CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 43 PROTOTYPE, AWAKENING

The flaying punishment in the Star Era actually evolved from the lingchi on Blue Star. However, flaying is even more brutal than lingchi.

Lingchi, also called "lingering death," involves slicing pieces of flesh off a person’s body one by one until most of the flesh is removed, then disemboweling and beheading to kill the criminal. The phrase "death by a thousand cuts" refers to lingchi.

According to legend, lingchi required exactly three thousand six hundred cuts on the criminal’s body to be considered complete. Flaying, meanwhile, builds upon those three thousand six hundred cuts with a series of psychological hypnosis techniques, tormenting the criminal both physically and mentally.

Du Xixi wasn’t familiar with flaying, but upon hearing about it, she realized it wasn’t a light punishment. Coupled with the slight change in Mo Ying’s and Chen Yin’s expressions upon mentioning "flaying," Du Xixi felt that this punishment was fitting for that damned traitor.

"In that case, let’s proceed according to the Military Department’s plan," Du Xixi had no other requests; she only hoped that the traitor would receive the punishment deserved. Whether a quick and easy death or a fate worse than death, Du Xixi believed the Military Department would give her and the Mo Family a satisfactory answer.

Having said that, Du Xixi went back into the ward to accompany Ke Lian, followed by Miao Miao, who naturally went in as well. Rob and 2569, the two non-human beings, exchanged glances and decided to follow Du Xixi into the ward.

Once the door to the ward was closed from the inside, Chen Yin and the others could neither see Du Xixi’s gloomy face nor feel her suppressed anger, which made them heave a sigh of relief.

"The doctor said the situation is very bad," Mo Ying said softly. "Our Fengzi can recover with some rest, but the Marshal..."

Ke Lian’s injuries were initially graver than Mo Feng’s, and though aid arrived reasonably quickly, the condition had ultimately been delayed, preventing Ke Lian from receiving timely treatment.

What the doctor referred to as "very bad" was actually an understatement. Given Ke Lian’s current physical condition, it was highly unlikely that he would wake up within at least five months, and even if he did, getting out of bed would take at least half a year.

Chen Yin rubbed his temples, grateful that Du Xixi had focused their conversation on the traitor rather than on Ke Lian’s medical condition, fearing that it would only make Du Xixi angrier.

As Ke Xing, father of Ke Lian, he felt deeply troubled, but he knew it was essential to leave space in the ward for Du Xixi and Ke Lian, allowing her time to recuperate.

Miao Miao: Although I have cat ears and a cat tail, I am also a person...

Rob and 2569: Although we lack human thoughts and emotions, please consider us human...

The still-comatose Mo Feng: ...I am a person, thank you!

Du Xixi sat in the ward, unaware of what Mo Ying said outside, but she wasn’t foolish. Just by looking at the countless tubes on Ke Lian’s body, she knew his condition was dire.

She sat on a chair brought over by Rob, holding one of Ke Lian’s large hands in both of hers, gently pressing it against her forehead, and remained silent.

To say Du Xixi was silent is inaccurate; rather, it was the tangled mess of emotions in her heart overwhelming her, leaving her unable even to utter a sigh.

and Rob stood silently behind her, not interrupting her sorrow, while Miao Miao placed her hand on Du Xixi’s shoulder, patting her lightly as Du Xixi had cared for her over these days.

The silent comfort from the three behind her was felt by Du Xixi. But, regrettably, at this moment, she could only silently thank them in her heart, unable to respond.

She was a bit tired.

Time always flies by quickly amidst its passing. Ke Lian had already been in the military hospital for nearly half a month, and Du Xixi had moved into the adjacent ward.

The military hospital made an exception, allowing Du Xixi to use the neighboring ward as a temporary bedroom, making it easier to care for Ke Lian and saving herself the hassle of commuting back and forth.

Chen Yin was busy with official business and seldom visited, while Mo Ying and Ke Xing often came to see them. Especially Ke Xing, who abandoned his long-standing friends near his home to come to the hospital every day, tirelessly helping Du Xixi care for Ke Lian.

After all, Du Xixi also needed care. If he could, Ke Xing wished to persuade Du Xixi to go home and rest, but the one lying unconscious in the hospital bed was precisely Ke Lian, Du Xixi’s husband.

As a father, Ke Xing could certainly insist that Du Xixi go home to rest, but he knew doing so would only make her uneasy at home, and it was better for her to stay at the hospital, ensuring some peace of mind by being close to Ke Lian.