Chapter 333: The Parting Gift

“Boom-!”

The deafening roar erupted, causing the entire train to shake violently.

Lu Yibei, who had never experienced such a ridiculous ride before, clutched an Alchemical Bomb in one hand and the train’s handrail in the other, her body swaying in the carriage like a small red flag, her stomach churning tumultuously. Unexpectedly, a wig floated gently past her eyes.

The intense vibrations caused by the Giant Train colliding with the rock wall did not last long. After a few seconds, the sensation of weightlessness disappeared, and Lu Yibei’s feet firmly touched the ground once again.

“Ugh- ugh-!”

Lu Yibei retched repeatedly, steadying herself on the handrail as she staggered back to sit beside Bie Suzhen, taking a while to regain her composure.

Seeing her stuff the scattered Alchemical Bomb back into the guitar case, Bie Suzhen’s expression relaxed slightly, and she weakly asked, “Lady Calamity, are you alright?”

“I’m sorry, I forgot to warn you. The Giant Train usually shakes violently when it passes through the city’s barrier. It’s a normal phenomenon.”

What’s the point of saying it now? Lu Yibei rolled her eyes at Bie Suzhen and instinctively tried to fasten her seatbelt, only to touch a mass of cold, slimy flesh.

In horror, she jerked her hand back, and saw a tentacle, over half a meter long and two fingers wide, extend from the gap between two seats. It swung in the air and with a “slap!” stuck onto her waist.

Lu Yibei glanced down at the tentacle tightly coiled around her waist, then turned to Bie Suzhen with an expressionless face and said, “Is this normal too?”

“Yes, yes it is.” Bie Suzhen nodded, avoiding her gaze.

“…” After a two-second silence, Lu Yibei sighed quietly and seriously asked, “Do you know where I can file a complaint?”

The human passengers either had too weak a psychic sense to see these things, or they were knocked unconscious after boarding. How else could they endure this damned riding experience?

If it were me, I’d write seventeen or eighteen complaint letters, and that wouldn’t be too many! Lu Yibei thought.

“This…” Bie Suzhen’s lips parted slightly, as she was about to say something to Lu Yibei.

At that moment, after a brief pause following the violent collision with the rock wall, the Giant Train moved forward again, and a wet, sticky sound echoed from outside the carriage.

Hearing this, Lu Yibei craned her neck to look out the window, only to see the gray-black rock wall softening like mud, gradually enveloping the Giant Haunting that was pulling the train.

Then, after a burst of intense psychic energy fluctuation, the rock wall suddenly opened wide, like a giant creature opening its cavity, swallowing the entire train in one gulp. The carriage immediately plunged into darkness.

In that profound darkness, where even the outlines of the surroundings were invisible, the change in light did not affect Lu Yibei’s vision at all. She turned her head towards the window and saw a mass of dark red substance, resembling flesh, writhing.

Lu Yibei nudged Bie Suzhen with her shoulder and pointed outside, “What the heck is that? Are we inside the belly of some haunting now?”

“…Lady Calamity, to be honest, I’m not too clear on how the Giant Train operates either,” she explained patiently. “All I know is that there’s a severe jolt every time we pass through the city’s barrier. Then it plunges into darkness, and by the time I can see again, we’ve already arrived at the Lanruo Inn Customs Shop.”

She paused, then added another detail. “Oh, and this area is often referred to by the sisters as The Flesh Tunnel.”

Bie Suzhen relayed everything she knew to Lu Yibei without holding anything back. The past few days had been quite torturous for her.

Back in the days at the Lanruo Inn Customs Shop, when she battled wits with a group of seven or eight guests, none could outmaneuver her alone.

The Flesh Tunnel? Lu Yibei nodded thoughtfully.

It seemed her earlier guess was correct.

Even Bie Suzhen couldn’t see certain things, and ordinary human passengers probably thought they were just riding a normal subway and had reached their destination.

As she pondered, Lu Yibei reached into her guitar case, fumbled around for a bit, and pulled out a lightning-attributed Alchemical Bomb. Leaning slightly, she used the brilliant lightning within the bottle to shine outside the window, only to see a vast cluster of eyeballs on the dark-red flesh.

Those eyes, gathered like a colony of creatures, scattered like a startled swarm of rats under the bright blue light, dragging their long blood vessels and nerves as they fled.

“…”

Could these be relatives of the eyeball?

Lu Yibei mused to herself, then sat back down, catching a glimpse of Bie Suzhen’s frightened expression and trembling body. She tilted her head, puzzled. “Are you feeling alright?”

Bie Suzhen’s mouth twitched, pointing weakly at the Alchemical Bomb in Lu Yibei’s hand. “Lady Calamity, what did you say this was again?”

Lu Yibei shook the Alchemical Bomb in her hand, causing Bie Suzhen to shrink back.

“Hmm…” Lu Yibei pondered for a few seconds. “In a sense, you could say it’s a bomb.”

Bie Suzhen, “…”

So, you were using a bomb for lighting?!

If anyone wondered how exactly I was being tormented by Calamity, now you might understand a bit.

Her torment wasn’t conventional; it was that special kind, indescribable, where you’re unharmed yet constantly on edge. Bie Suzhen brooded inwardly.

Seeming to guess Bie Suzhen’s thoughts, Lu Yibei pursed her lips and simply explained, “Indeed, it’s a bomb but can also be used for lighting.”

Although the modified Alchemical Bomb was more powerful than the previous version, with attributes sorted and activation made easier, that didn’t change its fundamental composition of alchemical residue mixed with disaster water.

Usually, as long as Lu Yibei didn’t trigger it with her innate skill, it wouldn’t explode.

Bie Suzhen fell silent, shifting as far as she could to one side, turning her head away.

A bomb for lighting?

If it exploded, it could light up the entire train!

Madam, I miss you so much. I will never leave the Customs Shop to make extra money again, Bie Suzhen thought miserably.

“Really, for a haunting, you sure are timid,” Lu Yibei commented disdainfully as she put the Alchemical Bomb back into her guitar case.

The Giant Train traveled through The Flesh Tunnel for about thirty minutes. Once the lights came on, the Jiangshi Lady attendants appeared, warmly offering the passengers an array of Cthulhu-themed snacks and drinks.

Looking at the trolley full of seemingly ready-to-pounce delicacies, Lu Yibei pondered for a while and eventually settled for a cup of iced cola, thoughtfully ordering a cup of warm water for Bie Suzhen.

Although.

Bie Suzhen was particularly eager to try the Giant Train’s special concoction of cow eyeballs with bile tequila.

Thirty minutes later.

As the train exited The Flesh Tunnel, the carriage was suddenly flooded with light, and a sweet, cloying scent wafted in through the window cracks, stirring an inexplicable restlessness in the chest.

Immediately following, the voice of the man with the top hat came through the train’s broadcast.

“Dear passengers, this train is about to stop at Lanruo Inn Customs Shop for thirty minutes. Please ensure you take your belongings and disembark in an orderly fashion if this is your destination.”

“For those heading to Cinnabar Pharmacy and Dream Come True Entertainment City, please do not wander too far during your activities to avoid missing the departure.”

After the friendly reminder, the man’s tone shifted, and he began reciting an advertisement for Lanruo Inn Customs Shop.

“Lanruo Inn Customs Shop is an entertainment venue dedicated to fulfilling various fantasies. Besides sleeping, there are four essential activities to indulge in, namely three meals a day…”

Initially, Lu Yibei was quite intrigued by the advertisement for Lanruo Inn Customs Shop, listening intently. However, once she noticed the changing scenery outside the window, her attention was completely drawn away.

Outside the window, in a vast cavern stretching beyond sight, countless semi-transparent corridors crisscrossed, intricately connecting numerous ancient-style pavilions and towers, forming a palace-like architectural complex.

At one end of the complex, an extension built in the style of a station stretched out, with winding tracks leading all the way to the underside of the Giant Train.

As the train continued forward, it gradually entered the station. On the lavishly decorated platform, a diverse array of people and hauntings mingled, their faces adorned with a slightly tipsy flush and peculiar, dreamy smiles.

Among the crowd, a melodious sound of a zither drifted into the ears.

Following the sound, Lu Yibei saw on the platform a massive holographic projection displaying several girls whose appearances rivaled those of girl groups, with outfits as scanty as those of girl groups, dancing energetically to the music.

Below the holographic projection, a line of three-dimensional text flashed, reading “The Eight Beauties of Neon.”

Seeing Lu Yibei’s captivated gaze, Bie Suzhen leaned in, “Lady Calamity, that’s our Lanruo Inn Customs Shop’s newly debuted top girl group. Interested in experiencing it?”

“Not interested,” Lu Yibei glanced at Bie Suzhen and replied.

Bie Suzhen’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she said, “There are men too, the next ad should be about them.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the holographic projection flickered and changed, revealing three muscular men, as robust as the guys from the special task force, flexing their muscles as if performing in some dark-themed movie.

“If you’re not interested in this type, there are also fresh-faced types. I can arrange that for you!” Bie Suzhen added.

Lu Yibei glanced at Bie Suzhen, impatience in her voice, “I appreciate your kindness, but I’m not interested in men either…”

As she spoke, she suddenly noticed there were four departure gates at the station, each with a dazzling neon sign hanging above.

“Monster Characters…” Lu Yibei read the words on the neon signs, frowning slightly, “What does that mean?”

“Categories!” Bie Suzhen raised an eyebrow, “Didn’t you say you’re not interested in men or women? Our Lanruo Inn Customs Shop caters to more than just humans!”

“Monster Characters refer to hauntings, animals, plants, humans, and objects. We make simple distinctions among travelers as they exit the station, which helps us provide better service. Of course, there are also some niche and specific preferences or requests that customers can bring up themselves once inside the shop.”

“So, are you interested in checking it out now?”

Lu Yibei frowned at Bie Suzhen, “Aren’t you supposed to be performing? How did you end up in this matchmaking business?”

It’s because you took all my three hundred chips, leaving me with nothing, so of course, I want to earn some commission to make up for it! Bie Suzhen thought to herself.

“Alright, stop talking.” Lu Yibei straightened up, speaking righteously, “I already said I’m not going unless you can get me Bai Xiaohua.”

“Anime characters? We have those!”

“Really!?” Lu Yibei’s eyes lit up, a sparkle in her gaze.

“Of course!” Bie Suzhen said excitedly, “Many people come here to meet their or others’ anime ‘wives’!”

Lu Yibei, “???”

Wow! It’s really ‘your wife is awesome,’ huh?

“So, we’ve long opened related services, ensuring realism can reach over ninety-nine percent. Come on, give it a try! I promise you won’t be disappointed!” Bie Suzhen continued to coax.

“…”

After an internal struggle as intense as a world war, Lu Yibei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and chose to see through the worldly desires, waving her hand at Bie Suzhen.

No way! Did I come here to do this kind of nonsense? I’m a decent person, here to do serious business.

Besides, lust is like a bone-scraping knife, and I don’t want to become a lunatic obsessed with beauty…

I think my wife Bai Xiaohua would understand me, and even if the realism is one hundred percent, it’s still just realism, not the real thing! Lu Yibei thought disdainfully.

Just then, an announcement echoed through the station.

“Dear passengers, the Giant Train will depart in five minutes. Please hurry to board if you need to go to Cinnabar Pharmacy or Dream Come True Entertainment City…”

Hearing the noise, Bie Suzhen gently slapped the tentacles wrapped around her body, and as the tentacles retracted back into the gap between two seats, she too stood up and bowed slightly towards Lu Yibei.

“Lady Calamity, we had an agreement that I would give you all the chips and then lead you onto the train, allowing me to leave thereafter. Since you insist on not getting off the train to experience it yourself, I shall take my leave now.”

“Sure, sure, go ahead!” Seeing Bie Suzhen about to leave, Lu Yibei responded without a second thought.

Honestly, she was almost persuaded by Bie Suzhen just a moment ago, eager for her to leave quickly to resist the temptation.

Moreover, she was on her Dream Come True Journey, not for fun, but for a “main quest” she had to attend to, and she couldn’t afford any delays.

Although she still didn’t know how to trigger or complete this “main quest”…

Lastly, one very simple reason Lu Yibei didn’t get off the train was that she was broke!

All her chips combined amounted to just over seven hundred, and just asking Bie Suzhen to perform a play cost three hundred chips, not to mention more thrilling services she couldn’t afford.

Ah, poverty makes the will as strong as steel!

Worthy of being the King of Hauntings who could control an entire city… Bie Suzhen muttered under her breath, no longer tempting Lu Yibei to disembark, and once again bowed slightly, saying, “Until we meet again,” then turned and walked towards the platform. She hadn’t gotten far when she heard Lu Yibei call out from behind.

“Wait!”

There’s a chance! Bie Suzhen’s eyes lit up, and she turned around excitedly, “Lady Calamity, have you changed your mind? Then hurry down with me! It’s about to leave!”

“What do you take me for? I said no means no!” Lu Yibei said, taking a guitar case off her shoulder and reaching inside to pull out five Alchemical Bombs of different attributes and stuffed them into Bie Suzhen’s hands.

Taken aback with a handful of bombs, Bie Suzhen stiffened, trembling slightly, and asked weakly, “What, what is this?”

“Oh, this!” Lu Yibei scratched her head, “I thought, since we’ve met, you’ve helped me out, and we’re about to part ways, shouldn’t I give you something? But I didn’t have anything else on hand, so I thought I’d give you some of these.”

“These are powerful, five of them together could probably blow up a Class B haunting. Keep them for self-defense! No need to thank me, I have plenty more!”

“And…”

Lu Yibei was about to say more when suddenly the Giant Train let out a burst of steam whistles.

“Whoo-whoo-!”

Then, a broadcast echoed through the platform.

“Dear travelers, the Giant Train is about to depart. Passengers disembarking at Lanruo Inn Customs Shop, please hurry down. Passengers heading to Cinnabar Pharmacy and Dream Come True Entertainment City, please hurry on board.”

Hearing the broadcast, Lu Yibei gasped, “Oh no! It’s leaving, you better get off quickly or you’ll miss it!”

In her hurry, she practically shoved Bie Suzhen off the train.

A minute later.

Holding the bombs, Bie Suzhen was in a state of mental blackout until the train started and the wind hit her face, snapping her back to reality.

She looked at the bombs in her hands, and then at the receding train, suddenly remembering something, a tear unable to move rolled down her cheek.

“You give me these, at least tell me how to use them, damn it-!”

Listening to Bie Suzhen’s wailing, passersby cast unusual glances at her.

Lu Yibei sat back down, watching the tearful Bie Suzhen gradually disappear into the crowd, feeling a warm surge in her heart.

Who says prostitutes are heartless, actors ungrateful? Look at Bie Suzhen, isn’t she full of heart and loyalty?

We haven’t known each other for long! And yet, she was so moved to tears when we parted.

So, whether it’s between hauntings or people, shouldn’t we all be a bit kinder? Lu Yibei thought.

“Hmm-!”

The Giant Train let out its bizarre, simulated steam whistle, its numerous robust legs pounding the tracks, whipping up gusts of wind on the platform.

“Whirr-whirr-!”

As Lu Yibei was about to withdraw her gaze from the platform window, leading to a journey of fulfilling desires, a rustling of paper caught her ear. A sheet of A4 paper fluttered by, bearing a photograph and brief text, causing her to pause in surprise.

It appeared to be a missing person notice, and the person in the photo seemed to be…

Jiang Li.