Chapter 11: Lundun

Night fell, and the street lamps along the road were lit one by one by the lamplighter.

After selling the horses, Su Qing and Selinna walked straight into Lundun train station.

Dayingguo to Xiongli is far, over two thousand kilometers in a straight line, and the key is that there is a sea in between; riding a horse certainly couldn't get there, so Selinna had already planned it.

First go to Lundun by train, reach the border of Dayingguo, then take a boat, and finally it's a mix of train and horse riding.

Actually Lundun has the Taiwushi river; river transport at this time was quite developed, so one could first take a boat.

But in this era, taking a boat isn't as efficient as later times; you can't just buy a ticket and sail the same day, and even if you get a ticket, departure is several days later.

But Selinna was eager to verify what Su Qing said; she had no mood to wait.

So taking the train was the only option.

As for airborne vehicles and such, they were completely out of consideration—not because they were unaffordable, but because she cherished her own life.

Regarding her plan, Su Qing had no objection.

Before crossing over, he never went abroad; even going out to the city he could get lost, let alone now being 1911, still unfamiliar with the West.

If Su Qing were to lead the way, half a year later the two would be riding camels in the Sahala desert, which would make perfect sense.

"Sir, these are your and your lady's tickets; as you requested, this train departs at seven tonight." The ticket clerk flatteringly handed over the train tickets.

Because of the time, he had originally planned to knock off work, but this gentleman gave too much; he couldn't refuse and decided to work overtime. Although the other party was a lowly yellow‑skinned person from the Eastern Country, as someone who had struggled in society for over a decade, he deeply understood one principle: no matter who you are, if you have money you're the big boss!

Su Qing calmly took it, didn't correct the ticket clerk's mistake, then reached into his pocket and tossed out a pound.

Selinna remained completely calm throughout; as a martial‑arts wanderer, plus the washing of hundreds of years, she regarded forms of address lightly.

"Thank you, sir and lady, take care." The ticket clerk happily took the pound, seeing them off with a respectful send‑off as they walked away.

Leaving the ticket hall, the two didn't linger; now that the main business was done, they needed to find lodging.

After evening, Lundun's crowds never ceased; walking down the street, men would occasionally cast envious glances.

Yes, envious.

Selinna was extremely beautiful, with delicate features and outstanding temperament; wearing a windbreaker, she walked with a heroic vigor, though her gaze was indifferent and her expression unchanged.

But this also added a touch of cool beauty, making her even more attractive.

Walking alongside such a cool beauty, it's hard not to draw passersby's attention.

"How about you wear a veil?" Su Qing frowned from being stared at, and couldn't help but turn his head to suggest.

Hearing this, Selinna turned her head to glance at Su Qing, said nothing, but from her eyes Su Qing could see she was also annoyed by the stares.

"All right, I know; just ahead there's a hat shop." Su Qing understood, and led Selinna toward a ladies' hat shop ahead.

"Sir, madam, may I help you with anything?"

Just as the two reached the doorway, the shop owner immediately came forward to greet them.

Before Su Qing and Selinna even reached the door, she noticed and, relying on years of experience reading people, instantly realized they weren't a married couple, which is why she didn't get the address wrong.

"Buy a hat with a veil." Su Qing indicated Selinna with his gaze and replied.

"All right, lady, this way please."

After a series of selections, Su Qing spent fifteen pounds.

And Selinna gained a veil‑ed birdcage hat on her head, a matching coat on her body, and a mysterious bundle in her arms.

What was inside the bundle, Su Qing, being tactful, didn't ask further, focusing on being a ruthless payment machine.

As for why he was paying, it wasn't that Selinna couldn't pay herself.

The main reason was that Selinna had no money left.

Selinna had spent all her money traveling from Xiongli to Dayingguo; if Su Qing hadn't looted the mine last night, they wouldn't even have had money for an inn, let alone train tickets.

"Consider it a loan; I'll repay you double when we reach Budapes." Selinna hesitated a moment, then volunteered.

"No need; this money already includes your share."

Su Qing shook his head; if Selinna hadn't knocked out all the guards, he wouldn't have had the chance to loot the mine, so according to the split‑the‑loot rule, she not only deserves a share but ought to take the lion's share.

Selinna glanced at him and didn't continue the topic with Su Qing.

However, looking at her expression, she obviously hadn't changed her mind.

As for that, Su Qing also had nothing to say.

Well, just repay it then.

Anyway, looking at movies, vampires are all filthy rich; a few pounds to them is nothing but the tip of a hair on nine oxen.

"Let's go; first find an inn to stay in."

Su Qing glanced at the sky, then reached out to hail an oncoming carriage.

Once the two were seated in the carriage, the coachman asked, "Sir, madam, where to?"

Su Qing thought, then said, "Take us to an inn not too far nor too close to the train station, with a good environment and tasty food; price is no issue."

The coachman nodded without a word, then flicked his whip to set the horse moving.

The carriage weaved through Lundun's streets; towering buildings, double‑decker buses flashing by, and streetcar tracks on the ground made Su Qing sigh involuntarily—indeed, it was no wonder it had once been the Western hegemon.

They went on like that for over ten minutes.

"Sir, madam, we've arrived." The carriage stopped steadily in front of an inn: "Violet Hotel, the best‑situated place nearby, and not far from the train station—just a ten‑minute walk."

"Not bad." Looking at the antiquated, elegant doorway, Su Qing nodded in satisfaction, got out of the carriage with Selinna, paid the fare, and entered the hotel.

"Welcome, sir and lady." The hotel owner, seeing the guests, immediately smiled.

"Give us one room each." Su Qing thought, then added, "Also prepare some food to send to our rooms."

"All right."

The owner nodded in response, immediately arranged the two rooms, and then sent the food to their rooms.

Of course.

Selinna, being a vampire, cannot eat human food; if she forces herself to eat it, her body will suffer severe side effects.

So, her share naturally went into Su Qing's stomach.

As for whether Selinna would go hungry, Su Qing didn't really care.

According to his knowledge, vampires in the night world do not have a strong demand for blood; one sucking is enough, and as long as they don't heavily use their self-healing ability against strong foes, they can almost go a month without eating again.

After finishing two dinners, Su Qing noticed he was still wearing the mine's outfit, thinking of going out tomorrow morning to shop for new gear.

But considering his situation, he still intended to first report to Selinna.

Actually, it was just to tell her that I wasn't fleeing out of guilt; I was just going out to buy things, so she could rest assured.

"Thump thump thump…" Su Qing knocked on the door.

It was the first time he knocked on the movie heroine's door, and he really felt a little nervous.

"Click…"

Naturally, the one who opened the door was Selinna; she had taken off her coat, revealing the impressive figure that had been hidden, and with her pure, delicate face, she was extremely tempting.

Fortunately, Su Qing's mind was elsewhere; he merely glanced and then looked away.

Selinna's eyes flickered, and she calmly asked, "What's the matter?"

Su Qing immediately stated his purpose, and Selinna, without thinking, agreed—whether she truly believed him or was confident he couldn't escape her grasp.

"In that case, I'll head back first."

He nodded, and Su Qing, without the slightest reluctance, turned and left.

He is now on the verge of death; where would he have the leisure to think about lustful matters?

With such thoughts and time, he might as well return to his room to rest properly and recuperate.

"Health tip number one: normal diet, balancing meat and vegetables."

"Health tip number two: abstain from lust."

"Health tip number three: go to bed early and rise early, don't stay up late."

After returning to his room, Su Qing climbed onto bed, silently reciting the three health tips, and gradually drifted into sleep.