As the train thundered past Heyang County and crossed the Linyi Yellow River Bridge, the masked man's shouting grew increasingly unrestrained.
"Wow, a bridge! What an enormous bridge! What an incredible bridge! The divine bridge bestowed by Dao Xuan Tianzun, I've finally seen it! Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha! This trip was absolutely worth it! I want to get off! I want to get off and play on the bridge!"
The moment Shi Kefa heard that, a deeply embarrassing memory from his own past surfaced.
He covered his face with one hand.
The train swept across the massive bridge and soon slowed to a stop at Sunji Town Station, located right at the bridgehead.
The masked man sprang to his feet, clearly intending to jump off immediately.
One of his guards hastily grabbed him. "My lord, you cannot disembark. This is a very small station, and the stop is only five minutes long. If you go strolling on the bridge, you will not make it back in time."
The masked man gasped. "What? Can I not just take the next train?"
The guard lowered his voice. "There is only one train per day, my lord. The next one will not arrive in Sunji Town until this time tomorrow. If you delay a full day, you will miss the maiden voyage of the new ship and will not make it to Nanjing."
The masked man visibly deflated.
Though his face was hidden behind black cloth, his slumped shoulders conveyed pure disappointment. He collapsed back into his seat with a heavy thud.
"Why is there only one train a day?" he complained bitterly. "That is absurd! Increase the schedule! Make it ten trips a day!"
The guard smiled helplessly and tried to placate him. "My lord, the trains are not fast enough yet. Even managing one round trip per day already stretches the system."
The masked man snorted. "Then throw money at it! Fund research! Just improve the steam engine efficiency. Is that not simple? What is his name, go tell Young Master Bai. Ask him how much research funding he needs. I will pay!"
The guard leaned in even closer. "Hush. Shi Kefa is watching."
The masked man immediately shut his mouth.
Shi Kefa had not heard the last part, only the earlier remarks. He found them strangely amusing. He had initially suspected this man was some sort of criminal, but now it seemed more likely that he was merely a naive scion of wealth, perhaps a rich heir from a family with mines, venturing outside for the first time and utterly overwhelmed by the world.
Still, despite being wealthy, the masked man did not seem particularly young. How could someone his age remain so unworldly? Normally, children of great families traveled extensively with elders from an early age.
Questions swirled in Shi Kefa's mind.
In the end, since the man did not seem criminal after all, Shi Kefa lost interest in watching him and returned to his book on Management Science.
The great train continued its whistling journey, and before long, Puzhou came into view.
"Puzhou!" the masked man shouted excitedly as scenery flashed by. "The heart of the realm! I must see it!"
"My lord," the guard said, "this is a major station. The train will stop for half an hour. If you hurry, you can explore the area around the station."
"Hahaha! Then what are we waiting for?"
The masked man leapt off the train and vanished in a blink.
Shi Kefa shook his head with a smile.
Half an hour later, the masked man returned just in time, accompanied by his guards, all of them loaded down with purchases. The masked man himself clutched a wooden puppet from Xiaoyi, while his guards carried bags and bundles stacked high.
It was obvious he had gone on a shopping spree.
Shi Kefa could not help but comment, "Buying things at a train station costs dearly. An item worth two taels elsewhere might sell for five here."
The masked man turned in surprise. "Oh? Is that so?"
The guards nodded. "Yes, my lord. You overpaid."
The masked man frowned. "Then why did no one tell me?"
The guards replied honestly, "Your subordinates did not wish to ruin your enjoyment."
The masked man froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"You are right! Why argue over prices when it ruins the mood?" He waved his hand grandly. "Consider the extra silver as simply purchasing happiness."
Shi Kefa gave him a thumbs up. "Magnanimous."
The masked man laughed even louder. "I hate it when people praise me. I really do not like, cough, cough."
He had spoken too quickly and nearly blurted out a familiar phrase. Startled, he forcefully stopped himself.
Shi Kefa blinked. "???"
For some reason, Shi Kefa found himself growing fond of this strange masked man. Traveling alone was dull, and having such an entertaining companion made the journey far more pleasant.
The two chatted intermittently all the way to Hedong City, the end of the railway line.
Beyond that point, the railway was still under construction, so they transferred to a solar powered bus. With the two of them and their personal guards aboard, the large bus, meant to carry dozens, was completely filled, effectively becoming their private vehicle.
Seeing how long they had traveled together, Shi Kefa felt inclined to befriend him. "May I ask your esteemed name, my friend?"
The masked man replied proudly, "I am Zhu Piaoling, known in the martial world as the Wandering Swordsman of the Four Seas."
"The martial world?" Shi Kefa mused. "Have you truly roamed it? I cannot help feeling this is your first time traveling far from home."
Zhu Piaoling fell silent.
He cursed inwardly. As expected of the Judicial Commissioner, those eyes were terrifying.
He laughed awkwardly. "To walk the martial world, one must first learn to boast. Though this is indeed my first journey away from home, my boasting skills have already reached full mastery."
Shi Kefa laughed heartily. "Hahaha! I understand. So that title is self bestowed, Brother Zhu. Still, it is a fine name. What man does not dream of upholding justice and chivalry? Unfortunately, most of us are shackled by worldly affairs and cannot leave so freely. I truly admire your courage in stepping out."
Zhu Piaoling beamed. "You think I should step out? That is wonderful!"
Suddenly, the guard interrupted, "My lord, we are approaching another bridge, the Xiaolangdi Yellow River Bridge."
"A great bridge!" Zhu Piaoling instantly abandoned the conversation and rushed to the window, plastering himself against the glass like a lizard. "Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent! I want to get off. Let me onto the bridge!"
"Do not rush," the guard said gently. "Once we cross, we will arrive at Xiaolangdi Station. You will have time to play then."
Zhu Piaoling laughed uproariously. "Excellent! Truly excellent!"
As promised, once the bus came to a full stop at Xiaolangdi Station, Zhu Piaoling leapt out immediately. He sprinted onto the southern bridgehead, spread his arms wide, and ran wildly toward the northern end.
Shi Kefa stepped off the bus, laughing as he shouted, "Do not do that! You will end up on Gaojia News!"
Zhu Piaoling laughed even louder. "I am not afraid! With my perfect disguise, no one will know who I am. Why would I fear Gaojia News?"
Shi Kefa froze. "!!!"
So Zhu Piaoling was clearly an alias.
This man had a story.
Shi Kefa considered briefly. If he dispatched the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he might uncover something astonishing. However, this man seemed harmless, almost innocent. Digging into his secrets would be unkind.
Forget it. No need to invite trouble.
He waved toward Zhu Piaoling's retreating figure, then turned and headed for the military docks of the Xiaolangdi naval base.
Dao Xuan Tianzun had instructed him to transfer there, to a new ship bound for Anqing.