Barren Star – Chapter 43
by Little PandaI will clear the obstacles ahead.
Capital of Da Xia Star, Songlan Apartments.
A fire-red three-tailed fox gracefully stepped on the sofa, jumping onto the knees of a young woman who had a scholarly air about her, and reached out its front paws to pull at the ancient book in her hands.
In this interstellar age, paper had long been obsolete, with “books” themselves becoming symbols of “antiques.” Yet many people still maintained the habit of reading physical books, spending fortunes on “rare copies” from various civilizations. In reality, the content itself was already stored as knowledge in databases – what they were buying was the feeling of flipping through books.
“Do you want to read?” The woman pulled the three-tailed fox aside and asked leisurely.
The three-tailed fox—or rather, Tushan Sansan became angry. She sharpened her claws on the sofa and said, “Water, I want water!”
The woman casually pointed to a “water bowl” nearby.
That was just a pet water bowl! Tushan Sansan became even angrier at the sight. She jumped down from the sofa, kicked over the water bowl, and squatted on the ground, wagging her tail threateningly at the woman.
The woman didn’t get angry, just smiled gently and said, “What would happen if I uploaded your behavior to the Star Network?”
Tushan Sansan: “…Lu Zhiwei, you pervert! You psycho!”
Lu Zhiwei: “You owe me money, I’m your clothing and food parent now.”
Tushan Sansan’s arrogant demeanor was extinguished by Lu Zhiwei’s casual remark, and she lowered her banners and silenced her drums [meaning: to give up]. Just then, her old light-brain received a communication request from a distant planet. At first, Tushan Sansan thought it was her troublesome agent, but upon closer inspection, she saw Feng Ermao’s distinctive flashy avatar and immediately accepted the call. Looking at Feng Ermao’s projected image, her eyes welled up with tears as she called out: “Sister Feng Er!”
Feng Ermao felt a chill from Tushan Sansan’s greeting, getting goosebumps all over. She surveyed Tushan Sansan’s living environment and teased: “Your living conditions aren’t bad, huh? Looks like life’s gotten comfortable lately – no more living under bridges?”
Unable to read the emotions on Tushan Sansan’s furry face, she bounded from the living room to her small room, where she transformed into a woman of captivating charm and allure. However, instead of speaking seductively, she complained with several censored words: “This isn’t my place, I can’t afford housing on this Da Xia Star.”
Feng Ermao: “So the negative news on the Star Network is true?”
Tushan Sansan said carelessly: “They’re just taken with my beauty, need to pet me daily to feel satisfied. Having someone wait on me, I’m quite happy.”
Feng Ermao didn’t believe it and said seriously: “Tushan Sansan, tell the truth.”
Tushan Sansan asked strangely: “You know about this?”
Feng Ermao: “If someone was really waiting on you, that mouth of yours would have announced it to your entire Friend Circle [social media timeline] already. Looking at how quiet you’re being, you must be under someone’s thumb.” She looked at Tushan Sansan with schadenfreude, “Whatever misfortune you’ve met, share it so your sister can have a laugh.”
Tushan Sansan: “F*ck off!”
Feng Ermao laughed heartily at this.
Tushan Sansan smoothed her hair and sighed: “Not a sugar daddy, but a debt collector. My luck was terrible these past two months, and I accidentally followed in your footsteps.”
Feng Ermao wasn’t pleased when she heard this: “What do you mean by that?”
Tushan Sansan flashed a bewitching smile: “You got scammed in online dating.” Before Feng Ermao could protest, she steered the conversation back, “That horrible person cheated on my feelings while juggling multiple boats [Chinese slang for dating multiple people], so I went to confront her in anger, wanting to teach her a lesson. But I found the wrong person… Long story short, I ended up with a debt I couldn’t repay even if I sold myself.” Tushan Sansan’s latter words became mumbled as she drooped her brows and eyes, looking dejected.
Feng Ermao asked again: “So… how long will you have to sell yourself?” After a moment’s thought, she couldn’t help adding, “Just fur petting?”
Tushan Sansan’s face changed color in anger at Feng Ermao’s frivolous words, and she shouted: “This is humiliating enough!” Feng Ermao’s head buzzed, and she dizzily nodded, but then Tushan Sansan added in a small voice, “I have to sell my voice too. She’s a pervert, actually making a fox read books!”
Feng Ermao looked sympathetic: “So what are you planning to do?”
“Want to escape.” Tushan Sansan ground her back teeth, “But unless I leave Da Xia territory and return to Beast Star, going anywhere else is useless.”
Feng Ermao raised her eyebrows: “That powerful?”
Tushan Sansan: “Her grandfather was Da Xia’s previous Marshal.” She didn’t know why she was so unlucky to fall into Lu Zhiwei’s hands. After venting her feelings to Feng Ermao, she remembered the main point, “Why did you contact me? Did my sister strike it rich and want to send me money?”
“Something like that.” Feng Ermao snorted, speaking with a pleased expression, “We got you an endorsement deal.”
Tushan Sansan frowned, saying dissatisfied: “We? Got other dogs now?”
Feng Ermao said with a grin: “It’s Xiong Xun and Jin Feifei.”
Tushan Sansan automatically ignored the words “Xiong Xun” and exclaimed in realization: “Ah, your sugar mommy [literally: ‘golden thigh’, but sugar mommy is funnier]. What endorsement? A gaming console for shut-ins?”
Feng Ermao cleared her throat and said proudly: “Wood God.”
Tushan Sansan was startled, her face full of disbelief. Had her down-and-out fox and dog friends [meaning: close friends] secretly struck it rich? No, she’d rather believe it was a lie. After all, Feng Ermao was famously unreliable, known for lying without even drafting a story first [meaning: speaking without preparation]. “Did you eat something you shouldn’t have?” The more Tushan Sansan thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Feng Er had always liked chasing trends, copying whatever was popular – it wouldn’t be surprising if she ended up on a guillotine one day.
Feeling looked down upon, Feng Ermao’s brows furrowed, but she had anticipated this reaction and immediately presented a gift box, showing it to Tushan Sansan from all angles: “The perfume was developed by Jin Feifei, and the gift box designer is me—Feng Heng!”
Tushan Sansan couldn’t afford “Wood God,” and had never even considered it, but she had gathered some information online about how “Wood God” was closely related to “Mystery No. 1.” She put aside her lazy expression and asked seriously: “Are you telling the truth?”
Feng Ermao: “If you don’t believe me, ask Xiong Xun or Jin Feifei. Think it over carefully, and when you decide, tell me. Our Lord will send a spaceship to pick you up.”
Tushan Sansan nodded but didn’t reply directly to Feng Ermao, rambling on about various things before finally ending the communication. After standing in the room for a moment, she transformed back into a small fox and slipped through the door gap, only to look up and see Lu Zhiwei standing with crossed arms, startling her fur to stand on end. She jumped into Lu Zhiwei’s hanging arms and shouted: “How dare you eavesdrop on my communication?!”
Lu Zhiwei gently stroked Tushan Sansan’s perked-up ears, watching as she melted into a fox pancake in her arms, before saying leisurely: “Your friend seems quite impressive, having connections with Mystery No. 1.”
Tushan Sansan glared at Lu Zhiwei dissatisfied, baring her teeth and making a threatening hiss.
Lu Zhiwei’s gaze darkened slightly as she sneered: “If you don’t like it, I won’t ask. After all, those matters don’t concern me, I don’t need to know.” Carrying the small fox back to the sofa, she held out the book, pointing at the dense lead characters on the yellowed paper, and said gently, “Read.”
Tushan Sansan’s body stiffened, and she burrowed into Lu Zhiwei’s embrace, her three fluffy tails lightly brushing against Lu Zhiwei’s face. Lu Zhiwei’s expression remained unchanged as her fingers encircled one large tail, sliding along it toward the base. Tushan Sansan’s body trembled more violently, her fox-charming eyes looking pitiful and watery.
“Read,” Lu Zhiwei repeated, her gentle tone hiding an unquestionable firmness.
Mountain and Sea Star Base.
After much thought, Feng Ermao felt it necessary to report Tushan Sansan’s current situation to Ning Buyi. After all, Tushan Sansan’s “patron” was connected to Da Xia’s upper echelons. Even as a retired Marshal, they still held significant influence in both military and government circles.
Ning Buyi had no impression of the name “Lu Zhiwei,” though she had learned not to rely too much on plot expectations [original plot]. For such unknown matters, it would be more appropriate to ask Hua Zhuoyu.
So, after parting, she contacted Hua Zhuoyu for the first time.
“Have you reached Imperial Star?” Ning Buyi’s tone was calmer than she had expected. She looked up at Hua Zhuoyu’s projection, whose every expression was as usual, yet across the vast distance, there was a hint of unfamiliarity.
Hua Zhuoyu smiled gently with curved eyes: “Almost. I was planning to contact you once I reached Imperial Star.”
Ning Buyi pressed her lips together, hearing her own dry “oh.” Her nervousness finally caught up under Hua Zhuoyu’s gaze, her heartbeat suddenly accelerating, momentarily unsure how to make small talk. After a silence, she went straight to the point, asking: “Do you know Lu Zhiwei?”
“Zhiwei? Why are you asking about her?” A flash of surprise crossed Hua Zhuoyu’s eyes, not expecting Ning Buyi to mention this name.
Ning Buyi said: “Feng Er and Jin Feifei have a friend who’s…” after pondering for a moment, she added, “deeply involved with Lu Zhiwei.”
“I see.” Hua Zhuoyu didn’t probe further, instead explaining Lu Zhiwei’s background to Ning Buyi, “She comes from a military-political family, though she herself neither joined the military nor entered politics. Her grandfather was Da Xia’s previous Marshal, her father died in battle, and her mother was one of the Dark Pollution researchers who, twenty years ago, led a navigation team to explore the Mythical Forbidden Zone. That squad… was completely wiped out.” Reaching the end, Hua Zhuoyu’s tone grew heavy, “Speaking of which, Marshal Lu’s early retirement was related to Dark Pollution accumulation in his body. Despite several medical purification attempts, the results weren’t very promising.”
The entire Greedy Wolf Star System, especially warriors exposed to Dark Pollution in war zones, suffered deeply from its effects. Ning Buyi realized this, her face turning pale.
Hua Zhuoyu continued slowly: “The Lu family is a potential cooperation partner.” She quickly put aside her grave expression, her extremely calm tone adding a touch of coldness. She gazed at Ning Buyi, “Don’t worry, I will clear away all obstacles ahead.” Life resurrection was an opportunity for the entire star system, not a weapon for certain people to grab power and profit. The Judges were supreme messengers, judging planets between life and death, all for the sake of civilization.
December, Star Court.
The circular skybridge, like a planetary ring, encircled an elliptical white building. Countless flying cars were packed in the parking area, their varied shells reflecting prismatic light in the sunlight. People in formal suits tried to pass through that door, but regardless of their origin, all were blocked outside.
Inside the building.
Bright lights illuminated the long corridor, with countless celestial bodies painted on the walls, as if another deep space existed here.
In the center, eight chairs were placed around an elliptical table, though only seven people were seated now, waiting for Chief Judge Hua Zhuoyu, whose whereabouts were unknown.
He Chao frowned, looking disappointedly at Ning Mo, trying to get information: “Didn’t Zhuoyu return with you?”
Si Pu answered for Ning Mo: “She has matters to attend to, she’ll be back soon.”
He Chao’s expression turned serious: “Is it because of the people outside?” Ever since news of Hua Zhuoyu’s return to Imperial Star spread, both the Crown Prince and the Hua family had been constantly sending people to the Star Court for information, even posting guards around the perimeter.
“That’s not important.” Si Pu glanced at He Chao with an ambiguous smile, tapping her curved finger on the table, “The Month of Judgment has arrived, and satellites exploring various planets have transmitted their reports, but data from one hundred and eight planets was hijacked en route, and even the exploration satellites and ships were destroyed.”
“Isn’t it because they’ve reached the critical point? Acting like this will only draw the Star Court’s focused attention.” He Chao sneered, his eyes flashing coldly. Since formally taking up the responsibility of being a Judge, he had encountered such situations countless times.
Si Pu said leisurely: “Before Ah Zhu returns, let’s deal with those planets first.”
Ning Mo nodded in agreement.
Actually, these were all trivial matters, but finding something to do now could stop He Chao’s constant questioning about the Chief Judge’s whereabouts. His feelings for the Chief Judge had shown signs years ago and had become increasingly obvious in recent years. However, the Chief Judge never showed any closeness to him, even maintaining considerable distance, and would only use He Chao’s special ability to purify Dark Pollution when absolutely necessary.
At this moment, Hua Zhuoyu, who was in everyone’s thoughts, was at the Lu Family Mansion.
The elderly Marshal Lu Jiangli sat in a wheelchair, mentally sharp and spirited.
However, compared to his peers who had always lived in comfort on Imperial Star, his skin, like withered pine bark, showed signs of aging. The Dark Pollution remaining in his body was constantly eroding his organs. Although “parts” could be replaced through surgery, under the influence of Dark Pollution’s aftereffects, the duration they could last kept getting shorter. Once past that limit, it would be completely beyond help from medicine and stone [meaning: incurable].
“Your father and brother are behaving quite inappropriately,” the old Marshal said sternly, though his gaze toward Hua Zhuoyu carried traces of gentleness and gratification.
Hua Zhuoyu smiled, taking the wheelchair from the security guard’s hands, pushing the old Marshal along the stone path through the artificially created garden. “They are still family,” Hua Zhuoyu sighed, “Though unfortunately, I couldn’t salvage much.”
“You’ve cleaned up after them too many times.” Lu Jiangli turned to look at Hua Zhuoyu, his eyes as deep as vast oceans filled with concern, “If you return to the Hua family, don’t listen to your father. He hasn’t reached the point of failing eyesight, how has he become so muddled!”
“I understand,” Hua Zhuoyu replied obediently.
Lu Jiangli heaved a long sigh: “You always say that, child. I don’t know how long this body of mine can hold up.”
Hua Zhuoyu furrowed her brows and said gently: “Grandfather, it will be alright.”
Lu Jiangli waved his hand and laughed freely: “Don’t comfort me, I know my own body best.”
Hua Zhuoyu lowered her head: “Didn’t Zhiwei send you fruits and vegetables before?”
Lu Jiangli’s eyes lit up at these words: “I tried them once. How could such good things not be sent to the laboratory for research? I wonder which base cultivated them.”
Hearing this, Hua Zhuoyu immediately understood. Those old fellows at the experimental base must have taken them from the Lu family under the pretext of “research.” As a junior, Hua Zhuoyu couldn’t really criticize this, so she followed Lu Jiangli’s lead about the experimental base: “With the fruits in hand, has the base produced any results?”
“Those wine sacks and rice bags [meaning: useless people], what could they possibly research?” Lu Zhiwei had appeared at some point, still wearing a gentle expression, though her words completely contradicted her gentle demeanor. Pretending not to see the old man’s displeasure, she looked up at Hua Zhuoyu, “Why didn’t you return to the Star Court first?”
Hua Zhuoyu smiled like spring breeze: “Visiting Grandfather Lu should take priority.”
Lu Zhiwei glanced at Hua Zhuoyu; she wasn’t as easily fooled as the old man. But knowing how much the old man favored Hua Zhuoyu, wishing he could bring her into the Lu family as a daughter, she didn’t argue in front of him, only saying gently: “You should rest now.”
“It’s still early,” Lu Jiangli mumbled, staring at Lu Zhiwei for a while before saying sternly, “I hear you’ve been getting close to a small-time celebrity lately?”
Lu Zhiwei: “…” Pressing her lips together, she said, “If Star Network rumors were reliable, Ah Zhu would already have grandchildren by now.” Ignoring the old man’s expression, she signaled to the security guard standing aside to wheel the old man inside. Once he was out of sight, she turned to Hua Zhuoyu, who was examining the garden, “It can’t compare to a real sea of flowers, can it?”
Hua Zhuoyu gave Lu Zhiwei a lazy glance: “Does that even need saying?”
Lu Zhiwei didn’t want to waste words with Hua Zhuoyu and asked directly: “Do you have business with me?”
Hua Zhuoyu tilted her head to look at Lu Zhiwei, saying with interest: “I hear you’re keeping a three-tailed fox?”
Lu Zhiwei frowned: “Since when did you become such a gossip?”
Hua Zhuoyu raised her eyebrows and smiled gently: “Release her.”
Lu Zhiwei’s thoughts sank, she stared directly at Hua Zhuoyu, trying to detect any genuine emotion on that flawless face. After a while, she said with a slight smile: “Is that base connected to you?”
During Hua Zhuoyu’s disappearance, many people tried to get information from the Star Court, yet everyone from Si Pu to He Chao maintained absolute secrecy. What place in this star system was worth Hua Zhuoyu’s stay? If it was Mystery No. 1’s Base, everything would make sense.
Hua Zhuoyu shrugged: “They took me in.”
“Took you in? So you’ve had your down-and-out times? Seems Hua Songyu was quite ruthless. I heard the Interstellar Court’s verdict said he privately contacted that mad king from the Insect Star.” Lu Zhiwei spoke these cold words with elegant composure.
“Let’s not discuss such depressing matters. Just say whether you’ll release her or not.”
Lu Zhiwei looked at Hua Zhuoyu’s face, calm to the point of coldness, and suddenly lost interest. However, she still asked: “What do you want her for?”
“A friend needs her,” Hua Zhuoyu said carelessly.
Lu Zhiwei’s pupils contracted slightly, her gaze scanning the surroundings, though she knew there couldn’t be any “spies” in this mansion. “Follow me,” she said quickly. Walking briskly through the garden, her peripheral vision caught fallen flower branches, but she felt no pity in her heart.
Although no master had stayed overnight for many years, this elegantly furnished room remained spotlessly clean. The twilight glow filtered through the transparent curtains onto the dark imitation wood floor, coating it with a warm hue. Lu Zhiwei closed the door behind her and stared directly at Hua Zhuoyu, who was half-sunken into the sofa, saying gravely: “After the fruits and vegetables were listed on the Starlight Platform, I purchased them many times and sent them to the Lu mansion. Unfortunately, except for the first batch that reached the old man’s mouth, the rest were sent to various research laboratories and bases. Yet so far, no good news has come.” She paused briefly, her gentle face showing traces of sarcasm and mockery, “Of course, I don’t think there’s any possibility of success in the future.”
“Why do you think so?” Hua Zhuoyu looked up at her friend, her expression hidden in shadows as she faced away from the sunlight.
“If it could succeed, it would unveil the ‘mysterious veil.’ But its irreplaceability is proven by how no one understands it to this day. You fear those people rushing in like vultures drawn to rotting flesh.” Lu Zhiwei’s face returned to its gentle expression, though it seemed to hide something chilling. “What do you want?” She looked at Hua Zhuoyu, her gaze like a sword cutting through shadows.
“Want… peace.” Hua Zhuoyu stood up supporting herself on the armrest, slowly approaching Lu Zhiwei, speaking softly, “I hear Xia Tu is trying to win over the military?”
Lu Zhiwei watched Hua Zhuoyu, the last rays of sunset behind her outlining a dazzling silhouette, while heavy shadows lay before her. “Judges can’t interfere in politics, are you playing with fire?” Lu Zhiwei asked.
Hua Zhuoyu smiled lightly: “Have I used my Star Court Judge position to influence citizens’ will? Have I affected cabinet elections? Have I meddled in throne succession? I’ve done nothing, so how can this be political interference?”
Lu Zhiwei gave Hua Zhuoyu a deep look: “You don’t approve of Xia Tu.” Seeing Hua Zhuoyu’s silence, her tone grew increasingly stern, even carrying hints of interrogation, “You’re going to side with the Supervisory Department?!”
Hua Zhuoyu smiled gently: “Isn’t it better to just flip over the chessboard?”
Lu Zhiwei drew a sharp breath, staring wide-eyed at Hua Zhuoyu.
Hua Zhuoyu: “I can’t let life sprout in sewers.”
Lu Zhiwei challenged: “So you want to use my Lu family as a shield?”
Hua Zhuoyu met Lu Zhiwei’s gaze: “Can you let go of the navigation incident from twenty years ago?” Without waiting for Lu Zhiwei’s response, she continued, “You can’t.”
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