Chapter 7: I Am Not a Kidnapper

Clank, clank.

After the Eternal Night, this was the first time Jiang City had heard the sound of a rail vehicle.

The monstrous noise naturally drew the curiosity of survivors who had been hiding at home along the railway line; a few glances came their way, all astonished at the massive train in motion.

Chen Sixuan wolfed down the bread, then drank more than half a bottle of water, only then feeling herself return from the brink of death, her body no longer shivering with cold.

She fell silent for a while, feeling the train slowly advance, a hollow sense of survival washing over her.

Coming to her senses, Chen Sixuan began to survey the steel carriage that gave her such profound security—the windows were welded shut with thick steel plates, leaving only narrow grilles through which the outside scenery rolled backward.

All original passenger seats had been removed and replaced with a living area: ground mats and a tent lay on the floor, most space left empty to store supplies, along with the carriage’s original restroom.

Though cramped and messy, it offered a complete, comfortable, and secure feeling.

Chen Sixuan looked back and saw Car 2 was completely empty, filled with unidentified supplies packed in waterproof bags—then her lips parted in sudden shock.

For she saw a girl, bound at hands and feet, lying in the corner of Car 2, eyes closed, alive or dead unknown.

Chen Sixuan gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth, unsure what was happening—could Lin Xian have kidnapped this woman?

But she couldn’t fathom it—what value was there in kidnapping a girl in this world?

Could it be…

Chen Sixuan was lost in wild speculation, unaware that Lin Xian had already entered the carriage.

“Chen Laoshi.”

“Ah!” Startled by the voice, Chen Sixuan spun around in alarm, only to see Lin Xian’s calm expression.

“Feeling better?”

“Who… who is she?” Chen Sixuan asked cautiously, her mind still uneasy.

Lin Xian glanced toward Car 2. “I don’t know who she is. She suddenly appeared at my door and begged me to save her—then she collapsed and never woke up. For safety, I had to tie her hands and feet.”

Hearing this, Chen Sixuan exhaled deeply, unable to suppress a self-deprecating smile.

She had begged to get on his train—no matter what fate awaited, it was her own choice. Why should she worry?

“So are we leaving the city now?”

“Not yet.”

Lin Xian said, “I still need to gather essential supplies, and I need to test the train’s performance. The Eternal Night is still four days away—we have time.”

Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian, her gaze steady with courage.

“What can I do to help you?”

Since they would now face hardship together, Chen Sixuan felt she must prove her worth—not be a mere ornament.

“Yes.”

Lin Xian pulled out a train logbook from the cab and tossed it to her. “I’ll drive. You’ll record daily route, mileage, stops, and vehicle condition. We still don’t know the pattern or range of the Night Tide, so we must calculate daily sunrise times during our escape. This is critical—if we head the wrong way, we may never escape the Eternal Night.”

I'll drive; you record the daily route, mileage, stops, and vehicle condition, because we still don't know the pattern or coverage of the night tide, so we must calculate the daily sunrise shift during our escape—this is critical; if we get the direction wrong, we may never escape the polar night.

“Also…” Lin Xian’s gaze swept the carriage. “For now, it’s just the two of us. I need you to inventory and manage the supplies, and keep an eye on that girl.”

Chen Sixuan turned back to the sleeping girl, surprised.

“Don’t you need me to go out with you to find supplies?”

Her implication: You’re that confident leaving me alone on the train?

Lin Xian smiled faintly.

“Didn’t I say it’s just the two of us? If we both get off, who guards the train?”

Lin Xian understood her unspoken doubt but didn’t press it.

Because the train’s fuel tank held no oil at all—not even the most experienced driver could move it.

Nor did he fear anyone locking him out—he was certain of it. He didn’t mention it, partly to test her. In the apocalypse, even someone as seemingly kind and beautiful as Chen Laoshi couldn’t be fully trusted.

But for now, he would still show her surface trust.

“I understand,” Chen Sixuan said, unexpectedly moved by his trust—she felt a domestic harmony, as if he were outside and she inside. Then she remembered he was her student, and a strange warmth stirred in her chest.

Clank, clank.

The “Infinite” crawled along Jiang City’s light rail, Lin Xian following his map, heading along Line 3 while constantly watching the road.

[Absorption successful. Mechanical Source Point +1. Mechanical Absorption skill proficiency +1. Bonus reward: Your defense +1.]

[Current Mechanical Heart level: lv.1177/500]

[Tip: Upgrading Mechanical Heart grants special skill rewards. At lv.3, lv.6, and lv.9, you gain a mysterious awakening.]

[Base Attributes]

[Strength: lv.122/50]

!

[Speed: lv.028/30]

[Defense: lv.016/30]

[Current Basic Skills]

[Mechanical Absorption lv.1266/300]

[Mechanical Manufacturing lv.1112/300]

[Mechanical Scan (Passive)]

[Mechanical Repair (Passive)]

[Mechanical Operation (Passive)]

[Special Skills]

[Wind Cannon lv.13/100]

Inside the cab, Lin Xian began absorbing the small household appliances he’d taken from Chen Sixuan’s home—his journey was about to begin, and he had to stay focused, seizing every chance to strengthen himself.

[Absorption successful. Mechanical Source Point +1. Mechanical Absorption skill proficiency +1.]

[Absorption successful. Mechanical Source Point +2. Mechanical Absorption skill proficiency +1.]

[Current Mechanical Heart level: lv.1180/500]

[Mechanical Absorption lv.1268/300]

“Still too slow…”

Watching the pink bear-shaped blender crumble to ash, Lin Xian sighed—if he had time, absorbing a car or even a train might grant dozens or hundreds of Mechanical Source Points at once.

And after the hairdryer experience, he now eagerly anticipated whether other unique skills might emerge from absorption.

It was truly incredible.

His Mechanical Heart system could not only operate machines and drive trains, but also directly manufacture mechanical devices—equivalent to a creation mode. In an apocalypse where all human industry had collapsed, it was invincible.

Most crucially, it boosted his stats and granted new skills.

Compared to other abilities, its potential was vastly superior.

New book, seeking reads!

(End of Chapter)