Chapter 51: Returning to the Right Path

High above the skies of Firmament Star, Shen Xing’s gaze pierced the clouds, silently observing Yao Yuan and his companions, as well as the scientists within the experimental spacecraft.

He had expected to witness actions worthy of suspicion, but what met his eyes was instead the group’s endless infatuation with grilled meat and beer.

Their behavior betrayed a childlike sense of novelty and greed, which took Shen Xing by surprise, even leaving him faintly disappointed.

A trace of mockery rose in his heart, quickly followed by a sense of disdain and sympathy toward the people of Earth.

These humans, who possessed an advanced civilization, appeared utterly helpless and longing when it came to the simplest pleasures of life—even a meal of grilled meat and beer was a luxury in their eyes.

Beneath, in the night market, the five remained immersed in a feast of food and drink.

Never before had they tasted such exquisite food; every bite of roasted meat, every sip of beer, brought them an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

As time passed, a flush of drunkenness appeared on Zhang Yu’s face, his voice tinged with a rare depth and emotion.

“We’ve always thought highly of ourselves, looking down on Firmament Star as a primitive wasteland, mocking its level of civilization.”

His words carried a note of self-reflection, and he let out a long sigh.

“But look at the lives these people lead, and then at our own.”

“There is no smoke of war here! No frantic pace, no overwhelming pressure! People can indulge in delicious food as they please, savor the joys of life, surrounded by so many vibrant animals and enchanting scenery!”

Longing for life on Firmament Star shone in Zhang Yu’s eyes, and the others, too, were moved—some even on the verge of tears under the influence of alcohol.

“And us? Our lives are monotonous, tedious, and dull. We have no stable home, know nothing of true enjoyment…”

“Compared to them, everything we possess seems so insignificant.”

“All we have is our derision for their so-called lesser civilization to prop up our pitiful sense of superiority.”

A deep sorrow laced Zhang Yu’s words. Yao Yuan, too, could not help but sigh.

“Compared to the people here, we are truly pitiable.”

“The technology and knowledge we possess have not made our lives richer; instead, they have led us to forget the true meaning of living.”

Beneath the night sky of Firmament Star, as beer flowed freely, the feast gradually became a gathering where their hearts were laid bare.

The gentle haze of alcohol left their emotions raw and vulnerable—long-suppressed sorrow and pain began to overflow.

“Professor Yao, do you know, these past centuries I’ve only had alcohol eight times, and I remember each occasion vividly!”

Yang Kui’s voice trembled, his eyes glistening with tears.

Hearing Yang Kui’s words, Zhang Yu added, “Old Yang, I eat synthetic meat and energy bars every day; I feel like I’m losing my sense of taste as a human being.”

“On the Vanguard Fleet, just a few hundred of us are alive, toiling day and night. Now that I think of it, I’d rather just crawl into a pod and sleep.”

There was weariness in Yao Ling’s tone, a longing for a simpler life.

“There’s nothing like feeling solid ground underfoot, and with grilled meat and beer, it’s pure perfection.”

As they spoke, tears and snot streamed down their faces—the floodgates of their hearts, once opened, could not be closed.

Life aboard the spacecraft was lonely and bitter, and even on distant Earth, life had offered them little warmth.

Before the nuclear disaster, twenty billion people crowded every corner of Earth; overexploitation made farm and processed goods unimaginably expensive.

The coming of the nuclear disaster tightened resources to the breaking point, and life descended into hardship.

Now, their experiences on Firmament Star made them feel an even deeper regret and helplessness about their former lives.

Inside the experimental craft, the other scientists’ emotions swelled in sympathy with the confessions of Yao Yuan’s group.

Their experiences were so alike—each harbored unspoken suffering.

Natasha clenched her fists, her voice resolute. “Firmament Star will be our new home, a paradise where we may finally enjoy peace!”

“We must put down roots here, end our long exile, and begin a new chapter!”

In the night market, the gathering was soon wholly under the spell of alcohol.

By the time the last glass of beer was drained, they were thoroughly intoxicated, barely able to stand.

When it came time to pay, Yang Kui, overwhelmed by drink, sighed with unconcealed satisfaction.

“Comfort! Damn, that was comfortable!”

Simple words—but they captured their feelings most truly.

After settling the bill, the five supported one another, staggering through the night, their forms swaying as if in rhythm with the world itself.

They soon found a nearby inn and decided to spend the night there, bringing their adventure to a close.

…

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains into Yao Yuan’s room, and the five slowly awoke from their drunken slumber.

Sitting up, Yao Yuan rubbed his temples, a hint of regret in his voice. “We got a little carried away last night.”

His sigh revealed a self-reproach for their indulgence.

The others looked sheepish as well; they had come for an inspection, only to lose themselves in revelry, forgetting their original purpose.

“Let’s have breakfast first, then we’ll get to the bottom of Firmament Star’s history and the truth behind the Celestial Faith.”

They went downstairs and enjoyed a hearty breakfast at a nearby food stall.

Steamed buns, soy milk, fried dough sticks, tofu pudding, wontons, porridge, pan-fried dumplings—the table was laden with all manner of traditional delicacies, and they savored every bite.

After a satisfying meal, the five took the public bus to the Oracle Institute Library.

Thanks to Shen Xing’s early advocacy of science, this grandest library on Firmament Star was open to all, its vast collection nearly boundless.

Within, Yao Yuan and his companions immersed themselves in a sea of historical records, leafing through documents chronicling the civilization of Firmament Star.

But to their dismay, all the materials echoed the stories found in that single history book—there were no new discoveries.

Gathered in a quiet corner, they conferred in hushed voices.

“All the resources show that human civilization on Firmament Star has lasted over five thousand years. Not a single book questions this.”

“The Celestial Faith holds absolute authority here—every work firmly believes mankind was created by the Star Father.”

“The Faith’s influence is everywhere, so it’s little wonder there are no dissenting voices.”

“This Celestial Faith is a blight—tyrannical and dictatorial, enslaving the people, suppressing humanity and thought. We must root out this cancer and liberate the people here!”