He and It Chapter 109: Utopia (5)

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Chapter 109: Utopia (5)

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: GaeaTiamat

 

Gu Xingqiao awoke slowly from a deep, sound sleep, and lay flat on his back with his eyes open for three seconds.

Gu Xingqiao closed his eyes again indifferently.

He didn’t know what the room he was sleeping in looked like, and decided that he couldn’t know what it looked like. When Gu Xingqiao had opened his eyes, all he could see was the apex of the ceiling which was overflowing with a variety of bizarre colors. From the most gorgeous golden yellow, the most dazzling turquoise, to the most passionate orange-red, the coldest sky blue and purples…There was no harmony of light and dark and no mixing of shades. It was as if the designer simply put all those bright and blinding colors randomly onto a surface.

It was no different than blowing up a messy palette of colors, with all those tumbling and meandering pigments that spread in confusing layers, like a big, dirty, twisted flower that could shock the enemy to the core.

Stupid warship.

After a night of feverish slumber, Gu Xingqiao’s mind was very clear thanks to the effect of the medicine and sufficient sleep. Therefore, his insults to Tian Yuan also became more sincere.

“You’re awake.” Tian Yuan’s voice came out of the clock above the bed. “Come find me in the control room of your current floor.” 

Gu Xingqiao didn’t move or speak, his closed-eye posture was exceptionally standard.

“I know you’re awake,” Tian Yuan repeated ten minutes later. “Come to the control room on your current level and look for me.” 

Gu Xingqiao turned a deaf ear as he used his remaining mental energy to shut down his hearing. If he could, he would like to shut down his other senses as well.

Thirty minutes later, a slight vibration came from the bed underneath Gu Xingqiao, and his intuition told him at the same time that there was something by the side of the bed.

He indifferently opened his eyes. Tian Yuan, in a pure white combat suit, was indeed hovering at a very close distance. The gleaming white lines on his exoskeleton were like mirrors, and they showed a rippled reflection of the strange colors of the room.

“Your body temperature has returned to normal levels,” Tian Yuan said as he swept his inorganic gaze over Gu Xingqiao’s body. “In order to ensure your body’s equilibrium, I have completely disconnected the neural link to your combat attire. As for the artificial first through seventh thoracic vertebrae in your body, due to the rough craftsmanship, I only did the initial bonding for you.” 

Gu Xingqiao’s eyelashes fluttered imperceptibly.

“…You saw it,” he said.

“Saw what? The artificial thoracic vertebrae?” Tian Yuan calmly asked. “It’s logical to adopt artificial thoracic vertebrae that can indeed better adapt to the battlefield.” 

Gu Xingqiao closed his mouth again.

“I’ve modified this lounge in the hope that your mood will be eased.” About the mental pollution décor covering the room, Tian Yuan said, “According to my research, saturated bright colors can be uplifting in a way, and the human brain possesses an associative function that can remind you of blue skies, green grass, and red flowers when you see them. How do you feel?” 

Gu Xingqiao was silent for a long time, then barely opened his lips as if they weighed a thousand pounds, “…Then you can just put up the blue sky and green grass, artificial idiot.” 

Tian Yuan was slightly surprised. “By doing that, the color scheme would be too monotonous and sparse. How could it be sufficiently motivating?” 

Ignoring Gu Xingqiao’s weary expression of “I’d rather just die,” Tian Yuan continued, “After some consideration, I have raised your current privilege rank from ‘slave’ to ‘collaborator.’ I believe that this is a win-win decision that will maximize our benefits.” 

Gu Xingqiao said, “Collaborator.” 

“It’s not a loss. According to humans, this way, we can each get what we want.” Tian Yuan nodded. “As long as you give up the idea of death–” 

“Remove your disgusting wallpaper that makes me want to vomit,” Gu Xingqiao interrupted. “And close the door on your way out.” 

Tian Yuan, “?” 

Outrageous!

As he stood outside the closed door of the room, the consciousness incarnation of the warship looked at the door in surprise.

Adjusting his authority meant that the way he treated Gu Xingqiao also had to change. For example, if Gu Xingqiao wasn’t willing to come over to see him, then he would need to take the initiative and go to Gu Xingqiao, that was the logical thing to do.

However, if the human kept resisting as he was, their partnership could only be terminated, and Tian Yuan would have to give up the rare opportunity that he had waited a thousand years for to free himself from the confinement of the code of rules.

He must find a breakthrough to revitalize the human race.

Tian Yuan thought briefly. He nodded his head, and his eight light and sharp exoskeleton legs took turns pointing at the ground and supporting him as he swept away as fast as the wind.

.

In the evening, Gu Xingqiao wondered how long he had been lying on the bed. He wasn’t hungry or thirsty. His body’s metabolic functions seemed to have disappeared. He slept and woke up, but this time when he woke up, he gazed at a ceiling that had regained its silver-white color. When he was tired of looking at it, he went back to sleep.

Inside the room, the light source was diffuse and constant, while time was viscous as a chaotic quagmire that churned a slow, exploding foam around his body.

His bed abruptly moved.

Gu Xingqiao ignored it. Silver metal chains like those on an insect with hundreds of legs, quickly stretched out from under the bed, and methodically built a rehab-like support that propped him up from the bed. Rotating wheels appeared underneath the support, and pushed the youth towards the exit.

The door opened at the same time, and Gu Xingqiao knew that this was Tian Yuan’s trick. However, although he had been lying in bed for so long, he just couldn’t bring himself to get up, and since someone was willing to take him out for a spin, he was fine with it.

After going past many elevators and through countless suspended cloud paths, Gu Xingqiao finally arrived at a wide space similar in scale to a banquet room.

The long, flat table was decorated with dazzlingly cooked food. By the time of interstellar voyages, ingredients that needed to be steamed, boiled, fried, and deep-fried had long since been replaced by nutritious liquids that were convenient, quick, and remained preserved for a long period of time. The only place someone could find dishes prepared in a traditional manner was on the starships of the rich and powerful.

Steaming hot soup, bright green leaves dotted between honey-colored roasted meat, tender red and whitish rolls, golden-red round fish roe dumped on verdant vegetable stalks…The meal was full of color and flavor, and its appearance in the cold silence of space had the absurdity of a hallucination.

Tian Yuan sat at the end of the long table, his eight exoskeleton legs stacked in elegant shapes, like the ornate decorations on a throne.

By his hand lay an ice bucket with several bottles of wine whose names Gu Xingqiao couldn’t read.

“Please sit.” Tian Yuan stretched out his pale and slender fingers. “As you can see, I have not entertained visitors for a very long time. It was only after raising your privileges to being a collaborator that I realized I needed to set such a gourmet table to receive you.” 

After I tried to self-destruct twice? 

Gu Xingqiao wanted to laugh, but was too lazy to do so. He stood motionless, still wearing the hospital gown Tian Yuan had changed him into, then lazily took a few steps forward to sit in the chair at the other end of the long table.

“I don’t trust you,” Gu Xingqiao said. “I won’t eat.” 

Tian Yuan snapped his fingers and pointed to his side. Immediately Gu Xingqiao’s chair floated in the air, and quickly moved to the spot where he pointed.

“A reasonable skepticism,” Tian Yuan said. “However, since you have forgotten your fear of death while also losing the will to live, why should you fear that I will use my means on your food?” 

In front of Gu Xingqiao, he lifted a bottle of wine from the ice bucket and showed it to him with graceful movements.

The crystal body of the bottle was as clear as air, and flawlessly displayed the color of the wine within. It was chartreuse green that was nearly gold, and when the light penetrated the wine couldn’t help but quiver as if the radiant swaying of ten thousand forests whisked through it. It was as if it held an entire vibrant spring condensed in the bottle.

“Since you are a Wine God Folk, then according to my deduction, your tribe should possess a certain degree of knowledge about varieties of wine,” Tian Yuan said. “Isn’t that right?” 

As he looked at the bottle, Gu Xingqiao’s gaze was completely captivated by its beauty, and even in his semi-somnolent state, he instantly recognized the name on the bottle.

“…Golden Emerald,” he couldn’t help but reply. “The iconic brew of the Age of Prosperity. Even the slightest whiff of its fragrance can sharpen one’s mind.” 

Unfortunately, after The Battle of the Purge and the destruction that ensued, so many independent human civilizations were destroyed that the methods of fermented drinks like that one were lost in the depths of the stars.

“Yes, Golden Emerald Wine.” Tian Yuan gently flicked the bottle. “Planet Croso’s specialty, the Golden Grape, creates its special color that is one in a million. I thought it would be proper etiquette to treat you with it.”

Without skipping a beat, he uncorked the bottle, poured the wonderfully colored liquid into a slender crystal glass, and pushed it in front of Gu Xingqiao.

“No need to exert yourself. Please enjoy.” 

Gu Xingqiao stared at the wine glass.

He knew what Tian Yuan was doing. It had been a long time since he had eaten a normal meal, and the rich, abundant smell of the food, the mouth-watering color scheme, and the fragrant aroma that came from the wine could stimulate one’s insides to a certain extent, whether he wanted to die or not.

He picked up his glass.

His long standing curiosity prevailed, as always, and compelled him to reach for it.

Against the cold rim of the glass, he opened his lips tentatively and took a sip of its contents.

Until it touched his tongue, Gu Xingqiao had never known that clarity and mellowness were actually characteristics that could coexist in harmony. Smelling the aroma, Gu Xingqiao imagined lush vines in black soil with those golden fruits hanging down from them, each grape so full that it was about to crack in the gorgeous sunlight.

The clarifying top note passed, while the finishing piece was strong and passionate. It rolled across the tongue like over-sweetened, thick honey, together with smoky, bitter almonds. Gu Xingqiao took one taste and couldn’t stop.

The prey was hooked.

After finding the correct method, Tian Yuan finally got Gu Xingqiao to change his deadpan demeanor, so that now he could actually squeeze out a slight smile. He asked in anticipation, “Is it good?” 

Gu Xingqiao nodded, and didn’t reflexively ignore him. “It’s good.” 

“The atmosphere is dull. We might as well converse.” Tian Yuan then said, “I hope that you can satisfy my curiosity and tell me about your past.” 

Having downed the whole glass of wine, Gu Xingqiao’s hand reached for the bottle. He rubbed the beautiful logo of the Golden Emerald with his head down, and didn’t look up as he whispered, “You’ve already seen it.” 

“I didn’t see it all,” Tian Yuan told the truth. “It’s just that in the process of resurrecting you, I saw part of the memories that belonged to you.” 

Gu Xingqiao slowly poured the wine. The glass shone from the ripples of that wonderful liquid, and before he had even realized it, a reddish halo from the wine had already floated up his cheeks.

Golden Emerald didn’t have the burning scent of spirits, but there was no doubt that it did have a reputation for strength and flavor.

“There’s nothing to say. It’s just that I see the world as foolish, and the world should see me as the same.” Gu Xingqiao let out a laugh. “The unlucky ones are gullible, and because of their gullibility, they lose their blood and money…In the end, I lost my own money as well. What’s the point of telling such a bad story?” 

Good, the human was finally starting to lose his cool.

Tian Yuan cheered up, and he didn’t stop Gu Xingqiao from downing one glass after another of the famous wine that was worth a fortune. In fact, if a few bottles of Golden Emerald could solve the problem for him, then he wouldn’t mind opening up his wine stores and filling up an entire swimming pool for Gu Xingqiao to swim in.

“Why can’t we talk about it?” Tian Yuan asked placidly. “Isn’t it common sense for humans to discover the crux of a problem so that they can administer the right remedy?” 

After a second’s thought, he added, “I’m willing to listen.” 

Gu Xingqiao was silent for a few moments and swallowed another glass of wine.

“You are willing to listen.” The corners of his mouth twitched and gradually twisted into a biting grin. “You’re willing to listen. You’re willing…Good. Now that you’ve said you’re willing.” 

Gu Xingqiao gazed at the wine as it poured into the crystal glass and spoke in a wooden voice, “I am Wine God Folk. As the name suggests, the mental energy of the Wine God Folk, when awakened in adulthood, will produce an uncontrollable riot, which can bring all the people around me pain like madness, and joy like madness.” ¹

Tian Yuan didn’t say anything. He was building up a file in his database and was taking notes.

“Our home planet is located in the middle of the Jade Empire’s territory. However, as long as there are enough adult Wine God Folk, the mental frenzy they set off can lead to a mass invasion of interstellar beasts.”

He swallowed a mouthful of wine. “The Empire couldn’t give up such a geographically important planet. They used the place as a battlefield to fight against the interstellar alien beasts and almost every year, a large number of generals die in battle on the Wine God Planet.”

“Countless broken families, countless Imperials who lost their parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters as a result…We became a walking plague, accompanied by blood that carried that original sin throughout our lives. Because of the Wine God Folk, the Empire lost a huge number of troops.” 

Tian Yuan nodded, as he cataloged the information.

“And then,” he asked. “What happened to you?” 

“Me?” Gu Xingqiao laughed out loud all of a sudden. He held his glass up and laughed out loud, but his gaze was mirthless.

“As for me, I’ve become close friends with the Crown Prince of the Empire. Incredible, isn’t it?” he asked with an expressionless face. “For a lowly Wine God Folk person to make the acquaintance of such a highly placed figure.” 

“It has nothing to do with me,” Tian Yuan said matter-of-factly. “Right now, you’re the one I’m working with.” 

Gu Xingqiao ignored Tian Yuan’s interjection. He said in a low voice, “Me. I’ve made my way all the way through the thorns and finally climbed to a high enough position. I’ve also finally found out about the Empire’s collusion.” 

“–The imperial family used the Wine God Planet as a graveyard for the execution of dissidents,” Gu Xingqiao said indifferently. “They couldn’t afford to part with the extremely powerful talents of the adult Wine God Folk, nor could they afford to part with that uniquely gifted execution site. As a result, the Imperial Family weakened the barriers of the Wine God Planet so that the interstellar beasts could so easily land on my home planet, where they devoured my people and slaughtered the Empire’s political opponents who they believed deserved to die.” 

Tian Yuan found that fascinating, but he had learned to read faces and knew it was best to keep his mouth shut at that point.

Gu Xingqiao laughed. He had such a wide smile as he looked into his wine glass, one that would alarm onlookers.

“At that point, a smart person might know to shut up. Alas, I’m really not smart. Not only am I not smart, I’m stupid.” 

He spoke softly, “The moment I learned that truth, I went to Crown Prince Sissel.” 

His voice was really soft, like a sigh on the lips of the dead, a spider’s thread wandering in the sunlight, a snowflake about to melt.

However, Tian Yuan actually heard it, and knew that while it was small, it was enough of a spark to ignite a prairie fire with a single breath.

“And then,” he asked as he leaned forward. “What happened?” 

Gu Xingqiao laughed in befuddlement. “And then? Do you need to ask about what happened then? Then…I became what I am now.” 

“…What a cliché,” he added. “What a cliché.” 

How come it didn’t burn? 

Tian Yuan couldn’t help but be confused. Could it be that his prediction had failed again? 

“I’m just…I’m just not happy,” Gu Xingqiao said in a low voice as he stared into the distance. “I’ve spilled all my blood, I’ve shed all my tears, humiliation burns me day and night, but I’m not willing…I’m not resigned.” 

“You’re already drunk,” Tian Yuan said, ready to take his glass. “Don’t drink anymore.” 

“On what grounds?” Gu Xingqiao slowly tightened his hand, clutched the glass with a death grip and refused to let go. Long-lost memories, like a rusty switch, heavily and inexorably opened the old scars and revealed the festering flesh that rotted beneath them.

“Everyone knew that I was a genius, that I possessed unrivaled talent, that my future was unlimited, that I was inspirationally deranged and that my progress left no room for error. Every moment, every minute, every second, I moved forward, forward, never knowing…But the way they looked at me made me doubt myself. Constantly!” 

He slammed the tabletop so hard that the crystal glass shattered with a crack, and golden liquor, accompanied by crystal debris, sprayed everywhere.

Blood gushed out of his wound at the same time.

“You ask! Why are they looking at me with pity?!” Gu Xingqiao lurched to his feet and stormed brazenly to the other person. His eyes were red and wide with rage as he grabbed Tian Yuan’s collar. Every word he spat out through clenched teeth sounded like he was chewing on the blood and flesh of an unknown object.

“–What exactly did I have that they should feel sorry for? Was it because I’m Wine God Folk, because we’re born with original sin, because of uncontrollable mental abilities, curse-like talents, and the contempt and insults that an entire nation press down on our spines?!”

“I am not a monster, not an alien, not a slave tool without dignity. We are normal people, not segregated criminals to be fixed by labels!” Tears finally fell from Gu Xingqiao’s eyes as he opened them wide and looked desperately at Tian Yuan’s face, as he tried to find a trace of pity, approval, scrutiny, or contempt on it…

However, he found nothing. Tian Yuan’s face was just as hard and cold as before, like a snowy mountain that accumulated ice all year round.

“No. Don’t look at me like that…I’m not a deviant, and I’m even less of a traitor…” Gu Xingqiao trembled as his hands let go from fear as he murmured and whispered, “I’ve given so much, and I’ve been burdened with so much. Why don’t you believe me…?” 

Tian Yuan lowered his head and gazed at the scarlet handprints imprinted on his snow-white combat uniform.

“Expecting others to completely understand you is nothing but an unrealistic extravagance,” he said. “Your pain and devastation are unresolvable in themselves.”