Rebirth Counterattack: I Heard That the Imperial Marshal Has a Crush on Me

Chu Muxi felt a bit disoriented. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn’t have had trouble speaking coherently.

However, the person before him was Lu Junzhi. Not only was he the Empire’s Marshal, but he was also Chu Muxi’s legal partner recognized by the empire’s system.

Yet, Chu Muxi was the only one who knew this.

Consequently, he found himself particularly flustered when facing Lu Junzhi.

“Thank you for safely returning my grandpa to Central Star,” Chu Muxi said, swallowing his nerves, repeatedly uttering this sentence.

“Three times.” Lu Junzhi noted, watching him closely and saying two words in his typically detached manner.

“What?” Chu Muxi looked bewildered, but he soon realized he was repeating himself. “I, um, I’m a bit nervous. After all, you’re the legendary First Marshal of the Empire. I didn’t expect to have a face-to-face conversation with you one day.” Lu Junzhi glanced at him, appearing to not fully comprehend.

“Just consider it as the respect of a common person towards a superior figure like you.” Chu Muxi added. With anyone else, not even the royal family or His Majesty the Emperor would likely make him this nervous.

Lu Junzhi, however, was already considered a deity within the empire.

Despite not displaying an overwhelming physical presence, Chu Muxi could sense the power radiating from him. It was the kind of intimidating aura that came from experiencing the harshness of war. If you got too close, your legs might even tremble.

“No need to lower yourself.” Lu Junzhi remarked with a furrowed brow.

Chu Muxi didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. “I apologize, I used the wrong word.”

A silence settled between them once again, and Chu Muxi scanned the surroundings, searching for something to say. “Central Island is truly stunning.”

“Do you like it?” Lu Junzhi approached him.

It was only then that Chu Muxi noticed that Lu Junzhi had changed out of his military uniform and now wore casual attire.

“Do you live here? Grandpa mention that no one has lived here before?”

Lu Junzhi shook his head. “Today is the first time.”

Chu Muxi couldn’t help but curse silently at the man’s succinct responses. “Ah, I see.” He struggled to think of something else to say.

Lu Junzhi gazed at his hair for a moment before speaking unexpectedly. “Would you like to go around?”

“What?” Chu Muxi looked up, surprised.

Lu Junzhi had already moved towards the exit. “Central Island, would you like to go around?”

Chu Muxi followed him instinctively. “Can I? I thought you couldn’t freely move around here.”

Lu Junzhi regarded him with a hint of uncertainty. “People here also go out.”

Chu Muxi responded nonchalantly, “Alright, I’m probably overthinking it.” He followed Lu Junzhi outside the yard, unaware of whom Lu Junzhi had given orders to. After a short while, he noticed a mini two-seater sightseeing airship parked in front of the door.

Lu Junzhi took the lead, seating himself in the pilot’s position. “Get in,” he said, succinct as ever.

Chu Muxi obeyed and took the co-pilot seat. “Is it just the two of us?” he inquired, somewhat incredulous at the idea of having the Imperial Marshal serve as his driver and tour guide. If word got out to his admirers and fans, he might not be able to leave Central Island today.

“Only two seats available there,” Lu Junzhi replied. Did he ask such an obvious question knowingly?

Lu Junzhi was so unassuming, but it seemed that Chu Muxi was overthinking things.

With no other option, Chu Muxi turned his head and gazed at the scenery outside the window. Central Island was truly impressive. When he had arrived earlier, it was in a sealed airship, and his first encounter with Lu Junzhi had left him oblivious to the surroundings.

Now, he realized that Central Island was a completely floating landmass, and not an island in the conventional sense. It had ascended to a certain altitude. From their vantage point, they could see the largest island in the center, which housed the royal family’s palace.

Surrounding islands of varying sizes floated in an orderly manner around the royal family’s island. Upon closer inspection, transparent floating bridges linked all the islands.

“Are these bridges sturdy?” Chu Muxi asked without much thought.

A chuckle filled his ears, startling Chu Muxi. He turned back to look at the man beside him. Didn’t he hear it wrong? Did Lu Junzhi just laugh?

However, when he turned to look, Lu Junzhi retained his usual impassive expression.

Chu Muxi must have been mistaken. He shifted his attention back to the outside view, missing the fond gaze cast upon him by the man next to him.

“This is the sturdiest N-5 model ever constructed. It has a maximum load-bearing capacity that can support a starship.” Lu Junzhi patiently and meticulously explained, showing no concern whether the question came from someone with little knowledge.

Chu Muxi, in both his previous life and this one, was seemingly undereducated. He had never been particularly dedicated to his studies. However, he had a natural fondness for weaponry, as was typical of most boys.

This specific high-grade and rare material, used to craft the defense shields of starships, could only be obtained from a select few designated resource planets. All the material was under the control of the military, and not even the royal family could interfere with it.

Chu Muxi wondered how he had managed to persuade high-ranking military officials to use this material to construct a floating bridge.

All Chu Muxi could say was that Central Island, the place where the royal family and dignitaries resided, was indeed remarkable.

“Do you like it here?” Lu Junzhi, observing Chu Muxi’s excitement and occasional surprised and delighted expressions as he peered out the window like a child discovering something new, felt his own heart soften and couldn’t resist asking.

He found himself surprised by this change in his usually emotionless disposition. As Madam Lu often remarked, her son seemed to be born without emotions. It was rare for anyone or anything to elicit rich expressions from him.

Even if the sky were to fall, he would probably only furrow his brow and continue on his way with a cold demeanor.

Furthermore, he was playing the role of a considerate driver and tour guide for a young man he had just met, showing them around Central Island. He couldn’t help but anticipate that the eldest princess, Her Royal Highness, would hurry over with her skirts in hand to see who possessed the extraordinary ability to make her son perform such extraordinary deeds.

Chu Muxi smiled bashfully, “Who wouldn’t love it here?” He had once dreamt of residing on Central Island and bringing his parents and grandfather along with him. However, that wish was ultimately shattered that year, severed by the very father he had trusted, revered, and relied upon the most. The excitement he had felt just moments ago was now replaced by an ice-cold sensation that enveloped his heart.

Lu Junzhi, noticing the sudden change in the boy’s mood, furrowed his brow, wondering what had brought about this shift. A moment ago, he had been fine and appeared happy, but now he was cloaked in a thick layer of sadness, pain, and resentment.

Could this be related to the fact that his father had secretly made contact with an interstellar pirate group in an attempt to harm his grandfather?

As Chu Muxi tried to regain his composure and apologize to Lu Junzhi for spoiling the atmosphere, his head was gently petted by a warm and generous hand. The soft touch and comforting gesture instantly calmed his turbulent emotions.

Chu Muxi blinked, revealing a heartfelt smile. “Thank you.”