When a group of Cloud Knights, drawn by the news, arrived at the scene, they predictably found nothing. The leading Cloud Knight Captain, upon seeing Bailu, was momentarily stunned before respectfully clasping his fists in greeting. "Master Bailu? A pleasure to meet you."
Bailu automatically slipped into her sage-like demeanor. "Hmm, you've arrived just in time. A group of people just attempted to assault me, and I subdued them on the spot. Are you here to handle this matter?"
The Cloud Knight Captain nodded. "Of course. We received a distress call from civilians and rushed here immediately. But before we proceed, may I ask if you were just with a purple-haired girl?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Well, the thing is, that girl is actually a highly dangerous wanted criminal. Were you aware of this?"
Highly… dangerous? Bailu earnestly recalled Kafka's recent behavior, and her limited mental processing power struggled to reconcile those two words.
It wasn't just her—when Stelle heard this, she nearly couldn't hold back her laughter. Which danger are you referring to? The failed 'man' who just flew off?
"I didn't know," Bailu said, shaking her head. "She seemed quite amicable just now, and I was preoccupied with the attack, so I didn't pay much attention."
"Understood. I've noted your situation. However, per procedure, you'll need to accompany these assailants to the Ten-Lords Commission to give a statement."
Bailu nodded nonchalantly. "Mm, thank you for the trouble."
(In truth, when Bailu heard she had to give a statement, her little face fell, and she felt utterly aggrieved—her rare day off, gone just like that!)
"Bib Sis Stelle, we probably won't have time to hang out today. I'll find you next time," Bailu said, maintaining her sage-like composure while forcing a smile. After a brief farewell, she left with the Cloud Knights.
Stelle watched Bailu's dejected figure recede, feeling a pang of sympathy.
A once-every-half-month day off, ruined just like that. Honestly, Stelle felt a bit sorry for Bailu. Though the latter had inherited the destructive aspect of the Dragon's power, at her core, she was still just a child—albeit one who matured a bit faster.
She wondered what kind of expression Dan Heng would have if he saw Bailu now.
On the train.
Dan Heng had been feeling uneasy lately. Though Stelle and the others had only been off the train for two days, he couldn't shake the feeling that something major was about to happen. He desperately wanted to leap off the train and ensure he could contribute in some way.
But with his current physical condition…
Dan Heng helplessly glanced at his chubby little hands. This state had persisted for three days now, and for some reason, he couldn't revert to his original form as he used to.
The "Scale-Shedding Rebirth Technique" of those Dragon Masters was riddled with flaws, leaving him with such severe side effects.
Tch, he wondered how the new Dragon Lord of the Luofu was faring. Based on his memories of those Dragon Masters, the new Dragon Lord was still young, and her days were likely far from easy.
Though Dan Heng knew those past matters had nothing to do with him, as long as those memories lingered in his mind, certain emotions could never be fully erased.
Bang bang bang—
"Passenger Dan Heng, it's time to take your medicine, pa!"
The door was knocked on from the outside. From the telltale verbal tic alone, the identity of the person outside was unmistakable.
Dan Heng pulled the blanket over his head, ignoring it.
Through his observations over the past few days, Dan Heng had gradually noticed something odd. From subtle clues, he realized the Conductor wasn't as simple as they seemed on the surface. At times, in secluded places, the Conductor would suddenly burst into loud laughter for no apparent reason.
Bang bang bang—
"Passenger Dan Heng, are you okay, pa?"
Bang bang bang—
"Passenger Dan Heng, if you don't respond, I'm coming in, pa!"
Bang bang bang—
"Dan Heng…"
"Dan Heng…"
"Dan Heng…"
The repeated calls echoed in Dan Heng's mind, each sentence carrying the same monotonous tone, gradually stirring irritation within him. Unable to bear it any longer, his voice carried a rare trace of anger. "I'm here!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Dan Heng felt a wave of regret. The Conductor was, after all, looking out for his well-being. How could he have been so irrational?
The knocking and calling abruptly stopped. Silence lingered for a few seconds before Pom-Pom's voice sounded again. "…Hmph, haha, Dan Heng, you're in there, right?"
Dan Heng froze. He could tell the tone was entirely different from Pom-Pom's usual one.
…Had his attitude just now angered Pom-Pom?
With this doubt, Dan Heng slowly opened the door, rubbing his head as he said, "Sorry, Conductor, I was out of line just now. Please…"
His voice cut off abruptly. Standing outside wasn't Conductor Pom-Pom, nor was it Welt, who was staying on the train. It was the figure that haunted his dreams, impossible to shake—Blade.
How could he be on the train?! What had happened?!
Blade held a tray with bread and milk. He looked down at Dan Heng's cute, frail form and suddenly grinned. "It's really great to find you here. Do you know how long I've been looking for you, Imbibitor Lunae?"
Swish—
Before the words fully landed, a black broken sword materialized in Blade's hand. With a swift draw, he struck first, the blade aimed straight at Dan Heng's throat!
Clang!
Though his mind was filled with confusion and questions, Dan Heng's body reacted instinctively. He used the bronze gourd at his waist as a makeshift shield, barely parrying Blade's first strike.
Dan Heng's eyes flickered. He tried to use the Cloudhymn Technique to engage Blade, only to realize he had somehow lost his connection to water. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't muster even a sliver of power.
Clang!
Blade let out a sinister grin, flourishing his sword to knock the bronze gourd away, slicing it in two with a single strike.
"Imbibitor Lunae, you've truly disappointed me. Did you think escaping the Luofu and hiding on this so-called Astral Express would keep me from finding you?"
Blade swung his sword, unleashing a blood-red arc of sword qi that shattered the room into pieces. He grabbed Dan Heng by the collar and flung him out with force!
Bang!
Dan Heng's body crashed through the wall of the Think Tank Car, then smashed through a door, sliding over ten meters across the floor of the Observation Car before finally coming to a stop.
"Face me, Dan Heng. I'll give you a quick end, hahaha, hahahahaha—"
Blade's figure followed closely, his frenzied slashes relentless. Dan Heng could only dodge helplessly. As time passed, his body became covered in bloodstains. He could feel his stamina rapidly depleting, his reactions growing sluggish…
Bang!
Blade seized an opening, landing a heavy knee strike to Dan Heng's jaw. As Dan Heng's body was flung into the air, Blade stomped down hard, pinning him to the floor with such force that the ground cracked in a web-like pattern.
"Cough… What… did you do to the Conductor and Mr. Welt?!" Dan Heng's breathing grew labored, but he still glared into Blade's eyes, gritting his teeth to ask the question.
Blade's grin remained as ferocious as ever. He didn't answer Dan Heng's question. "Imbibitor Lunae… you can't escape."
With that, Blade raised his shattered sword. Blood-red malevolent energy radiated from him, spreading outward. Finally, he drove the sword through the floor, unleashing destructive energy that tore the entire car to pieces!
———
As Welt passed by the Passenger Car, he suddenly felt the entire train shake briefly before returning to calm.
"Oh? Hey there, Passenger Welt, pa!"
Pom-Pom, standing at Dan Heng's door, waved at Welt with a smile.
"Conductor? Did you just feel the train shake?"
"Minor issue, pa! This is the Astral Express, after all. With the Conductor here, no problem is too big," Pom-Pom said with a laugh.
"Oh…" Welt shrugged, putting the matter out of his mind. Then, something occurred to him, and he asked, "Dan Heng… is he doing okay?"
Pom-Pom chuckled. "Of course, pa! The Conductor checks on him daily for psychological rehabilitation."
"Psychological rehabilitation?"
"Oh, just some standard treatment procedures—very professional, pa!"
———
In space, the bottom of the Astral Express suddenly opened. A sleeping figure, protected by the power of [The Trailblaze], slowly drifted toward the Jade Gate leading to the Luofu.