Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 43

A figure dashed over swiftly. With a flick of his right hand, there was a cling sound as he flicked a crystal into the air and caught it accurately. All movements flowed in one smooth motion. Miraculously, it seemed as if a suction force appeared under his feet. To this individual, a vertical building was just like flat ground. Within a matter of seconds, he climbed from the bottom to the top of the building, grabbing Ling Xiao by the collar and leaping onto the platform with him.

Ling Xiao hadn’t even realized why he was suddenly airborne when his feet safely touched the ground. Only then did the principal, who had effortlessly hoisted him up, let go. He turned to Ying Feng, who was still outside the wall, and asked, “Can you manage on your own?”

In response, Ying Feng gripped the edge of the wall, jumped back inside, and quickly approached Ling Xiao. The imposing manner in which he moved made both Yao Tai and the principal think he intended to attack Ling Xiao, and they instinctively stepped in front to block him. Even Ling Xiao thought the same, but to everyone’s shock, Ying Feng rudely brushed past the two, placed both hands on Ling Xiao’s shoulders, and without warning, kissed him.

The shock made the kiss seem longer than it actually was. Everyone was stunned, especially Ling Xiao, who was part of the act. His mind went blank, his ability to think floating away into the clouds.

When the kiss ended, Ying Feng released him. The petrified Ling Xiao stood still, for one second, two seconds, three seconds, and then he began to fall forward. Predicting this, Ying Feng caught him smoothly. If the onlookers were dumbstruck earlier, words failed to describe their astonishment now. Seemingly uncomfortable under their direct gazes, Ying Feng reluctantly explained, “I read in a book that this method can hypnotize and soothe emotions.”

Both the principal and Yao Tai turned their heads stiffly to exchange incredulous glances, then turned back.

“You know,” Yao Tai said bluntly, not meaning to flatter, “the only commendable thing since you became a Qizhu is your godlike speed in mastering all the Qizhu’s skills.”

Ignoring the sarcasm in her words, Ying Feng lifted Ling Xiao. Before he could move, the principal stopped him. The principal, with remarkable composure given the recent events, said, “Can you hand him over to me?” Ying Feng looked at him questioningly. “I’d like to try and talk to him. We’re both Qizi; maybe communication will be easier.”

After some consideration, Ying Feng handed Ling Xiao over. The principal admitted awkwardly, “I can’t carry him.”

The principal’s physical strength has been significantly diminished due to a prolonged lack of adequate rest. Now, when it comes to endurance, he’s even weaker than an average fledgling. The moves he just performed were already his limit.

“Where would you like me to take him?”

“The infirmary will do. I’ll wait there for him to wake up.”

When Ling Xiao woke up, only the principal was with him. He wasn’t sure how he’d fallen asleep, but the recent memory lingered, making him wonder if the kiss was just a dream.

“You’re awake,” the principal said, reminded of his own disoriented awakening years ago.

“Principal?” Ling Xiao looked down at the bed, confused. “Why am I here?”

“You fell asleep. Ying Feng brought you here on my request,” the principal replied, his similarly gray eyes soothing Ling Xiao. “Do you feel better now?”

Ling Xiao hesitated before nodding.

He had forgotten that he hadn’t intentionally jumped earlier.

“Would you like to visit someone with me?”

“Who?”

“Your good friend, Lan Sheng.”

……

This was Ling Xiao’s first visit to the Psychiatric Disease Control Center. He had imagined it as a hospital, but upon arrival, it resembled more of a prison.

“Long time no see,” a man in a white uniform greeted them at the entrance.

“If I could, I’d hope never to see you in this lifetime,” the principal replied with a smile, introducing Ling Xiao to the man. “This is Director Qian Ji of the Disease Control Center. He was my primary doctor back in the day. Never thought he’d become the director now.”

“Is it more surprising for a doctor to become a director or a patient to become a principal?” Qian Ji teased. “A hundred years ago, I was worried if you’d survive. Who could’ve predicted that today you’d be the head of an entire school?”

“It seems I’ve disappointed your expectations,” the principal joked back.

Qian Ji responded to his joke with a slight smile and then gently patted Ling Xiao’s back. “Is this the student you mentioned in your correspondence?”

“Yes.”

Qian Ji turned to Ling Xiao. “Your principal told me that Lan Sheng, who was hospitalized recently, is your friend, right? He’s a very strong person. I can’t let you meet him, but I can allow you to see him.”

Ling Xiao was somewhat puzzled. Under Qian Ji’s guidance, they walked from the main entrance to the main building.

“The place has changed a lot,” the principal said as he looked at the buildings along the way. He remembered that when he left years ago, some of the buildings didn’t look like this.

“When you were here, you almost tore down every house. The moment you left, we immediately applied for funding from the higher-ups and renovated the entire center.”

“Don’t listen to his exaggerations,” the principal said helplessly to Ling Xiao.

“I knew you wouldn’t admit it, so we kept evidence.” He led them to a patient’s room and told Ling Xiao, “Look, this is the room he stayed in.”

This room—no, to be precise, this cell—was extremely small. Apart from a single bed, there was nothing inside. Three sides were closed, and the side facing the corridor was made up of cold bars. Upon closer inspection, Ling Xiao noticed that the wall material was the same as the material used in the training room. Shockingly, despite the wall’s toughness, there were many signs of impact, with some indentations being half a foot deep.

“Why is there nothing inside?” Ling Xiao couldn’t comprehend. He thought that even if the center’s environment wasn’t comfortable, it would at least be habitable.

“Because anything inside would end up smashed. Any seemingly insignificant object might be used as a tool for self-harm.” Qian Ji saw the principal gazing thoughtfully at the room and discreetly motioned for Ling Xiao to step back.

“Your principal stayed there for six years.” Qian Ji only began speaking when they were out of earshot.

“That long?” Ling Xiao was shocked, thinking he couldn’t endure even six days in such an environment.

“From the day he was admitted until he left, a full six years. The day he left was the sixth anniversary of his admission.”

“How could this be…” Ling Xiao was in disbelief.

“We all once believed he wouldn’t come out. But he did, and although we thought he wouldn’t last long outside, every year he proves us wrong.” Qian Ji’s admiration was genuine. “Your principal is truly a respectable person. Everyone still looks up to him with respect.”

Ling Xiao only knew that the principal, as an undeveloped Qizi, lived independently for many years and was secretly targeted. However, he didn’t realize how tough his life was.

“Back in the day, he was a prominent figure in Bikong, ranked alongside Fu Yao as the future hope of Tianxiu. He caught the military’s attention just in the primary academy, promising a bright future.”

“But life is unpredictable. Fu Yao found his perfect lifelong partner, and now they both shine brightly in the military. But your principal, due to one mistake, hasn’t even been able to grow.”

“Two young men who were once the center of attention—their outcomes are now as different as night and day. Every time I think back, it’s hard not to sigh with emotion.”

After Qian Ji finished reminiscing, he saw the principal walking towards them.

“Done with your moment of silence?” He intentionally adopted a casual tone.

“Why didn’t you fix that room?”

“Such a significant place must be preserved. Every time a new patient comes in, the center uses you as an inspirational figure, telling them that one day they will leave too. Even though you’re gone, your spirit shines bright, illuminating the path for others.”

The principal replied with a bittersweet smile. “Then I am truly honored.”

“Now that we’ve remembered the past, let’s move on.”

As they continued along the corridor, they encountered more and more people. Ling Xiao saw many patients behaving oddly. Some stared blankly, some muttered to themselves, some screamed angrily, and others banged their heads against the wall. The more he saw, the heavier his heart felt.

“Patients coming here for treatment need to sign a contract. There are two types: a ‘Life Pact’ and a ‘Death Pact’.”

Ling Xiao was confused. “What is the ‘Life Pact’?”

“It’s a more flexible contract. We try our best to help the patient survive. But if they find it unbearable and wish to give up, the center respects their decision.”

Qian Ji pointed at those in patient uniforms who moved freely and said, “They are the signatories of the ‘Life for Death’ contract. Recovery is up to luck, but most will never walk out these doors again.”

“What about the ‘Death Pact’?”

“The Death Pact is a binding agreement. No matter what happens or how the patient requests, we must ensure their survival by any means necessary.”

“The pain endured because of the Death Pact is indescribable. Very few choose to sign it. Your principal signed it years ago, and so did he.”

Qian Ji stood at the entrance of a room. The railings of this ward were down. As Ling Xiao approached, he saw Lan Sheng.

“Now you know how strong your friend is. You should be proud of him.”

The moment Ling Xiao saw that familiar face, tears almost spilled from his eyes. He was forcefully restrained on the bed, wailing and struggling in pain. Around him, three medical staff were holding down his limbs; even this seemed strenuous.

“Why…” Ling Xiao couldn’t understand. “Why not give him sedatives?”

“What you see now is him during the day, trying to rely on artificial control. Sedatives are only used during the more severe symptoms at night. Tianxiu people build resistance to drugs quickly. The dose of sedative he uses now is more than ten times that of an average person. It can’t be increased anymore.”

Ling Xiao felt a sting in his nose. He now understood why Qian Ji didn’t let them meet. Even if Ling Xiao stood in front of Lan Sheng, he might not recognize him.

“He has a severe sleep disorder, as does everyone here. They cannot sleep night after night, and if they do, they wake up quickly. Many give up just because they can’t bear this. Medicine is advancing, but it’s always at a loss for these people.”

“The influence of the Qizhu on the Qizi is significant. A Qizi who loses their Qizhu can never feel secure in their lifetime. They’re like aquatic plants cut from their roots, drifting day by day until they wither.”

“I used to wonder why Tianxiu people have such a distorted mating system. After researching many ancient texts, I found that the absolute control the Qizhu has over the Qizi is not exploitation but a concession.”

“A concession?” Even the principal hadn’t heard of this.

“Yes. Although most ancient texts are vague, according to a rare historical record, the initial relationship between the Tianxiu people wasn’t like this. Their fate was much harsher than ours; lovers had to kill each other to grow. Later generations couldn’t bear such tragedies, so the blood pact was created.”

“In the pact, the Qizhu transfers part of their soul to the Qizi, and the other half is exchanged for life by relinquishing all their rights, surviving solely as a Qizi attached to the Qizhu. That’s why the Qizhu can control the Qizi because they are controlling a part of their own soul.”

“So, on the surface, the relationship between the Qizhu and the Qizi seems oppressive, but the original intention of the blood pact was a concession the Qizhu made for their Qizi to live. It’s a proactive sacrifice. As to why lovers initially had to fight to the death, even the ancient texts don’t record.”

“Now you know why a developing Qizi struggles to survive after leaving their Qizhu. They can’t find a place for the soul they received from the Qizhu. The rescue work we do goes against their nature. Some say we do this out of humanitarianism, but after witnessing so much pain over the centuries, I don’t recognize the word ‘humanitarianism’ anymore.”

He sighed after finishing. “I’m sorry for making you bear my negativity.”

“No.” Ling Xiao shook his head. “Thank you for telling me.”

Qian Ji looked at him with deep concern. “Dr. Yao told me about your situation. The Qizi treated here either lost their Qizhu early or were abandoned. Compared to them, you are much luckier.”

“Now you’ve seen everything here. Your principal said he never wanted to see me again. How I wish never to see him, you, or anyone else here in this place again. The Disease Control Center is a place no one should come to. If there’s even a tiny chance, stay away. Not everyone is as strong as your principal. Most who come in never leave.”

As if to prove his words, a commotion came from a room at the end of the corridor.

“What’s happening?” Qian Ji stopped a passing medical staff.

The staff lowered his eyes slightly. “Patient No. 31 has decided to give up, making the final confirmation.”

Qian Ji’s gaze dimmed. He turned to the principal. “You should be familiar with such scenes.”

The principal nodded silently.

He then turned to Ling Xiao. “Let’s go see.”

Ling Xiao and the group followed the medical staff. The patient referred to as “No. 31” was in the next room, with a female doctor talking to her. Through the glass, Ling Xiao couldn’t hear their conversation. He only saw her shake her head and then nod from time to time. Before long, the female doctor stepped out.

She gave a slight shake of her head. Everyone present understood the implication of this gesture.

A bell rang overhead in the center. Its sound echoed, long and distant. Against the backdrop of such a solemn and somewhat desolate bell, everyone collectively bowed their heads.

The doctor went in with a syringe, bowed slightly to patient No. 31, then confidently pushed the needle through her pale skin, puncturing her vein accurately.

The girl looked up, her youthful face and light gray eyes. From awakening to death, the color of her eyes was the only change in this life. As she was about to bid farewell to this world and embark on a new life, perhaps because everyone else was looking down, her gaze met Ling Xiao’s, the only person looking her way.

Their eyes locked, and Ling Xiao became the last image she saw in this life. And the girl in Ling Xiao’s eyes sweetly raised a slight smile towards him.

“Goodbye,” Ling Xiao saw her lips mouthing, even though they had never met before.

The girl’s body gradually became transparent and vanished, eventually transforming into a beautiful blue soul, reminiscent of the appearance of the morning sky.

This was the second time that Ling Xiao watched a soul fly away right before his eyes, disappearing into the horizon from less than two meters away from him.

“Did you see that?” The principal’s hand quietly rested on Ling Xiao’s shoulder. “This is the Disease Control Center, a place you would never want to set foot in again once you’ve been here.”

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