Chapter 74
After a brief moment of bewilderment, Lang Ze lowered his head awkwardly, glancing at Number Five beside him.
Earlier, in the activity room, he had confidently claimed that they’d need to negotiate with the caretaker for his help in rescuing Number Four. He hadn’t expected Su Ci to agree so readily, leaving Lang Ze completely at a loss.
However, Number Five didn’t look at him. The moment Su Ci said to follow him, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly trotted after him.
This devil of a caretaker was so strong—if he said he could save her brother, he probably could, right?
After walking a few steps, Su Ci suddenly stopped and turned to look at the planting area for the small spiritual sprouts and Star-chain Fruit vines. A-Yan, who was holding a trowel and digging holes, also turned his head toward them.
Su Ci gestured toward the door.
A-Yan understood the signal immediately. He grinned, quickly stowed the trowel back into his spatial button, dusted off his hands, and flashed over to Su Ci’s side.
As for the three cans of spiritual water, they were left under the spiritual shield. With its protection, they could be used later when they returned.
Drawn by Su Ci’s gaze, Number Five followed his line of sight. She didn’t see A-Yan but caught sight of the green shoots of the small spiritual sprouts and Star-chain Fruit vines.
Her attention was immediately captured.
It was the first time Number Five had ever seen growing plants—or even soil, for that matter.
A surge of curiosity filled her, but rescuing her brother was more important right now. Reluctantly, she pulled her gaze away and looked up at the caretaker.
“Let’s go,” Su Ci said, hands stuffed in his pockets, as he lazily ambled toward the rearing facility’s front gate.
Watching his retreating figure, Lang Ze suddenly realized—Wow! So I get to go outside too? This is my first time walking out of the rearing facility on my own!
His tail swayed excitedly as he bounded toward the gate in leaps and hops.
Like an untethered dog, he dashed into the open air outside, his excitement bubbling over. However…
Just as he sped past Su Ci, he heard the caretaker’s calm voice: “Don’t go too far.”
The overexcited Lang Ze froze mid-stride as if an invisible leash had yanked him back. Just before he could bolt out the gate, he stopped and turned to look back at the caretaker in the distance.
Number Five, short and with limited stamina, found that if she walked just a little faster, she could keep up with Su Ci. As she had heard from Number Seven, the caretaker really did walk quite slowly.
As she thought this, Lang Ze was already jogging on the spot. “Hurry up! Come on, hurry up!”
He kept glancing between the world outside the rearing facility and the slowly approaching Su Ci, too afraid to run ahead on his own. In the end, he dashed back to Su Ci, tail wagging furiously.
The boy looked so impatient he started to reach out to push the caretaker forward, but he chickened out at the last moment. Instead, he circled Su Ci repeatedly, his anxious energy spilling over as he urged him to pick up the pace.
Watching the boy’s antics—running circles, wagging his tail—Su Ci couldn’t help but think the kid looked more like a dog than a wolf.
Seeing the lively, energetic boy darting around, Su Ci’s mood subtly improved. Even so, the young man maintained his usual languid demeanor, as if he could never quite get enough sleep.
Finally, they arrived leisurely at the hover bus station.
During this time, the energetic Lang Ze had run back and forth dozens of times, yet he still looked as lively and full of energy as ever.
Even A-Yan couldn’t help feeling a little envious as he glanced down at his own thin arms and legs. Standing next to Number Five, he realized he was even a bit shorter than her, which left him slightly deflated.
When will I grow taller and stronger?
At that moment, he felt the caretaker’s hand rest on his head, ruffling his furry ears. Su Ci seemed to have developed a habit of casually rubbing A-Yan’s ears whenever he felt like it.
A-Yan didn’t mind at all—in fact, he even felt that manifesting these ears had been one of his best decisions.
The boy closed his eyes in contentment, nuzzling his ears against Su Ci’s palm. His earlier feelings of frustration and sadness vanished completely, replaced by a warm, happy mood.
“What are we doing here?” Lang Ze asked.
In truth, he couldn’t stand still and had already circled the station several times. Even though there wasn’t much to see, everything felt new and exciting to him.
This was his first time stepping out of the nursery facility.
Not in a berserk state, drugged with sedatives, and carried to the medical purification center on a stretcher. Not after recovering from injuries and being escorted back through the teleportation pad.
This time, he had walked out on his own two feet, fully conscious, and under his own power.
Lang Ze felt like running wildly in circles and howling at the sky. But the moment he caught sight of the caretaker, he swallowed the urge.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that howling too loudly might summon the terrifying caretaker from last night—even though, right now, Su Ci wasn’t asleep.
Still, he was thrilled!
“Waiting for the bus,” Su Ci replied casually.
At that moment, the little girl beside him spoke up timidly, “Th-then… where are we going now?”
With her lion ears twitching, the little girl’s soft voice barely carried. When Su Ci looked down at her, she shrank back, showing none of the fierce demeanor of the tiny lion cub she had been earlier.
“To pick up your brother,” Su Ci said calmly.
The little girl’s head shot up, her fear momentarily forgotten. “Re-really?”
“Mm,” Su Ci nodded.
Number Five stared at his calm, slightly aloof expression. After a moment of thought, she said, “Thank you.”
Su Ci glanced at her and nodded. “You’re welcome.”
Then, he looked away, sticking his hands back into his pockets. Standing lazily in the sunlight, he exuded a sense of serene detachment, as if nothing in the world could ruffle his composure.
Watching him, Number Five suddenly found herself feeling less afraid. The heavy weight that had been pressing on her chest these past few days also seemed to lighten.
The caretaker will save my brother, she thought to herself.
Lowering her head, the little girl stood quietly beside Su Ci, her round eyes darting around curiously.
Like Lang Ze, this was her first “outing.”
Having grown up in the nursery facility since infancy, her world had always been confined to the facility—mainly her room and the activity room, with the occasional visit to the medical purification center.
Though the monsters in the blood mist had once taken her “outside” to “see” the world and the blood-red flowers, this was her first time seeing it all with her own eyes.
She realized that the world outside was completely different from what the monsters had led her to see.
Although the sky was a pale red, the surroundings were not shrouded in red mist or distorted and oppressive. Everything was simple and natural. For some reason, standing next to the caretaker made her feel very comfortable, and her mood became calm and serene.
Unlike Lang Ze, who was darting around excitedly, Number Five stayed quietly in place. Yet, a tiny seed was silently planted in her heart. Perhaps many, many years from now, she would still remember this day—the day she first stepped out of her small world.
Before long, the hover bus arrived.
As soon as the doors opened, Lang Ze was the first to rush on board. He quickly dashed back out, picked up Number Five, and carried her onto the bus. Su Ci followed with A-Yan, boarding the vehicle as well.
“So, does this bus drive itself?”
The others had already taken their seats, but Lang Ze, sitting next to Number Five, couldn’t stop looking around. He kept asking questions about everything he saw.
With his chatter breaking the tension, Number Five felt less nervous and even found the mood light enough to answer him.
“I think… yes?” she replied. Her mental abilities were stronger than Lang Ze’s, and she hadn’t sensed anyone driving the bus.
“That’s a shame!” Lang Ze said, disappointed. “It’d be awesome if we could drive it ourselves! This bus must be way cooler to drive than the toy cars in the activity room!”
Number Five didn’t agree. The self-driving hover bus reminded her of 4583 and 4586, which made her feel a sense of familiarity. However, there was one problem…
“It’s not pretty,” the little girl said, frowning. “It needs flowers painted on it.”
“Like on 4583 and 4586?” Lang Ze tilted his head.
“Yes,” Number Five said, nodding earnestly.
Lang Ze imagined the scene for a moment and fell silent. He still thought the hover bus looked cooler as it was. But, remembering the time he had insulted Number Five’s drawings and ended up being beaten up by Number Four, he wisely kept his opinion to himself.
“You didn’t bring any paint or brushes, so you can’t paint it,” he said instead.
Number Five opened her mouth, about to say she could paint it later. But then she paused, glanced at Su Ci, and lowered her head without saying another word.
She wasn’t sure if she’d even get another chance to go outside, let alone paint the hover bus. It had taken her ages to decorate 4583 and 4586, after all.
Still, when 4583 was repaired and returned, she’d be able to paint it again! The thought lifted her spirits, and a small smile returned to her face.
“I wish Xing Xing and Youyou were here too…” Lang Ze murmured wistfully. He sneaked a glance at the caretaker and was startled to see—
The caretaker had his eyes closed and was napping!
Lang Ze immediately clapped a hand over his mouth, even holding his breath to avoid making noise. Beside him, Number Five glanced at him, then at the caretaker, and followed suit, covering her own mouth as well.
A-Yan, seated next to Su Ci, had initially found Lang Ze noisy and disruptive to the caretaker’s rest. Now, seeing them both fall silent and act so cautiously, he felt amused and oddly relieved.
Why hadn’t he noticed before how entertaining Numbers Five and Eight could be?
Despite his outward appearance of a three- or four-year-old, A-Yan, as the first cub of the rearing facility, had watched all the other children grow up.
Naturally, he felt a sense of elder sibling responsibility toward them.
Seeing Lang Ze and Number Five behave so well filled him with quiet satisfaction.
The hover bus continued its journey.
After the blood-red frost of the previous night, the frost had dissipated, but the streets remained sparsely populated, leaving the base in a tranquil state. This didn’t stop Lang Ze from glancing out the window excitedly, his mouth still covered. Every time he spotted something interesting, he suppressed his excitement, mentally bookmarking it to share with Xing Xing later.
As passengers boarded the bus at intervals, the children remained unnoticed. Sitting quietly in the back row, their small frames were obscured by the seats. Even as the hover bus arrived at the research institute’s stop, no one realized they were there.
“Arrived at the research institute. Passengers arriving at their destination, please exit the bus in an orderly fashion. Allow disembarking passengers to exit before boarding. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Each time the gentle mechanical female voice sounded, Lang Ze and Number Five would anxiously glance at the caretaker. Thankfully, Su Ci remained asleep, undisturbed by the announcements.
But this time, Su Ci opened his eyes.
He yawned lazily, and Lang Ze and Number Five immediately checked his eyes. Seeing they were black, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
“Let’s go. Time to get off,” Su Ci said, standing up.
!!!
Lang Ze and Number Five exchanged glances, scrambled to their feet, and followed closely behind the caretaker. A-Yan naturally kept pace as well.
Unlike the cultivation center, the research institute’s entrance was guarded by a patrol of sentries. Their presence gave the place an imposing, heavily secured air.
Is my brother really inside?
Number Five stared at the research institute, which appeared far grander and more intimidating than both the rearing facility and the medical purification center. For someone as young as her, it was overwhelming. She clenched her small fists tightly.
Brother really was taken away! I must get him back! But… how was the caretaker going to help her save him?
Lang Ze was thinking about the same thing.
Their imaginations soon aligned, both picturing the caretaker’s effortless takedown of a monster with his bare hands.
Clearly, the caretaker was going to lead them inside, fight their way through the guards, and rescue Number Four, right?
Number Five felt a pang of worry, while Lang Ze brimmed with anticipation.
Standing beside Su Ci, he stared at the sentries with eager determination, ready to spring into action at a single word from the caretaker. At that moment, the sentries noticed Su Ci and his group.
Even setting aside Su Ci’s growing reputation within Base 24, his gray-blue attire alone was enough to make him instantly recognizable. Furthermore, the two cubs trailing behind him immediately caught the guards’ attention.
To these sentries, the cubs from the rearing facility were still the infamous “little monsters.”
Why did this caretaker, Su Ci, bring two cubs to the research institute? The guards exchanged puzzled looks before the squad leader decided to step forward and inquire.
Noticing his approach, Lang Ze immediately grew excited. He crouched low, his tail swaying lightly, and his bright green eyes locked onto the squad leader, analyzing his weaknesses.
Despite his usual lack of strategic thinking, Lang Ze’s combat instincts were razor-sharp. He was confident he could take down this squad leader and buy time for Su Ci.
However, just as he was about to pounce, a slender hand reached out from behind and pinched the back of his shirt collar.
Lang Ze struggled twice, only to find himself running in place without moving an inch. Confused, he glanced upward and saw the caretaker holding his collar.
Huh? Not fighting?
Meanwhile, the squad leader had been on guard against Lang Ze. When the boy tensed to leap, the guard had instinctively prepared to counter. The outcome, however, caught him completely off guard.
Did I see that right? This seemingly delicate caretaker… subdued that wolf cub with just one hand?
While the squad leader stood stunned, Su Ci released his hold. Although Lang Ze looked disgruntled, he ultimately pouted, shot a fierce glare at the squad leader, and retreated sulkily behind Su Ci, arms crossed.
The squad leader found the scene utterly baffling.
Wasn’t the rumor that rearing facility caretakers were often sent to the medical purification center after being attacked by the “little monsters”? Wasn’t that why so many caretakers quit? Why did this feel so different from what he’d imagined?
“Hello.” The new caretaker’s calm voice interrupted his thoughts.
The squad leader quickly responded, his eyes lingering on the overly handsome face of the young man for a few seconds before he asked, “Caretaker Su, this is the research institute. What brings you here with these… children?”
Su Ci nodded slightly. “A child from the nursery facility was taken here by Dr. Ren. I’m here to bring him back.”
“Uh… this…” The squad leader was stunned. “I haven’t received any notice about that.”
“You can check,” Su Ci said.
Although the young man’s tone was soft and his expression relaxed and indifferent, his words carried an authority that made the squad leader instinctively want to comply.
After a brief hesitation, the squad leader decided not to argue. “Alright, please wait here. I’ll inquire about it.”
As he turned to leave, his gaze landed on the two cubs trailing behind Su Ci. Unable to hold back, he added, “Caretaker Su, bringing these… children out like this is quite dangerous…”
Before he could finish, Lang Ze poked his head out from behind Su Ci and bared his teeth at the squad leader with a menacing growl.
Startled, the squad leader took two steps back.
Su Ci frowned slightly and patted Lang Ze’s head in a calming gesture. Then, casting a brief glance at the squad leader, he said, “Go. Don’t take too long.”
That single glance carried a clear warning.
Despite being physically superior and better equipped than the seemingly frail young man, the squad leader found himself at a loss for words under Su Ci’s gaze.
All he could do was nod dumbly, swallow his protests, and retreat into the research institute to seek approval.
After he left, Su Ci returned to his usual languid demeanor.
He yawned again, seemingly even more tired than usual—probably because he hadn’t slept well the previous night.
Lang Ze and Number Five alternated between glaring at the retreating squad leader and the other guards who remained on alert, their gazes filled with innate hostility.
The world was simple for children. To them, if Number Four had been taken here and was in danger, then these people must all be the bad guys!
“Aren’t we going in?” Lang Ze couldn’t help asking, genuinely puzzled. “Is it because you’re not as strong as last night, so you’re afraid to fight them?”
Su Ci froze mid-yawn, lowering his eyes to look at the small boy, whose energy was now radiating a faint but unmistakable aura of restlessness and aggression. Beside him, Number Five wore a similarly angry expression.
If these negative emotions spiraled out of control, both were likely to slip into a berserk state.
The power of their bloodlines was the source of their strength, but they were too young to fully control it. When overwhelmed by intense emotions or the urge to vent, this power surged forth, leading to the frenzied, irrational state known as berserk mode.
In severe cases, they could end up like Number Two, who had fully transformed into a beast, losing all memory of his human self and behaving like a wild animal.
Without proper guidance, relying solely on his spiritual power to suppress and alleviate their outbursts was a temporary fix at best.
Su Ci sighed internally. Raising cubs was truly an exhausting task. His gaze shifted to the well-behaved and understanding A-Yan, and his favor for the boy tipped further.
Turning back to Lang Ze and Number Five, Su Ci said softly, “Force isn’t the solution to everything. Sometimes, you need to use your brain.”
Lang Ze looked confused, and Number Five seemed half-understanding at best.
Su Ci thought for a moment before continuing, “Consider this your assignment. Think carefully about what method I use to bring Number Four back. Once you figure it out, I’ll resume teaching you the flute.”
The path of music cultivation was not only about cultivating the self but could also create melodies of destruction. While it might improve Lang Ze’s ability to defend himself, Su Ci didn’t want the boy to focus on combat or killing through music.
That would go against the original intention behind giving him the name “Ze”, meaning “beneficence” or “nurturing.”
Lang Ze’s face immediately fell, but under Su Ci’s calm gaze, he closed his mouth and began racking his brain to figure it out.
Number Five stood nearby, observing in silence. She couldn’t understand why Lang Ze was so certain that the caretaker’s method would work to retrieve her brother. After all, she hadn’t sensed Su Ci using any ability like hers on the squad leader.
So, why did the squad leader obey so easily?
*
Inside the Research Institute.
Ren Yufei’s face darkened as he stared at the light screen in front of him.
After a night of treatment, his injuries had mostly healed, and the blood-red frost hadn’t affected the research institute. Early in the morning, he had resumed his work, focusing on the research involving Number Four.
However, just as he instructed his team to bring the child out for testing, the cold, mechanical voice of the base AI rang in his ears:
[Researcher Ren Yufei, monitoring indicates that you have violated Section 2, Chapter 13 of the Interstellar Juvenile Protection Act—prohibiting any human experimentation on juveniles without consent. Additionally, you are in breach of the Prison Star Base Management Regulations, which require caretaker authorization before removing a juvenile from the medical purification center.]
[Relevant evidence has been submitted to the oversight department. Cease your criminal activity immediately to seek leniency in sentencing.]
Ren Yufei’s expression turned grim. He had never anticipated that the base AI would intervene in such matters!
In the past, he had bypassed base protocols on numerous occasions, and the AI had never stepped in. Why was it suddenly acting now?
No matter the reason, it was enough to make him anxious.
“I was merely collecting physical data! I wasn’t performing any human experiments! Besides, the rearing facility doesn’t even have an official caretaker anymore!” he argued, trying to maintain his composure.
But the base AI’s response was cold and unyielding.
[You may present your defense to the military tribunal during your trial.]
At that moment, the squad leader hurriedly arrived outside the corridor. Learning of the situation from the assistant researcher, he immediately rushed inside to report to Ren Yufei.
Ren Yufei gritted his teeth in frustration.
If it had just been the trainee caretaker coming to retrieve Number Four, he would have easily found a way to keep the boy. But with the base AI issuing a formal warning, he didn’t dare push his luck.
Conducting unsanctioned human experiments on juveniles, particularly those with beast bloodlines, was a highly sensitive issue. If such accusations were formally leveled against him, the best-case scenario would see him dismissed and investigated.
His project was just beginning to show promise—there could be no setbacks now.
Resigned, Ren Yufei fixed his assistant with a cold glare and instructed, “Take Number Four out…”
After a brief pause, he waved his hand and corrected himself, “No, I’ll handle this personally. I want to meet this trainee caretaker.”
Rising from his seat, Ren Yufei straightened his clothes and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead before putting on an air of calm and confidence. Then, he personally retrieved Number Four.
Number Four’s expression was wary, his body tense, as if ready to pounce and bite Ren Yufei just as he had the day before. However, the threat to his sister forced him to hold back, bottling his rage.
After yesterday’s harsh lesson, Ren Yufei didn’t dare get too close. Flanked by heavily armed guards, he escorted the boy out of the research institute’s front doors.
Number Four didn’t know where they were taking him, but he saw it as an opportunity. He observed his surroundings carefully, searching for a chance to escape.
But then…
When his gaze landed on the three figures standing in front of the research institute, he froze.
At the same moment, Number Five spotted him.
Her eyes instantly reddened, and she sprinted toward him.
“Brother!”
She threw herself into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time.
