Chapter 266: Monica |
Ssshh~
The Mechanical Heart hummed to life as Lin Xian pushed open the electric locomotive’s cabin door. A wave of rotting stench immediately assaulted his senses, causing him to frown.
His mechanical arm automatically deployed a shoulder-mounted flashlight, illuminating the cramped interior of the train car. Stepping onto the metal grate, he climbed inside—only to be greeted by a scene of utter ruin.
Two bodies—a man and a woman, their corpses frozen in frost-covered decay—lay eerily still within the cramped space.
Lin Xian’s gaze swept across the messy cabin.
Discarded food wrappers, sleeping bags, blankets, and broken light fixtures littered the floor. There were pots, pans, and dinnerware, as well as empty medicine boxes strewn about.
Judging by their tattered uniforms, they had likely been factory workers—a husband and wife who had sought refuge here. But they had perished before the arrival of the Extreme Cold Vortex, their bodies left to rot in silent despair.
The sheer number of medicine boxes on the floor suggested they had succumbed to illness and starvation. Their frail, withered corpses spoke of a slow, inevitable death.
Throughout his journey of survival, Lin Xian had encountered far too many such tragedies.
Activating the Mechanical Heart, he began repairing the locomotive’s electrical system, systematically diagnosing and restoring power to the engine core.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
In the driver’s cabin, subsystem lights flickered back to life. The engine’s deep rumble slowly reverberated through the cabin as its frozen iron wheels and brake systems trembled, groaning under the strain of long-term disuse.
Rumble~
Snow slid off the locomotive’s body as Lin Xian reversed the train, carefully maneuvering it to align with the rear of the Infinite Train’s Twin-Star Nuclear Carriage.
On the opposite track, a group of Dragon Mountain No. 1 engineers noticed Lin Xian’s actions. Seeing him drive back with a massive electric locomotive set, they were stunned.
But instead of immediately linking the new train cars, Lin Xian decided to wait until morning. He would have his team clear out the two powered train cars before integrating them.
For now, he turned his attention to manufacturing composite armor panels.
On the Dragon Mountain No. 1 side, many engineers noticed Lin Xian standing alone atop the train, though they weren’t sure what he was up to.
The next moment, their eyes widened in shock.
Even the workers welding steel plates, hoisting materials, and dismantling equipment froze in place.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
A glow of mechanical energy flickered around Lin Xian’s hands.
Countless raw materials floated into the air, self-assembling into precise structures.
In the blink of an eye, a lifting rack and a modular canopy materialized, shielding the Infinite Train from the howling blizzard.
Two rail-mounted gantry cranes emerged, rising from solid ground like towers of steel.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A Dragon Mountain engineer, who had been hauling a heavy steel frame, stood slack-jawed.
His hands went limp, causing the metal beams to clatter loudly onto the ground.
“What the…?”
“Did he just build an entire assembly workshop out of thin air?!”
“Holy sh*t.”
“What kind of ability is that…?”
Lin Xian ignored the awe-struck stares, focusing on constructing the core framework.
Once the armor panels were complete, he planned to have his team dismantle and repair the train cars in the morning.
But just then—
Headlights flared in the distance.
Several tracked polar vehicles rumbled through the storm, speeding toward the freight station.
Vroom~ Vroom~
The vehicles skidded to a stop in the main plaza, and Lin Xian’s sharp gaze immediately caught sight of their occupants.
Shi Diyuan, Qian Dele, and several other convoy leaders emerged from their polar gear-clad ranks.
Two of the rear vehicles held a group of unfamiliar faces—
Leading them was a woman with long, wavy red hair and a towering presence.
Dressed in high-riding boots, her imposing stature dwarfed many of the men beside her.
“Lin Xian!”
Shi Diyuan spotted him immediately, waving as he led the group forward.
“Damn, Lin Xian! You were only gone for a bit, and now you’ve built a whole damn factory?!”
Lin Xian chuckled, shaking his head as he walked over, holding an armor plate.
“Not that exaggerated.”
He glanced toward the red-haired woman.
“Who’s this?”
Shi Diyuan grinned.
“Introducing a new friend!”
Lin Xian sighed internally—Shi Diyuan sure had a knack for networking.
The red-haired woman stepped forward.
Her wind goggles reflected the train’s lights, but her deep-set eyes locked onto Lin Xian with a keen, assessing gaze.
Shi Diyuan continued.
“Lin, I heard from them that the city’s safe now—no need to stay on edge. She’s got some intel to share, and knowing you’re a Mechanical Ability User, she’s got something she needs help with.”
Lin Xian set down the armor plate, turning to her.
“What kind of help?”
The woman smirked.
“I’m Monica. Interested in getting acquainted?”
Her voice was bold yet feminine, carrying the distinct air of someone who commanded authority.
Lin Xian had initially assumed she was a stranger, but in reality, she was an old friend of Qian Dele—a convoy leader of another train fleet.
Nodding, Lin Xian leaped down from the train and extended a handshake.
“Lin Xian, Infinite Convoy.”
Monica shook his hand, her eyes flickering toward the armor plates beside him.
“Mechanical Ability… Don’t tell me you built this entire train yourself?”
Lin Xian raised an eyebrow at Shi Diyuan and Qian Dele.
What the hell did you guys tell her?
Did she expect him to build her an entire train?
“No way.”
“If I had that level of power, I’d be building a damn spaceship, not running on land.”
Pfft—
Monica burst into laughter, raising a hand in mock apology.
“Fair point. My bad.”
Qian Dele smirked, leaning back.
“Monica, don’t underestimate this pretty boy. If it weren’t for him, we—and even Phoenix—wouldn’t have escaped the blizzard alive.”
Shrugging, he tugged his coat tighter, glancing at Shi Diyuan.
“Alright, old Shi—didn’t you say you had a place where we could drink?”
“Hell yeah! Follow me!”
They soon gathered in Dragon Mountain No. 1’s bar carriage, a warm, well-stocked compartment designed as a restaurant-bar hybrid.
As the group settled into sofas, Shi Diyuan poured out clear liquor into large glasses, its sharp aroma filling the air.
“Dragon Mountain’s finest! The perfect drink for a frozen wasteland!”
Monica smirked, downing an entire cup in one gulp.
The group stared—but Qian Dele wasn’t surprised.
Chuckling, he pushed his own glass away.
“Tch, drunkard. Just don’t go on a rampage later.”
As laughter echoed, the night of intelligence-sharing, planning, and uneasy camaraderie began.
“So for the next few days, you can all rest easy in the city,” Monica said. “Recover your strength, recruit new people. Phoenix and the Arctic Wind Alliance have plenty of supplies. Even if you don’t have Blood Crystals to trade, you can still get some basic supplies and defensive weapons from Phoenix for free. Or, you could just join one of the larger convoys or Phoenix itself—it’s not a bad option.”
“Recruiting?” Shi Diyuan raised an eyebrow at the term. “What, are we starting to fight over people now?”
“Not exactly,” Qian Dele said calmly. “It’s just how things work when a lot of people are around. Smaller convoys want to stick with bigger ones, ability users want a strong backing. Phoenix can provide aid, but it can’t take in and care for everyone. And besides, joining Phoenix isn’t easy—their missions are dangerous as hell, and the death rate isn’t low. For most, it’s more comfortable sticking with a strong convoy.”
“Exactly.”
Monica smirked. “Joining Phoenix isn’t a cozy arrangement. Most convoys prefer working with them rather than becoming full members. Survivors are looking for a place to live—but Phoenix? They charge straight into death. Anyone thinking of joining better ask themselves if they have the guts for it.”
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Many had originally thought joining Phoenix meant securing a powerful patron, but that was exactly where Phoenix differed from Dawn City and the Federation.
Lin Xian had long since figured this out.
Dawn City collected protection fees, but the survivors within its walls weren’t responsible for the city’s defense—unless it was under siege.
But Phoenix had no city, no fortress. It operated worldwide, guiding survivors toward the Dawn, leading them to fight back against the darkness, rather than simply shielding them from it.
To join Phoenix was to accept the burden of saving humanity.
That was no ordinary commitment.
And that was exactly why the Starfleet had earned its legendary reputation—
When Apocalypse Day struck, the Starfleet became the only military force that continued to protect survivors.
When the world fell apart, they didn’t hesitate to stand at the front lines.
“Large convoys want strong ability users, gene evolvers, and specialists in unique skills. Every convoy is working to strengthen itself—it’s the only way to survive.”
Monica took a sip of her drink, continuing casually.
“Blood Crystals are basically hard currency now. You can trade them with alliances, organizations, or Phoenix for weapons, gear, and supplies. West Xilan City has started feeling like a temporary survivor settlement—there’s even a hint of commerce. Hell, go check out Tiannan Street tomorrow. You might even find a little entertainment.”
Qian Dele rolled his eyes and spat in exasperation. “What, you mean brothels? We’re all just trying to survive. Who the hell cares about stuff like that anymore?”
“Oh, that’s not what I meant~”
Monica leaned her cheek against her half-empty glass, her gaze sweeping across the group of men with an amused glint.
“I was talking about special ability-user services. Ever tried that?”
Pffft!
A few convoy leaders choked on their drinks, spraying liquor all over the table.
Even Lin Xian and Shi Diyuan couldn’t help but look stunned.
Special ability-user services?
Lin Xian had never even considered something like that until Monica mentioned it.
As the men exchanged uncertain glances, Ning Jing folded her arms, staring at Monica with an unimpressed expression.
“Enough with the nonsense. Let’s talk about something useful—like what the city has to offer or Phoenix’s plans.”
Monica chuckled at the shift in tone, taking another sip of liquor before getting back to business.
“Well, once the sun’s up, you can check out the main survivor districts around Central Avenue. You’ll find just about anything you need there, as long as you have trade goods or Blood Crystals.”
“As for Phoenix, I only know that the one in charge here is Zhao Yu. He commands the 7th Recon Unit, and the current plan is to evacuate West Xilan City before dawn on the 31st. That means you all have two full days to rest and resupply.”
“Also, the Nightwalkers are running ability tests at Michelle Church on Central Avenue. Any ability user above Evolution Level or gene evolvers at Level 3 or higher will get free supplies for participating. The higher the level, the better the rewards—Titanium Rank gets even more.”
She suddenly grew serious.
“But I should warn you—West Xilan has no shortage of powerhouses. Every major convoy and Phoenix is keeping an eye on that place. If any of your people test high, expect to get noticed. The big convoys offer all kinds of perks, and it’s common for ability users to jump ship. Happens all the time.”
“Hah! That’s all?”
Shi Diyuan scoffed, sounding completely unconcerned.
“If my people find a better deal somewhere else, good for them. Hell, I’d be happy for them—it’d take a load off my shoulders! Hahaha!”
Lin Xian understood his reasoning.
Dragon Mountain No. 1 had over a thousand people, most of whom were ordinary survivors.
Only a handful were the original Dragon Mountain residents—the rest were rescued survivors who had been trained and armed along the way.
In terms of individual combat power, Dragon Mountain No. 1 was far weaker than elite convoys, but it had still managed to survive as a railway fortress.
It wasn’t just raw strength keeping them alive.
“Since the city’s safe, we can let the recruits go out and scavenge during the day,” Shi Diyuan told Ning Jing. “Have the ability users and enhancers take the test—it’d be good to grab some free supplies.”
Ning Jing nodded. “Yeah, I already promised them. Since we’re cooperating with Phoenix, the test will help us gauge their strength and boost morale. The supplies are just a bonus.”
Lin Xian remained silent, but his mind was working.
It seemed that the Nightwalkers had approached both Infinite Train and Dragon Mountain No. 1.
That meant Shi Diyuan likely had a Scarlet Phoenix Token as well—though Lin Xian wasn’t sure if he’d received the Cold Dark Reagent yet.
Monica gave Shi Diyuan a curious look.
“I thought a big convoy like yours would be hunting for elite recruits. You don’t sound very interested.”
“We don’t actively recruit,” Ning Jing replied simply.
“We help when we can. If people want to leave, we don’t stop them. Everyone here fights for survival together—there’s no special treatment.”
Her words struck a chord with the other convoy leaders.
Most of them had formed their groups through hardship, treating each other like family, never discussing salaries or benefits.
“And what about you, handsome?”
Monica turned to Lin Xian, her eyes gleaming with interest.
“Old Qian and Shi have been talking you up like you’re some legend. Even Phoenix wants you. Ever think about expanding your forces?”
Lin Xian’s expression remained calm.
“I don’t need more people right now. I’d rather trade for supplies or weapons.”
His words were a clear rejection, meant to deter unnecessary trouble from people looking for shelter under his banner.
He couldn’t protect everyone, but if he found the right allies, he’d consider it.
Monica raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? What a shame. After hearing about you, I was almost ready to bring my train to join you.”
She shot Qian Dele a playful glare.
“See, Old Qian? He doesn’t even want me.”
Shi Diyuan’s eyes lit up.
“Wait—you have a train?!”
“Not just any train,” Qian Dele muttered, rolling his eyes.
“It’s an intercontinental-class convoy, fully automated weapons systems, all-terrain adaptability. Only twenty people on board, but enough firepower for two hundred.”
Lin Xian sighed internally.
Monica was trouble.
< p39" data-end="79"> “An intercontinental-class train?”
< p81" data-end="259"> Lin Xian raised an eyebrow. He had assumed Monica was just another convoy leader, but if she was operating a train of that caliber, then she wasn’t someone to take lightly. < p261" data-end="320"> Shi Diyuan, on the other hand, was visibly impressed. < p322" data-end="498"> “Damn! That’s a serious setup! Lin Xian, you better think this through—this lady’s got an elite convoy. If she really wanted to join forces, that’d be a hell of a boost.” < p500" data-end="562"> Qian Dele, however, just folded his arms, looking bored. < p564" data-end="766"> “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Monica, didn’t I tell you to go easy on the booze? You’re just drunk-talking now. Weren’t you the one asking Lin Xian for help? Keep this up, and he’s going to think you’re crazy.” < p768" data-end="852"> Lin Xian glanced at Monica’s empty glass—her bottle was already half gone. < p854" data-end="965"> Despite drinking so much, she looked more alert than ever, and her words had grown more unrestrained. < p967" data-end="1061"> Monica ignored Qian Dele’s remark, resting her chin on one hand as she studied Lin Xian. < p1063" data-end="1125"> “I’m serious, though. You’re a hell of a guy, Lin Xian.” < p1127" data-end="1161"> She smirked, swirling her glass. < p1163" data-end="1258"> “Your train might not be intercontinental-class, but it has something more valuable—you.” < p1260" data-end="1321"> Lin Xian remained silent, waiting for her to elaborate. < p1323" data-end="1364"> Monica finally leaned back with a sigh. < p1366" data-end="1438"> “Fine, fine. Let’s talk business. I do need your help, after all.” < p1440" data-end="1500"> Her expression grew serious as she set down her glass.
Comments 1