A Complete Childhood

The reconstruction of Nostramo continued, and the completion of the first phase had filled everyone with hope.

The afterglow of the Salvation Day celebrations had yet to fade, and everyone had rosy visions of the future.

Han Mingxuan felt no anxiety about the Emperor's arrival.

Compared to the news of the Emperor's arrival, the matters right in front of him were more important.

"Priest Herbert, how are things going?"

"Everything's normal. Old Han, take a look at this."

Priest Herbert pointed at the star chart, where Nostramo's moon was shown.

That moon was what blocked out the dying star.

"Don't tell me you're planning to shoot that moon down?"

"With our current capabilities and technology, getting rid of the moon isn't realistic."

"However, the environment on Tenebor makes the second phase of our project much easier."

"Tell me more."

Priest Herbert took several deep breaths before explaining the next stage of the plan, his excitement impossible to conceal.

"The second phase of planetary transformation won't take place on Nostramo itself. We need a pioneer, and that moon will be it."

"So you're planning to conduct an experiment for the second phase of planetary transformation on Tenebor first?"

For Nostramo as it was now, that was a possible solution.

"No, not an experiment, but an actual transformation. Once it's complete, we'll move the planet out of the way."

"Of course, that's only a temporary measure. The star is dying, so Nostramo is doomed if it stays here."

"So after transforming the moon, we'll use it to lead the way and move all of Nostramo."

Whoa, The Wandering Earth?

No, The Wandering Nostramo.

This plan is a little too wild.

"Take all of Nostramo away?"

"No." Herbert shook his head.

"Then what do you mean?"

"We're moving house."

Moving house?

Don't tell me...

"Don't tell me you're going to turn the moon into a giant space dump truck, then pack up the population and all the resources on Nostramo and take them away."

That way of moving house was a little too shocking.

And it sounded more reliable than the method in The Wandering Earth.

"You're as wise as ever, Old Han."

"But here, we..."

"We haven't put that much work in here. We've only spent a year on it."

"That year was just to stop Nostramo from dying a slow death. Yes, we spent a lot of resources, but this expensive shot of adrenaline was worth it."

"The reborn people of Nostramo can't stay in an old grave forever."

It was certainly a way to do it, but the question was, would anyone be willing?

"Old Han, I know what concerns you, so the Inquisitor has been preparing for this for a long time."

Preparing for a long time?

"Curze has been preparing for a long time? Preparing this space moving-truck plan of yours?"

"Yes."

"Oh, so you've been treating me like some old fossil, have you?" Han Mingxuan said sternly.

Herbert said nothing, but his attitude said it all.

Han Mingxuan said no more and went to find Curze.

Bang!

Han Mingxuan kicked Curze's door open, a belt in his hand.

"Curze, get your ass out here!"

At the sight of Han Mingxuan like this, Curze immediately frowned.

Who upset Father?

Could it have been that bitch Pationa?

Sure enough, that woman tangled up with the Warp can't be allowed to stay.

"Dad, who made you angry? I'll get even for you."

"Cut the crap! Yes, I only raised you for a few years, but if you didn't trust me, you should've fucking said so ages ago! Why sneak around behind my back?"

"Did you throw everything I taught you into the Warp's fucking cesspit?!"

"Or are you in league with Pationa, carrying on with her behind my back?"

"Now you're hiding the fact that you're moving a planet from me. What's next, teaming up with that woman to throw your father into a mine-hive to fertilize the soil?!"

Han Mingxuan's rapid-fire tirade made both of Curze's Primarch brains crash.

That was right. The great, mature Primarch, the Night Haunter, was dumbfounded too.

How did moving the planet have anything to do with Pationa?

He wanted nothing more than to turn Pationa into a rug. How could he possibly team up with that woman?

"Father, I could never have any dealings with that Warp creation."

Warp creation?

Something was wrong with that.

"Konrad, come out!"

"Father, I'm right here."

"Shut up! I'm talking about the Konrad in your head. Tell him to get his ass out here and see me!"

What?!

The Night Haunter is... Konrad Curze too?!

That guy in my head is another me?!

"Come out! Unless you've already been reduced to ashes in the Warp."

A cool sensation spread through the room, and the Night Haunter appeared.

But he was very awkward now, or rather, a little afraid.

It was the first time he had seen Han Mingxuan come storming over with a belt in his hand.

"Father."

"No, please don't. How could you call me Father? You'll take years off my life. You're such an impressive big shot, a demigod."

"This is my fault too. I insisted on making myself look good back then. I apologize to you."

"Konrad... I... am a demigod."

"Demi my ass!"

Smack, smack, smack, smack!

Han Mingxuan swung the belt, chasing Curze and giving him a whipping.

Demigod?

Ever since Curze was little, Han Mingxuan had kept telling him that he was a person.

And now, the moment this Night Haunter showed up, Curze didn't even question it. How could that do?

The tree had finally grown straight with great difficulty; he couldn't let Konrad make it crooked.

"Dad! Dad, I was wrong! I'm a person, I'm a person! I'm not a god, I really am not a god!"

Curze jumped as Han Mingxuan beat him, while the Night Haunter stood to one side, not daring to breathe too loudly.

He wasn't kidding. Right now, Han Mingxuan felt even more terrifying to the Night Haunter than the Emperor did.

"Big Bat, stop playing dead and say something!"

"You little brat, your wings have grown strong and now you know how to run, huh? Get back here! Today I'll beat the shit out of you!"

"Take a light beating, but run from a heavy one, so you don't let your father commit an injustice. That's what you taught me."

"You still dare talk back? Today I'll show you what they mean when they say the rod produces a filial son!"

"Father!"

Han Mingxuan had grabbed Curze by the back of his collar. Although he couldn't lift him, Curze was ready to receive his father's love.

At that moment, the Night Haunter could no longer bear the torment in his heart and spoke up of his own accord.

And then...

Thud.

He dropped to both knees.

Tsk, they really were cast from the same mold.

Did both of them like talking on their knees?

Curze had done the same when he first went out on his own, and now the Night Haunter was doing it too.

"Get up. No kneeling!"

"I won't get up unless Father forgives me."

Han Mingxuan was truly furious, and the trouble was, there was nothing he could say to this fully grown Curze.

The Night Haunter hadn't grown up in the same environment as Curze. There were things he couldn't figure out unless they were spelled out for him.