Chapter Eight: The Sea of Mysterious Ice (Part One)

For a moment, everyone fell silent. After a long pause, the Lady Governor at the head of the table finally smiled and spoke. "Everything must be done step by step. Back when we founded Homesick City, it was built in just such a manner. If it’s convenient for you, Mr. Kuang, I hope the spaceship can begin construction as soon as possible. Let’s get the ship built first—when it comes to the propulsion system, we can always find a way later. What do you all think?"

Kuangchi immediately understood the implication: they expected him to build the spaceship. But he knew nothing about spaceship engineering.

He shook his head repeatedly. "I don't understand the principles behind building a spaceship."

The Lady Governor replied from her seat, "Homesick City started researching spaceships thousands of years ago. We’ve never given up on our dream to break free from the Forgotten Star, to return to the vast sky, to our homeland. We’ve run into many problems during construction—mostly matters of common knowledge about outer space, which we can’t research firsthand. But if you, Mr. Kuang, could guide us, I believe these obstacles can be quickly overcome. All you need to do is inform the researchers about the realities of outer space and provide advice on spaceship construction."

She smiled, glancing around at everyone, then added with a laugh, "I wonder if you could help us fulfill our ancestors’ wish, Mr. Kuang?"

Kuangchi found this odd—the way she spoke made it clear they had already started spaceship research long ago.

With this in mind, Kuangchi asked, "I don’t know much about spaceship construction. What did you want to ask me? Of course, if I know the answer, I will not hide anything."

The Lady Governor laughed and quickly said, "In that case, allow me to thank you on behalf of all citizens of Homesick City for your generosity."

Kuangchi modestly declined a few times, but with this interlude, everything else proceeded smoothly. Throughout the entire banquet, Kuangchi became the center of attention; everyone had countless questions for him.

Back at Old Tuo’s house, the old man laughed heartily. "I never would have expected this! You managed to win the recognition of all the major powers in the city so easily. From today on, you can openly build your own faction here in Homesick City."

Before Kuangchi could respond, Qian Duo interjected, "Old Tuo, even though the Kuang family has gained the nobility’s approval, no territory has been allocated to us. Isn’t that rather unusual?"

Old Tuo looked at Qian Duo with deep meaning before replying, "I know exactly why. Tell me, what part of Homesick City is left that could be given to your clan?"

Qian Duo shook his head and replied bluntly, "None. Every district of Homesick City has already been divided among the major families."

"Exactly. That’s how it’s always been. There’s simply no unclaimed territory left in Homesick City. Only if a family commits a serious offense would their domain be reassigned to your clan," Old Tuo said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

After Old Tuo departed, Qian Duo turned to Kuangchi with a face full of resentment. "Patriarch, those families are already plotting against us. They have no intention of giving our clan any room to grow. They’re trying to suppress us."

Kuangchi was still unclear on the city’s clan system. "Spell it out for me. What does this mean?"

Qian Duo realized then that Kuangchi truly didn’t understand the clan system in Homesick City.

After thinking for a moment, Qian Duo explained, "In Homesick City—and across the Forgotten Star—the domains of all major families are strictly defined. Each family is only allowed to recruit members within its own territory. Everything in that territory is managed by the family, while the City Governor’s Office coordinates between the families and governs its own area. Sometimes, a powerful family wields even more authority than the City Governor’s Office."

At last, Kuangchi understood, and said with some frustration, "So, you’re saying that because we have no territory, we can’t recruit any followers?"

Qian Duo nodded helplessly. "Exactly. Every major family in Homesick City is very powerful, and none of them has failed to supply ant blood to their people. So for now, there’s no way we can obtain a domain."

Kuangchi was puzzled again. "What is ant blood?"

Qian Duo sighed heavily. "Ant blood is a liquid brewed from ant crystals, also called ant crystal fluid, but everyone calls it ant blood. Every person on the Forgotten Star must drink at least three cups a year or their health will deteriorate. Each family is responsible for supplying ant blood to the people in their territory. If any family fails to do so, they must cede part of their domain to a faction that can guarantee the supply."

Now Kuangchi finally understood. No wonder Old Tuo kept saying that with ant crystals, he could recruit followers and build his faction; there was indeed such a system on the Forgotten Star.

Qian Duo continued, "That’s why no one is willing to sell ant crystals here. Even a tiny crystal can supply ten million people for a year, which means it can ensure a family’s strength isn’t shaken for that year. All these years, every major family in Homesick City has experts who can hunt crystals on the surface. No family has declined. It seems we really have no choice but to wait."

Kuangchi thought for a moment. "Is there really no other way to develop our clan? I recruited you, didn’t I? Can’t I recruit others?"

Qian Duo nodded. "I’m different. I’ve already gone more than ten years without swearing allegiance to any family. According to tradition on the Forgotten Star, anyone who’s been unattached for over a decade becomes a free person, able to choose whom to serve without any ties to their former clan."

"So, we can only recruit people like you?"

Qian Duo nodded emphatically. "But there are fewer than a hundred such people in all of Homesick City. Anyone able to obtain ant blood on their own is either extremely powerful or fiercely independent."

Kuangchi smiled. "Everyone has their limits. People like that stay unattached because no clan has offered them what they want. If we give them what they desire, I’m sure they’ll join our clan and follow me."

Qian Duo’s eyes grew strange, his gaze on Kuangchi now fiery. After a long pause, he asked, "And what exactly would you offer them, Patriarch?"

Kuangchi smiled as well, taking out two more ant crystals and tossing them casually. When he saw Qian Duo’s eyes burn even brighter, he said, "My offer is simple: If one day I succeed in founding a city, then in my city, they will have a place of their own."

At this, Qian Duo couldn't help but cry out in astonishment. "Patriarch, you intend to found your own city?"

Kuangchi laughed heartily. "Of course! If they won’t give me room to grow, and since I’ve come all this way to the Forgotten Star, I must leave my mark and find something to occupy my days. Aren’t there only nine cities on the Forgotten Star? Then I’ll make it ten."