TCPUAAV Chapter 29

 

The usually talkative Noah fell silent for a long moment.

 

Finally, she said, “Lord Siyan has always been sensitive about his identity as an ancient human, but that’s a fact that cannot be changed. And, Your Majesty, you’ve never held it against him.”

 

But sometimes, people’s joys and sorrows don’t align. Just as the queen was determined to reform the Empire, Siyan was equally committed to overcoming the frailty of ancient humans.

 

Their marriage lasted nearly thirteen years but ultimately drifted apart, moving in opposite directions.

 

Rong Heng exhaled deeply. “Enough. Talking about this changes nothing now. Send Dares a message—tell him to come to Planet B3024 in seven days to assist with my departure.”

 

That would coincide perfectly with the hovercar championship finals, providing an opportunity to leave quietly without drawing attention.

 

Noah, unusually subdued today, simply acknowledged his order with a steady, “Understood.”

 

After finishing the instructions, Rong Heng added, “Wipe the surveillance records from the security system before you go offline.”

 

When the holographic connection ended, Rong Heng returned to the bedroom.

 

Inside, Ruan Shiqing and the cubs were fast asleep.

 

The artificial mermaid lay neatly on his back with his hands on his belly, the blanket pulled up to his chest. The two other cubs, however, were sprawled chaotically. The nine-tailed¹So I still don’t know if she has 9 or 10 tails since it switched here once again fox cub had flipped herself completely around and wriggled down to the foot of the bed. The little dragon cub, meanwhile, had rolled to the edge of the bed, sprawled out on his back with his belly exposed, snoring softly.

 

Rong Heng carefully placed the smart device back where it belonged and hopped onto the bed, lying down on the soft, fluffy pillow. Inhaling the faint, clean scent lingering in the bedroom, the agitation in his heart gradually subsided.

 

Life on Planet B3024 was, in many ways, far more pleasant than on Sikkim.

 

At least here, he didn’t have to deal with the dirty politics and endless scheming.

 

But, unfortunately, this time he truly had to leave.

 

Early the next morning, before Ruan Shiqing could even have breakfast, he received a video call from Marlin.

 

When the video connected, Marlin’s hologram appeared, his face lit up with a wide grin. “Good morning, Mr. Ruan. I’ve got concrete news on what you asked me to investigate. The buyer happens to be someone I know personally—an old acquaintance of mine. I’ve already smoothed things over for you. Both the buyer and the auction house have promised not to trouble the nine-tailed fox cub again.”

 

After delivering the good news, Marlin clapped his hands, and his subordinates dragged in three battered evolvers. “I’ve also found those three people you had trouble with yesterday. I heard what happened. Do you want me to deal with them for you?”

 

Ruan Shiqing was momentarily surprised by his efficiency but sincerely expressed his thanks.

 

“I’ll handle these three myself. However, I’ll need to trouble you to deliver them to me personally.”

 

Having Marlin deal with them quietly would be meaningless—it wouldn’t serve as the deterrent Ruan Shiqing intended.

 

Mo Li, who was secretly eager to curry favor, immediately agreed.

 

Not long after Ruan Shiqing finished his breakfast, Mo Li arrived with a group of subordinates, escorting the three evolvers.

 

The three had clearly been taught a lesson—they were bruised and battered, their faces swollen and blue.

 

Just the day before, they had been plotting to kidnap the cubs and sell them for a hefty price. Initially, their plan had only targeted the dragon cub. They had deliberately chosen a time when Ruan Shiqing was out to scout the repair shop. But by sheer luck, they discovered that the shop not only housed a dragon cub but also the missing, high-priced nine-tailed fox cub from the auction and a merfolk cub.

 

Three rare and valuable cubs could fetch a price well over a million star coins.

 

Greed had blinded them to fear, and they decided to take the risk.

 

What they didn’t expect was to be tracked down by Marlin’s men before their plan could even begin. They were caught in one fell swoop.

 

Now, the three evolvers cowered in front of Ruan Shiqing, trembling.

 

Mo Li asked, “What do you want to do with them?”

 

Ruan Shiqing coldly scanned the three, then said, “Tie them up outside and leave them hanging for three days as a public display. After that, separate a production line from the main operation when it’s ready and send them there to work. Eighteen hours a day, no rest, year-round. After a year, we’ll see.”

 

In the interstellar age, where robotic technology had advanced significantly, many production lines on prosperous planets were fully automated. Only a few specialized roles required human labor, as manpower was incredibly costly in this era of low population.

 

But on Planet B3024, the rules of the outside world didn’t apply. Here, advanced production lines were rare. Fully automated mechanical lines were only available in the energy center of the inner city, shipped in from Sijin via transport ships.

 

As such, production lines in the outer city still relied heavily on manual labor.

 

Fortunately, the outer city had no shortage of unemployed individuals, and hiring labor at low wages was enough to meet initial production demands.

 

While hired workers were paid standard wages for their hours, these three evolvers would be free labor—what Ruan Shiqing referred to in his previous world as “labor reform.”

 

Given their evolved physiques, eighteen-hour workdays would push them to their physical limits.

 

“Isn’t that punishment a bit too light?” Mo Li kicked one of the subdued evolvers and scoffed, “That’s letting them off easy.”

 

“I don’t like killing,” Ruan Shiqing replied calmly. “This method not only generates profit for us but also serves as a punishment and a deterrent.” His lips curled into a faint, meaningful smile. “You’ll understand in time.”

 

For opportunistic scoundrels like these, subjecting them to the endless grind of 18-hour, year-round labor would be far worse than simply killing them.

 

Though unconvinced, Mo Li relented. He instructed his men to string the three up outside as Ruan Shiqing had requested.

 

Before leaving, Mo Li couldn’t resist peering into the house. “Why don’t I see the cubs you’re raising?”

 

Initially, Ruan Shiqing had no intention of letting Marlin meet the cubs. But considering that the cubs would eventually need to step out into the world—and that Marlin had connections in the inner city, which could help secure legitimate identities for them—he signaled 09 to bring the cubs downstairs.

 

A merfolk, a dragon, and a nine-tailed fox.

 

With their addition, the four ancient races of the Galactic Empire were now all gathered in Ruan Shiqing’s household.

 

Mo Li took one look at the cubs and couldn’t help but exclaim internally, Wow.

 

When his gaze returned to Ruan Shiqing, it was filled with admiration.

 

As expected of a remarkable man—even the cubs he raised were extraordinary.

 

After praising the cubs, Mo Li glanced around again but didn’t see any sign of the crown prince. He couldn’t ask directly, so he turned to the dog cub instead. “Mr. Ruan, you even have a little dog? What breed is it?”

 

Rong Heng: ?????

 

Are you blind?

 

He slowly lifted his head, glaring at Mo Li.

 

To be fair, it wasn’t entirely Mo Li’s fault. After all, most people had only ever seen adult Ymir.

 

Tall, imposing, and awe-inspiring.

 

Who would have guessed that the mighty crown prince had looked like a little puppy during his cubhood?

 

“I’m not sure,” Ruan Shiqing said. “I found Snowball by accident.”

 

Completely oblivious, Mo Li reached out to pat the dog cub on the head and praised, “So cute.”

 

Rong Heng: You’re dead. Immediately.

 

Expressionless, he stared at Mo Li, but the man remained utterly unaware.

 

Unable to find any trace of the crown prince, Mo Li abandoned his earlier theory that the prince might be living with Ruan Shiqing.

 

Before leaving, he happily took the energy gun designs with him.

 

As an additional favor, Mo Li promised to help Ruan Shiqing secure identity cards for the cubs.

 

Of course, the identity cards wouldn’t list their actual ancient races but would use other species to disguise them.

 

With legitimate identity cards and Marlin’s protection as an influential figure in the outer city, the cubs would no longer be undocumented. They wouldn’t have to hide anymore and could even venture into the inner city.

 

As for the three evolvers, they were indeed hung up for three full days.

 

At first, they thought themselves lucky to have encountered a “soft-hearted” man. But after three days, they finally understood the meaning of true suffering.

 

Marlin’s men sent them to the factory where the production lines were being set up.

 

Though the lines weren’t operational yet, assembling and transporting the equipment required manpower. There was no shortage of work.

 

Per Ruan Shiqing’s instructions, the three were forced to work nonstop for 18 hours each day, with only two nutrient tubes provided.

 

After three days, one of them tried to escape but was caught almost immediately. To prevent further attempts, they were fitted with custom electronic ankle bracelets that would detonate if they moved more than 300 meters from the factory.

 

With their lives at stake, the three finally gave up and resigned themselves to working.

 

Rumors about their fate spread quickly among the factory workers. Those who had seen them reported back, causing widespread panic.

 

“This is what I heard,” one worker said. “Those three evolvers tried to steal from the repair shop. Now, Marlin’s got them locked in the factory, working nonstop. They only get one nutrient tube a day, and after two days of work, they’re allowed three hours of sleep. In just one week, they’ve gone from strong and robust to skin and bones.”

 

“Apparently, they’ll be worked to death unless they somehow make it out.”

 

The rumors grew more exaggerated and horrifying with each retelling, but they had the desired effect. The warning was clear: don’t mess with Ruan Shiqing or his cubs.

 

Ruan Shiqing, satisfied with the deterrence, made no effort to refute the rumors.

 

*

 

The day of the high-speed hovercar finals arrived, and Ruan Shiqing set off with the Xiong brothers, 09, and the four cubs to the race venue.

 

For the cubs, it was their first time attending a competition, and they were brimming with excitement.

 

They each donned their finest outfits before heading out.

 

The little dragon cub and the nine-tailed fox cub each perched on one of Ruan Shiqing’s shoulders, while the dog cub nestled comfortably in his arms.

 

As for the little mermaid, given his unique form, Ruan Shiqing had specially crafted a small stroller just for him.

 

The stroller was shaped like an egg, about 80 centimeters high and 50 centimeters wide, in a soft sky-blue color. The top half was made of sealed metal, while the lower half was reinforced transparent glass, with a smartly controlled set of wheels at the base. Inside, about a fifth of the way up, a seat was thoughtfully installed to let the little mermaid sit upright.

 

At the moment, the little mermaid was dressed in a vintage-style shirt with a neat black bow at the collar. His hair was tied back meticulously, revealing his blue ear fins, which flapped excitedly in rhythm with his emotions. In his hair was a golden circular clip, and a matching golden neck accessory covered the scars on his neck.

 

Sitting upright in the stroller like a poised little prince, he curiously looked around, his tail gently swaying below. Sunlight filtered through the reinforced glass, casting a faint golden glow over his shimmering blue scales.

 

The little robot, 09, was connected to the stroller’s network and walked beside it, skillfully maneuvering it forward.

 

As they strolled along, the cubs eagerly took in the sights.

 

Nota, having once roamed the streets, was relatively calm about being outside. The little mermaid, unable to speak, merely widened his eyes in curiosity, occasionally sneaking a second glance at something that intrigued him.

 

But for the little dragon cub, this was his very first outing since hatching.

 

Everything he saw prompted a barrage of questions, transforming him into a walking “why machine.”

 

Ruan Shiqing patiently answered every single question.

 

However, the dog cub in his arms—Rong Heng—found the incessant chatter unbearable. Irritated, he reached out a paw and yanked the dragon cub’s swaying tail.

 

The dragon cub instinctively coiled his tail upward before relaxing it again moments later, blissfully unaware that his tail had been pulled. Instead, he continued to wag it joyfully, utterly lost in his excitement.

 

Rong Heng: …

 

As expected, dragon scales were thick, and their hides even thicker²He’s basically calling him thick in the head lmao.

 

While the cubs were lost in their excitement, the people around them couldn’t help but take notice.

 

Ruan Shiqing had deliberately declined Marlin’s offer of a vehicle, choosing instead to walk to the venue to let the cubs experience the outside world.

 

Many others were also heading to the finals, and the family of seven, strolling leisurely among the crowd, naturally attracted a lot of attention.

 

It wasn’t every day that people saw such rare and precious cubs. Many had never even seen a single cub from any of these ancient species, let alone three of them at once.

 

Passersby slowed their steps, stealing glances at the cubs while trying not to make their curiosity too obvious.

 

Some were awestruck, others curious, while a few couldn’t help but wonder how much such rare cubs might be worth. However, any ill intentions were quickly quashed by fear.

 

The gruesome fate of the three evolvers who had dared to cross Ruan Shiqing had left a lasting impression. No one dared entertain malicious thoughts for long. With both Ruan Shiqing and Marlin to reckon with, they quickly abandoned the idea entirely.

 

So while many people looked, no one dared act rashly, maintaining a respectful distance instead.

 

The cubs noticed the attention they were receiving, and their reactions varied.

 

The little mermaid straightened his back even further, his tail swaying with even more grace and elegance. In contrast, the fox and dragon cubs bared their teeth in unison, wearing fierce expressions.

 

They practically looked ready to carve “Don’t mess with us” on their foreheads.

 

The little dragon cub, puffing out his chest and holding his breath for too long, accidentally snorted a few sparks from his nose.

 

Rong Heng, watching this display, turned his head away in disdain and buried himself in Ruan Shiqing’s arms.

 

They’ve never been out before, he thought, disgusted. How embarrassing.

 

After an hour of walking and exploring, the group finally arrived at the race venue.

 

After passing through ticket verification, they entered the arena. Ruan Shiqing was surprised to find that the finals were nothing like what he had imagined.

 

The entire racecourse was set up in the middle of a junkyard, while the audience seating was arranged in concentric rings, suspended in mid-air using anti-gravity technology. The seats surrounded the racecourse, gradually rising from the inside out like a giant amphitheater.

 

Looking up, the sky was packed with countless spectators.

 

The event was so popular that it seemed like 80–90% of B3024’s population had shown up for the spectacle.

 

The anti-gravity seats could be combined or separated using controls on the armrests. Ruan Shiqing linked the cubs’ seats together, sitting with 09 on either side of them, while the Xiong brothers took seats next to Ruan Shiqing.

 

The race hadn’t started yet, and the enormous virtual screens floating in the air were playing engine advertisements. Meanwhile, the racers on the track were warming up and tuning their vehicles at the starting line.

 

Some of the more popular racers already had fans shouting their support from the stands.

 

Ruan Shiqing leaned forward, observing for a while. Seeing that no one was stopping him, he released a series of self-made mini flying robots.

 

Although these were called robots, their functionality was simple. Shaped like small balls about the size of a fist, they had semi-transparent wings on either side that allowed them to hover in the air.

 

Painted black with blue flashing lights, the robots formed a line as they floated upward. From their projection compartments, a bold virtual image was cast into the air.

 

First, a rotating blue planet appeared, slowly spinning in place. Surrounding the planet, golden letters emerged, spelling out:

 

“Blue Star Forever, Luther Will Triumph!”

 

On the track, Luther looked up and immediately spotted the striking blue planet. Pumping his fist in the air, he enthusiastically waved toward Ruan Shiqing’s direction.

 

Next to him stood Larkin, the reigning champion and favorite to win, who had claimed the title three years in a row.

 

Larkin sneered at the floating blue projection. “The louder the slogans now, the harder the slap in the face when you lose,” he said disdainfully.

 

He smirked at Luther, making a mocking gesture. “Do you even know your odds? They’re 20.8 to 1. Among the fifty finalists, you rank fifth to last.”

 

Crossing his arms, Larkin chuckled coldly. “No matter how much hype you had before, the betting odds reveal the truth. Real strength is measured in cold, hard cash. There’s no such thing as a dark horse on this track. I am, and always will be, the king.”

 

Unbeknownst to him, the floating cameras had recorded his words and projected them onto the largest central virtual screen.

 

The confrontation between the three-time reigning champion and the rising underdog electrified the crowd. Sparks flew, and the atmosphere became charged.

 

A wave of excitement swept through the audience as countless voices began chanting Larkin’s name.

 

“Larkin!”

 

“Larkin!”

 

“Crush him!”

 

“Long live the Beastkin!”

 

“Defeat the ancient human!”

 

The crowd roared, their shouts echoing across the venue.

 

The cubs, surrounded by cheers for Larkin, were both furious and anxious.

 

They were here to cheer for Luther! He couldn’t lose!

 

The little dragon cub and the fox cub whipped out the mini megaphones Ruan Shiqing had prepared for them, shouting at the top of their lungs:

 

“Luther, go!”

 

“Defeat Larkin!”

 

“Win first place!”

 

Although the little mermaid couldn’t speak, his megaphone had a pre-recorded cheer. With the press of a button, it automatically played:

 

“Go, Luther!”

 

The megaphones were designed to look like colorful trumpet flowers and were twenty times louder than ordinary ones.

 

The cubs’ shouts created the momentum of an army, momentarily silencing the other side.

 

Larkin’s supporters, stunned, quickly identified the source of the noise—Ruan Shiqing’s family.

 

Adrenaline coursed through the crowd, amplifying emotions and heightening the stakes.

 

Larkin’s supporters weren’t about to back down. Their cheers grew even louder in response.

 

“Victory for Larkin!”

 

“Luther is number one!”

 

The two sides went back and forth, their voices growing louder and louder. Even 09 and the Xiong brothers joined the cubs’ side, creating a deafening uproar.

 

“….”

 

The cubs were shouting slogans with great enthusiasm, while Ruan Shiqing took a moment to check the betting odds for the race online. As expected, Luther’s odds ranked fifth from the bottom.

 

Those with even worse odds were either newcomers with mediocre performance or veterans who had failed to secure a championship for several years.

 

As a rookie and an ancient human disadvantaged in physical strength, Luther had indeed caught the public’s eye with his outstanding earlier performances. However, when it came time for people to wager real money, most still placed their bets on Larkin.

 

This race wasn’t just a thrilling visual spectacle—it was also a high-stakes gamble for countless spectators. For many, it could mean the difference between striking it rich or losing everything.

 

The odds-on favorite, Larkin, was tied to the fortunes of countless bettors, creating a frenzy of emotions around him.

 

Ruan Shiqing, however, wasn’t swept up in the fervor. After thinking it over, he decided to bet 100,000 star coins on Luther.

 

This was his show of faith in Luther.

 

Amid the frenzied atmosphere, the race began.

 

A representative of the event organizers took the stage to deliver a brief opening speech before announcing the start of the race.

 

At the starting line, all the mechanics and test personnel withdrew from the track. The racers climbed into their hovercar cockpits, donned windproof goggles, and prepared themselves for the challenge.

 

The host, standing atop a raised platform, pressed the start signal.

 

The engines of fifty hovercars, each varying in size and shape, roared to life. In the next instant, they shot forward like a storm, speeding into the distance.

 

The audience erupted in thunderous cheers and applause, the sound like a tidal wave crashing through the arena.

 

Larkin’s red hovercar immediately surged ahead, taking the lead, with Luther’s “Gaia” close on its tail. The two began battling for dominance within the very first lap.

 

Behind them, hovercars jostled for position, with some colliding violently. Those unable to dodge were instantly sent flying off the track. Others, speeding too fast to react, crashed headlong into towering piles of metal debris ahead.

 

Within the racecourse, shards of metal mixed with dust as they flew into the air. The cacophony of roaring engines and cheering spectators filled the venue.

 

Out of fifty high-speed hovercars, eight had already been eliminated in just the first lap.

 

The audience, consumed by the heat of the moment, let out deafening roars and cheers. The crashes and potential deaths of the eliminated racers drew little attention—what mattered most was cheering for their favored competitors.

 

The junkyard, sprawling and treacherous, posed a daunting challenge. Only the first racer to complete ten laps and cross the finish line would be crowned the winner.

 

However, the course’s terrain was incredibly hazardous. The oddly shaped piles of metal debris, stacked in precarious formations, created natural obstacle courses. One wrong move could lead to a devastating crash and even death.

 

Racers not only had to navigate the treacherous environment but also remain vigilant against malicious attacks from other competitors.

 

Watching the chaos unfold, Ruan Shiqing finally understood why imperial law explicitly banned high-speed hovercar racing.

 

This was a sport that pushed adrenaline levels to their peak—but it was also one of extreme danger.

 

Larkin maintained his lead with unmatched precision, his experience as a three-time champion evident in every move. His red hovercar weaved seamlessly through the maze-like debris, his trajectory smooth and calculated.

 

Meanwhile, Luther’s “Gaia” showcased unparalleled agility, staying close on Larkin’s heels. Unlike Larkin, whose hovercar relied on brute power, “Gaia” excelled in maneuverability, allowing Luther to take sharper turns and recover more quickly from near misses.

 

The crowd was divided into two camps—those who cheered for the reigning champion and those rooting for the underdog.

 

Ruan Shiqing glanced at the cubs. They were still fervently yelling into their miniature megaphones, their voices cutting through the cacophony of the crowd.

 

“Luther! Go, Luther!”

 

“Beat Larkin!”

 

As the racers sped into the third lap, the gap between Larkin and Luther narrowed further. On a particularly treacherous stretch, with jagged piles of scrap metal on both sides, Luther saw an opening.

 

Taking advantage of “Gaia’s” superior handling, he veered sharply to the inside lane, overtaking Larkin in one breathtaking maneuver.

 

The audience gasped collectively.

 

Larkin’s expression turned dark. Furious, he retaliated by nudging his hovercar closer to Luther’s. The two vehicles brushed dangerously close, sparks flying from the friction.

 

In the audience, the cubs clenched their fists, their eyes wide with both fear and excitement.

 

“Come on, Luther! Don’t let him bully you!” the little dragon cub shouted, his voice cracking with emotion.

 

Even Ruan Shiqing found himself gripping the edge of his seat, his usually calm demeanor replaced by tension.

 

On the racetrack, Luther remained composed despite Larkin’s aggressive tactics. His sharp reflexes and cool-headed judgment kept him from losing control, even as Larkin’s hovercar attempted to push him toward a pile of debris.

 

With a sudden burst of speed, Luther managed to break free of the danger, pulling ahead once more.

 

The cubs erupted in cheers, their collective excitement palpable.

 

But Ruan Shiqing’s expression remained serious.

 

This race was far from over. For Luther, it wasn’t just about speed—it was a battle of strategy, endurance, and sheer determination.

 

And for the spectators, it was a spectacle that blurred the line between thrill and mortal danger.

 

 

 

 

---

 

Pretty long chapter with many things going on!

I have no idea what’s going on with that race, but go Luther, go! The cubs are cheering for you!

(I don’t want Rong Rong to leave help (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞)

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

For every three ko-fis, I will upload a bonus chapter~

 

• 1
  So I still don’t know if she has 9 or 10 tails since it switched here once again
• 2
  He’s basically calling him thick in the head lmao