Chapter 24

Gao Zhixiang cut in line to get food, and the soldiers who cut in line made way for him. The logistics cook, who usually shivered when serving meat, gave him two large plates full of meat and said, "See what it likes to eat. If it's not enough, come back for more."

Everyone took this differential treatment for granted. Gao Zhixiang stared at the pile of food, dumbfounded, and said, "How can we possibly finish all this? If we waste a lot of food, I'll be blamed."

The cook waved his hand dismissively: "Waste is no problem, the inspectors won't deduct points from the general's beloved pet."

When Joe saw the two large platters of different dishes in front of him, he was stunned. Was he crazy? This was enough to feed him for several days.

Then Joe noticed that most of the soldiers in the canteen were staring at him, even more intently than when he first arrived. He was a little confused. Was it because he was the only original human there, and therefore, his rarity made him more valuable?

Never mind, nothing else matters but eating delicious food. He picked up the fork beside him and started eating, only to find that the gazes focused on him were even more intense. The scene was like a panda being watched while eating carrots at a zoo.

Wow, this meat is so delicious! The flavor is absolutely amazing!

Seeing Gao Zhixiang's behavior, Zhang Zhenyun laughed so hard he spat out his food. He patted Gao Zhixiang on the shoulder and said, "Where did our general get such a treasure? This isn't a pet, it's practically an ancestor!"

Gao Zhixiang's face didn't look troubled, but rather excited and thrilled. However, he deliberately said something distressing: "That's right. How was I supposed to know that the boss's original people would report me? If I don't serve this one well, I'll be assigned to the front line to feed the monsters. He's too smart, even more cunning than a human. He actually knows how to use the boss to pressure me."

Zhang Zhenyun glanced at the obedient Yuanren sitting on the high chair, quietly eating with a fork, and chimed in, "It's really smart. You know, sitting there, it really does look like a person. Do you think it can understand what we're saying?"

Joe didn't bother with those who treated him like a monster. He had already been very restrained. All his actions could be found on the StarNet; other original beings had done the same thing. He wasn't the only one who was particularly special.

Qiao ate quietly, stimulating her taste buds and whetting her appetite.

Gao Zhixiang looked at the Yuanren, who ate so politely and cleanly, and wanted to reach out and touch its cheek as it moved its jaws. He replied, "It might understand. I'll try."

Gao Zhixiang sat across from Qiao Ye at the table, leaning forward and asking in a low, curious voice, "Ling Mu? Is it good? If it's good, I'll bring you over again tomorrow, okay?"

"Not going to answer me? Then there won't be any tomorrow~" Gao Zhixiang continued to probe when Yuanren ignored him.

Joe saw the big face that was about to get close to his plate, so he used the handle of his fork to press against the forehead of the big face and push the face away.

Gao Zhixiang stepped back, touched his forehead where he had been poked, and said excitedly, "I thought it was going to attack me, but it didn't. Aren't Yuan people all protective of their food? It's so gentle."

Zhang Zhenyun also came over to try it, while Qiao looked at these Cohen people who treated him like a rarity with a bit of speechlessness. He simply picked up his plate and moved away, giving them a look of rejection. He felt that not only were they going to stick their faces over, but they might also spit on his plate.

Zhang Zhenyun realized something, somewhat belatedly: "Does its expression mean it dislikes us?"

Gao Zhixiang shifted his position, moving further away from Commander Zhang, and said, "How could Ling Mu dislike me? He must dislike you. Maybe you smell like other animals, and he doesn't like it."

Zhang Zhenyun retorted, "How could that be? I didn't even go into the training ground today."

Gao Zhixiang became interested and casually asked, "Hey, aren't you an animal trainer? Do any of your battle pets have a brain that's smarter than this?"

Zhang Zhenyun thought for a moment and said, "The intelligence of the Primal Human can indeed reach that of a six or seven-year-old child, but the Primal Human is not the only animal with this intelligence. Our team's battle pets, after special training, can perform special missions, unlike this Primal Human."

Gao Zhixiang asked, "What's different?"

Zhang Zhenyun scratched his head, at a loss for words. After thinking for a long time, he managed to squeeze out two words: "Aura, just one kind of aura, you know, this Yuanren gives people a feeling that you can't simply regard him as a Yuanren."

Gao Zhixiang, seeing that he was speaking vaguely, said with dissatisfaction, "You're just saying it looks like a person, can't you explain something so simple?"

Zhang Zhenyun shook his head and said seriously, "It's not just like a person, it's like, it's like a person, that's the feeling."

Joe overheard this and glanced at the man. From the conversation, he knew that this man was training animals in the camp for combat. Sure enough, people who deal with animals for a long time have such a sensitive sense.

Zhang Zhenyun noticed that Qiao also glanced at him and said excitedly, "Look, look, he just glanced at me, and that's the feeling. He's just like a real person. I feel like he can definitely understand what we're saying."

Joe had no intention of revealing that he was human. He just quietly ate his fill until his stomach was full, let out a burp, and then gestured for Gao Zhixiang to deal with the unfinished food.

Gao Zhixiang rolled up his sleeves and quickly cleared the plates off the table, saying, "After hearing what Commander Zhang said, I don't think it would be surprising if this Yuanren started talking one day."

Joe listened silently, thinking that maybe he could play a prank on Xiao Gao one day, in a quiet, deserted place late at night, and say something in Cohen language to see if he would be startled.

After wiping the grease from his mouth, Joe thought it best not to scare people like that. If he could suddenly speak Cohen, the locals would probably think he was possessed.

Gao Zhixiang took Qiao Ye away and returned to the dormitory. Since Qiao Ye could communicate directly with the general, Gao Zhixiang became more patient and respectful towards Qiao Ye. He fulfilled all of Qiao Ye's requests. Wherever Qiao Ye wanted to go, Gao Zhixiang would carry him there like a dog. Whatever Qiao Ye wanted to eat, Gao Zhixiang would immediately feed it to him.

Even the treatment of a rich family's young master couldn't be better than this.

Three days later, Ji Fang returned. Qiao saw her master get out of the car and immediately ran over to him and threw herself into his arms.

Ji Fang picked up Xiao Yuanren in one go, his eyes softening, and reached out to pinch Qiao Ye's cheek.

"Hey, is this the precious thing you've raised, Xiao Ji? It looks quite presentable," a rough, roguish voice came from behind Ji Fang.

Qiao looked over and saw that the man had a smiling face and looked like a bandit leader. His uniform was of the same rank as Ji Fang's, and he was followed by a bodyguard. Could he be an officer from another military region?

Qiao guessed correctly. This was Zhou Shiqing, a general of the Second Army. On his way to Jianwu to conclude a meeting, Zhou Shiqing insisted on stopping by Ji Fang's camp.

However, the Second Army and the Seventh Army have always been at odds. On the StarNet forum alone, there are many posts comparing and analyzing the two armies and discussing when they will fight.

I wonder what Zhou Shiqing's intentions are in coming to the Seventh Army's camp this time.

Li Cheng had already informed all the generals and officers that they should be on high alert because Commander Zhou was coming, and that they should not be underestimated or have their true strength revealed.

Ji Fang said indifferently, "I heard that Uncle Zhou also raises Primal People, in preparation for your mental disorder problem, Commander Zhou. Judging from your current state, Primal People are quite useful?"

Zhou Shiqing stood with his hands behind his back, his face resolute and his tone impassioned in denial: "Am I the kind of person who needs to use primitive people? If a real soldier can't even control such a small problem as mental disorder, how can he go to the battlefield! Primal people are nothing but beasts. Only sissies would use primitive people to soothe mental power. What use are such cowardly soldiers?"

Ji Fang knew that he was trying to provoke him. Zhou Shiqing was a man who, relying on his abilities, always had a sharp tongue.

Ji Fang stroked Qiao Ye's soft hair and said nonchalantly, "It seems that Commander Zhou is definitely not a coward. Commander Zhou is very capable in governing. My Seventh Army still has a lot to learn from you."

Zhou Shiqing grinned, revealing eight large white teeth. His dark, cunning eyes narrowed, and his arrogant demeanor vanished as he spoke humbly, "Not at all, General Ji, you are young and promising. I came here specifically to learn for two days. General Ji, you mustn't hide your talents."

The two exchanged cryptic remarks for a while. Qiao also stared at Commander Zhou, sensing the subtle atmosphere between his master and him. This man's aura was also very strong, even stronger than Wei Liangguan's, but compared to his master, he was still a little bit weaker.

Commander Zhou seems to dislike the Yuan people; his words reveal a prejudice, and Qiao doesn't like him much either.

Qiao was carried into the reception room. He hadn't seen his master for so long, and he was very clingy to him. However, with outsiders present, Qiao knew his limits.

Zhou Shiqing lit a cigarette and sat on the leather sofa in the reception room, exuding an aura of a powerful master.

Qiao Ye suddenly felt a mental pressure coming towards it. It looked uncomfortably in Zhou Shiqing's direction. Then, Qiao Ye felt another, even stronger mental force. The two mental forces seemed to have a tentative clash before dissipating.

Ji Fang's eyes darkened slightly: "Commander Zhou, what do you really mean by bullying my Yuan people?"

Zhou Shiqing chuckled and casually praised, "I was wondering why Commander Ji had taken such a liking to a Primal Man. It seems this Primal Man is quite useful; it can withstand mental pressure. Not bad, not bad!"

Ji Fang lifted his eyelids slightly: "If Commander Zhou is itching to spar with me, the training ground is already set up."

Zhou Shiqing refused. He believed that Ji Fang, this powerful weapon, would inevitably be injured if he faced him. Their strengths were not far apart, and the situation on the border was unclear. If they were weakened due to injury, it would not benefit anyone.

"I was just joking, Commander Ji, don't take it to heart. I'm just a straightforward person and I can be a bit careless..."

Qiao shook his head inwardly. This Commander Zhou was a shrewd and cunning man, capable of both advancing and retreating at will. He was as slippery as an eel and truly difficult to deal with.

However, he just bullied him. If he were just an ordinary primitive human, he would probably be cowering in fear after being attacked by mental energy. Hmph, don't let him get a chance to retaliate!

Joe kept a close eye on this person, who seemed to have stopped paying attention to him, the original being, probably because keeping an eye on him would be beneath him.

After Ji Fang finished entertaining him, he said it was inconvenient to continue entertaining him due to work, so he asked Li Cheng to escort Commander Zhou to receive him. Qiao also followed Ji Fang to see Commander Zhou out. Qiao also noticed that Commander Zhou was not watching his step. When he took a step, Qiao suddenly stretched out his foot and tripped Zhou Shiqing.

Zhou Shiqing lost his balance and lurched forward. There was a step not far away, and he almost fell, but fortunately his guard caught him in time.

Qiao Ye stood behind Ji Fang with an innocent expression. Zhou Shiqing stood up, patted his trouser leg, and instead of being angry, he stared at Qiao Ye with a smile, gave him a thumbs up, and praised, "What a good dog! Commander Ji didn't spoil it for nothing. Its vengeful nature shows that like master, like pet."

Zhou Shiqing made a fool of himself, but Ji Fang was in a good mood. He pulled Qiao Ye to his side and said with a smile, "Commander Zhou, you flatter me! My Yuanren is very timid, don't scare it."

Zhou Shiqing, for the sake of saving face, didn't show it, but inwardly gritted his teeth and chuckled.