Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 122

Just as Ling Xing was entertaining the thought of saying his farewell, the sound of a fight broke out behind him. Turning around, he was surprised to see Jing Yu forcing his way through, breaking into the encirclement, and, with a leap, landing beside Ling Xing.

“You…” Ling Xing wanted to ask, but he didn’t quite know how to phrase it.

“You said I could use it when necessary. I felt you were in danger, so I used it.”

…Could it be that the Lone Star’s instincts were indeed at a beastly level?

Nevertheless, Ling Xing was glad that Jing Yu could come, but then he thought, even if he was a Lone Star, it was unlikely he could stand against so many, and he couldn’t help but worry for him.

“Stay here.” Jing Yu dropped these words and charged back into the fray, fighting the soldiers sent by Long Yin. Jing Yu, directly under Long Yin’s command, should have been comrades with these people from the same military unit, but today, for Ling Xing’s sake, they crossed blades as enemies.

Ling Xing watched anxiously from the sidelines; even if Jing Yu was a Lone Star, he was just a fledgling a few days ago, and his opponents were fully developed, well-trained soldiers. Jing Yu was outnumbered and outmatched; it was impossible for him to be their match.

But gradually, Ling Xing noticed that these people didn’t seem to be using their full strength against Jing Yu; their actions were more like some form of probing.

Indeed, Ling Xing’s guess was correct. After a short skirmish, the men retreated, moving out of Jing Yu’s range of attack. Jing Yu didn’t pursue them but instead retreated to Ling Xing’s side.

“We didn’t come to assassinate him,” the leader among them said.

The Lone Star naturally had no expression, so others couldn’t tell whether he believed them or not.

“Major General Long Yin would like to invite him over for a visit, and he orders you to return as well,” he said to Ling Xing and Jing Yu respectively, using the terms ‘invite’ for one and ‘order’ for the other, clearly having been instructed in advance.

“What does he want me for?” Ling Xing was slightly nervous. The bishop had left with the marshal, and Long Yin had probably targeted this opportunity.

“You’ll know when you get there.”

Given their numbers and strength, Ling Xing had no choice but to be escorted back to the military base by the group.

Long Yin, after hearing the report from his subordinates, realized that commanding the Lone Star to act against his own people was indeed impossible during the Qizi’s ownership establishing period. Thus, he couldn’t order the Lone Star to force a confession from his Qizi.

But it didn’t matter. He could wait. With this in mind, he tempered his sharpness and spoke in as calm a manner as possible to the two who had been brought before him:

“I wanted to congratulate you on your bonding in person, which is why I had my men invite you over.”

Ling Xing said nothing but inwardly sneered, “Who doesn’t know that it was your idea for Jing Yu to bond with me? Before this, you didn’t expect me to survive, did you?”

“According to our previous agreement, you were only to foster the Lone Star until his awakening. Now that he has come of age, he no longer needs a guardian. I think it’s time for you to let him return to the military base, right?”

Ling Xing coldly said, “Returning to the military base is just a matter of your word, isn’t it? Moreover, he has already been recalled by you.”

“That’s good,” Long Yin feigned reassurance. “But it was only him who returned before, and now I’m afraid that won’t do. As his Qizi, you have an obligation to move in with your Qizhu.”

Ling Xing’s face changed. “What do you mean?”

Long Yin took out a card and placed it in front of Jing Yu. “I have specially prepared a double room for you. From now on, this will be your residence. He can no longer return to the church, and neither can you.”

“I’m used to living in the church. I don’t want to move,” Ling Xing flatly refused.

Long Yin lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers. “A Qizi must live with their Qizhu. it’s the rule. For a Qizhu to abandon his Qizi is against the law, and you wouldn’t want to see the Lone Star, whom you raised yourself, break the law, would you?”

Ling Xing clenched his teeth; he was actually using Jing Yu’s name to place him under house arrest, with the motive surely still on the Soul Tree’s seed.

“I’m doing this for your own good.” Long Yin pushed the room card forward again. “You two are newly bonded. How could you possibly make do in such a small room without even a large bed?”

Ling Xing, embarrassed by Long Yin’s words in front of so many people, blushed deeply. Jing Yu, who could only understand the literal meaning, thought it made perfect sense and naturally took the card.

“Then I need to go back and pack my things,” Ling Xing argued.

“You don’t need to go back for anything. People here will prepare everything for you. There is no need for you to return.”

Ling Xing retorted angrily, “Don’t think that by doing this you can search the church for the seed. You won’t be able to find it, and I definitely won’t hand it over!”

Long Yin, not wanting to hear any more, waved his hand, and someone immediately came forward to escort them down.

The home Long Yin had prepared for them was many times larger than the bedroom in the church—a one-bedroom, one-living-room independent living space, fully furnished, looking genuinely suitable for a newlywed couple.

But Ling Xing found no fondness for such a cold apartment. He covertly checked the terminal signal; indeed, while Long Yin “kindly” didn’t confiscate his terminal, he had blocked all communication signals in this area, and the room had no internet connection. It was a completely isolated environment from the outside world.

Jing Yu was allowed to come and go freely, but the two so-called guards outside, purportedly there to ensure Ling Xing’s safety, ensured it by not letting him take a single step outside.

Ling Xing sat on the bed powerlessly; this way, even when the priest and bishop returned, no one would be able to find him.

Jing Yu had no idea what was going on. In his reading, after a husband and wife married, it was only natural for the wife to move into the husband’s home, and this was the house he had managed to secure through his efforts in the military, just like the other Qizhus in the force.

He felt “proud” to be able to create a larger and more comfortable environment for Ling Xing, which also included the primitive sense of achievement a beast feels when building a nest for mating. Therefore, he was even more unable to understand Ling Xing’s feelings, simply following their agreement, three times a night, occasionally breaking the rules by sneaking one in, in the wedding chamber prepared by Long Yin, living their own little life.

Ling Xing had thought he would never see anyone he knew again apart from Jing Yu, but unexpectedly, Ling Xiao managed to sneak in somehow while Jing Yu was out for training, startling him greatly.

“You’re crazy,” he said nervously as he approached the other person and grabbed his arm, then looked around.

“I’ve been living here for so long, I’m not even sure if the room has surveillance, and you just sneak in like this.”

Ling Xiao pulled out a strange device, swept it in a clockwise direction, and a green light lit up brightly. “Don’t worry, there’s nothing. I came prepared. I know that guy Long Yin. Even though he’s domineering and oppressive, at least he won’t spy on your private life.”

What made Ling Xing uneasy wasn’t this. “This is a military area. There are guards everywhere. How did you manage to sneak in without being noticed?”

“Don’t forget, I’m also a military academy student. All these years moving through time and space, I have never neglected my training.”

Hearing this, Ling Xing’s mind eased slightly; only he hadn’t expected that in his lifetime, he, who was against war, would end up enrolling in a military academy in the next life.

“How are things outside?”

“It’s a lot quieter than before. With the marshal and the bishop not in the country, neither the military nor the church are making any moves. The people are waiting for the marshal to return and give an answer, so there haven’t been any big demonstrations recently.”

Ling Xing nodded. “What else?”

“The priest hasn’t returned, and Long Yin’s people have been to the church many times. They seem to be looking for that thing, but obviously, they can’t find it.”

“They haven’t dug up the garden again, have they?” Ling Xing asked anxiously.

“No, they didn’t. It seems their focus is still on your bedroom.”

“That’s good.” Ling Xing sighed in relief. “Fortunately, I’ve destroyed that book, so they won’t find any clues.”

He added after a moment, “In that case, I can rest easy.”

Ling Xiao bit his lip. He cared about the church, the people, and the flowers, but he wouldn’t care for himself. According to the priest, Ling Xing was secretly sentenced to death during his time studying away, which seemed to align with recent events.

“And what about you? Are you at peace with yourself?”

Ling Xing paused, then realized what he was referring to.

“From the moment I stole the seed, I was prepared to face death. The coming-of-age ceremony was supposed to be my end. I am fortunate to have survived, and every additional day I live is a bonus. I’m content.”

But suddenly, Ling Xiao felt unwilling to let this Ling Xing go, impulsively blurting out, “Let me take you away.”

“What?” Ling Xing was startled.

“I’ll take you away from here. You are no longer a fledgling. I’ll take you away from Tianxiu to a place where the military can’t find you.”

Ling Xing’s mouth curved into a small crescent moon. “Leave Tianxiu and go where?”

“To Wolf Star!” Ling Xiao had an epiphany. “The Lone Star created a nation for you on Wolf Star!”

“A… what?” Ling Xing was completely bewildered.

“He must not have told you, right? He owns an entire tribe on Wolf Star; he’s their Wolf King, and you have been their Wolf Queen for quite some time. He has cloned your home there, including that small room in the church and the garden.”

“All of this was… done by Jing Yu?” Ling Xing asked incredulously.

“Yes, you can’t imagine how much he has done for you. If you don’t see it for yourself, you’ll never see it again.”

Ling Xing pondered for a moment, but eventually withdrew his hand from Ling Xiao’s grasp.

“No, I can’t leave.”

“Why?” Ling Xiao was disappointed.

“Because history can’t be changed. Isn’t that what you told me?”

Ling Xing smiled as he caressed Ling Xiao’s cheek. “Besides, if I left, where would you come from?”

“Only if I am reborn will you awaken and meet Jing Yu in the next life. I am still waiting for that day—waiting for my soul and Jing Yu’s to live freely together, without pressure from anyone.”

“Not confined to a small space, nor having to flee to another planet.” He lifted his head, his gaze piercing through the roof as if seeing the vast blue sky. “That is truly a beautiful life.”

Ling Xiao pursed his lips tightly, knowing that everything Ling Xing said was true, yet still unwilling to accept this outcome.

“Go.” Ling Xing gave him a push. “You’ve stayed in this era long enough. Hurry past here, back to Jing Yu’s reincarnation’s side. He is still waiting for you. Remember my request. Pass the item to him, let him keep it safe, so that our existence this time around wasn’t in vain.”

With that push, Ling Xiao’s body began to turn transparent. The familiar sensation finally returned, uncertain of how long this jump would last.

“I’m leaving.” That was all he managed to say.

“Goodbye,” Ling Xing softly addressed the empty air in front of him.

A knock sounded from inside the room. Ling Xing opened the door to find one of Long Yin’s subordinates standing outside.

“The General would like to see you.”

The inevitable had finally arrived. Ling Xing composed himself and followed the man. In the small council hall, Long Yin sat in his usual place, with a piece of paper laid out before him.

“Sign this, and you will be free.”

“Free in body?”

“Free in spirit.”

Ling Xing smiled and lowered his head. He knew what was coming.

Long Yin wasn’t afraid of him knowing. “We have conducted a follow-up medical examination on the Lone Star this past month.”

“Oh.” Ling Xing didn’t know what he intended to say, so he simply responded with an indifferent affirmation.

“Have you noticed any changes in him?”

Upon reflection, Ling Xing realized… lately, he often had the illusion that Jing Yu was getting shorter. He used to have to look up to meet his gaze, but now it seemed they were increasingly seeing eye to eye.

“There’s no change.” Long Yin naturally continued his own line of questioning, “And you, even I can see with the naked eye that you’ve grown taller.”

Ling Xing had an epiphany. “The Lone Star must kill his partner in the coming-of-age ceremony to develop into adulthood. If the partner doesn’t die, he will remain as he is forever.”

“That’s correct. Now do you understand how important your mission is?” Long Yin said sarcastically.

Ling Xing silently picked up the document Long Yin wanted him to sign and couldn’t help but laugh after a brief look.

It was a confession stating that Ling Xing, as a member of the church, didn’t want the military to plant the seed elsewhere and instructed the Lone Star, in his capacity as a caretaker, to steal the seed from the military. The Lone Star, as an individual only capable of obedience and without the power of judgment, was completely unrelated to this matter. Ling Xing alone would bear all the blame.

The confession was crafted intricately, even imitating his tone, showing the military’s think tank had put considerable effort into it.

“This is the best way to solve the problem. You have no choice but to sign. If you disclose the previous events, the Lone Star will be in severe violation of military discipline, and then both of you will be held accountable.”

“Who said I won’t sign?” Ling Xing countered naturally. “Stop threatening me with the Lone Star every time. Even if you hadn’t said what you just did, I was planning to sign.” He picked up the pen. “Where do I sign? Here?”

Long Yin was slightly surprised by his reaction but nodded imperceptibly.

Ling Xing signed his name decisively. Since learning of the future from Ling Xiao, he had nothing left to cling to. Although it was a pity that Jing Yu’s life would be cut short, he felt relieved knowing he would not be exploited by the military.

“It’s signed.” He pushed the confession forward. Long Yin glanced over it; Ling Xing had indeed signed his name. His promptness made Long Yin somewhat suspicious.

“Now that it’s come to this, I don’t mind telling you a bit more about what you’re most concerned about—the whereabouts of the seed.”

Long Yin leaned forward tensely; his ears perked for every word Ling Xing was about to say.

Ling Xing smiled. “I put it in the future.”

Realizing he had been played, Long Yin’s face turned cold, and he called his subordinate.

“Take him to the Nightmare Hall.”

Ling Xing walked ahead without needing an escort, while Long Yin’s men followed from behind, looking as if they were escorting him.

Outside the Nightmare Hall, rows of soldiers stood at attention, and Ling Xing saw through them at a glance—they weren’t there to supervise his execution, but to monitor Jing Yu’s every move.

Jing Yu stood in the center of the formation, expressionless. He knew this was the site of Ling Xing’s execution, something Long Yin had already informed him of—it was a military order. Ling Xing had been found guilty of stealing the seed, and he, as a soldier, was to obey his superiors’ commands unconditionally.

Ling Xing saw Jing Yu from a distance and greeted him with a radiant smile. Jing Yu’s gaze fell on him but offered no response.

Ling Xing didn’t blame him. That was his Jing Yu, who lacked human emotions yet always managed to do things that touched his heart. Jing Yu wasn’t one for sweet talk or guessing your thoughts, but he would trust you unconditionally, believe every word you said, and was willing to do anything for you as long as you made your requests clear and straightforward.

That was his unique Jing Yu. Among so many stars in the sky, how coincidental it was that one Lone star fell into his embrace, belonging to him alone. Could anyone be luckier?

For the last time, Ling Xing was brought before Long Yin. “Even now, you refuse to divulge where you’ve hidden it?”

“I’ve explained many times already—I hid it in the future.”

“If you insist on this, then I suppose you’ll meet it in the future.”

Long Yin raised his hand to give the order, but Ling Xing preempted him.

“May I say one last thing to him?” he asked, referring to Jing Yu not far away.

Long Yin glanced at the Lone Star, seeing this as an opportunity to test his loyalty. “Go ahead.”

Ignoring everyone around him, Ling Xing walked step by step to Jing Yu, his eyes full of deep emotion. He stood on his tiptoes and whispered in his ear:

“Take good care of the item I gave you. Use it to find me.”

After speaking, he stepped back with a smile free of regrets on his face.

Jing Yu still didn’t show any reaction. He watched as Ling Xing resolutely walked into the Nightmare Hall, and Long Yin, observing all this from a distance, nodded in satisfaction.

“Everything is ready,” a subordinate came up to ask for the last time.

Long Yin’s voice dropped. “Carry out the execution.”

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