FT DR Chapter 88: The Advancing Commander

Chapter 88: The Advancing Commander

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

Wu Chenghe had embarked on a luxurious prenatal life in Tungusic. After spending a week in the hospital, Doctor Luther announced that his body was fine and he could be discharged. So, he was escorted by his chief mentor—Hans, who was responsible for his daily learning and life—to his exclusive dormitory.

The dormitory was a decommissioned amphibious starship of over two hundred years, made entirely of metal, ancient yet rich in texture. Of course, such a ship couldn’t fly anymore, so the engines and main control systems had been removed, and all compartments were transformed into beautiful rooms with warm wallpapers and simple wooden furniture. Just like the decoration style in other parts of Tungusic, it exuded an elegant rustic atmosphere.

To accommodate his physical condition, the ship was a single-level structure, eliminating the need for climbing stairs. Under Hans’ guidance, Wu Chenghe inputted his iris for the door access control. As he entered, he noticed that all the steps inside the ship were covered with fine velvet, and the corners were padded with soft rubber mats. He couldn’t help but marvel at the meticulousness and thoughtfulness of the guide school towards them, quasi-prisoners. The level of care was comparable to that of a high-end restaurant.

“The bedroom is in the main cabin, the study is in the auxiliary cabin, and there’s also a guest cabin for your friends to stay in if they visit,” Hans explained to him. 

Wu Chenghe was a bit surprised. “I can have friends visit me?”

“Only within the school premises,” Hans shrugged. “For others, you can only contact them via holographic calls. But I must remind you that all your conversations will be archived and kept for life. Of course, under normal circumstances, nobody has the right to access this data unless authorized by the principal in case of emergencies.”

“Oh,” Wu Chenghe was somewhat disappointed, then asked, “Will the letters I send to the president also be archived?”

“No,” Hans shook his head. “Any messages involving military and political secrets will have surveillance disabled upon receiving notice from superiors.”

Wu Chenghe nodded. Hans opened the door to the main cabin. “The daily necessities in the bedroom are standard. In the wardrobe, there are various clothes tailored for you. We follow the Dunkirk time system, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. On weekdays, when attending public courses, you must wear the school uniform. On weekends and during individual lessons, you can dress as you like, but it mustn’t be too extravagant or revealing.”

Wu Chenghe opened the wardrobe and found it predominantly blue and white, with ten sets of school uniforms, ten sets of casual clothes, and ten sets of formal wear. Each jacket had a blue cross emblem embroidered on the left chest, even more monotonous than the military.

This was for uniformity and obedience, to eliminate any sense of difference among students. Wu Chenghe frowned. The ideological education of the guide school was indeed pervasive.

“This is the study, also your individual classroom,” Hans led him to the next compartment, which was larger than the main cabin, connected by two small cabins. In the center of the room was a circular platform resembling a table. Hans brushed over it, and a holographic schedule appeared, “This is the timetable I’ve arranged for you. I’ve reviewed your transcripts from basic school and medical school, discussed with the principal, and temporarily placed you at level thirteen, majoring in medicine.”

Wu Chenghe glanced over the schedule and found that most of it was a continuation of what he had studied during university, while some were subjects he had never encountered before, such as consciousness and psychological soothing. There was also an elective course every Friday afternoon, where he could join clubs and interact with other guides.

“The medical courses are one-on-one, taught by me and seven other professors, right here in this study room,” Hans explained. “Guide professional courses are public courses, and you will attend them with other thirteenth-level guides at the main school.”

Wu Chenghe nodded. Then he asked, “Who teaches the guide professional courses? As far as I know, all the teachers here are ordinary people. Can ordinary people teach this?”

“Senior guides teach junior guides. The professional courses for thirteenth-level guides are taught by fifteenth-level guides,” Hans shrugged. “Guides are scarce. Once they graduate, they immediately marry, so we can’t keep a few behind as teachers.”

Wu Chenghe nodded understandingly. Hans asked, “So, how do you feel about this arrangement? If you have any objections, you can raise them. I’ll need to submit the modifications before this afternoon for approval and arrange the teachers.”

“No, no objections,” Wu Chenghe said. After a moment of thought, he asked, “Are there no physical fitness courses?”

“Oh, there are, but your body isn’t suitable for physical training right now,” Hans said. “Ordinary guides have two physical fitness classes per week and can also join sports clubs. But due to your physical limitations, the intensity of exercise can’t be too high. We’ll arrange it for you once you… become ordinary.”

Wu Chenghe fell silent. “Become ordinary” referred to “severance” later on.

During his week-long hospitalization, the investigation team had spoken to him more than a dozen times, but he consistently refused to mention Jin Xuan’s name. They checked his terminal communication records, investigated his social network at school, and even looked into Gabriel School, but to no avail—Jin Xuan had maintained excellent secrecy, leaving no traces online, and his own remarkable suggestive abilities ensured that even the few times he was seen on dates by his roommate Kikujiro were erased from memory afterwards.

The only thing he worried about was Hannibal, but Jin Zhe had assured him that he would take care of it, and he trusted he would.

“Alright,” Wu Chenghe said lightly, “shall we start tomorrow then?”

Hans had been utterly speechless at his unyielding attitude over the past two days. It seemed impossible to get him to reveal Sentinel’s name, so he didn’t bother asking anymore—after all, once the children were born, they would undergo “severance,” and that person would inevitably become a dead man sooner or later.

“Yes, today you can rest and familiarize yourself with the surroundings,” Hans said. “There are twelve independent dormitories in this area, and you can also get to know other guides.”

“Let’s talk about it when classes start,” Wu Chenghe shook his head with waning enthusiasm. “I’m tired and want to sleep.”

“…Now? You just got up an hour ago,” Hans exclaimed.

“I’m not feeling well,” Wu Chenghe, now fully versed in the survival mode of the guide school, shamelessly rebuffed anything he didn’t want to hear or anyone he didn’t want to see, “My stomach hurts.”

“Should I call a doctor?” Hans asked with concern.

“No, I just want to sleep,” Wu Chenghe, who had recently pretended to bend over and hold his stomach when facing the investigation team, now couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore. He looked at Hans expressionlessly, giving him a triumphant look.

“…Alright,” Hans was helpless and could only leave. “I’ll be here at nine tomorrow morning to start your classes on time.”

As the door closed, the dormitory fell silent. Wu Chenghe wandered through the various rooms, lying down on the sofa in the living room, flipping through his personal terminal. Whether it was due to network blockage or Jin Xuan’s busyness, he hadn’t received any messages from unknown numbers all week. He felt a bit disappointed, but also somewhat relieved. After all, he was under tight surveillance now. If any messages he received were discovered and traced back, it could bring disaster to Jin Xuan.

But he was more worried about whether Jin Xuan would encounter any accidents at Tianque Spaceport, or if he would learn about his situation and cause trouble out of madness—suppressing the possessiveness brought by the mark was already very difficult. If Jin Xuan found out he had been sent to the guide school, he would definitely go crazy.

Hopefully, Jin Zhe could keep him under control.

The next day, classes started as scheduled. It had to be said that the teachers at the guide school were very reliable. The eight professors who taught him medical courses were all highly skilled, including Hans, who seemed careless but was actually a master. Wu Chenghe had a good foundation to begin with, and since it was one-on-one teaching, his learning efficiency was higher than when he was in medical school. Almost every medical assignment he turned in became a model for thirteenth-level students.

However, his performance in guide public courses was somewhat disappointing.

In his first “Consciousness” class, Wu Chenghe sat in the same classroom with eight other thirteenth-level students. The lecturer was a fifteen-level squirrel guide, a very elegant and gentle girl.

Her voice was melodious and gentle. After explaining a section of consciousness control theory to everyone, she turned to Wu Chenghe and said, “You’ve missed six classes of the thirteenth level. Hans said I should give you extra lessons on weekends. Now I want to feel your consciousness cloud with my own consciousness to get to know you better and make a plan for extra lessons.”

Wu Chenghe nodded. She was probably instructed by Hans to be very gentle with him. “Don’t be afraid, relax, I won’t harm you.”

“It’s okay,” Wu Chenghe said. In fact, since he entered this classroom, he had scanned everyone’s consciousness clouds. This habit was formed at Mu’s place—as an invisible guide, he had to familiarize himself with the distribution of consciousness clouds around him as soon as possible in order to better hide himself. But because of his strong concealment and suggestive abilities, no one else felt his probing.

After scanning, he basically confirmed that there was no one here stronger than him, including this fifteen-level squirrel guide. This puzzled him greatly. According to reason, they were all registered guides who had received consciousness training from a young age. Why were they not as good as this weakling who had awakened at seventeen?

This was unscientific!

“Okay, here I come.” The squirrel guide smiled and looked into his eyes, her pupils gradually becoming vertical. Wu Chenghe felt a vibration coming from the higher-dimensional space. He closed his eyes and “saw” her extend two slender mental tendrils, slowly approaching to probe his consciousness cloud.

Her power was very gentle, almost weak. Wu Chenghe found it even more strange. After hesitating for a moment, he also extended two mental tendrils to try to connect with her, sensing her power—this was mutual evaluation. She was evaluating him by the standards of the guide school, and he could also evaluate the overall level of registered guides by the standards of Mu.

However, just as he made contact with her, he suddenly heard a light exclamation. Then, the squirrel guide withdrew her tendrils abruptly, took a step back, and looked at him in astonishment.

“What’s wrong?” Wu Chenghe opened his eyes, puzzled. 

The squirrel guide frowned and said, “Your aggressiveness is too strong.”

Wu Chenghe was taken aback. He was very precise in controlling his consciousness because Mu often trained him with bizarre methods. Just now, he had only used a little resistance. This was almost his instinct—any guide would show resistance when someone tried to attack them. Was that considered “aggressiveness”?

“You shouldn’t do that,” the squirrel guide said worriedly. “We are guides. The cultivation of consciousness should focus on healing and soothing, not on excessive aggressiveness. It’s very dangerous.”

“Oh…” Wu Chenghe was a bit puzzled. “Dangerous? Do you mean it affects one’s stability?”

“Of course not,” the squirrel guide exclaimed, wide-eyed. “It’s dangerous for the sentinel. Our mission is to soothe the sentinel, not to attack others. You must remember this, otherwise, you’ll go down the wrong path.”

Had Mu already led him down the wrong path? Wu Chenghe spartanized for a moment and asked, “Without aggressiveness, how do we protect ourselves?”

“We can defend ourselves,” the squirrel guide said, also puzzled. “And the sentinel will protect us.”

Wu Chenghe realized the problem. As a wild guide, his worldview was not on the same level as that of domesticated guides. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “But consciousness is a talent, and resistance is innate, like a reflex. When someone attacks me, I can’t not fight back.”

“So that’s why we have the course ‘Consciousness Control Theory’,” the squirrel guide explained patiently. “As a qualified guide, you must control your aggressiveness and strengthen your healing power, so that you can better assist the sentinel. This is the foundation of our guide’s existence, classmate.”

“Is that so?” Wu Chenghe couldn’t understand this strange theory. Wasn’t it like self-castration?

“Of course,” the squirrel guide said earnestly. “Do you know about the ‘Cocktail Case’?”

Wu Chenghe nodded. She continued, “It was because of the aggressive variant in the Cocktail Case that caused public panic and rejection of guides, leading to the ‘Massacre.’ Over the decades, after the diligent research of successive teachers, the school has developed this education method to suppress aggressiveness and cultivate healing power, gradually making people accept our existence. So do you understand, classmate? Excessive aggressiveness is very dangerous and can cause panic among ordinary people, threatening the safety of sentinels. Once there is another similar tragedy, all guides will be questioned by society!”

Wu Chenghe finally understood the squirrel guide’s words after great difficulty. He struggled to digest it and said, “So, do you believe that the root cause of the ‘Massacre’ is the aggressiveness of guides?”

“Not entirely, it’s also related to societal misunderstandings,” the squirrel guide said, a little displeased with his reaction. “But since we’ve come to the guide school to enjoy the protection and cultivation of the Federation, we should repay the Federation, shouldn’t we? Guides with too much aggressiveness cannot graduate because they are too dangerous for sentinels.”

Wu Chenghe nodded. He finally understood what the school’s education was all about and why Monica had become like that. He asked, “So what should I do if I’m already like this? My aggressiveness is innate.”

“That’s a problem, but we’ll help you,” the squirrel guide said softly. “The course ‘Control Theory’ will teach you how to resolve your aggressiveness and become a competent guide.”

“Oh…” Wu Chenghe swallowed hard and asked again, “But what if I don’t want to eliminate my aggressiveness?”

“How can that be?” The squirrel guide was astonished. “Even with submissive bonds, you may still harm your sentinel. That’s very dangerous…” She went on and on, essentially brainwashing Wu Chenghe, making him accept the theory that “weak guides are good guides.”

Wu Chenghe listened carefully for a long time and finally said, “As a guide, I can refrain from attacking others, but I must have the ability to defend myself.” Then he turned to the other classmates and asked, “What do you think?”

The eight 13th-level guides looked at each other. Most of them shook their heads, but there were a few with hesitant expressions in their eyes. Wu Chenghe guessed that they might have been sent here a little later and still had hope.

The squirrel guide couldn’t convince him and felt very frustrated. She said, “I will communicate with Teacher Hans. You may need to take some additional courses in guide philosophy.”

Wu Chenghe didn’t know what guide philosophy was, but he guessed it was similar to studying Marxism-Leninism or philosophy. However, his values were already formed, so these things might not be useful to him.

That night, after returning home, Wu Chenghe thought for a long time. He realized that what Jin Zhe had said to him was absolutely right. These captive guides couldn’t survive if they were released. They were like birds with clipped wings or castrated cats, only suitable as pets, not as independent individuals.

They had been subjected to distorted ideological education from the beginning, just like women in the old society studying “Women’s Virtue.” It wasn’t about becoming outstanding women; it was about becoming submissive and conforming to male values. Even if men abused and insulted them, they wouldn’t question male authority but would instead blame themselves and become more obedient and submissive.

It had been fifty years since the Massacre, and while the outside world recognized guides as victims, the guides themselves still felt guilty. It was truly absurd…

How could this situation be changed? Wu Chenghe pondered anxiously. How were women liberated in the past? It seemed to be through education? Yes, only by receiving the same education as men could they possibly achieve the same social status as men.

So, the professional courses at the guide school really needed to be reformed. Wu Chenghe thought deep into the night and finally got up to write the first email to Jin Zhe, suggesting that he organize some experts in guide psychology and even some married guides to discuss and revise the current guide education system. The Massacre had ended fifty years ago, and it was time to drastically change the teaching philosophy.

Keeping up with the times was indeed a universally applicable truth. Long live our party!

After sending the email, Wu Chenghe lay in bed, thinking again about Mu’s teaching theory for him. Compared to the guide school, he focused more on defense and attack. Sometimes he even mentioned “control.” Control to a certain extent could counteract submission. Although few guides were powerful enough to do this, it wasn’t impossible.

Wu Chenghe hesitated. Could he suggest to the president to include some of Mu’s training methods in the curriculum he had just proposed? No, he couldn’t put Mu in danger. Or could he include some of Mu’s training methods in the curriculum in his own name? No, he was just a student. Proposing theories that contradicted the current system wouldn’t be accepted.

Wu Chenghe tossed and turned, and it was only in the middle of the night that he gradually fell asleep. It seemed like he had only dozed off when the alarm clock woke him up.

The first class in the morning was pharmacology, taught by Hans. Wu Chenghe freshened up, ate breakfast, and went to the study room for class. However, Hans didn’t open the courseware as usual. Instead, he said, “I heard that in your consciousness control class yesterday, you expressed some views on aggressiveness.”

“Oh, yes,” Wu Chenghe said. “I believe guides shouldn’t eliminate aggressiveness.”

Hans nodded. “I understand your thoughts, especially since you grew up outside. In fact, we’re not advocating the elimination of aggressiveness, but rather emphasizing defense and healing. Once you reach level 16, we also introduce some courses on aggressiveness. By then, the guides’ worldview has formed, and they’ve completed their studies in guide philosophy, so learning about aggressiveness will be much safer.”

“Oh,” Wu Chenghe recalled the day when the guides hunted him down. Their aggressiveness was still quite effective. With ten people working together and using interference waves, they almost took him down. It seemed that even Monica was wary of Chen Zhen. Overall, their learning objective was still to serve the sentinel, not themselves.

“So, you don’t need to resist too much. At this stage, just focus on learning control first. Only by controlling yourself can you control your aggressiveness,” Hans said, opening the course schedule and adding a course called “Guide Philosophy” on Friday afternoon. He continued, “This course may help change some of your ideas.”

“Okay,” Wu Chenghe could only accept it.

Regardless, that day he spoke some words in class that had leaked out, especially his famous quote – “I may not hit you, but I must reserve the ability to do so”, which many people found amusing. Some junior guides and those who arrived later resonated with his theory quite a bit, coming over on weekends specifically to discuss with him.

Wu Chenghe enjoyed discussing this issue with them, tirelessly chatting and promoting his theories. Not only were these kids quite interesting, but they also didn’t necessarily support him, yet they would propose many interesting ideas. Wu Chenghe often found himself inspired by them, incorporating their thoughts into his own and sending them back to Jin Zhe. The homework assignments kept getting longer each time.

Monica came to see him once as well, listening to him chatting with others, and suddenly said, “Brother, since you get along so well, why not organize a club? Then you can fix a time to hold a salon, no need for you to come today, and me tomorrow, back and forth, you have to repeat things several times.”

Wu Chenghe couldn’t open up to her as before, but he didn’t reject her coming to see him either. Hearing her suggestion, he was intrigued and said, “Would that work? Do we need to inform the school to establish a club?”

“No need,” Monica said, “Just post a recruitment notice on the intranet bulletin board. If there’s anything inappropriate, the school will delete it within half an hour. If it’s not deleted, it means it’s approved.”

Starting a club seemed like a good idea, much easier than adding courses. Wu Chenghe thought the suggestion was excellent, so he posted an announcement on the intranet that very day, intending to establish a club focusing on “aggressive control” to exchange control experiences with everyone.

Considering his excessive aggression, he indeed needed some control. Hans was very pleased with his humble attitude seeking advice and readily approved it, secretly sighing that teaching “Guide Philosophy” recently hadn’t been in vain.

Two weeks later, Wu Chenghe’s club had over thirty members. On the surface, everyone gathered because they couldn’t control their aggressiveness well, but privately, they tacitly understood each other, exchanging experiences based on the principle of “I won’t attack unless provoked,” striving to become as fierce as the leader.

Wu Chenghe felt like a cult leader, somewhat enjoying the feeling of manipulating the situation and subverting the norm. The only thing worrying him was that Jin Xuan’s return, nearing in March of the pregnancy term, was getting closer and closer…

 

 

 

 

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