Chapter 124: The Secure Carriage

"Have we reached my room?" Chen Qi rested his chin in his hand, wondering what the VIP accommodations on this Weaving Train would actually be like.

[The conductor, Zhi, produces a spherical object and taps her foot gently twice. An entrance on the ceiling of the carriage slowly slides open.]

["Please, follow me, honorable guest." The conductor, Zhi, leaps lightly into the carriage. You follow her inside.]

[You survey the interior of the Weaving Train. It is a self-contained room located within a larger carriage. It features a comfortable red single bed, an exquisitely crafted spider-demon stone candlestick, a desk with a classical aesthetic, and a window that opens and closes automatically.]

At this moment, a highlighted text prompt pops up.

[Using Spirit Vision to scan the room, you are surprised to find that the walls and the doorway are covered in a multitude of strange spiritual runes!]

[You examine these runes with curiosity. Drawing upon your knowledge, you can sense that they are related to flames and serve a protective purpose.]

Protective runes...

Chen Qi remembers the investigators' guides mentioning that, unlike other carriages, passengers holding an invitation are granted access to a secure car. Within this carriage, these runes are capable of warding off monster incursions.

["Guest, please accept this key. It will be of great importance over these next two days." The conductor, Zhi, hands you the spherical object. "This item serves as your pass to enter this room, and it is also the means by which we ensure your safety."]

[You have obtained the Train Key.]

[Train Key:
Description: A spherical object with carvings; there is a mechanism at the bottom that produces a bell chime when pressed.
Function: Pressing the button allows you to enter the room. Furthermore, it is inscribed with specific tracking marks that allow the conductor to sense your location.]

["Guest, please keep this item safe. Press the switch on the sphere once, and the carriage door will open. The runes on this carriage will protect you," the conductor continues, handing you a "map" of the Weaving Train.]

[You have obtained a "Map of the Weaving Train."]

Check!

[Map of the Weaving Train.
Introduction: This map provides a detailed record of the purpose of each carriage.]

With the acquisition of the map, numerous markers appear on the game interface! Surgical Room, Trading Center, Canteen, Weaving Carriage, Forge Carriage, and so on. Chen Qi takes a glance; these trading areas are situated between the various standard carriages.

[The conductor, Zhi, looks out at the blazing sun beyond the window and speaks to you.]

["Most trade on the Weaving Train occurs during the daytime. As long as it is day, we conductors will do our utmost to protect you. However, many of us suffer from a certain affliction; once night falls, we must sleep, or else our bodies will sprout fur and grow extra limbs."]

["Therefore, at night, most of the conductors are in hibernation and are unable to assist the passengers."]

Sprouting fur and growing extra limbs!?

Chen Qi is stunned. Do these conductors turn into giant spider monsters at night? This train is even more bizarre than he had imagined. It seems that even aboard the train, one must remain wary of nocturnal monsters. Based on current intelligence, nights on this train are only more dangerous than those in the Land of Rare Light!

Chen Qi continues to read the following text.

[The conductor, Zhi, bows and says, "However, you need not worry. During the night, as long as you remain within this carriage, those monsters cannot harm you."]

[You lean against the wall of the carriage, committing the information about the train to memory, and begin planning your trip.]

[You vaguely sense that beneath the conductor Zhi’s seemingly confident facade, there lies a hint of distress and worry.]

[Do you wish to press for more information?]

Chen Qi thinks for a moment and chooses "Yes."

[You lean against the window frame and ask for more information.]

[The conductor, Zhi, notices your worried gaze and says to you:]

["I am very sorry. For this trip, both the number of people arriving here and the frequency of nocturnal calamities have exceeded our expectations. We are short-staffed. Under the current circumstances, our Train Master is also quite troubled; some special situations have arisen on this train. But please rest assured, we will handle this incident.]

["Guest, our Train Master has spent a year crafting some perfect masterpieces. When purchasing these masterpieces, you will be entitled to a certain discount."]

You can feel the conductor's gaze sweeping over you; in her eyes, you do not yet possess the strength to deal with these monsters. You are someone who requires her protection.

The conductor, Zhi, stands up and bows to you once more:

["Next, once the train begins its voyage, the other trading carriages will open. Guest, I hope you have a fruitful stay over these next two days."]

[After bidding you farewell, the conductor, Zhi, leaves the room.]

[You watch her retreating back; she is walking in great haste.]

In great haste...

Is she in a rush to handle something?

Chen Qi rests his chin on his hand. He has to admit that even with an invitation, this Weaving Train is fraught with danger at every turn. According to current information, he can only stay on the train for two days. During these two days, he must obtain as many good items as possible.

Once Chen Qi confirms he is safe and there is nothing else to attend to, he quickly pulls out the map and carefully scans the various functions of the carriages.

The Weaving Carriage is where you provide Day Coins and materials, and they weave well-fitting garments for you. The Forge Carriage is where you provide Day Coins and materials to have weapons forged. The Canteen is where food is provided—this food can alter certain properties of the body and is highly valuable. The Surgical Room is where body modification surgeries are performed; according to rumors, there is a top-tier doctor on the Weaving Train. The Trading Center is the core location for trade, composed of over a dozen carriages linked together.

Chen Qi thinks for a moment; he has plenty of money now, so he might as well pay a visit to the trading carriages.

[As more and more people enter the carriages, you look out the window, and the scenery outside begins to move.]

[Whoosh—]
[Whoosh—]
[The sound of steam arrives!]

[You look out the window; the train has begun its journey, and the scenery outside changes rapidly.]

[You lean against the window, watching the Furnace Mountains drift further and further away.]

Chen Qi clicks on the map and selects the Trading Carriage.

Set off!

[You gaze at the snow-capped mountains outside, tucking your long blade into your belt so that it can be drawn using the Soul of Shadows.]

[You step out of your private carriage, walking through one car after another.]

[You look around, noticing traces of heavy blunt impacts on these carriages.]

[Advancing...]

[You arrive at the Trading Carriage. At a glance, you see many people from various districts have already gathered here.]

[Some rare items have already begun to be sold.]

[You look at these items, your eyes lighting up!]