Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 103

Ling Xiao was dumbstruck. Ever since he first learned of the existence of the Genetic Center, he had harbored doubts about his origins. However, he never imagined a version like “a magpie’s nest taken over by a dove*”, which completely exceeded his capacity to accept.

*(鹊巢鸠占) Idiom referring to someone taking advantage of another’s achievements or taking someone’s else’s place. It comes from nature, where doves (turtledoves/cuckoo) can’t build a nest and often take over a magpie’s nest, laying their own eggs in them.

Ignoring his astonishment, Yue Ying continued, “Unexpected, isn’t it? The initial reason for creating beings like you was out of desperate self-defense. Hence, the first command in your genetic code is loyalty to the royal family and defense of the nation. This command takes precedence over all others.”

“In the beginning, you were created as war machines, devoid of human emotions, and only obeyed unconditionally. But over time, we grew dependent on you and also started to trust you. We wanted to share our wisdom with you, leading to the initiation of the gene transplant program.”

“Gene transplant?”

“It means extracting cells, blood, and bone marrow from a Tianxiu person and then transplanting them into another artificial being. This allows the recipient not only to possess human wisdom but also to have a telepathic connection with the donor.”

“So, in the era I lived in, anyone of significant stature had their own sentient lifeform, or, to put it in current terms, a living personal mech.”

Ling Xiao’s grip on the railing tightened. “So I am your…”

Lifting his gaze, Yue Ying gave a mysteriously enigmatic smile. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten what codename people used for you. In ancient Tianxiu, someone like you, who received a gene transplant from me, was referred to as my…”

His lips barely moved, whispering the word “Qizi”.

Ling Xiao felt as if he had been struck hard in the chest. Yue Ying’s words overturned his entire understanding of life. Yet, feeling Yue Ying’s genuine intention confirmed every word the latter spoke was the truth.

“Shocking, isn’t it?” Yue Ying remarked nonchalantly. “For all these years, you’ve obliterated all the culture we left behind, modified or destroyed all traces. You’ve even given new meanings to terms like Qizi.”

“Haven’t you noticed that sometimes you find two completely dissimilar people very alike, while others don’t see it that way? That’s because your genes come from me. Every royal successor can recognize the appearance of reincarnated souls. Although you lack this ability, you’ve retained a hint of intuition, which is undeniable evidence.”

Ling Xiao looked up in astonishment towards Xing Lou, recalling Ying Feng, finally understanding the origins of his past illusions.

However, more questions remained. “If you say I am your Qizi, then what am I to Ying Feng? The coming-of-age ceremony couldn’t have been our invention, could it?”

Yue Ying shook his head. “In that era, the so-called Qizi, as known today, didn’t exist. The one who lost in the coming-of-age ceremony had to die. Even if they didn’t die during the ceremony, they would be forced to during the chaotic period that followed, ensuring only the victor matures.”

“Why!” Ling Xiao gripped the railing tightly. His feelings now were incredibly conflicted; his innate anger toward Yue Ying’s race and the hatred Yue Ying had for the Tianxiu people intertwined. He was torn between two sides, knowing one wasn’t his own but unable to separate himself from it.

“Why?” Yue Ying echoed Ling Xiao’s question. “Nature practices survival of the fittest. The weak are naturally eliminated. Just like the Tianxiu people, with all their wisdom but no strength, were slaughtered in large numbers. After creating you, those who were eliminated were our enemies. You are not a product of nature, so of course, the selection was made by us who created you.”

“Those of you who received gene transplants gained wisdom. Sadly, wisdom and emotion often come hand in hand. When bestowing the former, the latter naturally emerges. We didn’t mind you having human feelings, but redundant emotions often become a hindrance in war. We needed the best warriors, not just in wisdom and strength but also in ruthlessness towards the enemy. Only those who can even eliminate their own kind meet our criteria.”

“Laws, duties, love… Over thousands of years, you’ve tried various ways to increase the survival rate of the Qizi, which goes against your very genetics. So, when additional conditions aren’t present, people still act on instinct. Without legal restrictions, bonds of love, or a sense of duty, a Qizhu will still relentlessly push the Qizi to the brink of death. You, of all people, should be very clear about this, shouldn’t you?”

Ling Xiao’s hands were trembling. He felt as if he were a plaything created for others to choose and filter. Defeat in the coming-of-age ceremony meant death. No wonder everyone desperately fought for their life against those they loved.

Not undergoing the ceremony meant the dispersion of one’s soul, whereas participating meant either death or becoming a killer of one’s own kind. Ying Feng’s actions, Lan Sheng’s despair, and the torment he suffered day and night—to these people, these were merely a few gene segments. They added them as they pleased to satisfy their own needs, disregarding the pain of others. What was more laughable was that they originally couldn’t feel pain—even that ability was given by Yue Ying’s clan.

I’ve given you pain, so you must endure it. You have no other choice.

Yue Ying’s voice continued, but it had become background noise to Ling Xiao. He hung his head low, torn between two opposing views.

“You drove out all invaders, preventing any enemy incursions, becoming heroes who saved Tianxiu. We joyfully awaited your triumphant return after you eliminated the last enemy, but instead, we received betrayal. The rebels not only exterminated the Tianxiu people who created you but also killed all those loyal to the royal family. They forced them to be reborn and brainwashed them to serve the so-called ‘Republic’. It’s amusing that you, who consider yourselves Tianxiu people, were born for war. Without war, you were bored. So, you turned defense into aggression, attacking neighboring countries until every different race on the planet was forced to migrate. Then, you expanded your battleground to other planets. Although the Tianxiu people no longer exist, the man-made beings we left behind, who don’t produce but only plunder, are feared and hated by everyone. No one can check and balance you, no one dares approach this planet, and the name ‘Tianxiu people’ has become the nightmare of the entire galaxy.”

As Yue Ying’s hatred intensified, Ling Xiao felt like his head was about to explode.

“Stop talking…” He managed to say through gritted teeth.

But Yue Ying didn’t stop. “However, it seems someone secretly added a command to the soul traction behind the royal family’s back. Honestly, I was surprised when I first found out. But now, thinking back, their move was absolutely correct. They foresaw potential future dangers and took preventive measures.”

“Without planets to invade and being full of emotions, you started playing house. You tried your best to modify codes—loyalty to spouses, the need for both parties to mate… I knew that one day you would not be satisfied with this and turn your attention to central system modification rights. Thanks to your overestimation of your abilities, I was able to see the light of day again and have a chance to seek justice for my people.”

Ying Feng’s hand trembled, almost dropping the soul crystal in his palm. Fu Yao quickly stepped forward. “How is it? Has Ling Xiao awakened?”

“What did you see?”

Long Yin also just arrived. The soul was stolen by Yue Ying, who could easily control the Tianxiu people. He knew about the supreme power of the ancient royal family but didn’t expect such immense energy. Earlier generations deliberately altered history, making the truth blurry and inadvertently aiding Yue Ying.

Shocked by the truth he perceived through the Five Senses Sharing soul crystal, Ying Feng noticed dozens of eyes intently watching him. He was unsure if he should reveal the truth here. The revelation would certainly cause societal unrest.

Ying Feng clenched his fists. Since all his five senses were shared, he also felt the cold sweat in Ling Xiao’s palms that was clenching the railing.

“We can’t contact Ling Xiao now, or it will attract the enemy’s attention.” Ying Feng changed the subject, recalling the environment Ling Xiao was in. “They’re on the Eagle, the same one belonging to Tai Yin. There were two people I saw. Besides Yue Ying, there’s a fledgling. He’s a student from Bikong named… Xing Lou? I saw him once in the history museum…”

Ying Feng suddenly realized. “He was looking at the ancient royal emblem—the one that was stolen!”

Fu Yao and Long Yin exchanged a glance, quickly ordering, “Everyone aboard, head to outer space, and locate the Eagle.”

“No matter how vast the universe is or how small the target, we must find it!”

Ling Xiao gradually recovered from his internal struggle, perhaps because Yue Ying’s emotions settled after venting, making him less agitated.

“But there’s something I don’t understand,” he said breathlessly. “What do you want me to do? Turn against my brethren and serve you?”

Just as Yue Ying was about to speak, he caught sight of Lan Sheng entering. He changed his intended reply.

“I merely fulfilled a request from your friend, and given that you are bound to me, I kindly helped you sever a relationship you shouldn’t have had.”

Ling Xiao had a bad feeling. “What relationship?”

Yue Ying, not wanting to discuss it in front of Lan Sheng, said, “I’ve spoken enough and am tired. You seem unwell too. Rest, and you’ll know soon.”

He patted the hand that Xing Lou rested on his shoulder, and the latter then pushed him away. Only then did Ling Xiao remember that he hadn’t asked questions about Xing Lou. If his intuition was right and he truly was an ancestor of the Tianxiu people, how did he retain these memories?

At that moment, Lan Sheng walked over and considerately brought water for Ling Xiao, but the latter didn’t touch it.

“You’ve sweated a lot. Drink some,” he said.

Without Lan Sheng mentioning it, Ling Xiao hadn’t realized that his back was soaked in cold sweat. Even so, he didn’t want to accept Lan Sheng’s kindness.

“Do you know what you are doing? Why are you joining those people?”

Lan Sheng quietly took the water back. “The historic grudges you mentioned have nothing to do with me. I am a superficial person who only cares about those around me. When my friend was treated badly, of course, I wanted to help him.”

“How many times do I need to tell you? Ying Feng may have done something extreme, but that was a long time ago. Didn’t you hear what Yue Ying just said? Even I, as the person involved, have let go. Why can’t you?”

“You’ve let it go because you’re a Qizi. You’ve been brainwashed by this system, and you can’t truly see your inner feelings. Unless the blood bond is broken, your so-called feelings are self-deception. Now, you just compromise and evade, losing your independent personality.”

Ling Xiao couldn’t hold back his anger. “You talk about breaking the blood bond, but do you know how? I’ve seen someone lose an entire arm trying to break his bond! He paid such a price, yet his goal was unachieved. Do you want me to end up like that?”

Lan Sheng was unmoved. “This is why I brought you here. What others can’t achieve, Yue Ying can. He promised me that he will help you regain your freedom and free you from Ying Feng’s control forever.”

Ling Xiao was taken aback. Was this what Yue Ying was referring to? Lan Sheng’s words sounded absurd yet somewhat credible. Being their creator, Yue Ying might indeed know how to break the blood bond.

“Even if that’s the case, they have no reason to do this for you. They must have other motives,” Ling Xiao anxiously persuaded. “Lan Sheng, you’re being used. Think about it, they want to take revenge for the ancient Tianxiu people and eliminate our kind.”

Lan Sheng replied calmly, “If I can truly find the old you, even if I’m used, it’s worth it.”

Ling Xiao, in anger, slammed the railing in front of him. “Why are you so obsessed with the roles of the Qizhu and the Qizi? I now understand what Ping Zong said. If two people want to be together, one must compromise. Ping Zong doesn’t want to be the Qizi either, but he’s willing to do it for you. I don’t want to be the Qizi either, but if the cost is to be separated from Ying Feng, I’m willing!”

Lan Sheng stared at him with disappointment. “The Ling Xiao I knew was proud and confident, never bowing down to anyone, no matter how powerful the opponent, he dared to speak bravely. Not like now, even saying he’s willing to be the Qizi. To survive, giving up dignity, self-respect, and living in humility.”

“You’re not the Ling Xiao I knew,” he said, word by word.

“The Ling Xiao I knew is dead.”

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