beep--!
The deafening whistle of the Steam Train echoed throughout the station.
A steam train covered in heavy armor rolled over the tracks, making a screeching sound as metal scraped against metal, and slowly came to a stop on the platform in the upper Steam Capital Upper City.
"Miss, we've arrived at our stop."
"Um."
After resting with his eyes closed for a long time, Chen Xing opened them and turned to look out the car window.
From this angle, she could perfectly take in the distinct Lower City of the Steam Capital.
Outside the platform, the prosperity and bustle of the Upper City are clearly visible.
On the wide road, many special steam cars drove by, occasionally honking their horns to urge the vehicles in front to move faster.
On both sides of the road, clusters of brass-clad buildings and various billboards intertwine.
It inexplicably evokes a unique urban aesthetic reminiscent of the post-wasteland era.
However, compared to these, what truly caught Chen Xing's attention was...
These are the giant steam pipes that crisscross the Upper City and Lower City districts of the Steam Capital city, like the city's blood vessels.
These pipelines extend downwards along the terrain's elevation difference.
And eventually it was swallowed up by the Lower City the Steam Capital city, which was known as the ' Rust Iron Purgatory '.
Unlike the glamorous Upper City, Chen Xing, relying on his exceptional eyesight, vaguely glimpsed a different side of that 'bottom hell'.
The dilapidated tin shacks are squeezed into the gaps and shadows of a maze of crisscrossing pipes.
The surrounding area was piled high with metal scrap and various industrial waste.
Even without going to the Lower City, Chen Xing could still imagine the sour smell of engine oil and rust mixed in the air.
But the harsh environment is only one aspect.
Not far from this mountain of garbage, several tiny figures were clinging to the outer wall of the pipes, working hard.
Wearing only simple safety ropes and with bare arms, they struggled to clean the remaining rust from the giant steam pipes with scrapers.
And considering the height at which they were working, and the temperature of the steam.
Chen Xing's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
It wasn't that she felt any sympathy for these people; rather, she simply found it somewhat absurd.
It's important to know the level of technology in the Steam Capital she was familiar with.
This basic pipe cleaning work can be done entirely by automated machinery, which is both efficient and safe.
But the rulers of the Steam Capital seemed to know nothing about this.
They prefer to use the most primitive human labor rather than those relatively inexpensive automated machines.
It seems that, to them, machines are far more valuable than people.
This is undoubtedly ironic.
Because it is a 'secondary city' in the New Federation.
Although the Steam Capital cannot compare to the ' Seven Great Floating Cities '.
But it is still much stronger than other cities.
And this is a civilized city that prides itself on being 'progressive'.
In the eyes of Chen Xing at present, however, it is full of rigidity, conservatism, and disgusting decay.
"It seems the higher-ups here are far more corrupt than I imagined."
Although it was just a quick glance, the clever Chen Xing had already roughly deduced the situation facing the Steam Capital.
Because only those parasites who fear change will cling tightly to their outdated 'power' and let the lower classes struggle in the mud.
"Miss?"
Fox's reminder came from beside them. This elderly man, who was both a protector and a butler, had a gentle yet undeniable gaze, reminding them that they were here on a family mission, not to observe the city's scenery.
Chen Xing snapped out of her daze and got up from her seat.
"Let's go, Uncle Fox."
She looked straight out the car window at Steam Capital bustling Upper City, her tone carrying a hint of coldness.
"Some people have probably been in this place far from the Floating City for too long, so much so that they have probably forgotten that the patience of the Blazing Sun Family is not Infinity."
Fox bowed and replied, "Yes, Miss. After all, even the best steel billets need to be tempered in Blazing Fire to remove the impurities inside."
"Although they are just a bunch of impurities, using them to pave the way for the young lady is undoubtedly a good use of them."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on a pair of ordinary-looking sunglasses that Chen Xing had placed by the car window.
Chen Xing has been wearing these sunglasses ever since the first day he appeared in the Blazing Sun Family; they are practically inseparable from him.
Noticing Fox's gaze, Chen Xing asked, "What's wrong, Uncle Fox?"
Fox did not choose to hide it and directly expressed his curiosity.
"Miss, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
"You rarely wear these sunglasses, so why do you always carry them with you? Do they have any special meaning to you?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xing was stunned.
She then picked up the sunglasses placed by the car window and gently brushed her fingertips across the slightly cool frames.
A fleeting, elusive trace of reminiscence crossed his eyes.
After a moment, she looked away, her tone calm yet carrying a heavy weight.
" Uncle Fox, have you ever had the experience of trying your best to catch up but still being unable to catch up?"
Fox shook his head, because he was relatively easygoing.
They rarely attempt things that seem impossible at first glance.
But Chen Xing was not surprised by his reaction.
"But I have it."
Chen Xing looked down at the sunglasses in her hand, as if she was recalling something.
" Uncle Fox, it is actually a very happy thing to have someone always walking ahead of you."
"Because this way you won't feel lost or lose your direction. You just need to do your best to catch up with him and then find a way to surpass him."
"But aspiration is also the furthest distance from understanding."
"Because longing makes you only see his back, focusing solely on surpassing him, while neglecting some very precious things."
"Ignore what?"
"I missed several valuable opportunities to get to know him."
At this point, Chen Xing raised the sunglasses in his hand and said seriously, "And its existence can remind me at all times that some opportunities, once missed, can never be found again."
"I will never allow myself to have such regrets again."
Even though this regret is almost irreversible.
Fox nodded silently.
Although he did not know the details of the past that Chen Xing mentioned.
But he could hear an almost obsessive determination in Chen Xing's slightly melancholy tone.
It's obvious that the Demonic Blade of the Blazing Sun Family, who have always presented themselves as 'powerful'.
It also has its own vulnerable side.
It's just that outsiders can't see it at all.
Chen Xing clearly didn't want to discuss this topic further, and simply put away his sunglasses, saying, "Let's go, Uncle Fox, it's time to meet the ' lord ' here."
After saying that, Chen Xing took the lead and stepped out of the first-class cabin, his black cloak drawing a neat arc behind him.
Fox followed closely behind, carrying a simple bag.
The two figures quickly disappeared into the steamy mist at the station exit.
Their first stop was the Star Envoy Association's Steam Capital Branch.
As is customary, when High-level Star Envoy arrives in a new city, he or she must first report to the local Star Envoy Association.
Only in this way can we avoid many unnecessary misunderstandings and troubles.
What Chen Xing didn't expect was that today was not only the day the Steam Branch was selecting the captain of the Fifth Squad.
And she will also bump into someone here whom she thought she would never meet again.
As for whether she can seize that fleeting opportunity this time.
That remains to be seen.
PS: There should be one or two more updates after midnight, but I'm not sure Pang Hu, it depends on my condition.