Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 5

The chilling term “execution” successfully intimidated the young students.

“If someone commits a grave crime, severe enough to irreversibly harm the entire race, the military tribunal has the right to sentence them to death. This is the highest punishment under our country’s law. But because the conditions for the sentence are stringent, no one has been sentenced to death for many years. The intention of the military is to completely abolish the death penalty in the foreseeable future.”

“Then won’t this building become obsolete?”

“Not necessarily…” Yao Tai hesitated, which was rare. “There is another purpose for it—euthanasia. Perhaps because the Tianxiu people do not truly die, they do not cherish their lives as other species do. Every year, some choose to come here voluntarily to end their lives early.”

The students looked at each other. “Why?”

“Because of the death of their other half, many bereaved Tianxiu people don’t want to live alone.” Yao Tai looked at the execution room with complex emotions. “They superstitiously believe that if they die around the same time, they will enter the cycle of reincarnation together, wake up together, meet, and fall in love again…”

Ling Xiao was engrossed. “Is that true?”

“The truth is, after souls pass through the purification pool, all memories from their past lives vanish. The appearance and character of their next incarnation are generated randomly. They become an entirely new life, having nothing to do with their past life. Not to mention that each soul slumbers for different durations. Even if they die at the same time, they might not awaken simultaneously. Finding a forgotten person to fall in love again in the vast sea of people, while seemingly a beautiful wish, is as unrealistic as a dream.”

“That’s why scientists are the least romantic beings in the world.” Lan Sheng sighed. “They don’t even leave people with the slightest beautiful hope.”

“I’m curious about who Dr. Yao’s other half is. If they’re also a rigid scientist like her, it must be so boring for them to be together all the time,” Ling Xiao whispered mischievously.

“You guys,” Ping Zong said, half-amused and half-exasperated, “Do you really believe that if you die together in this life, you’ll meet again in the next?”

“I don’t,” Lan Sheng replied earnestly. “A lifetime is just that—one lifetime. I know what you look like in this life, your character, how you are. All of this is what I like in this life. But in the next life, what you’ll look like, who you’ll be, who you’ll be with—all that is unimaginable to me. So, I won’t pin my hopes on an uncertain next life. If you unfortunately leave me in this life, I’ll live on cherishing the memories of you.”

The two gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, rendering everything else as mere background.

“You two, can’t you go a day without being so lovey-dovey?” Ling Xiao exaggeratedly rubbed his arms. “If you don’t both go die for love soon, I might just die from the cringe.”

“Fuck off,” Lan Sheng cursed with a smile, pulling himself and Ping Zong out of their romantic daze. They passed the execution room and continued through a series of buildings, including a medical examination center, security check center, finally arriving at the core of their tour—the Hall of Reincarnation.

Ling Xiao had thought a place named as such would be a religious temple, but he was surprised to find a modern, state-of-the-art facility filled with high-tech equipment. The white-themed interior resembled both a hospital and a research institute so vast that one couldn’t see its boundaries at a glance.

The institute’s manager was already waiting for them at the entrance. He was refined and elegant, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Underneath the lenses were light-colored eyes that seemed to smile all the time.

Yao Tai took the lead and walked over. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she exchanged a light kiss with the other party. The students were so shocked that they widened their eyes in disbelief. ‘What kind of strange etiquette is this?’

“Let me introduce everyone. This is my spouse, and also the chief researcher here. You can call him Dr. Zhi Shang.”

The students were left with their mouths hanging open, especially Ling Xiao and Lan Sheng. They had just been gossiping about said person, and suddenly, the very person appeared in front of them, looking nothing like the stereotypical “rigid scientist” they had imagined.

Zhi Shang was almost the same height as Yao Tai in high heels, and he had contrasting eye colors that were easily identified.

“Hello, students,” Zhi Shang greeted politely with a nod. “Welcome to the base. I’m honored to be your guide today, and I will be explaining everything in the main hall to you.”

At this moment, the students seemed more curious about the gossip than anything else, and the friendly-looking Dr. Zhi Shang was soon surrounded by them.

“Doctor, so you’re Dr. Yao’s Qizi. It’s the first time I’ve heard that Dr. Yao’s Qizi is such an impressive researcher!”

“You both look so perfect together. I’ve always been curious about who a beauty like Dr. Yao would choose, and seeing you in person, I’m not disappointed.”

Zhi Shang always had a smile on his face, patiently answering any questions the students had. If he couldn’t answer, he just smiled, showing no signs of impatience.

In contrast, Yao Tai wasn’t as patient. “Hey, this is a visit for the physiological class. Can’t you ask questions related to the course?”

“We are asking relevant questions. Understanding the work and life of a Qizi is related to physiological health, isn’t it?”

“That’s right,” someone immediately chimed in. “I always thought a Qizi would have a lower status in their jobs. I was shocked to hear that the doctor is the chief researcher here!”

Everyone agreed with her.

Zhi Shang chuckled. “Did A’Yao* scare you with talks of hierarchy in spousal relationships? While there might be imbalances between a Qizhu and a Qizi, everyone is equal in society. There are many Qizhu researchers under me, and they all listen to me just the same.”

*(阿) When used as an address, it signifies a close or intimate relationship.

“Oh, I see,” a student exclaimed, patting his chest. “I was so scared. I thought becoming a Qizi would affect my future career.”

“Your concerns aren’t entirely baseless. A Qizhu usually has stronger combat abilities than a Qizi, so they dominate in some combat fields. But in other aspects, everyone competes equally. Isn’t your principal a good example?”

Upon his mention, everyone realized that their principal was a Qizi. They recalled how the principal once demolished half a building with a single punch to catch some rule-breaking senior students. With such power, they never linked him with the term Qizi. It was as deceptive as his youthful face.

“My God, I can’t imagine who defeated the principal during the coming-of-age ceremony.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded vigorously.

“That’s not something you kids should worry about,” Yao Tai dismissively said.

“Dr. Yao is so fierce. Does she always bully you, Doctor?” a student whispered.

“That’s right. At home, Dr. Yao makes all the decisions, right? After all, the Qizhu’s word is the law.”

“You’re a boy, and she’s a girl. How could you not defeat her?”

Zhi Shang smiled before answering. “I didn’t lose to her. I willingly gave her my heart’s blood and happily became her Qizi.”

Many students looked confused. “Why?”

“Because I love her. As long as I can be with her, I don’t care in what capacity,” he answered simply.

“But, it’s said that there’s a great difference in status between the Qizhu and the Qizi. Even if one loves someone dearly, how could they willingly let themselves be manipulated for a lifetime?”

Zhi Shang lowered his eyes in thought. “I didn’t feel a great difference in our statuses after we became spouses. A’Yao and I were childhood friends. We fell in love when we were in our fledgling phase for three years and got together when we were eleven. The relationship was the same before and after. I’ve always respected her, and of course she has always respected me. The kind of hierarchy difference you imagine… might exist, but at least not between us.”

“How romantic.” A girl in the crowd looked dreamy hearing this. “So it can be like this.”

“The relationship between a Qizhu and a Qizi is actually like this. There might be brutal influences, but it could also be nominal. As long as the hearts of the two people are equal, their status is equal, regardless of their relationship.”

“Wow,” the crowd exclaimed in unison. “No wonder. Dr. Yao has said exactly the same thing.”

Zhi Shang and Yao Tai exchanged a smile, as if they had expected this outcome.

“Doctor,” Zhi Yue, who had been standing outside the crowd with Ying Feng, suddenly spoke up. “Do you regret offering your heart’s blood willingly?”

Zhi Shang shook his head firmly. “Not for a moment.”

“Even if it meant sacrificing your own development?” he pressed.

Zhi Shang looked at himself, puzzled. “I am quite satisfied with my own development. Besides,” he glanced at Yao Tai with a sly smile, “someone now has more alluring curves, which is a feast for my eyes, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing his words, Zhi Yue clenched his fist as if making a certain decision. The crowd of kids began to holler and whistle, while Yao Tai glared at Zhi Shang. Despite the seemingly disdainful look in her eyes, the slight upturn of her lips revealed a hidden smile.

“Alright.” Zhi Shang cleared his throat exaggeratedly. “Let’s get back to the point. If we keep going off-topic, your Dr. Yao will be unhappy, and occasionally I should pretend to fear my Qizhu, shouldn’t I?”

The students were quickly won over by Zhi Shang’s charm and listened attentively to everything he said next.

“I presume A’Yao already explained to you all outside. After a Tianxiu dies, their souls return here, guided by the lighthouse, undergo the baptism of the purification pool, and reach here.”

Zhi Shang led the group towards the operating station, pressed a control button, and a sealed chamber of one of the devices opened, revealing a glass cover. Inside, a young boy was sleeping. Unlike the others, his body was semi-transparent.

“What you see now is what we call an energy chamber. We place the returned souls in the energy chamber, and after some time of cultivation, the souls form a humanoid shape. Initially, the transparency is very high, but it will gradually settle down. When it becomes a solid entity like us, it’s the day the soul awakens. This period varies from person to person, usually requiring ten to twenty years.”

“So long?”

“Compared to the lifespan of the Tianxiu people, it’s already very short. The average fledgling phase of a Tianxiu person is ten years. The lifespan of an adult varies greatly. Some people can only live for one to two hundred years; some can live up to three to four hundred years. According to current research, the better the relationship between spouses, the longer their lifespan.”

“Spousal relationships are very important for every Tianxiu person. Only with a close partner can one develop fully. If you separate from your spouse before you are fully developed, whether you are a Qizhu or a Qizi, although technically an adult, you will still retain the appearance and physique of a fledgling.”

“Adult development is not infinite; everyone has a peak. Once this peak is reached, the body will stop developing and maintain this state—also known as the optimal state—until nominal death. There will be no regression, no aging.”

“But no matter how long a Tianxiu’s life is, as long as it’s a normal death, they will have a premonition before the end. Because we are a ‘non-dying’ race, we don’t fear death, even consider it a ceremony worth celebrating. Everyone will gather friends for a last reunion before their end, sometimes even escort the dying person here, waiting for the end.”

“Does everyone return here after death?”

Zhi Shang shook his head regretfully. “That’s not the case. There’s a type of people whose death is considered unfit for society and should be eliminated by the survival of the fittest mechanism. Once such people die, their souls scatter, never to exist in this world again.”

The crowd asked anxiously, “Who are these people?”

Zhi Shang looked at the students with eyes full of concern. “It’s you—all fledglings who haven’t undergone the coming-of-age ceremony.”

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