Chapter 36

Zhu Ming strode swiftly to the object suspected to be a small light head, pressed tightly against the glass window at the very front of Carriage No. 1. She flicked it with her hand.

“Look at this. Before, we guessed it might be a camera or a light. Now we’ve confirmed every carriage is monitored, but these are only used in Cars No. 1 and 60, so it’s probably a light. And since it’s attached to the carriage, if we can turn it on, we can use the carriage’s light to shine outside!”

This light was connected to the carriage, belonging to the train’s own illumination. Only it could light the way inside the tunnel.

The last problem: there was a switch behind the small light, but pressing it did nothing.

After everyone’s discussion, she guessed this light’s purpose was to help people distinguish which side was the inner track at night. But it wouldn’t turn on. It couldn’t be out of battery… haha… Zhu Ming froze. “Damn, could that really be the reason?”

Zhu Ming immediately felt around for a detachable part. Sure enough, she pushed open a small cover, revealing a charging port inside.

Zhu Ming was both annoyed and amused. Such an obvious thing, yet dead. She raised her middle finger at the Train Master. “You’re really something.”

The Train Master, holding his dog, coughed dryly and said, “Do you know what will happen if you turn it on? Anyway, I’m not telling you.”

Wenren Tu came over for a look and said, “So that’s it. The train prepared the tool to verify the route from the very beginning. There are two sets of lights here; we can try turning on one set first.”

Everything was ready, lacking only a charging cable. Everyone’s eyes gathered on the little Border Collie. The Train Master remained silent, holding it even tighter.

During the sixth cycle of Autumn, the little shopkeeper Border Collie shrewdly sensed its owner’s mood. Dejected, it pushed its little cart through the carriages. Zhu Ming and the others spent all their food tickets in one go, buying ample provisions: food, drinking water, a charging cable, wristwatches, and other supplies, not forgetting to notify Car No. 60 to prepare.

As they pierced through the silent night heading into Winter, the daytime bustle of ghosts vanished completely. Zhu Ming used the charging cable to connect the headlight to the power port. At the fourth and a half minute of night, Carriage No. 1 and Carriage No. 60 simultaneously turned on their left headlights.

Hum—

A bright, yellow beam of light shot out, unstoppable, piercing through the darkness towards the other end. The darkness roiled and retreated. The moment the two beams of light met, the people in Carriage No. 1 could finally see towards Carriage No. 60.

The left beam shone outwards. The train was curving left. The route map indicated a clockwise direction. The actual running route was counterclockwise!

Bzzzt, bzzzzt— Pop.

It lasted no more than three minutes before a burst of electrical sparks exploded from the light. Then the entire light burned out. The orange-yellow, bright beam dissipated slowly like liquid into the darkness.

The Train Master sat quietly with his eyes closed, as peaceful as ever. The Border Collie lay in his arms, licking his face.

The train entered the sixth cycle of Winter. Ahead was the purest, most serene white. Zhu Ming walked to the cockpit to enjoy the snowscape from the best angle.

“You’re very thoughtful, preparing two sets of lights as backup. Too bad we won’t need the other set.”

The Train Master: “…”

Zhu Ming asked again, “What happens if the train runs counterclockwise?”

The man opened his eyes, righted his hat, which had nearly slipped off, and suddenly said, “Can’t remember clearly. When you get old, your memory isn’t so good.”

If one ignored the perilous train and the quietly draining lifespan, this world was truly beautiful. Spring was full of life and blooming flowers. Summer had deep forests, lush foliage, and vibrant greens. Autumn was like gold covering the ground with red maples blazing like fire. Winter brought swirling snow and a world draped in silver.

Perhaps only at times like this did many passengers have the heart to properly appreciate the beauty of the four seasons.

As the train entered the seventh cycle of Spring, Miss Legs and Wenren Tu lay on the window, waving at the participants beside the track. “Want to get on? An opportunity not to be missed, time waits for no one! There’ll only be one chance when we return!”

Just before leaving Spring, Sister Jia disembarked with others’ help. Tu Wei from Car No. 60 also got off with her. Without help, Sister Jia could hardly have climbed back onto the train.

She watched the train roar into the tunnel. When the time was about right, she pulled the left rail switch lever.

The train passed through Summer as usual and arrived in Autumn. At the end of Autumn, just before the train entered the tunnel, Miss Legs jumped off, sprinting to pull down the lever on the left side of the tunnel entrance. The moment she finished, the train plunged headfirst into the pitch-black tunnel.

Worried she couldn’t handle it alone, Wenren Tu also got off.

Four Seasons Train 999. Passengers in Carriage No. 1: One person, Zhu Ming. Passengers in Carriage No. 60: One person, Yin Yu.

This time, the darkness was exceptionally long. Somewhere between two hours and forty minutes and three hours, bathed in the warm orange-yellow light, Zhu Ming closed her eyes, feigning sleep.

After an unknown time, the Train Master suddenly spoke. “Do you know my darling baby’s name?”

Zhu Ming: “…”

He rambled on, “It’s Doudou. Seems like a lot of dogs are called Doudou? Can’t be helped. When I first picked him up, he was tiny, his eyes like two little black beans. I raised him, watched him grow more majestic day by day, then day by day grow old… Zhu Ming, your name is Zhu Ming, right? How old are you this year?”

Zhu Ming: “…”

Not needing any answer from Zhu Ming, the Train Master continued to himself, “Looking at that irritable temper of yours, you’ve definitely never kept a pet. Some people are just not suited to having pets—no sense of responsibility, yet so hypocritical. Just buy a plush doll to put on the bed. No need to clean poop, no feeding, no wrecking the house. But no, they refuse. They keep a pet without putting in much heart, yet expect the pet to be as smart, obedient, and sensible as a human. And no responsibility either. When the big dog has mongrel puppies they think are worthless, they toss them out in the freezing snow. Our Doudou was lucky. Of the whole litter, he was the prettiest and the most cold-resistant. He held on until I picked him up and brought him home.”

“Our Doudou is my best, most well-behaved baby. Why can humans live so long, but Doudou can’t?” The Train Master shook the little dog’s paw, laughing. “I’m just a lonely old man. Been scolded, been beaten, had my homestead seized by force. The one who treated me best was Doudou. Sometimes, seeing those cold-hearted scumbags, I just want them all to drop dead. A dog is better than a person. In this era, the more selfish you are, the better you live. Be a bit more selfish in the future too. A young person like you should live a little longer.”

Zhu Ming opened her eyes, indifferent. “What’s it got to do with me? What’s it got to do with you?”

Train Master: “…” Do young people these days really have no empathy left at all?

Silence fell again in the carriage. Zhu Ming glanced at her wristwatch. If her calculations were correct, the train had already entered the middle section.

But right then, the Train Master, who had remained peaceful all along, suddenly lunged to the side. Beside the cockpit, there was a hidden door! Zhu Ming’s eyelid twitched. She rushed over. She couldn’t grab the slippery man, but she caught the dog’s leg. And by then, he had already pulled open that door!

Darkness flowed in through the crack like water. The Train Master had the Absolute Defense on him; this darkness couldn’t hurt him a bit. He took one step out, about to jump off the train.

The big dog wasn’t easy to hold. With a surge of strength, Zhu Ming yanked the dog directly out of his arms, then leaped onto the control console. Gripping the dog’s scruff, she barked sternly, “Shut the door!”

The Train Master was caught in the doorway, darkness flowing over half his body. He turned back to look at Doudou.

Doudou barked furiously, twisting its head to bite Zhu Ming. She took the chance to shove her hand into its mouth. Canine teeth sliced her palm; blood dripped alongside dog drool. Zhu Ming looked coldly at the Train Master. “I’ll say it again. Shut the door. Unless you want to abandon it.”

The Train Master blinked. He pulled his foot back in. He shut the door, smiling. “You’re so cruel.”

Zhu Ming also smiled. A cold smile. “Can’t compare to you.”

So what if he’s miserable, so what if he’s pitiful, so what if he had ample reasons to harm others? He could hurt others, and others could naturally strike back. That was the rule of the Game. He accepted it, so he had nothing to complain about.

Too much darkness had spread into the cockpit; the faint light couldn’t dispel it instantly.

Zhu Ming squatted on the control console, holding the dog, holding the dog hostage to command the master. “From what you said, you’re a person from reality?”

The Train Master sat in the swivel chair, spinning idly. “What else? You didn’t realize?”

Zhu Ming asked again, “What’s the deal with the Dark Realm space? Why did you become NPCs? Who brought you in? What granted you your powers?”

The Train Master tore open a bag of plain potato chips, eating them himself and teasing the dog with them. “Don’t ask anymore. I can’t say. Hey hey hey, don’t squeeze Doudou. He also has Absolute Defense. You threatening me with him is useless.”

Zhu Ming loosened her grip on the dog’s neck but didn’t let go. Although she couldn’t harm Doudou, as long as she kept him in the train, the Train Master could do nothing.

The darkness spreading across the floor was eventually dissipated by the light. Zhu Ming picked up the rope and tied the Train Master up tightly again. He sat in the swivel chair. Doudou jumped onto his lap, whimpering and licking his face.

He asked, “In this world, who loves Papa the most?”

Doudou: “Woof!”

He asked again, “In this world, who does Papa love the most?”

Doudou: “Woof woof!”

…

The long darkness was more drawn-out than any tunnel before, but finally, a glimmer at its end appeared. No matter which track it ran on, the train never stopped. It was life, was time, was the symbol of everything irretrievable.

The train rushed into Spring, where all things revived. Sister Jia and Tu Wei got on. From this moment, the train officially ran counterclockwise.

Tender shoots broke the soil, entering the bleak stillness of Winter. Fallen leaves returned to the branches, entering the fruitful Autumn, turning from yellow to green. Summer came again. Finally, everything returned to its starting point.

“Dear passengers, hello! Welcome aboard the Four Seasons Train No. 999! It’s our honor to serve you on this journey. Please strictly observe the Civilized Train Etiquette during the ride:

1. No horseplay in the carriages!

2. Please fasten your seatbelts!

3. Please look after your Ride Permit. Lost items cannot be replaced. Lost items cannot be replaced. Repeat, lost items cannot be replaced!”

Not only did Sister Jia, Tu Wei, Miss Legs, and Wenren Tu get on, but during the counterclockwise Spring, several other participants also climbed back into the train.

“After the next Spring ends, I’m not waiting anymore. I’m pressing the acceleration button.” Zhu Ming’s fingers twitched, eager to act. She defended herself, “I’m really not just curious, I’m only worried about overlooking something.”

Wenren Tu scoffed. “Tell that to a ghost! Speaking of which, that Tu Wei, wearing a mask, so secretive. They seem organized, really not simple.”

Zhu Ming narrowed her eyes, looking out the window. “What can you do? Don’t count on me. She won’t say anything at all. Even the ghost that took her memories acted like it would rather die than talk.”

Wenren Tu raised an eyebrow. “How about you try luring her out to meet in reality? We’ll set a trap then, and I’ll bring people to catch her.”

Zhu Ming was puzzled. “How would I lure her?”

Wenren Tu, exasperated by her failure to see the obvious, said, “You seduce her!”

Zhu Ming’s head was full of question marks. “What nonsense are you spouting? Just before, you told me not to fall into the same pit twice.”

Wenren Tu poked her forehead, huffing. “I said seduce her, not rekindle your old flame with her! She tricked your feelings, don’t you want to trick her back? We’ll trick her into reality then… snap! Great vengeance achieved!”

The scheme actually seemed quite viable. Unfortunately, Zhu Ming didn’t think Yin Yu would fall in love with her.

The topic made Zhu Ming somewhat awkward. Her gaze drifted. “She already said herself she didn’t love me. Forget these messy ideas.”

But Wenren Tu disagreed. She analyzed carefully, “That’s old history from seven years ago. You’re way more charming now than before. Even if it’s not love, beauty confuses the mind. Maybe she’ll be lured out. I saw Yin Yu smiling at you quite nicely. Hope is definitely there…”

Thump!

Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu instantly fell silent, following the sound. Sister Jia hurriedly bent over to pick up her water bottle, wiping the mouth with her head down, as if it were just an accident.

“Cough.” Zhu Ming glared at Wenren Tu. “Stop with the bad ideas. We were just fighting to the death moments ago. If I suddenly change my attitude, Yin Yu wouldn’t believe it no matter how stupid she is.”

Wenren Tu muttered, “Well, your attitude wasn’t exactly firm anyway…”

Zhu Ming smiled and covered her mouth, changing the subject. “I suspect she already knew you were from the Anomaly Management Bureau. Otherwise, why hasn’t she shown her face in reality for so many years, only meeting me in dungeons? She’s afraid that if she appears in reality, you’ll catch her.”

Wenren Tu pulled Zhu Ming’s hand away, pondering. “That’s possible too. Want me to go intimidate her a little now?”

“No need. I came over myself.” Yin Yu poked her head in from the carriage window. “Hi, living people, everyone.”

Everyone: “…”

Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu immediately averted their gazes, awkwardly holding their faces and pretending nothing had happened. Who knew how much Yin Yu had overheard?

Yin Yu slipped into Carriage No. 1. “Why are you all looking at me like that? The moment of victory is upon us, yet Tu Wei and I are back there, cold and empty. So lonely.”

Just hearing her speak made Zhu Ming’s temples throb. “The counterclockwise route is done. Can’t you just stay put quietly? Why come over?”

Yin Yu said, “Don’t be angry. I just came to chat with everyone. Oh, isn’t this Qingjia? What a coincidence, you’re here too.”

Sister Jia whipped around abruptly, her face pale as if she’d seen a ghost. “Why is Yin Yu here?!”

Zhu Ming was surprised. “You know each other?”

Sister Jia looked at Zhu Ming in confusion, as if asking her or someone else, “Why didn’t you tell me she was here? Are you all in cahoots?!”

Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu looked at each other. She said, “It’s not that we didn’t tell you. This is a coincidence.” It was just that they hadn’t mentioned Yin Yu’s name here in Carriage No. 1.

Besides, the two of them had fought on the train earlier; if Sister Jia hadn’t noticed herself, whom could she blame?

Sister Jia looked at Yin Yu, her body shrinking back helplessly, her glasses nearly slipping off. “I didn’t tell anyone about you, really, I said nothing!”

“Alright, I know.” Yin Yu raised a hand. “No need to be so afraid of me. In front of an Anomaly Management Bureau employee, I have to behave, after all. I don’t want to be their enemy either.”

Whether Sister Jia believed it or not, Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu remained skeptical. Sister Jia’s lips trembled for a moment before she suddenly collapsed into the seat, closing her eyes and pretending to faint.

Zhu Ming: “…”

She wanted to ask Sister Jia about Yin Yu, but it seemed she wouldn’t get any answers now. And Sister Jia, your acting at fainting is really poor. Try fainting for real next time.

Sister Jia had fainted, but Wenren Tu hadn’t. She looked at Yin Yu with ill intent, her fingers twitching and resting on the hilt of the knife at Zhu Ming’s waist.

Zhu Ming held her hand down, saying coolly, “It’s useless. She has a helper.”

A helper whose Supernatural Ability was unknown but who could single-handedly clear an entire carriage. And Yin Yu herself was strong enough. They didn’t have much chance of winning.

“Things have come to this point; no need for more trouble.” Zhu Ming leaned forward to look at Yin Yu. “Dare to meet me in reality?”

Yin Yu chuckled lightly. “Not the right time yet. Maybe once you’re a bit stronger, I will.”

Zhu Ming watched her for a moment, then turned her head to look at the scenery.

After they passed through the next Spring, Zhu Ming no longer waited for the participants who hadn’t boarded. She pressed the acceleration button.

The train shuddered, then shot forward at a flying speed like crazy. The one hour and fifty minutes of daylight was compressed to four minutes. The ten-minute night became less than half a minute. Everything outside the window turned into blurred streaks. At such high speed, nothing could be retrieved anymore.

Zhu Ming’s eyes were dazzled. She made circles with her hands, mimicking little glasses, and pressed them to her eye sockets. Wenren Tu cursed, “Damn it! If we’d pressed that button during the normal route, wouldn’t we all have been dead in no time?”

As they spoke, everyone looked towards the Train Master and Doudou in the swivel chair.

That man and that dog underwent a swift change simultaneously. His hair turned increasingly white. Its fur became coarser and coarser. He developed wrinkles. Its eyes grew cloudy. They aged rapidly, racing towards death.

The dog was too old to stand. It just licked the man’s hand intermittently.

He lowered his head and asked, “Doudou, in this world, who loves Papa the most?”

“Woof!”

…

By the time the Train Master died completely, hunched and aged beyond any trace of his youthful handsomeness, the train screeched to a halt. It stopped forever in the spring of some year.

Everyone’s Invitation Letter vibrated simultaneously. Opening them, they saw a complete transformation. Firework projections displayed one after another, and right in the center was woven a large line of text: Congratulations! You have completed the task ahead of schedule! The dungeon is about to close. Please tear your Invitation Letter promptly to leave the world!