Zero had heard countless compliments and blessings, some sincere, some not. Most of them said he was good at recognizing and using talent, praising him as supremely wise and enlightened.
After hearing Zandar's blessing, he fell silent at first, then calmly smiled and thanked him.
Over the next few days, Zero kept thinking about two questions.
Should he trust Zandar?
Should he keep waiting?
Guanliang knew nothing about this. Counting the days, seven days in a row passed, and Hua still hadn't gone looking for her superior again.
This gamble, Guanliang had won it.
Guanliang reported the result to his superior.
Zero was lost in thought and nodded absentmindedly.
Guanliang frowned instinctively.
Something wasn't right. This time, his superior didn't try to wriggle out of it at all. When something's off, there's always something fishy.
Suspicious, he said to his superior, "You need to sleep well every day."
Zero nodded again.
He had even been thinking about winning three to zero, ten to zero.
He never expected Hua to give up so quickly.
She had only lost twice… and she gave up just like that, dragging Zero into losing his bet with the Strategist-in-Chief as well.
Zero had made a deal with his subordinate, if he lost, he had to choose one out of three options, exercise, sleep, or travel.
He couldn't be bothered to exercise and didn't want to go out either, so without hesitation, he chose the option that cost the least, staying home and sleeping.
Pulling his thoughts back, Zero asked Guanliang about Hua's performance at school for the first time.
The Strategist-in-Chief was already used to his superior's overly jumpy train of thought. He took out a brand-new jade communicator and handed it over.
Logically speaking, as Hua's guardian, the Marshal should have stayed in constant contact with her teachers. But her identity was special, her appearance was top-tier classified information across the entire star sea, not to mention her contact details.
On top of that, his superior was swamped with official duties. Just finding time to meet Hua was already difficult enough. As for everything else… there was really no way to cover it all.
So Guanliang, who worked one day and rested one day and was far more free than his colleagues, took on the role of parent.
Besides replying to teachers' messages in the parents' group, he also had to attend parent-teacher meetings for Hua and cover all of her expenses at school.
Thinking about this, Guanliang's expression stiffened.
So who exactly was Hua's guardian?
In the end, was he basically raising his own boss?
Guanliang said stiffly, "Marshal, about Hua's living expenses…"
Zero was flipping through the class schedule on the jade communicator. Hearing that, he paused in confusion for a moment.
Living expenses? Oh right, Hua needed money at school too.
Zero said casually, "Didn't I draw three hundred million xun-dies at the annual meeting? Just take what you need."
Guanliang, "…You invested that money into Marty's research project."
Zero thought about it for a bit and realized he really didn't have any money on hand.
He sighed. "Then I'll have to trouble you for now, Guanliang."
Bearing humiliation and responsibility, Guanliang nodded.
He'd already spent plenty buying things for his superior to cultivate his body and mind, what was a little extra money?
Wasn't it just raising a kid? Wasn't it just paying to go to work? No big deal.
Zero kept looking at the jade communicator.
At that moment, a new message popped up.
The academy announced that over the next three days, it would be holding a sports meet and cordially invited parents to attend.
Without even thinking, Zero skipped over the message.
He couldn't be bothered to move.
If he went, would he have to participate in sports events with Hua?
Zero lowered his head and looked through the schedule.
The Xianzhou placed great importance on children's physical health, so there were many physical education classes.
The course options were diverse, and students could choose freely.
Zero gave it a quick scan.
At first, Hua had tried many different classes. Later on, she only chose from three options, Martial arts, golf, and jet skiing.
Zero handed the jade communicator back to Guanliang and said, "When Hua turns twelve, arrange for her to take a leave from school."
Guanliang hesitated. "Twelve, isn't that a bit early?"
Zero replied, "Is it that early? We can hire private tutors then. If you're worried she'll lack friends, we can always find a few girls her age to study with her."
Guanliang instantly caught the key point.
His superior would only look for girls her age, the intention was obvious.
Guanliang fell silent for a moment, then asked, "You're not worried about her falling in love too early, are you?"
Zero, "…How could I be?"
Guanliang said firmly, "You are worried. You're afraid of early romance. Afraid of her rebellious phase."
Zero shot back, "Are you afraid?"
He himself wasn't exactly afraid, but just thinking about the possibility of his chosen successor having an early romance…
What if the successor brought back some yellow-haired punk from the academy?
What if the successor got love-brained and insisted on handling Xianzhou affairs together with that yellow-haired guy, even to the point of life and death?
Just thinking about it made Zero lose control of his emotions a little.
And once he lost control of his emotions, murderous intent followed.
Forget killing the yellow-haired guy, he practically felt like destroying the universe.
Hearing this, Guanliang fell silent again.
Of course he was afraid.
Come on, that was the successor he and the Marshal had waited so long for. And the successor was a normal person.
Do you even understand how valuable "normal" is?
Hua wasn't just a normal person in the Xianzhou Alliance, she was one of the rare exceptions.
She'd interacted with the Marshal and still remained normal.
If she ended up ruined by some yellow-haired punk… he'd seriously feel like wiping out a whole clan.
At this moment, Guanliang finally understood the decisions the Xianzhou higher-ups had made before.
Back then, he thought they were too extreme. Now it seemed they weren't extreme at all.
After some consideration, Guanliang tried to persuade his superior, "Twelve is really too early to take a leave. At least wait until Hua is fourteen."
By market content ratings, Xianzhou people were considered fully adult at two hundred years old. But for the sake of birth rates, the Marshal had lowered the age, Xianzhou people could marry at twenty.
Oh, and the working age had been lowered too.
Guanliang knew his superior's real goal very well.
Wasn't it just to legally employ Hua, this child?
Hua was still just a kid now, her energy focused entirely on studying. She hadn't paid attention to changes in certain Xianzhou laws.
She probably even believed she'd take over the Xianzhou Alliance at two hundred years old.
Sadly, given the Marshal's situation… there wasn't much time left. Everything would have to fall on this child's shoulders.
Guanliang felt deeply guilty and could only try his best to fight for some time for Hua.
Studying at school was better than following private tutors, right? At least it would be a bit more relaxed, right?
After thinking it over, Zero agreed to Guanliang's suggestion.
Twelve or fourteen, just a two-year difference. No big deal.
After some thought, Guanliang took the initiative to suggest, "When the time comes, will you only hire private tutors? Should we have the generals teach her too?"
He had his own motives for saying this.
The letter his superior left behind… he didn't think it was very useful. Unfortunately, the Marshal had a built-in filter when it came to the generals, and Guanliang couldn't persuade him at all.
Don't be fooled by how the generals called Hua "Her Highness the Crown Princess" at every turn. In reality, they were only nice to her because of the Marshal.
If something happened to the Marshal, they might not necessarily submit to this Crown Princess.
And if Hua failed to win them over… Guanliang would have to work overtime.
To ensure a smooth handover between the two superiors, to preserve his one-work-one-rest schedule, he had truly broken his back worrying.
How was an overly young Crown Princess supposed to win over ministers, each with their own strong personality?
If there were enough time, Hua could take it slow, gradually show her abilities, and let others see what she was capable of.
But time was too short. They could only try playing the emotional card.
If the generals personally taught Hua, maybe her situation would be a bit better when the time came.
Zero didn't hesitate much and quickly agreed.
Unlike Guanliang, he never believed his subordinates would disobey his orders.
What Zero was considering was a different problem.
Hua was too thin-skinned.
He'd only praised her twice and beaten her twice, and she gave up immediately.
If she went to chat with other members of the Star Sea Council… she'd probably just get led by the nose the entire time.
Speaking of the Star Sea Council, ever since its founding, mechanical races had wanted to join. Zero had rejected them without a second thought.
Hua was different from him. Mechanical races were something he'd leave for his successor to farm reputation with.
Thinking as he went, Zero continued considering Hua's issues.
Hua needed exposure to different people.
Besides interacting with subordinates, she also needed to go to the Six Divisions and the Cloud Knights, meet more people, and understand their work content and processes.
Only by personally experiencing and holding a position would she avoid issuing ridiculously out-of-touch orders.
Of course, besides studying, Hua also needed to relax.
Zero looked at Guanliang and asked,
"I've seen her schedule. She likes Martial arts, golf, and jet skiing the most. That resort planet definitely has a golf course and the sea. I won't even mention the sea… what do you think, should we buy Yaoqing's golf course for her?"
Guanliang, "…"
'Aren't you spoiling Hua way too much?!'
'If you raise her like this… you'll only end up with a foolish ruler, right?!'
The corner of Guanliang's mouth twitched. "No need. Really, no need. The academy already has one."
Zero said "Oh," then asked again, "When does Hua have a break? Where should she go play then?"
"Since she can ride a jet ski…"
Zero thought about it. Rounding things off a bit, Hua could learn a lot of things.
He said decisively, "Then let Hua learn to pilot a star skiff too. Oh, and she can already ride a jet ski, so she must know how to swim. She can also learn diving while she's at it, go chase some whales…"
Guanliang, "..."
He truly didn't understand the Marshal's thinking.
'Marshal, how exactly did your mind jump from jet skiing to swimming and diving?!'
'You can't just assume Hua knows how to swim because jet skis are used on the sea!'
While internally ranting like crazy, Guanliang tried his best to dissuade him.
Before he could convince his superior, Hua came back.
Zero automatically ignored Guanliang's glare and said in the most casual tone possible, "When you're on break, learn star skiff piloting and diving too, how about it?"
Guanliang had no choice but to look at Hua.
Hua nodded and agreed.
Guanliang, "???"
He kind of understood his superior now.
No wonder Hua had been chosen as the next Marshal of the Xianzhou.
Zero continued, "Once you're past fourteen, you won't need to go to school anymore. Teachers will come to the house to teach you."
Hua refused without hesitation.
During the time she'd spent with her guardian, she'd more or less figured out his personality.
Sometimes very stubborn, sometimes easy to talk to.
Hua argued reasonably, "I can skip evening self-study. That way I can get home at four o'clock."
Zero didn't push the issue further.
Hua was still young. Maybe by next year, she'd change her mind.
He immediately started urging Hua to do her homework.
Hua pressed her lips together and didn't move.
Clutching the strap of her schoolbag, she asked, "Are you going to the academy's sports meet?"
Zero thought, 'This little brat, she's actually inviting me?'
Keeping his composure, he asked in return, "Which events did you sign up for?"
Hua said, "Martial arts, golf, and jet skiing."
After listing the events, Hua also gave the exact dates.
Zero nodded. "I got it. If I have time, I'll go with the Strategist-in-Chief."
Hua frowned and asked, "Aren't you on a four-on, three-off schedule, and you only need to work four hours a day?"
Zero, who secretly worked while Hua was at school or asleep, "…Yeah, but besides work, I have my own things to do. If you don't believe me, ask Guanliang."
Guanliang thought, 'Aren't you just worried about your image? Don't you just not want to seem too eager?'
While cursing his superior internally, he kept a straight face and lied to the kid.
After sending the kid away, Guanliang asked, "Which day are we going?"
Zero answered without thinking, "Let's watch the jet ski competition."
Perhaps considering the students' age and stamina, the academy deliberately spread the sports meet over three days, with plenty of rest time.
So the three events Hua chose, Martial arts, golf, and jet skiing, weren't on the same day.
And among them, the jet ski event on the last day had the shortest competition time.
Guanliang said nothing more.
Unless absolutely necessary, his superior only stayed in the residence.
This time, he was making an exception for Hua.
If he had to go three days in a row… Guanliang would have to call the medical officer to check on his superior.
On the day of the competition, Zero brought Guanliang, along with a group of guards hidden among the crowd, to the venue.
To their surprise, the academy's chosen venue looked extremely familiar.
Zero looked at Guanliang.
Guanliang said, "…That memory of yours, see that artificial island? Our last annual meeting was held there."
Zero suddenly understood.
They boarded the yacht prepared in advance by the academy. Walking through the corridor, they saw photos of various clubs posted around.
Zero said casually, "Tarot cards? Looks pretty interesting."
When they reached the deck, facing the salty sea breeze, a jet ski sped toward them.
It was Hua. She patted the seat behind her, inviting him.
Zero looked at the back seat with no backrest and said suspiciously, "You're not trying to get revenge on me, are you? Planning to fling me into the sea?"
Hua didn't speak and turned her gaze to Guanliang.
Guanliang urged her, "Go get ready for the competition."
Seeing this, Hua had no choice but to drive off again.
Watching the waves behind the jet ski, taller than a person, Zero thought, 'So he really did guess right.'
This little brat definitely had no good intentions.
Zero looked at his subordinate.
"It's really sunny on the deck. Let's go to the water bar."
Guanliang couldn't help complaining, "Get some sun. It's not like you're some creature that can't see the light."
Helpless, Zero stayed on the deck with his subordinate.
At that moment, a girl about Hua's age appeared beside them.
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Would you like to try tarot cards, uncle?"
Zero and Guanliang exchanged a glance.
Guanliang took out his jade communicator and tapped the screen a few times.
Zero squatted down, his tone extremely gentle.
"Sure. What can you read?"
The girl took out part of the tarot deck and said, "You need to silently think of a question. Then draw a card, and let the card tell you whether you should do this thing or not."
Zero thought, should he trust Zandar?
He casually drew a card.
The girl looked at it and explained, "You drew the Chariot. The answer is... yes."
"This card also has other meanings."
Zero asked with interest, "Oh? Like what?"
The girl spoke clearly, at a steady pace, "You need to understand what you're fighting for, is it your ideals, or expectations imposed on you by others? You have to set aside outside expectations and recognize your own true thoughts."
Zero nodded seriously.
"Very accurate. Can you also help me read my future travels?"
This time, the girl laid out the entire deck.
She said, "Just draw three cards."
Zero followed her instructions and picked three.
Her movements were unhurried, as if precisely measured, as she flipped the cards one by one.
"Three of Swords reversed, Judgment upright, The Tower upright…"
The girl's expression froze instantly.
Zero smiled and asked, "What? Is the meaning bad?"
The girl took out another card and slowly flipped it over.
It was Death reversed.