Chapter 76: Station 23: Train Ticket

Chapter 76: Station 23: Train Ticket

There were two sources of train tickets for outsiders.

One was like Si Shuhao, the "inviter," who would suddenly be pulled into the Prison Train one day without any prior signs, with a ticket branded on their arm, beginning their escape.

The other type was the "ticket holder," who would be forcibly dragged into the Prison Train after receiving a ticket from someone else.

After passing through three worlds, every outsider had the chance to have a train conductor send a ticket to someone they knew.

Usually, by paying attention to the screen-like display of the returning train, one could see a detailed description of the relevant information.

Once a ticket was sent, the sender could extend their stay outside the Realm of No Escape for at least two months.

However, those who entered would immediately face an extremely terrifying storm.

Just like Ada in the previous world, who had not experienced even one world, yet had to confront the pressure from the "Slaughterhouse" directly.

Inviter tickets were red, while ticket holder tickets were blue.

Chi Zihe had taken on two ticket holders in the past. After that, no matter how tragically the ticket recipients described their journey to receiving the tickets, he refused to take them on.

The reason was that most of these so-called ticket holders were simply thrill-seekers who didn't believe in the sinister nature of the situation.

The first ticket holder Chi Zihe had guided was someone who had deliberately spent tens of thousands of dollars to "experience" the thrill.

This person had recklessly courted death in the Netherworld because he didn't believe that this world could truly determine his demise. He always thought it was an expensive dream experience and that he needed to get his money's worth.

Chi Zihe failed to guide this person out, and the family members came knocking afterward, blaming him for selling an amulet that caused harm.

It even escalated to the police station, where although the police confirmed that the bracelet had nothing to do with the ticket holder's death, Chi Zihe was reprimanded for promoting feudal superstition and selling mystical artifacts.

Angered by the incident, Chi Zihe lost twenty pounds from not being able to eat.

The second ticket holder was a cunning individual who tearfully spun a horrifying tale of how they acquired the ticket. However, once inside, their reckless actions surpassed all expectations, leaving Chi Zihe with severe psychological trauma.

That was when he established the strict rule of not taking on any more "ticket holders."

Looking at the man named Shi Wen Guang, who was sound asleep on the table, Ming Yiyang found it entirely understandable why Chi Zihe would refuse this job.

This man claimed that the ticket was a gift from his former girlfriend, implying that upon her return to the mortal world, she still retained memories of the Netherworld.

Ordinarily, most ordinary people lose their memories upon leaving the Netherworld, only recalling them when they enter again.

Unless they possess valuable items like the Twin Heart Bracelet, allowing them to retain vague recollections, like Si Shuhao.

There were only three possible explanations for Shi Wen Guang's story.

First, his girlfriend possessed extraordinary abilities.

Second, she was an old customer.

Third, he himself was a seasoned liar.

Given Chi Zihe's reaction, the second possibility could be ruled out immediately. If she truly was an old client and brought her boyfriend along, Chi Zihe would have found it difficult to refuse so firmly; he would at least have recommended other professionals to see if there was any chance of salvaging the situation, instead of letting Diao Qingchang snatch the private job.

The first possibility seemed to be unacknowledged by Chi Zihe as well.

Individuals with such unique abilities are rare and elusive. Given Chi Zihe's disposition, upon hearing about someone like this, he would find it hard not to attempt contact. Once he does, he'll surely give me a call.

That leaves us with the most probable scenario.

This Shi Wen Guang is lying.

Despite his internal judgment, Ming Yiyang's expression remained unchanged. He leaned back against the cushion, still maintaining an air of nonchalance:

"I have a good understanding of the situation now. If we come across any leads later, let's pretend not to know each other to avoid drawing too much attention."

"Acknowledged!"

Diao Qingchang agreed verbally but didn't budge from his spot. He glanced at Yan Qiling, who had been smiling warmly by his side, seemingly hoping to extract more information from him:

"Mr. Yan, I've heard you're quite knowledgeable about the Prison Train. Have you noticed anything unusual recently?"

Yan Qiling responded with a polite smile:

"I'm all ears."

"Originally, the station's summoning of ticket holders occurred every six months, but recently it seems to have become somewhat uncontrollable. I know of several employers who have been summoned before the half-year mark… Do you have any insight into this matter?"

The young man still wore a bright smile, tinged with a hint of bashfulness that was typical of newcomers. He habitually touched his blue Udumbara flower tattoo.

From Ming Yiyang's perspective, the man's fingers passed through the spirit energy forming the Udumbara flower, stirring the floating spirit energy within. The flower seemed to wither like scattered snowflakes.

However, soon the spirit energy intertwined with his fingers, appearing inseparable.

This flower was as peculiar as its owner.

For now, there was no clear indication of its purpose.

Nonetheless, Diao Qingchang's observation was indeed accurate, and Ming Yiyang was interested in hearing his analysis, so he didn't interrupt.

Meeting the curious gazes of the two, Yan Qiling returned a composed smile.

"What inside information could I possibly have? I'm just another one who's been pulled into this."

Ming Yiyang paused, immediately realizing that Yan Qiling didn't seem keen on engaging in an extensive conversation with Diao Qingchang.

He swiftly caught the subtle smile in the other's gaze.

After deciphering its hidden meaning, a secret sense of pleasure and comfort stirred within him.

In full view of everyone, he shared a secret known only to the two of them, as if they were in their own private world.

This feeling was both delightful and intriguing.

The young man maintained his composure, removing the cigarette from his lips. He looked at Diao Qingchang and said calmly, "Mr. Yan does have a point."

"He's just more experienced because he's traveled more, not omniscient. Asking him about recent events like this is putting someone else in a difficult position, isn't it?"

Such a response did little to dampen Diao Qingchang's gossip-filled enthusiasm.

Scratching his cheek, he was about to say something else when the train suddenly pierced through the fog, as if crossing a boundary, and began to shatter!

This was a situation Ming Yiyang had never encountered before!!!

In a subconscious act, Ming Yiyang hugged Yan Qiling's head and drew him into his embrace, shielding him tightly with his tall figure.

"Bang! Bang! Bang—"

The relentless impacts shattered the fragile glass into a rain of fragments that poured down on everyone relentlessly.

"Clang!"

After the deafening clash of metal, only a resonating hum filled the room.

The silver-haired young man held the person in his arms tightly, his mind momentarily blank. He soon realized he might have been too forceful, but he didn't dare to let go. Still, he kept the other person locked within his embrace, even if the pressure could potentially break this person's body.

The cold and slender man was completely nestled in his arms, as icy as snow under the moon, causing Ming Yiyang's fingertips to tremble slightly.

Yet, Ming Yiyang had no intention of releasing his grip.

He belatedly realized that this person was utterly entrapped in his embrace.

He didn't need to consider anything, nor did he have to justify his actions – he could hold the other with such composure.

He knew that now was not the time to think about such matters.

Yet, he couldn't control the unconscious desire to caress the person's back with his fingers.

Yan Qiling didn't allow this situation to persist for too long.

The man propped himself up on his elbow and softly asked,

"Are you alright?"

Ming Yiyang didn't reply. After holding on for two seconds, he released his embrace and slowly stood up.

Shards of glass accumulated on the young man's broad shoulders clattered to the ground, producing a monotonous, crisp sound.

The train had transformed into a seven-seater sedan.

At this moment, the front of the car was completely deformed from the intense collision, and smoke still lingered from the wreckage, ascending into the air like a white stream under the flickering headlights.

A cut on Ming Yiyang's forehead bled from the glass shard, and as the blood hit the ground, it ignited a field of pure white flames, flickering like fireflies in a dark chamber.

Ming Yiyang's eyes transformed into a fierce purple hue, as if infused with the rainbow-like brilliance of a diamond refracting sunlight, scanning the surroundings.

An endless wilderness, shrouded by a haze of poisonous mist.

The white flames continued to consume the drifting gray mist around them without respite.

These mists resembled tattered cotton fibers floating aimlessly through the air. Upon contact with human skin, they would swiftly infiltrate and vanish.

Refusing to let them enter himself or Yan Qiling, Ming Yiyang intensified the scattered white flames to an astonishing brightness.

However, Yan Qiling held onto his arm, his face, illuminated by the white flames, appeared as delicate as porcelain snow that could dissolve at the touch of a fingertip, dispelling the icy flames surrounding him:

"These are Shape-Shifting Mists. You can't stop them. Let them in; they pose no immediate threat to us."

Ming Yiyang fell silent for a moment, extinguishing the burning flames surrounding him before he grasped the other person's sleeve and asked,

"Are you injured anywhere?"

"I'm fine, let's get out first."

By then, the others in the car had also regained consciousness. A series of whispers like "What the hell?" and "What's going on?" from different directions were like droplets of ink falling into water, gradually filling the once-quiet space with chatter.

"Come on, let's get out if everyone's okay."

The first to act was a tattooed man sitting by the car door. Tall and muscular, he pounded on the slightly deformed door with his mountain-like arms, forcefully creating an exit.

"Qingchang Diao?"

Shi Wen Guang stumbled to his feet in the darkness, searching for his glasses while calling out to his bodyguard.

Suddenly, a flashlight beam illuminated from the side. He saw a silver-haired young man with blood trickling down his forehead, holding up a phone. The blinding light came from the phone's rear flash.

Shi Wen Guang hastily expressed his gratitude. Under the light, he found Diao Qingchang slumped beside the driver's seat, which shocked him greatly:

"Why are you like this?"

Diao Qingchang, who had been unexpectedly thrown out due to his eagerness to hear gossip, couldn't reveal the real reason, so he could only cover his bleeding head with a forced smile and say, "I got up too quickly. I thought we had arrived, but then there was a sudden car accident, and I stumbled out of the way... It's fine, let's hurry and get down."

Supporting each other, they alighted from the car. Ming Yiyang waited until the vehicle was empty before following them out.

The tattooed man who had opened the door now had a good impression of him and introduced himself first, "Hey buddy, my name is Mai Zeyu. This is my second station."

Upon hearing this, everyone else also introduced themselves.

Aside from Shi Wen Guang, who had received a ticket from someone, everyone else had experienced at least one station and understood the importance of the station numbers for survival.

Fortunately, most of their numbers were even, suggesting that this world might not be overly challenging.

But was that truly the case?

Si Shuhao hugged her fleece jacket closer in the biting cold, deeply concerned about her impending destiny.

She sensed that something was amiss here.

It wasn't just the atmosphere of the surroundings; there was also an unsettling vibe between Ming Yiyang and Yan Qiling.

Lost in thought, she was interrupted by the startled exclamation of a girl beside her:

"Oh my, it's actually you, Shuhao!"

Bathed in the dim light of a cellphone, Si Shuhao turned to look and spotted a girl emerging from the night shadows.

The young girl was wearing a short-sleeved top and her hair was tied up in a ponytail, with that recognizable cartoon sling bag slung across her body.

Si Shuhao instantly recognized her—it was Su Bo!

Startled at first, she then felt a surge of joy:

"Su Bo! I didn't expect to run into you here... Hey, weren't you just here? I didn't hear your name mentioned."

Yan Qiling covered his neck apologetically:

"I was startled by the car accident just now, and my heart was racing. I couldn't speak, so I took a moment to rest... I'm feeling a bit better now, oh yes, I'm from Station 4."

Everyone, secretly counting in their minds, first held their breath, then slowly exhaled.

Thankfully, with this count, they were still in an even-numbered world, which wasn't a significant issue.

Of course, Lin Yongjian had spotted Yan Qiling among the crowd long ago. However, he was momentarily stunned and didn't dare to approach hastily.

Watching as the two girls recognized each other, he couldn't help but speak up:

"Teacher Yan, I... I'm Lin Yongjian. How are you here too? Were you also pulled into this?"

Looking at him with a smile, Yan Qiling's yin-yang eyes shimmered with an unusual glow:

"Teacher...? I'm sorry, Mr. Lin, have we met before?"

By this time, Lin Yongjian also caught sight of the person's mismatched red and blue eyes in the flashlight's beam, leaving him momentarily stunned.

"Don't you know me?"

"Why should I know you? Are you a celebrity?"

This seemingly teasing remark left Lin Yongjian momentarily speechless.

Confused, he stood rooted to the spot, his gaze following the man who shared both the name and appearance of Yan Qiling, barely daring to believe his eyes.

Could there really be two people in this world who looked so incredibly alike? !

But that person holding up their phone with a flashlight was undeniably Ming Yiyang!

He looked at Ming Yiyang, who seemed just as unfamiliar with him, glancing past him calmly before addressing Mai Zeyu directly:

"I saw the entrance sign. We can't stay here now; we need to keep moving forward."

Lin Yongjian frowned at this bizarre situation before him. He even began to doubt if he was trapped in an eerily realistic dream.

However, a thrilled female voice slicing through the air quickly restored his senses:

"Ahhhh Lin Yongjian! Ahhhh it's really Lin Yongjian?! I thought it was just a coincidence with the same name... I'm your fan! I'm part of the swimming circle! How could I possibly run into you here, big brother, ahhhh! Sobs sobs am I dreaming?"

This exclamation came from a young girl named Yue Pengpeng.

She had been secretly observing Lin Yongjian all along, and upon realizing that he was indeed the person she admired, she couldn't contain her excitement!

Yan Qiling's unusual eyes swept across everyone present without revealing any emotion, ultimately focusing on Lin Yongjian's face.