Vol·1 [Stones]

Passing through the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel, passing through the ring expressway.

Volga sped down the bottomless roller coaster avenue, the colorful guide lights on both sides like streaking comets.

The terrain gradually flattened, and the passage gradually brightened.

The scenery outside the car window became both strange and familiar.

Passing through three passes, five checkpoints, and two main streets, Jiang Xueming once again returned to the intersection of Moon Alley.

The street was still as deserted as ever, with only a few passersby standing in front of a simple convenience store, smoking and speaking in unfamiliar languages about unfamiliar circumstances.

There were also many passengers who had come here for the first time, hesitating at the crossroads of fate, their anxiety written all over their faces, holding their tickets and their respective missions.

The car drove all the way to the approach of the plastic steel suspension bridge.

This time, Jiang Xueming didn't have to take a detour again, and the three of them returned directly to the stargazing platform on the twenty-sixth floor of the main hall of the Council of Five Kings.

They didn't speak at all on this journey--

--At first, Jiang Xueming was curious, as Brother Seven and A Xing were usually talkative and lively people.

When they stepped onto the plastic steel suspension bridge, both of them seemed to have zipped their mouths shut and stopped talking.

Looking down from the bridge, which was over seventy meters high, there were many people crawling on the ground in the vast, abyssal fountain square.

In the thick fog far to the left and right, the color merged with the starry sky above.

The scenery along the way made Xue Ming feel a sense of peace and tranquility.

When they entered the elevator, he finally broke the silence and curiously asked Brother Seven beside him.

"Why weren't you talking just now?"

Little Seven swallowed nervously, "I'm afraid of heights."

"..." This answer surprised Xue Ming, who then turned to ask A Xing, "What about you?"

A Xing's face was pale, and he covered his mouth. Brother Seven's reckless driving had almost made him vomit. "I have an image to maintain, so I didn't speak and pretended to be a master."

"That's great." Jiang Xueming was overjoyed. It was good that the two companions beside him had quieted down; at least they looked much more reliable now. "You've both grown. I hope this state can be maintained."

The elevator reached the first floor, and all three needed to undergo a mental examination. They queued for twenty minutes in the side hall of the Old Spirit church.

Bu Liuxing's condition was good, and his various stats had returned to their state from half a month ago, with the spiritual disaster concentration dropping back to 31%.

Jiang Xueming's verification results were still the same as usual. However, this time, the polarizing sextant seemed to have completely gone on strike, not only failing to display mental power, willpower, and inspiration—but even combat skill data. It was directly classified as [Beyond Specifications].

Jiu Wu Er Qi bid farewell to the two passengers at the Old Spirit church. She needed to go to the staff backstage for a physical examination, a much more tedious process, and probably wouldn't be back for a while.

Before Brother Seven left, Jiang Xueming took out his notebook and wrote a list of things he wanted Brother Seven to help prepare.

"A close-fitting thermal vest, nothing flashy. Anti-scratch and anti-stab hiking boots, I wear a size forty-two. Leather pants with a crotch pocket tool bag, one size fits all."

"A set of laboratory measuring instruments, five ten-milliliter cylindrical needle syringes with ring teeth, short ones for easy carrying."

"That's all, Brother Seven. Please bring them over for me later."

After Jiang Xueming finished writing, he tore off the note and handed it to Little Seven.

After doing this, Xue Ming and Liuxing, the two newcomers to the station, had three more procedures to go according to the station's regulations.

Under the guidance of the lobby manager, they came to another brilliant courtyard.

Xue Ming and Liuxing were to receive their formal passenger safety insurance here.

The name of the courtyard was written on the gate tower.

[Glorious Path]

In front of the courtyard's porch, there were many passengers with strange, enthusiastic, and excited expressions.

These passengers were like vendors waiting for a rabbit to run into their trap, trying to sell something. Seeing Xue Ming and Liuxing, they rushed forward as if they had found new customers, wanting to say something.

The lobby manager spoke coldly, scolding and driving away these passengers: "Wait until these two newcomers get their stones, then you can fight over them and solicit customers."

Bu Liuxing felt his stomach churning. He suppressed the nausea from motion sickness, and the passengers on both sides of the porch stared at him, making his skin crawl.

Jiang Xueming was curious and asked, "What stones?"

"You don't know? You haven't asked other passengers?" The lobby manager looked like a reliable middle-aged uncle, changing to a serious customer-service expression. "It's written in the passenger manual."

"New passengers who successfully complete their first trip, if their physical data is normal, and after handling their personal affairs in the mortal world—" Jiang Xueming knew this procedure, so he interjected, "--if the new passenger decides to return to the station from the leisurely mortal world to continue their journey. The station is obligated to provide them with three additional safety insurances. The passenger notice only goes this far. Is the stone you mentioned one of those safety insurances?"

The manager scratched his head, "I thought the other old passengers on the train would have talked to you about these things."

Jiang Xueming: "I scared them all away."

"Ah?" The manager hadn't reacted yet. He led the two newcomers back to the station into the Glorious Path, explaining as they walked, "You need to obtain a very important life-saving charm from the Old Spirit. In the underground world, stones are very important. The jewelry made from them can take you further and help you make more friends. Please keep it safe."

Jiang Xueming asked, "Is it a Brilliant Stone?"

The lobby manager nodded, "Yes."

Just then, Bu Liuxing couldn't take it anymore. The sour soup with beef in his stomach had surged to his throat. He whimpered anxiously, asking the lobby manager to take him to the restroom.

The manager politely helped A Xing towards the restroom and said back, "Mr. Jiang Xueming, you can go to the central courtyard of the Glorious Path to meet the Old Spirit first. The stone-granting ceremony might take some time. Don't worry, the entire process is private—I'll add a word, this isn't really a significant matter, but the regulations stipulate that if you receive a Brilliant Stone, don't show it off immediately. Different types of Brilliant Stones are like Braille cards, considered your personal information."

"Understood." Jiang Xueming wanted to ask a few more questions.

The manager's smile held a hint of mystery, like a kind and friendly blessing. "Wishing you all the best. I'll be going now."

With that, the manager pulled Bu Liuxing away in a hurry.

The courtyard in the atrium was filled with many strangely shaped ornamental stones, in various colors, emitting a soft glow.

A cobblestone path extended forward, leading to the stone monument in the atrium.

Jiang Xueming walked forward, carefully pondering everything he had seen and heard along the way.

In the vehicle's log, the "Gleamstone" was a form of energy.

In the lobby manager's words, it was also a security program, seemingly meant to protect new passengers.

First-time passengers, at most, were like pilgrims seeking wishes at a temple, asking for Panacea and more tickets.

After their wishes were granted, BOSS did not force them to stay at the station—but after this equitable transaction concluded, there was no reliable after-sales service. The attendants would leave these people and seek new passengers.

Ultimately, some armed employees would be left behind to protect these newcomers. Perhaps for a few months, perhaps for a few years, these pure newcomers would have to face the threat of Armadillo Hunters alone.

Gleamstone was a very precious resource in the underground world. Only those willing to return to the station to continue their adventures would be given these items.

Jiang Xueming grew more curious, walking all the way to the monument.

Among the six stone arches stood an exquisite stone carving, depicting an elderly man in luxurious attire.

In addition to this, countless gold, silver, bronze, iron, jewels, and jade were piled beneath the statue. These old ornaments all bore different scars and chips.

--Among the worn-out ornaments were bracelets, rings, pendants, earrings, as well as arm guards, wrist guards, shackles, and handcuffs. There were also nose rings, thumb rings, thimbles, and neck rings.

--These ornaments seemed to have suffered a wide variety of damage: scorching from smoke and fire, cracks from cold embrittlement, violent hammer blows that deformed them, and terrifying wounds from swords and axes.

Jiang Xueming wasn't entirely sure—

--There were also a few items that looked freshly unearthed, emitting a metallic sheen among the assortment of Iraqi-grade scrap metal – "new goods" that seemed to still have some un-wiped blood on them.

As he approached the pile of ornaments, his body involuntarily began to tremble. A long-dormant inspiration once again manifested as actual nerve pain—telling him to suppress his impudent thoughts and stay away from this bizarre collection of gold and silver.

Just as he was about to retreat—

--A warm breeze swept through the courtyard.

This warm breeze coalesced into a visible vortex, like thick fog gathering into a humanoid form, transforming into an old man with a long beard and white eyebrows, dressed in a cloth robe, identical to the statue on the monument.

The starlight from the plaza's dome shone directly into the courtyard's arches. The various colored lights emanating from the strange stones pierced through the old man's body like rays.

In the blink of an eye, the gold on the ground began to bounce, as if pulled by an inexplicable gravitational force, converging onto the old man's ethereal spirit.

After a jingle of sounds, a rough human shape formed from the condensed gold, silver, and jewels.

Two pitch-black stones became the old man's eyes, and various colored gold ornaments constructed his features and limbs. They extended outwards, forming an arm that tightly gripped Jiang Xueming's arm—pulling him close until their eyes met.

At such close proximity—

--Jiang Xueming could clearly see Old Spirit's appearance.

Those dark eyes held a deep, ethereal blue glow, reminding Jiang Xueming of the giant beast's eye formed by various surveying instruments in the sextant.

Once again, he felt as if he were being observed by some higher being. His inspiration seemed to be summoned, becoming quiet and obedient.

A loud call echoed, the voice like wind blowing from an iron urn and silver pot.

"Don't move, let me get a good look at your quality! Little one!"

Jiang Xueming was momentarily flustered, unsure of what to say. "Are... are you Old Spirit?"

"Who else would I be? The questions these new guests ask are more outrageous than the last." Old Lingweng grumbled, as if his sore spot had been poked. "Do you go to the restroom to eat? You came to the Stone Bestowal Ceremony, and if you didn't see me, who else would you have seen?"

"I... I only saw your name in the Passenger's Guide. I've never seen your true form." Jiang Xueming explained. "The Mind Scrutiny Chamber is called the Old Spirit Chapel, you built that, didn't you?"

"That was my religious office back then. As for whether I built it—why don't you take it up with that big Black Cat? Rename it a public restroom? And build a canteen too?" The gold ornaments on Old Lingweng's face contorted, revealing a look of disdain. He still held Jiang Xueming's hand tightly. "Next time you have a mind scrutiny, can you go to the restroom to eat?"

"Then the name Council of Five Kings, does that have anything to do with you?" Jiang Xueming wanted to ask more questions; he was very interested in the station's history.

"I am not one of the kings." Old Lingweng lowered his head, his eyes widening as he carefully examined Jiang Xueming's arm. "I am merely a lingering soul in this station, a jeweler who crafts protective charms and amulets for you."

Jiang Xueming pondered—

--This wondrous spirit before him seemed to have accompanied the station for countless days and nights, forging jewelry and ornaments for passengers as protective charms.

Then what was BOSS?

Why was this little Black Cat the owner of the station?

"Do you know anything about BOSS?" Jiang Xueming had just asked—

--Old Lingweng released his hand, freeing Xue Ming, then turned and squatted down, rummaging through the old gold and silver.

He answered Jiang Xueming casually.

"You're very interested in that Black Cat?"

"I'm just curious."

"Then I can only say, I'm curious too."

"Old sir, you don't know BOSS's origin either?"

"When I had a human form, and had a few sexy ladies in grass skirts playing with mud and having fun with me, BOSS was already using rolling stones and logs to make tools and explore the underground world."

"How long ago was that?"

"So long ago I can't even remember the year. When I was old and withered, about to ascend, I thought it was already dead, a very, very long time ago." At this point, Old Lingweng sighed, "It would have been so good if it had truly died. I wouldn't have to sit in this iron cage, making jewelry for you all."

Jiang Xueming thanked him politely, "That must have been a lot of trouble for you. Thank you for your hard work, thank you."

"Your color is so strange, little fellow. So strange. What kind of jewelry should I make for you? What kind of stone should I add to your jewelry?" Old Lingweng ignored Jiang Xueming, still rummaging through the scrap metal. "Oh! Hold this thing!"

A square stone suddenly flew over.

Jiang Xueming caught it firmly--

--He saw it was a Rubik's Cube.

A three-by-three Rubik's Cube with six sides and six colors.

"I can't tell your quality, you're like a hard, ancient fossil," Old Lingweng frowned, as if encountering a difficult problem. He puffed out his beard and glared, continuing, "I don't have professional tools or a stone-cutting knife on hand. I have to rely on this thing to identify your color. Listen carefully and do as I say."

Jiang Xueming gripped the Rubik's Cube. "Okay."

Old Lingweng's metal body contorted, as if crossing his legs, looking relaxed and at ease.

"Close your eyes and think of the most infuriating thing in your life. Unleash all your brave anger."

"The most infuriating thing?" Jiang Xueming closed his eyes and recalled carefully. Over ten seconds passed, and he was still trying hard to stir up emotions.

"Enough! That's not good enough!~" Old Lingweng explained, "The Stubborn Fire Stone doesn't like you at all, and the Rose Stone is only so-so. They dislike you. Getting angry is as difficult as climbing to heaven for you. No, no!"

Jiang Xueming felt a bit disappointed. It seemed some of the luster stones had given up on him.

On the six sides of the Rubik's Cube, the bright red side was still faintly glowing, as if responding differently to his emotions.

"Use your brain, you need to start thinking, little fellow," Old Lingweng continued to prompt. "Think about the most clever, the darkest, and the most ruthless times in your life. Rack your brain for ingenious bad ideas, when you played pranks and jokes with your friends!"

Jiang Xueming continued to recall--

--The blue blocks on the six sides of the Rubik's Cube began to glow.

Another ten seconds passed.

"No, no, no! Absolutely not. The Silicate Stone and the Iron Stone are also unwilling to talk to you, and the Lapis Lazuli has completely shut down. These little treasures find you so boring!" Old Lingweng listened carefully to the stones' responses. "Think again, change your mood, think about the happiest, most joyful things in your life, the most uplifting and lively memories. Let's see if the gold and orange stones are interested in you."

Jiang Xueming did as he was told--

--But it was still no use.

"Are you an empty shell?" Old Lingweng looked at the six-colored Rubik's Cube in disbelief. "Think carefully, think about the most desperate and fearful times."

The Rubik's Cube in Jiang Xueming's hand reacted.

The pitch-black side lit up slightly with a faint starlight, then immediately extinguished.

"Hmm," Old Lingweng mused, "There's only one last method left. You choose them."

Jiang Xueming: "What should I do?"

Old Lingweng pointed at the Rubik's Cube. "Twist the Rubik's Cube, communicate with it directly. It might not listen to you, it will become very stiff, and you'll find it difficult to twist--but you can use any means. You can curse it, you can sweet-talk it, coax it like a girl, fall in love with it, or simply use violence to solve the problem. The side that ultimately faces you will be the color of your heart."

Jiang Xueming felt uneasy. He remembered that stones were very important to passengers.

The stones Old Lingweng spoke of were passengers' talismans.

At this moment, he put away all his distracting thoughts.

He composed himself, his eyes turning cold again.

Holding the Rubik's Cube with both hands, he began to turn it.

With a soft "click,"

An incredible thing happened.

The Rubik's Cube in his hand exploded, shattering into twenty-seven smaller cubic stones.

They scattered wildly, the small cubic stones like tiny houses inhabited by spirits, floating in mid-air, moving rapidly and irregularly, mixing and reassembling, then separating again, constantly arranging different colors, the color blocks continuously changing.

Jiang Xueming watched this scene, bewildered, and asked Old Lingweng again, "Old sir, what's happening? Did the stones respond to me?"

"Well, they sort of responded," Old Lingweng had a strange expression. "It's just that your situation is a little different, little fellow."

Jiang Xueming: "What do you mean?"

"There have been passengers like you before. The stones really disliked them, they were all people with peculiar tempers," Old Lingweng mimicked the gesture of twisting a Rubik's Cube, his expression strained and exaggerated. "They had to twist the Rubik's Cube bit by bit, very laboriously, until it couldn't be twisted anymore. The stones could only reluctantly push out a few unlucky souls to appease them."

"What's this situation then?" Jiang Xueming looked at the fragments of the Rubik's Cube jumping and dancing in mid-air.

"The good news is, they didn't reject you," Old Lingweng reached out his hand, muttering softly, as if comforting frightened children. "The bad news is, they're very scared. Alright, alright, don't cry, my precious ones."

Jiang Xueming was flustered. "Can I still get my stone? Get that protective item you mentioned? You were supposed to make me a piece of jewelry. How can I ride without jewelry?"

"Don't worry, little fellow."

Old Lingweng reached out his hand and picked out the most stable core from the twenty-seven cubes. The other fragments circled this transparent, colorless stone.

"Very few people can see this stone. There have been arrogant and reckless fools who came and shattered the Rubik's Cube. There were also girls with fiery tempers who, when the little ones didn't listen to her, smashed the Rubik's Cube and obtained this transparent Corundum."

Old Lingweng clapped his hands.

Then, with another "click"--

The six-colored Rubik's Cube returned to its place.

Old Spirit tossed it back into the pile of trinkets, rummaged through its metallic body, and pulled out two broken relics: a pair of thumb rings, each set with a colorless, transparent Corundum. One of the stones was already cracked, the other heavily scarred.

"Who did they originally belong to? I can't quite recall. It seems they belonged to a renowned warrior and his devoted attendant. These were their matching rings."

Old Lingweng held up the pair of thumb rings and blew a fierce flame from its mouth. Thousands of degrees of white fire turned the rings golden. They contorted and reshaped, their size shifting as if struck and reforged by a dozen invisible hammers.

Old Lingweng murmured, beginning the stone-bestowing ceremony.

"Gold is for concubines!"

Under the moonlight, what seemed like solidified moonlight gathered onto the matching rings. The cooled thumb rings now exuded a cool, silvery luster.

"Silver is for jesters!"

Again, Old Spirit's fingers shifted, acting like sharp, precise tools, extracting the two old, damaged Corundum stones.

The brilliance of the stones merged, taking on a rose-bronze hue. Where they coalesced, the once-scarred Corundum became as pristine as new.

"Copper is a trick to fool merchants!"

While the thumb rings still held their warmth--

--Old Spirit re-embedded the two stones.

It finished reciting the final prayer of the ceremony.

"Only steel, cold, hard steel, is the king of metals."

Everything returned to peace.

Old Lingweng held the pair of thick, heavy rings in its hands.

"Little one, these are your personal effects, your talismans of protection."

Xue Ming bent forward, respectfully accepting the gift and taking the matching rings.

Having completed the stone-bestowing ceremony--

--Old Lingweng's body collapsed with a clatter, revealing its soul within.

"One thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven grains of steel, that is your cold, hard soul.

Three hundred and twenty-nine grains of silver, that is your noble, untainted spirit.

One hundred and seventy-seven grains of transparent Corundum, that is your pure, water-like will.

Three hundred and seventeen grains of soil, burned into pure carbon, that is the spirit and flesh you will eventually return to the earth."

Old Lingweng's body shattered, its soul scattering as if returning to its original place.

"A total of two thousand six hundred grains of gravity, one hundred and sixty-eight grams of fate. As rings, do not find them too heavy--for they require two people to bear them for a lifetime--give one of the matching rings to your attendant, and share these two stones with her."

Beneath the monument's statue, only Jiang Xueming's solitary figure remained.

The old trinkets had been moved aside due to Old Spirit's manifestation, revealing an empty space. That space exposed the monument's inscription, dedicated to all passengers.

[I am an emissary of iron and flame, a craftsman who has shared your joys and sorrows. May you become new legends.]

[--φαιστο]