Da'an North

Baicheng City, Da'an City Jilin Province.

A dusty truck appeared on the grassland, moving forward in the icy wind.

A farm vehicle loaded with sheep drove past. No one noticed that there was an extra sheep on the vehicle, and just as no one noticed that the number of sheep returned to normal as the vehicle entered the city.

Miao Xin transformed rapidly in mid-air, landing gracefully in a military overcoat, and walked forward like an ordinary passerby.

An older woman looked up and glanced at them curiously.

Miao Xin walked forward with unwavering confidence, her movements casual and unhurried, until the older woman could only wonder if she was seeing things.

[So high-profile?] Su Ming was a little surprised; Miss Wraith hadn't even used her interference abilities.

"It's okay to be a little wild in places without cameras," Miao Xin replied.

Faced with something incomprehensible, a person's first instinct is often self-doubt.

Miao Xin looked around and finally bought two jianbing guozi from a breakfast stall. While paying in cash, she asked the stall owner for directions to the Da'an North Locomotive Storage Base.

"You're here to see the motorcycles, right?" The stall owner pointed out the route to Miao Xin, "But that place isn't open to the public."

Every year, it's not uncommon for travelers to come out of curiosity to see the steam locomotives, and the stall owner is already familiar with them.

Thanks!

Miao Xin knew the base wasn't open to the public before she came, and she didn't plan to use the main entrance anyway. She carried her breakfast to a Cainiao Post and picked up a package. Inside was a drone.

Miao Xin randomly found a rooftop, spread out the instruction manual, completed the setup under Su Ming's guidance, and released the drone.

The storage base was not a secret location. Miao Xin flew the drone over from a relatively high position without being noticed; similar situations were commonplace.

In the video, dozens of tracks are arranged radially in the central circular area of the base. Approximately 80 steam locomotives are displayed on them, including the Qianjin Class, as well as the slightly smaller Shangyou Class and Jianshe Class. Only one Qianjin Class locomotive, number 6809, is listed at the back; the rest are meritorious locomotives listed at the front.

Trains such as QJ1820 and QJ1153 participated in the Korean War; QJ1699 participated in the 1998 flood relief efforts; and QJ1043 has transported oversized and overweight equipment on multiple occasions.

The weather had cleared up, and sunlight pierced through the cold wind. Some workers were shoveling snow in the square and hauling it away in trailers.

On both sides of the square, near the outer edge, there are more than 300 diesel locomotives, quietly huddled together. These locomotives are in long-term reserve and can be deployed at any time in the event of a large-scale power outage.

The drone continued flying, Miao Xin quickly located the maintenance workshop, parts warehouse, office building, and other locations of the aircraft depot, marking them on the map.

The base was so large that if she were to search it piece by piece in her ghost form, it would take an unknown amount of time. The drone was much faster, completing the search in less than ten minutes.

Miao Xin retrieved the drone. She found a place to hide the Little Spiky Head, disassembled its fused form, and began a detailed "survey" of the target.

****

Half an hour later, Su Ming received a report from Miao Xin.

The Shenyang Train Exhibition Hall houses the QJ6368 and the renumbered QJ6540. Because it is primarily for display purposes, these two Qianjin Class steam locomotives are in poor condition, with significant damage and missing parts.

The situation is much better at the Da'an North Base.

[I just checked the license plates; only QJ6809 is relatively new at the storage base.] Su Ming read the relevant information. [The rest are all early, used equipment, manufactured in the 1960s or 70s, with an age of over 50 years.]

This model of locomotive, numbered from 1 to 7207, was produced over a period of more than thirty years.

"No, that's not true," Miao Xin corrected. "These are the ones in their best condition, and they're all later models that have undergone multiple improvements."

[oh?]

"Don't look at the numbers on them; those are for visitors," Miao Xin explained. "The actual Hero locomotives, due to long hours of high-load operation, had long since completed their missions. They weren't fit to be displayed here—their fate was to be recycled."

Su Ming felt a little moved, [Indeed, why need thick earth to bury bones?]

[But even though it was in the best possible condition, all the steam boilers were severely corroded.] Miao Xin continued to explain the situation.

"I expected this," Su Ming said. "That's why I'm ordering a new boiler system."

Corrosion is one issue. Technology has advanced, and the old locomotives of the past are still far from meeting Su Ming's needs. Modernization and power upgrades are essential.

As agreed, this matter was arranged by Miao Mu, and the new boiler was expected to be delivered in a week.

He was absolutely certain about it and indicated that there was no need to worry about any costs.

[We can use QJ7167 and QJ7173 as the main components, and combine them with usable parts from the remaining dozen or so locomotives to assemble two complete locomotives.] Miao Xin planned, [There are some replacement consumable parts in the warehouse.]

The two checked the plan and decided to take action that evening.

On the White Triangle, Hansite began clearing out the warehouse, separating the supplies needed for the ice field expedition. Qiluo set up a greenhouse, saying she would let everyone grow vegetables to improve their lives.

Su Ming used CAD to draw a structural diagram, printed it out, and handed it to the scholar who had been transferred to the construction worker position in the lower deck.

A large number of zombies were processing amethyst ore there. In the center of the area was the shape of Zijin skeletal dragon.

"It's such a narrow space." Zijin opened the blueprints and looked at them. "I need to fold it up to hide inside."

The entire building is only 2.8 meters wide, and after deducting the thickness of the side walls, the clear space is only 2.2 meters.

"Can you do it?" Su Ming asked.

"It's possible, but the Bone Dragon will take about ten seconds to transform from its folded form to its battle form."

"This price is worth paying to cover up the volatility."

"Okay."

Su Ming looked up and found that the bone dragon was even larger than the Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil he had seen in the museum when he was a child. Its huge head had eyes with a blue glow, looking down at him and giving him a strong sense of oppression.

If the wings hadn't been integrated into the hull, it would certainly have looked even more imposing and majestic.

A sudden surge of excitement welled up in Su Ming's heart; as someone who was obsessed with large objects, he simply couldn't resist this allure. He stepped forward...

He continued until he reached the base of his ribs. Above his head, the pristine white bone gleamed with a sharp, cold light, prompting him to raise his hand, wanting to touch it.

"Is it alright?" Su Ming suppressed the turmoil in his heart and turned to ask Zijin.

For a fleeting moment, the girl's expression became somewhat out of control. She closed her eyes and waved her hand, indicating that Su Ming could do as he pleased.

Su Ming took a deep breath and reached out to press his hand on it. The skeleton was cold to the touch, with soft lines, yet it had a mechanical feel. He unconsciously released his Magic Power, merging with the bones in front of him.

In this moment, I, so small, resonate with the vast life form.

Behind him, Zijin clutched her chest and rushed forward, kicking him away.

****

When Hansite entered the cabin, he found Su Ming and Zijin arguing.

"I touched the bone dragon, not you." Su Ming rubbed his lower back angrily. "You gave me permission, so why are you taking me down!"

"I'm the one who should be angry!" Zijin's voice was equally loud. "Who told you to use Magic Power to connect? You might as well have just groped my breasts!"

"How can they be the same!" Su Ming retorted, "The Bone Dragon's ribs are much stronger!"

Zijin raised her hand and gave Su Ming a sharp blow to the lower back, causing him to scream in pain.

Qiluo stood to one side, holding a basket of cabbages, with a piece of cabbage stalk still dangling from her mouth.

"Mr. Su, Your Excellency Liya, we haven't prepared enough cold-weather clothing for the icy plains," Hansite reported. "And if we're going to retrieve people from Divine Might Prison, we'll need to prepare enough for those people as well."

Su Ming glanced at his thin autumn/winter clothes and realized the problem. The further north they went, the lower the temperature became.

He checked the nautical chart and discovered that the Triangle had already crossed the Tropic of Cancer.

"Fjord City, a major industrial city on the Eastern Continent," Zijin pointed to a coastal city in the northern part of the Eastern Continent, "Is home to Red Luo, the main trading port of the dwarves, making it easy to obtain resources."

According to the planned route, the White Triangle will pass by a location approximately 400 kilometers outside Red Luo Port.

Red Luo Port primarily engages in trade with the Northern Continent, a trade route that is only about 3,000 kilometers long. Although the trade volume is far less than that of the Western Continent route, the ships are small and numerous. Therefore, the White Triangle would be easily exposed simply by approaching, let alone making purchases at Red Luo Port.

Su Ming summoned Younier. After receiving the task, the junior clerk diligently organized things in the warehouse, adding a thick stack of forms. Although she didn't say a word, the occasional hints of complaint revealed how sloppy Su Ming's previous material management work had been.

Younier now wears a bone bracelet on her wrist, made by Zijin, which allows her to control some zombies for the convenience of her daily work.

The three began to examine the supplies list.

Qiluo asked Hansite listlessly, "Can you cook?"

"I know a little," Hansite replied. Heilou had taught him how to use various kitchen utensils, and he had made breakfast for him.

Do you know how to make shrimp and cabbage?

Hansite's eyes lit up; this guy knew how to eat. "Shrimp?"

"Anytime is fine."

"OK!"

****

It took Su Ming and his two companions two hours to complete the resupply. They placed an urgent order in Qiluo's name with a merchant guild in Fjord City, requesting that a small, separate boat be used to deliver the goods to the Northern Continent, departing from Red Luo Port the next day.

After confirming the detailed goods list and signing the contract remotely, it took several rounds of negotiations between the two parties to complete the formalities.

When they returned to their workshop after finishing their tasks, they found the scene somewhat chaotic, with a pungent, fishy smell in the air. However, it wasn't a major problem; the skeleton servants were already cleaning up.

On the long table, there was only a large, steaming basin, and Hansite and Qiluo were taking rice out of the electric steamer.

He also steamed a basket of fresh sea fish. Since acquiring the unicorn, Su Ming has been upgrading the kitchen facilities to resemble a factory canteen.

"What did you do?" Su Ming asked.

"Shrimp and cabbage, steamed turbot," Qiluo replied, tossing a plate of rice on top onto the table before sitting down and picking up a rice paddle to eat.

"Sorry, I'm not familiar with these devices, I made a mess of them," Hansite apologized.

It doesn't matter.

Su Ming heated oil in a wok, quickly chopped some chili peppers and threw them in, along with some Sichuan peppercorns. After frying until fragrant, he poured the oil directly onto a corner of the steamed fish plate.

"Thank you!" Zijin said, picking up her cutlery as well. Younier had already quickly set everything out.

Su Ming tasted it, and the food today was delicious. Indeed, there's never any need to worry about foodies; Hansite seems to be a hidden talent as well.

He thoughtfully left a large spoonful of shrimp and cabbage on Qiluo's plate, saying, "You've worked hard, eat more."

Qiluo immediately became alert, "What are you going to do?"

"It's just the concern between partners," Su Ming said.

Qiluo didn't believe a word he said, and every time she ate something nice he ordered, she felt incredibly distressed.

"I need you to go on a business trip tomorrow to collect goods from a cargo ship," Zijin explained. "Fly there."

"How far?" Qiluo asked.

"About two hundred kilometers."

This was the agreed-upon method. Of course, the goods ordered this time couldn't actually be delivered to Moon Bay Port on the Northern Continent; their initial plan was to intercept them at sea. The White Triangle couldn't appear rashly; a liaison officer had to go to the cargo ship first and guide it to a relatively remote area.

And for this matter, there is no more suitable candidate than a social butterfly unicorn.

Qiluo considered it for a moment, and it wasn't too far. "It's clearly priced; tonight's supper I want smoked meat!"

The smoked meat was made from leftover pork from the bonfire party on Willow Leaf Island last time; judging by its appearance, the unicorns have already set their sights on it.

"I haven't even tasted it yet." Su Ming smiled. "Deal!"

Historically, before Huo Qubing's expedition against the Xiongnu, he would feed his warhorses with fine grains. So her request was reasonable, Su Ming thought to himself.

****

There was a lot of preparation work to be done for the trip to the ice fields, and everyone's schedule was packed.

Qiluo originally didn't care about growing vegetables or fishing, but she was shocked when she saw Su Ming's supply plan and was forced to reveal her identity as a seasoned traveler.

"Antifreeze, snow blindness goggles, essential medications, altitude sickness medication, atlas, territorial distribution, meteorological and cultural information," Qiluo complained as she frantically pulled out a list. "Have you guys even been to the snowfields? You think just a winter coat is enough!"

"Is it really that troublesome to get there?" Su Ming asked Zijin in a low voice.

"I don't know. Last time I went, it was still in its Bone Dragon Form, and it wasn't winter," the world-class wanted criminal replied. "And I was being chased by the Knights; I was too busy fighting."

He then looked at Hansite.

"When I was there, I spent the entire winter holed up in a cave. Only someone who's had too much time on their hands would venture far away in this season," the old man said. "Even the locals."

Alright, let's listen to the professionals. Su Ming let the unicorn place additional orders with Fjord City on its own, and then he and Zijin went to attend to other matters.

As night fell, Miao Xin, following the pre-arranged plan, first went to the archives room of the sealed base.

There were many blueprints, piled up like mountains. Guided by certain sources, Miao Xin found the blueprints and operation manual for the corresponding modified version of the Qianjin Class steam locomotive, without even causing a big stir.

They even found CDs containing digitized data.

"What's this?" Miao Xin asked.

Su Ming was somewhat familiar with it, but Miao Xin, who was several years older, had never come into contact with it before.

[CD-ROM, I need to find a CD-ROM drive.]

Fortunately, since there were CDs here, there must have been a device to read them. Miao Xin searched through several offices and found one.

Read the disk, download data to the SD card, and transfer it.

Miao Xin then went to the parts warehouse.

Su Ming opened the data and began to check the relevant parameters.

The maximum wheel circumference power of the Qianjin Class steam locomotive was 2192kW, the boiler steam pressure was 1.5Mpa, and the steam temperature was 350 degrees Celsius. Even the latest improved version had an overall efficiency of only about 9%, far lower than the more than 20% of the steam system in ships.

The limited availability of fuel severely restricts the types of power equipment Su Ming can currently choose. And steam locomotives, unfortunately, have long been obsolete on Earth.

As it exists today, this is already the best in the world. As a country that lagged behind in the industrial process, China was the last to mass-produce and use steam locomotives.

Su Ming rubbed his chin, pondering what kind of answer Miao Mu would give.