Chapter 81: The Arrival of Liang Bing

Chapter Eighty-One: The Arrival of Frost

Time marched on, never pausing in its relentless stride. A week had passed since Yunyang and Rose began living together, when Morgana arrived on the Northern Star—this time as Frost.

She waited directly in the small courtyard of Yunyang’s residence, knowing the two would leave from here each day even if they didn’t sleep here. As a fourth-generation god, such minor observations were child’s play to her.

But Frost cared little for such details. She was here for Rose. Yet as she waited, the hours dragged on until well past ten, and her patience wore thin. With a flick of her wrist, a miniature Devil’s Claw spun between her fingers, as if she were picking out a house that offended her sensibilities.

Meanwhile, in the virtual space, Yunyang brushed his teeth, casting a resentful glance at Xiao Yi. Could this girl not take a hint and give them some privacy? Though they lived together, Yunyang had slept alone these past days—Rose had been monopolized by Xiao Yi. Yunyang could already foresee how things would be once the child grew older.

Rose noticed Yunyang’s gaze and turned away with a soft snort. This man thought of nothing but her body every day—she’d had enough.

No sooner had Yunyang finished washing up and led Rose out, than they opened the door to find a woman in a black trench coat standing in the courtyard.

Looking closely, was this not Morgana herself? What was the Demon Queen doing here?

Frost, too, noticed the sudden appearance of the two. When she saw Yunyang holding Rose’s hand as they exited the same room, she couldn’t help the surge of murderous intent that rose within her, even though she’d prepared herself for Yunyang’s lack of submission. She forcefully suppressed it, however, and put on a smile, speaking to Rose, who followed behind Yunyang.

“Rose, when will you return to Demon One? I’ve gathered all the resources you need to upgrade your divine body.”

Indeed, Frost had begun to resort to incentives, having realized threats were useless and emotional appeals even worse.

Before Rose could reply, Yunyang spoke up, “She’s not going back. What resources? We don’t need them.”

Frost ignored Yunyang, her gaze fixed intently on Rose, as if searching her face for an answer. Frost knew exactly what Rose desired—strength. The power to protect all she wished to protect. This yearning for strength was so intense that Rose had set aside her hatred for her father’s killer, at least temporarily, to cooperate with the demons.

“I will, Yunyang. Just give me a few days, all right?” Rose tugged Yunyang’s hand as she spoke.

“With your current strength, you can already defend Earth. Leave the future to Xiao Lun and his Galaxy Power,” Yunyang tried to persuade Rose, listing his reasons.

Frost remained silent, watching the two with a calculating glint in her eyes.

Rose, for her part, explained her reasons—many warriors from Earth’s Huaxia were on Demon’s side; she needed to bring them back. And as for the resources, why refuse them? Especially since Earth simply didn’t possess such things.

Soothed by Rose’s earnest reasoning, Yunyang finally relented, agreeing to let her go to Demon One for the upgrade.

Yet this made Yunyang realize that power truly came first. It was time to consider upgrading himself. He did have an authorization code, but while Rose needed resources to ascend to the third generation, he wasn’t sure if he would, too.

After a long, searching look at Yunyang, Frost finally spoke. “Very well. I’ll come for you at this time tomorrow.”

With that, she opened a wormhole behind her and vanished, as though she had never been there at all.

Rose gazed thoughtfully at the spot where Frost had stood. She knew that wormhole led directly to Demon One. Although she had no idea how far Demon One was from Earth, she herself could never open such a portal.

Because of the Trisolaran threat, Ge Xiaolun and Zhi Xin had finally prioritized the construction of the astrophysical computer—even consulting the projection of Keira’s knowledge base. Keira’s projection offered two suggestions:

First, since the person with the most research on Trisolarans in the known universe was Karl, and the one with the most recorded information was the Great Clock, Keira advised exchanging information with Karl.

Second, build their own astrophysical computer to simulate the evolution of the Trisolarans and thus acquire data on them.

Zhi Xin rejected the first suggestion in the name of justice and order. The second, however, aligned perfectly with their original plan—build the astrophysical computer—so they both gladly agreed.

After syncing up with Keira’s knowledge base for the necessary expertise and data, Zhi Xin dragged Leina along to the space villa.

“Hey, Xiao Lun, you already have an energy source—why drag me over?” Leina, pulled away from her blueprints, was a thousand times unwilling.

“Sis Leina, I just wanted you to handle the energy input—make it the exclusive power source for the medical pod and the villa,” Ge Xiaolun said sheepishly, scratching his head.

“Your villa is pretty impressive,” Leina replied, facepalming with a hint of exasperation.

Drawing from their previous experience building the medical pod, the three divided their tasks clearly: Ge Xiaolun handled the physical framework, Zhi Xin managed the computer’s energy interface and programming, and Leina oversaw the definition and integration of the energy source—after all, this was Lieyang’s specialty. If Lieyang claimed second place, no one in the known universe would dare claim first.

Soon, a multi-pointed star-shaped collector made of dark alloy, along with a triangular pyramid base, formed the energy-receiving apparatus for the astrophysical computer.

Finally, Leina tossed the energy data of a star—a glowing orb—into the device. A golden pillar of light connected the upper and lower parts.

With the energy source settled, Ge Xiaolun swiftly assembled the computer’s core and installed it into the prepared base.

As the core was activated, energy consumption surged and the computer began to operate. The interface, based on the design from Keisha’s armory, projected a map of the angelic universe—faint golden lines tracing the expanse the angels had explored: vast and mysterious.

“Excellent! With this stellar energy, we can design the Hour Clock,” Zhi Xin exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

Indeed, a scientist’s joy comes from the realization of technological achievements.

At this point, Ge Xiaolun’s urge to name things reared its head. Unable to resist, he suggested, “How about… I name it?”

Leina and Zhi Xin exchanged glances, then nodded.

Thus permitted, Ge Xiaolun’s mind raced. Drawing on his gene engine system, he declared passionately, “Heroic Core! Let’s call it Great Heroic Core—what do you think?”

Leina and Zhi Xin exchanged knowing glances, both silently thinking, “Just as expected.”

Leina retorted immediately, “Heroic Core, heroic core—enough already! No way, pick another.”

Chastened, Ge Xiaolun agreed, “All right, all right, I’ll choose another.”

“Then how about Yan?” he ventured.

Zhi Xin immediately approved, clapping her hands excitedly.

Leina, on the other hand, felt as though she’d been struck again, her annoyance clear.

“This is for Earth’s civilization, not for your own romantic pursuits,” she chided.

Embarrassed by Leina’s words, Ge Xiaolun coughed and said, “Ahem, I’ll try again.”

After much deliberation, he finally arrived at a name more suited to Huaxia culture, “Qian is Heaven, Kun is Earth—let’s call it Qiankun.”

“That’s a great name, grand and dignified,” Leina said, giving a thumbs-up.

Ge Xiaolun smiled shyly, “I used to be a humanities student—this is nothing.”

Hmph, what shyness? He just couldn’t resist showing off in the end.

As Earth’s defenders pondered the Trisolaran threat, the Trisolarans themselves had already marked Earth, using the planet’s dolphins as a new vanguard, accelerating their evolution to become the Trisolaran spearhead.

While Ge Xiaolun worried about Earth’s future, Yunyang and Rose spent the day wandering together. Though the war had only just ended and more was soon to come, many people ventured outdoors. Few shops were open—under the shadow of war, who would have the heart to do business? The former shop owners might not even be alive.

“Tomorrow, mark your location for me and send the coordinates. I’ll come see you,” Yunyang said, walking ahead, his reluctance obvious.

“All right, but are you sure you’ll be allowed into Demon One?” Rose agreed, though she doubted the demons would let Yunyang in.

“How will I know if I don’t try?” That was Yunyang’s honest thought—though he was uncertain, he wanted to attempt it.

“Fine, just come straight to my room. I’ll cover for you.”

Hearing this, Yunyang spun Rose around in his arms, laughing, “My wife is so good to me—knows I have no place to stay and gives me a room.”

“Huh?” Rose was momentarily baffled.

“I don’t have a house. Not even any money, actually,” Yunyang explained.

“So how will you handle the bride price?” Rose seized the chance to tease him, pretending to be shocked.

“What? Bride price? There’s a bride price here too?” Yunyang suddenly recalled the terror young men felt under the pressure of bride prices and mothers-in-law.

“Of course,” Rose replied, suppressing a laugh, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“H-how much?” Yunyang stammered.

He had reason to worry—he was utterly alone, with no house, car, or money: the very image of someone with nothing to offer.

“Well, I’m a sergeant, with a monthly stipend of 5,500. The bride price should be at least fifty thousand,” Rose calculated seriously, counting on her fingers.

Hearing this, Yunyang relaxed. He realized his rank was higher than Rose’s—surely his stipend was larger. The bride price, then, was in the bag.