At this moment, Hua's thoughts were in complete chaos.
She couldn't stop herself from remembering one of the Gratitude Days after the two of them met.
The generals couldn't come to Yaoqing to meet that person, so they had no choice but to send someone to deliver birthday gifts to their superior.
Along with the gifts that arrived at Yaoqing were also the red envelopes they had prepared for Hua.
At that time she was still young, so he used that as an excuse and said to her, "You're still little, I'll keep them safe for you first."
Back then, Hua had only said "oh," and then lowered her head and continued doing her homework.
That sentence was too familiar.
Most parents would make that kind of promise to their children.
She just never expected… that she would receive such a special gift on this day.
Then again, that was just the kind of person he was.
He had always kept his promises.
Hua's face was pale. She took a deep breath, quickly closed the drawer, and then turned to look at the other items placed around the room.
At a glance, she saw the "Feather Dust" that she had asked for several times but had always been brushed off about. Beside it was also a jade communicator.
Hua picked up the "Feather Dust" with one hand and the jade communicator with the other.
There had to be some text or video he left behind inside.
Hua turned on the jade communicator.
The previous user hadn't set a password, so she easily unlocked it and opened the gallery.
As expected, there was a video saved inside.
Normally, when he was in front of others, he always wore a gentle smile. But in the video, he first stared at the camera expressionlessly for a moment, then forced a smile.
He spoke softly, "Sorry, for choosing you on my own to take over my position. These past few years must have been very troubling for you, right?"
Looking at the person on the screen, Hua couldn't help but think, how rare.
Someone as proud and concerned about face as you would actually lower yourself to apologize to someone thousands of years younger than you?
Zero shrugged, pretending to be helpless.
"But there was no other way. I needed a successor, so I could only let you, this child laborer, start working early."
"Alright, let's get to the main point..."
"First is the Interstellar Community. Previously, those countries would never lend a hand to other nations suffering from natural disasters, which led to more humans on more planets dying."
"Fortunately, the new interstellar law has been passed. That kind of thing won't happen again."
"Once a situation becomes serious, other member nations will ignore borders and handle disasters for those planets."
Zero frowned slightly, his tone helpless, "However, some member nations might take the opportunity to station troops on those planets and use it as a way to make money."
"Let's just count that as the mess I'm leaving for you to clean up…"
"After all, only when there's profit involved will they actively fight disasters."
"Hua, as the overseer of the star seas, you'll have to take responsibility for this part and try your best to avoid situations like this."
After saying that, he began introducing the items placed in the room.
Among them, only a bow called "Ruoshui" was left for the "Reignbow Arbiter." The rest were all Hua's.
Hua listened for a long time but never heard the person on the screen mention the drawer stuffed full of red envelopes.
Soon, he changed the topic, "Hua, last time you asked about the megastructure inside this realm. I didn't answer you back then…"
"It's the 'Aether Phase Engine.' It's a backup plan I left for you. Whether to use it or not is up to you."
He began introducing the megastructure called the "Aether Phase Engine."
"It can turn all other stars in the universe into black holes and crush planets into mineral resources. Yes, it's basically like 'Lan' shooting arrows at all planets at the same time."
"Even an Aeon couldn't do something like this, yet it's a technology developed by the Xianzhou people themselves."
"Even humans can stand shoulder to shoulder with Aeons through intellect, surpass them, even erase them with a human body."
Zero smiled and continued, "Whether buildings, civilizations, and species completely disappear depends entirely on a single thought from you."
"After pressing the button, if it succeeds, everyone on the Xianzhou will go to a higher-dimensional world."
"There, even time will lose its meaning. Reality itself will change according to your preferences. Even pi could be made into a whole number…"
"All of this depends on you. But I'm guessing you definitely wouldn't do that."
Through the screen, he met Hua's eyes.
"Because that's just the kind of person you are."
"To be honest, I can't bear the weight of a single life. So I never treated you as a daughter, only as my successor."
"I didn't know how to get along with you, and I didn't know how to guide you. But fortunately, you're resilient enough, outstanding enough, and you have the courage to press forward without hesitation."
Zero paused. As if recalling something, he said with emotion, "You… are very similar to someone I once knew."
"She gave so much, yet very few people were grateful for what she did, or even knew her name. Even I can't remember her name or what she looked like anymore."
"I… seem to have forgotten many things. Of course, I didn't treat you as her. You are different individuals. That's why I left the 'Feather Dust' to you."
He lowered his eyes and gave a soft laugh.
"I know I wasn't a qualified father. So you don't need to cry because of my departure. I hope the only reason you ever cry is because you feel happiness."
Hua thought those words came too late.
She raised her hand and wiped away the tears that had somehow run down her cheeks.
The two of them looked at each other through the screen, across time and life and death.
Zero finally showed that same gentle smile he always had.
"Like I said before, I have no requirements for the successor of Xianzhou."
"I hope you won't be the Marshal, won't be a superior. You'll just be yourself."
"If fate allows, we'll meet again. Maybe by then, you'll already be old enough to drink."
"Next time, bring me a pot of good wine."
"Now, pick up the 'Feather Dust' and guard the backup plan I left you."
After that, the person in the video fell silent.
Hua looked at the progress bar. There was still nearly a minute left.
She waited patiently.
The person on the screen stayed silent for a long time. Near the end of the video, he rested his chin on his hand, as if he didn't know how to start speaking.
His gaze shifted for a moment, and in the end he said stiffly, "Um… after you enter the room, the third drawer of the cabinet on the left side. That's the easiest place to overlook. If you open it… well, you might make a small fortune."
Hua, "..."
What a coincidence. The very first drawer she opened after entering the room was that one.
What now? Besides the Xianzhou Alliance and the four-digit number of planets mentioned by the Aeon, did she also have to inherit her guardian's bad luck?
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/XenosX
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰