Yang Zicang stared deep into the eyes of the person across from him.
–Since you already know this, why did you bring it up?–
–Hmm, why did I? Maybe because of Mercury retrograde.–
–Just to make yourself luckier?–
Yang Zicang fixed his gaze on him, questioning word by word.
–Maybe for the sake of fairness. Or maybe because the people there aren’t fools—do you really think they can’t see through your schemes, can’t feel them? After all, everyone here is from Hubville; they’re not single-celled organisms so easily fooled. I’m just telling you this so you won’t realize too late that you’ve already been seen through, all your efforts wasted.–
The man placed both hands on the table, propping himself up, and said:
–Think about it. It’s like a bunch of thieves disguised as security guards working the bottom-tier jobs in a bank every day, just for a chance to get the vault keys—only to find out they’ve been marked as suspicious from the very first job interview. Isn’t that just a waste of energy?–
–Heh, that’s so true.–
Yang Zicang put on an annoyed expression.
–But all of this has nothing to do with you. You’ve ruined our plan. Even if I don’t come after you, the controllers of Hubville will make you taste the consequences of running your mouth.–
–Whatever. It’s not like I scare that easily.–
Yang Zicang stood up, posing his final question.
–Do you know what’s going on with Shi Qian?–
–No clue. There are just too many of those bastards on this land. All I know is, they keep calling themselves Shi Qian and pull off nothing but petty theft.–
–Farewell.–
Yang Zicang adjusted his collar with a flick, took a step, and turned the doorknob to walk out.
The subtle breeze and chirping of insects, the rustling of air, even the vitality and human touch embedded in the structures—all came back to him, as if returning from another world.
The sense of oppression and silence had dissolved.
He couldn’t help but wonder what a true place of stillness would look like—if such a thing or space even existed.
Was there any place beyond the reach of all gazes?
–Holy shit, I’ll be damned!–
Robin Lo ran over, hopping and slapping Yang Zicang on the head with a single whack, hissing in a low voice.
–Are you asking for death?–
In a foul mood, Yang Zicang shook off Robin Lo’s hand.
–Let’s aim big, brother, aim big! Take me along.–
When Robin Lo heard that gentleman bluntly call out Yang Zicang’s ultimate purpose for coming here, he was completely stunned.
To actually have designs on enhancing the Moxel Line’s capabilities—going straight for the original production stage of that thing, no less!
What’s the difference from stealing a mold at the mint?
Yang Zicang sneered coldly with anger: –This can’t be said. If it is said, this space will know, and our plan will be ruined.–
–Huh?–
Robin Lo was instantly dumbfounded, like a wooden chicken.
–Wha—what, that’s it?–
Then Robin Lo’s skin suddenly turned red-hot, and Yang Zicang could directly feel the fury contained within him.
This guy was now dying to charge into that room in the corridor and beat the person in there—from head to toe, from butt to chest—until he cried for his parents, but even that wouldn’t be enough to quell his anger.
–So what now?– Robin Lo turned his head and asked.
Yang Zicang let out an impatient breath.
–What a real jerk.–
The two went back to exchange formalities once more with Zuo Feixian and Shiu Siuchuan. Then Yang Zicang said he could send him back, but Robin Lo shook his head like a rattle-drum and refused to leave.
–Alright then, stay here for a while.–
Yang Zicang had no choice but to lead him to his own room, toss him a polyester-cotton blend bedsheet, and make Robin Lo sleep on the floor.
Even though the sheet wasn’t very breathable, Robin Lo still felt quite satisfied.
–It’s been so long since I actually stayed in a house. What a comfort, even sleeping on the floor feels good. A curse on his ancestors.–
He was still furious about the tenant in Room 33 downstairs.
Yang Zicang lay on the bed: –Alright, get some rest quickly. I need to continue collecting the vanished Moxel tomorrow.–
–Mm. Oh, by the way, you still gathering intel on this incident?–
–No need.–
–Fair enough.– Robin Lo closed his eyes and soon began to snore loudly.
After tossing and turning for a long time, Yang Zicang suddenly sat up, glanced at the fat man on the floor, and in resignation summoned the train. He first sent today’s collected vanished Moxel back, instructing those staying behind to stabilize valuable, easily damaged terrain—like the rivers, for instance.
Under the pitch-black midnight sky, where the horizon was still faintly visible, Yang Zicang stood before a mere thirty or forty meters wide snow slope that had partially melted from his busy work.
–The handicraft shed is ready. Yeah, bro, you want to handle this yourself?–
Yang Zicang looked at Qian Zhongsheng: –You do it. Everyone needs to take part. If you’re willing, this place will be your permanent home from now on. I’ll head back to the trading zone shortly.–
Meanwhile, in the darkness of the wilderness.
An old-fashioned dark red Harley roared across the vast gravel surface. A man with a pouch strapped to his waist leaned his body forward, letting the rushing air flow along his spine and over his back.
Across his face, he wore a mask revealing only his eyes.
A faint glimmer of light refracted into view.
Sensing the person across from him, the man in the car cracked a smile and said, –Have you already told him?–
{After this, I’ll be leaving. The traces indicate that a spot has been reserved for me, and there’s also a share for you.}
The one living in this place under the name Zorro fell silent; only after ten or so seconds did he speak again: –Master Vacu, good luck to you.–
{Thank you.}
In that moment, the two each decided the direction their futures would take.
One chose to keep moving forward; the other firmly resolved to stay here.
[I, the companion of justice, the indefatigable little red horse, feel the joy of galloping!]
The nightmare motorcycle’s speed quickened even more, almost transforming into a dark-red streak of light in the gloom.
……
The next day at noon, when Yang Zicang emerged from his room, the five people in the adjoining room were already mingling warmly, eating fruit and chatting.
–Apart from water, drinks, tea, and such, paper and ceramics have always been indispensable in daily life.–
–Some items can be made within each Peng Zone itself, no need to import them from Hubville, but anything slightly more complex won’t work—those involving petrochemical materials must be replicated using a Shin Engine.–
Robin Lo found it quite novel: –Can the Peng Zone produce all the basic stuff?–
Robin Lo thought this was quite novel: –Everything that’s basic can be made in Peng Zone, right?–
–Electric appliances? Hah, obviously that’s a no-go.–
–Dry batteries, though—things like flashlights and small bulbs—are better off done with blueprints. Yo, Brother Jia’s awake.–
Yang Zicang walked in and picked a small apple from the cloth sack, biting into it crunchily—crisp and delicious.
–Worryfree Penglord just contacted me and asked me to come over. You guys can have lunch on your own. Look after that friend of mine well, won’t you?–
–You bet!–
Shiu Siuchuan and Zuo Feixian both puffed out their chests, brimming with confidence.
As the two with the most Chronos around here, they already styled themselves as the group’s protectors.
Worryfree Penglord had invited Yang Zicang to join his trade hub, but—as usual—his attempt failed.
At the lunch banquet, Penglord invited the heads of several nearby medium-to-large Peng Zones and a few outstanding engine-makers from this auction. They gathered together, clinking glasses and getting acquainted.
Though Yang Zicang had produced a premium well, compared to those around him crafting clothes, locks, and tools for daily life and production, he wasn’t the star of the show. Only a major Penglord chasing a more refined lifestyle showed genuine interest, hoping to woo him into his settlement.
After being rejected, they offered to trade resources for the well engine, and Yang Zicang didn’t refuse this time. By the end of the meal, the orders had already reached as many as fifteen.
–I’m only feeling sorry for those few over there. But still, can they even get out anymore?–
The moment Yang Zicang thought of Lyu Bu’s methods, a sense of helplessness washed over him.
For him, having a effective strike range of over twenty meters with Chronos was already considered rare and remarkable. Sending those heavily depleted headquarters personnel to deal with the satellite Nightmares in the sky was about as difficult as asking Benbo Erba to single-handedly tie up and bring back Tang Sanzang.
……
Inside the solemn conference hall, the air buzzed with low, rumbling murmurs of discussion.
–It seems we haven’t come up with any countermeasure again this time.–
–I think we need to pool our wisdom and listen to more suggestions from our new comrades.–
On one side of the large oval table, a man let out a heavy sigh and said, –Everyone, put forward a few suggestions. Also, if any of you know of or have heard about promising newcomers, feel free to recommend them. Perhaps the key to resolving the threat of that ‘Fangtian’ lies with these new people.–
Listening to the remarks around the table, Chen Yu, seated in a wooden chair on one side of the oval table, interlaced his ten fingers and placed them on his abdomen. Turning to a young man behind him, he said, –Li Mi, do you have any suggestions for dealing with that bastard?–
The young man, whose gaze was gentle, nodded at Chen Yu. –I have one, but it’s hard to say.–
Hearing this, Chen Yu perked up a bit.
–What’s so hard to say about it?–
This young man was a newcomer who had recently stood out through his interactions with Yang Zicang.
He handled matters methodically, saving Chen Yu a great deal of trouble. Now, the task of maintaining contact with Yang Zicang, once the responsibility of the original lucky fellow, had been taken over by him.
But this time, Li Mi simply shook his head and would not utter another word.
Chen Yu found this a bit odd. Li Mi basically never refused assignments given by him, but this time, he only dropped a hint that he had a plan before clamming up.
After a moment of thought, Chen Yu said, –Come to my room later for a private talk.–
–Alright.–
Leave a Reply