Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
I set off with Qu Liang to Mianyang. The train ride would take over seven hours, and the two of us chatted the entire time.
Time flew by quickly, and before we knew it, it was six in the evening. In about two hours, we would arrive at Mianyang Train Station.
“Attention passengers, it is now dinner time. We have prepared a rich dinner for you. The main dishes include braised pork, white-cut chicken, and Kung Pao chicken, while the soups consist of tomato and egg soup, seaweed soup, and crucian carp soup. If any passengers wish to dine, please proceed to Carriage 13!” The announcement echoed through the train, repeated three times.
“Wow! Finally, it’s time to eat!” exclaimed an elderly man sitting across from us. He hoisted his bulging backpack and headed towards Carriage 13.
I glanced at the old man’s back and thought to myself that he was quite peculiar. Since he boarded the train, he hadn’t let go of that backpack, as if it contained treasures.
I shook my head lightly and rubbed my stomach, feeling a bit hungry. I turned to Qu Liang and said, “Qu Liang, let’s go eat!”
“Yeah! I’m hungry too!” Qu Liang nodded. With her backpack containing a treasure map slung over her shoulder, we both made our way to Carriage 13.
We ordered three dishes and a clear soup, settling into a window seat in Carriage 13.
“Young people, what a coincidence! My name is Liu Yunchong. What are your names?” The old man who sat at the table next to us initiated conversation for the first time.
“Uncle, I’m Jiang Ling, and this is my girlfriend Qu Liang!” I smiled and replied. Although Liu Yunchong gave me a strange impression, as the saying goes, one should not strike a smiling face; so Qu Liang and I didn’t act cold towards him.
Liu Yunchong directly brought his plate over and sat beside me. “Young people, I happened to see your train tickets earlier; it seems you’re getting off at Mianyang Train Station, right? I’m also getting off there. I wonder where you’re headed in Mianyang. If it’s on my way, we could share a ride!”
I frowned and cautiously glanced at Liu Yunchong. “Well, we’re just going for a trip; we haven’t decided where yet! Liu Yunchong, you might want to find someone else to share a ride with!”
Earlier, I had been too busy chatting with Qu Liang to pay much attention to Liu Yunchong. Now that he was sitting next to me, I took a good look at him.
Liu Yunchong was dressed in an old-fashioned blue work uniform with a faded backpack slung over his shoulder and cheap liberation shoes on his feet. His appearance resembled that of an ordinary migrant worker.
"Something's not right!" I noticed that Liu Yunchong's hands, exposed to view, were very fair and did not resemble the rough hands of a laborer. What caught my attention was that his right hand's index and middle fingers were significantly longer than the others, and both fingers were covered with thick calluses.
Liu Yunchong must have specifically trained those two fingers. In my experience, there are certain individuals who begin training their index and middle fingers from an early age—those are Grave Robbers.
"Could it be that coincidental?" I thought to myself, already shocked to the point where my mind felt sluggish. I took a deep breath and sensed a faint earthy smell emanating from Liu Yunchong.
This earthy scent is a unique odor left on Grave Robbers after spending extended periods underground; it cannot be washed away. The earthy smell on Liu Yunchong confirmed my suspicions.
Most Grave Robbers are ruthless characters who will stop at nothing to obtain treasures from Tombs. Sometimes, in their greed for the treasures within a Tomb, they might even turn against their own companions.
I furrowed my brow, quickly thinking through the implications. If Liu Yunchong was indeed a Grave Robber, then his purpose for going to Mianyang was to rob tombs! Did he see the treasure map we had just handled? Was he planning to take it from us and then eliminate us to cover his tracks?
"I hope I'm just overthinking this!" I thought of the worst-case scenario, and my face turned pale. My Demon-Subduing Staff was placed on the luggage rack, while Liu Yunchong's bag was right beside me. If things escalated, I had no idea how it would end.
I had been observing Liu Yunchong for no more than a minute when I turned to glance at Qu Liang. She was still calmly eating her meal, seemingly unaware of Liu Yunchong's true identity.
"Qu Liang, my stomach hurts a bit; can you help me to the restroom?" I stood up from my seat and spoke to Qu Liang. Seeing my pale face and sweaty forehead startled her; she quickly grabbed my hand and asked with concern, "Jiang Ling, is your stomach hurting that badly? Do you want me to get some medicine from my bag?"
Liu Yunchong looked at me with a knowing gaze, a wicked smile creeping across his lips as he stood up to assist me. "Brother Jiang Ling, how about I help you to the restroom so your girlfriend can bring you some painkillers?"
I felt Liu Yunchong gripping my arm tightly. Casting him a glance, I steeled myself and shook off his hand, pulling Qu Liang away with me.
I positioned Qu Liang behind me, my eyes filled with vigilance as I stared at Liu Yunchong. "Liu Yunchong, let's part ways here! I don't want to fight you; don't push me!"
If Liu Yunchong intended to make a move against Qu Liang and me, I certainly wouldn't back down. Even if I couldn't overpower him, I wouldn't give up easily.
“Jiang Ling, what’s going on?” Qu Liang stood behind me, looking at me and Liu Yunchong with confusion.
“Liu Yunchong is a Grave Robber!” I tightened my grip on Qu Liang’s right hand and spoke firmly. Upon hearing my words, Qu Liang's gaze toward Liu Yunchong changed. She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at Liu Yunchong, taking a few steps back.
Liu Yunchong shrugged his shoulders, hands clasped behind his back, and smiled. “Young people, am I really that scary?”
I pointed at the people inside Car 13 and said, “Liu Yunchong, we’ve just met; there’s no past grudge between us! With so many people here, let’s stay calm. It’s better for everyone!”
“Oh! Jiang Ling, are you threatening me?” Liu Yunchong's expression darkened, his voice turning icy as he stepped closer to me. “I absolutely hate being threatened. Since you don’t want to fight, I’ll make sure we do!”
I released Qu Liang’s hand and said seriously, “Qu Liang, step back! I’ll handle this Liu Yunchong!”
“Be careful!” Qu Liang looked at me with concern and quickly retreated to one side of the car.
The people in Car 13 who were eating turned their attention toward us upon hearing the commotion. Some sensed that things were going awry and chose to leave the car, while others with more courage decided to stay and watch the spectacle, causing the scene to become chaotic.
“Conductor! Conductor! This is Car 13; there’s a fight happening here! Please send someone over!” A staff member on the train grabbed the walkie-talkie to report the situation to the conductor.
(End of Chapter)
Comment 0 Comment Count