Ch 57: Interplanetary Planting Master

Sacrifice

Lu Li and Su He walked away from the crowd, strolling along the tranquil seaside. The gentle sea breeze brushed against their faces, bringing with it a cool, refreshing sensation. Beneath their feet was the soft sand, and further ahead, the deep blue waves rolled in, crashing like blooming flowers upon the shore.

The hawk soared low over the surface of the sea, with the little seedling on its back, while Mosca ran along the shore, chasing the hawk’s shadow. Su He burst into laughter at the sight of Mosca’s antics and playfully collapsed onto the sand, refusing to move. As he lay there, the vast sky full of stars stretched out before him. The ancient, unchanging starlight cascaded down, casting a sense of timeless beauty. This planet, still within the Milky Way, allowed a clear view of the galaxy—like a jade belt spanning the heavens. Unlike Earth, where city lights obscured the stars, here, Su He felt as though he could discern each individual star, each one possessing a unique brilliance.

He reached out, as if trying to grasp one of the stars, only to catch hold of Lu Li instead. Lu Li lay down beside him, kissed Su He, and chuckled, “You seem mesmerized. What are you thinking about?”

Su He responded earnestly, “I’m communing with the universe, discovering the meaning of life.”

Lu Li: “…”

Su He laughed, then, more seriously, said, “Really, every time I look at the stars, I feel something strange, like I’m the only one in the entire world. If I stare long enough, it’s as though my body disappears, leaving just my spirit behind.”

“Hmm.” Lu Li, also gazing up at the sky, said, “That kind of insight aligns with the evolution theory proposed by the Federation’s experts. The current dominant belief is that humanity will eventually shed its physical form, leaving only spiritual consciousness.”

“Like the Galactic Treemen… no, more like the aliens we encountered?” Su He asked.

Lu Li laughed out loud, propping himself up on one arm to look at Su He. “Do you really think the ruins on this planet and the aliens on Snowfall Star are connected?”

“Of course,” Su He said confidently. “Those ruins and the aliens both seem connected to my sect on Earth. It can’t just be a coincidence. Plus, they have similar tendencies, like experimenting on living creatures. The transmission of their civilization must follow the same line. Also, the experts have said that the goal of evolution is to transcend the physical body, leaving only spiritual consciousness. That’s likely what they’ve achieved. You can tell, right? The two aliens on Snowfall Star retained human-like forms, though they were a bit unclear. How’s that? My logic is sound, and it all ties together, right?”

Lu Li played along, teasing, “So, what you’re saying is, those aliens shouldn’t even be called aliens. Maybe their origin is in the solar system, or they’re even from Earth.”

Su He nodded, “Prehistoric civilizations. The Mayan myths said so.”

He was so convincing that Lu Li felt he was almost being brainwashed. “The God’s Grace believers should hire you as their spokesperson.”

Su He’s eyes gleamed mischievously as he cleared his throat and, with a mock-serious tone, said, “Major Lu, have you felt the light of God’s grace? As long as you have devout faith, God will grant you everything.”

Lu Li: “…”

Lu Li smiled softly and said, “Having you is already everything.”

Time seemed to pause, as if someone had pressed the button to freeze everything. The starry sky, the ocean, the distant crowd, and even Mosca, who was chasing the hawk and the little seedling, all faded from Su He’s vision. It felt like only he and Lu Li remained in the world. Their eyes locked, and they kissed, foreheads resting against each other.

Early the next morning, Iris departed with a ship full of life forms. Deep in the desert, countless green tendrils waved, as if bidding farewell to the first batch of “immigrants” leaving with Su He. As the ship ascended, the sun rose over the horizon, dispelling the darkness that shrouded the desert. The energy stones reflected a magnificent glow, transforming the entire desert into a sea of flowing colors.

Jiang Bo was mesmerized by the surreal scene and sighed, “So beautiful!”

Liao Kai, ever the realist, chimed in, “What’s beautiful are the energy stones, not the desert. Wait till we ship all the stones out, then see if it’s still beautiful.”

Jiang Bo retorted, “Get lost!”

Everyone burst into laughter. Just as Lu Li was about to give the order to activate the wormhole, Reno suddenly called out, “Wait.” The tall Galactic Treeman immediately drew everyone’s attention as he extended a branch, scratching his head sheepishly. “I can sense the presence of Galactic Particles.” Green light began to emanate from Reno, weaving into a massive net in the void of space. Just like casting a net to fish, a few minutes later, Reno caught Galactic Particles from Aurora, Gilst.

Lu Li guessed this was likely the reply the general had mentioned earlier and casually asked, “Is this the reply regarding last time? What did the general say?”

The honest Galactic Treeman hesitated for a long moment before asking awkwardly, “Should I repeat it word for word?”

Lu Li was unconcerned. “Go ahead.”

Reno shook his leaves, trying to mimic Li Zhengdao’s tone, “Kid, don’t rush back… hurry and get your guide into bed…”

Lu Li: “…”

Su He: “…”

The rest of the group stifled their laughter, winking at each other. They were glad they had missed the Galactic Particles during their first return to the Federation. Otherwise, with the general’s loud announcement, Lu Li might never have had a chance to pursue Su He. Everyone was snickering, eager to witness the embarrassment, but Reno wasn’t finished. “I’m sick of watching you bunch of bachelors. Seriously, not a single one of you has even held a guide’s hand. Does the name ‘Bachelors Squad’ sound good to you…?”

Everyone: “…”

Now it was Su He’s turn to enjoy the spectacle. Seeing that Reno didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon, Lu Li had to intervene, “We get the general’s message. Everyone’s got work to do, let’s save the rest for another time.”

The group quickly nodded in agreement, relieved. If they heard any more, the entire history of Iris would be exposed by the general. That old man was truly outrageous!

“Achoo!”

Several thousand light-years away on Zhenhai Star, Li Zhengdao sneezed several times in a row. Feeling quite pleased with himself, he thought, “I wonder who’s secretly admiring me now.” Zhuang Wei, unable to tolerate the old man’s smug look, cleared his throat and reminded him, “The military’s debriefing meeting starts next week. If I’m not mistaken, the fake Zhuang Wei will wake up before the meeting, and we’ll know who in the corps is on his side.”

“Let’s hope we don’t catch one only for another to appear,” Li Zhengdao muttered.

Zhuang Wei sighed regretfully, “If Lu Li had managed to capture a live one last time, we’d at least know what we’re up against.”

Lin Ji, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, “When will we start luring in Aileen? Something’s off with Han Rui’s emotions; it seems like he’s getting too involved.”

Since proposing the plan to Han Rui and watching him gradually approach Aileen, Lin Ji had been closely monitoring him, though Han Rui wasn’t aware. Lin Ji had seen Han Rui’s confusion and internal struggle. Sometimes he wondered when exactly his senior, the meticulous and excellent Aileen, had been taken over—before the Iris Star incident, after she became his intelligence officer, or perhaps even before he ever knew her? If it was the latter, then was the senior he remembered truly Song Silan, or was it the alien parasite?

These were not questions one should dwell on too much. Sentinels are ruled more by logic than emotions, and they can suppress thoughts in their minds. However, guides, who are more governed by emotions, constantly receive the feelings of others. Based on Han Rui’s reaction, it seemed that Aileen truly saw him as her child. While Han Rui could still differentiate between the two feelings for now, over time, it wouldn’t bode well.

Lin Ji looked toward Zhuang Wei, who pondered for a moment before replying, “Let’s wait a little longer. The more emotions the parasite invests, the easier it will be for us to use them.”

Lin Ji frowned slightly and said, “What about Han Rui? Emotions are mutual, and he’s already been affected…”

Zhuang Wei remained silent for a while before sighing and muttering softly, “In some cases, sacrifice is necessary…”

“That’s nonsense!” Li Zhengdao interrupted unceremoniously. “I hate that kind of thinking the most. Sacrifice or not is Han Rui’s own choice, and no one has the right to decide that for him.” As he spoke, he shot a fierce glare at Lin Ji, clearly reminded of the situation on Iris Star. Even though he now understood Lin Ji’s decision, that didn’t mean he could forgive him for it. The old man grumbled, “Anyway, we’ll have to go back to Earth in a few days. Might as well not drag this out. Let’s handle it tomorrow—see if we can force the parasite out.”

Zhuang Wei, seeing Li Zhengdao’s insistence, could only nod in agreement.

That night, Lin Ji once again snuck into the Seventh Corps’ base. Han Rui was already used to his appearances, so he wasn’t particularly surprised. However, when Lin Ji explained the purpose of his visit, Han Rui was taken aback. “So soon?”

Standing in the corner of the room, the fluttering curtains cast shadows over Lin Ji’s face. Han Rui couldn’t make out his expression but could sense a certain pity from Lin Ji. He heard Lin Ji say softly, “To avoid alerting the parasite by waiting too long.”

Han Rui paused for a moment, then realized what he meant. “You’re worried that I might tip off the parasite?”

His tone was sharp, but Lin Ji remained calm, as always. “It’s just that General Zhuang is leaving soon and wants to resolve this before his departure.”

Lin Ji finished speaking and turned to leave. Han Rui bit his lip and, looking at Lin Ji’s retreating figure, said in a low voice, “I’m sorry.” Perhaps because he had been holding onto too much lately, his emotions had been erratic these past few days. Han Rui didn’t want to admit he was being influenced by Aileen and regretted his harsh attitude toward Lin Ji.

Lin Ji paused for a moment and replied, “No need. Get some rest.”

The night on Zhenhai Star passed quickly, though Han Rui spent it tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The next morning, he appeared before Aileen, looking exhausted. Concerned, she asked, “What’s wrong? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

Han Rui silently shook his head and, after a moment of hesitation, whispered, “Do you have time around noon? I have two movie tickets and wanted to ask if you’d like to join me.” He played the role of a shy young man perfectly, and Aileen’s eyes briefly flashed with a complicated look before she smiled and nodded.

Li Zhengdao and Zhuang Wei had already set up their team at the designated location. Han Rui, right on time, met up with Aileen. It seemed that Aileen had dressed up for the occasion, exchanging her military uniform for a light-colored dress. She smiled as she took Han Rui’s hand, causing his face to flush red. Aileen looked at him gently and teased, “Is this the first time you’ve held a girl’s hand?”

Han Rui awkwardly nodded.

Aileen blinked playfully and said, “That won’t do. If boys are this shy, they’ll have a hard time finding a partner in the future.”

Feeling even more embarrassed, Han Rui nodded shyly, which made Aileen laugh. She patted his head affectionately and asked, “What kind of partner do you think you’d want in the future?”

Han Rui froze for a moment, then answered honestly, “I haven’t thought about it.”

Aileen laughed again, “A shy boy like you will need a gentle partner in the future. Someone who can do the laundry, cook meals, and take good care of you. And when you have kids, she can tell them stories, help them take their first steps, and be there as they grow up together…”

Something stirred in Han Rui’s heart, and he suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking at Aileen.

Her expression remained tender as she stroked Han Rui’s hair and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Sweetheart, I love you. I’m your mother.”

Han Rui stood there quietly, gazing at her, while Aileen, as if nothing had happened, simply took his hand again and said, “Weren’t we going to the movies?”

“I…”

Aileen smiled, her face taking on a nostalgic expression, “You’re just as soft-hearted as your father. If he hadn’t been so indecisive back then, things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did with Iris Star.”

“Why?”

Aileen merely smiled, refusing to answer. As they turned the corner, Lin Ji appeared, piloting a mech to block their path.

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