TCPUAAV Chapter 14

 

For over two millennia since the founding of the Galactic Empire, Ancient Humans had been labeled as weak and obsolete—a race that should have been eliminated. Despite the Empire’s official stance advocating for racial equality, discrimination and exclusion persisted everywhere.

 

For instance, employers preferred hiring Beastkin or Evolvers for the same jobs. Ancient Humans had to exert more effort to earn equal pay. Even in fields where exceptional Ancient Humans emerged, society clung to the belief that their genetics made them inferior.

 

How could such a weak and genetically flawed race outperform the Beastkin and Evolvers?

 

But how would anyone know without trying?

 

Being denied by others wasn’t the worst fate; the true tragedy lay in internalizing that denial. With time, one could become like a frog in the well, content to remain confined, unable to imagine the vastness of the sky and the beauty of the open plains beyond.

 

Luther had long grown accustomed to such denial, but he refused to be that frog at the bottom of the well.

 

A fire burned in his heart, urging him to leap out, to see the world beyond this remote planet. For him, the High-Speed Hovercar Race was the only way to make that leap. The competition promised not only a generous Starcoin prize but also the chance to legally board an Inner City ship to Sikkim.

 

For residents of the wasteland planet B3024, the capital planet Sikkim was a well-known yet unreachable dream. Many would never see its dark-golden splendor in their lifetimes.

 

“If you truly want to compete in the hovercar race, I suggest overhauling your vehicle,” Ruan Shiqing advised. “Racing may be a gamble with your life, but it’s better to live and earn recognition than to die and be ridiculed.”

 

While Luther’s perspective was radical, Ruan Shiqing agreed with the sentiment. Breaking free from constraints required the courage to burn one’s bridges.

 

He admired Luther’s resolve and was willing to stoke the flames, helping them burn brighter.

 

Luther, caught off guard, stood silent for a moment before saying, “You’re the first person to support me. My friends all think I’m crazy, chasing an impossible dream.”

 

“A famous poet once said, ‘All stars eventually fade, but they shine fearlessly while they last.’” Ruan Shiqing displayed a virtual screen from his smart terminal. “Still, before proving your fearlessness, you should prepare thoroughly.”

 

On the screen was a detailed budget list.

 

“These are the parts your hovercar needs replacing. If your budget allows, I can help you with the modifications. I can’t guarantee victory, but with proper handling, it won’t break down mid-race.”

 

The long list of part names, incomprehensible to Luther, ended with a final cost. His eyes fixed on the number at the bottom. “All this for just 3,000 Starcoins?”

 

“A friendly price,” Ruan Shiqing said with a grin. “But let’s agree on this—if you win, I get 20% of the prize.”

 

“Deal.” Luther transferred the last of his savings to Ruan Shiqing and smiled broadly. “If I actually win, you can take 30%.”

 

Ruan Shiqing gestured reassuringly. “I’ll start by replacing the anti-gravity generator. Leave the hovercar with me until the race.”

 

Luther nodded eagerly, grinning ear to ear as he saw Ruan Shiqing to the door.

 

A neighbor overheard their conversation and approached, casting a critical eye at Ruan Shiqing. With a mocking tone, he asked, “Luther, is that second-hand hovercar of yours still not fixed? Is this your new repairman?”

 

Luther frowned at the hyena-like Beastkin and retorted, “How much did you spend getting your front teeth fixed?”

 

The neighbor, smaller and less robust than Luther despite his Beastkin heritage, bristled. The reminder of his broken tooth incident made him nervously cover his recently repaired teeth before retreating.

 

As the neighbor scurried off, Luther stowed away his anger and said to Ruan Shiqing, “Ignore him. He can’t beat me in a fight, so he tries to win with words.” Luther, preferring action over talk, had little patience for such banter.

 

Ruan Shiqing waved it off, unbothered. After bidding Luther farewell, he sent the parts list to 09. “Let’s head to the Subterranean Market for supplies.”

 

The master and his robot companion set off toward the bustling underground marketplace.

 

The gleaming, intricately designed golden robot, 09, attracted many curious gazes as it moved through the Subterranean Market. Some knowledgeable onlookers whispered among themselves:

 

“Is that a PL-3 military-grade robot?”

 

“Looks like it’s just a replica of the PL-3 model. Who would dare parade a genuine military robot so openly?”

 

“True… but even a replica of this quality shows impressive craftsmanship.”

 

“This kind of precision? That’s the work of at least a Level-One Mechanic.”

 

“…”

 

Listening to the murmurs, 09 straightened its posture, lifting its chin ever so slightly. Inside, it was shouting praises for its master: My owner’s skills are unparalleled! Come and see how amazing he is! Unfortunately, no one could hear its inner cries.

 

Scanning the crowd, 09 felt the loneliness of a hidden treasure—a jewel encased, unnoticed by the world.

 

Ruan Shiqing, however, paid no mind to the comments. His attention was caught by a patrol of soldiers, a new and unusual sight in the Outer City. Soldiers had been patrolling various areas in recent days, an occurrence that hadn’t happened before.

 

While selecting parts in the market, Ruan Shiqing casually brought up the soldiers as though making idle conversation.

 

“You mean the guards?” The shopkeeper perked up. “Did you hear about the recent auction?”

 

Ruan Shiqing nodded subtly. “I did. I heard something went missing during the auction.”

 

“Exactly! The auction’s grand finale was a Nine-Tailed Fox cub,” the shopkeeper explained, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “But after the auction ended, the cub vanished! It’s said that the buyer, a bigwig from the Inner City, was furious and suspects someone infiltrated the auction house’s storage and stole the fox cub. The Inner City patrol teams have been searching for days.”

 

The shopkeeper smirked maliciously. “Not that it’s done them any good—they haven’t even found a single fox hair.”

 

Hearing this, Ruan Shiqing’s thoughts turned to the fiery little fox cub he’d encountered. He wasn’t sure whether to hope it would be found or remain elusive. Lost in thought for a moment, he couldn’t help but chuckle at himself.

 

Whether they found the fox or not was beyond his control. Why was he worrying about someone else’s problems?

 

Shaking his head, Ruan Shiqing handed the newly purchased anti-gravity thruster to 09 and made his way back to Luther’s house to install the parts for the hovercar.

 

Meanwhile, at home.

 

Rong Heng lounged on the windowsill, basking in the artificial sunlight. Though man-made, the warm sensation was authentic, and he closed his eyes in contentment. The slight wag of his tail betrayed his good mood.

 

As the Imperial Crown Prince, Rong Heng rarely had moments of leisure.

 

During his cubhood, his mother had strictly overseen his education, filling his days with various lessons. After her death, his relationship with his father grew increasingly distant. As he entered adolescence, he was stationed in the distant Yanji District, fighting the Zerg night and day.

 

In twenty-six years, moments of warmth and peace had been scarce.

 

Ironically, it was only by accident—being stranded on this remote planet—that he found unexpected respite.

 

Freed from the constraints of his title, he could express his emotions freely. Removed from political schemes and courtly intrigue, he set down his burdens temporarily, savoring the tranquility.

 

The faint sound of water splashing caught his attention. Peeking sideways, he saw the artificial mermaid cradling his own tail, examining it closely.

 

After a period of treatment, the mermaid’s injuries had begun to heal. In some areas, thin, soft scales had started to grow, reflecting a delicate blue sheen under the sunlight. Even the once-scarred and unsightly tail seemed slightly more presentable.

 

Rong Heng scoffed softly.

 

Compared to the scheming ministers on Sikkim, this artificial mermaid didn’t seem so annoying anymore.

 

Noticing Rong Heng’s gaze, the little mermaid quickly submerged his tail beneath the water, his ear fins flaring nervously as he glared back with wide eyes.

 

The rippling water and shifting light revealed his agitation. Two rubber ducks bobbed on the surface, betraying the turmoil beneath his stern expression.

 

Rong Heng observed the mermaid’s attempt to curl his tail out of sight, chuckled faintly, and leapt down from the windowsill. He left the second floor, heading downstairs.

 

Once he was gone, the little mermaid breathed a quiet sigh of relief. His ear fins drooped, and his unscaled tail swayed gently underwater.

 

Rong Heng, however, had decided to explore the Ancient Human boy’s workshop.

 

Initially, he had thought of Ruan Shiqing as just a clever youth, but his ability to repair the PL-3 model had been a revelation. Though some components had been simplified, achieving such results on this remote planet was extraordinary.

 

Besides, Rong Heng knew better than anyone how quickly the boy had grown. At first, Ruan Shiqing hadn’t even been able to speak the interstellar common language. Rong Heng himself had sourced the initial books for him.

 

His curiosity piqued, Rong Heng wandered to the workshop’s entrance, ready to step inside when a rustling noise from another part of the house caught his attention.

 

???

 

An intruder?

 

Rong Heng froze, quieted his movements, and redirected himself toward the sound’s source.

 

The noise was coming from the kitchen.

 

In this house, the kitchen was mostly decorative, rarely used. But Ruan Shiqing had recently stocked it with a batch of nutritional supplements, stored in the refrigerator.

 

Suppressing his presence, Rong Heng hid by the kitchen door.

 

The little thief inside hadn’t noticed him.

 

By the fridge, several crimson fox tails swayed. Then, a small, slim figure emerged, clutching a few tubes of nutritional supplements.

 

It was a little girl, around five or six years old, with fox ears atop her head and tails swishing behind her. Her cold, silver eyes gleamed with familiar defiance and cunning.

 

 

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The fox cub is back!!

 

Thanks for reading!