At 4:38 PM, Ren Suo and Qiao Muyi finally arrived at Toyama Station and transferred to the JR Takayama Main Line at West Toyama Station.
There were seats available, but Ren Suo was so tired he didn't want to move after sitting down. Leaning against the seat, he yawned. Muyi asked, "Are you tired?"
"A little," Ren Suo replied honestly.
They had ridden from Sakado to Missile City. In the ga, it was a 'slow route' journey. In reality, it ant not taking the fastest Hokuriku Shinkansen but relying on various JR line local and rapid services, transferring repeatedly, and rocking along to their destination. In terms of travel within China, it was almost like forgoing high-speed or bullet trains and relying solely on subways to cross several cities.
Ren Suo estimated they had made seven or eight transfers today, constantly boarding and alighting to switch lines. He was genuinely tired. After all, in Flourishing Sakura, transferring often ant exiting one station and entering another. The stations weren't always close either; sotis they had to walk hundreds of ters to reach the connecting station.
After a whole day, though mostly spent seated, Ren Suo felt ntally exhausted. A Third-turn Cultivator like him wouldn't tire physically from this. It wasn't just the slowness; these transfers are truly a hassle!
However, Ren Suo also knew that people from the Martial Soul Hall might be primarily searching Shinkansen passengers. By relying on JR lines and frequent transfers, unlike those the Martial Soul Hall might be targeting, they had only encountered two Black Armored Warriors at Ogose Station and no other Transcendents along the way.
Muyi spoke softly, "Do you want to sleep for a bit? I'll wake you when we get there."
Ren Suo thought that was a good idea, nodded, and folded his arms across his chest. Relaxing his body and mind, he leaned against the seat and quickly fell asleep, his breathing steady.
Muyi knew Ren Suo was ntally exhausted. She had followed him all day as he navigated their complex journey. Even for her, just getting on and off trains and making transfers felt troubleso, let alone for Ren Suo, who had to constantly check arrival information and consult maps. It was perfectly normal for him to fall asleep the mont he closed his eyes.
As Muyi looked at him, she gave the seat a slight nudge. Ren Suo's head began to droop to the side. As luck would have it, Muyi's shoulder was right there, and his head ca to rest lightly upon it.
Muyi just watched him quietly, looked at his forehead, his eyebrows, his quivering eyelashes, his nose, his mouth, his face, as though trying to make up for the past five days.
She didn't know how long she had been looking when she suddenly realized that her face was inches from his.
It was nearly evening, and the train car was sparsely populated; no one paid them any attention. Muyi wasn't afraid, even if soone did notice her, as she was wearing Ren Suo's face mask.
No one but Ren Suo can recognize .
This sense of security gave Muyi imnse courage. She took a deep breath, her lips drawing ever closer to his, about to cross the final threshold…
"HMM!"
Suddenly, Ren Suo sat bolt upright, startling Muyi. "Wha-what's wrong with you?"
No way! Of all the things to learn, he picks up how to feign sleep?
The thought that Ren Suo had fully observed her recent actions made Muyi's face burn with embarrassnt. Luckily, she had a mask to cover it; otherwise, she would have wanted to stand up and move to another carriage to cool down.
"I was startled awake by a dream," Ren Suo said calmly. He stretched, his hands still in his pockets, and shook his slightly stiff neck, asking, "Are we about to get off?"
Muyi studied Ren Suo carefully. Seeing his expression was perfectly normal, she thought to herself that he probably wasn't skilled enough to maintain even breathing while feigning sleep. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, Pig Valley Station is the next stop."
"I see…" Ren Suo closed his eyes, seemingly resting them.
anwhile, his left thumb, tucked in his pocket, was delicately rubbing a blue Mark that had appeared on his ring finger. In his mind, an image of a coastline from "Xiao Suo's Secret Diary" surfaced.
Soon, they reached Pig Valley Station, the southernmost station in Toyama Prefecture, where they would transfer to the Takayama Main Line heading into Gifu Prefecture.
It was rather peculiar. Although the Toyama–Pig Valley and Pig Valley–Missile City sections were both part of the Takayama Main Line, the forr was operated by West Sakura Blossom Passenger Railway and the latter by East Sea Passenger Railway. Since the operating companies were different, a transfer was necessary.
As they passed through the transfer corridor, they found a crowd standing below an indoor screen, watching TV. Typically, such screens in stations looped advertisents, occasionally showing disaster news, so few people usually stopped to watch.
However, as they drew closer, they realized the large screen was broadcasting a video of Transcendents! No, it was a live broadcast!
"Go, Magician!"
"Defeat that monster, Magician!"
"Charge, Magician!"
Many children cheered and shouted encouragent as they watched, while other travelers stood by quietly observing. Onscreen, a white-haired Magician accompanied by eight Female Mages was battling a spear-wielding Fishman nearly two hundred ters tall, at sea beneath the World Tree!
Even though the footage was shot from the shore, a considerable distance from the battle, the creature's sheer size was incredibly striking!
In comparison, the Magicians looked so small. If not for the fact that each of their Flicker attacks tore away a large piece of the Fishman's flesh, no one would believe they could achieve Victory.
The host, microphone in hand, pointed toward the distant epic battle and spoke into the cara, "…We are here at 'Unknown Parentage' in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture. We are the crew from TBS's 'Wandering Traveler Live Broadcast,' and while preparing to film..."
'Unknown Parentage' refers to a fifteen-kiloter stretch of coastline in northeastern Flourishing Sakura, marked by alternating cliffs and sandy beaches. With countless precipices, rock formations, and caves, it was historically known as both a scenic marvel and a treacherous path where ancient travelers often t with disaster.
Ren Suo already knew Magicians were fighting Sea Monsters. He just hadn't expected soone to be live-streaming it, coincidentally capturing this very battle. Still, given that Sea Monsters often appeared near human cities, it wasn't surprising that people would be present.
He tugged on Qiao Muyi, saying, "Let's go, we still need to catch our train."
"Wait a mont." Qiao Muyi gazed at the screen and whispered softly, "That Sea Monster... is the Source of Disaster."
"Yes," Ren Suo said, knowing what she was thinking. "That's why Supernatural Organizations like Fairy Palace and World Tree won't let the culprits behind the scenes act with impunity. Just put your mind at ease and focus on your investigation."
At that mont, the host announced loudly, "…The Magician from the World Tree is fighting a terrifying sea creature to protect the peace and people of Itoigawa City! Please allow to express my respect to him here!"
With that, the host bowed deeply towards the distant, cataclysmic scene—where the sea churned and waterspouts rose like dragons—offering the highest respect to the nine battling Magicians.
The travelers watching also bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees, offering their respect from afar. At that mont, Qiao Muyi, tugging on Ren Suo, also prepared to bow. Ren Suo was surprised, "Us too?"
"The Magicians helped ; shouldn't I thank them? It's a great comfort to for every single person who is spared from being hard by the Source of Disaster."
Qiao Muyi pressed on Ren Suo's lower back, but he didn't budge. She looked at him with pleading, puppy-dog eyes, an appeal her 'Blur' couldn't entirely conceal.
She said nothing more, only sighed softly. Without pressing him further, she bowed towards the screen herself.
"Alright, alright," Ren Suo said with feigned indignation. Honestly! The Magician was sent out by ! The 'Rippling Spring Sounds' ti consud is mine! Even the Magicians were cultivated using my Krypton Gold!
Yet he couldn't explain any of this to Qiao Muyi and reluctantly bowed toward the screen. Only then did Qiao Muyi let out a chuckle.
At the sa ti, a hearty male laugh suddenly erupted from the screen, and the host exclaid excitedly, "The Magician's laughter has traveled such a great distance to reach us... Our respect—the Magician has received it!"
Damn it, Magician, you're a real piece of work, eavesdropping on my thoughts?
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