SDIWD - Chapter 121
Chapter 121
Hua Cu had never imagined that one day, Hua Zheng would be lying in a sterile isolation chamber. Already pale to the point of translucence, she was suspended in a light green recovery fluid, looking as if she might dissolve into it.
An entire week had passed, yet Hua Zheng remained unconscious. Her body, which normally recovered with incredible speed, was now in a state worse than that of an ordinary person. Medicine had almost no effect on her. It was only later that Hua Cu realized the human bomb hadn't been targeting her, but Hua Zheng.
Hua Ce had found a way to deal with Hua Zheng. She was no longer the being who stood far above all others.
After the incident, Hua Cu swiftly issued a statement.
The government's credibility was undoubtedly questioned, but Hua Ce's act of using a young child as a human bomb had thoroughly enraged the public. People began to support the government in taking a tougher stance on the military action in Hezhou.
In her more than ten years as Queen, this was the first time Hua Cu had ever been attacked by a human bomb. The little girl's lovely face had become a lingering shadow in her mind, and she had been plagued by nightmares for several days.
But Hua Zheng's condition worried her even more.
Although the spirit animal had managed to devour most of the human bomb's energy in time, a tremendous impact and intense heat remained. Hua Cu had been too close, leaving Hua Zheng no choice but to shield her with her own body.
Hua Cu didn't know what Hua Ce had done to the little girl, but Hua Zheng's injuries were no longer healing with their usual speed. Medicine had little effect on her, and the wounds refused to close. To prevent infection, Hua Zheng had been placed in the sterile chamber.
Hua Cu had too much to handle and was forced to move her office to the hospital. Hua Jian's old injuries hadn't fully healed, but with the situation so urgent, he had no choice but to return to the front lines to take command.
For the past few days, Hua Cu had been sleeping no more than two or three hours a night, and even that sleep was filled with nightmares. Her face had grown haggard. Yet after finishing her official duties, she would still keep vigil by Hua Zheng's side, hoping she would be the first person Hua Zheng saw upon waking.
Hua Zheng's long hair had been cut short to facilitate surgery. A conspicuous burn marred the right side of her head, the wound stretching down to her jaw. Her head wasn't the only part injured; her body was covered in wounds, with those on her slender limbs and the right side of her lower abdomen being the most prominent.
Her cloak had also been used to protect Hua Cu, leaving her body almost completely defenseless.
Through the transparent cover of the chamber, Hua Cu stared blankly at the person inside.
From the first moment she saw Hua Zheng, Hua Cu knew she was no "adopted daughter" of her father's. Despite her extreme paleness, she could still discern distinct royal features in her appearance.
Hua Cu was only twelve at the time and naturally jumped to another conclusion. Her mother had been dead for a mere three years, yet suddenly an illegitimate daughter, at least eight years old, had appeared. For Hua Cu, who had grown up witnessing her parents' profound love for one another, the blow was devastating.
The possibility that Hua Zheng was an illegitimate daughter made it impossible for her to face either Hua Zheng or her father with composure. She targeted Hua Zheng at every turn, using what now seemed like incredibly childish methods to mock and bully her. And Hua Zheng would simply trail after her, calling her "Big Sister" with an air of innocence, naivety, weakness, and kindness. Ah, but of course, that was all an act. Her younger self had simply been too easily deceived.
In truth, Hua Zheng didn't possess normal human emotions. To put it kindly, she was incredibly rational and just. To put it bluntly, she was cold-blooded and ruthless. The attitude she displayed was merely what she deemed the most appropriate reaction, and it had indeed elicited the response she desired.
After all, her opponent—Hua Cu herself—had been nothing more than a clueless canary in a gilded cage back then.
"A'Zheng..."
Yet this was the same person who had protected her countless times, leaving her unable to sort out her own feelings. Love her or hate her, Hua Cu's only wish now was for Hua Zheng to wake up.
She would rather be driven mad by her than see her in this wretched state. This wasn't her Hua Zheng.
Because of Hua Zheng's special status, even her treatment within the Tower had to be handled with extreme care. Her physical features were too distinct, easily reminding people of a certain adopted daughter of the royal family who had died young. To care for her personally, Hua Cu hadn't even brought a handmaiden.
Hua Zheng's expression was serene. She always wore that cool, calm look, only occasionally breaking into a faint, wickedly teasing smile.
She had never told her that she loved to see her smile, even though one of Hua Zheng's smiles was a sure sign that she was about to get angry.
"A'Zheng, if you don't wake up soon, I'll..." Hua Cu tried to utter one of her usual, powerless threats, but her throat constricted with sorrow. After Hua Mu's disappearance and Hua Jian's injury, the only reason she had been able to carry on was because Hua Zheng was by her side. She was the shadow her father had prepared for her, her mirror, her lock, her omnipotent Sentinel. "I really won't know what to do."
Having been raised as the crown princess, Hua Cu was not ignorant of her duties. Of course she knew what to do—she just couldn't help but allow herself this moment of vulnerability.
Whenever Hua Zheng was around, she couldn't help but want to rely on her. After her father passed away and her brother started his own family, Hua Zheng had been her pillar of support.
Hua Mu watched nervously as Bai Zhen dripped her blood into the rapid analyzer, silently praying for a different outcome.
"Comparison with gene bank complete. Project affiliation: Bazinga. Designation: Experimental Subject No. 301. Welcome back to the Frankenstein Base."
When the artificial intelligence's voice sounded again, her premonition became reality.
"Bai Zhen!"
"I'm fine, Miss." The Sentinel looked at her, a faint smile gracing her lips as she offered reassurance. "Really. While I can't say I'm relieved, a weight has certainly been lifted from my mind."
"You're not thinking of leaving me, are you?"
Hua Mu was terrified she might get some crazy idea in her head. Bai Zhen looked puzzled. "Why would you worry about that? I would never leave your side, no matter what."
"You better not be lying to me!"
Bai Zhen began to understand her worry and sighed. "Miss, you think I'm far too selfless... No Sentinel would ever consider voluntarily leaving their Guide after bonding. My origins are set in stone; I can't change them. But I won't let this hurt you."
Hua Mu clung to her arm. "Good. Don't you forget what you said today."
Hua Mu was happy that Bai Zhen was able to adjust her mindset so quickly, but the problem wasn't solved. Some of the things the artificial intelligence had said still bothered them.
"Xiao Hua, can you monitor the status of the experimental subjects through the surveillance system?"
"The monitoring authority for transferred experimental subjects was fully handed over in October 2040. Currently, only data for experimental subjects within the base can be monitored."
The thought that she might have been living under surveillance all these years was terrifying.
"So you can't confirm whether the monitor inside my body is active?"
"No, I can confirm it. The monitor inside your body is still operating normally. It tracks changes in your various physiological data, as well as your bonding status. But please rest assured, it is safe and harmless."
How reassuring!
Hua Mu couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
Just knowing her physiological data was being monitored was terrifying enough, wasn't it?
"Then... is there a way to take it out?"
"It can be removed using the exchanger. The exchanger is located beneath the console to your right. Please confirm that the new monitor slot is empty. I will now display a video on its use. Please follow the steps provided."
Listening to the AI's proactive and detailed instructions, Hua Mu felt a strange sense of unease.
"Isn't this thing a little too helpful?"
Her clearance level was high, sure, but for an AI to be so eager to help a test subject remove a monitor... wasn't that a bit like betraying its creators?
Bai Zhen gently touched Hua Mu's arm, as if to remind her of something.
Startled, Hua Mu obediently shut her mouth.
Operating the exchanger wasn't complicated, but since the monitor had to be removed from the nape of the neck, Hua Mu had to be the one to do it. Though Hua Mu prided herself on being a quick study, the thought of performing the procedure on Bai Zhen made her nervous.
"It's alright, Miss. It won't hurt."
"If it hurts, tell me."
The nano-scale monitor was so small, she wouldn't feel much of anything.
Bai Zhen sat on a chair with her back to Hua Mu, bowing her head to expose the long, elegant nape of her neck.
"It won't hurt."
"Hmph. You might not feel pain, but I will!"
Her heart hadn't stopped aching for this wretched Sentinel.
"Miss..."
"Stop talking. I'll take it out for you."
Hua Mu felt a little embarrassed after she said it. She pressed down on Bai Zhen's head and boldly aimed the tip of the exchanger.
The exchanger looked like a small, handheld power drill with extremely simple controls. Pushing aside her apprehension, Hua Mu pressed the activation button.
Nothing seemed to happen, but Bai Zhen clearly felt a sense of release wash over her.
Without a point of comparison, she might never have noticed it; after all, the monitor had been inside her since birth. But now that it was gone, the world felt more expansive. It was different from the amplification she'd felt after bonding with Hua Mu. This time, it was as if a shackle had been removed.
"How do you feel?" Hua Mu asked nervously, lifting the exchanger to check the used sample slot.
The indicator light had switched from red to green, confirming the monitor was inside.
"I feel... very good."
The sensation was wonderful, like... being suddenly freed from a cage.
Exhausted, Hua Cu had fallen asleep leaning against the sterile chamber, but her light slumber was soon broken. The chamber was vibrating slightly, shaken by the struggles of the person inside.
"A'Zheng!"
Hua Cu pounded on the wall of the chamber, trying to wake her. It took her a moment to remember to call for the medical staff.
Just then, Hua Zheng suddenly floated to the surface. Pressing against the glass, she snapped open her crimson eyes.
"A'Zheng!"
Hua Zheng didn't seem fully conscious. She struggled to remove her breathing mask, looking as if she wanted to get out of the chamber.
"Don't be reckless! You still need treatment."
Hua Zheng's lips moved as if she were speaking, but Hua Cu couldn't hear her.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Bai... Bai Zhen, she..."
Bai Zhen?
"My... my little sweetheart is... in danger..."
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