"Don't be surprised, he's a special operative from the Taiyan Division."
It was Qingque, hiding off to the side, who spoke up helplessly:
"This guy used to be a Cloud Knight; his specialty is killing enemies head-on."
"Aside from him, most diviners are actually very weak. On a battlefield, they'd at most be hiding in the back, casting a few minor skills."
Perhaps the mention of "Cloud Knight" suddenly jogged the memory of the Realm-Keeping Commission's captain.
She suddenly jolted, recognizing Chu Ze's appearance:
"You... no, could you be the famous Garrison Officer Chu Ze?"
"Oh? You've heard of me?" Chu Ze was a little surprised.
The captain nodded repeatedly:
"Of course I have! After all, since you enlisted, you've had quite the dazzling combat record!"
"There are even rumors of you fighting against the Annihilation Gang's Lord Ravager, Fann, and that even the triumphant General of the Yaoqing Xianzhou gave you a thumbs-up..."
At first, Chu Ze nodded along as he listened.
But when he heard her mention him fighting a Lord Ravager head-on, even his thick skin could barely handle it:
"Don't spread false rumors, hey! My skills aren't that exaggerated."
"That time, I was unintentionally passing through the Thynuanu system and happened to run into Fann, who was destroying everything in sight."
"Knowing I was no match for him, I used all my trump cards and ran for my life, barely escaping from his grasp..."
"Even so, I was still seriously injured and took a good half a year to recover. So please, stop with the awkward praise."
Chu Ze laid out the whole truth.
But unexpectedly, the captain's eyes filled with even more admiration:
"So you're saying you really encountered a Lord Ravager and even managed to escape in one piece? As expected of the person all the Generals are competing to recruit!"
Chu Ze quickly waved his hands:
"That's also a rumor, fake news!"
"Only Sister Feixiao tried to recruit me, and I chose to stay on the Luofu for personal reasons... I wasn't recruited by all the Generals!"
Qingque patted Chu Ze on the back with great feeling:
"Can't be helped. This is a stage every famous person goes through. You should just try to look on the bright side."
"No way! Resisting rumors starts with me!"
...
...
After completely finishing the field mission, Chu Ze and Qingque returned to the Taiyan Division together.
They happened to run into Fu Xuan, who was making her rounds.
The pink-haired girl stood before Chu Ze with her arms crossed:
"What were you two up to again? It's working hours, why weren't you at your desks?"
Chu Ze gave a thumbs-up:
"Went to a private place with Qingque to vent a little. It was very satisfying, very refreshing."
"?" Fu Xuan immediately typed out a question mark.
Qingque, beside him, narrowed her eyes:
"Hey, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're definitely doing this on purpose."
After Qingque explained what had just happened, Fu Xuan finally nodded in understanding.
Although she had already calculated that Chu Ze and Qingque weren't slacking off, she hadn't expected them to pull off something so big.
Not only did they save the Realm-Keeping Commission's action team, preventing them from being wiped out, but they even managed to counter-encircle the Abundance stronghold and capture three Denizens of Abundance Deacons alive.
This was a major accomplishment, the kind that gets you a commendation banner.
"But what surprised this seat the most is your learning ability," Fu Xuan said, looking at Chu Ze.
According to Qingque, he had mastered a day's worth of knowledge in just two hours, and his performance on his first practical task was also perfect.
Such talent was definitely outstanding, even among a group of geniuses.
Chu Ze raised his eyebrows proudly: "Impressive, right? Actually, I have an even more impressive talent, it's just not convenient to show it off."
"Oh? What talent is that?" Fu Xuan asked, puzzled.
Qingque also cast an interested glance.
But Chu Ze was being mysterious: "This talent isn't suitable for public display. For now, I can only perform it for Ah Fu."
"Let's go, Ah Fu, to your office. I have something I want to talk to you about anyway."
"Oh, okay." Fu Xuan, not suspecting a thing, led Chu Ze into the office.
Qingque stuck out her tongue, muttered "stingy," and didn't press her curiosity further.
Today's tasks were finally all done, and she even went on a field mission.
She needed to relax and recover her tired body.
...
...
Two hours later.
Inside the Taiyan's office.
Fu Xuan was collapsed on the sofa without any grace, her body and stockings covered in marks, her delicate face flushed red:
"So that's the kind of talent you were talking about... you scoundrel!"
"To be so intense, and with that kind of rhythm... what on earth is going on in that head of yours!"
Chu Ze was shirtless, the muscle lines on his body like a meticulously carved work of art, smooth and full of power:
"Didn't I get your tacit approval? Ah Fu, you can't just deny everything after pulling up your pants..."
"I did not give you tacit approval! This seat was just... unable to form a complete sentence!"
Fu Xuan glared at Chu Ze in embarrassment, even kicking his body with her small legs.
But after a few kicks, she took a deep breath and forced her trembling mind to regain its sanity:
"So, what trouble do you need my help with this time?"
Chu Ze chuckled:
"I knew I couldn't hide it from you."
Of course, he couldn't.
After all, every time this guy had something to ask of her, he would first have a few rounds of fun with her, the so-called "pleasure first, talk later."
Thinking of this, Fu Xuan snorted softly:
"Your little thoughts are transparent before this seat's omniscia. So just get to the point."
Chu Ze didn't dawdle any longer and said directly:
"In the near future, I'd like to apply for a long leave."
"The reason?"
Fu Xuan raised her eyes: "To go to other star systems and pick up new women?"
"What are you saying... Although I'm interested in women, I wouldn't go to such great lengths."
Chu Ze gave a thumbs-up:
"The only thing that can make me burn with desire is the new fitness equipment released by the Corporation!"
That's nothing to be proud of!
Fu Xuan silently complained in her heart.
"Anyway, I'm indeed taking a long leave to go out and take care of some private matters elsewhere."
Chu Ze said seriously:
"I'm not good at deceiving people, and I don't like to lie to my friends about serious matters, but this private matter really needs to be kept confidential."
"So please don't ask too many questions. In any case, it's definitely not something as ridiculous as betraying the Xianzhou."
He was, of course, going to the Herta Space Station to meet up with the Astral Express according to Elio's script and establish a bond with them.
Although according to his memories from his past life, the Express would eventually arrive at the Luofu Xianzhou, the Luofu seemed to be in turmoil at that time, making it inconvenient to focus on getting close to the Nameless.
Besides, the Herta Space Station was within the Azure Star's range. It would be a trip back to old haunts, and he could also see his little... old childhood friend. It was a win-win situation.
After hearing this, Fu Xuan lazily rolled over and covered her body with a blanket:
"Civil servants on the Luofu Xianzhou get annual leave every year. So as long as the work is coordinated in advance, it's no problem to take a few days off to relax."
Chu Ze smiled slightly:
"That's great. Then I'll book a small long vacation of five years in advance. Remember to approve it for me then."
"Mhm, sure."
Because Chu Ze said it so naturally, as if it were as mundane as asking for a five-day leave, Fu Xuan didn't even notice anything wrong and obediently agreed to his request.
It wasn't until her reflex arc finally caught up and her brain clearly registered that Chu Ze's leave request wasn't for five days, but five years.
She quickly threw the pillow next to her:
"Wait, stop right there!"
"How many days of leave are you asking for? Five years?!"
Chu Ze nodded:
"That's right. As the dignified former Cloud Knight Garrison Officer and current General Affairs Secretary of the Six Commissions, having five years of vacation per year should be reasonable, right?"
"???"
Do you even hear yourself?
Five years of vacation per year? So you rest all day and we still owe you vacation time!
After a long silence, Fu Xuan pointed to the pillow she had thrown on the floor:
"You pick that up first."
Chu Ze said "oh" and bent down to pick it up:
"And then?"
"Then you find a wooden bed, put the pillow down, and rest your head on it."
Fu Xuan narrowed her eyes: "You can have anything in your dreams. Hurry up, wash up, and go to sleep."
Chu Ze: "..."