CR CH74

Chapter 74: A Lamp

Federation Calendar, New Era. Base Z01.

In the dark of night, red lights flashed atop several high towers. The artificial intelligence sprites responsible for sentry duty hovered high in the sky, maintaining a rhythmic patrol pattern.

A small flight vessel landed noiselessly at the levitation station. Icy gusts of wind bit at silver strands of hair, and combat boots stepped onto the ground, leaving no sound in the vast, deserted space.

As his figure approached the surveillance zone outside the levitation station, it began to blur, eventually fading completely into the darkness.

When parting ways with Billion, the man had seemed hesitant to speak several times—evidently, the little girl Li Xiao had given him an entirely new angle of thought. Ling Kongmiao hadn’t felt like explaining, choosing instead to pilot his flight vessel away without delay.

The Star Alliance was an independent organization holding the galaxy’s most up-to-date intelligence and technology. Its members’ identities were kept secret, with outside parties able to uncover nothing more than their respective codenames at most.

Several decades ago, after the demise of the Zerg, a brief period of peace was followed by the emergence of various unconventional energy sources throughout the galaxy. Affected by these mutated cores, certain living organisms underwent mutations, which subsequently gave rise to mental bodies.

The Federation suffered devastating losses in this sudden disaster. Back then, people had never encountered mutants or mental bodies; databases were destroyed, and the Federation’s central hub fell. After enduring a apocalyptic baptism, the first generation of the Star Alliance was established, developing methods to combat mutants. The birth of various organizations and associations subsequently accelerated the Federation’s reconstruction.

Initially, the situation remained within control—until a classified experiment shattered that fragile peace. To treat mental domain damage, the Federation established multiple research projects, with E07 being merely one of them.

To this day, no one truly knew what had transpired inside. A hundred researchers lost their lives, and in their place, they created a monster.

Experimental Subject “E07” spiraled out of control. Its terrifying capacity for destruction and regeneration drove that planet to total exhaustion; its power-supplying planetary core was shattered, turning a planet that once glowed with energy into an infamous forbidden zone.

Furthermore, this force continuously reached out toward other planets, accelerating the mutation of both living organisms and mental bodies.

Chief Boris was one of the survivors—the only human to escape alive from the region covered by E07’s domain. During his flight, he met several ability users, including Ling Kongmiao’s master, Lu Hengyi.

Together, they eventually managed to repair a discarded flight vessel and reached a safe planet.

Boris and the ability users brought back more information regarding E07 as the end of the world drew near. The initial special response team was formed spontaneously by the Awakened. Lu Hengyi and a group of Awakened fought it to a standstill for months; exhausted during its weakened phase, E07 retreated back into its lair.

It was not until two years ago that E07 lost control once more. It left its physical form and domain at Fort Xiven, while its mental body parasitized an energy planet to reshape itself, turning that planet into a new hazard star.

With its primary source body missing and too little known information, even the Star Alliance could not pinpoint E07’s exact location, let alone determine what level of monster it had evolved into.

Two years ago at Fort Xiven, Ling Kongmiao’s awakening energy had briefly brushed against E07. He had perceived a certain message—not spoken language, but a form of communication unique to mental bodies.

“Aa… Aaron…” It was deliberately trying to convey a specific message.

He had kept this discovery hidden, ultimately choosing to temporarily join the Star Alliance.

After all, Ling Kongmiao had been left with no choice of faction at the time; every pair of eyes turned toward him was filled with suspicion—including his master’s.

The hour was late, and only a scattered few doctors were on duty in the medical department.

Jiang Tianji’s ward sat at the farthest corner. Ling Kongmiao’s figure materialized near the stairwell, and he rubbed his aching temples.

At this hour, Jiang Tianji should already be asleep. Ling Kongmiao intended to just check on his condition and leave.

His thoughts were still piecing together the intelligence gathered today when he gently pushed open the door—only to unexpectedly meet a pair of tranquil eyes.

A dim lamp burned inside the room. Jiang Tianji was leaning against the bed; upon seeing him enter, his eyes seemed to light up slightly.

Immediately after, he pulled a boxed meal out from under his blanket.

“Have you eaten?” He then pulled a wrapped roll out from the inner lining of his draped jacket. “Technician Jiang brought us some food on his way back from outside. This roll is the tastiest—it’ll get cold if you wait any longer.”

In truth, it wouldn’t—because before it could grow cold, Jiang Tianji would have already finished it off himself.

Ling Kongmiao’s movements paused for two seconds. He closed the door behind him and walked over to the side of the bed.

“…Don’t put food inside your clothes and bedding.”

Before he could finish speaking, a warm roll was stuffed into his hand.

Jiang Tianji had originally prepared a pair of chopsticks as well, but after a second thought, he withdrew them and set the boxed meal aside.

“Never mind, late-night eating causes indigestion easily.”

As he spoke, he turned and rummaged through the inner lining of his jacket once more, handing a warm can of milk to Ling Kongmiao.

“…”

Feeling the item in his hands taken from him, Jiang Tianji blinked in surprise and slowly turned his head.

The person before him was clad in a Chief’s uniform, his cloak resting along the chair onto the floor. Holding a wrapped roll in his hand looked slightly out of place, but what felt even stranger was how quiet he was.

Ling Kongmiao sat on the chair, his gaze cast down toward the floor, looking as though he were lost in a daze.

His expressionless demeanor was even colder than usual. Jiang Tianji used to feel that he looked too distant like this, but seeing him up close today, he felt instead that he was simply a bit tired.

“If I hadn’t come over today, what were you planning to do?”

Ling Kongmiao watched the man shaking out his blanket to air out the food scent, his voice lacking any rise or fall in emotion.

“Nothing much. If you hadn’t come by two, I would’ve just gone to sleep.” Jiang Tianji flicked his tail twice, silently resting it on the armrest near Ling Kongmiao’s thigh as he feigned a aggrieved tone. “Just in case the Chief remembered there was still someone like me in the hospital.”

In truth, it was because the light in the apartment had never turned on, so he was trying his luck.

“I indeed didn’t remember.”

Ling Kongmiao quickly finished the food and walked over to the washroom, the sound of running water blurring his voice.

“I came to see Dr. He. It was on the way.”

As he rinsed his mouth, he splashed water over his face as well. Droplets slid down his neck into his neat collar before he turned off the washroom light and returned to Jiang Tianji’s side.

“Do the soothing session, then sleep.”

“You should rest first.”

The two spoke almost simultaneously.

“No need. I have a report to write; waiting for Dr. He’s medical department to assemble the data will take about two hours.” Ling Kongmiao swept a glance over him and said slowly, “What, feeling in top condition again now?”

Jiang Tianji’s expression remained unchanged: “Young people have good constitutions; our state is pretty variable.”

Ling Kongmiao ignored him. He took off his gloves and was just about to sit by the bed when a tail suddenly wrapped around his waist and pulled him straight into the blanket.

It was very warm inside the bedding, carrying a subtle scent of lemon.

Ling Kongmiao’s head was covered by the blanket, making the sound from above his head sound somewhat muffled.

“There’s still time to rest for a bit right now. I’ll set a timer.”

With Ling Kongmiao’s reaction speed, he could have completely anticipated this movement, but he didn’t refuse.

Jiang Tianji had caught onto his subtle mood today; without digging into the cause, he simply reached out and seized the opportunity first.

The person muffled under the blanket didn’t struggle. After remaining quiet for a moment, he comfortably found the most cozy posture, his long hair spilling across Jiang Tianji’s arms, chest, and stomach, tickling him slightly.

A single hospital bed was somewhat cramped for two adult men, so both lay on their sides.

In the silence, Jiang Tianji lowered his eyes, his dark green gaze fixed unblinkingly on that exposed section of silver hair.

In truth, he understood very clearly that this person’s coldness and indulgence coexisted. Though he gave off the impression tonight that “maybe I am different,” everything would return to its original track by tomorrow morning.

The people around him could never truly get close to him, nor would they become anyone more intimate; once a relationship reached a certain threshold, everyone was shut outside the door.

Yet Jiang Tianji would keep walking forward, because he knew that behind that final door sat Little White.

Ji Yandong had come today to give him a reminder; Jiang Tianji knew what they were worried about.

Ling Kongmiao’s story and motives weren’t things Jiang Tianji cared too deeply about.

If he had wanted to harm him, there had been far too many opportunities over all these years—not to mention that his own motives weren’t entirely pure either.

Emotions were intangible, elusive things, and Jiang Tianji’s execution ability had always outweighed his mental simulations.

His feelings didn’t really need nourishment in the name of love; he only needed a direction to grow strong and tall.

Only when firmly grasping onto something did new possibilities arise for everything; there were certain things he didn’t know whether he’d succeed in doing, but doing nothing guaranteed failure.

Just like right now, as he held onto Ling Kongmiao, the warmth in his arms was real and tangible.

As it happened, Ling Kongmiao’s attitude toward him was more akin to playing some “single-player nurture game.” He would invest time and energy to look after him, yet he didn’t require him to cross “boundaries” to respond.

However, once crossing boundaries actually occurred, he had to admit that he was somewhat special. Ling Kongmiao was willing to leave some room as leeway—and that was indeed indulgence.

Jiang Tianji knew full well what lay behind that indulgence; in his preset plan, he was a designated component.

Yet, just like Jiang Tianji’s attitude toward Jiang Yan—even though he was well aware that behind familial affection there might exist certain impurities, he would never deny the feeling itself. He believed that if he could fulfill and accept the conditions set by the other party, it couldn’t be counted as a mere motive.

Ling Kongmiao exercised control and guidance over him, as if holding him in his palm to examine.

He possessed a desire for control, yet he wouldn’t allow Jiang Tianji to rely solely on him. Most of the time, he watched coolly from the sidelines, yet he could always reach out in time to save Jiang Tianji from danger.

At certain moments, he felt Jiang Tianji should belong to him and listen to him, yet when Jiang Tianji truly tried to draw closer, he would stop him again.

He hoped Jiang Tianji could stay outside the safety line, but Ling Kongmiao wouldn’t scold him harshly.

He would simply stand on the other side of the line. Whenever Jiang Tianji drew near, he would reach out, tap his forehead gently, and issue a warning.

“That’s far enough.”

If Jiang Tianji stubbornly pressed forward, that line wouldn’t cut him either. It would become soft and elastic; Ling Kongmiao would tacitly allow his embrace, yet when enough time had passed, he would still push him back to his original place.

His words were direct and sharp, devoid of any possibility for tact when stating objective facts. Thus, whenever he suddenly softened and became less sharp, it left behind traces of personal bias.

It was as if he were saying: This is all I can give; do not dream of more.

The breathing of the person beside him gradually became even. Jiang Tianji moved his fingers and gently pulled back the blanket.

What first met his eyes was slightly messy long hair. From this angle, Ling Kongmiao’s nose was straight and high, the shape of his lips just right, and his long eyelashes cast a small shadow.

When the reality that Ling Kongmiao had fallen asleep by his side truly set in, Jiang Tianji’s heart still embarrassingly skipped two beats.

He leaned in a little closer, a strand of hair coiled around his hand.

If I want to kiss you, when the time is right, I will seize every opportunity.

If I want something to happen between us, I will draw closer step by step until I achieve my goal.

Observing your reactions is to better understand you—to easily grasp the degree of playing obedient—not because of what kind of ‘you’ I need.

Jiang Tianji said softly, “Don’t be too permissive with me. If you allow it, I will keep coming closer.”

Jiang Tianji was not the type to quit while he was ahead; those words to him were merely temporary pretense. He wanted more.

He wanted a day when this person, who held no lingering attachment to anyone, would hesitate and pause when turning away—he wanted him to develop a lingering attachment to him.

In the silence, two breathing rhythms gradually grew long and even.

Just as the timer was about to ring, a hand reached out first to turn it off. Ling Kongmiao sluggishly opened his eyes, gazing at the sleeping person before him.

A device suddenly lit up. Ling Kongmiao got up, his hair slipping away from Jiang Tianji’s loosely clenched palm.

• Dr. He:Leader Ling, the data has been compiled. I’ll have someone send it over to your apartment right away.
• Ling:No need, I’ll be right over.

The other side seemed somewhat surprised, asking a rare extra question.

• Dr. He:It’s so late, is Leader Ling rushing over from the apartment?
• Ling:I happen to be at the medical department.

Putting away the device, Ling Kongmiao stood by the bed and casually turned off the room’s sole light source. He didn’t leave immediately, his gaze resting on Jiang Tianji, lost in unknown thoughts.

After a long moment, he raised his hand and gently brushed away the stray hairs on his forehead.