Ch 19: Interplanetary Planting Master

Hesitation

Su He and Han Rui didn’t encounter many sentinels on the Iris. Apart from Lu Li and Shen Shen, they only met a female sentinel who welcomed them and a young sentinel with dimples when he smiled.

Considering the wild guide’s aversion to sentinels, Lu Li had made thoughtful arrangements. He didn’t bring up serious matters right away but suggested that Su He and Han Rui go to the rest room to freshen up. The rest room had a private bathroom and a convenient clothes washer.

Covered in mud and water, Su He and Han Rui looked quite disheveled. Although Su He appeared 100% cute in Lu Li’s eyes no matter what, guides were physically weaker, and Lu Li didn’t want Su He to get sick from the rain.

Su He’s eyes lit up at the mention of a bath. He had been on Broken Star for nearly a month without a proper bath, only using water packets to get by. The thought of warm water made him feel as if a cat was scratching at his heart. But…

Lu Li, anticipating his concerns, said, “Reno can accompany you.”

Han Rui looked puzzled, and Lu Li realized that Han Rui didn’t know about Su He’s Galactic Treeman identity. He calmly added, “Reno is a Galactic Treeman.”

Su He didn’t know much about Galactic Treemen, but Han Rui was aware of their powerful protective shields. Feeling sticky and uncomfortable himself, Han Rui couldn’t resist the temptation and nodded, pulling Su He along.

After they left, Lu Li took Shen Shen to the lower deck. The Iris’ remaining sentinels had already assembled. Lu Li’s gentle demeanor vanished, and he spoke in a serious tone: “First squad stays on the Iris. Squads two, three, and four, move out immediately. Spread out from the central settlement. If you find Lin Ji, eliminate him on sight.”

“Understood.”

The sentinels stood tall, fists over their hearts, responding in unison with unprecedented seriousness and resolve. The name Lin Ji was like a cold wind, dispelling the romantic thoughts the crew had about the guide’s presence and replacing them with a thirst for blood.

Black mechas scattered from the Iris. Shen Shen felt a pang of regret, thinking that if he had recognized Lin Ji in the black market, they wouldn’t have let him leave so easily. He looked at Lu Li and asked, “If Lin Ji is still alive, why didn’t he return to the Federation?”

“He’s been abandoned by the Lin family. Returning to the Federation would be pointless. Lin Wen has been coveting the presidency and wouldn’t want Lin Ji back to cause trouble. It’s surprising he survived the assassination attempt and has been living on Broken Star.”

“Should we report this to the general?”

Lu Li paused, “We’ll report after we kill Lin Ji. The general’s health isn’t good; it’s best to avoid stressing him.”

Shen Shen fell silent. Both he and Lu Li were orphaned survivors from Iris Star and shared many feelings. Eighteen years ago, when Iris Star faced a beast tide, the first to respond was the Second Corps, patrolling nearby. At the time, there was still resistance on Iris Star, but based on intelligence, the Second Corps decided to abandon Iris Star to prevent the tide from spreading to the Federation. The order came from the corps’ vanguard commander, Lin Ji.

As a standard habitable planet, Iris Star had many residents, including some from the Seventh Corps’ logistics families. In the battle, the Seventh Corps’ garrison was annihilated, and Corps Commander Li Zhendao’s guide, Minghui, died. Only 358 survivors, 324 of them children under 15, were saved by the garrison’s sacrifice. They became the only witnesses to the massacre.

When Li Zhendao arrived with the main force of the Seventh Corps, Iris Star had already been obliterated by the Second Corps. The survivors filed charges against the Second Corps in the Federal Military Court, leading to six months of investigation and debate over Lin Ji’s orders. During this time, Lin Ji faced thirteen assassination attempts, and the Lin family was at the center of a media storm in what became known as the Blood Iris Incident.

Six months later, the court ruled Lin Ji guilty of command errors, stripping him of his rank and exiling him to a remote mining planet for ten years. On his way to exile, he was caught in a subspace storm during another assassination attempt and was declared dead. Lin Ji’s death closed the chapter on that incident, and the Iris Star survivors grew up and spread throughout the Federation. No one expected Lin Ji to be alive and living on Broken Star.

“Boss.” Wei Na’s knock interrupted their thoughts. “The guides are settled in.”

Thinking of Su He, the shadow on Lu Li’s face lightened. The past couldn’t be changed, but they still had a future.

Separated by two rooms, Su He was oblivious to the events on the Iris. He and Han Rui squeezed into the bathroom, with Reno guarding outside, his roots embedded in the metal floor, and his green shield enveloping the surrounding rooms.

Everything on the Iris fascinated Su He. Not worried about embarrassment since it was just him and Han Rui, he poked and prodded everything. Han Rui pulled Su He into the shower, throwing their clothes into the washer. Despite his thin appearance, Su He had some muscle. Han Rui was surprised to find Su He had abs and touched them in amazement.

Feeling a bit smug, Su He showed off his physique to Han Rui. Living at the foot of Mount Zhongnan, Su He often ventured into the mountains to hunt wild chickens or rabbits to supplement his master’s diet. The market sold these, but wild ones were always better. His master, thinking Su He was a tough boy, didn’t mind his escapades, which made him stronger than most.

Su He recounted his past, replacing Mount Zhongnan with ruins and wild game with dark beasts. Though he occasionally stumbled, trying to fit the scenes and cover the gaps, Han Rui listened with great interest, enthusiastically playing along and encouraging Su He.

Reno’s branches extended through the bathroom wall, resembling tree branches hanging from the metal wall. His leaves rustled excitedly, making a swishing sound.

“Little Sprout speaks so well.”

Su He: “…”

Han Rui, although puzzled by Reno’s unusual attitude towards Su He, didn’t think much of it and laughed, holding his stomach.

After their bath, their clothes were dried. Su He felt refreshed after dressing, but his firm resolve not to follow Reno was shaken. He reminded himself that it’s easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but not the other way around. Yet the thought of daily baths and hot meals instead of nutrient packs made him waver.

Su He was conflicted. If only Lu Li weren’t his 100% compatible sentinel, or if Lu Li promised not to bond with him. His mind was filled with various thoughts when Lu Li and Wei Na arrived. Worried, Han Rui looked at Su He, then followed Wei Na, leaving space for Lu Li and Su He. Reno wanted to stay but was persuaded by Lu Li to leave. Alone with Lu Li, Su He felt slightly uneasy.

Lu Li smiled gently, “Would you like a tour of the Iris?”

“Can I?” Su He’s eyes brightened, unable to resist the allure of seeing a spaceship firsthand.

Lu Li nodded, smiling. The Iris was quite large, and Su He eagerly explored, seizing the chance to ask Lu Li about the cost of a spaceship.

“A spaceship?” Lu Li raised an eyebrow, realizing, “You want to buy a spaceship yourself?”

Su He hadn’t thought much of it before, but Lu Li’s reaction made the idea seem ridiculous. He tried to maintain his composure, “Can’t I?”

A hint of amusement flickered in Lu Li’s eyes. He candidly said, “It’s a nice dream, but if you’re thinking of buying a spaceship to leave Broken Star, it’s impossible. Besides the initial cost, maintaining and operating a spaceship requires a continuous supply of energy stones. Can you afford that?”

Su He: “…I have energy stones.”

Lu Li chuckled, “2000 A-grade standard energy stones, found in Ruin 36, right?”

Su He stared at Lu Li in surprise. Lu Li continued, “Those energy stones are why the Iris came to Broken Star. You found them first.”

Su He: “…”

He wanted to declare he wouldn’t return the stones, but such unreasonable words left him feeling a bit guilty.

Lu Li met Su He’s gaze and added, “A spaceship the size of the Iris would exhaust 2000 A-grade energy stones in three months at full capacity. If you sell them, you could buy a mecha, not a spaceship.”

Su He: “…”

Lu Li’s words crushed Su He’s hopes, but he still had his secret technique, giving him a glimmer of hope.

Lu Li decisively delivered the final blow, “Maybe you think you can sell vegetables and fruits to save credits. Even optimistically, it would take a hundred years, assuming smooth business and island-wide sales.”

“…” Su He felt defeated, but still defiant, “Are you implying my only option to leave Broken Star is to go with you?”

Usually, people would be tactful here, but Lu Li nodded openly.

Su He: “…”

His expression was so adorable that Lu Li’s heart softened. Lu Li sincerely said, “I hope you’ll come with me. Partly because of my promise to Reno, but mostly because of our 100% compatibility. No matter what I want, my instincts won’t let me leave you. I know you don’t want to be a guide. We don’t have to bond, but please consider your future home carefully.” Lu Li had no choice. He couldn’t leave Su He, but as a Seventh Corps member, he needed to defend the border. Unless Su He agreed to follow him, only Su He could make compromises.

Su He hesitated for a few seconds, “Will you return to the military after leaving Broken Star?”

Lu Li nodded affirmatively.

Su He’s mind flashed back to Lu Li’s war memories, stirring his blood. His wavering thoughts grew stronger.

Maybe he could follow Lu Li and join the army? Not as a guide, but as a regular soldier!

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