Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 116

Year 3992 of the New Era, the church.

“Thank you for your consolation Priest Ling. I feel much better than before.”

“Yes, thank you so much. Even as a bystander, I’ve learned a lot.”

Ling Xing sent the two people out of the church with a smile. “I am honored to have been able to help you. If you truly wish to express gratitude, please thank God. It was He who guided my words; I am merely His spokesperson.”

After seeing off the two deeply grateful individuals, he stood with his hands by his side in the courtyard of the church. Although the place was green all year round, he thought the variety of plants was a bit monotonous. It would be nice if some flowers could be added.

Just then, he overheard the private conversation of the two who had just left, probably thinking that Ling Xing had already returned inside, unaware that their conversation was being overheard by the very person they were discussing.

“Priest Ling really is a good person.”

“Yes, but it’s a pity that he still refuses to form a pact, which is worrying. He has been in his fledgling state for over seventy years now.”

“Ah, I’ve heard he’s a survivor of the Ash Event. Is that true?”

“Shh…” The person deliberately lowered their voice further. As the two walked away, Ling Xing could no longer hear their conversation.

Ling Xing’s expression stiffened for a moment upon hearing those words, but he quickly composed himself. Even if someone had been standing in front of him staring, they would have likely missed the fleeting change.

Just as he was about to turn back and return inside, he saw a flying vehicle approaching from afar, landing precisely outside the church. On recognizing the emblem on the vehicle, his smile deepened.

“You’ve gone and used a military vehicle for personal use again.” On the flying vehicle that the visitor piloted, the marshal’s insignia was conspicuously displayed. However, Ling Xing wouldn’t flatter himself by thinking that the marshal himself had come; the person able to drive the marshal’s vehicle must be the marshal’s Qizi—undoubtedly Jing Shi, the current bishop of the church.

Jing Shi, clad in a large robe, made it so that Ling Xing didn’t immediately notice the person behind him. But when Jing Shi stepped aside, the silhouette of a fledgling appeared in Ling Xing’s field of vision.

This fledgling seemed oddly peculiar, standing about ten centimeters taller than Ling Xing, which was considered quite tall among fledglings.

Yet what was more striking was his facial features, which bore no expression.

He seemed like a rather indifferent person, Ling Xing thought.

“I didn’t commandeer the military vehicle privately this time,” Jing Shi said as he walked. Though he was a bishop and Ling Xing was just a priest of a small church, they had formed a close bond and spoke quite casually. “I’m here on official military duty and thought to drop by to check on you.”

Ling Xing joked, “Even the church’s people are being conscripted for public service. The military must be really short-staffed. Or perhaps you just came by to see if I’m still alive or if my soul has scattered, right?”

“Do you even need to ask?” Jing Shi retorted with feigned annoyance. “I think you’re well aware that in history, no fledgling has lived past a hundred years, and you’re already seventy-six years in your fledgling state. Do you really plan to keep delaying?”

Ling Xing chuckled. He was just about to reply, but then paused, realizing something was amiss. “You brought someone with you this time. Could it be…”

Jing Shi couldn’t help but knock on his head this time. “Do you think I’m here to set you up with someone? Your thoughts are too scattered.”

Realizing he had misunderstood, Ling Xing felt a bit embarrassed and sneakily glanced at the fledgling, who, surprisingly, showed no reaction, lessening his embarrassment.

“So, who is this…?” he asked.

Jing Shi looked back and said, “This is the mission I’m on. The school doctor at Bikong just confirmed his identity as a Lone Star. People like him can’t stay at the school. I’ve brought him to stay with me for a couple of days until the military arranges where to send him next.”

Ling Xing was surprised. “A Lone Star? The rare kind that appears once every five hundred years?”

“Yes, after a Lone Star awakens, it can be quite dangerous. They can’t be allowed to live among other fledglings. His emotional area is different from ours, but intellectually, there are no issues. You can try talking to him.”

Jing Shi turned to the fledgling and introduced, “This is Ling Xing, the priest of this church.”

“Hello,” said the Lone Star, expressionlessly.

Ling Xing quickly responded, “Hello, Lone Star—ah no, Lone Star is just a code name. You must have your own name. What is your name?”

“Jing Yu.”

“Jing Yu,” Ling Xing said with a smile, extending his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

Jing Yu shook his hand in return but didn’t show any joy like Ling Xing did.

Ling Xing sighed as he looked at Jing Yu in this state. “As a fledgling, he cannot live with his peers, and if he goes to the military, who will treat him as a fledgling?”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Jing Shi expressed helplessly. “Since ancient times, Lone Stars have always been used by the military as the most powerful combat weapons. In their eyes, Lone Stars no longer belong to the category of humans. They only cultivate them like they would a killing robot, and the loyalty of Lone Stars will make them carry out any orders unconditionally.”

Ling Xing furrowed his brows. “They no longer understand human emotions. If this is allowed to continue, won’t things get worse? Who knows how many innocent beings from other species will suffer because of this.”

He lowered his eyes, seemingly pondering a plan, and suddenly came up with an idea.

“How about this? Let me take care of him until he awakens.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Jing Shi rejected the idea immediately. “Lone Stars cannot stay near any fledgling, including you. When they awaken, they will seek out the strongest among the awakened fledglings to kill as a way to fully mature, and you have already awakened.”

“I just have to be very careful. Even if he is a Lone Star, it takes an average of ten years to fully awaken, and there is still a long time. During this time, although I cannot teach him human emotions, at least I can let him understand the rights and wrongs of human society and try to let him live as a normal fledgling. When he awakens, I swear I won’t interfere with the military’s actions.”

“This…” Jing Shi hesitated.

Ling Xing turned directly to Jing Yu. “Look, my name also contains the ‘star’ character*. We are both fledglings, our eye colors are the same, and we have both studied at Bikong. Considering we have so much in common, would you like to stay and live with me?”

*Ling Xing (凌星). The [Xing] (星) means star.

“If it’s an order,” Jing Yu replied without blinking.

“See, he’s willing.” Ling Xing immediately turned to Jing Shi, completely twisting the other’s response.

Jing Shi, feeling resigned, indicated he would consider it. “I’ll try to argue with the Marshal.”

“Your relationship with the marshal is so good. A few more words, and he will surely agree.” Ling Xing had an air of confidence.

“These matters need to be decided by the military.” Jing Shi teased him, “If you’re envious of our good relationship, why don’t you also form a pact instead of insisting on staying single?”

Ling Xing smiled and said nothing, pretending not to hear the bishop’s question.

“In that case, I’ll leave him here for now until the military has finished discussing and then come to decide his whereabouts.”

“No problem. I’ll take good care of him.”

“But do you have a place for him to live?” Jing Shi didn’t mean to look down on him. He had seen Ling Xing’s bedroom, which was cramped for one person, let alone another.

“My bedroom is a bit small, but I’ll figure something out.” Ling Xing asked Jing Yu, “Do you mind?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then let’s go.” Ling Xing extended his hand to him. “I’ll take you to see your new home.”

Jing Shi watched their retreating backs, deep in thought. Lone Star—no, Jing Yu—could he really understand what a home is?

……

“We’ve arrived.” Ling Xing led Jing Yu to his own room, and upon opening the door, even he felt a bit embarrassed. “It does seem a bit narrow.”

Jing Yu, however, didn’t seem to mind at all, as if for him, a spacious palace and a cramped bedroom made no difference whatsoever.

“There’s no room for a bed here, so I’ll set up a bunk above my own bed later. I’ll sleep on the top bunk, and you can take the bottom bunk. How does that sound?”

“Okay,” Jing Yu responded in the same manner to everything he was asked.

“Where’s your luggage? Let me help you set it down.”

Jing Yu didn’t need his help. Opening his own luggage, he took out his frequently used items and arranged them neatly.

Ling Xing glanced at the time. “We should eat first, then set up the bed together after… Oh right, I still don’t know what you usually like to eat?”

Jing Yu picked out two items from his belongings, and Ling Xing looked down to see a bottle of purified water and a bag of plain energy bread.

“Oh, I didn’t mean emergency rations. I mean the food you usually like to eat.”

“I usually eat these,” Jing Yu replied as if it was obvious.

Ling Xing was surprised. “You’ve always eaten these? Every single day for the past year and a half since you woke up?”

Jing Yu didn’t see what was so surprising. “It’s just food and water.”

“No, no, no.” Ling Xing hastily waved his hands. “Even if it’s just food and water for filling the stomach and quenching thirst, there are many varieties. Hasn’t anyone ever suggested you try something different?”

Jing Yu shook his head.

Ling Xing found it quite unbelievable. No one would stick to such energy bread for sustenance if they had other choices.

“Wait here a moment.”

He ran out and bought a bottle of energy drink from a vending machine, handing it to him.

“Try this.”

Jing Yu obediently took a sip.

“How is it?” Ling Xing asked cautiously.

“It’s sweet.”

Ling Xing was amused by such a response. “Of course, besides the taste, it also replenishes energy for your body. It’s best after exercise.”

“And look, there are even more varieties of food. Even just this energy bread you’re eating has five or six different flavors.”

He rummaged through the room and actually found a pack of old stock—a pink package that seemed to be from the last time he went camping.

“This energy bread is strawberry flavored. Try it.”

Jing Yu pinched off a piece and chewed it slowly, taking his time before giving an anticipated response to Ling Xing.

“It’s delicious.”

Ling Xing genuinely smiled. “See, I didn’t lie to you, did I? If you’re willing to try, there are many more delicious things in this world. People have produced so many flavors of food to diversify our diet, both in taste and nutrition, and they’re all worth trying one by one.”

Jing Yu nodded, seemingly getting it.

“Let’s go.” Ling Xing took the bread and purified water from his hand. “I’ll take you to experience even more delicacies.”

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