An Unexpected Encounter on the Train

The sky was tinged with a crimson setting sun, the sunset glow staining the horizon red.

By the time Mu Yang and Xis quickened their pace and stepped into the only nearby town with a train station, a full day had already passed.

The town was called Chongshan Town, named for the overlapping peaks and bottomless primeval mountains that surrounded it. It served as the sole transportation hub connecting nearby villages to the outside world, and it was noticeably more prosperous than the villages at the foot of Da Qingshan Mountains. The presence of the train station played a key role in Chongshan Town's development.

Walking along the streets, shops of all kinds lined both sides, with merchants standing at their doorways hawking their wares. It already had a touch of modernity, giving one the feeling of stepping back into the early twentieth century.

Taking advantage of the sun not yet having set, Mu Yang and Xis shouldered their packs and headed toward the train station, then queued up to buy tickets. Soon, Xis had purchased the tickets and handed one of them to Mu Yang.

Long-distance trains heading south only ran once every two days, while trains passing through their "destination" ran once every half month. The nearest train was scheduled to depart the following evening, so Mu Yang and the others had to stay in this town for a day.

"There's still some time before the train departs. We need to find a place to stay first." Xis, who often traveled far from home, led Mu Yang to a small inn near the station and checked them in.

Afterward, he gave clear instructions: "This trip will require us to ride the train for half a month. Since you have free time tomorrow, go buy some daily necessities."

"Alright, I understand."

Mu Yang followed behind Xis. Accustomed to the rustic scenery of the countryside, this town finally gave him a hint of his "past life"—light and fleeting, yet like a world apart. He couldn't say it felt unfamiliar, but there was a sense of novelty.

That night, Mu Yang once again entered the "Acceleration Space" to train, a habit he had developed.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Mu Yang walked alone through the town's streets. Considering he would need to spend half a month on the train, he bought some simple daily necessities.

This was the first time Mu Yang had left Da Qingshan Mountains and come to a town this far away since arriving in the Dragon Ball world. Though the scene before him didn't match the image of hovering airships streaming endlessly through the sky, the power of technology had still brought earth-shaking changes to the town, filling him with a sense of wonder.

After buying everything he needed, Mu Yang walked through Chongshan Town carrying various bags and packages. At that moment, he couldn't help but sigh at how Dr. Briefs, the inventor of Hoi-Poi Capsule technology, was a super genius. No wonder the Hoi-Poi Capsules Company had become the world's largest corporation—because Hoi-Poi Capsules were incredibly convenient for travelers, practically driving an entire era forward.

But for now, Hoi-Poi Capsules were out of the question. Dr. Briefs himself might have only just been born not long ago.

His pristine white martial arts robe fluttered in the wind as Mu Yang walked down the street, occasionally drawing sidelong glances from passersby.

In this era, martial artists were highly respected, but due to poor transportation, few people had actually seen one in person. Even apprentices attracted considerable attention, so when Mu Yang walked through the streets in his martial arts robe, his head-turning rate was extremely high.

Returning to the inn, he packed his bags, and when the time was right, Mu Yang and Xis headed to the train station early. Other travelers around them were also carrying large bags and luggage, all moving with hurried steps, as if afraid of missing the departing train.

Beside the platform, the steam locomotive belched out scalding steam, making the entire platform look hazy and chaotic.

After checking their tickets and boarding the train, they found their compartment. Stowing their luggage on the overhead rack, Mu Yang sat by the window and gazed at the scenery outside.

Their compartment was a large one, capable of holding six people. Besides Mu Yang and Xis, there were two passengers who looked like merchants. After exchanging friendly smiles and greetings with them, Mu Yang began to sit quietly.

"Woo—woo—woo—"

As the steam locomotive sounded its "woo woo" whistle, the heavy train started to move with a rumbling clatter.

The clang-clang of wheels grinding against the rails echoed continuously in his ears, while the scenery on both sides receded backward. To be honest, the steam locomotive wasn't very fast—traveling at seventy or eighty kilometers per hour. If Mu Yang went all out, he could outpace it, but not with the train's ability to run day and night without rest.

Maple Leaf Island was located in a sea area off the southern region, so after the train reached its station, they still needed to take a ferry to get there.

Clack-clack, the steam train crossed mountains and valleys, rolling from plains into hills, and from hills into mountainous terrain.

The sky gradually darkened, and the light of the stars began to peek through the clouds. The train stopped at a few stations along the way before continuing its journey. Before they knew it, ten days had passed.

By this time, the passengers on the bunk opposite Mu Yang had changed. The two merchant-looking travelers had already gotten off, and the new arrivals were a well-dressed young couple. They brought along their two daughters, about five years old, delicate and adorable like carved jade, clearly from a well-off family based on their clothing.

Once, while Mu Yang was sitting quietly in meditation, he suddenly felt a chill on his cheek. Opening his eyes, he saw a little girl with brown hair staring at him with her big, watery eyes, blinking curiously.

"April, don't disturb this big brother while he's training." The speaker was the girl's mother, a young woman with impeccable manners. She cast an apologetic glance at Mu Yang and carried her daughter over.

"Apologize to the big brother!" she said, then turned to Mu Yang. "I'm sorry, this child disturbed you."

"It's fine." Mu Yang smiled and shook his head.

"Big brother, I'm sorry," the brown-haired little girl said, pouting as she glanced at her mother. Then she reached into her pocket, pulled out a candy jar, and took out a few pieces. "Big brother, here are some candies for you. They're really sweet."

Seeing the reluctant look on the little girl's face, Mu Yang let out a soft laugh, shook his head, and didn't accept them.

"It's okay. You keep these candies for yourself."

"Mmm, April loves candies the most." The little girl, April, immediately beamed with joy, her azure-blue eyes showing a delighted expression as she carefully unwrapped a candy and popped it into her mouth.

"Sister... I want some too," April's younger sister, a little girl with golden hair, said in a babyish voice.

"Here you go."

"What a well-behaved little girl..." Watching April personally unwrap a candy and feed it to her sister, Mu Yang chuckled softly.