【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

Chapter 459 [Empire] Vested interests, huh?

"You really should review the Empire's new human marriage law." Nightingale said, taking a sip of wine, with a meaningful smile in her eyes, as if she could see through some of the confusion in my heart.

I frowned slightly, my heart trembling. The Empire's New Human Marriage Law, as one of the fundamental rules of this era, was a familiar institution to many. However, its deeper meaning remained somewhat elusive to me.

"Hmm, marriage law?" I repeated softly, my eyes unconsciously glancing at Shan Qi in the distance. Although this topic was familiar, the way Nightingale brought it up made my heart tighten.

"Of course." Nightingale's voice remained low and calm, as if narrating a perfectly ordinary event. "Among the new humans of the empire, the strong are respected." He paused, a sneer curling his lips. "Unlike the ordinary humans of ancient times, who practiced monogamy and followed gentle restraints, these days, the strong establish families and followers join. Regardless of gender, as long as they are capable, they can become the head of a family. Regardless of gender, anyone who wishes can join, and there's no limit on the number of people."

This statement shocked me. The marriage system of the Empire's new humans was indeed completely different from the traditional family concepts I had once known. There were no monogamous constraints, and no gender restrictions. The strong, relying on their own abilities, founded a clan and invited others with similar ambitions to join. Regardless of gender or previous relationships, anyone who could contribute to the clan's strength could become a part of it.

This is not just an expansion of the family, but also a law of survival. In this world where the strong are respected, ability is the most important threshold, and love and marriage are just accessories.

I took a deep breath and couldn't help but wonder: If we were measured by this kind of rules, would everything really be solely about ability? And had those emotions and bonds already been drowned out by this system?

Nightingale seemed to sense the change in my heart and smiled gently, his eyes deep. "You don't think this kind of marriage law is difficult for you, do you?" His words were full of provocation and deep meaning.

I looked up, my eyes meeting Nightingale's, a subtle wave of emotion welling up in my heart. While the Empire's new human marriage law wasn't bound by tradition, it was also filled with power plays. Pure affection had long been relegated to a secondary position, while family and power were the true determining factors.

"I know what you're thinking," Nightingale continued, "but in this world, feelings are far less important than abilities. No matter how you struggle, you will eventually understand that only when you are truly strong can you control yourself and control everything." His words were filled with unquestionable firmness.

I didn't say anything, just listened quietly, thoughts stirring quietly within me. I didn't know if this rule would change my future choices, but I did know that the reality Nightingale described was perhaps a truth I couldn't avoid.

"However," Nightingale suddenly chuckled, with a playful glint in his eyes, "Don't you always like challenges? If you really want to break these rules, maybe... you can find your own way." His tone was somewhat relaxed, but with an unfathomable hint.

I was slightly startled, my eyes involuntarily turning to Shan Qi again, a wave of indescribable emotion rising within me. Perhaps, as Nightingale had said, what can truly change isn't just the rules, but whether I have the courage to face this world full of challenges and trials.

I curled my lips and glanced at Shan Qi. He was still eating his cake, looking completely oblivious to the surroundings. "Does he look like someone who would join a family?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes, a hint of disdain in my tone.

Nightingale's smile deepened, but a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, "Oh? You seem to know him quite well." He still maintained that leisurely and contented attitude, his eyes slightly tilted towards Shan Qi, as if observing something.

I was a bit too lazy to continue this conversation, muttering to myself: Shan Qi, a man who may appear calm and dignified, is actually nothing more than a stubborn stickler for principles. How could he easily join a family or faction? He's only focused on his own pride and power; the family is just a tool, not his goal.

"Instead of thinking about him, I'd rather think about you." I suddenly raised my eyes and said in a deliberately teasing tone, my tone full of frivolity. Nightingale was stunned for a moment, a flash of surprise in her eyes, but she quickly returned to her usual playful expression.

"Me?" He chuckled, seemingly unsurprised. "Are you trying to make me a member of your family?" His tone was playful, his eyes fixed on me, as if waiting for my reaction.

I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I gently swirled my glass and pondered for a moment. Nightingale wasn't a simple man. Even when I said this, he wouldn't easily reveal any emotion. It was his calmness and unfathomable depth that inexplicably attracted me to him.

"If you don't mind, I can consider it." I replied with a smile, a hint of mischief in my tone, which made the conversation full of a dramatic atmosphere.

Nightingale smiled immediately. "You're quite generous." The smile in his eyes remained undimmed. "But are you really interested in having me join your family?" He leaned forward slightly, his tone suddenly becoming more composed. "You know, joining a family isn't just about temporary convenience. The implications behind it are far more complex than you might imagine."

I was stunned for a moment, my heart trembling slightly. Nightingale's tone was not relaxed when she said this, as if warning me, or perhaps making me aware of the complexity involved. Joining the family represents not only the expansion of power, but also the responsibility and involvement - it is far from a simple "willing" or "unwilling" decision.

I was silent for a moment, took a sip of wine, and slowly put down the glass. "You're right," I whispered back, "Joining the family is indeed more than just a simple cooperation on the surface."

Nightingale glanced at me, seemingly surprised by my sudden calm reaction, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. Then, he smiled and raised an eyebrow, "So what are you going to do?"

I shrugged, my gaze fixed on Shan Qi in the distance, my mind secretly weighing every word Nightingale said. I understood that he wasn't really asking me how to choose, but rather reminding me that behind every choice there are unknown complexities and costs.

"For now, I just want to see how the situation develops." I finally answered, my tone calm, but I unconsciously concealed some fluctuations in my heart.

"Anyway, my current identity is a new male." I took a sip of wine, my tone relaxed, as if I was looking for a reason for myself, and also giving myself some space to let go of those troubled feelings.

When Nightingale heard this, a relaxed smile flashed in his eyes, and then he chuckled softly: "It's okay, the law doesn't force gender." His tone was relaxed and cynical, as if these rules and regulations were never worth his serious consideration.

I couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, then I couldn't help laughing: "You say it easily, but you also know that it is never the law that can truly change everything." I shook the wine glass gently, watching the wine in the glass sway slightly under the light, as if the light and shadow were some unstable waves in my heart.

Nightingale's smile gradually faded. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming deep, as if he were pondering something. "Not necessarily," he whispered, his tone becoming slightly heavier. "Sometimes, rules themselves can become a force. They may not change anything, but they can determine how many people live."

I smiled softly, but inwardly I couldn't help but sigh: Nightingale is indeed a clever person, knowing how to find his own way within the complex rules. And I, on the other hand, perhaps haven't yet fully understood the hidden meaning behind these rules.

"What you said actually makes me a little interested." I said casually, "But then again, people like Shan Qi, no matter what their status is, seem to find it difficult to let go of their arrogance." I turned my head and my eyes unconsciously swept over Shan Qi who was concentrating on eating a small cake in the corner. The corners of my mouth curled up slightly, with a bit of sarcasm and helplessness.

Nightingale didn't seem to intend to continue my topic, but changed the angle. "Do you like him?" he asked suddenly, his eyes staying on me, as if trying to read some information from my eyes.

I was stunned for a moment, then shook my head. "That's not the case." I quickly denied the question, but a complex mix of emotions lingered within me. I knew I didn't fully understand Shan Qi, and perhaps had never truly entered his inner world. However, his aloofness, his pride, and the distance he maintained from everything made me unconsciously want to get closer, and also unconsciously want to pry into him.

Nightingale seemed to notice something from my reaction. He smiled softly, a sly glint in his eyes. "Yeah, I understand." He didn't ask any further questions, but turned and looked at the dance floor in the distance. His tone was a little leisurely, "You should understand that desire and power are not always opposites. You think you are unaffected, but in fact, behind all choices, there is a certain force driving them."

I didn't respond immediately, but just listened quietly. Every word Nightingale said carried a challenge, as if reminding me: This world is never short of rules and temptations, and each of us has to find our own foothold within them.

"What kind of nightingale philosophy is this?" I said in a relaxed tone, deliberately using a half-joking way to ease the complex emotions in my heart.

Nightingale smiled softly, his lips curling upwards, as if he'd anticipated my reaction. "Philosophy?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's just some simple truths I pick up in life. Don't be offended." His words carried a lighthearted charm, as if he possessed an impassive insight into everything in the world.

I curled my lips and said half-jokingly, "I don't think this is very useful." But my tone couldn't hide my admiration for his insight and confidence.

Nightingale didn't seem to mind my reaction. Instead, he continued smiling, his gaze casually scanning the crowd as he leisurely downed his drink. "Don't you think these 'little truths' can actually take you further?" His tone was calm, yet it carried a profound meaning that couldn't be ignored. "Whether you want to admit it or not, everyone is adapting to this world in their own way. Those seemingly understated philosophies may be your most effective weapons in facing challenges."

I couldn't help but laugh and shook my head: "See, isn't this the 'profundity' of Nightingale? You should learn from yourself and not be so picky."

Nightingale smiled faintly but didn't answer. His gaze once again drifted out to the field. He didn't seem eager to respond to my teasing, but instead, his gaze was deep, as if he were examining something far away. "You're right," he finally said, his voice still gentle. "But it's often the simplest things that are the hardest to see clearly." He finished, as if trying to see beyond me.

I frowned slightly, feeling a subtle unease, a pressure I'd never felt before slowly seeping in. Nightingale's words, like invisible threads, slowly entangled certain questions in my heart, making me realize that what he said wasn't just theory, but a reminder of reality, of my true situation.

"What do you mean?" I asked softly, my tone seeming a little serious.

He turned around, his eyes piercing, staring straight at me. "Do you think your current identity is all you have?" His voice was deep, revealing a power that could not be ignored. "You are a new male, yes. But that doesn't mean you can live as you please in this world. Every choice has a price."

I didn't respond, just pondered silently. Every word Nightingale spoke carried a different, deeper meaning. And these words always seemed to linger around me, quietly influencing me, forcing me to seriously consider the rules of this world, and even my own place in it.