Chapter 27 - The General's Wife is an Illegal Resident in the Star System

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

On Leave

 

 

"Bro, what do we do now?" Archie was starting to panic.

 

They had proposed this match, certain that they'd win, and had staked most of their savings on their own odds. If they lost, it would be a major blow.

 

"Calm down. This match isn't over yet. Just follow my lead," Harlow said, trying to keep his composure, though he was agitated too. He knew better than anyone how challenging the top 100 ranks on Board A could be.

 

He'd been stuck at 93rd for nearly two months. He'd tried advancing once but failed, losing not only some star coins but also a significant chunk of experience points. Dropping a level would restrict his access to certain areas, so after that setback, Harlow had held off on another attempt.

 

As soon as the match began, Archie and Harlow launched an attack on Rainwalker.

 

The brothers had a solid reputation in the Mecha Training Arena, and most of the crowd was there to see them. While they might not be exceptional as solo players, together they performed at an extraordinary level.

 

Now, aware of Lu Li's rank, Archie and Harlow adjusted their approach. They decided to avoid a direct clash with him, aiming to eliminate Rainwalker first. His mecha was slower and bulky; if they could take him out quickly, they could then turn their full attention to Lu Li. A two-on-one advantage would significantly increase their chances of victory.

 

But Lu Li wasn't about to let them have their way. While he hadn't teamed up with Rainwalker often, they had faced off frequently enough to know each other's strategies well. A few subtle cues were all they needed to sync up their plans.

 

The brothers wanted to pick off the weaker target first? So be it.

 

The two had no idea that Lu Li's specialty was long-range combat. However, close-range was by no means his weak point either. As a soldier with specialized training, his skill level was impressive even among those with enhanced genes.

 

The brothers didn't realize they were falling into a trap. They focused their full strength on Rainwalker, while dodging Lu Li's particle gun attacks.

 

Half an hour in, a misstep left one ofRainwalker's forelimbs exposed to Harlow's weapon, rendering it useless and causing a damage rate of 30%.

 

"Nice one!" A cheer went up from the audience.

 

Already slow, Rainwalker's mecha lost even more mobility and agility with a disabled limb, allowing Archie to close in. A dazzling energy beam blasted straight toward Rainwalker.

 

Archie's weapon was an energy cannon—easier to dodge at a distance, but with an 80% hit rate at close range.

 

Everyone thought Rainwalker was doomed.

 

Archie and Harlow smirked in satisfaction.

 

Just then, a faster energy beam streaked across the arena from behind Archie's mecha, piercing its energy core.

 

The mecha came to an abrupt halt, its half-fired energy cannon dissipating. With a damage level reaching 100%, Archie was immediately disqualified.

 

The sudden reversal left everyone stunned.

 

"What the hell just happened?" As the audience snapped out of their shock, curses filled the stands.

 

Most of the swearing was directed at Archie. He had been on the verge of victory, but in the blink of an eye, his side was down a man. How could they still hope to win?

 

Unless Harlow's skills would suddenly skyrocket.

 

"The brothers fell for their trap. It looked like they had the advantage, but they were actually being lured in step by step," observed one sharp-eyed spectator.

 

"The other side pretended to be cornered, but all along they were waiting for an opening. They even sacrificed a forelimb to lure them in. Sure enough, Archie and Harlow fell for it."

 

Just as the brothers had envisioned a two-on-one scenario, only now the tables had turned.

 

Harlow wasn't a match for Lu Li even one-on-one, and with both opponents working together, his defeat came even faster. The outcome was no longer in doubt.

 

Lu Li and Rainwalker won the match.

 

While a few optimistic spectators had bet on their win, the majority were left cursing, calling Archie and Harlow useless for challenging someone only to lose.

 

The brothers left with grim expressions.

 

Seeing the time, Lu Li gave Rainwalker a quick goodbye and logged off the Cosmic Net. His teammate barely had a chance to offer him a share of the prize money before he vanished from the screen.

 

Opening his eyes, Lu Li sat up from his bed, stretched his limbs, and walked out the door. Within moments, he sensed something was off.

 

A glance at the living room revealed only An Ming and Madam Qin, with no one else around. Although the Qin family mansion was located in an area close to the political and economic centers, where property prices were sky-high, the estate itself was over 2,000 square meters in size. Maintaining such a place required at least several dozen servants.

 

Normally, a servant would call him when it was time for meals, yet this time, no one had come up, and he saw not a single servant downstairs.

 

"Where are the staff?" Lu Li asked An Ming, who was standing by Madam Qin's side.

 

There were usually several servants assigned to clean the hall.

 

"No need to look; they're on leave," answered Madam Qin, not An Ming. She was seated at the dining table, with today's lunch laid out before her.

 

Lu Li approached. "Mother, did you give everyone leave? Shouldn't there be one or two left behind?"

 

"Don't call me 'mother.' I haven't acknowledged you as part of the Qin family yet." With Qin Yu absent, Madam Qin didn't bother concealing her disdain. "The staff may be gone, but you're still here. If you want my acknowledgment, I won't say it's impossible—as long as you do well enough to please me."

 

Strictly speaking, with Madam Qin giving him the cold shoulder, Lu Li didn't need to keep trying to earn her favor. But she was Qin Yu's mother, and he didn't want to strain their relationship. He thought that if he continued to work hard, his sincerity would eventually move her.

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