First Interstellar Guide Chapter 39: Yu Ran’s Origins

Chapter 39: Yu Ran’s Origins

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

This was the most peaceful sleep Lu Zexuan had had in years. In the latter half of the night, he didn’t dream anymore and slept until dawn. The ample rest left Lu Zexuan feeling refreshed. When he woke up in the morning and found Yu Ran still asleep, he took the initiative to go to the cafeteria to buy breakfast for Yu Ran.

Lu Zexuan wandered around the buffet in the cafeteria and finally decided to buy Yu Ran’s favorite dessert – freshly baked strawberry cake.

Yu Ran woke up at eight o’clock. Just as he finished washing his face, Lu Zexuan opened the door and came in, placing breakfast on the table, saying, “The cafeteria was crowded this morning, so I brought breakfast for you. Come and eat.”

Yu Ran wiped his face clean and walked to the dining room. The breakfast Lu Zexuan brought back was quite lavish, with steaming hot milk, millet porridge, fried eggs, beef noodle rolls, steamed buns, and a large portion of… strawberry cake?

Yu Ran couldn’t help but get a headache when he saw the cake. He had almost developed a psychological shadow from having a cake every week at the guide academy.

Yu Ran glanced over the food on the table, intending to reach for a steamed bun, but Lu Zexuan took it away and considerately pushed the cake in front of Yu Ran, saying, “This is for you.”

Yu Ran was speechless.

“Can I swap with you?”

Before Yu Ran could speak, Lu Zexuan swiftly ate the steamed bun.

Yu Ran shifted his target and wanted to eat the beef noodle roll, but Lu Zexuan also skillfully picked up the chopsticks to grab it. The speed of a sentinel was faster than that of a guide. Just as Yu Ran lifted his chopsticks, the delicious-looking beef noodle roll was taken by Lu Zexuan.

Yu Ran was speechless.

Can’t I have a proper meal?

Lu Zexuan noticed that Yu Ran’s eyes had been on his beef noodle roll the whole time and finally realized his intention. He asked gently, “Do you want this?”

Yu Ran nodded, “I want to try.”

Lu Zexuan generously gave it to him, “This kind of noodle is eaten with sauce, it’s a bit salty in taste. I thought you didn’t like it.”

Yu Ran cleared his throat and explained, “My taste is quite diverse.”

Lu Zexuan was somewhat surprised, “Really? What else do you like to eat?”

“Spicy hot pot, saucy chicken legs, spicy beef, and so on.” Yu Ran found these tastes to be quite different from “desserts” and added, “I’m not really picky, I can eat anything. So, you don’t have to keep picking sweets for me in the future. Eating too many sweets can make you fat.”

Meeting Yu Ran’s sincere gaze, Lu Zexuan nodded, indicating that he remembered.

Yu Ran breathed a sigh of relief. After finishing the beef noodle roll, he pretended to enjoy eating the cake – hoping that Lu Zexuan would understand his meaning and not bring cream cakes to his table again.

***

After breakfast, Lu Zexuan changed into his military uniform, preparing to go out. Yu Ran asked, puzzled, “There’s no mission today, right? Where are you going?” 

Lu Zexuan remained silent for a moment, as if determined, then looked at Yu Ran, “Go change into your uniform, I’ll take you somewhere.” 

Obediently, Yu Ran turned to change into his uniform, adjusting his hat in front of the mirror, and followed Lu Zexuan out.

The hovercar drove out of the White Tower and onto the aerial highway. It was raining heavily outside, with few pedestrians on the streets and fewer vehicles than usual. Lu Zexuan activated the automatic navigation system as raindrops rhythmically drummed against the glass window. The capital planet, shrouded in heavy rain, seemed cloaked in mist.

Yu Ran watched outside without asking where they were going. However, as the surroundings became increasingly unfamiliar, a hint of unease crept into Yu Ran’s heart. The car continued to the outskirts, then onto a mountain road leading into the hills.

Yu Ran finally couldn’t help but ask, “Where are we going?” 

Lu Zexuan replied, “To the Martyrs Cemetery.” 

Yu Ran was speechless. ——The Martyrs Cemetery in Nanshan, a place specifically for burying martyrs by the Federal Military Department.

Located in a remote suburb, the Martyrs Cemetery was rarely visited except during major memorial events like Qingming Festival. Especially today, with the heavy rain, there were no signs of anyone along the way, not even small animals, making it seem isolated from the world.

Though remote, the environment was serene and lush, suitable for the martyrs’ rest. Yu Ran quickly adjusted his expression and curiously asked, “Are you here to pay respects to someone?” 

Lu Zexuan’s voice carried a hint of hoarseness, “The former Captain of the Eagle Special Forces. Tomorrow the special forces team will be heading out for a mission to a very remote galaxy, and we might not be able to return to the capital planet for a long time. So, I wanted to bring you to see him before we leave.”

“Oh,” Yu Ran didn’t inquire further. Who exactly was the former Captain of the Eagle Special Forces? Yu Ran hadn’t heard of him. Lu Zexuan’s intention to visit before departure was understandable, so Yu Ran complied.

The car soon arrived at the parking lot atop the mountain. In the distance, amidst the downpour, the entire cemetery was shrouded in thick mist, resembling a fairyland. Lu Zexuan opened a large umbrella, took a bouquet of flowers from the back of the car, handed Yu Ran an umbrella, and led him into the cemetery.

One tombstone after another stood silently in the rain, the entire cemetery exuding solemnity. Each tombstone was inscribed with the name of the deceased in golden letters, commemorating their meritorious service to the Federation. Some were generals who had sacrificed themselves centuries ago to quell rebellions.

Yu Ran’s expression became solemn as he held the umbrella, silently following Lu Zexuan. Along the path, they finally reached the corner where Lu Zexuan intended to pay his respects.

Yu Ran looked down at the tombstone – the sentinel in the photograph looked young, with a carefree smile, handsome and spirited, somewhat resembling Lu Zexuan. He wore the black and gold uniform of the Eagle Special Forces, exuding vitality.

Below the photo, it read: Major General Lu Cheng’an of the Eagle Legion.

Major General Lu Cheng’an? Yu Ran’s heart skipped a beat. Surname Lu? Could he be related to Lu Zexuan? Sure enough, Lu Zexuan spoke softly, “He’s my cousin. We grew up together like brothers. He was only four years older than me. The year he sacrificed… he was only twenty-five.”

Lu Zexuan paused, lowered his eyes, and gently placed the flowers in front of the grave. Yu Ran didn’t know the reason for this “former Captain’s” sacrifice, but for Lu Zexuan, it must have been a heavy blow.

Lu Zexuan bowed deeply in front of the tombstone, “Brother, I’ve come to see you.”

Rain fell on the umbrella, and the world seemed to be filled only with the sound of rain. Yu Ran looked at Lu Zexuan’s back, his emotions complex. Twenty-five years old, the prime of life, yet died young. His family must have been very sad, right?

Lu Zexuan introduced softly, “By the way, the person I brought to see you today is called Yu Ran. He’s the new guide of our Eagle Special Forces… He’s an exceptionally talented guide. Rest assured, I’ll take good care of him.” 

Upon hearing this, Yu Ran whispered in agreement, “General, rest assured, I’ll also take care of Major Lu.”

Lu Zexuan’s heart warmed slightly at this, and he turned to look at Yu Ran, “Let’s go.” 

The two left the tombstone of Major General Lu Cheng’an and walked forward for a while, suddenly seeing a military hovercar entering the parking lot, bearing the insignia of the Starlight Legion. A female general got out of the car and quickly walked towards the depths of the cemetery.

Lu Zexuan looked at her back and said, “That’s General Xie from the Starlight Legion.” 

Yu Ran looked up, “Is she also here to pay respects to someone?” 

Lu Zexuan replied, “She should be here to pay respects to her sister… Oh right, today seems to be her sister’s memorial day.”

Yu Ran clenched his fists tightly at his side, pretending to be curious, “Her sister?”

Lu Zexuan explained, “The former Legion Commander of the Starlight Legion, General Xie Xi. Five years ago, when she led her team on a mission, they were ambushed by galactic creatures, and the entire reconnaissance battalion of the Starlight Legion was wiped out. General Xie and her husband also perished in that disaster.”

Yu Ran’s nails almost pierced his palms, “It sounds horrific. How could they be suddenly ambushed?”

Lu Zexuan regretfully said, “There were no survivors at the scene, and with the starship destroyed, no one knows what happened that year.”

Yu Ran fell silent.

In the distance, Xie Chen arrived at a tombstone.

There were two photos on the tombstone. The female sentinel wore a deep blue military uniform, her neat short hair accentuating her elegant features and heroic posture; next to her, the male guide had a gentle smile and a refined temperament, the two of them looking very compatible.

There were a few lines of inscription on the tombstone:

Major General Xie Xi of the Federal Starlight Legion

Professor Qin Luo of the Federal Central Academy of Sciences

Joint burial tomb

May 10, Year 494 of the Star Calendar, respectfully erected by Xie Chen

Xie Chen looked at the words on the tombstone, her voice somewhat hoarse, “It’s been five years. Sister, brother-in-law, I know your spirits have not yet found peace, but rest assured, I will find out the truth of that year and give you justice.”

She bowed deeply in front of the tombstone, her spirit body, a deep-sea giant shark, hung its head low in sorrow, quietly lying beside the tombstone.

In the pouring rain, Lu Zexuan quietly led Yu Ran away.

After Xie Chen paid respects to her sister, she turned around and unexpectedly saw two people walking side by side towards the cemetery gate. One of them was a tall sentinel with a bar and a star insignia on his shoulder, whom she immediately recognized as Major General Lu Zexuan of the Eagle Legion.

The other person’s uniform had no rank insignia, obviously a newcomer to the Eagle Legion.

Xie Chen saw his profile, he had a slender figure, handsome features, and seemed just of age, with the unmistakable greenness of a new recruit, yet his posture was upright and dignified, the demeanor of a soldier seemed to have already been ingrained in him.

In a trance, she thought she saw that person. But upon closer inspection, she realized he had a pair of black and red heterochromatic pupils, nothing like the youth in her memory. Xie Chen was taken aback and murmured, “It’s not him… he died a long time ago.”

Without further thought, she turned and left the cemetery.

Two hovercars met at the foot of the mountain, Lu Zexuan took the initiative to give way to General Xie, and Xie Chen also nodded friendly greetings to Lu Zexuan.

Watching the vehicles disappear into the rain, Yu Ran whispered, “General Xie became Legion Commander at such a young age?”

Lu Zexuan said, “After General Xie’s sister sacrificed herself, as an S-rank sentinel and the heir of the Xie family, only she could take on the role of Legion Commander of the Starlight Legion to convince everyone. Although she is young, I heard she’s strict in military discipline and cares for her subordinates. The people of the Starlight Legion all respect her.”

Yu Ran looked at Lu Zexuan and asked, “Do you know much about the Starlight Legion?”

Lu Zexuan shook his head, “Not really. The President is worried about the military factions, so he avoids the high-ranking officers of the various legions from mingling. Apart from the annual military conference, the generals of the major legions rarely meet each other.”

Yu Ran pretended to ask curiously, “What kind of person was General Xie Xi? Do you know?”

Lu Zexuan thought for a moment and said, “I saw General Xie at the military conference when I was a child. She was a resolute female general, and her spirit body was a red wolf king burning with flames. Such a spirit body is rare, much more ferocious than ordinary wolves. She’s an S-rank sentinel and is said to have evolved the ability to control flames.”

Yu Ran paused and asked, “What about her husband?”

Lu Zexuan said, “Her husband was a guide, always mysterious, and no one has seen his spirit body. He was the top disciple of Professor Morvi of the Federal Central Academy of Sciences, studying genetics it seems. I’m not sure about the rest.”

No one has seen him because he has an extremely strong invisibility ability.

Yu Ran lowered his eyes. If he showed no curiosity and didn’t ask anything about these legendary stories, it would raise suspicions.

Suddenly, Lu Zexuan seemed to remember something and said, “By the way, I heard that General Xie Xi and Professor Qin Luo had a son, who was born in the same year and month as me. He was a highly talented guide. Unfortunately, five years ago, he perished with his parents.”

“Really?” Yu Ran murmured, “The whole family perished, it’s really tragic.”

Lu Zexuan looked at Yu Ran, who was gazing out the window. The shadow cast by the rain-drenched glass was somewhat blurred. Although Lu Zexuan couldn’t sense emotions as keenly as a guide, he still felt…

Yu Ran seemed a bit upset.

Concerned, Lu Zexuan asked, “Yu Ran? What’s wrong?”

Yu Ran replied, “It’s nothing, just being in a place like this cemetery and hearing so many stories about the predecessors, it feels a bit heavy.”

Lu Zexuan said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought you here.”

Yu Ran turned to him, smiling and waving his hand, “It’s okay, I’m glad you brought me here, to pay respects to these heroes… This is my first time at a martyr’s cemetery. The trees here are lush, and the tombstones are well-maintained. They are all taken care of very well.”

That statement was a bit strange. They? Did he mean all the martyrs?

Lu Zexuan didn’t dwell on it, starting the car and saying quietly, “Let’s go back. Get ready, we leave tomorrow.”

Yu Ran murmured in agreement and didn’t say anything else.

Yes, their tombstones were well-maintained. But their restless spirits must not have found peace yet. One day, he would root out the mastermind behind it all. He would use that person’s boiling blood to pay tribute to the countless heroes of the Starlight Legion!

There were survivors from that disaster five years ago. It’s just that the enemy’s power was too overwhelming, able to wipe out the entire reconnaissance battalion of the Starlight Legion, even destroy the main starship… It was also that disaster that made them realize the horror of the enemy. So, the survivors had no choice but to go into hiding and begin executing a special plan.

Lu Zexuan, at the military conference that year, I was there too. You probably don’t remember, there was a kid hiding in the corner stealing chicken legs, who had a chance encounter with you. I was also at the graduation ball that year. Accidentally cut my finger, brushed past you, and you caught the scent of guide essence. We were born in the same year and month. I never thought that after so many years, we would meet again in such a way.