Chapter 481: 2.2 Main·Pinokangni (152)

Mi Kai, panting heavily, chased after: "Clocksmith, where are you going?"

Mi Haier turned his head, looking at the youth behind him: "Don't worry, Mi Kai. It's just a trip far away. Someone has to go to the interstellar frontier, and now Pinokangni has only one former Nameless Guest left, so why can't it be me?"

"That's because you're the only one left!" Mi Kai shouted hoarsely, "Did you forget Tie Ernan? The galaxy isn't like before; it's too dangerous! If we lose you again, what will Pinokangni do?"

Mi Haier said seriously, "If we can't find a way out, what will Pinokangni do?"

"Tie Ernan... how could I forget him? Every sleepless night I ask myself why I didn't set out with him then. The Nameless Guest's steps never stop... Rest easy, Mi Kai. It's just returning to old work, so wait for me to come back. But if—I'm saying if... if I can't return unscathed, then you'll become the next Clocksmith."

——

Full-time hunter.

"Transmit, transmit..."

The Ant King's fingertip hovered over the military ritual chessboard; he looked up at the scene on the sky screen, momentarily feeling irritated.

"Xiaomai," he solemnly called the girl before him, "In your view, why are they so obsessed with transmitting powerless objects?"

It's not some special relic, nor a weapon like a flame gun with lethal power; it's just an ordinary hat. Does such a thing have any value in transmission?

The Ant King found it somewhat incomprehensible, but the humans on the sky screen had already done far too many things beyond his understanding, so any decision or thought about the train crew he must observe carefully.

The blindfolded girl opposite the board tilted her head slightly: "Your Majesty means... the hat?"

"Exactly," the King said, propping his chin with one hand, "Matter decays, memories fade. Isn't this futile ritual as meaningless as a fragile life?"

Xiaomai's finger gently brushed a chess piece: "But... the military ritual also has a score; does Your Majesty think the inheritance of the score is meaningless too?"

"Different," the Ant King said lightly, "The military ritual's score has transmission value, but that hat and pocket watch... I see nothing in them."

"Your Majesty, actually, in Xiaomai's eyes, they're all the same."

"Oh?"

"When the score is passed down, later generations will refine it, develop more sophisticated tactics, generation after generation... Over time, just as after I created my 'Lone Fox Guard', someone will devise a line that counters my move."

At this point, Xiaomai couldn't help but smile slightly: "I think the hat is the same; what the previous pioneers couldn't achieve is inherited and accomplished by later pioneers. The focus isn't the material form, but that something invisible to the naked eye is indeed passed down and expanded by successors."

"I see," the Ant King nodded thoughtfully, "Humans... truly are fascinating."

——

Jialah called him from behind: "Old man, where are you going?"

Mi Haier was startled for a moment, then laughed: "Oh, so you're here?"

"Answer my question—what do you want?"

"Don't be nervous, Jialah, I just thought of a brilliant idea. Want to hear it?"

"Enough!" the young Jialah crossed his arms irritably, "Which of your ideas doesn't push yourself into a fire pit? Old man, don't blame me for being blunt—Pinokangni's hero of the past is now only you. If you die, the secret of the star core... will never see daylight again."

"Indeed, in Pinokangni, we probably have no way out. So we can only look beyond Asdena," Mi Haier suddenly had a flash of inspiration, proposing a good idea, "We'll hold a grand event, using the Clocksmith's Legacy as the reason. Then... send invitations across the galaxy, gathering people here."

"Are you planning to smash the family's jar and give up?"

"Isn't there still you? My friend? Haha, this is difficult, but nothing we've faced so far hasn't been hard. Oh right, whatever method you use, remember..."

"Be sure to send the invitation to the hands of the Star Dome Train crew."

——

【5】 Maze Meal.

Labyrinth Rice.

"What a huge circle we went through... turning around, finally delivering the invitation to the train crew. Jialah can be said to have honorably completed the mission," Maruxi sipped slime miso soup in small bites, her tone a bit wistful, "It's just a pity... the Nether Fire Grand Duke didn't show up; otherwise I'd be curious what scene he'd have with the family."

"What scene could there be? There is none! Even the Nether Fire Grand Duke is useless against a Dream Master," Qierchak said lightly, "The Dream Master can even kick the Yellow Springs—and can summon the Infinite Husband. No matter how powerful the Nether Fire Grand Duke is, can he match the Infinite Husband?"

Although Qierchak has never seen the Infinite Husband act, being so relied upon by the clan means it must possess considerable strength.

Moreover, the forces gathered at Pinokangni are so many that even Pure Beauty is among them; whether the Grand Duke can defeat Yin Zhi and Boteiou is an unknown.

"That may be so, but they really did prepare distinct plans for different forces; aren't you curious what exactly they prepared?"

"That is indeed a bit curious..."

Qierchak didn't deny it; after all, the Grand Duke's groundwork was indeed substantial then.

At least it's a notorious yet influential force in the galaxy. Perhaps their offspring could launch a special attack on Tongxie? If they cause trouble during the opening of the Harmony Festival, even if forced out of Pinokangni, they'd wreak havoc at the Daydream Hotel. Maybe they'd even affect Xingqiri?

——

The old man leaned on a cane, his steps unsteady. The Clocksmith kid, behind him, asked curiously: "Mi Sha! Where are you going?"

"Well, Clocksmith kid, take me to Liúmèng Jiāo..." the old man laughed, looking up at Pinokangni's deep night sky, "Last night I had a long dream, dreaming of the day we met. I want to record that dream."

The Clocksmith kid was puzzled: "Record it... for what purpose?"

"So I don't forget certain things. Clocksmith kid, do you still remember how your name came about?"

"Of course I remember! You told me, when you were young you lived in a clock shop, those wall clocks and pocket watches grew up with you; they were your best friends!"