EP.8·[Caffeine]

Foreword:

Love is a better teacher than a sense of responsibility.

[--Albert Einstein]

[Part 1: Road Signs]

April 17, 2025.

Jiang Xueming embarked on her journey home.

Returning to the foot of the magnificent Soviet Palace, before the Socialist Ladder of Yerevan, starting from the railway tracks that have naturally sunk decades ago, people are crammed into four small mining carts—

Life is like a ship, and the rocker arm of the mine cart is like the oar, taking them home.

As before, Diamond prepared woolen hats for each of his companions, urging his brothers and sisters to dress neatly before setting off.

The cold wind rushed into his Barry, but he still managed to shout out all his parting thoughts.

"Comrade! I still don't know what it means!"

Brother Dai pointed to the buildings behind him, a smile in his heart, but his face showed the marks of time.

"I will definitely go to the Arcane Library to read!"

Jiang Xueming handed over the passenger's identification documents, and Liuxing did the same.

Two toddlers with high-level paraplegia sat in the basket of a mine cart, just like babies in a stroller.

Xue Ming said succinctly, "See you again someday!"

Meteor mimicked him, saying, "Diamond! It's not a flag, not a symbol, or any object! They are a group of people! A group of people created the Soviet Palace and this station."

Diamond only half understood what he was hearing, nodding as he stopped thinking about these strange philosophical questions.

"Iason! I'm going to Red Star Hill to keep digging!"

The post-disaster reconstruction and de-escalation work on Niflheim Beach was a massive undertaking that took decades to complete.

Jason and Wendy immediately stood up and waved goodbye.

Diamond shouted in surprise, yelling from the metal walkway of the platform towards the receding mine cart.

"Iason! Iason! I see her! I see Wendy Mills! You weren't lying to me! You're not crazy, Iason!"

Jason and Wendy exchanged a glance, then sat down without saying a word, their expressions meaningful.

The mine cart wound its way up the mountain railway and entered the spiral pit of the Grand Canyon.

There are hundreds of railway branches, most of which were built during the pioneering phase of the Albert Research Station, when the engineering teams explored the outside world.

The station needed satellite towns, more people, and more land to support its development. However, in the cold mountains, after hundreds and thousands of attempts, the Soviets built countless railways in different directions, but in the end, only the road leading to the research station was usable.

These abandoned railways, used as temporary roads during maintenance and inspections, now become deadly traps for the people of [JoeStar] who are trying to get home without the guidance of railway signals.

Leaving the deep valley, we proceed along the outer roads until we enter the intricate railway system, searching among the strike signals and switches for the signposts left by David Victor.

Every few hundred meters, you can see markings made with fluorescent pens in front of the track platform.

All the switches have been adjusted to the correct tracks, and I believe that Xue Ming and Liuxing will be able to see their teacher again soon.

The terrifying spiritual pressure emanating from Niflheim still lingers in people's minds, and for Ming De, the harvest season still presents many difficulties and obstacles.

Xue Ming picked up the Red Mountain Stone given to her by the BOSS.

He ultimately didn't use that stone.

He had almost no chance to use this incredible artifact when fighting the hybrid warriors and Lords of Cinder.

This stone would probably be of little use in the battle against the corrupt giant and the god-king who controls lightning.

This result, on the contrary, put Xue Ming at ease.

--On most of these trips, I had experienced travelers to guide me and VIP escorts to protect me.

At the Dead Puppet Agency, Teacher Victor also kept a close eye on Xue Ming and Liuxing.

At the Mimir Hot Spring Market, Mr. Wen Bucai took care of almost everything himself. Teacher Victor even secretly came over with a waiter to visit his student at the end.

In London and the City of Tears, Teacher Victor entrusts the two little ones to an old friend.

This time, although we didn't see Teacher Victor, the road signs he left behind, and these fluorescent markers, are like an inextinguishable fire.

So Xue Ming thought—

--It's a good thing that we didn't need this Red Mountain Stone on this trip to Red Star Hill.

The boss had told him that this cat bell-shaped talisman contained the spiritual essence of the Taowu, which might grant ordinary people divine power like those of a blood-bearing unit for a short period of time, but it was also very likely that they would become Taowu's Chang Ghost, losing all their sanity and turning into something out of a mythical legend.

Xue Ming didn't want to become a character in a story; he just wanted to live a good life.

The steel wheels of the mine cart spun rapidly on the track, and the wolf girl and half-wolf girl of Qingjin exerted all their strength to pull the cart forward at breakneck speed.

The toxic stench of dioxins in the air gradually dissipated, followed by a sharp, knife-like pain as the sub-zero wind rushed into the lungs.

Feeling pain is a good thing.

--This means that the respiratory tract has finally recovered from the damage caused by the toxic gas and has been freed from its numb state.

People breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had finally been assured of something.

I was finally certain that I had survived, safe and sound, and had returned alive from that hellish, treacherous harbor, from that place where the sun never shone.

Jason sat next to Xue Ming, silently looking at his phone, wearing headphones, and clutching his journal—seemingly transcribing the same recording over and over again.

Xue Ming: "What are you writing?"

Jason: "What the boss ordered."

Xue Ming: "What is it?"

Jason: "There are so many, it's hard to explain in a few words."

Xue Ming: "We are very, very far from Golden Township. Even by human-powered mining cart, it would take more than a month to get there. You can explain it to me slowly."

Jason kept scratching his head and saying, "Hmm?"

Immediately afterwards, the Dacian man stretched and asked Xue Ming a question in return.

"Should we call Meteor along? He's so curious, I don't want to end up being a parrot again."

Xue Ming: "No need."

Jason: "Why?"

Xue Ming pulled Liuxing's head back from outside the mine cart and took out a tissue to wipe the motion sick baby's mouth clean.

He won't wake up anytime soon.

After saying that, Xue Ming tossed the boy back into the designated vomiting spot on the stroller.

"Let's just the two of us, you and me, and talk about what the boss and you discussed."

Jason pulled out his journal, showing the pages as he Xue Ming.

"I'm a VIP now, and the boss wants me to submit some documents."

"Congratulations."

"Furthermore, they want me to design the VIP carriages myself and select at least three regular routes, and these trains will arrange my seats."

"You're going to mentor a newcomer? VIP?"

"That's true, but I still feel like I'm not ready."

"Why?"

Jason pointed to the road sign that was rushing past outside the minecart.

"Because of your teacher, David Victor. He is so excellent, so reliable."

Immediately afterwards, he looked at Su Ling, who was unconscious in the car behind.

"And then there's Teacher 9527, Su Ling. The more I learn about these people, the more I realize how incredibly naive and inexperienced I am—do I really have the ability? Am I truly ready?"

"You're a very arrogant person, this isn't like you." Jiang Xueming took Jason's log and immediately started scribbling. "What else did the BOSS say?"

Jason slumped beside Xue Ming, shoulder to shoulder with his good friend, trying to leave all his hesitation and unease behind in the minus ten degree wind.

It asked about the Cossacks and Slavs.

"You've given this example before—you've used the example of the Japanese, I know."

"The boss asked me if I still harbored prejudice against these people, and whether I could never take off these tinted glasses again."

"I wanted to ask that too, Jason. When you become a big shot, naturally many people will be watching you. Your every move will be under their scrutiny, like a clay idol. Every word and action will be magnified infinitely. At that time, your fragile and sensitive heart probably won't be able to withstand all these rumors."

"Yes." Jason nodded. "The boss kindly advised me, hoping I would understand—in this Little Kitty's eyes, Earth has no borders; the world map only exists on the surface. It's like a near-perfect gem, with no one to define its boundaries, no fragmented map."

Jiang Xueming: "I think the BOSS sent you to Red Star Hill not to make you accept anything, or to make you think you are the chosen one. It doesn't want to mythologize you; it's still trying to dispel the superstitions in your heart."

Jason: "I noticed it, even without me, that VIP—Su Ling."

Jiang Xueming: "She can use ten Brilliant Stones at the same time, but that's all we've seen."

Jason: "Her spirit body has more than two hundred parts, which may also serve as the core of the Fireman to fight against the Corrupted Giant."

Jiang Xueming: "Teacher A Ling has given you this opportunity."

Jason: "I've come to understand myself. And I've also come to understand another version of myself."

Jiang Xueming: "What's there to hesitate about, Jason?"

Jason: "The boss will assign me new missions, so I guess I'll be spending less and less time at [JoeStar]."

Jiang Xueming: "Are you worried that a few more top-tier bitches will appear in the kitchen and take your place as head chef?"

Jason: "Haha, that's not it."

Jiang Xueming: "Why is that?"

Jason: "I'm afraid... I can't keep my promise to you."

Jiang Xueming: "Being afraid is useless—be brave!"

Jason: "Hmm."

Jiang Xueming: "I've thought about it for a long time. Jason Megan, when I first came to the underworld, I was like a baby."

Jason: "Yes, the waiters are like our wet nurses."

Jiang Xueming: "When children are young, they have a lot of time to play and many playmates. This kind of friendship can last for most of their lives, which is completely different from working colleagues in adulthood."

Jason: "Yes."

Jiang Xueming: "The BOSS is very patient. It knows how a person grows up, and it's almost more human than anyone else."

Jason: "Yes."

Jiang Xueming: "It's mischievous yet mature, old yet young, I can't describe it, but it's both adorable and respectable—occasionally it engages in some strange artistic creations, like pulling people into acting, which can cheer people up and make them forget the fatigue of the journey."

Jason: "I don't like it."

Jiang Xueming: "You really should give it a try."

Jason: "I can't do it."

Jiang Xueming: "Even if you have to force yourself a little?"

Jason: "I can't do it. A bit idiotic."

Jiang Xueming: "Einstein once said that people who are too intelligent often find it difficult to be happy."

Jason: "Okay. Next time."

Jiang Xueming: "Then it's settled."

Jason: "It's settled."

[Part ②: A Strange Survival Instinct]

Jiang Xueming: "Let's get back to business. Did the BOSS succeed? Did it successfully eliminate your inner demons? Whether it's the story that started on Snake Island, or the Slavs or Cossacks, or Wendy Mills? Katusha? Have you thought all of these things through?"

"I've figured it out." Jason rambled on, sounding aggrieved. "I'm all grown up now, Popsicle Boy—from egg to nymph, from pupa to butterfly. I have to take care of the rest of the group, whether they're male or female, human or ghost. Even if they're demons or monsters, I have to find a way to guide them. That's just how work is; it doesn't consider whether you're happy or not, or whether it suits you."

"I think you're overthinking it." Jiang Xueming put her hands behind her head and laughed heartily.

Jason looked at Xue Ming's smile as if he'd seen a ghost, "You're actually smiling so happily?"

Jiang Xueming: "Because we won! We're on our way home! Jason! Going to higher altitudes, the temperature will get warmer and warmer, and my body will get healthier and healthier. My family is waiting for me, and my loved one is right beside me. Why should I keep looking gloomy?"

Jason: "Hahahaha. Hahahaha."

Jiang Xueming: "Look at the road signs left by Teacher Victor. Although I didn't see him in person on this trip, just like Diamond and I, we never saw the Soviet Union—but that's enough."

Jason: "Hmm."

Jiang Xueming: "Jason Megan, I'm not good with words and I'm an introvert. Meteor has always said I'm a stingy guy, a penny-pincher—but I sincerely congratulate you now."

Jason sat up and went to hug Xue Ming.

The tough Dacian man, upon touching his companion's body, couldn't help but shed tears.

"Jiang Xueming, it's so wonderful to have met you! So wonderful, so wonderful, so wonderful!"

"Let me go." Xue Ming's expression turned extremely ugly.

Jason exclaimed excitedly, "You're shy?! Hahaha! I won! I won!"

Xue Ming: "No. I'm paralyzed from the waist down, please be gentle."

"Oh! Oh, oh." Jason awkwardly withdrew his arms.

Xue Ming returned the logbook to Jason.

--The originally blank pages now contain a simple train carriage design.

"This is my VIP compartment?" Jason asked, looking surprised.

Xue Ming: "It's just a very simple sketch. I haven't done the showroom and living quarters yet, but I'm sure you have a lot of documents and photos to take with you."

Jason pointed to the weapons cabinet. "I don't need this."

Xue Ming: "Katusha needs it."

Jason then pointed to the dressing table. "Me."

Xue Ming: "Wendy needs it."

Jason finally pointed to the three single beds, unsure of what to say.

Xue Ming: "If you don't like it, you can change it to a big round bed. It's up to you."

Jason felt relieved.

"--Yes, I'm in charge of this."

Xue Ming gently patted his older brother's shoulder.

"We'll have to walk the rest of the road ourselves."

The mine cart stopped at the end of the cave road.

Looking ahead, there is a spiral Lava Lake over 300 kilometers long, leading towards the mines of Golden Township, like a spiral staircase to heaven.

Through Katusha's sniper scope, one can see Teacher Victor and Lord Cinder side by side, supporting each other as they trudge along the steep, winding path.

The golden, fiery lava burst open, releasing fist-sized bubbles, and the smell of sulfur was invigorating.

"I have to walk this path myself from now on."

Jason pondered those words, then caught sight of William carrying two paraplegic babies, Xue Ming and Liuxing, on his back, one in each arm.

He finally tried to recall, with great effort.

I recall the last words left by the Fireman Surter and his descendants.

"You need to go have your own baby."

Perhaps on their future journeys, they will no longer have these VIPs by their side, nor will they have people like towering trees sheltering them from the wind and rain.

Only during routine inspections at trade hubs or VIP tea rooms could I reunite with my teachers and reminisce about the events of my journey.

Even earlier— Jason would make fun of Xue Ming and Meteor's teacher.

Because Victor was so much like a mother, he practically followed the two students across half the globe.

But recalling the context, Jason was surprised to realize that this was also a form of jealousy, a kind of envy.

After all, Einstein also said--

Love is a better teacher than a sense of responsibility.

Stepping onto the scorching hot iron plate, his steps became increasingly firm.

I could hear the fierce roar of the hot and cold air colliding in the Lava Lake.

It was so majestic, so turbulent.

The mine cart can't climb this winding, steep spiral staircase; let's slowly walk back.

"Teacher! Teacher!"

Meteor, holding a megaphone, tried to call out to Victor was more than 7,000 meters away.

Sound can't travel that far—but intense Inspiration can!

Victor put his arm around Maddes's shoulder.

--It wasn't that he wanted to put his arm around the criminal.

Because the Lord of Cinder's physical body was too fragile, Maddes almost died and came back to life in the extreme environment of alternating hot and cold along the way.

Victor leaned against the railing, beside the maintenance and repair road along the railway line, wanting to say something happy to the Lord of Cinder.

Perhaps talking to these two students would cheer Maddes up, make him walk faster, and get to the Qingjin be punished.

Before Victor could speak—

--The Lord of Cinder's eyes widened as if he had seen some ferocious monster, and his previously sickly body regained its strength.

"That VIP is here! No! I can't let her find me!"

So--

The Lord of Cinder staggered forward, no longer speaking of the hardships of his physical body.

Victor quickly followed, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"What an amazing will to survive, like a stimulating coffee. I have to write this down; it's fantastic material."