Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

Chapter 110

The lonely little prince finally had a companion—someone who understood his joys and sorrows and his every subtle expression. Without the need for any words, as soon as he had a thought, the other party would have everything ready. There was nothing more satisfying than this.

Different from the attendants who surrounded him, Ling Yi was his true friend in every sense. He didn’t tiptoe around to please the prince; they could talk about anything, ridicule the cabinet ministers, and even carry out the prince’s wild schemes that he himself could not accomplish.

Everyone in the palace had a headache over Ling Yi’s arrival. He was so agile and fond of playing pranks. From the ministers to the guards, almost everyone had been tricked by him. But because of Yue Ying, they couldn’t do anything to him.

It wasn’t until the age of fourteen that Yue Ying finally got to enjoy the fun that childhood should bring. Ling Yi was his Qizi, his stand-in, his legs and feet. He compensated Yue Ying doubly for the childhood he had missed. Yue Ying became the biggest supporter of the transplant program. With his endorsement, the project unfolded even more vigorously.

The emergence of the Qizis made all the Tianxiu people enthralled. People spent a lot of money just to select their own exclusive, outstanding Qizi. The higher the initial value of the Lone Star, the higher the market price, leading to hoarding and scalping. Following the gladiator arenas, Lone Stars became a new industry.

However, perfection was elusive. Lone stars, now endowed with human intelligence and emotions, soon showed their shortcomings on the battlefield.

In the royal council chamber, such a meeting was taking place.

“Can you believe it? The Lone Star Warriors we sent out didn’t complete the assigned tasks. They spared the chief’s wife and children. The reason given was that the mother was desperately protecting her young child. Too pitiful!” A minister waved his fist in anger. “We all know what kind of terrible enemy these hate-filled children will grow into in the future. If we don’t root them out today, we will be the ones to suffer their revenge!”

“Why would Lone Star understand motherly love? They don’t even have mothers! It’s that damn gene transplant program that gave them meaningless sympathy, and they projected that sympathy onto our enemies! We don’t need cowards who show mercy to the enemy; we need cold-blooded, ruthless warriors who will execute tasks perfectly!”

“But do you know what our warriors are doing now? They’re falling in love!” The minister pulled out his communicator. “Have you ever seen two communicators in love? Just like two real people, the simulation is so vivid, it’s laughable!” With a slam, he smashed the communicator on the floor.

The council chamber fell silent; such an occurrence was unexpected. They hoped the Lone Stars would have feelings for themselves, but they didn’t want these feelings to extend to irrelevant people, especially enemies.

“I have an idea.”

All eyes turned to the source of the voice. The man raising his hand was Tian Zhu, the proponent of the gene transplant plan.

Tian Zhu pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “The reason for this situation is because the Lone Stars, having gained intelligence, also gained unnecessary emotions. If we modify the trigger conditions for the coming-of-age ceremony, we can eliminate the emotions we don’t need.”

“How to modify?” The minister asked.

“They’re falling in love, aren’t they? Then let’s change the coming-of-age ceremony to be passively triggered when they fall in love. When they find that their love interest has been killed by their own hands, all excess emotions will be worn down to nothing.”

“I strongly oppose!” Tai Duo slammed his fist on the table. “If you’ve given them emotions, yet you obliterate them with such heavy-handed methods, this violent rule will one day provoke backlash.”

“Why is it always you?” Tian Zhu sighed in resignation. “You were against giving emotions, and now you’re against erasing them. What’s your brilliant idea? For them to treat us with the warmth of spring and our enemies with the coldness of autumn?”

“Enough arguing!” The minister waved his hand decisively. “I think this idea is good. I don’t want to foster a bunch of weaklings. The cabinet will now vote.”

The voting began slowly, with ministers whispering among themselves. Tai Duo, a fellow researcher at the Royal Science Academy, glared angrily at Tian Zhu, who indifferently turned his gaze elsewhere.

After six grueling hours, the vote that would determine the fate of all Lone Stars finally came to an end, with the proponents winning by a slim margin of 6 to 5. When the final results were disclosed, Tai Duo’s face was filled with disappointment towards the nation, while Tian Zhu looked at him with eyes brimming with triumphant mockery.

Having obtained modification rights to the central system from Yue Ying, the researchers at the Royal Science Academy worked overtime to alter the main program. Tai Duo’s fingers flew across the keyboard. Unable to save the future of the nation, he could only do his best to prevent the threat from spreading throughout the entire galaxy.

He covertly uploaded the encrypted and hidden code to the mainframe under the guise of deception. After completing all this, he left the Tianxiu Star with his family under the cover of night.

“Why do we have to leave?” his family asked, unable to understand.

“The Tianxiu people are on a path to self-destruction; they have no idea of the terrible monster they have created. One day, their own achievements in intelligence will bite back, and when that day comes, all Tianxiu people will cease to exist.”

“Where can we go then?”

“To Huosu Star! That is the only safe place. Today’s Lone Star Warriors will never be able to reach that distance. That’s the only thing I can ensure.”

No one paid heed to Tai Duo’s departure because his abilities, rivaling those of Tian Zhu, ensured the code of the soul traction was perfectly concealed. Moreover, it wouldn’t have any effect for a long time, and Tianxiu continued its unstoppable march towards dominating the universe.

……

Time flew swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, another two years had passed. The Royal Medicine Academy delivered tragic news: the only royal bloodline bearer, the young prince Yue Ying, just 16 years old, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. All the renowned physicians of the nation were powerless to help.

Yue Ying had just enjoyed two beautiful years before being told that his life was drawing to a close. No matter how hard Ling Yi tried, he could not cheer him up.

“Ling Yi, am I really going to die soon? I haven’t even had my coming-of-age ceremony. It is said that when royal males turn eighteen, they receive a badge symbolizing their status as heirs, but I’ve never even touched that badge.”

Ling Yi knelt down to comfort him. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. The medical academy will surely find a way to cure your illness. You will definitely receive your badge.”

Sadly, that day never arrived. After relentless discussions by the medical academy, the only solution they came up with was to cryogenically freeze Yue Ying’s body temporarily. They hoped to awaken him once medical science had advanced enough to cure his disease.

Ling Yi stayed by Yue Ying’s side day and night until the day of the plan. On that day, Cang Yun also came to visit. After Yue Ying refused to become his Qizhu, Cang Yun accepted a genetic transplant from a certain cabinet minister, regaining human emotions.

Whether this Cang Yun was still the same as before was something people could no longer ascertain.

Yue Ying looked at Cang Yun. Although his appearance remained youthful, in his heart, Cang Yun was always the servant of his great-great-great-grandfather… They were too many generations apart, and emotionally, there was a barrier.

“Cang Yun, will you take my place in guarding this nation?”

“Of course,” Cang Yun knelt down. “I promised your ancestors to always protect this country and its descendants. When Your Highness awakens from your slumber, I will personally present you with the badge that symbolizes royal status and conduct your coming-of-age ceremony.”

Yue Ying nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Ling Yi. “What about you? Will you also wait for me to wake up?”

Ling Yi knelt down, imitating Cang Yun. “I also swear to always be loyal to Your Highness, to never leave your side. Whenever you need me, even if it costs my life, I will not hesitate.”

Yue Ying finally felt at ease, overcome by a deep drowsiness. He felt his eyelids grow heavy.

“Ah, it feels like I’m going to sleep for a long time.” He slowly closed his eyes. “I hope when I wake up again, I’ll still see you both.”

After Yue Ying fell into his deep sleep, the royal family of Tianxiu officially had a vacancy. The in vitro fertilization project failed time and again. They succeeded in creating artificial beings with high intelligence but couldn’t cultivate even a single normal human infant.

The cabinet officially took control of power, training a group of cold and ruthless Lone Star warriors—possessing human intelligence and machine-like emotions unmatched within the galaxy.

Ending its history of being invaded, Tianxiu began an aggressive expansion. Their territory grew day by day, annexing one small section after another. Races not wanting to become colonized began migrating, with some even leaving the planet.

Ling Yi sat bored on a high branch and, seeing someone below, jumped down with a smile, intending to give them a fright.

Jun Lin had already anticipated everything and caught the attacker with his hand, setting him down smoothly on the ground. Ling Yi wrapped his arms around the other’s neck, clinging like a parasite.

From the moment they first laid eyes on each other, their “program” had subtly changed: their hearts raced when they met, they yearned when apart. Whether they understood what this complex emotion signified or not, it genuinely fermented, grew, and intensified within them until it occupied their entire being.

Jun Lin was accustomed to Ling Yi’s boneless, coquettish behavior. Perhaps because his Qizhu was the frail Yue Ying, he always liked to play the role of being delicate and powerless, even though his strength was far beyond that of the fledglings.

“Stand up straight,” he said with feigned impoliteness. “Don’t act like your Qizhu.”

Ling Yi reluctantly let go. “My Qizhu is still asleep, and I’m so bored.”

Jun Lin sat down on a bench in the royal palace garden. Not everyone had the freedom to come and go here. Strictly speaking, their actions were akin to a clandestine affair, but apart from the sleeping young prince, no one could control Ling Yi, so their tryst was somewhat more open and legitimate.

Ling Yi also sat down beside him, leaning in uncontrollably. “Hey, have you heard? We are going to war with the neighboring kingdom again. It’s so boring alone in the palace, and the army won’t take me because they say I’m not an adult yet. How am I supposed to become an adult?”

“I don’t know. Probably some kind of ceremony.” Jun Lin also had almost no clue. “All I know is that the people in the military are taller than us, and their eye colors are different from ours.”

“Right, now that you mention it,” Ling Yi noticed, “their eyes are all black, and our eyes are gray. How can we change to be like them?”

Jun Lin shook his head. Since the reform of the coming-of-age ceremony system, the Tianxiu beings had deliberately kept the truth hidden, leaving these young ones unaware.

“Forget it,” Ling Yi said seriously, examining Jun Lin’s face—a face that he could never tire of looking at, making him unconsciously want to draw closer.

Jun Lin held the same thought, and the two got closer and closer until their breaths intertwined and they could no longer be separated.

Their passionate kiss made them forget everything around them. Here and now, there was only the other, the sole focus of their hearts.

The most basic human emotions arose silently, taking root and sprouting, breaking through the soil, growing branches, and blooming in the wind… The levels of testosterone, dopamine, and adrenaline in their bodies were surging rapidly until they hit a certain threshold.

In the midst of their forgetful kiss, Ling Yi suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of red in his gaze, and Jun Lin agilely jumped back as a long and deep wound was sliced across his chest by the dagger that had suddenly appeared in the other’s hand.

Ling Yi, who had been kissing fervently just a second ago, looked numbly at Jun Lin in front of him, mercilessly raising the silvery dagger…

……

The next morning, Cang Yun, who was patrolling the palace, saw Jun Lin sitting alone on the ground in the back garden, his body covered with wounds, his uniform torn and tattered, staring blankly ahead. The part of him that belonged to human emotion had flown away.

Cang Yun bent down to pick up two daggers scattered on the ground, put the handles together, and snapped them into one.

Approaching Jun Lin, he handed over the newly formed dagger with both hands as if conferring an honor in the coming-of-age ceremony.

Jun Lin looked up, his pitch-black eyes especially striking in the daylight.

He took the dagger from Cang Yun’s hands, the very same one with which he had pierced Ling Yi’s heart the night before.

When he came to his senses after losing control, all he managed to catch was the arc of Ling Yi’s soul drifting away.

Cang Yun gave him a standard military salute.

“Congratulations, you have officially come of age. Welcome to the military.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

Chapter 109

The arena, packed with a sea of people, buzzed as the citizens of Tianxiu indulged in their unique revelry.

Nearly a hundred years had passed since the birth of the Lone Star Warrior. In this century, Tianxiu had leaped from a weak nation, easily bullied by others, to become one of the most influential powers within the galaxy. This was the most prosperous era in Tianxiu’s history, basking in the worship of many nations and the reverence of the stars. The people began to become complacent and, eventually, overconfident, slowly discarding the teachings left by their ancestors from the back of their minds.

Starting with Cang Yun and his clones, the Lone Star Warriors had evolved into their third generation. Outdated versions had been continuously upgraded and phased out. The third generation of Lone Star Warriors possessed higher martial prowess and intelligence. They were created in the form of youths with randomly generated abilities and appearances, each a unique individual, no longer uniform as before.

To better select these creations, a coming-of-age ceremony was invented. Only by killing one of their own during the ceremony and obtaining the other’s abilities could they fully mature. The losers were recycled and reshaped, continuing this brutal selection process.

The Soul Tree, responsible for producing souls, and the Lighthouse, tasked with recycling them, appeared one after another, making the people of Tianxiu even more unrestrained. To them, the Lone Star Warriors were just mass-produced bioengineered beings. The initial sacrifices made by Cang Yun and the maidservant for creating the Lone Star had been gradually forgotten.

As time further passed, the coming-of-age ceremony took on a new definition. For the carefree and stimulation-lacking people of Tianxiu, watching these artificial beings fight to the death in the arena became a novel form of mass entertainment. The crowd would shout, cheer, and place bets, finding new pleasure in the struggles of the Lone Star Warriors.

In the arena, two teenagers, appearing only sixteen or seventeen years old, fought fiercely with astonishing combat skills.

Outside the arena, thousands of physically weak spectators, waving their frail arms and holding wads of cash, also shouted with all their might. “Kill him! Kill him!”

Both youths were severely injured, but they couldn’t surrender; giving up at this time meant death. Even with their last breath, they had to keep fighting, especially since this was the “order” they had received—the “order” they must obey without question.

Just as the outcome was about to be decided and everyone excitedly anticipated the result, a young man in strange attire suddenly appeared in the center of the arena. No one saw how he got there; they only heard him shouting angrily at the crowd:

“You’ve gone too far! Even if they are artificial, they are still lives! How can you watch them kill each other and take pleasure in it? Who saved your nation? Who allowed you to sit here without fear or worry? Is this how you repay them? You are human, yet you’re worse than machines!”

The people of Tianxiu looked at each other, puzzled. Who was this man? What language was he speaking? They couldn’t understand a word.

His hair was a light gray, his eyes the color of smoke—quite different from the yellow-haired Tianxiu people, but somewhat similar to the Lone Star Warriors.

However, by his demeanor, he must be a malevolent alien. The Tianxiu people, their instinct for killing now awakened, unhesitatingly issued an order to execute him. “Kill him! Kill him!”

The two, who had just been locked in a desperate struggle in the arena, as well as the Lone Star Warriors on standby outside, all rushed towards this newcomer. Facing so many opponents, even the powerful intruder couldn’t cope and was forced to draw a dagger in defense.

“You fools! It’s those people who are playing with your lives at will, and yet you still fight for them. I am the same as you!”

No one listened to him. While he could fend off attackers from the front, he couldn’t guard the rear. A moment’s lapse allowed his dagger to be kicked away, landing far to the side.

“Ah!” Seeing his weapon gone, he dashed to retrieve it, but the other Lone Star Warriors wouldn’t allow it, quickly surrounding him.

The Tianxiu spectators outside the arena became even more excited. Regardless of who this newcomer was, he was incredibly strong to have survived so long against so many, but alas, it seemed his end had come.

With all his strength, the intruder repelled two who blocked his way and aimed for a gap to slide through on the ground. Seeing his dagger just ahead, a familiar sensation washed over him, and he knew something was wrong.

Under the watchful eyes of all, this unexpected intruder suddenly became transparent and vanished, until he was seen no more. The Tianxiu people widened their eyes in terror, thinking they had seen a ghost, and even the Lone Star Warriors halted, warily observing their surroundings, uncertain where their enemy had gone.

This brief interlude that took place in the arena was quickly forgotten by the people, and the hot topic that took its place was none other than the proposal of the gene transplantation plan.

After who knew how many internal discussion meetings, the proposer of the plan, a researcher from the Royal Academy of Sciences named Tian Zhu, was actively expounding his views.

“We have the Lone Star Warriors, but has anyone felt that their behavior is rigid and lacks initiative? They only act upon clear orders. However, the battlefield is ever-changing, and the Lone Stars cannot adapt in time. If the enemy exploits this weakness and continuously adjusts their battle strategy, they could defeat us. When martial power reaches a certain level, it is intelligence that determines victory or defeat. If the Lone Stars also had human intelligence, this wouldn’t be a problem, and their combat power would rise to a significant height.”

“I disagree!” Tai Duo, also a researcher at the Royal Academy, stood up to rebut. “The Lone Stars are powerful enough to be unmatched in the entire galaxy. They already possess intelligence comparable to real humans. If they were to gain wisdom equivalent to humans, it would be as if they had their own thoughts. Once you can’t control such people and they develop their own agendas, what will you use to contend with them?”

Tian Zhu had always looked down on Tai Duo, seeing him as a coward who dared not innovate.

So he sneered, “Your way of thinking is self-sealing and unprogressive. We may have no opponents now, but aren’t our enemies constantly improving? If we do not advance, sooner or later we will become the ones who are no match for them, and history will repeat itself. Don’t forget, the first command in the Lone Star main program is to be loyal to the royal family and protect the nation. Even if they had human wisdom, it is absolutely impossible for them to violate this command. You are worrying too much.”

The two sides were at an impasse, and it was an awkward era. The previous emperor passed away young, at thirty-something, and the new prince was only fourteen years old and not yet of age. According to the rules of Tianxiu, the prince could only ascend to the throne when he reached the age of eighteen. During this interim, when the throne was vacant, all major affairs were decided by the cabinet discussions.

In the end, it was Tian Zhu who persuaded the cabinet. “Don’t you want to see the Lone Stars with richer expressions? They will be loyal to us from their hearts, not just as a matter of programming. After this plan is implemented, every person in Tianxiu will have their own Lone Star. They will sense our spirits, share our emotions, rejoice and grieve with us, and firmly execute every one of our commands.” As he got excited, he spread his arms wide. “I name this kind of personal Lone Star—Qizi.”

……

Inside the palace, the fourteen-year-old young prince, Yue Ying, sat listlessly in his wheelchair. He too wished to attend the gladiatorial arena to witness the coming-of-age ceremony in person, but his body was even frailer than his royal ancestors’, and even leaving the palace was a great difficulty for him, let alone going to such a noisy and chaotic place.

To entertain him, an attendant tried to cheer him up by telling him about interesting things happening in society.

“Your Highness, have you heard? The cabinet has approved the gene transplantation plan. Soon, you can have your own Lone Star. He can chat with you, feel all your emotions, and then you won’t be lonely anymore.”

“Really?” Yue Ying longed. “Can I also have a Lone Star of my own?”

“Of course, they’re called ‘Qizi’. Many people have volunteered for the experiment. Once the technology is fully mature, Your Highness will be able to choose your favorite Lone Star for the gene transplantation.”

The day the attendant described arrived quickly, and under the careful protection of many, Yue Ying came to the Royal Academy of Sciences for the first time, where Tian Zhu, the project leader, personally selected a Lone Star for him.

“Your Highness, the initial person of a Lone Star, Cang Yun, currently does not have a Qizhu. He has deep connections with the royal family. Having him as your Qizi, I believe, would be most fitting.”

Yue Ying frowned. “Cang Yun, I have always treated him as an elder. After all, he is hundreds of years older than me. If he becomes my Qizi, I might not be able to treat him as a peer.”

“Moreover, Cang Yun is a first-generation Lone Star, and in many respects, he is not as good as the newly produced third-generation ones. I want a more updated product.”

It was normal for a young person to have such thoughts, and the astute Tian Zhu immediately changed his approach. “In that case, I do have a suitable recommendation.”

He gestured, and a handsome young man was brought forward. “This is a newly cultivated third-generation Lone Star, exceptional in every aspect, and has not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony. Having him as your Qizi, Your Highness, would you be satisfied?”

Yue Ying sized him up from head to toe and was very pleased. “What is your name?”

The young man replied expressionlessly, “Your Highness, my name is Ling Yi.”

“Ling Yi, are you willing to become my Qizi?”

“It would be my great honor.”

Yue Ying smiled broadly. “I’ll choose him.”

The two lay side by side on the beds. “Will it hurt?”

Yue Ying asked a bit nervously.

“Not at all, Your Highness. We’ll just take a tiny sample of your genetic material. The whole process is very quick. I assure you that you won’t feel anything, and it will be over before you know it.”

“That’s good.” Yue Ying was relieved. “Soon I’ll have my own Qizi.”

He turned his head. “I really want to see what you look like when you smile.”

Tian Zhu hadn’t lied to him. The whole process indeed ended very quickly. Yue Ying declined the suggestion of others for him to go back to rest first, insisting on waiting for Ling Yi to wake up.

“He is my Qizi. I want to be the first person he sees when he wakes up.”

Time passed second by second, and the transplantation was finally complete. Ling Yi on the chair slowly opened his eyes. He was still the same person, but the infusion of emotion into his eyes made him seem entirely different from before.

Yue Ying leaned forward nervously, wanting to know if the transplantation had been successful.

Ling Yi’s deep gray eyes moved spiritedly, and then he showed the person in front of him the first smile that this soul had since its birth.

“I am pleased to meet you, my prince.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

Chapter 108

<Tianxiu Arc>

Within and around the royal palace, gloomy clouds hovered, and the once magnificent palace was now shrouded in a hazy gloom. The envoy they had sent to negotiate peace with the Wolf Star Desert Tribe had returned, bringing with him the tribe’s terms for reconciliation.

“Did they really say that?” The reigning emperor of Tianxiu inquired in a slightly irritated tone after hearing the envoy’s report.

The envoy nervously lowered his head. “Yes, the King of the Desert from Wolf Star said that if we want to end the war, in addition to meeting their compensation demands, His Highness himself must go… to Wolf Star… for a marriage alliance.”

His voice grew softer, but in the silent hall, every word echoed clearly to all present.

“Absurd!” The emperor slapped the armrest of his throne hard, becoming so agitated that he began to cough violently. Attendants rushed forward to comfort him. The average lifespan of the Tianxiu royal family was around forty years, and the emperor was nearing his end. Born weak, the royal bloodline had always passed from one generation to the next without branching. His only heir, Yue Hua, was just sixteen years old. In two more years, once he became an adult, the throne could be passed on, allowing the emperor to rest in peace. But now, their greatest enemy, the Desert Tribe of Wolf Star, had made such an outrageous demand.

Finally catching his breath, the emperor said, “Yue Hua is my only son, the sole heir to the throne. More importantly, he is a proud young man. How can we send him to marry into a barbaric foreign tribe?”

A minister below said indignantly, “The Desert Tribe must be aware of His Highness’s situation. By making this impudent demand, they clearly want to use a refusal of the marriage alliance as a pretext to invade. If we are forced to agree, it would be a great humiliation for Tianxiu, and the royal lineage would be cut off.”

Another lamented, “Given His Highness’s health and susceptibility to illnesses, how can he withstand the long journey and the environment of another planet? Furthermore, the Wolf Star inhabitants’ ferocity and barbarism are well known. How can he possibly…”

The young prince, seated prominently to the west, turned even paler as the murmurs continued.

With many voices but no solution, the Desert Tribe of the Wolf Star was a formidable enemy that Tianxiu couldn’t match. Sacrificing the young prince might be the only way to avoid the nation’s destruction.

The emperor, with a growing headache, exclaimed, “With so many of you here, can no one think of a way to repel the enemy?”

One of the royal science researchers stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I have an idea.” He unfolded a blueprint. “This is my latest research—a giant humanoid made of metal, possessing immense offensive and defensive capabilities. It can be operated from inside. I call it a ‘Mech’.”

Someone immediately countered, “You mentioned it’s operated from inside. This means there are high requirements for the operator’s physical abilities, balance, and adaptability. So, who will operate this… Mech you’ve invented?”

The researcher hesitated.

Another suggestion arose. “What if we find an ally, offer them this Mech, and in return, seek their protection?”

“Don’t be naive. What if the ally acquires our weapon, replicates the technology, and then turns it against us? Haven’t we been deceived enough already?”

“What we urgently need now is a unique weapon that doesn’t require manual operation and has autonomous capabilities. But where can we find such a weapon?”

All eyes turned to a silent individual, another researcher from the Royal Academy and a highly regarded scientist in recent years.

Under intense scrutiny, he stepped forward. “Your Majesty, my team has been working on a project to develop an individual entity with autonomous combat capabilities. However, we’ve encountered a major challenge.”

“What’s the problem?” the emperor asked eagerly.

“We lack an effective ‘sample’.”

“Sample? What do you mean?”

“The entities we’ve developed possess very basic artificial intelligence. They can’t handle complex commands and certainly can’t be used in warfare. The human brain is an incredibly complex organ, and we can’t replicate it solely with scientific simulation. To advance artificial intelligence further, we would need…”

“Need what?”

“We would need a real human to willingly become a ‘sample’. Based on this, we could then replicate and modify it, creating a true sentient being.”

The courtiers exchanged worried glances. For someone to become a sample meant transforming into a lifeless entity.

“Can’t we use death row inmates for this?”

He shook his head. “Undergoing transformation requires enduring inhuman torture. We’ve tried this experiment with death row inmates, but none survived. To succeed, the individual must possess a strong physique, an extraordinary will, and undying loyalty to the royal family.”

The room fell silent. Everyone hoped the research would succeed in saving their nation, but no one wanted to become a lifeless monster.

Just when everyone was at a loss, a man stood up and said, “I am willing to try.”

There was a commotion in the hall. The emperor looked intently and saw that the person who had stepped forward was the young prince’s bodyguard. He was one of the rare “physically strong individuals” among the people of Tianxiu. He had been assigned to the prince when the latter was ten years old and had been responsible for his safety ever since.

When Yua Hua saw it was him, he leaned forward but stopped himself, gripping the arms of his chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

The emperor was delighted. “You are willing?”

“Yes,” the bodyguard replied firmly. “My physical condition is superior to that of the average person, and I am completely loyal to the royal family. I believe I should meet the requirements.”

The emperor let out a sigh of relief, feeling very fond of this man who was willing to take on such a great responsibility. “What is… your name again?”

“Your Majesty, my name is Cang Yun.”

“Cang Yun.” The emperor’s gaze softened as he repeated the name. “Cang Yun, good.”

“Your Majesty, I am also willing to try.”

Another person stepped forward from behind the young prince and stood beside Cang Yun.

“…You?”

The individual performed a courtesy typical of palace women. “I am also physically strong and have been appointed to take care of the prince’s daily needs since childhood. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’ve watched him grow. I cannot tolerate the rude demands of the Desert Tribe. If this transformation has a chance of failure, then having another person increases the odds of success. Please allow me to show my loyalty to the prince.”

The emperor looked at the man and woman standing side by side in the hall. They were merely attendants to the young prince, arguably the lowest in rank in the hall. Yet, when it mattered most, they stepped forward to serve their master, whereas not one official had done so.

Having such individuals come forward, he seemed to already envision the future of Tianxiu.

The emperor gestured for his attendants to approach. “Help me up.”

Two attendants immediately assisted the emperor. With their help, he walked down from his throne to stand before the two.

“Whether the transformation plan succeeds or not, you both are heroes of Tianxiu. My people and I will forever remember your kindness. If our lineage is fortunate to continue, I promise to carve statues in your likeness so that your deeds will be passed down for generations and your names will be immortalized.”

He ordered his attendants. “Let go.”

They carefully released him, and the emperor, in front of everyone, knelt down to the two.

Seeing him do so, everyone else naturally followed suit, bowing down in gratitude. Only Cang Yun and the woman stood tall.

That night, some found it hard to sleep. Cang Yun, as usual, patrolled the young prince’s sleeping chambers and found him still awake.

“Why haven’t you slept?” he asked, crouching down and adjusting the blanket over the prince’s knees. Yue Hua was sensitive to the cold, and at night he had to cover his legs with such a thick blanket.

“Why did you step forward?” Yue Hua’s voice carried a sadness he couldn’t hide.

Cang Yun knelt on one knee. “Because I could never watch my prince marry an enemy to save our people. My duty is to protect you. Even if it means sacrificing my life, I will not allow such an event to occur.”

He tightened the corner of the blanket with a slight smile. “This is the last time I take the initiative to do something like this for you. If we succeed in the future, you can still command me. I swear, no matter what I become, I will always be loyal to you. I will engrave this loyalty into my genes, replicate it without reservation, and provide you with the strongest support in the world.”

Yue Hua reached out and touched his face. “Even if there are a million of you in the future, I would recognize you at a glance.”

Cang Yun lifted Yue Hua’s hand and gently kissed the back of it. “It’s my honor.”

……

The entire nation was focused on this crucial moment. The experimental chamber slowly opened, revealing two people inside with their eyes tightly shut.

“Is this… considered a success or not?” the Emperor asked anxiously.

At his words, it seemed like a signal. Both individuals inside the chamber slowly opened their eyes. Though their appearances remained unchanged, the lack of emotion in their eyes made them seem like completely different people, devoid of all desires and feelings.

Scientists thoroughly examined both of them. All their vital signs appeared normal, but they still hesitated to conclude anything.

“Go, try destroying that stone,” one scientist ordered the transformed Cang Yun.

He referred to a massive boulder outside, taller than a man and so wide it would take two people to wrap their arms around it. In a blink, Cang Yun vanished from their sight and reappeared behind the rock, shattering it with a single punch.

The inherently frail people of Tianxiu had never seen such power before. They were all awestruck, and it took a moment for them to recover.

“We did it!”

“We succeeded! We succeeded!” Everyone cheered.

There was an atmosphere of elation. Even the Emperor, looking up with relief, took a long breath. Only the young prince looked on with sorrow in his eyes.

“Today is a day that only occurs once in five hundred years when the Lone Star, the Tianxiu planet, and the Blazing Sun align,” the Emperor announced. “I name these warriors after the Lone Star. They will be the hope for Tianxiu’s future.”

He ordered, “Proceed with the replication plan as fast as possible. I want to prepare the most magnificent entourage for the young prince’s marriage procession, one that the Wolf Star people will remember for a lifetime.”

“As you command, Your Majesty!”

It was a night of jubilation for the Tianxiu people, with festivities everywhere. Only the prince’s palace remained quiet.

“Your Highness, you called for me.”

A familiar voice, a familiar face. Cang Yun approached Yue Hua, every detail, even the rhythm of his footsteps, exactly as before.

But when Yue Hua looked into his eyes, the warmth that used to spontaneously appear was gone forever.

The Cang Yun now, though still loyal and possessing astonishing power, would no longer act on his own initiative for him.

“Come here.”

Yue Hua reached out, and Cang Yun obediently knelt before him. “What would you have me do, Your Highness?”

After a moment’s thought, Yue Hua said, “Tuck in the blanket for me.”

With great care, Cang Yun adjusted the blanket, making sure every corner was perfect, as he had done countless times before.

“Is there anything else?” he asked when he finished.

Yue Hua gently traced a line from Cang Yun’s hair to his lips. “Smile for me.”

No muscle twitched in response.

“Smile.” Yue Hua tried to force a smile by pushing up the corners of Cang Yun’s mouth, creating a comical expression. Instead of laughing, Yue Hua’s eyes welled up.

“Do you remember the past?” His voice trembled. “Do you remember me?”

Cang Yun remained silent.

Yue Hua leaned forward, embracing Cang Yun’s head as tears rolled down. “You said I could order you to do anything, but you can’t even smile. You liar, a big liar.”

……

Eight years later.

The former emperor had passed away, and the young new emperor had ascended to the throne—a piece of news that was already four years old.

Since the birth of the Lone Star warriors, no other race dared to target Tianxiu. Enemies that once invaded and humiliated them received their retribution. The Wolf Star’s vast Desert Tribe, one of the largest, faced devastating retribution, leading to their complete disintegration and demise.

Tianxiu experienced an unprecedented peace. It seemed they had little to worry about, but one issue remained unresolved. Ever since the new emperor’s ascension, there had been persistent calls for him to take a queen. However, he had been delaying using various excuses. Several elder statesmen spent considerable effort persuading the new emperor to think of the royal lineage and settle down.

Finally, today, the whole nation awaited the long-anticipated wedding ceremony.

“Your Majesty, the ceremony is about to begin. Where are you going?” The master of ceremonies asked anxiously as he followed behind.

Yue Hua didn’t turn his head. “I’m just saying goodbye to an old friend. I won’t run away from the wedding. You don’t need to worry.”

The master of ceremonies sighed in exasperation. The young emperor was truly worrisome.

The heavy door creaked open, revealing a grand, ornate hall with only one person standing alone inside. Hearing the sound, the man turned around and respectfully said, “Your Majesty.”

Yue Hua signaled his attendants to push him forward, then waved them away.

“You may leave. I have something to discuss with him privately.”

The attendants obeyed and left. Once the massive doors closed, only the two of them remained. Yue Hua, supporting himself on the armrest, struggled to stand and took steps to approach Cang Yun.

“I’m getting married. Continuing the royal lineage is my responsibility. Did you foresee this day coming? Is that why you chose to abandon all emotions early on?”

“But that’s okay. Only I hold our memories. Only I have felt sorrow every day for the past eight years. You, knowing nothing, might indeed be blessed in a way.”

Yue Hua lowered his head, took Cang Yun’s hand, and solemnly placed a hexagram emblem in his palm, then closed Cang Yun’s fingers around it.

“You possess eternal life, while I know my time is limited. I hope you can protect my descendants forever, just as you protected me. This is my last request.”

Attendants escorted the young emperor out. In the distance, the sound of ceremonial cannons boomed. The ceremony was about to begin.

Standing in the center of the vast hall, Cang Yun’s face remained expressionless, but a silent tear rolled down his cheek.

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Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

Chapter 107

Fu Yao rushed into the blaze, only to see Ying Feng standing alone. Aside from an unrecognizable corpse that clearly wasn’t of the Tianxiu people, no one else was present.

“Ying Feng! Where’s Ling Xiao?” Explosions resounded around them. Fu Yao shouted over the noise.

Ying Feng stood still, seemingly deaf to both the explosions and Fu Yao’s voice.

Another loud bang was heard as debris fell nearby. Fu Yao knew they couldn’t stay there for long. He needed to get Ying Feng out first.

“This place is going to be destroyed. Let’s move!” He tried to pull Ying Feng but couldn’t move him.

Seeing Ying Feng’s despondent look, as if he wished for death, Fu Yao cursed under his breath and struck Ying Feng, knocking him unconscious. Carrying him, Fu Yao dashed out.

Burning obstacles fell in their path. Fu Yao waved his hand, extinguishing the fire in front of him, paving a path of ice and snow.

Supporting Ying Feng, Fu Yao sped out of the starship. Nie Yun, piloting a spacecraft, quickly came to their rescue. They had just escaped the danger zone when a massive explosion destroyed the starship, which looked like a grand firework before it faded.

This starship, wanted by the military for decades, had finally met its end.

Long Yin looked at the recovered Ying Feng. He had awakened from unconsciousness yet remained silent and looked lost, like a wandering soul.

It was the most profound loss Long Yin had ever experienced in his life. None of his campaigns over the years had ended in such a disastrous defeat.

Everyone waited for his instruction. Long Yin sighed. “Return to the surface, to the command center.”

“I want to go back to school.” Ying Feng, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

His subordinates looked at Long Yin uncertainly.

“I want to go back to school,” Ying Feng repeated.

Left with no choice, Long Yin could only wave his hand helplessly. “Take him back.”

The military fleet landed at the Royal Sky landing pad. Ying Feng, holding Xiao Hui, disembarked from the spaceship alone.

“Is it okay to let him go back alone?” Nie Yun asked worriedly from behind.

Fu Yao, watching Ying Feng’s departing figure, had a complicated expression. “Let him have some time alone.”

The long night had passed, and dawn was breaking. Ying Feng bent down to put down Xiao Hui. As he looked up, the first rays of the sunrise met his eyes. Instinctively, he raised his hand to shield them from the dazzling light.

Though it was early, there were students exercising on the campus. As Ying Feng walked, a student running towards him shouted:

“Ying Feng! Ling Xiao has caused trouble again. Go check on him!”

Ying Feng paused. “What did you say?”

Thinking he hadn’t heard clearly, the student repeated louder. “I said why are you up so early today. Walking your dog?”

It took a few seconds for Ying Feng to realize he had misheard. He walked away in a daze.

The student who greeted him looked back, puzzled. What’s wrong with Ying Feng today?

Returning to the dormitory he once shared with Ling Xiao, a large photo on the wall served as a constant reminder of Ling Xiao’s presence. Ying Feng slowly sat on the bed, gazing at the picture. He then reached into his chest pocket.

Where he once kept a token from his past life lover, he now felt a small metal box. He opened it to reveal two rings. He took out one, engraved with a date from a year ago.

Xiao Hui struggled to climb onto the bed. Usually, it wouldn’t dare to do so when Ying Feng was around, but today Ying Feng didn’t stop it. It rested its small head on Ying Feng’s leg, its light gray eyes filled with a sorrow mirroring Ying Feng’s.

Sunset followed by sunrise, the time outside was changing, but the time inside the house seemed forever frozen on that day. Outside, there came loud knocks on the door, intermingled with Red Head’s shouts:

“Ying Feng! You’ve been inside for three days and nights. If you don’t open the door, I’ll break in!”

Inside, there was complete silence. Red Head exchanged a glance with Bing Can, then teleported into Ying Feng’s dorm room, quickly opening the door for Bing Can and the others.

“Ying Feng! How long do you plan to mope in here?” Without waiting for a response, Red Head stormed into the bedroom. The abrupt change in lighting caught him off guard. Even though it was bright outside, thick curtains inside blocked all light, turning the room into perpetual night, seemingly never to see dawn again.

Ying Feng sat motionless with Xiao Hui beside him, the creature having neither eaten nor drunk for three days.

Seeing this, Red Head felt a mix of sorrow and anger. He stormed to the window, ready to pull back the curtains.

“Don’t open them.”

The petrified Ying Feng suddenly whispered.

Red Head’s action paused midway. A sliver of the curtain was pulled back, letting a shaft of sunlight stream in. The beam of light, trying its best, illuminated the dark room. Standing by the window, facing outside, the sun’s warmth hit Red Head’s face, yet his hands gripping the curtains trembled.

Bing Can, having observed everything, sighed and softly said, “I know you’re grieving, but you must think of Xiao Hui. If you continue to neglect yourself, it will die.”

His words stirred Ying Feng. Lowering his gaze, he saw Xiao Hui, weak and almost lifeless. Yu Ji extended his hand. “Give it to me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ying Feng handed over the frail creature. In just three days, Xiao Hui had lost so much weight that Ying Feng could feel its bones.

Watching Yu Ji take Xiao Hui away, Bing Can crouched again. “Of all the people I’ve met, you have one of the strongest spirits. It’s time to pull yourself together. We all hope for you to heal. Losing a friend has already saddened us enough; we can’t lose you too.”

“Do you remember? During the entrance exam, Ling Xiao said you were his pride. I believe Ling Xiao wouldn’t want to see his pride like this. He was such a bright, positive person. Please remember him that way and choose to live on with vigor.”

Having said that, Bing Can stood up and signaled to Red Head. “Let’s go.”

Only then did Red Head turn around, tear streaks evident on his face.

Quietness returned to the room, and after what felt like an eternity, the person inside finally began to move.

……

Fu Yao looked at the person in front of him. Even though he had tried his best to groom himself, the signs of exhaustion were undeniable.

Ying Feng didn’t speak, waiting for Fu Yao to decide his future.

“After discussing with other instructors,” Fu Yao finally broke the silence after a while, “you can transfer to the Combat Command Department, or any other specialty in Royal Sky that interests you. You don’t need to make a decision now. When you’ve made your choice, let me know.”

Ying Feng nodded calmly. “Okay.”

Seeing him like this, Fu Yao felt even more distressed. He walked over to Ying Feng, raised his hand, and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“I’m truly sorry,” he said.

Ying Feng turned ninety degrees, gave him a military salute, and left without looking back.

Someone was waiting outside his dormitory. Seeing Ying Feng return, he immediately stood straight.

“Ying Feng, you’re back. I knocked earlier, but you weren’t here. Your classmates told me you went out.”

Ying Feng glanced at the slightly nervous Heng He and gave a brief greeting. “What are you doing here?”

“I…” Heng He lowered his head awkwardly. “I heard about Ling Xiao. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

This was the second time in a short while that Ying Feng had heard similar words, and he felt somewhat numb.

“Thank you for visiting,” Ying Feng replied succinctly.

“There’s also…”

Heng He hesitated, pulling out a small chip from his pocket. “This is Ling Xiao’s keepsake. I thought it best to give it to you.”

Ying Feng took it with two fingers and realized it was a holographic storage card.

“What’s on this?”

“…You’ll know when you watch it.”

After Heng He left, Ying Feng returned to his room and plugged the storage card into the player. The beginning of the video was blank. He went into the bedroom to take off his coat when a familiar voice echoed from the living room.

“I’m about to undergo treatment. After this treatment, I might lose all memories from the past three months…”

Ying Feng, dropping his coat, stumbled back to the living room. In the center of the room, a figure sat, speaking earnestly, “…To me, these memories are precious, so I chose to record them. Even if I forget them someday, they won’t truly be lost.”

Ying Feng slowly approached the holographic figure in disbelief, trying to touch it. But as he reached out, his hand passed right through, drawing a defeated arc in the air.

Xiao Hui also ran out, seeing Ling Xiao’s image. It excitedly tried to pounce on him but passed right through and landed on the ground. Undeterred, Xiaohui turned and pounced again and again, repeatedly passing through Ling Xiao’s holographic image without being able to touch him. Yet, it persisted in its attempts, all the while its nostrils flaring strongly, showing its confusion at not being able to detect Ling Xiao’s scent.

The projected Ling Xiao gazed in the direction of the camera, looking past Ying Feng to the wall behind.

His voice continued, “…He took me to the seaside for our honeymoon. We dove in bubbles, turned seawater into hot springs, and made wishes upon shooting stars… He drew a portrait of me, which I’ve stored in my secret stash along with other gifts he gave me…”

A secret stash…?

Recalling something, Ying Feng dashed back into his bedroom, frantically searching. After a thorough search, he found a black box under his bed, which Ling Xiao had never let him see.

Holding the box, he hesitated to open it, recalling a sentence Ling Xiao had told him long ago—

If I ever die, open it and take a look.

It felt like an eternity before he finally opened it. The first thing he saw was a fragment of fabric. Ying Feng recognized it—it was the piece of sleeve torn off when Lan Sheng fell from a building, the one he had personally given to Ling Xiao.

It was that day when Ling Xiao, holding onto the fabric, vowed in front of Ping Zong’s portrait never to become anyone’s Qizi. Yet, he ended up becoming his own—until just a few days ago.

The first drawing he made of Ling Xiao was placed underneath the fabric piece. In the drawing, Ling Xiao was depicted with contentedly squinted eyes, with an aura of happiness that seemed about to burst from the paper.

Ying Feng picked up the drawing, revealing a plastic bag beneath. The pink bag radiated a shy hue, and on it was an image of a little girl in a magical costume. He carefully examined it for a long time, finally recalling that it was the packaging for the strawberry bread he had once bought for Ling Xiao. Surprisingly, Ling Xiao had saved the packaging, and the gift he referred to giving Ying Feng was this.

Ying Feng carefully extracted each bag, one by one. For a box of bread with 24 packs, there were 24 wrappers. He counted each, none missing, none left behind. However, after taking the last pink one, he found another bag at the bottom, but it wasn’t pink.

With trembling hands, Ying Feng picked up the yellow bag adorned with a banana pattern. The once naive and penniless figure who couldn’t even afford food was confidently striking a combat pose in front of him.

It’s not yet determined who will bully whom. By the way, I prefer the taste of banana over strawberry.

If the person standing in front of you now was your lover from your past life, I don’t believe you’d dare do to him what you did to me yesterday!

You’re truly amazing, and I’m proud of you.

If I had to make a wish, instead of gaining, I’d wish not to lose.

Ying Feng, I’ve liked you for a very long time. It feels so good to say this as an equal.

Tears dropped on the bag, blurring its design. If they could start over, if he had known Ling Xiao’s feelings earlier, would his current regrets not be so overwhelming and all-consuming?

Ling Xiao’s voice came softly from the next room, as if it had traveled through a thousand years to reach him.

“…But if I truly forget and the memories restored aren’t as beautiful as they are now, I wouldn’t regret the decision I made today. Because only he knows the efforts we’ve made together. It’s unfair. This feeling, obtained after enduring countless hardships, I want to share it with him, no matter what…”

……

Four and a half years later.

“See that? On our left, most are Qizis, and as you move to the right, there are more Qizhus. Those of us standing in the middle represent the dividing line of the school. That’s because the Joint Combat program is the only major where the ratio of Qizhu to Qizi is always maintained at 1:1,” someone explained to the freshmen.

“Really?” The newcomers looked around, and suddenly one of them pointed at a man in a deep blue Qizhu uniform and asked, “Hey, isn’t that odd? There’s a solo Qizhu up front. Why is there no one beside him?”

The person looked at the upright figure ahead and was instantly filled with sympathy. “Him? He used to be a student in our program, but his Qizi met with an accident, so he transferred to the Command Program midway. But for every entrance and graduation ceremony, he returns. The spot next to him is always vacant.”

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed. Ying Feng completed his final term at Royal Sky. Before leaving, he went to bid farewell to Fu Yao. Even though he was no longer his student, Fu Yao had always taken good care of him over the years.

“Made up your mind then? Not joining the military department?”

“Yes,” Ying Feng replied.

“I’m a bit disappointed, but I respect your decision. If you ever change your mind, you can come to me anytime.”

Ying Feng saluted, bid him goodbye, and departed.

The priest was watering plants in the churchyard when a yellow sports car pulled up, quietly parking outside. A figure stepped out, wearing sunglasses, dragging a suitcase, accompanied by a large, majestic gray wolf.

In the five years since Ling Xiao’s departure, Ying Feng had frequently visited here. The priest had become very familiar with him and occasionally let him stay overnight in the room once occupied by Ling Xing.

“You’ve graduated.”

“Yes.” Ying Feng nodded. “May I stay here?”

“Of course,” the priest replied with a smile, stepping aside. “As long as you don’t mind the small room, you can stay as long as you like.”

Ying Feng nodded in gratitude and, accompanied by Xiao Hui, entered the church’s main door.

<End of Royal Sky Arc>

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