Chapter 586.3: This Is Too Extreme

Under the control of the Sanctuary, people no longer quarreled over meaningless things. Everyone wholeheartedly became oars rowing the ship to the new world.

Not only that, Luo Qian also brought a major research breakthrough from the southern laboratory, an organism called Na Fruit.

"With the Spirit Interference Device and Na Fruit, we have succeeded in creating a province-wide utopia without conflict." Luo Qian spoke first.

Yore casually asked, "And what about the Project Complete Human? Is there still any need to continue?"

Luo Qian stared at him intently. "Of course it must continue. The old humanity’s utopia is only a temporary stage, a safeguard to ensure our experiments are not obstructed."

"Our true destination is a state of harmony and co-prosperity without the need of Na Fruit or mental interference. That means we must shed the shell that binds our souls and become a species greater than humanity."

Yore nodded. "I understand. So what should I do next?"

Luo Qian continued, "Resolve the problem of Na Fruit’s survival in cold, dry environments. We need to spread it farther, not just within the boundaries of the Ocean Edge Province."

"I’ll provide you with some samples... Things are different now. The surrounding survivor settlements will slowly join us. And from now on, you are an Apostle of the Church, while I, having entered the Sanctuary, am a Pathfinder."

"I’m not interested in chanting scriptures. That would waste my precious research time," Yore said impatiently.

He hated politics most of all.

He had no desire for political power. He only wanted to do what he thought worthwhile.

Yet ironically, all his life he had never escaped that shackle. From long ago, he had always drifted along with the little boat beneath his feet.

Fortunately, his new superior understood him well.

Luo Qian laughed heartily and said kindly, "Don’t worry, it’s just in name. It won’t take much of your time."

"With this identity, our plan will go much more smoothly. Every settlement in the entire parish will cooperate with your experiments, no matter what kind of experiments they are."

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

This time, Yore’s face finally showed genuine interest. "That does sound intriguing..."

At that moment he suddenly understood why they had failed again and again.

It wasn’t because they hadn’t had the chance to do things right, but because they had chosen the wrong path, trying to rebuild civilization on a material level using purely human methods.

Perhaps that way of thinking was flawed from the start.

The Prosperity Era was a one-of-a-kind miracle in Federation history, and precisely because it was so rare, it was called a miracle.

Rebuilding heaven with human hands would only mean repeating humanity’s mistakes.

However... Things would be different if they were gods.

Replace humanity with divinity, and there would be no human mistakes.

Of course, he knew the path was strewn with thorns, that people would die because of it. But if they didn’t do it this way, would fewer people die?

Perhaps more would.

Rather than letting the ignorant die for nothing, it was better to let them die for something meaningful.

Yore suddenly broke into an unrestrained smile. "I understand. Leave it to me... And when some more years have passed, I’ll follow you all into the Sanctuary too."

Luo Qian smiled kindly and nodded. "Welcome."

Yore gave a slight nod and withdrew from the Sanctuary.

Watching his inner monologue from the side, Chu Guang let out a quiet sigh. "This is way too extreme."

...

Pinecone Ranch, in the Guesthouse.

Clutching his machine gun, Quit Smoking yawned. "How long do we have to stand guard?"

Ample Time, just back from browsing the official forums, replied casually, "Looks like the Goblin Corps took all the work. The Mutant Humans reinforcements probably won’t come. It should be quiet tonight, but don’t drop your guard."

Quit Smoking pulled a face of pure misery. "Damn! Those dogs didn’t even leave us the scraps?"

Peepo raised his head. "Hm? Who’s calling our brother dog?"

Dog Good Names snapped at the side, "Fuck you!"

By the fire, Yang Xiaoyang huddled into herself for warmth. She stretched her small hands toward the flames, playing with the boundary between too cold and too hot, enjoying the game.

The fire made her face glow red. Though so much had happened, her emotions had settled down.

Those big brothers in huge scary metal armor were all very kind. They had chased the bad men away, healed Yinyin and the others, and even given her some fragrant, sweet chocolate.

The corpses in the Guesthouse had already been cleared. The bloodstains on the walls and floor were frightening, but after seeing enough of them, it became almost normal.

She felt safe now, safer than ever.

Yinyin sat beside her, wrapped in a blanket. Since waking, she hadn’t moved at all. No matter who spoke to her, she gave no response.

Yang Xiaoyang had accepted the chocolate for her. She hadn’t eaten it, saving it all for Yinyin.

She hoped her friend would recover soon.

Just then, a tall young woman approached.

Looking at the withdrawn Yinyin whose eyes were completely empty, Chen Yutong’s face showed a trace of worry. She turned to Yang Xiaoyang and asked softly, "Is she any better?"

Yang Xiaoyang shook her head gently.

At that moment, Yinyin suddenly lifted her head. "Papa..."

"Hm?" Chen Yutong hadn’t heard clearly what the girl said, but seeing her finally react, she crouched beside her at once.

"How are you feeling now? Does anything hurt?"

Yinyin shook her head, looked at Chen Yutong, and whispered, "My papa... Is he alright?"

Chen Yutong fell silent.

From her expression, Yinyin guessed something. Tears welled in her eyes as her voice trembled, "Then... What about my brother? My sister... What about the butler?"

That silence said everything.

Huge tears rolled down her cheeks. She hugged her knees tightly and sobbed. "... Why?"

Yang Xiaoyang stroked her hair and whispered, "Don’t be sad..."

Tears filled Yinyin’s eyes. She bit her lip, unable to say a word, not knowing how to face her friend.

She had thought of helping her escape that cage, but only out of pity, compassion, or kindness, never imagining it would be like that.

Now her father was gone... What would she do from now on?

Sensing her friend’s unspoken worry, Yang Xiaoyang whispered to comfort her friend, "... Well, our house may not be as big as yours, but it’s still pretty big. I’ll ask my papa to take care of you."

Yinyin looked at her.

That cold stare made Yang Xiaoyang suddenly feel her friend had become strange, so strange it frightened her. "You’re pleased with yourself now, aren’t you... You’re finally free."

Yang Xiaoyang looked at her in shock, not understanding why she said that.

Yinyin herself didn’t understand why those words came out, or why she lashed out at Yang Xiaoyang.

She was her best friend.

But Yinyin didn’t want to apologize, turning her head away instead.

Watching the sulking child, Chen Yutong sighed.

Honestly...

The fact the settlement had ended up like that was 90% because of Yinyin’s father. To say he brought it upon himself would be no exaggeration.

He already held absolute power, yet still craved more. And when someone dangled a tempting bait before him, he bit down without hesitation, even dreaming of using his leverage to play games with the Torch Church far away.

But he never realized the other side didn’t even see him as human. In their lab notes, he wasn’t even given a name. He was a serial number randomly scrawled somewhere.

And yet... She still couldn’t help pitying this child.

Patting the little girl’s head, Chen Yutong said gently, "There are many things in this world we can’t control. It’s not really about our effort or choices. Even if you hadn’t stumbled into that basement, even if you’d done nothing at all, tonight’s events still would have happened."

"I don’t know if saying this will make you feel better, but... at least don’t blame yourself or those around you. You’re all victims. You’re not the ones who should bear responsibility. Your friend was brave enough to save you. If it were me, I would say thank you to her."

After she spoke, Chen Yutong looked at Yang Xiaoyang and said softly, "Can you come with me for a moment? I may need your help."

Yang Xiaoyang glanced anxiously at Yinyin, who still turned her head away without speaking. She didn’t want to leave her friend alone, but she nodded obediently.

"Mm... I’ll help."

Chen Yutong smiled faintly and pushed herself to her feet. "Come with me."