Chapter 288: The Imperial General Was Again Forcibly Flirted With 16

Although he was a bit wary of Qiao Yi Si, Steven now couldn't afford to worry about much.

He took out the thing the emperor had given him, lowered his head and glanced at it.

Although he didn't know what it was, the emperor said this thing could restrain Alex, and that was enough.

Steven decided to go himself; he had no time to wait any longer.

Even if Alex had healed his body, the toxin couldn't be resolved overnight; today was a good chance for him to either kill Alex or cripple him and bring him back.

He touched his cheek, confirmed the temporary facial gene alteration was fine, then put on a waiter's uniform and slipped behind the crowd.

Alex tilted his head slightly, leisurely watching his movements, his eyes utterly indifferent.

When the sharp gaze swept over him, Steven instinctively tensed, then a second later realized, eased his breathing, and revealed the item at his cuff.

He saw it, but that was all.

Alex's gaze moved from that object up to Steven's face, his eyes icy as he looked down at him like a petty clown.

As he expected, when the imperial secret order failed, they used his father's old item to provoke.

He had never realized before that the imperial family's tactics were nothing more than this.

Seeing Alex unmoved, Steven nearly lost control of his expression, his heart sinking to the depths.

Qiao Yi Si seemed unaware of anything, merely chuckled, used the public chopsticks to place a dish in Alex's bowl, his words also thought-provoking.

"This dish has been out long enough; if left longer it won't be fresh—eat it quickly while it still tastes good."

Jin Chen also chimed in, "Yes, dear, after this dish there's still the main course."

Alex couldn't help smiling, the corner of his mouth curling, he gave a faint nod.

"That's true."

He leisurely wiped his mouth, nodded to Qiao Yi Si as a signal, "Excuse me."

Qiao Yi Si grunted, waved his hand, telling him to hurry.

Steven, wandering nearby, didn't understand what they were saying, but seeing Alex finally rise and leave, he felt a complete release, an unrestrained sense of relief.

Soon, soon his position as general would be unshakable by anyone.

He gave a glance to Zuo Zhu and Xavier on the platform, then immediately strode away.

As the undercurrents in the banquet hall gradually faded, Qiao Yi Si glanced at Jin Chen.

"Are you not going?"

"I'm going now."

Jin Chen rose with a smile, "Father, take your time."

"Watch out, he's still injured." Qiao Yi Si gave him an annoyed look.

The other five at the table exchanged glances, not understanding what they were saying.

Outside the banquet hall.

As Alex stepped out, someone secretly guided him toward a remote road.

He wasn't in a hurry either, walking slowly along the route they indicated.

The further he went, the more evident his smile and sarcasm became.

Such a lowly encirclement, they actually had the nerve to set it up—could it be that he himself used to teach them this?

"Dear General Alex, long time no see."

Steven arrived first via the shortcut, removed the temporary facial gene alteration, revealing his true appearance.

He was indeed the world's male lead, his looks were decent, but compared to Alex, in either appearance or aura he fell far short.

"It seems your wound has mostly healed."

"Not dead yet—truly disappointing." Alex retorted coldly.

"What are you proud of? Anyway, you're about to die."

Ian also came out, together with the subordinates they brought this time.

His expression was arrogant, the pride and self-proclaimed nobility of one long in power, and without hesitation he linked arms with Steven.

Alex's expression remained unchanged; his eyes quickly swept over the faces of those subordinates.

After altering their appearance, Gira and Gimon gave a slight nod.

He withdrew his gaze, his tone carrying a smile.

"Foolish."

"To set up an encirclement, the prey must not realize it has entered—only then is the trap perfect and viable. It seems the tactics I usually teach, you've learned nothing."

Steven grew ever more excited, even somewhat manic, "You also said before, if you have absolute control over the prey, you can kill him and needn't worry whether the encirclement is perfect, for he has nowhere to flee."

"I didn't know you'd be with the Federal General—truly, for the sake of survival you've left no stone unturned, utterly contrary to your original convictions."

He uttered the last sentence almost through gritted teeth.

Had Alex not refused his pursuit back then, he perhaps wouldn't have come to this point, nor would he have to grovel before the willful Ian.

All of this is his own doing!

"Enough, Steven, what are you waiting for? Let it out!" Ian, naturally knowing about that past matter, immediately objected.

Steven responded, his fingertips rubbing the spatial ring he wore.

Just then, Alex sensed what he was about to do, his body flickered, his face turned cold.

How dare he use a combat mecha so close to the banquet hall—Steven really is something; if anything went wrong, everyone in the hall would suffer!

It seems he still underestimated Steven's perverse degree.

The two instantly began exchanging blows; Steven was interrupted in his summoning, startled and missed the best summoning moment, forced to parry, retreating repeatedly.

He secretly felt alarmed.

Alex's recovery ability is astonishingly strong! It's hardly different from before!

No! Not possible, if it's a direct flesh-and-blood fight, I definitely won't be his match!

Steven still harbored fear toward the former Alex.

But he didn't know that Alex was also beginning to feel strained, avoiding brute force and instead constantly using combat techniques to deflect a thousand jin with four ounces.

A warrior honed on the battlefield, even if his strength hasn't fully recovered, would not let himself fall into a losing position.

Seeing Steven retreat more and more, seeming about to lose, Ian's expression became extremely grim as he berated his subordinates.

"Are you all dead? Why aren't you helping him!"

Having received the order, the subordinates also joined the battle, giving Steven a chance to catch his breath, allowing him to summon his mech.

"Cough cough cough..."

Steven wiped the blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, his eyes extremely fierce, finally noticing Alex's face growing paler and paler.

"You're forcing yourself, Alex." He said this with a delighted tone, "I finally get to see you in defeat."

"Nonsense." Alex even had the leisure to respond to his words, his movements still effortless, this demeanor again began to make those subordinates a bit hesitant.

Steven grinned, turning the spatial ring again.