Chapter 47: Human

Bai Yanci’s voice was heavy: “Ke-ke, now isn’t the time.”
“If not now—when? Every day the pendant stays lost Jade Dust roams free. With the artifact we’d have more chance against Diting.” Seeing Bai Yanci silent she pressed: “Sister, you’ll let Jade Dust smear you forever? Don’t you want to return to the moon palace openly?”
“The moon palace is my home—how could I not want to go back?”
Bai Yanci gave a helpless smile and sighed. “Ke-ke, it’s not as simple as you think. Even together we’d have no chance against Jade Dust holding an artifact. The Spirit Tide jade pendant was made by Milt—unlike the pearl it doesn’t choose a master. Whoever holds it commands it.”
She remembered fighting Jade Dust—Jade Dust’s immortal power wasn’t stronger than hers but she’d looked utterly sure.
With the pendant in hand Jade Dust probably didn’t fear a fallen god who hadn’t recovered full consciousness.
Dead silence—phone rang. Jiang Ran.
Half SI was guarding near Zhen Yao. A call now—Qixie trouble again?
She answered. Jiang Ran low on the other end: “Team leader—the bureau took Zhen Yao.”
“What?” Bureau words rang in her skull. Alert at once. “Who sent them? You see clearly?”
“Director Mu’s people.”
Heart sank. Mu as expected.
Mu took Zhen Yao—knew she had guards watching—still this brazen in broad daylight.
Why take Zhen Yao? Part of restarting the experiment?
“Jiang-jie, don’t spread this yet. Bring our people back.”
Jiang Ran didn’t hang up. “Anything else? Another situation?”
Silence a long while. “Team leader—when you go to the bureau, be very careful.”
“Jiang-jie, what happened? Why say that?”
“Director Mu took her in front of SI—plain defiance toward you. I know as an outsider I shouldn’t speak—but I’m older, let me play big sister.” Jiang Ran said, “Director Mu balances the chief—that shows how deep she plays. Bureau and Mu are too dangerous. Wrong to say—but if you were my real sister I’d never want you team leader carrying all of Jintian on your back.”
“I’ll be careful.” Warm in her chest. “Thank you, Jiang-jie.”
She hung up.
Two years Jiang Ran had cared for her like a real sister—always thinking of her.
Even without the warning she’d be careful everywhere.
Deep breath. Composed herself. To Bai Yanci: “Sister, Mu took Zhen Yao to the bureau. I’m going to bring her back.”
“I sense other scattered consciousness in Jintian—can’t delay.” Bai Yanci answered. “If you can’t handle it, message me. I’ll come at once.”
She agreed fast: “Relax—those human ability users can’t touch me.”
Brief embrace—Bai Yanci left quick. She drew transport straight to the bureau.
She’d sounded easy—but going to the bureau her nerves still ran wild.
SI was under the bureau in name—served the bureau’s lords. Far from center they worked as one team.
To SI Mu was a mysterious lord—big airs—besides her and Jiang Ran no one had met her.
She hid her breath. Guards couldn’t find her. Knew the building layout—soon at the lab door.
Mu held part of her consciousness—might have things made just for her.
In the lab Zhen Yao lay on the cold table, heavy sedative, unconscious.
“Director, Team Leader Yi sent that Jiang woman to watch. We dragged the girl back in the open—isn’t that opposing SI?” A young experimenter’s voice shook. “SSS subject—if she goes out of control again…”
“Shut up!” Liu-ge cut in loud. “The director has her reasons. You’re new—what right to question? Without the director you’d still be bullied in some mountain village!”
Mu spoke: “Xiao Liu, don’t be so harsh. His worry isn’t wrong.”
Then cold order: “Extract her spiritual flame. Strip the fallen-god portion.”
“But Director, after taking flame the girl will…”
“Dead is dead. How many die of disease, how many by accident?” Mu didn’t care. “Giving her life for humanity’s future—that’s the highest value she can have.”
The room went silent.
Mu’s mind was set. No one dared question the cruel call.
Listening she was shocked—in two years Mu had built equipment to strip spiritual flame.
Exquisite instruments—and the flow on them was her fallen-god power.
Decades of experiments on her.
She’d thought only analysis of fallen-god structure—never perfect copy of her flame-wielding.
“Still an unawakened girl—not bad talent, pity.” Mu played regret. “If Qixie hadn’t marked her I might’ve recruited her to serve me.”
Liu-ge fawned: “This girl should be honored to serve your grand design. One ordinary life against all humanity—nothing.”
Mu looked pleased. Signaled start. The experimenter reached for the button—she stepped out of hiding.
Besides Mu calm, every face she knew showed fear—including Liu-ge.
Mu unchanged: “Ke-ke, I knew you’d come.”
“Of course I came.” Cold to the room. “You slaughter innocents at will—don’t you fear heaven’s judgment?”
Mu acted deaf. Chiding soft: “Is this child so important you came yourself? I taught you more than once—not to waste time on the weak.”
Then lifted a hand—pause the experiment.
The operator hesitated: “But…”
“But what? All of you together—her match?” Facing her again—the gentle foster-mother mask. “Ke-ke, did you come to witness humanity’s advance too?”
“Humanity’s advance?” She almost laughed. Cold sniff. “Stop the noble talk. This is private greed.”
Mu acted as if they’d never fought.
Before SI transfer Mu had hidden perfectly—qualified foster mother. Even now the fake skin stayed on. She was sick of it long ago.
What kindness, what warmth—only a useful mask worn whenever it served the goal.
“Ke-ke, you’re grown. Some things should be said.” Mu sent experimenters out—only Liu-ge stayed.
When the door closed soft Mu went on: “I was busy, neglected you—you resent me, natural.”
“When I first saw you I saw your gift—decided to adopt you, raise you beside me.” Mu sighed regret. “I thought years at my side you’d resemble me somewhat. Pity you have a woman’s soft heart—sympathy for the weak.”
“In your eyes weak lives aren’t lives?” she asked.
“Ke-ke, you misunderstand.” Mu walked to Zhen Yao—eyes not on a person but an object. “This child has potential—also weak. Before all humanity’s fate her value as ability user is nothing.”
In Mu’s eyes Zhen Yao and she were both trophies.
“If she weren’t weak she could fight back—take her fate. She hasn’t the skill, has she?” Mu grew excited. “She could only be brought here by my people—to give her life for humanity’s future.”
She couldn’t listen more. Rage: “You keep saying humanity’s fate and future—how is this different from Qixie? Isn’t the bureau’s mission to keep Jintian safe?”
Mu sniffed: “Qixie? Low trash—not fit to compare. Child, you’re fallen god—born strong—you don’t understand my intent.”
“Humans have ability from divine grace—but gods are unfair—only a hundred years. Before immortals we’re mayflies daring too much.” Mu spread her arms, eyes feverish. “If no gods remain—why can’t I take fallen-god power and lead humanity to the world’s peak?”
Words done—Mu started the experiment herself.