waved his hand to signal everyone to leave.

But these folks still lingered and dawdled. Especially Zilu—after all that time, she hadn’t even stepped a meter out. Li Heng asked, “What are you doing? Want to get scolded?”

Bichan said, “General, everyone else has already met the Madam. Only Zilu and I haven’t. Can we at least get to know him?”

This group was all personally trained by him, so Li Heng didn’t even have to think to know exactly what they were scheming. Obviously, they’d heard Yuan Yi was gentle and wanted to get close to him—so if he ever disciplined them in the future, they’d have someone to complain to.

But letting these people go to Yuan Yi for help wasn’t necessarily a bad thing either. At the very least, it could help Yuan Yi quickly get familiar with them and establish some level of authority.

So he didn’t drive them away again and continued watching Yuan Yi.

Even though it had only been a week, he really felt the children had grown a lot. Yuan Yi was now standing with one hand unconsciously supporting his lower back. Seeing him so seriously learning new knowledge—especially knowledge related to his own career—made it hard for Li Heng not to be moved.

“Xuan Ying, check the Madam’s sleep data for the past week.”

“Yes, General. The Madam occasionally gets up once in the night. Judging from the duration, it should be to use the restroom. After returning, he is able to fall back asleep quickly. All other data is normal. Li Mian has been keeping a detailed log of the Madam’s daily routine—would you like to see it?”

“Send me a copy and keep them private.”

Li Heng opened the file on the light computer and immediately saw that, on the second day after he left, Yuan Yi had woken up, opened his eyes, and subconsciously reached toward the side of the bed where he used to sleep. That was clearly him thinking of him.

It felt as if a soft feather had gently brushed his heart.

People really are strange. In the past, seeing others do these ordinary things only made him feel incredibly bored. But watching Yuan Yi do them—it was different. Even if it was just studying and eating, he could watch with great interest.

Very soon, class time was over, and Yuan Yi had finished asking the questions he wanted to ask. But before Flight Wolf could even say anything, Yuan Yi proactively reached out his hand.

Flight Wolf was stunned. “Huh?”

Yuan Yi said, “Isn’t there news from the General?”

Flight Wolf: “……”

He quietly nudged Li Mian. “Enable General’s access.”

Once Li Mian finished the setup, the holograms of Li Heng and several other alphas appeared in front of Yuan Yi.

Li Heng gently touched his belly and asked softly, “Why are you keeping yourself so busy?”

Yuan Yi said, “There’s no harm in learning more. How are things on your side? Are you on the Heavenly Wolf right now?”

Li Heng said, “No. This is the Zhenyuan.”

Winter Wolf added, “Madam, ‘Zhenyuan’ is the name the General just bestowed upon the new fleet. Can you guess its meaning?”

Yuan Yi didn’t even think before replying, “It’s probably related to me, so I’d rather not guess.”

Zilu asked curiously, “Hello, Madam, I’m Zilu—the reconnaissance captain under the General, mainly in charge of scouting tasks. May I be so bold as to ask—how did you know the name the General gave is related to you? Is it because of the character ‘Yuan’ (元/原)?”

Yuan Yi said, “It’s because Winter Wolf’s expression looked like he was trying to win credit on your General’s behalf, so I guessed it probably had something to do with me. And now that you’re all heading to the battlefield, the pressure must be significant. If mistakes happen, with the General’s temperament, I imagine he wouldn’t just let it slide. Not long ago, Yang Mei told me you all usually get scolded pretty harshly and asked me to put in a word for you. I agreed. Sorry if I’m being too blunt—I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”

Everyone: “……”

Bichan quickly seized the moment and said, “Madam, I’m Bichan! Please remember my face!”

Then she immediately dragged the whole group out.

As soon as the door shut, Night Wolf asked, “Bichan, why were you in such a rush?”

Bichan said, “Of course I was! This Madam is amazing! Gorgeous, composed, and not a single unpleasant word—but did you hear the subtext? He was implying we were interrupting his alone time with the General!”

Saying he didn’t want to take up our time—that was a double entendre!

Night Wolf said, “Now that you mention it, I think I’m starting to realize it too.”

Zilu added, “And the Madam also said he agreed to Yang Mei’s request. What he was really telling us is—he understands what we’re thinking, and he’ll agree to it too. Interesting.”

Scarlet Snake stroked his chin and said, “As expected, there’s a reason he was able to move the General. Back when the credit for discovering the key to resolving Aminanka was transferred to the vice-captain, I had wondered if someone was secretly guiding things behind the scenes. Now that I think about it, that person behind the scenes was probably the Madam himself. I think I understand now why the Madam wants to learn to read star maps and interstellar routes.”

Everyone asked, “Why?”

Scarlet Snake said, “The Madam has seen the future of the Heavenly Wolf.”

At this point, things could no longer return to the way they were. The Heavenly Wolf fleet had already set out and would soon confront the Brutai barbarians—but not for the mission assigned by the Grand Highness. From now on, the General would no longer be Owanda’s general. Although the Madam was still young, it was clear he had already seen this—and was doing what he could.

Maybe he wanted to become the General’s support… or share his burdens?

At this moment, Bichan asked Night Wolf, “How long until we reach Gaellich?”

Night Wolf replied, “About twenty-seven hours and eleven minutes.”

Li Heng still had some time left to be alone with Yuan Yi. Even though he couldn’t touch him, just seeing Yuan Yi safe gave him peace of mind.

He looked at the table covered with Yuan Yi’s densely written study notes, and said with heartache, “Wife, don’t wear yourself out too much.”

Yuan Yi smiled and said, “Persistence is the key to learning.”

Li Heng nodded, “That’s right. Persistence is vital in learning, and understanding is vital in battle. The Dao lies in comprehending ‘Yuan’¹.”

Yuan Yi replied, “It’s clearly ‘The Dao lies in comprehending Zhen’—why are you twisting it?”

Li Heng gently touched his cheek. “In a sense, both Zhen (truth) and Yuan (origin) are the primordial forms of all things. There’s nothing wrong with comprehending either. But my Dao… lies in understanding you—for a lifetime.”