Inheriting a Barren Star [Book Transmigration]

Barren Star – Chapter 44

by Little Panda

Protect yourself.

Even knowing that the “Mythical Forbidden Zone” was a place of extreme danger, Da Xia never stopped exploring it. Although there was little information about the “Mythical Forbidden Zone,” it was brought back by generations of navigators at the cost of their flesh and blood. If her father hadn’t died in battle and her mother hadn’t sacrificed herself, Lu Zhiwei would have lived a completely different life. She experienced “life and death separation” [sheng li si bie – parting of life and death] at a young age, which became an eternal wound in her heart that could never heal.

Hua Zhuoyu knew Lu Zhiwei would agree.

The Princess’s Mansion.

Xia Sang was holding a brush and painting, which was a new trend in the Imperial Capital. When AI technology reached a certain level, “painters” or “artists” were no longer necessary. Fortunately, the entire star system highly respected past civilizations, giving these desperate and downtrodden fellows some purpose, preventing them from starving on the streets. However, fewer and fewer people were willing to enter this unpromising profession, which would eventually become just a frame in the river of history.

Ying Jingqiu saw ink smeared on Xia Sang’s face but suppressed the urge to step forward, continuing her unfinished report: “The Crown Prince and Supervisory Department have people watching the Star Court, but after the Chief Judge returned, she first visited the Lu Family Mansion to see the old Marshal, staying for a while before returning to the Star Court. After finishing Star Court business, she didn’t meet anyone else but returned to the Hua family.”

“The old Marshal has always treated her like his own granddaughter, so her visit to the Lu family isn’t surprising,” Xia Sang put down her brush and looked at Ying Jingqiu, suddenly changing the subject, “But you brought this up deliberately, you must have discovered something?”

“Zhiwei also went back, and she came out one after another with the Chief Judge,” Ying Jingqiu said concisely. Her father was the old Marshal’s favorite disciple, and she grew up with Lu Zhiwei, knowing her heartache—due to her parents’ passing, Lu Zhiwei actually didn’t want to return to the Lu Family Mansion. She could have visited the old master at any time, why when Hua Zhuoyu was there? Usually it wouldn’t matter, but now it’s the Month of Judgment. What could be more important than Star Court matters?

“If you asked her directly, would you get an answer?” Xia Sang pondered.

Ying Jingqiu’s face stiffened, and only after a while did she compose herself and say: “Your Highness, please don’t joke.” In the past, she had a good relationship with Lu Zhiwei, but ever since Lu Zhiwei discovered her relationship with Xia Sang, both sides cut off ties and had no more contact.

Xia Sang let out a slow “oh,” a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

Ying Jingqiu continued: “Now that the Chief Judge has returned, we still need to be cautious about the Crown Prince’s side. You and Miss Li need to strengthen your connection.” Although the Crown Prince’s bride had been decided, there were still significant variables. If Xia Tu wanted to break off the engagement, there were countless ways to do so.

“I understand,” Xia Sang grumbled unhappily, raising her head to gaze at Ying Jingqiu, “Does it make you unhappy when I get close to Li Ziyan?”

Ying Jingqiu looked confused: “Why would I be unhappy?”

Xia Sang: “…”

Mountain and Sea Star.

December, the Month of Judgment.

The snowstorm outside the protective shield grew more intense, continuing almost without pause for a week.

Except for when clearing the accumulated snow outside, the base’s personnel stayed within the protective shield, each showing their skills researching small gadgets, no longer venturing out to explore the wilderness. Ning Buyi logged into the virtual training room on the Star Network, continuing to strengthen her control over the mecha. However, things were different from before.

The training room no longer had Hua Zhuoyu’s presence.

Since their discussion about Lu Zhiwei, there had been very little communication between them.

Ning Buyi knew Hua Zhuoyu was busy with “judging” planets, so whenever she encountered any problems, she would solve them herself rather than disturb Hua Zhuoyu.

The fired bullets left glowing arcs in mid-air, with missile trails resembling chaotic flocks of birds in the sky. Ning Buyi controlled “Yaoguang” to dodge missiles left and right, occasionally raising weapons to counterattack. Not long after Hua Zhuoyu left, she had replaced the basic model mecha with “Yaoguang,” and at first, she returned to the awkward and embarrassing state of a beginner. However, gradually, she successfully mastered this mecha, and now even if the robot transformed into Hua Zhuoyu, she was confident she could cross obstacles and reach her destination under their attacks.

Missile fragments fell to the ground with soft popping sounds. Ning Buyi jumped out of the cockpit and sat down, wiping sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, staring blankly at the table with various weapons—where Hua Zhuoyu used to be, now stood a bionic robot. Although its voice and appearance could be adjusted, Ning Buyi had no intention of making it look like Hua Zhuoyu.

“Tired?”

A familiar voice sounded in her ear. At first, Ning Buyi thought she was hearing things, as similar scenes had occurred several times in the lonely, cold training room. She pressed her temples with both hands and closed her eyes, letting out a melancholic sigh. After getting used to Hua Zhuoyu’s presence, her sudden absence left what felt like a hollow space in her heart.

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

A sudden pressure appeared on her shoulder. Ning Buyi snapped back to reality, abruptly looking up and finding herself meeting Hua Zhuoyu’s smiling eyes. Ning Buyi stood up hurriedly, managed to say “you” to Hua Zhuoyu, then pressed her lips together, not knowing what else to say.

Hua Zhuoyu steadied Ning Buyi, asking softly: “How’s the base lately?”

Ning Buyi’s eyes remained fixed on Hua Zhuoyu as she replied quietly: “Everything’s as usual.” After a pause, she added, “And you?”

Hua Zhuoyu gave a light laugh, raising her head as if her gaze could penetrate through the virtual world of the Star Network into the distant, deep universe.

“One thousand one hundred and thirty-five planets will be sentenced to death, two hundred and eighty-seven will fall into barren stars, with nearly ten billion people needing to migrate.” Hua Zhuoyu spread her hands, looking down at her palms, and after a while made a grasping motion, “Every time I pass judgment, I feel like something within me is slipping away.”

Ning Buyi’s heart trembled, and she grabbed Hua Zhuoyu’s hand: “It’s all because of the dark pollution.”

Hua Zhuoyu smiled faintly: “Yes, it’s all because of the dark pollution.” Her voice revealed traces of fatigue, and although she was smiling, her eyes held worry and grief. Where would the migrants go? For those people severely contaminated by dark pollution, what path was left besides being sentenced to death?

“Is there anything I can do?” Concern appeared in Ning Buyi’s eyes. She wanted to reach out and embrace Hua Zhuoyu, but hesitation in her heart stopped her movement. She gazed at Hua Zhuoyu, stubbornly waiting for an answer that would ease her mind.

Hua Zhuoyu raised her hand, gently pinched Ning Buyi’s cheek, and smiled: “Protect yourself, nothing is more important than that.” After a pause, “The judgment for the barren—Mountain and Sea Star will come soon, but the dark pollution is gradually decreasing. You’ve done very well, it will continue to survive!”

“You used to mock my dreams as unrealistic,” Ning Buyi complained playfully.

“I was wrong,” Hua Zhuoyu frankly admitted her mistake. Her gaze lingered on Ning Buyi’s beautiful face for a moment before she softly said, “I have to go.” She received notifications whenever Ning Buyi entered the training room, but until now she hadn’t found free time.

“The Hua family—” Ning Buyi looked at Hua Zhuoyu worriedly.

She remembered how Hua Zhuoyu refused to use her life as a bargaining chip to save Hua Songyu—

Would the Hua family blame her?

“I’m fine, I’ll be fine,” Hua Zhuoyu said with a smile, her face full of confidence, radiating like sunlight.

Hua Family.

Hua Zai had been standing in the garden for a long time, the air filled with thick “flower fragrance,” yet it couldn’t soothe his restless heart. When he caught sight of Hua Zhuoyu walking out of the house, he rushed forward immediately, but when he met her smiling eyes, he inexplicably felt timid. Smoothing his sleeves, he tried his best to maintain the dignity of an elder and coughed lightly: “Everyone has been waiting for you for a long time.”

“Waiting for me for what?” Hua Zhuoyu replied with an ambiguous smile, “Would the taste of nutrient solutions improve just because I’m there?”

A flash of anger crossed Hua Zai’s eyes as he raised his voice: “Don’t you understand the importance of this matter? The Crown Prince marrying that Li family girl means he’s gained partial support from the military.”

If that were all, it wouldn’t be much, but recently those generals who were originally leaning towards the Supervisory Department suddenly changed their stance, becoming incredibly firm and unwilling to accept the olive branch from the Supervisory Department. Although nothing could be proven, he suspected they were intentionally favoring the Crown Prince, perhaps because he had promised something. If this were true, the Supervisory Department wouldn’t be in a position to openly oppose the royal family. If they could drive a wedge between the Crown Prince and the military alliance, that would be ideal.

“Then let’s wish them an early noble son,” Hua Zhuoyu glanced at Hua Zai, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Hua Zai’s eyes flickered: “Si Xun revealed the Crown Prince’s attitude—he’s not sincere about the Li family girl. If you’re willing to marry the Crown Prince, he can tear up the engagement with the Li family.”

“Has your immune robot malfunctioned? Otherwise, how could you make such a foolish request? My dear father.” Hua Zhuoyu coldly looked at Hua Zai, immediately understanding his intentions upon hearing these words.

Hua Zai grew anxious: “Zhuoyu, you are a daughter of the Hua family.”

Hua Zhuoyu’s expression remained cold as she raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Hua Zai to continue.

Hua Zai was furious, but his face showed grief as he stepped forward, and in an instant, tears streamed down his face: “Zhuoyu, even if your father has to beg you, you must think of the Hua family! You are a daughter of the Hua family, only if the Hua family maintains its former glory will your life be better!”

Hua Zhuoyu’s heart was like iron and stone [xin ru tie shi – idiom meaning completely unmoved], not moved in the slightest, and even broke into a smile, watching Hua Zai’s performance with interest. She feigned concern: “Did you cry like this when Hua Songyu died?”

Hua Zai could no longer contain his anger, though he didn’t dare to directly lay hands on Hua Zhuoyu. Instead, with a bang, he punched a stone pillar.

“With such strength, it’s a shame father didn’t go to the battlefield,” Hua Zhuoyu continued to mock. She walked past Hua Zai towards the flower bed full of blooming flowers, picked a dewy rose, tossed it to Hua Zai, and said with a casual smile, “What’s fake is fake, don’t you think?”

Hua Zai was enraged to the extreme, his anger attacking his heart as he spluttered: “Hua Zhuoyu, have you gone mad?”

Hua Zhuoyu looked back at Hua Zai with surprise: “How could you think that? I’ll have the butler make a doctor’s appointment for you, I think your immune robot really has malfunctioned.”

The Month of Judgment was when the Star Court’s official website updated its judgment interface most frequently, publishing results for both death and rebirth on the Star Network. However, in the star system where dark pollution was gradually worsening, “rebirth” had become almost unattainable. People checking the Star Network had only one purpose: remembrance.

They would experience firsthand a planet’s birth and development, and bid farewell to it in endless mourning.

In the Greedy Wolf Star System, there were many planets, both named and unnamed. Usually, people wouldn’t pay attention to a barren star, but this time, “Barren Star No. 1,” now renamed “Mountain and Sea Star,” had successfully escaped the executioner’s death scythe in the “liberation” sequence.

—Looking at previous records, this “Mountain and Sea Star,” formerly “Barren Star No. 1,” had a dark pollution concentration of fifty-nine percent, now it’s forty-eight percent. Is there an error in the data?

—The Chief Judge has never made a mistake in judgment.

—But how could the dark pollution concentration decrease? That planet was clearly abandoned before.

—I looked it up, the planet owner is called Ning Buyi, who is this? Is there a connection to the Ning family?

—If it’s true, how did they reduce the dark pollution? This is important.

The wave of attention brought by Mountain and Sea Star wasn’t just on the Star Network, but also stirred up great waves among the laboratories and associations studying dark pollution in civilized stars. Everyone’s first reaction was that the Star Court had made a mistake, and many went to the Star Court to inquire about the news. The Star Court usually wouldn’t respond to matters related to “judgment,” but this time the discussions were too numerous, so Hua Zhuoyu issued an announcement on her personal Star Micro account in the name of the Star Court, denying the possibility of a mistake.

—Huh? Hua Zhuoyu? Star Network verified? It’s really the Chief Judge herself?

—So this planet really has improved? How exactly did they do it? Curious!

—Are there any spaceships? I want to go there.

—Wake up, it has a planet owner, going there rashly would be considered illegal invasion and shot down.

—The Chief Judge and Mystery No. 1 follow each other, so let me speculate… could it be some new research base?

Besides the researchers at the “Dark Pollution Purification Research Base”, the Ning family was also unsettled.

“Barren Star No. 1” was the Ning family’s property, even if they had abandoned it, it still belonged to them. Upon learning about “Barren Star No. 1’s” achievements, Ning Jun, the head of the Ning family, immediately applied to connect with Barren Star No. 1’s authority, but his request was rejected. Only then did he remember that Barren Star No. 1 had been transferred to his illegitimate daughter Ning Buyi’s hands. And it was a complete transfer, with no loopholes to find that could take back the Barren Star. Initially, the transfer procedures weren’t perfect, but he hadn’t paid attention then, and didn’t even know who else had intervened later.

“Second Brother, what’s going on with that No. 1 star?”

“How could the dark pollution concentration possibly decrease? When we withdrew back then, it was completely beyond saving.”

“Is Ning Buyi still on that planet? Weren’t you the one who brought her to the Ning family?”

…

The Ning family members were all talking at once, giving Ning Jun a terrible headache. How would he know what was going on? After dismissing the inquiring brothers and uncles, he found Ning Buyi’s contact information and impatiently sent a communication request. Many people in the Imperial Capital knew about the relationship between “Barren Star No. 1” and the Ning family, and they would eventually come knocking after confirming the news from the Star Court.

Mountain and Sea Star Base.

Ning Buyi received the “judgment document” from the Star Court. There was still some way to go before becoming a construction star, but at least that invisible shackle had loosened. As long as Mountain and Sea Star didn’t have any accidents, it would eventually join the ranks of construction stars or even civilized stars.

Hua Zhuoyu sent her a “congratulations,” but seemed to still have unfinished business and quickly disappeared.

When Ning Jun’s request came through, she initially thought it was Hua Zhuoyu, but that joyful excitement vanished when she saw the characters “Ning Jun.” Although she was Ning Jun’s daughter by identity, she felt no sense of belonging to the Ning family. She originally wanted to refuse, but then thought that since Mountain and Sea Star was now exposed to public view, she would have to deal with the Ning family sooner or later.

Ning Buyi had no impression of Ning Jun as a father. She calmly looked at him as if watching a stranger.

Ning Jun asked in a deep voice: “Are you at the Barren Star now?” Without waiting for Ning Buyi to respond, he frowned and continued, “What’s this about the dark pollution concentration decreasing? The main family will soon send people to take over the Barren Star, and you’ll return with the spaceship then.” Regardless, Barren Star No. 1 had value again and was worth a new round of investment.

Ning Buyi gave a light laugh. After the Mountain and Sea Atlas bound her soul, she had no choice but to truly become the planet’s owner. This nearly abandoned planet was what she took from the Ning family, considering it as child support. She looked straight at Ning Jun, her gaze unwavering, and said unhurriedly: “You seem to have forgotten, I am now the planet owner.”

Ning Jun dismissed this: “The planet’s authority will be transferred when the time comes.” He scrutinized Ning Buyi through narrowed eyes, as if examining a fine commodity, and said, “You are still my, Ning Jun’s, daughter after all. How does this look now? When you return to Imperial Star, I will arrange etiquette teachers for you to learn properly.”

Ning Buyi found it amusing and refused: “I will not leave Mountain and Sea Star.”

“What kind of talk is this?” Ning Jun glared at Ning Buyi angrily, “I’m just concerned about you.”

Such worthless concern. Ning Buyi sneered and asked: “Why didn’t you remember me when the Ning family withdrew before? Weren’t you concerned about my life or death then?”

Ning Jun was speechless for a moment, then finally spoke harshly: “This is a notification, not a question.”

Seeing Ning Jun’s tyrannical manner, Ning Buyi’s previous slight inclination to cooperate with the Ning family was completely extinguished. She coldly looked at Ning Jun: “I’m an adult now. Unless you can change the Da Xia laws, you won’t be able to take back Mountain and Sea Star. You can make my illegitimate daughter status public, but you were the one who made the mistake back then. I suppose you wouldn’t want your reputation ruined?”

Ning Buyi wasn’t like Ning Jun’s other obedient daughters; she was covered in sharp thorns.

After realizing nothing nutritious would come from Ning Jun’s mouth, she directly ended the communication.

When had Ning Jun ever been treated like this? He immediately flew into a rage, ordering his son Ning Yunjing to immediately lead a team to the Barren Star and transfer the planet owner’s authority.

Ning Jun’s appearance didn’t spoil Ning Buyi’s mood; she wouldn’t let a “jumping clown” [tiao liang xiao chou – idiom meaning insignificant person trying to show off] affect her state of mind.

After ending the communication with Ning Jun, she checked the Barren Star’s protective shield and self-defense system before entering the virtual training room to strive for strengthening her combat abilities.

Round after round of high-intensity training rapidly drained Ning Buyi’s physical and mental energy, while simultaneously increasing her mastery of techniques. Previously, blocking stray bullets relied on both movement and counterattack, but now she could completely cross the obstacle-filled track using just one of these methods.

During the final training round, red lasers suddenly filled her vision, followed by a magnetic light sword blocking red electric arcs. Silver-white mecha reflected in Ning Buyi’s eyes, and before her mind could react, her fingers had already responded, switching “Yaoguang’s” right palm weapon to an identical magnetic light sword. The friction of the blades produced a series of electric arcs, the opponent’s attacks were “bold and vigorous” [da kai da he – idiom meaning grand and unrestrained], one wrong step would force her into passive defense.

Ning Buyi controlled “Yaoguang” to jump backward, moving like a wisp of smoke through the random obstacles. But the opponent’s pursuit was swift, turning the floating obstacles into usable weapons, sending them flying into the air under the magnetic light sword, transforming into metal shards shooting in all directions. “Yaoguang’s” left hand produced a shield, blocking the falling obstacles, but the next moment the opponent’s magnetic light sword struck the shield heavily, cutting it in half.

Whether in speed or power, current “Yaoguang” couldn’t compare to “Pojun”.

Ning Buyi pressed her lips together, jumped out of the mecha cockpit, looked up at “Pojun” and asked: “Are you finished with your business?”

Hua Zhuoyu put away her mecha, and although knowing this was a virtual training room, she still took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Ning Buyi’s forehead. “It’s temporarily concluded,” Hua Zhuoyu answered.

Ning Buyi: “There must be many people in the Imperial Capital who want to see you.”

“But the person I want to see isn’t in the Imperial Capital.” Hua Zhuoyu gazed at Ning Buyi, her voice very soft, dissipating in the air instantly. She didn’t linger on this topic, but rather asked with concern, “Did the Ning family contact you?”

Ning Buyi nodded: “They did. They’re not so concerned about the truth behind Mountain and Sea Star, they just want to regain control of this planet.”

“Your refusal won’t work, they will definitely send people to Mountain and Sea Star,” Hua Zhuoyu said with certainty.

Ning Buyi licked her dry lips, tilted her head slightly, and smiled with curved eyes: “Then let them come.”

Hua Zhuoyu looked at Ning Buyi’s confident appearance and also smiled with raised eyebrows. Although the Ning family had some people under their command, they were far from matching the current Mountain and Sea Star, and with Ning Jun’s arrogance, he would never mobilize all of the Ning family’s “mercenaries.” If they dared to land on Mountain and Sea Star, there would be only one outcome—a beating!

“Do you plan to wait for them to discover Mountain and Sea Star’s relationship with Mystery No. 1 on their own?” Hua Zhuoyu asked again.

“What do you think?” Ning Buyi asked in return.

Hua Zhuoyu smoothed her hair and answered: “Some people are already speculating about it.”

Ning Buyi thought for a moment: “Then let’s have Xiong Xun verify the Star Micro account.”

Now, there wasn’t much point in keeping it hidden anymore.