Chapter 931: A Purchase for Pure Enjoyment
As the train roared past Heyang County and across the Linyi Yellow River Bridge, the masked man's shouts grew even more exaggerated: "Wow, a bridge! What an enormous bridge! What an incredible bridge! The divine bridge gifted by the Heavenly Lord—I've finally seen it, hahahaha! Hahahahaha! This trip was absolutely worth it! I want to get off, I want to get off and play on the bridge!"
The moment Shi Kefa heard that, he was instantly reminded of his own deeply embarrassing moment from back then.
He slapped a hand to his face.
The train swept across the massive bridge and pulled to a stop at the Sunji Town station, right beside the bridgehead.
The masked man sprang up, ready to leap off the train.
His accompanying guard quickly restrained him: "My lord, you cannot disembark. This is a very small station, and we only stop for five minutes. If you go for a stroll on the bridge, you won't make it back to the train in time."
The masked man gasped, "What? Can't I just take the next train?"
The guard whispered, "There's only one train a day, my lord. The next one won't arrive in Sunji Town until this time tomorrow. If you delay for an entire day, you'll miss the maiden voyage of the new ship and won't be able to go to Nanjing."
The masked man was visibly upset. Though his face was veiled by a black cloth, his slumped posture conveyed his dejection and sadness. He flopped onto his seat with a thud: "Why is there only one train a day? That's preposterous! Add more trips, make it ten a day!"
The masked man scoffed, "Then throw money at it! Fund the research! Just improve the efficiency of the steam engine, isn't that simple? What's-his-name, go tell Bai Gongzi: how much research funding does he need? I'll provide it!"
The guard lowered his voice even further: "Hush! Shi Kefa is watching."
The masked man immediately clammed up.
Shi Kefa hadn't caught that last sentence, only the earlier part. He found it rather amusing. He had thought this fellow was some kind of criminal, but it turned out he was more like a naive scion of wealth, a rich kid with mines in his family, stepping out of his home for the first time, utterly bewildered by the world.
But then again...
Even though this rich scion was masked, he didn't seem particularly young. How could someone his age still be so unworldly? Shouldn't most wealthy youngsters travel far and wide with their elders from a young age?
His mind swirled with questions.
Still, he thought, since this person didn't seem to be a criminal, Shi Kefa couldn't be bothered to watch him anymore and returned to his book on "Management Science."
The grand train continued its whistling journey, and soon Puzhou was upon them. The masked man let out a series of excited shouts at the passing scenery: "Puzhou! The heart of the realm! I must see it!"
"My lord, this is a large station, and the train will stop for half an hour. If you hurry, you can explore the area around the station."
"Hahaha, what are we waiting for then?"
The masked man sprang from the train and vanished in a flash.
Shi Kefa shook his head with a smile. Half an hour later, the masked man and his guards returned just in time, laden with packages. He clutched a wooden puppet from Xiaoyi, Shanxi, while his guards were burdened with many bags and bundles.
Clearly, the fellow had gone on a shopping spree near the station.
Shi Kefa couldn't help but shake his head: "Buying things at the train station will cost you dearly. Something that usually sells for two taels of silver might go for five there."
The masked man turned around: "Oh? Is that true?"
The guards nodded: "Yes, my lord, you overpaid."
The masked man queried: "Huh? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
The guards replied: "Your subordinates dared not spoil your fun."
The masked man paused, then burst into laughter: "You're right. Why bother haggling over the price of local specialties when it dampens the enjoyment? Consider the extra money as... *ahem*... simply buying myself a good mood for fun."
Shi Kefa gave him a thumbs up: "Magnanimous!"
The masked man laughed heartily: "I hate it when people praise me, I don't like... *cough, cough, cough*..." He had spoken too quickly, almost blurting out his usual catchphrase, and quickly stopped himself, startled.
Shi Kefa: "???"
Shi Kefa suddenly took a liking to this masked man. Traveling alone was quite dull, and having such an interesting person to chat with was rather pleasant. For the rest of the journey, he engaged in a sporadic conversation with the masked man.
They chatted all the way to Hedong City, where the train line ended.
The railway ahead was still under construction, so the two transferred to a solar-powered bus. With the two of them, plus their personal guards, they completely filled a large bus designed for dozens of people, essentially turning it into their private vehicle.
Seeing their continued shared journey, Shi Kefa felt an inclination to befriend him: "May I ask, what is your esteemed name, my friend?"
The masked man replied: "I am Zhu Piaoling, known in the martial world as the 'Wandering Swordsman of the Four Seas.'"
"The martial world?" Shi Kefa mused, "Have you truly journeyed through the martial world? I can't help but feel this is your first time traveling far from home, my friend."
Zhu Piaoling: "..."
Zhu Piaoling was speechless, silently cursing: *As expected of the Judicial Commissioner, his eyes are too sharp.*
He could only laugh it off, saying: "To walk the martial world, one must first learn to boast. Although this is my first time leaving home, my boasting skills already possess the full ten-tenths prowess of a true martial hero."
Shi Kefa chuckled: "Hahahaha! I understand, I understand. So that nickname was one you gave yourself, Brother Zhu. It's a fine name. Which of us men doesn't wish to uphold justice and chivalry? Alas, we are not our own masters, burdened by countless worldly affairs, unable to simply leave. I truly admire your courage, Brother Zhu, to step out and pursue such a path."
Zhu Piaoling was overjoyed: "You also think I should step out? That's wonderful!"
"We're about to cross another bridge," the guard suddenly interjected. "My lord, we've arrived at the Xiaolangdi Yellow River Bridge."
"Wow, a great bridge!" Zhu Piaoling instantly abandoned their conversation, leaping to the window. He plastered himself against the glass like a lizard, peering outside with all his might: "The bridge is so magnificent, so incredibly handsome! I want to get off, let me get onto the bridge!"
The guard softly advised: "Don't rush, my lord. Once we cross this bridge, we'll be at Xiaolangdi station. You'll be able to play on the bridge once the train stops."
Zhu Piaoling burst into laughter: "Hahaha, excellent! Truly excellent!"
Indeed, the moment the bus arrived at Xiaolangdi station and came to a complete halt, Zhu Piaoling leaped out. He sprinted onto the south bridgehead of the Xiaolangdi Yellow River Bridge, spread his arms wide, and ran wildly towards the north bridgehead...
Shi Kefa stepped off the bus, laughing as he shouted after his retreating figure: "Don't do that! You'll end up on Gaojia News!"
Zhu Piaoling laughed even louder: "I'm not afraid of being on Gaojia News! With my perfect disguise, no one will know who I am, so why should I be afraid of being on Gaojia News?"
Shi Kefa: "!!!"
It seemed Zhu Piaoling was an alias; this was a man with a story. Shi Kefa thought: *If I were to send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate, I might uncover some great secret. However, this person is so innocent and doesn't seem malicious. For me to dig into his secrets would be rather unkind. Forget it! No need to create trouble for myself.*
He waved goodbye to Zhu Piaoling's receding back, then headed towards the military dock of the Xiaolangdi naval base...
The Heavenly Lord had instructed him to transfer to a new ship there, bound for Anqing.
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