"Folks, our General Jing Yuan sure knows how to speak, huh?"
Xiao Guizi's Livestream
Aside from Guinaifen, sitting behind her was another figure—Sushang.
Sushang held a cup of Tea, sipping it while watching Guinaifen's live broadcast, her eyes narrowed into two happy slits.
Now that was pure bliss!
Though she hadn't played the game herself, she had already discussed it thoroughly with her colleagues during her shift.
She had even sneaked a peek at Guinaifen's stream.
So, she was well aware of the game's extraordinary qualities!
Given the rumors about the second-generation game console and the fierce competition among the major gaming companies, she had been assigned to protect Guinaifen.
"Guinaifen, you've really hit it big this time…"
"From now on, you're treating me to night market skewers!" Sushang mused inwardly.
Meanwhile, Guinaifen was completely absorbed in the story.
Even if her stream weren't this popular, even if no one was watching, she wouldn't be able to resist pushing the plot forward!
She was deeply curious about the fates of each character.
"Though they won't let us help find the Stellaron, they've entrusted us with an even bigger mission—to locate Kafka, who's hiding in the Luofu!"
"Little detective, I don't think we can pull this off… Who even is this Kafka? We probably wouldn't even catch a glimpse of her tail!"
As they spoke, the screen displayed Kafka's image—a clip from earlier in the story where she hijacked the train's communications.
"The coordinates are here. The rest is up to you. Though our goals differ, the paths of the stars will eventually converge. Farewell."
Now that this scene was replaying, Guinaifen focused intently on the audio, listening closely.
Sure enough, in the background, she could hear faint, fragmented noises.
[What's special about this recording?]
[Coordinates? Converging paths?]
[There's some noise in the background.]
Guinaifen decisively chose the third option.
"Exactly," Tingyun praised.
"To most, these sounds might seem indistinguishable. But for those maintaining the facilities at the Artisanship Commission, every machine's operation is like a melody—each with its own highs and lows."
"The General summoned craftsmen, and after careful comparison, they determined that Kafka's background noise came from the shipbuilding facilities at [Dock X]."
"Please take a short rest and gather your strength. Once ready, you may depart. The Cloud Knights will assist you then."
....
[Chat]
"Tingyun, this little fox, calling me 'benefactor' with every word—it's making my whole body tingle!"
"Kafka's at Dock X? Awesome, I'm going to find her!"
"You really think if you bump into Kafka, she'll greet you with a smile? You won't even know how you died!"
"I admit she's powerful in the story, but in reality, I'd definitely steer clear. I'd rather kneel at her feet—dying under Mommy's heel would be worth it!"
"Someone's been brainwashed by the Stellaron Hunters—kick them out!"
...
Glancing at the chat, Guinaifen couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Her viewers hadn't been like this at the start!
But now?
Not just the viewers—even she herself…
Ahem.
Back to the main story!
Right now, she just wanted to find Kafka!
Let's go!
After speaking with Welt, the group prepared to rest briefly before pursuing Kafka.
March 7th suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! Let's check in with the train—especially Dan Heng! Ask him what he's up to, then tell him how much fun we're having here!"
"Dan Heng…" Guinaifen murmured. "Wait… Does this trip to the Luofu involve Dan Heng's story too?"
March immediately sent Dan Heng a message.
The scene shifted to the interior of the Astral Express.
Dan Heng stood there, dazed.
Himeko walked over and said, "You've been standing here for ten hours straight."
"Worried about the kids? With Mr. Yang around, you can relax a little."
Dan Heng was silent for a moment before asking, "Himeko, you kept a recording of the Stellaron Hunters' transmission, right? Can I see it?"
When the image of the blade-wielding man appeared, Dan Heng's expression darkened.
"The Xianzhou is dangerous!"
"If he's here, then everyone—Mr. Yang, March 7th, and Stelle—are all at risk!"
"But…"
"He's connected to what you've been running from."
"Yet I can't just abandon them. I fear… my burdens have finally caught up, dragging everyone into this mess."
"Who doesn't carry burdens? Even March, who remembers nothing, shoulders something heavy."
"We walk on unseen paths. Everything we witness, everything we pioneer—it's all part of our luggage. A weight to bear, but also the strength to keep moving forward."
"Don't overthink it, Dan Heng."
After a pause, Himeko continued softly, "By tradition, the train stays docked for seven standard days. During that time, the train will be under mine and Pom-Pom's watch."
"Do what you must. It's better than living with regret later."
Dan Heng's gaze hardened as he walked toward the door.
"By the way, once this is over, you'll return to the train and continue traveling with us, right?"
Dan Heng said nothing.
But in the end, he nodded.
"This sense of family… I really like the protagonist group's dynamic," Guinaifen said, touched.
She glanced at the chat, expecting her viewers to share her emotions.
But instead—
[Chat]
"No, no, don't kill Dan Heng!"
"Isn't the Luofu Dan Heng's homeland? Is he really going to die here by Blade's hand?"
"I can't take it anymore, I'm crying…"
"The whole family has to travel together! Not a single one can be missing!"
"It's over! This atmosphere, this feeling—if I were Yu Ling, I'd have already picked out Dan Heng's burial spot!"
"Where's Stelle right now? Hurry and tell Dan Heng to go back to the train and lock the door!"
...
At first, Guinaifen hadn't thought much of it.
But seeing her viewers react like this…
Now, the playable character had switched to Dan Heng alone.
After landing on the Luofu, he tried sending messages in the [Astral Express Family] group:
[Stelle, March, where are you?]
[I'll meet up with you.]
Both messages failed to send.
Now, Dan Heng was alone, forced to traverse the perilous Cloudford.
The chat grew even more somber.
Even Sushang couldn't help but sigh, "Is Yu Ling really going to kill off Dan Heng?"
"Someone, save him!" (chat)
Divination Commission
Jing Yuan kindly gave the Express Crew time to discuss.
At this moment, Welt, March 7th, Stelle, and Dan Heng gathered together.
Whether to accept Jing Yuan's request ultimately hinged on Dan Heng's decision.
After all, the man named Blade shared a deep history with him.
If Dan Heng wanted to avoid it, the crew would refuse without hesitation.
The stakes were clear now.
"Since we've already come to Luofu…"
Just as Dan Heng was about to voice his thoughts, everyone's phones buzzed simultaneously.
A message from Himeko arrived.
"Dan Heng, if you're thinking of going after that man, I suggest you watch the latest story update first."
"In the newest plot, you also left the train alone out of concern for your friends."
"Something about this scene feels… off."
"It has the air of a [farewell]."
The four of them froze.
Dan Heng's eyes dimmed slightly as he murmured, "Even Yu Ling thinks I'll die on this journey…"
March 7th rubbed her eyes.
"I told you not to say such things! W-We're not taking this mission!"
"Let's just go back to the train…"
"We'll head straight to Penacony—that Festival Star is definitely safe!"
Dan Heng shook his head slightly. "March, don't worry about me."
"In that case…"
"Let's finish the story first, then decide."
To be continued…
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