Chapter 25: Counter-control
Early the next morning, after a lazy breakfast, Zhuang He changed his clothes, took the necklace, and headed out.
The name “Empire” was not just for show. After the end of the Old Earth, the survivors had built and passed down their legacy for generations, eventually creating towns of a decent scale.
As the population grew, many people moved to other planets. Gradually, the oldest town on the primary star became known as the Empire.
The Empire also occupied the largest land area. It was governed jointly by the King and the Council of Elders. However, aside from major policy decisions, the two rarely interfered in the lives of ordinary residents, so the happiness index of the Imperial people was extremely high.
The people who had initially sought survival elsewhere also founded their own nations, which were now known as the “Federation.”
The Federation operated under a system similar to the Empire, just with different terminology. Over time, the two nations had established mature and complete diplomatic relations.
Thus, residents from the Federation could be seen in the Empire, and vice versa.
Wearing a mask, Zhuang He piloted his aircraft to a dilapidated high-rise building on the outskirts. Most of the people living here were quite poor, and it was rare to see such a high-end aircraft. Many people stopped to stare.
After parking the aircraft, Zhuang He didn’t just keep his mask on; he also put on the device from last time that could hide his true appearance. He stepped out of the aircraft and walked straight through the crumbling entrance, ignoring the stares of those around him.
Zhuang He pressed the button for the elevator, waiting for the ancient machine—which seemed out of step with the era—to take him to the rooftop.
With a ding, the doors slid open. What greeted Zhuang He’s eyes was still a scene of ruins and broken walls, appearing as if no one had visited in a long time. He said nothing and showed no surprise, stepping over the rubble toward a hidden staircase.
The staircase was blocked by a half-collapsed pillar. If one wasn’t looking for it specifically, it was almost impossible to find.
Zhuang He bent over and entered through the narrow opening. As the light grew dimmer, the space around him expanded.
By the time he stepped down the final stair, the scene before him was no longer a ruin, but a precise and sturdy room.
From the outside, it looked empty. Zhuang He verified his iris at the door. With a heavy rumble, the massive door opened.
“Yo, a rare guest.”
The man with his back to the door turned around. A mess of slightly curly black hair sat unkempt on his head, and his thick black-rimmed glasses nearly obscured his eyes completely.
“Modify this for me.”
Zhuang He expressionlessly tossed the necklace to the man. The man caught it, glanced at it, and shook it with a grin. “How do you want it changed?”
“Expand the capacity.”
The man rubbed his pointed chin, thinking for a moment. “Can do.”
He turned and placed the necklace on a scale-like platform, then began tinkering with a pile of machinery nearby.
“How long?”
“Fast.”
The man said it would be fast, and it truly was. In less than five minutes, he handed the transformed necklace back to Zhuang He.
The silver necklace had been revitalized. The chain hadn’t changed much, but a rectangular pendant had been added.
Zhuang He took a look. The pendant was a plain rectangle with no patterns at all.
“How much?”
He tucked the necklace away and looked at the scruffy man.
The man leaned in. He was slightly taller than Zhuang He but very thin. He looked down at Zhuang He, a flash of craftiness behind his glasses.
“No charge. As payment, give me a session of guidance.”
Zhuang He’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t refuse. “You’re feeling unwell?”
The man sat in a chair, spreading his hands helplessly. “Can’t be helped. That group of star pirates has been hounding me for too long. Last time I went out for materials, they caught me. Nearly didn’t make it back.”
Zhuang He nodded and said nothing more. He looked around, trying to find another chair.
“No chairs. Why don’t you… just sit on my lap?”
The man grinned like a fox, acting like a complete rogue.
Zhuang He just gave him a cold look and turned to leave, but the man grabbed him. “Hey, hey, just joking! Come to the back.”
The man rubbed his nose and led Zhuang He to the rear.
In contrast to the messy front, the living quarters in the back were very neat and clean.
Zhuang He sat on the sofa, watching the man bring over two glasses of water.
“How bad is the damage?”
Zhuang He took a small sip of water and asked the man sitting beside him. At that moment, a fiery-red fox with pointed ears and a pointed nose ran out. It circled Zhuang He, let out high-pitched, delicate cries.
Seeing the fox acting cute, Zhuang He gave a rare, faint smile. He reached out and stroked the fox’s fluffy head.
Comforted by the touch, the fox rested its small head on Zhuang He’s lap, looking at him with large, watery eyes.
Zhou Chiye watched the traitorous red fox and, in a fit of pique, yanked it up by its fluffy tail.
“What are you making a fuss for?”
The fox let out a few piteous yelps. Zhuang He frowned, leaning forward to take the fox away from its master’s clutches.
“Let’s begin.”
Zhou Chiye grunted twice and leaned back against the sofa, waiting for Zhuang He’s guidance.
The fire phoenix and the fire fox were of the same element, so they were naturally quite close. The bird and the fox were having the time of their lives in the spacious living room, but things weren’t as easy for their master.
The moment Zhuang He injected his spiritual power, Zhou Chiye jumped up as if he had been scalded.
“?” Zhuang He opened his eyes, looking at Zhou Chiye in confusion. But Zhou Chiye, after his initial panic, looked at Zhuang He with a complex gaze.
“Did you… did you just provide guidance for another Sentinel?”
Zhuang He looked at him strangely. “I did it yesterday.”
“Tsk, no wonder. The ‘Sentinel scent’ on your spiritual power is too heavy.”
“? What are you talking about?”
Zhuang He frowned, not understanding the man’s cryptic words.
“Didn’t you notice it yourself?”
Zhou Chiye asked in return. Zhuang He shook his head; he had no idea what Zhou Chiye was talking about.
“Mixed in with your spiritual power is a strand of another Sentinel’s power. It’s too aggressive. It nearly shattered my mental sea.”
He looked truly shaken, a shudder running through him as he recalled the wild and savage nature of that Sentinel’s power.
“How is that possible? It’s not the first time I’ve guided a Sentinel. Has this ever happened before?”
Zhou Chiye shook his head. Seeing Zhuang He’s genuine confusion, he rubbed his chin and thought for a moment, then asked about a possibility. “When you were guiding that Sentinel, did anything… special happen?”
Special? Zhuang He remained silent. It was more than just special.
Seeing him stay quiet, Zhou Chiye assumed nothing special had happened. He gave a strange hum. “That spiritual power was truly too brutal. I was afraid I’d be beaten to death by it across a distance.”
Zhuang He thought for a moment and asked, “Is it because of a grade suppression? The other person is 3S-grade.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chiye’s eyes widened. “3S? When did your Empire produce another 3S Sentinel?”
Zhuang He looked at him expressionlessly. “He’s been enrolled for a while.”
Zhou Chiye rubbed his head. “Oh, I was being chased by star pirates then. Haha.”
“Let’s try again.”
Zhuang He felt it was strange. In the past, even if he guided one Sentinel immediately after another, this had never happened. But Zhou Chiye had no reason to lie.
Could it really be because of what happened yesterday? A wave of heat rose to Zhuang He’s face. He immediately lowered his head and took several deep breaths to suppress it.
Zhou Chiye didn’t notice anything unusual and prepared for another attempt.
The result was obvious. The moment Zhuang He’s spiritual power touched Zhou Chiye, the man began to wail. There was nothing for it; they had to give up for now. Fortunately, Zhou Chiye’s condition wasn’t too dire.
“Forget it, don’t torture me anymore.”
Zhou Chiye crossed his arms and shivered. He still remembered the feeling of being suppressed by that powerful, overbearing spiritual power—it had almost made him want to drop to his knees and beg for mercy.
Zhuang He also had some doubts about it but didn’t show it.
After saying goodbye, Zhuang He took the necklace back to his aircraft. He thought for a moment and didn’t head home, instead turning toward another location.
The Empire’s Aicod Hospital was a world-renowned private institution. It possessed the best resources in the star system, and the treatment for its medical staff was top-tier. Countless people fought to be seen or employed there, only to be defeated by an empty wallet.
Zhuang He parked the aircraft in a reserved spot. After another iris scan, an induction device transported him directly to his destination.
The middle three floors of the hospital were the administrative offices. Zhuang He was transported directly to a hallway. He found the man’s office. It was quiet inside; there shouldn’t be any guests.
A knock sounded. A deep male voice came from within: “Come in.”
Zhuang He pushed the door open. A rare, faint smile appeared on his face.
“Uncle.”
“Xiao He? What brings you here? Are you feeling unwell?”
The middle-aged man in the black leather chair put down his documents. He looked at Zhuang He with a smile through his gold-rimmed glasses.
“I’m fine. I just have something I wanted to consult with Uncle about.”
Zhuang He didn’t stand on ceremony, plopping down on the sofa beside the man and letting out a comfortable sigh. The man shook his head with a smile and issued a command. Mechanical arms extended from the sides of the sofa to give Zhuang He a full-body massage.
“Well? What is it?”
“Uncle, do you know about the new 3S Sentinel the Academy recruited?”
Zhuang He closed his eyes to relax. This place was even more relaxing for him than his own home.
“Mhm, I’ve heard rumors. I heard he was assigned to you?”
“Yes. But I discovered that after I guided him, I can no longer guide other Sentinels.”
Being massaged by the mechanical arms felt wonderful, making Zhuang He feel quite lazy.
“Oh? What’s the situation? Tell me in detail.”
Zhuang He thought for a moment, skipping the absurd events of the previous night. He only said he had used a relatively intimate method to guide the other person, then told him about what had happened with Zhou Chiye just now.
Zhuang Hongyang fell silent for a moment. “Do you feel any discomfort yourself?”
Zhuang He shook his head. If he had, he would have noticed it long ago.
“What about the 3S Sentinel? Any physical discomfort?”
Zhuang He shook his head again. Zhuang Hongyang stood up, taking a weathered book from a nearby shelf and flipping through a few pages. His tone was somewhat uncertain.
“A double 3S situation is a first. It’s hard to say if that’s the cause.”
“Your spiritual power grade is high enough that you should be able to guide any Sentinel smoothly. But that 3S Sentinel cannot accept any Guide of a lower grade than himself. That is a one-way street between you.”
Zhuang Hongyang sat back in his chair, his hands clasped on the desk. His expression was serious.
“But now, the other person’s spiritual power is entwined with yours, blocking you from guiding others. I feel this is a form of Sentinel counter-control over a Guide.”
Recommended Reads
![The Cannon Fodder Omega’s Mental Power is Off the Charts [Transmigration]](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/omega.png)
