Infinite Bio-Armor

When Shi Xuan heard the judge deliver the final verdict, his legs buckled beneath him. His entire body trembled uncontrollably as he lurched forward, screaming, “I don’t accept this! I refuse!” Yet the two guards beside him instantly pinned him down with unwavering force.

Shi Xuan howled until his voice was torn and ragged, but he knew all too well that this was the Supreme Court’s final ruling—there would be no further chance of appeal.

Seated in the gallery, Shi Xuan’s mother fainted on the spot.

Death. That was the fate that awaited Shi Xuan.

He was only twenty-two years old, a student at one of the city’s prestigious universities. His parents were ordinary factory workers. Although the family was far from wealthy, they lived in modest comfort. Shi Xuan studied diligently and possessed considerable talent; with a degree from a top national university, finding a good job would not have been difficult for him.

His future had once seemed bright and promising—until he met a girl at college, and from that moment, his destiny was quietly altered.

Her name was Lin Yao, a year below him. They met at a poetry contest held during the university’s anniversary celebration, where Shi Xuan claimed the championship. Drawn to his brilliance, Lin Yao began to approach him proactively. She even joined the university’s poetry club for his sake. Gradually, through frequent encounters, the two became the couple everyone envied on campus.

Lin Yao was not only strikingly beautiful; rumor had it that her family background was equally extraordinary. Everything she wore or used was of the finest brand.

With such an exceptional girlfriend, Shi Xuan once believed himself to be heaven’s favored child.

But once their relationship became public, his troubles began.

With Lin Yao’s beauty and family prestige, suitors pursued her relentlessly—many of them heirs of powerful families. Seeing the girl they had failed to win fall into the arms of an ordinary boy like Shi Xuan, their jealousy was beyond imagination.

Because of this, Shi Xuan received countless warnings to leave Lin Yao, lest he face dire consequences.

At first, he merely laughed them off. But the severity of the situation soon surpassed anything he could have imagined.

Shi Xuan would forever remember that afternoon—yes, a Friday—when he left the campus gate alone to visit a nearby convenience store. There, he was surrounded by a group of men.

Leading them was a tall, gaunt young man with a cigarette dangling from his lips, about the same age as Shi Xuan.

Shi Xuan recognized him. He was one of Lin Yao’s many admirers—a classmate of hers, from a powerful family, and the one who had issued the harshest threats, warning Shi Xuan to leave her or suffer the consequences. At the time, Shi Xuan did not even know his name. Only later would he learn it: Wang Wenlong.

Shi Xuan was quiet and studious, wearing thick glasses. The men who surrounded him were unmistakably thugs, and they held no regard for an academically gifted university student.

Wang Wenlong said nothing at first. He simply spat out his cigarette and sneered, “You b*st*rd. I gave you a chance, but you didn’t know what was good for you. I told you to stay away from Lin Yao, and you treated my words like air? Do you really think someone like you deserves her? Trash. Look at yourself.”

His curses spilled like venom, and as his anger grew, he lunged forward, seized Shi Xuan by the collar, and struck him across the forehead with an open palm.

Shi Xuan’s mind rang hollowly—he had never expected them to actually resort to violence. His glasses were flung from his face and shattered on the ground.

When Shi Xuan instinctively tried to resist, his hands were seized by the thugs who accompanied Wang Wenlong. Then, like a madman, Wang kicked him repeatedly in the abdomen while the others joined in.

Shi Xuan collapsed to the ground, shielding his head, unable to count the number of blows. The men cursed and struck him again and again.

“You worthless dog! If you dare not leave Lin Yao, I’ll beat you every time I see you, you filthy b*st*rd!”

During the assault, through the corner of his eye, Shi Xuan saw Wang Wenlong pick up a large brick, as though mere kicking no longer satisfied him. He crouched, ready to smash it down on Shi Xuan.

As Shi Xuan writhed on the ground, his hand brushed against another loose brick. Seeing Wang lower himself toward him, his mind exploded with rage and agony. Without thinking, he roared and swung the brick upward with all his strength, striking Wang Wenlong squarely on the forehead.

That blow was everything Shi Xuan had.

Though he appeared gentle and lacking in physical power, he was naturally strong. The moment the brick connected, the consequences were devastating.

Blood burst from Wang Wenlong’s head, bright red mixed with a pale white pulp. He collapsed instantly.

The thugs around him froze in shock.

Everything that followed blurred into a nightmare—Shi Xuan was taken away by the police and formally charged.

Wang Wenlong died at the scene. The model student became a murderer overnight, and the incident shook the university.

When Shi Xuan was taken away, he wept so violently that his voice shattered. Terror—unlike anything he had ever known—caused every muscle in his body to tremble.

At the first trial, he was convicted of intentional homicide, judged heinous in nature and exceptionally cruel in method, and sentenced to death—immediately.

His family appealed, but now the final judgement had arrived. The original sentence would stand, with execution scheduled in seven days.

It was all whispered to be because of Wang Wenlong’s influential family. Rumor said someone in the Wang clan held high office at the provincial level. Having killed the Wang family’s heir, Shi Xuan’s fate was sealed.

After the sentence was handed down, Shi Xuan was placed into a prison transport vehicle and sent to the Fourth Prison on the outskirts of the city.

With handcuffs on his wrists, his face was as pale as paper. Sitting at the back of the van, his glasses perched on his exhausted face, months of physical and psychological torment had broken him. Once a sheltered twenty-something student, he now looked so frail that even the wind might knock him down.

It was not only bodily and mental anguish—it was the anguish of the soul.

Since the incident, Lin Yao had never once come to see him.

Perhaps a girl born into such splendor would never allow herself to be associated with someone who had fallen so far.

In his suffering, Shi Xuan wished he could tear open his own chest, wrench out his heart, and crush it, for the stabbing torment within was unbearable.

The vehicle sped onward, until at last, it reached the gates of Fourth Prison.

When Shi Xuan was escorted from the vehicle by several fully armed military police, his heart could not help but tremble as his gaze fell upon the massive stone gate ahead, emblazoned with four stark characters—Fourth Prison.

All the dark rumors he had ever heard about prison surged to the forefront of his mind in that instant.

From books and television, he had gleaned fragments of knowledge about such places. Without exception, every film or drama involving prisons was steeped in brutality: vicious brawls, torment of newcomers, scenes soaked in blood and terror. One by one, these images surfaced, and every muscle in Shi Xuan’s body began to shudder uncontrollably. His delicate features twisted with an unmistakable expression of fear.

He suddenly remembered—he had only seven days left to live. He feared that there wouldn’t even be time for others to bully him if they wished.

A bitter laugh rose in his throat. Thoughts of death finally took shape, and tears spilled uncontrollably down his face.

One of the guards marching him forward glanced at his pallid, frightened expression and, with a hint of pity, muttered, “Kid, if you knew fear this well, why didn’t you endure it a little longer back then?”

It seemed he too had heard the story.

Another guard chuckled. “Just his luck. Of all the people he could’ve hit, he chose to beat to death someone he could never afford to offend—a top student from an elite university…” He shook his head. “His life is ruined. Move along. There’s nothing to fear in death; the pain lasts less than half a minute before you’re gone. Think of it this way—life is really nothing more than that.”

Shi Xuan raised his shackled hands, removed his glasses, wiped away his tears with his sleeve, and put them back on. Those careless remarks, spoken without malice, loosened his terror just slightly. Guided by the guards, he moved forward.

When despair reached its peak, there was nothing left to fear.

After the transfer procedures, the guards forced him to strip for inspection. He was a murderer, condemned to die within seven days, and so he was placed in a solitary cell.

He stepped inside and collapsed onto the bed without thought, drifting in and out of sleep.

His remaining days were numbered.

Curled up on the cot, he thought of his stern father, his gentle mother, and Lin Yao. Again and again, tears soaked the pillow beneath him.

His heart felt stuffed with cotton, smothering him—yet at the same time it ached so fiercely he wished death would take him at once.

Thus he remained, lost and alone in that shadowed cell. He had no idea how much time passed. Then one day, as he slept, the sound of the cell door jolted him awake. Several guards entered and dragged him away. The man in front, a middle-aged officer, bore several stars on his shoulder—enough, in Shi Xuan’s mind, to signify a position of authority.

Only when they stepped outside did he realize it was the dead of night.

Were they going to execute him? The thought struck him like lightning. Fear drained the color from his lips, leaving them purple, and his heart twisted in agony.

“Do not be afraid. Someone has come to see you,” the star-bearing officer said suddenly, his voice naturally heavy and commanding.

After passing through a series of iron gates, they actually exited the prison grounds. Beyond its walls, under the depth of the night, a black sedan waited in silence.

Beside the car, two silhouettes stood beneath the cold air of the late hour. One person rubbed their hands together, exhaling lightly to keep warm. The other murmured, “Sit in the car—you’ll catch cold out here.”

The first figure shook their head, and then suddenly cried out, “They’re here—Shi Xuan!” before sprinting toward them.

Escorted at the center of the guards, Shi Xuan heard the voice. It struck him like lightning. He could not stop himself from shouting, “Lin Yao!” He instinctively moved to run toward her—but seeing his ragged state, he froze, wishing instead to hide. Tears surged uncontrollably.

It truly was Lin Yao. Because of her, he had fallen to such ruin. In recent days, he had occasionally felt resentment—yet upon seeing her, all he could feel was an aching sorrow that defied words. Tears streamed down his face.

Men do not weep easily—unless their hearts have reached their breaking point.

Lin Yao was a year younger than Shi Xuan, with long black hair and skin so delicate it looked as though it would bruise at a touch. Her features were refined and radiant—natural beauty unequalled even by the stars of film and television.

She ran to him, ignoring his filth and his attempt to turn away, and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. “Shi Xuan!” she cried, her voice choked with sobs.

He could feel the strength in her arms—as though she were pouring every ounce of herself into the embrace, her body pressed so close that it seemed she wished their very beings could merge.

“Shi Xuan, why have you ignored me? Do you hate me? Because of me, you suffered like this… I ruined you, Xuan…” Lin Yao wept as she spoke, clinging to him with desperate resolve.

His entire body trembled. The pain within him only grew fiercer. Slowly, he turned, and their eyes met—both faces streaked with tears. They collapsed into each other’s arms again, sobbing uncontrollably.

Holding her close, Shi Xuan bit his lip and lifted his head, trying desperately not to cry—yet his tears flowed endlessly.

The man who had accompanied Lin Yao was a middle-aged gentleman in a sharp suit, clearly someone of influence. He approached the officer bearing the stars, shook his hand, and said, “Warden Cheng, we are indebted to you.”

The officer smiled lightly. “This concerns the elder’s family. Even if it cost me my life, I would see it done.” Then in a low voice he added, “Do not worry. I’ve arranged a substitute—another condemned prisoner scheduled for execution. The Wang family stopped caring the moment the sentence was passed. It was not difficult to deceive them.”

The suited man nodded, then stepped toward the two youths still holding one another. “There is no time. You must leave.”

Lin Yao snapped to awareness, releasing Shi Xuan. “Shi Xuan, come with us.”

Shi Xuan froze, then let out a bleak, bitter laugh. “Go? Where could I possibly go?”

Warden Cheng approached, unlocked his shackles, and smiled. “Come.” He glanced at Lin Yao. “So this is the elder’s granddaughter? Truly exquisite.” Exchanging a last nod with the suited man, he turned and departed with the guards.

Shi Xuan stood stunned. He looked at his liberated hands, then at the retreating guards, then at Lin Yao and the distinguished man beside her.

The middle-aged man opened the sedan’s door. “Get in.”

Lin Yao seized his hand. “Don’t just stand there—get in. We’ll explain everything on the way.”

Condemned to death, Shi Xuan felt as though he were dreaming. Bewildered, he allowed Lin Yao to pull him into the car. The suited man took the seat beside the driver.

 The driver, a man other than the one beside them, ignited the engine once the three were seated. With a sharp roar, the vehicle surged forward like a gust of wind, swiftly leaving the Fourth Prison behind.

“Lin… Lin Yao… Where are we going? What is happening?” Shi Xuan finally could not restrain himself from asking.

The middle-aged man replied, “Kid, the family of the man you killed—Wang Wenlong—holds considerable influence. Back then, we couldn’t openly intervene to save you, though Yaoyao begged me countless times.”

Lin Yao added, “Right, I forgot to tell you—this is my second uncle. I didn’t dare ask my father, so I could only turn to the uncle who has always treated me the best. At first, I hated him terribly because instead of helping me, he locked me at home.”

The middle-aged man chuckled. “The Wang family carries immense political clout. Even if I stepped in, it might not have changed anything. As for the elders of our family—they don’t even know you were dating her. If they found out, they wouldn’t help. They might even make your situation worse. So, under those circumstances, I could only confine you at home to stop you from causing trouble and ruining everything. Only after the final verdict was delivered did I begin to move in secret. At last, I arranged for a replacement body to deceive the Wang family. From this moment onward, Shi Xuan, you are dead in this world.”

Shi Xuan froze, then slowly grasped the meaning. “You… you mean…”

Lin Yao’s eyes reddened again. In a trembling voice, she murmured, “Shi Xuan, I’m sorry. From now on… you may have to live under a false name. I…”

Unable to bear it, Shi Xuan clasped her hands tightly. “No… no, I don’t blame you. I’m… I’m just overwhelmed…” Only those who have stood at death’s door can truly understand how precious life is, even if it means living forever in obscurity.

Lin Yao said, “The Wang family’s influence is enormous. We don’t know how long we can deceive them. If they ever discover you are still alive, they’ll never let you go. That’s why my second uncle has decided to send you to the Philippines. Our family has business there, and even the Wang family’s reach won’t extend that far.”

The Philippines. Was he really going to the Philippines?

The middle-aged man spoke again. “Don’t worry, boy. Everything is arranged. Our family owns a factory there. You’ll be received once you arrive and can work there for the time being. Your identity will be taken care of as soon as possible. Apart from abandoning the name Shi Xuan, nothing else will change. In the future, you may even return to this country under a new identity—boldly and legally. That depends on your own efforts.”

Shi Xuan nodded. To keep his life was already a miracle; what more could he possibly demand?

The car sped on through the misty night, and after more than an hour, they finally reached a desolate pier.

In the shallow waters of the dock waited a motorboat. Two men were already aboard.

Upon seeing the middle-aged man, they greeted him respectfully: “Second Master.”

He gestured toward Shi Xuan. “This is the one. Tell Snake-Two to look after him along the way.” One of the men smirked. “Understood.”

As Shi Xuan prepared to board, a wave of indescribable pain surged through him. Once he set foot on that boat, his name erased, his past buried—would he ever return? Would he ever see his parents again? And Lin Yao—would he ever see her once more? His eyes reddened uncontrollably.

Lin Yao handed him a heavy backpack. “There’s food, supplies, clothing, and a new phone with a fresh SIM card. I prepared everything for you.” Then, unable to hold back, she threw herself into his arms, whispering, “Xuan, don’t worry. I’ll apply to study abroad in the Philippines as soon as possible. My family won’t object. Then we can meet again. We promised—Philippines, okay?” She extended her pinky.

Shi Xuan felt his nose sting. He quickly hooked his finger around hers.

Lin Yao solemnly declared, “A pinky promise is binding for a hundred years—no breaking it.” And then she, too, began to weep. The middle-aged man urged from the side, “Boy, hurry up. The deep-sea vessel won’t wait.”

Shi Xuan removed his glasses, wiped away his tears, then put them back on. Finally, he released Lin Yao’s delicate hands, lifted the backpack, and stepped onto the motorboat.

The engine roared to life, flinging a plume of water into the air as the vessel shot away.

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