Star Railway: The Pioneer's Journey

Chapter 48 The Past 3 Years Ago

Discussing whether Rei is good or bad with Bronya is indeed pointless, but it's true that Rei hasn't suffered much hardship since his birth, except when he was fighting in wars.

It wouldn't be appropriate for a poor child to come crying and making a fuss just because of an arrest warrant, right?

"Never mind, let's not talk about what happened to Lie for now. Miss, do you know about star cores?"

"Star core?"

Bronya hadn't yet recovered from the argument.

Upon hearing unfamiliar words, one only has time to make a puzzled expression.

Bronya proved with her facial expressions that she truly did not know about the Star Core.

It seems the Great Guardian didn't tell her about this.

It's better that she didn't say anything. If Bronya also believed what Star Core said, then Yunzhi wouldn't need to try to persuade her anymore.

Dan Heng kindly explained to her, "The star core is the culprit behind the cold wave."

Bronya shook her head: "I have never seen it in any documents or historical records."

"Perhaps it's just been hidden away—but if that's the case, the past of you city builders is probably quite interesting."

Yunzhi couldn't help but laugh.

The reason for hiding information about the star core is twofold: firstly, to prevent ordinary people from coming into contact with it and causing irreparable damage... Of course, their team has a star core carrier, and it is very stable.

Secondly, it's hard to say how this star core was activated.

Bronya was ridiculed time and time again, but even with her great temper, she found it difficult to explode.

They're too well-mannered to utter a curse. Even the fiercest words they could say were nothing more than, "I will represent the will of the city builders and shove a gun up your nose."

In fact, Yunzhi didn't think much of the city builders.

"You seem to have a strong prejudice against the City Builders as well." Bronya frowned, carefully observing Yunzhi's expression. "You don't like the City Builders."

There's no need to hide it, especially in a place like this.

"My hometown has dealt with some city builders, those people..." Yun Zhi sneered, "Do they think the Alliance is like your Yalilo-6, something that can be lost in space and can't be found?"

Dan Heng knew a little about this. The main deity of the Immortal Boat Alliance was the Emperor Bow Master [Hunter] Lan, but a considerable number of people also worshipped the [Guardian] Kripper, who was known as the "Heaven-Mending Master".

There were not many of them, and it seemed that no one had heard of them causing trouble. The builders had also had contact with them.

During the time she worked at the company, Danheng got to know them fairly well.

—How should I put it? They're a bunch of stubborn guys. Although they've proven themselves right many times, I have to admit that no matter who they're collaborating with, they're quite unpleasant to talk to at first.

Small places are one thing, but a top-tier power like the Immortal Boat Alliance wouldn't tolerate them.

As for Yunzhi, the city builders' suggestions had merit, but their plans were completely unacceptable.

He had seen it before when he returned to Xianzhou.

The first thing to do is to surround all the immortal ships with walls... no, not walls, the city builders suggested putting a dome over the immortal ships, so that not even sunlight can get in.

Well, the external threats probably can't get in, and the people inside probably can't get out either. If something goes wrong inside the immortal ship, those "walls" will be the most indestructible enemy preventing them from escaping.

What if another planet comes to life? Could a wall built by Cripper himself really stop a falling planet?

Wait, why did his first thought be that the Immortal Ship would fall into chaos from within?

The adjutant of the Divine Emperor of the Immortal Boat Temple was deep in thought at this moment.

The worry about the fairy boat somewhat outweighed the hesitation about the current situation.

Has it really been too long since you went back to visit?

Yunzhi fell silent.

Bronya watched helplessly as the person in front of her drifted off into a daze, unsure whether she should interrupt his absent-mindedness.

Seeing that Yun Zhi remained silent, Dan Heng sighed and could only speak for him: "Do you really think what you're doing is right?"

He pointed to the few patients in the clinic: "You see there aren't many people here. That's because Dr. Natasha and 'Earthfire' didn't want to make things difficult for you, so they temporarily moved the patients to another place. Besides, because the Silvermane Iron Guards were withdrawn, countless people died in the devouring of the Rift."

What's your take on this?

Dan Heng imitated Yun Zhi's tone, and although he lacked a bit of imposing manner, it was enough to confuse Bronya's thoughts.

"I...I don't know..." Bronya lowered her head. "I've always felt that the actions of the High Guardian and the Silvermane Iron Guards are a bit abnormal, but the High Guardian has never told me. The reason for the withdrawal of the Silvermane Iron Guards from the lower districts is that the battle on the upper level is intense and the activities of the rift have intensified. If the battle line on the ground cannot be held, the underground will collapse due to lack of resources—that's how the High Guardian explained it to me."

That's certainly a good reason; the saying "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" is true.

Dan Heng didn't know where the loophole was either.

At this moment, Yunzhi suddenly spoke up: "Let's skip this matter. Cocolia probably really thinks that way."

"Our focus is on the star core."

"I have never heard of a star core, but if this is indeed the origin of the disaster, then I think if I report this to the Guardian, she will definitely take action."

Bronya still has great faith in the High Guardian.

That was not only the Great Guardian, but also her mother.

"Let's not get our hopes up too high. I'm still not sure if she's actually communicated with the Star Core." Yun Zhi stood up, indicating that the conversation was over. "I'm going to see Schwarz in a bit. You should come with me. He should know about the Star Core."

Moreover, the "variable" had already been shown to him last time, and the Star God's data always managed to sway him.

Bronya didn't say anything more.

Danheng went to tell March 7th and Xing that they needed to prepare for the next step.

The two girls seemed to get along very well with Seele.

Dan Heng turned back and walked up to Yun Zhi: "Just now, you seemed to be deliberately avoiding the question of the Silver Mane Iron Guards' withdrawal from the lower district?"

"Ah, you noticed." Yunzhi shifted his gaze elsewhere. "I can't really say what it is, but I suddenly feel that even if the Star Core didn't bewitch the Great Guardian, I don't think I'm qualified to make any judgments about it."

In Yunzhi's eyes, it seemed as if a memory filled with blood and war flashed by.

"How so?" Danheng was still puzzled.

Yun opened his mouth: "I think you should know about the Fengrao War thirty years ago."

I do know about it. It's not exactly a household name, but Xianzhou is Danheng's hometown after all, so I should at least have some understanding of this brutal war.

Dan Heng nodded.

"Thirty years ago, Yaoqing and Fanghu were attacked by the Fengrao People's Alliance Army at the same time. Yaoqing's Immortal Ship was his hometown, and he was strong enough to fight back. However, Fanghu's Immortal Ship was defeated in the great battle. At that time, I was with him, who was countless light-years away, and I was too late to provide support."

"Therefore, when Fanghu sent him a distress signal, he did not hesitate to shoot a light arrow toward the source of the signal."

Yun Zhi took a deep breath and turned to look out the window: "I once told the Marshal that if we were to ask him to take action, we should at least make our own troops retreat. Even if the Feng Rao monsters think we are cowards or deserters, they won't be smug for long anyway."

Danheng recalled the story that followed: "However, because of the divine power of the Emperor's Bow and Arrow, it did indeed tear apart more than just the Bountiful Alliance."

It also affected a large number of Cloud Cavalry and Flying Warriors, and even the troops in the rear suffered almost devastating blows.

"I was puzzled when I first learned about this, but after I left Lan's side and inquired through other channels, I realized how naive I was at the time."

Yun Zhi still feels somewhat helpless when he talks about this: "Fanghu suffered a terrible defeat. The Fengrao Allied Forces had already invaded the cave heaven. Even the Dragon Lord Huyuan was seriously injured and unable to move while trying to stop the activated planet. If the Yunqi Army had retreated at that time, the Fengrao Allied Forces would have been able to advance unimpeded. And how many people were left on Fanghu?"

If that happens, it would be better to just give the Fanghu to the Fengrao Allied Forces and then detonate it, just like Daiyu did.

But this is not the point.

"Danheng, tell me, are there people on this immortal ship who hate the Emperor's Bow as much as the people in the lower realms hate the Great Guardian?"

Dan Heng fell silent.

It's really hard to say.

They didn't die at the hands of the enemy, but were caught in the crossfire of the Emperor's Bow and Arrow and died. What do their families think?

"So, to avoid getting blown back at myself, I'd better avoid talking about these things."

What the High Warden thinks is her business. If they were more knowledgeable, they might be able to use this story to refute his assessment of the Silvermane Iron Guard's withdrawal from the Lower District.

Therefore, their primary focus is still the Star Core; they can ignore the orders of the Great Guardian.