Chapter 131: Night Has Fallen

Chen Qi exhaled, a sense of realization dawning on him: the entire train was caught in the web of the Witch of Cocoons.

According to the conductor, Zhi, they had surveyed the Abyssal White Mist, and at that time, there had been no spider swarms! But if the surveyors themselves were merely puppets created by the Witch of Cocoons, they could never have reported the true state of affairs.

Could it be that the spider swarm attack was orchestrated by the Witch of Cocoons herself? This witch did not even spare the very place she resided in. Chen Qi cradled his face in his hands, his fingers twitching; he knew too much.

[You glance slowly toward the carriage door, realizing that the secrets you now hold will inevitably attract terrifying entities. Yet, these very secrets might just help you evade some of the dangers to come.]

[You realize this carriage is no longer safe. Without hesitation, you drag the Right-Eyed Detective out of the cabinet and flee the dangerous surgical carriage!]

Chen Qi clicks on his skill bar, releasing a white dove to monitor the surroundings.

[Rapidly exiting the carriage...]

[The Right-Eyed Detective tells you that he is currently a wanted man. With monsters hunting him, he must avoid crowded carriages at all costs.]

[Advancing...]

[You find a relatively safe place to continue your discussion.]

[You heave a long sigh. The Right-Eyed Detective reveals that the story of the "Train Physician" you heard from the passengers is no mere tale. That physician was once granted the title of "Witch" in the 8th District of the New Capital and was formerly the finest doctor at the Black River Prison. Unlike the weak Witch of Flowers, this Witch of Cocoons is a truly terrifying monster. Even now, her strength would surely rank among the top three of all witches.]

[The Right-Eyed Detective looks up at the ceiling, his brow furrowed. He apologizes, but he suspects that you, like him, are now a dead man walking.]

A dead man walking... Chen Qi exhaled. It seemed the Witch of Cocoons had kept her plans hidden from everyone. For some unknown purpose, she intended to let the Furnace Spiders destroy the entire train. There was no doubt that the Right-Eyed Detective had been marked, which might only accelerate the witch's agenda.

Chen Qi pondered for a moment, then looked at the text below.

[The Right-Eyed Detective hesitates for a moment before speaking slowly. He believes that if he can reach the conductor and share the information he has gathered, he might still be saved. On this train, the conductor and his crew possess immense power—they are among the few capable of suppressing the Train Physician.]

[The Right-Eyed Detective explains that before coming aboard, he had investigated the identity of the Weaver Train’s conductor. This is a craftsman who views the train as his own life; it is his life's masterpiece. He would never permit anyone to destroy it, and clearly, the actions of the Train Physician are doing exactly that.]

The conductor... Chen Qi mused. Based on the intelligence gathered, if this was true, he needed to get this information out. At the same time, he had to ensure his own safety and avoid being targeted by the Train Physician. He shook his head; his situation was perilous, much like a fisherman caught in a gale.

[The train's intercom crackles: "Attention passengers, based on current observations, daylight will extinguish in 10 seconds. At that time, most conductors will enter a resting state. Please ensure your safety and beware of the Furnace Spider swarms!"]

Ten seconds until daylight ends... Chen Qi took a breath; he had to accelerate his actions.

[Bang! Bang!]

[A massive sound erupts. You faintly hear noises from above the carriage; Furnace Spiders are crawling over the train, constantly attacking its outer shell!]

[The Right-Eyed Detective shakes his head, telling you that now that the cocoons' seals have been broken, the enemy will inevitably find him!]

Chen Qi exhaled. His best option now was to reach the conductor's carriage, but he had to avoid being discovered by the Train Physician along the way.

A line of scarlet text flashes!

[The Right-Eyed Detective's face suddenly turns grim. You hear the sound of dogs barking in the distance! You look at him, and see his hands trembling.]

[The Right-Eyed Detective sighs. He has made it this far not just through luck, but through perception far beyond that of ordinary men! He can now sense the Train Physician approaching; the enemy has locked onto him!]

As this text appears, the entire screen turns a deep crimson, and white silk threads begin to spread from the edges! Chen Qi exhales as the text continues to scroll! The situation is dire!

[The Right-Eyed Detective pulls away from you, turning back to say that you both share the same secrets, but for now, he is the one being hunted.]

[His speed cannot match the Train Physician's, and his tools for masking his spiritual aura are exhausted!]

[He must make his status as a "dead man" useful. The Right-Eyed Detective adjusts his hat: "Being discovered is only a matter of time. They will intercept me; I can no longer deliver this intelligence to the conductor. If you have not been spotted, please tell the conductor: there is a mad witch aboard his train. May your trail remain hidden."]

[You two cannot stay together. If you do, he will implicate you and ensure that yet another person who knows the secret is lost! The Right-Eyed Detective takes a deep breath, leaves your side, and moves to draw the Train Physician away!]

[The Right-Eyed Detective hands you some intelligence files.]

[You have obtained the Right-Eyed Detective's files.]

["Farewell, chance-met herbalist." The Right-Eyed Detective slashes his own face, using the pain to stimulate his spirit, gritting his teeth as he rushes away.]

This... Chen Qi exhaled. He knew too much; if discovered, the Train Physician would never let him live.

Chen Qi thought for a moment: should he return to the safe carriage, or push on to the conductor? He had to find a way to reach a more crowded carriage without being detected. There was no time to hesitate. On this train, the danger was escalating rapidly!

Chen Qi clicks on the map and heads toward the Forging Carriage.

[Daylight has extinguished.]

The text dims.

[Bang! Bang! As the daylight fades, the Furnace Spiders launch their assault, and the entire train begins to sway!]

[Even from a distance, you can hear the sounds of battle!]

[You move quickly, aided by your Black Rain Boots...]

Suddenly, a bright white line of text appears.

["Greetings, guest. Have you not returned to the safe carriage yet?" Ahead of you, the conductor Zhi adjusts his hat.]

Zhi... Chen Qi’s heart skips a beat. He vaguely remembers that the conductors were supposed to be resting at night... By all logic, a conductor should not be appearing before him. Who is this conductor, Zhi?

[Conductor Zhi looks at you, offering a gentle smile: "Do not worry, guest. On this train, only some of the staff rest; tonight is my shift. You seem to be sweating—is there anything you need help with? Anything you wish to tell me?"]

Something is wrong... Chen Qi checks his panel. It is still a mess of question marks... On the map, he is in a sparsely populated carriage. Nearby are the common carriages where people are fighting the spiders, and his own safe carriage. His heart racing, Chen Qi steadies his nerves and reads the next line.

["Nothing, just wanted to see if I could kill a spider." You wave your hand and start walking toward the safe carriage.]

["Is that so, guest? Would you like a check-up? Tonight, everyone can receive a free surgery..."]

Chen Qi grinds his teeth. Trouble! He had been marked after all!

[Behind you, Conductor Zhi reveals a row of sharp, crimson teeth. His chest turns fiery red, and steam erupts from his body! "Night Watcher, my master senses your uniqueness. Please stop your steps; my master wants you tonight..."]

[You feel the scorching power of a mechanical puppet radiating from him!]

Chen Qi exhales; this is a terrifying mechanical puppet.

A line of scarlet text flashes!

[You have been marked by a puppet intricately woven by the Witch of Cocoons!]

[Conductor Zhi spews high-temperature flames from his mouth.]

Chen Qi clicks on the skill bar and activates his agility skill.

[Light Leap!]

[Wind gathers behind you, and in an instant, you execute a massive dash!]

[The mechanical puppet’s legs hiss with steam as he pursues, but his speed is not fast enough!]

[You look back, realizing there is an ambush ahead!]

[You arrive before a common carriage!]

[In the carriage, you see a group of people fighting Furnace Spiders!]

[As you dash past, you look at them...]

[One of them has a vacant expression, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle, and he suddenly swings an axe at you. "Hey, Anka, where are you swinging that weapon! Have you gone mad?" someone roars.]

[You shout a brief warning about the puppet to the group and take a step to dodge the blow!]

[Explosive arrows are fired from behind you!]

[Your Shadow Soul emerges from your hand and hurls the explosive arrows back!]

[BOOM!]

[You press on...]

[You hear the agonizing screams of the people behind you; the terrifying mechanical puppet attacked them while they were distracted by the spiders!]

[As you pass through another carriage, you see people beginning to attack one another, incited by the puppet!]

[The entire Weaver Train has descended into total chaos!]

Chen Qi ponders and heads toward the safe carriage.

[You can feel that in the dark, the Weaver Train is in utter disarray! While being attacked by external spider swarms, the train is also being assaulted by terrifying fake puppets!]

[You move rapidly.]

[You press the button on your key and enter the safe carriage...]

[You look back. Conductor Zhi’s mechanical puppet is covered in blood, his crimson eyes locked on you. He wipes the blood from his mouth and stops: "Unlock the door's barrier. Do not run; my master can grant you a brand-new body."]

[Standing inside the safe carriage, you look out and see that the puppet fears the forbidden runes inscribed upon the cabin!]

Chen Qi exhales; it seems these puppets are afraid of the runes and dare not enter easily. However, in the next instant, two lines of scarlet text appear!

[The mechanical puppet’s joints creak as he speaks again: "Give up the resistance. Tonight you shall be reborn. These forbidden runes are not impossible for me to undo. Let me in!"]

[The mechanical puppet’s hands glow with runes, and he begins to chant a spell. Under your Spirit Vision, you see the forbidden runes slowly beginning to dissolve!]

[You look behind you and hear the sounds of monsters approaching from that direction as well.]

[Bang, bang, bang! The sound of Furnace Spiders attacking the roof intensifies.]

Are there enemies in front, behind, and above? Caught in a pincer move—this really leaves no way out... Chen Qi ponders. If he stays in this carriage, he will die sooner or later. A monster whose level he cannot even view is trying to dismantle the protective runes. He only has one choice left... Use the runes before the puppet can undo them. If he wants to come in, let him in!

Chen Qi clicks the skill panel and uses "Captor’s Chain"!

[You hand your long blade to the Shadow Soul. A pitch-black chain erupts from your hand, controlled by your spiritual power like a terrifying black serpent!]

Chen Qi takes a deep breath and clicks the "Bind" skill. The speed of the binding is lightning-fast; once it hits, it can seal the enemy's spiritual power for 10 seconds.

[You activate the "Bind" skill of the Captor’s Chain! The chain strikes like a bolt of lightning toward the mechanical puppet!]

[The mechanical puppet, in the middle of dissolving the runes, tries to retreat, but his speed is no match for the binding!]

[The chain binds the puppet! The mechanical puppet before you falls into a state of spiritual seal!]

Well done! Chen Qi watches the text.

[A scarlet flash crosses your eyes as you pull with all your might: "You want to come in! Monster! Then come in!"]

[You tense your muscles and yank the terrifying mechanical puppet into the carriage!]

[Squelch! The moment the puppet touches the runes, they transform into scorching white flames, burning incessantly!]

[You hear the puppet let out a shrill, whistle-like howl, venting massive amounts of steam as he attempts to flee!]

[You take the long blade from your Shadow Soul, raising it in a sweeping motion, and black fire erupts from the blade!]

[Funeral of Black Fire! You slash from the left with the black-flamed blade, cutting off the puppet's escape!]

[BOOM! The mechanical puppet’s sturdy frame shatters, and the black fire slams him against the wall, where the white fire continues to burn!]

Chen Qi watches the text.

[The mechanical puppet’s parts fly off, and after a brief wail, he is consumed by the scorching white fire!]

[The puppet’s body begins to char, turning into piles of ash.]

[You grip your blade and stare at the ashes.]

[The monster is dead.]

[You calm your mind. You can hear the distant wails; in this dark night, the chaos across the Weaver Train continues to expand!]

Chen Qi exhales. Just then, the train's intercom sounds once more.