Chapter 936: The Eighteen-Mile Train
"We still have a second mission," Yan Zhichun replied. "Compared to ours, your task is extremely simple."
"Simple...?"
Doctor Zhao thought carefully. Regardless of what he was supposed to break, any "object" would indeed be simple.
"That's true..." He nodded. "As long as it's an 'object'... there shouldn't be a problem. And if there's danger, Brother Han Yimo can protect me."
"Protect you?" Yan Zhichun raised an eyebrow. "No need. There will be a massive number of people protecting you then, each one stronger than 'Disaster Inciter.'"
"Hold on..." Han Yimo frowned again after hearing this. "What exactly do you mean? Do you want me to go or not?"
"Of course I want you to go." Yan Zhichun smiled. "After all, the person I trust most sent you. Even if you are 'Disaster Inciter,' there must be a reason for your existence."
"I still feel something's off..." Han Yimo sighed. "Forget it... Will you come and get us tomorrow?"
"I'll come get you," Jiang Ruoxue said. "Rest well tonight."
After sending off these two external hires from the "Polar Path," Yan Zhichun lowered her head expressionlessly. Too many things seemed to have happened today.
Although they had reached the final moment, there were still many unknowns in her mind.
For example, why did the White Ram set up such an elaborate scheme?
What would happen after they destroyed the giant bell? Could everyone really board the "Train"?
The definition of the "Train" itself was illusory. It was formless and invisible, yet as deep as a corridor.
It would open countless doors in the "Land of the End," yet no one could see where the "Train" actually was.
Such a bizarre thing could actually allow people to come and go freely.
Yan Zhichun's only concern now was whether the scale of the "Train" might be too enormous.
Based on known conditions, since it was corridor-shaped with wooden doors and rooms on both sides, the length of the "Train" might exceed her imagination.
According to what the White Ram said, not only would "participants" step out of the "Train" on the first day of each cycle, but all the "Zodiacs" also lived on the train.
There were approximately ten thousand "participants" in this city. Calculating nine people per room, they would need at least over eleven hundred rooms.
No train in the world would have such a scale. If each city had ten thousand people, the five cities combined would require over fifty-five hundred rooms.
What was even more terrifying was that each room had three "Interviewer Zodiacs." Even if they died every time and didn't need accommodation, the number of people would still reach a staggering sixteen thousand.
Add in about a thousand "Human-level Zodiacs" who hosted the games, a few dozen "Earth-level Zodiacs," over ten "Heaven-level," and four "Divine Beasts."
Would the "Train" then have approximately six thousand rooms?
Assuming rooms were distributed on both sides, each about three to four meters in diameter, the train's length would be roughly three thousand room diameters. At minimum, it would be nine kilometers; at maximum, twelve kilometers.
A behemoth over nine kilometers long, always circling or stationary in the "Land of the End," yet no one had ever seen it.
If so... what exactly was the principle of the "Train"? Where was it parked?
"I almost forgot... there are countless 'Ants' imprisoned above..." Yan Zhichun thought to herself.
Her expression quickly grew solemn.
She had originally thought the "Polar Path" was a very large and mature organization.
But even if they had a few hundred loyal and capable people, and even if they were extremely lucky to break into the "Train," they would still face an army.
They would have to navigate a slender nine-kilometer length, avoid all enemies, gather as quickly as possible, and finally find the "Black Ram." No matter how she thought about it, it was too difficult.
"Brother Ram..." Yan Zhichun thought to herself. "You'd better have paved the way for us... I have no way to turn back now."
At that moment, Zheng Yingxiong's nose twitched slightly, as if sensing something. He turned his head and looked at Yan Zhichun.
Although Jiang Ruoxue couldn't sense Yan Zhichun's thoughts, she could tell from her expression that something was wrong. She asked softly, "Zhichun... Are you not going to show up tomorrow?"
"I can't go for the first mission," Yan Zhichun said. "Qi Xia asked me to participate in the 'Earth Dragon' game with him."
"Is that necessary...?" Jiang Ruoxue asked with some confusion. "He has many talented people around him. Is it necessary to specifically ask for you?"
"I'm not sure," Yan Zhichun shook her head. "But even if he hadn't mentioned it, I would have wanted to participate in a game with him."
"Why?"
"First, in all this time, I've never truly been his 'comrade.' This might be my only chance, and my last." Yan Zhichun said. "Only by becoming his 'comrade' can I truly believe in him."
"I see..." Jiang Ruoxue seemed to understand Yan Zhichun's obsession. For so long, she had regarded herself as a loyal dog. Now, she just needed an opportunity to fight alongside the White Ram.
Even if it was just in one game, it would count as being his "comrade."
"Second... I want to know if Qi Xia is really in his 'prime state.'" Yan Zhichun continued. "He wants us to execute the plan early tomorrow morning, but I don't think that's a good idea..."
"Not good...?"
"I've decided to postpone the plan to the afternoon," Yan Zhichun said. "That is, after I participate in the 'Earth Dragon game.' You and Zhou Mo will have the morning to gather the team, but don't start any action. Wait for my orders."
Yan Zhichun had her own considerations. According to the White Ram's plan, after destroying the giant bell and the display screens, they would need to hide and then head to eight locations separately to sneak onto the "Train."
If they destroyed these devices early in the morning, it would certainly alarm the upper echelons. The group might have to flee for an entire day, and the probability of death would be extremely high. If they did it in the afternoon or evening, they might be able to head straight to the eight "Zodiac" locations right after the destruction, seamlessly connecting the two plans.
But all of this depended on whether Qi Xia really had the ability to handle what came next.
After hearing this, Jiang Ruoxue slowly frowned: "Zhichun... at this point, you want to suddenly postpone the plan...? Wouldn't that be different from what 'he' arranged...?"
"A commander in the field may refuse orders from the sovereign," Yan Zhichun said. "I have no other choice. Qi Xia's state is very off... If I can't confirm that he has the strength to take over this plan, I have to protect the 'Polar Path.' Otherwise, we'd just be like moths flying into a flame."
Jiang Ruoxue thought for a long time and finally nodded: "Alright..."
"Don't stay here tonight either," Yan Zhichun said. "Go find Zhou Liu. Tell her it's time. Tomorrow, you and she will act together. I will send all instructions to her."