Chapter 27 Past Human Civilization

Chapter 27 The Past Human Civilization

Although the invisible hand had sent Lin Juangui and Mu Zhang away from the interior of Bada, it still took some effort for Lin Juangui to drag Mu Zhang to the aircraft.

He wasn't very familiar with the high-tech products in interstellar technology, but he had learned how to fly a plane before, so the piloting principles should be similar.

After pressing the main switch, Lin Juangui noticed an option on the display asking whether to enable autopilot. He quickly selected "Yes."

Mu Zhang's condition wasn't great; his neck and hands were covered in purple marks from the tight grip of the vines. Lin Juangui checked his breathing to confirm he was still alive and then left him alone.

When he walked to the aircraft window, Lin Juangui noticed that the exterior of Planet Bada was already burning fiercely. No wonder he had felt a dazzling blue light enveloping the aircraft earlier.

From a distance, the once peaceful planet now seemed "alive" with raging flames.

As long as the fire continued, no one would be able to approach Planet Bada again.

Lin Juangui felt a bit worried.

He wondered if the interior of Bada would be affected. If possible, without any interference from others, Lin Juangui would have liked to take a closer look at the scenery of the Emerald Valley.

The aircraft had already established a connection while heading to the Tian Guang flagship. Lin Juangui heard the communicator repeatedly inquiring about Mu Zhang's status/safety.

He stepped forward and pressed the callback button. "This is Lin Juangui. Mu Zhang was injured on Planet Bada. Have the medical equipment ready as soon as possible. We are returning, and you should stand by to receive us at any time."

Gu Mi paused momentarily by the unfamiliar voice, but upon hearing the calm and composed tone, he quickly replied, "Understood."

It took a little over ten minutes to arrive at the Tian Guang flagship. Lin Juangui found a medical kit in the aircraft and bandaged his injured hand.

As Mu Zhang was carried off the aircraft on a stretcher, Lin Juangui contacted Rong Rui. "I'm all right. Let's handle Mu Zhang's situation first, and I'll meet up with you later."

When Gu Mi hurried out of the command room, he heard Lin Juangui's words. He instructed the doctors to take Mu Zhang for treatment immediately and walked up to Lin Juangui, saying solemnly, "Thank you for saving the boss."

Lin Juangui looked at the pale, bloodless young man before him and frowned in confusion. "Are you Gu Mi?"

"Yes."

Mu Zhang and the third squad had been on P-L79 for almost ten days. During that time, the signal was intermittent, and the footage captured by the recorders was fragmented, making it impossible to piece together much useful information.

The deputy captain, worried that something had happened to Mu Zhang, quickly asked Gu Mi to take command while he led another team to P-L79.

However, the entrance to Planet Bada had long been closed. Everyone who entered ended up as mangled remains, and the exploding aircraft ignited the biogas outside P-L79. When Gu Mi saw the entire planet burning up within just a few hours, he slapped his own forehead, feeling that things were going badly.

P-L79 was different from the planets Tian Guang had visited before. Those planets had only one surface layer, and no matter how harsh the environment, they could always find a way to retreat in time.

But the entrance here was not only hard to find but also concealed deeper mysteries. From the fragmented footage sent back by the recorders, it appeared that the civilization on P-L79 had gone extinct a thousand years ago, or possibly even earlier.

They had sealed themselves off, not wanting anyone to discover their secrets.

"What should we do next?" the pilot asked Gu Mi.

Gu Mi was one of Mu Zhang's most trusted subordinates. The reason he was asked to take command was simply that he was the only one available at the time.

Even though Gu Mi had seen many major situations, he could only wipe the sweat from his brow, take a deep breath, and say, "Mu Zhang has been through countless hardships. I believe he has the ability to get himself out. Let's wait. If there's no news in ten days, we'll just have to blast the planet open."

However, when Rong Rui and his team emerged from P-L79, everyone was stunned. They had actually left P-L79 completely unharmed!

Gu Mi quickly established contact with Rong Rui's starship. When he learned that Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui hadn't come out with them, his heart sank halfway.

Just a few hours earlier, Gu Mi had been about to order the launch of a quantum cannon. Now, seeing Mu Zhang return, he was overjoyed.

In stark contrast was Lin Juangui's stern expression. "Was P-L79 sold at auction by you?"

"Huh?" Gu Mi clearly hadn't processed the question yet, but from his unsurprised expression, Lin Juangui already had his answer.

Gu Mi pressed his lips together, feeling a sense of guilt as if he had done something wrong. He asked Lin Juangui if he was injured and if he needed a doctor to examine him. Lin Juangui refused. "First, confirm Mu Zhang's condition."

"Ah, okay."

Mu Zhang had no external injuries, but due to the pressure from the vines, some of his internal organs were damaged.

The doctor said Mu Zhang's condition was not optimistic and that he needed to be placed in a treatment pod for recovery. Lin Juangui stood by with a grave expression, lost in thought.

Gu Mi felt uneasy beside him. He knew that his earlier reaction had given something away to Lin Juangui, but now he was more concerned about how Mu Zhang had been injured. "Did he get himself into this state trying to save you?"

"No," Lin Juangui denied without hesitation. "When the accident happened, he was still holding my hand, risking himself. But his plan backfired, and he fell into the valley, struggling with those strange plants. When he wakes up, remember to tell him that I saved him."

This was the first time Gu Mi had met an Omega with such a strong presence. He knew Lin Juangui had every right to be angry. The fact that he hadn't strangled Mu Zhang on the spot after learning that P-L79—no, Planet Bada—had been auctioned off by him was already showing great restraint.

"Okay, I will."

Lin Juangui stood up to leave, and Gu Mi followed, asking where he was going.

"I hired a specialized exploration team for Bada this time. They're still waiting for my next instructions. As Mu Zhang's subordinate, you know how to control the information and ensure that word of his injury doesn't leak. I have my own matters to attend to."

After changing out of his dirty combat suit and putting on his glasses, Lin Juangui left. Gu Mi watched his retreating figure in the docking passage and suddenly sighed.

Such an impressive Omega would indeed be a good match for Mu Zhang, but unfortunately, Mu Zhang preferred Alphas.

Rong Rui was relieved to see that Lin Juangui was unharmed. He still felt dazed, as if he had narrowly escaped death. "We were lucky this time. There were no casualties, and we even managed to scan the entire library of Planet Bada! By the way, the items you asked my team to bring back from the treasure vault are being inventoried now. This experience was truly incredible. Without you, we wouldn't have all returned safely."

After exchanging some mutual professional praise, the two exchanged a smile. Lin Juangui raised his hand to rub his brow, finally relaxing. "Anyway, thank you for everything."

Rong Rui noticed that Lin Juangui's hand was still injured and asked what had happened. Lin Juangui replied, "Just a cut. I think I need to sleep. When we reach Pifeng Star, please prepare a flight to the Federal Central Star for me."

"Sure. Let me know if you need anything else."

Lin Juangui slept for a long time.

So long that he almost lost track of time.

By the time he woke up, it was already the second day after leaving Planet Bada. When Rong Rui came to tell him that the aircraft was ready, he saw that Lin Juangui still looked drowsy and asked if he was okay.

"Omegas' physical constitutions are naturally weaker. You've been on Bada for so many days. Why not rest a bit longer?"

Lin Juangui shook his head and asked the robot to prepare a black coffee for him. "Opportunity waits for no one. Some things are better handled sooner rather than later. I should go now. It was a pleasure working with you, Boss Rong."

"Come by for a drink sometime."

"Definitely."

While Lin Juangui was asleep, Rong Rui's team had already packed the antiques found in Planet Bada's treasure vault into vacuum-sealed containers and assigned them catalog numbers.

On the way to the Federal Central Star, the chief surveyor reported to Lin Juangui, "We retrieved a total of 361 artifacts from Planet Bada, all of which reflect local Bada characteristics—textiles, ceramics, silverware, jade ornaments, and gems of exceptionally high purity, rarely seen today. The estimated value is..."

A figure that would make anyone's eyes gleam with greed.

Lin Juangui nodded, not showing much surprise. He then asked, "I remember you mentioned that the library had been fully scanned, allowing us to access it through holographic projection even after leaving. Have you summarized any useful information over the past few days?"

"We have prepared detailed written reports on Bada Star's surface features, belief systems, folk customs, etc. But these materials, from today's perspective, might..."

They might not align with the Federal government's values.

Lin Juangui seemed to understand what the surveyors were worried about—after all, communicating with gods through the Holy Mirror was too mystical or superstitious. This is an era that believes in science; humans prefer to rely on themselves rather than engage in futile prayers.

Lin Juangui quickly finished reviewing the materials compiled by the surveyors and promptly suggested a direction: "Then scrub any mention of divine intervention. Regarding the reasons for the rise and fall of the Green People, it was partly to maintain the stability of their internal power structure and partly due to the selfish motives of a certain clan leader, which led Bada to become isolated and stagnant. This fits neatly into human history."

"Isn't this a bit far-fetched?"

Lin Juangui chuckled, resting his chin in his hands. "Isn't that what history is like? The records they left behind may not even be true—they might have been embellished and beautified by human hands. The Federation doesn't need the real history; it needs the history it wants."

After hearing Lin Juangui's circular reasoning, the surveyor nodded as if understanding.

When the meeting concluded, Lin Juangui stood up and bowed to the holographic attendees in the conference room, his smile sincere. "Thank you all for risking your lives with me. This trip to Bada was harrowing, and without your extensive experience and assistance, we wouldn't have achieved so much. Thank you."

"Mr. Lin, you're too kind. We were just doing our jobs. Being able to witness so many wonders and strange sights on Bada was a unique experience for us."

After all, star prospectors love adventure—ordinary planets are no fun.

Lin Juangui had no idea what kind of dangers the surveyors had faced. For him, the trip to Bada was like playing on easy mode. He hadn't personally experienced the traps and puzzles they mentioned, so he had no concept of how dangerous Bada Star truly was.

However, the surveyors under Rong Rui were exceptionally skilled, and their documentation was thorough and professional, saving Lin Juangui a lot of trouble.

It was already evening when they arrived at the Federal Central Star. The city was as bright as day, making it hard to distinguish between day and night.

Lin Juangui checked the safe he had brought, and he smiled in satisfaction when he confirmed that the contents were intact.

He had a feeling that everything would go smoothly today.

Qu Yang drove over to pick up Lin Juangui. "The items you requested are ready and placed in the trunk," she said.

Lin Juangui nodded and told Qu Yang his destination.

Zhuang Xi lived in a high-rise building on the Federal Central Star. Fang Rennan had been extremely busy lately, even sleeping at the office. Coincidentally, Zhuang Xi was giving him the silent treatment, so it was a case of out of sight, out of mind.

Lately, Zhuang Xi had been emotionally unstable, which he suspected was due to the onset of his heat. So, he had taken leave to work from home.

Zhuang Xi was a night owl, and this was the time when his mind was most active. He was quite pleased to see Lin Juangui visiting at this hour and warmly welcomed him.

Lin Juangui set the box aside and said apologetically, "I was worried I might disturb you, Brother Zhuang. I even considered coming back tomorrow."

"Why so polite? Your hands are so cold—come, sit down." Zhuang Xi turned and instructed the household bot to bring a cup of tea.

Zhuang Xi led Lin Juangui to the sofa. Just then, the robot brought over the hot black tea, and Zhuang Xi handed the cup to Lin Juangui. "Warm your hands first."

Lin Juangui thanked him. "How are you feeling?"

Not long ago, Lin Juangui had heard that Zhuang Xi and Fang Rennan had argued. Though Lin Juangui didn't ask for details, Zhuang Xi had been so upset that he experienced chest discomfort. After a check-up, the doctor advised him to rest and relax for a few days, as chronic stress could lead to hormone dysregulation, which is particularly harmful to an Omega's health.

Zhuang Xi knew he couldn't push himself, but with numerous tasks pending at the charity foundation, he had no choice but to work from home.

Before leaving for Bada, Lin Juangui had informed Zhuang Xi that he would be joining the survey team to visit the planet that had nearly bankrupted the Lin family. Zhuang Xi had urged him to be careful and not to worry about the welfare home, as he had already found a solution.

Lin Juangui couldn't ask for details but made sure to inform Zhuang Xi of his safe return from Bada. He also mentioned bringing back some items and asked if Zhuang Xi had time to take a look.

Zhuang Xi naturally agreed. He had been feeling irritable lately and was glad to have someone to talk to.

When Lin Juangui asked about his health, Zhuang Xi shook his head gloomily. "That's just how Omegas are—we need to feel loved and constantly pampered. When Lao Fang wasn't so busy, we got along fine. But once he's swamped with work, he has no time for me."

Zhuang Xi and Fang Rennan had been married for years without having children. Aside from Zhuang Xi's reluctance, another reason was his deep resentment toward this Alpha.

"That good-for-nothing, all he's good for is knotting—if it weren't for Fang Rennan's pheromones being to my liking, I wouldn't have married him."

Lin Juangui smiled and placed the safe he had brought onto the coffee table. After entering the password, he opened it, and three sets of stunningly crafted yet tasteful jewelry were automatically raised and displayed before Zhuang Xi.

"I hope these will lift your spirits, Brother Zhuang."

Over the years, aside from his charity work, Zhuang Xi had become a renowned jewelry collector across the stars. He came from a wealthy background and had been surrounded by gold, silver, and gems since childhood. Yet, these three sets of jewelry still left him in awe.

Just the central gemstone of the necklace alone was at least the size of a baby's fist, and it appeared virtually flawless—truly a masterpiece.

Zhuang Xi reached out to touch it but quickly withdrew his hand. He asked Lin Juangui where the jewelry came from.

"They were salvaged from the planet that nearly bankrupted the Lin family."

Lin Juangui had previously told Zhuang Xi about his relationship with Mu Zhang and the current state of P-L79, the underlying cause of it all.

Zhuang Xi hadn't expected Lin Juangui to have such a stroke of luck and quickly congratulated him. "So, your family's financial troubles are over now?"

Lin Juangui shook his head. "It might not be that straightforward."

After explaining the current state of Bada to Zhuang Xi, Lin Juangui said, "An extinct human civilization is certainly attention-grabbing, but Bada Star is now undergoing spontaneous combustion. Returning is impossible, and the items retrieved from there will likely become one-of-a-kind relics with significant research value. For me, this isn't a blessing but an endless source of trouble."

Zhuang Xi came to his senses and, thinking of the archaeologists' excitement, smiled wryly. "You're right."

"So, Brother Zhuang, I have an idea. I want to donate these artifacts to the charity association for auction. The proceeds will be used to support homeless children across the universe. What do you think?"

Zhuang Xi was stunned speechless.

The proceeds from auctioning those artifacts would be a fortune, and Lin Juangui was willing to give it up just like that?!

Seeing Zhuang Xi stunned into silence, Lin Juangui explained, "Brother Zhuang, you might not know how much I envy you. Since we met, I've admired your ability to have your own career. I look up to you and hope to become an Omega who contributes to society myself one day.

I differentiated late and have only been an Omega for a little over a year. My uterus is underdeveloped, and I might not be able to have children in the future. So...

I want to do what I can in the time I have, so I have no regrets."

Tears welled up in Zhuang Xi's eyes after hearing this.

He patted Lin Juangui's hand and said, "I... you... I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling right now. Have you really made up your mind about this?"

Lin Juangui's smile was gentle yet firm. "Of course. I've thought it through on the way here. But I know this will trouble you, Brother Zhuang. It feels like I'm shifting a burden onto you, so I'm a bit embarrassed."

Zhuang Xi wiped his tears. Whether out of friendship with Lin Juangui or the unexpected benefits, he couldn't pass up this opportunity.

"So, how many artifacts did you retrieve from Bada in total?"

"Counting these three sets, 361 items in total."

"..."

That's incredibly generous of you.

Zhuang Xi asked himself: if he had obtained so many treasures from a nearly abandoned planet, he would hoard them without a second thought. He could never be as magnanimous as Lin Juangui.

Zhuang Xi took a deep breath and made up his mind. He said to Lin Juangui solemnly, "Since there's a complete collection, let's not break it up. I'll bid on what I want myself. But... Juangui, I must remind you—you're a cherished friend. If you need help, I'll never refuse. But don't be so generous in the future. It's fine with me, but others might exploit you ruthlessly and leave nothing behind."

Young Lin Juangui, with his sincere and selfless nature, appeared to Zhuang Xi as utterly naive, yet Zhuang Xi didn’t want him to suffer losses. A plan quietly took shape in Zhuang Xi’s mind.

The two talked through the night, and things progressed even more smoothly than Lin Juangui had anticipated.

Zhuang Xi’s execution ability was exceptionally strong. Once the plan was settled, he was ready to act immediately, looking pumped up. Before heading out, he even gave himself an inhibitor injection.

Lin Juangui also messaged Rong Rui, instructing him to quickly transport the artifacts from Bada Star to the Federal Capital Star.

"I remember you have the video of the entire packing and cataloging process of the treasure vault entry. Send me a copy."

"Sure," Rong Rui agreed readily.

Lin Juangui sent the numbered artifact photos to Zhuang Xi. Even though Zhuang Xi had mentally prepared himself, he couldn’t help but place a hand on his chest and take a deep breath when he saw them.

If this succeeded, the position of president of the Charity Association next year would undoubtedly be his.

Seeing Zhuang Xi’s look of determination, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Lin Juangui’s lips.

Lin Juangui was not an impulsive person; he always had his considerations.

Based on past experience, Bada was a trap specifically set up by Mu Zhang to target the Lin family.

Mu Zhang’s goal was not only to bankrupt the Lin family through this planet, forcing Lin Juangui into a hasty marriage so he could naturally bring home a human-form inhibitor, but also to make the Lin family bear the risks, giving him a legitimate reason to buy back at a low price.

When Lin Juangui decided to sell P-L79, Mu Zhang invited him to dinner, intending to pressure him morally so Lin Juangui would actively seek Mu Zhang’s help, allowing Mu Zhang to interfere with P-L79 matters as a matter of course.

But Lin Juangui’s eyes were "blinded" by Mu Zhang, leaving Mu Zhang with no excuse to boss him around. He could only follow behind when Lin Juangui set out, even openly claiming it was to protect him.

Now, Mu Zhang had not gotten what he wanted, and the artifacts from Bada had become one of the few cards in Lin Juangui’s hand.

Yet, these hot potatoes couldn’t be held onto forever. He needed a way to discard them and find an excuse that would prevent those coveting the artifacts from resorting to underhanded tricks.

Lin Juangui knew he couldn’t guard against underhanded tactics, but he could play an open game.

Zhuang Xi brought Lin Juangui’s idea to life. He first secured a multi-layered vacuum warehouse, took Lin Juangui to the notary office, and arranged for the association to prepare a press conference.

"Are you nervous? I’ve already asked my secretary to draft a speech. If you don’t know what to say, just read from it."

Zhuang Xi treated Lin Juangui like a novice needing guidance.

Lin Juangui smiled and accepted Zhuang Xi’s kindness but said, "If possible, could I add some of my own thoughts? I also hope more people learn about Bada’s current state."

Zhuang Xi nodded. "Of course. This is just a general direction. It’s even better if you can express your own views."

Rong Rui’s team worked efficiently, delivering the artifacts within half a day without any damage.

However, upon learning Lin Juangui planned to donate all the artifacts to the Charity Association, Rong Rui urgently called, advising him not to act impulsively.

"I’m not impulsive, but I’d like to ask you to send some people to supervise and provide security at the warehouse. Triple pay. What do you think?"

Rong Rui considered Lin Juangui’s intention and finally agreed. "Alright, I’ll send a few trusted subordinates. Be careful not to be tricked."

"I know. Thank you."

Lin Juangui was so young that everyone worried he might be easily led by the nose, but those who knew him could see he was playing dumb to outsmart others.

The next day, after everything was arranged, Zhuang Xi and Lin Juangui chose their suits together. When he saw Lin Juangui put on rimless glasses, Zhuang Xi mused, "This style makes you look so mature, like you’ve aged five years instantly."

Lin Juangui smiled, eyes curving. "Isn’t that a good thing?"

He had always been judged by appearances since childhood. Only after growing older and building a stronger physique did he gain an imposing presence.

When Lin Juangui first joined the company, everyone saw him as a figurehead to be manipulated. But he proved decisive and efficient in his actions, firm in his word, and fair-minded in private, gradually turning public perception around until no one dared to underestimate him.

Zhuang Xi knew Lin Juangui didn’t want others to think he was acting recklessly due to his youth. At the press conference venue, he patted Lin Juangui’s back reassuringly.

The press conference aimed to announce the Charity Association’s recent achievements and have Lin Juangui declare the donation of artifacts for auction.

Zhuang Xi wouldn’t let this happen quietly. Having been in the workplace for years, he knew the importance of leaving a paper trail to avoid criticism.

He worried Lin Juangui might oppose holding a press conference, deeming it too high-profile, but Lin Juangui nodded and said, "Brother Zhuang’s idea is excellent. I agree."

Clearly, they were on the same page, putting Zhuang Xi at ease, his smile growing more reflective.

It had been years since he met someone so adept.

After Zhuang Xi’s opening and reporting on the Charity Association’s projects, he smiled into the cameras of all sizes and said, "Besides updating you on our projects, there’s another announcement. Next, Mr. Lin Juangui will elaborate."

No one had heard of Lin Juangui, and bored journalists showed little interest until he stepped onto the stage, nodded, and smiled at the cameras, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

The Omega on screen had delicate features and porcelain-white skin, flawless even under high magnification, mistaken by some for a minor celebrity.

But the Federation had long abandoned the celebrity profession, with most shows and movies AI-generated, putting entertainment journalists out of work.

"Hello everyone, I’m Lin Juangui. I’ll now explain the new discoveries on Bada Star and our collaboration with the Charity Association. Please take a look at these images first."

The holographic screen behind him displayed Bada Star’s exterior vines and lush interior greenery.

"When the Lin family purchased Bada Star, its designation was P-L79. This planet drifted through space for years, covered in thick vines and dense biogas, making it inaccessible. However, the exploration team not only found an entry but also uncovered its secrets."

Lin Juangui vividly described the exploration team’s adventures and discoveries on Bada Star. Journalists were dumbfounded, photographing every holographic image and urgently reporting to their superiors—a new civilization discovered on a planet.

The press conference live stream was suddenly pushed to the Starnet’s homepage, with Lin Juangui’s face ensuring high traffic.

"Bada Star endured wars and destruction, but we managed to record some information, offering a glimpse into its past.

Due to numerous mechanisms inside, the exploration team couldn’t stay long. Upon departure, a spacecraft accidentally exploded, igniting the exterior biogas. Now…"

The image of Bada Star engulfed in flames was spectacular. Who would have thought a planet could burn entirely? Returning seemed impossible.

Journalists’ hearts raced with Lin Juangui’s narration.

If there were detailed historical records, it would be a monumental discovery for humanity.

But with Bada Star now inaccessible, journalists could only sigh. One impatiently raised a hand: "Besides books, were there other findings?"

"Of course," Lin Juangui nodded. "That’s why I’m here today."

He stepped back as the holographic screen showed numerous artifact photos. His smile was selfless and magnanimous, his words hitting like a heavy weight in every journalist’s ears.

"The exploration team retrieved 361 artifacts from Bada Star. The entire retrieval process was recorded and notarized by the notary office.

I will donate all these artifacts to the Federal Charity Association for auction. The proceeds will aid children affected by war and displacement.

May these children grow up healthy, knowing that despite pain and hardship, someone stands behind them, offering support.

Finally, I thank my husband, Mu Zhang, for his unwavering support. May our individual affection extend outward, merging into a steady, flowing river that nourishes the Federation’s future."