Apocalypse: I Built the Infinite Train

【Devour Progress: 15%】 Inside the engine room of the Dragon-Class Transport Ship, docked at Silent City's Deck 3, Berth 24, Lin Xian continued devouring the core of the nuclear propulsion engine while watching the meeting between Mochizuki Shinji and the people from Dawn City on the holographic display. Nearby, KIKI sat cross-legged, floating in the air. The moment she saw Jian Xuwei appear, she immediately remarked: "Isn't that the woman from the Silver Star? I heard she's been looking for you for a while."

"Feng Group is one of the largest operators and contractors of the Huanxing Orbital Rail Network, with a long-standing partnership with the Jin Hai Rolling Stock Group. Their factories are spread across the globe, and even after the apocalypse, they still have an immense stockpile of resources and production capabilities," Lin Xian commented as he watched the scene of Mochizuki Shinji shaking hands with Zhou Mingyuan and the others. "The Silver Star was supposed to use the Huanxing Rail to gather resources and head straight to the polar region, but now they're suddenly working with Dawn City? That's... odd."

"You think Jian Xuwei was forced into it?" KIKI crossed her arms. "Still, it's not surprising for Feng Group to work with the Federation. And now she's sticking close to Zhou Mingyuan. No idea what her game is."

"She has a younger brother, right?"

"Yeah, Jian Zeyang."

"So, what do you think she wants with you?" KIKI asked with interest.

"How would I know?" Lin Xian chuckled.

As he watched the tall, cool, and elegant Jian Xuwei walking in heels on the screen, Lin Xian recalled how she had supported him during the Ascending Elevator incident and her decisiveness in a crisis. Back then, he had already thought this woman was not simple. The conflict between the Ascending Elevator survivors and the Federation was still vivid in his mind. Logically, Zhou Mingyuan should be leaning toward working with the Phoenix Society.

Wen Dong noticed that aside from Dawn City's Vice Chairman Ran Jinzhe and his group, there was also a slightly chubby, middle-aged man in a grey suit, with a buzz cut, thick eyebrows, and a square face, silently walking ahead of Ran Jinzhe. In front of them was a team of guards in low-tier tactical power armor.

"If his surname is Wen," Wen Dong blurted out.

"Bingo. I'm that Ran Jin's... the one married to Tang Yun outside the Zero Element Center. You've been out of the Wen Family for so long you've barely seen me a few times."

"What's that guy's deal?" Wen Dong asked.

"Tch, just a smiling tiger. Greedy, lecherous. I've got at least four men like that in my contacts. What kind of trash do you think he is?"

"He knows all this?" Wen Dong looked at KIKI, shocked.

KIKI just shrugged, looking smug. "I was the one who seduced him first. And he thinks the Wen Family isn't complicated? What you did was just for self-preservation, that's all."

KIKI turned to Wen Dong, winking playfully. "Know thy enemy, know thyself, win a hundred battles—no problem, right?"

Wen Dong let out a helpless smile, shifting his gaze back to the screen. The scene changed: Mochizuki Shinji was escorting the Star Abyss team into the Cloud District—not the garden where Ran Jin had hosted them for dinner earlier, but a formal-looking reception hall.

With a soft swoosh, the silver-gray alloy doors slid open. Vice Chairman Ran Jinzhe, Star Abyss, and Mochizuki Shinji entered side by side, followed by Lin Xian and Zhou Mingyuan from Linglong Group, and on Mochizuki's side, Shun and Amano Ran.

Star Abyss wore just the right amount of concern on his face, giving a slight nod. "Mr. Mochizuki, when your city got caught up in the Abyss, it was truly worrying. As soon as we detected a floating city lost in the Luling Forest, Dawn City immediately dispatched eight search-and-rescue fleets, but... then we got hit by an S-Class Eerie Entity, the Grey Mist, and the monster tide from Qilian Mountains, so we were under siege ourselves."

"The fact that Jian Xuwei managed to bring a hundred thousand people out alive is nothing short of a miracle!" Lin Xian's voice was bright as he spoke, sitting down before casually asking Mochizuki Shinji, "Chairman Zhou bringing your group here in the dead of night, I suppose it's about that matter? The city alliance organizations are all on the same boat now. Experience in handling Abyss events is incredibly valuable to you, isn't it?"

"Oh? Is that so?" Mochizuki Shinji turned a sharp gaze toward Star Abyss. "Thank you for your concern. But your City Seven was stationed in the Luling Forest, caught in the Abyss. According to our feedback, it doesn't seem like Dawn City sent any support—rather, a few recon teams have been tailing us all along. They... weren't Dawn City's people, were they?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the atmosphere turned awkward. Watching the holographic screen, Ran Jin and KIKI hadn't expected Mochizuki Shinji to speak so bluntly and focused their attention on Star Abyss's reaction with interest.

But that Dawn City Vice Chairman just put on an expression of surprise.

"City Seven has been in the Luling Forest all along?"

Star Abyss's gaze held concern. "The intel you gathered said it was already crippled and the main city vanished. So the survivors were underneath all along?"

"That's right. After being swallowed by the Abyss, the main city and City Seven were completely separated," Mochizuki Shinji replied calmly, not bothering to expose the other's act.

"So Jian Xuwei and a handful of others managed to break out alone?" Lin Xian immediately asked.

"Not just a handful." Mochizuki Shinji corrected him. "There were other survivors trapped in the Abyss too. Everyone banded together, and we also uncovered some truths—like how we discovered many high-tier Eerie Entities were being 'stitched' together in some sort of factory-like Hive, then spread out by Jian Xuwei. And how there's a temporal dilation effect inside the Abyss, suggesting it might be another dimension extending into our world."

"And we also found that the Descent Faction's Crimson World has been building a secret base inside, using abducted Ability Users as test subjects for their parasitic tech, turning them into Replicants. They mass-produce these in the labs to serve as computational resources for their experiments. Because of this, they also created a type of Human Eerie that retains partial cognitive abilities. I believe everyone here is familiar with that term—"

"Crimson Skeletal Horror."

The temperature in the reception hall seemed to drop by several degrees. Zhou Mingyuan calmly sipped his tea, the cup making a crisp "ding" as it met the table.

...

"Wow. People say politicians lie without blushing, and now I really see it," KIKI exclaimed, watching Zhou Mingyuan's expression with awe inside the Dragon-Class Transport Ship.

"Strange~" Lin Xian frowned.

"What's strange?" KIKI asked.

"Silent City's City Two has been stationed in the Luling Forest for so long, there's no way the outside world didn't know," Lin Xian said, his gaze meaningful as he looked at the middle-aged man on screen. "How did Wen Dong know we brought out a hundred thousand people?"

"Yeah!" KIKI nodded in agreement. "City Two wasn't swallowed by the Abyss."

Lin Xian's brow furrowed slightly at that. From Mochizuki Shinji's words, it didn't seem like he was there to make friends with Dawn City.

Cloud District, Reception Hall

"After breaking into that secret, sinister lab, we obtained highly detailed research data," Mochizuki Shinji spoke calmly, hands tucked into his sleeves. "From the analysis of this data and intelligence, I believe this organization—once known as Crimson Pharma, now the Descent Faction's Crimson World—is conducting anti-human experiments. They're researching a parasitic consciousness transfer, moving digital lifeforms into corpses, Human Eeries, and even Eerie Entities, using this technology to turn countless survivors into disposable human test subjects to achieve their goals."

Smack!

Zhou Mingyuan slammed his palm onto the table, his voice cold: "Absolutely inhumane!"

"We're well aware that Crimson World has been kidnapping Ability Users," he continued. "Up north, in the Western Gobi, sand raiders run rampant. Down south, bandit convoys in the forests attack survivors, and mass disappearances are everywhere. Even within Dawn City itself, there have been frequent outbreaks of Crimson Skeletal Horror attacks targeting Ability Users. We've dispatched the Seraphim Division, the Red Assault Squad, and multiple survivor groups to investigate thoroughly. All of this is connected to the Crimson World and the Descent Faction. We didn't expect they'd be running such cruel experiments!"

"Cruel indeed." Shun finally spoke. "But that lab has been destroyed."

"Oh? And what did you find?" Zhou Mingyuan asked with concern. "If we could capture key personnel, identify funding sources, and map the lab's network, we could wipe them out completely and end this man-made disaster."

"Unfortunately, none of that," Mochizuki Shinji replied flatly. "Just some research data, but no concrete results."

"Ah, too cunning." Wen Dong let out a regretful sigh.

Zhou Mingyuan's gaze sharpened slightly. "However, we suspect the Crimson World may have some form of collaboration with certain high-ranking officials within our major organizations."

"Oh~?"

Mochizuki Shinji looked at him with interest. "Vice Chairman Zhou, have you uncovered something?"

Zhou Mingyuan shook his head. "It's still under investigation. But based on our interactions with the Crimson World, it's clear they must have substantial resource backing. Survivor groups alone couldn't sustain such a massive operation. There's a high chance they're receiving official support."

"Phoenix Society?" Shun interjected immediately.

Star Abyss waved his hand. "It's only speculation based on the information we've gathered. There's no concrete evidence yet. But to sustain such a vast operation, deploying globally, it's certainly not an organization's strength alone. Even your Dawn City could be entangled in this. That's not fearmongering—be cautious when dealing with the Descent Faction. They're not to be underestimated."

Ran Jin watched the holographic screen, stifling a chuckle. This Star Abyss is a sly old fox, throwing shade at Dawn City while clearly pointing fingers at the Phoenix Society. If I didn't know Lin Xian wasn't colluding with the Crimson World, I might have been fooled by that righteous-sounding deduction.

In the reception hall, Mochizuki Shinji smiled faintly, shifting his gaze to Ran Jinzhe as his tone changed.

"Receiving Dawn City's concern is an honor for us. With Eerie Entities running rampant at night, it's quite the risk for Vice Chairman Zhou to personally travel through the night to visit us. I wonder what help Dawn City can offer?"

"We've already sent a pre-brief outlining our intentions." Ran Jinzhe spoke directly. "Right now, we urgently need to collaborate with Silent City to build a fleet of Dragon-Class, Shi-Class, and Stellar-Class starships. This concerns the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of survivors. We're hoping Mr. Mochizuki can provide production support."

He glanced at Wen Dong, who immediately added, "Currently, Dawn City, Linglong Group, and Feng Group have fully launched modular cooperative efforts. In Jin Hai and Dawn City, there are 16 starship ports under full-scale construction: one 500,000-ton class, three 300,000-ton class, and twelve 100,000-ton class berths. The manufacturing workshops at Rolling Stock Group also have a 'Tianqiong-Class' interstellar train under construction. This is a concept proposed jointly by Xinghua Heavy Industries and Feng Group—a starry-sky levitating space transport vehicle originally designed for the space ring orbital network to deliver materials to the Mochizuki Planetary Ring. We'd like to finish it and use it as the key transport solution for breaking through the Sky Veil."

"I've heard of that," Mochizuki Shinji glanced at Jian Xuwei.

"Yes." Feng Group's leader, Jian Xuwei, finally spoke, her gaze sweeping over Zhou Mingyuan and Wen Dong before she said, "The original Huanxing Rail was an interstellar transport system built along the Karman Line, but due to technological and budget constraints at the time, it was split into the current Huanxing Orbital Rail, Ascending Passage, and Space Elevator categories."

"That was a bold idea back then," Zhou Mingyuan tapped his fingers on the table, his face calm. "An interstellar rail around Blue Planet, boosting payload capacity from a few hundred tons to tens of thousands of tons—a whole order of magnitude greater than the Space Elevator. If we could build it, the completion time for the Mochizuki Planetary Ring could be advanced by at least ten years."

Mochizuki Shinji didn't dwell on that but instead turned to Jian Xuwei with a sudden question.

"I'm curious, Ms. Jian. Why did you choose to work with Dawn City? If I recall, the Silver Star was aligned with the Phoenix Society, wasn't it?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Wen Dong's face darkened, but Zhou Mingyuan only smiled benignly at Jian Xuwei.

"Feng Group fully supports Dawn City's Far Star Initiative," he said with a smile. "In the face of the survival crisis, all ideologies are just different sides seeking survival. Humanity is all on the same boat, so it doesn't really matter who we cooperate with, right, Xuwei?"

He turned to Jian Xuwei, smiling warmly, but Shun and the others felt no warmth in that smile—only an invisible pressure. It was as if straying even slightly from his expectations would turn that smile into the twisted, terrifying maw of a bloodthirsty monster.

Wen Dong's gaze locked onto Jian Xuwei with a scrutinizing stare. As the group's attention shifted to her, a small black mechanical spider quietly crawled out from Wen Dong's sleeve, slipped through his fingers, and vanished beneath the teacup.

Yet Jian Xuwei remained composed, looking at Mochizuki Shinji calmly.

"In the face of the apocalypse, the essence of cooperation is survival. Dawn City's Far Star Initiative and their research into the Dark Invasion are progressing rapidly. All sides must unite and persevere. Silent City has vast production capacity—cutting ties now wouldn't be wise."

Jian Xuwei's words hung in the air as Mochizuki Shinji raised his brows slightly, glancing at Zhou Mingyuan. The latter maintained his serene, smiling expression.

"Mr. Mochizuki, Silent City has immense production and computational power. In information and mechanical engineering, you hold significant sway globally. The construction of the Tianqiong-Class, breaching the Sky Veil, and resisting the Dark Invasion—we hope to collaborate with Silent City on all fronts. This isn't about politics or interests—it's for humanity's survival."

"Well said." Mochizuki Shinji responded with a bland smile. "Silent City will approach Jin Hai tomorrow. We can discuss the details of our cooperation then."

"That's great," Zhou Mingyuan stood up immediately, shaking hands with Mochizuki Shinji. "We look forward to it. I'll arrange for the garrison to escort you safely into the city."

The meeting concluded. Zhou Mingyuan politely declined Mochizuki Shinji's dinner invitation, leaving without delay. Mochizuki Shinji didn't insist, smiling as he walked them out.

Soon, the group arrived at the Cloud District's flight deck, at Dawn City's transport ship dock. Zhou Mingyuan's party, under heavy guard, quickly moved toward their armed transport vessel.

"Oh, one more thing," Mochizuki Shinji suddenly called out from behind.

Zhou Mingyuan stopped and turned back. "What is it?"

Mochizuki Shinji clasped his hands behind his back, saying calmly, "In the Crimson World's secret research base within the Abyss, we did capture a key individual. This person oversaw the lab's main control room and was the only living person there. According to him, it seems there's someone in Dawn City's leadership colluding with the Crimson World."

Zhou Mingyuan's brows furrowed, his voice low: "Who?"

Mochizuki Shinji smiled faintly without turning around. From behind him, a young man in a power suit emerged slowly from another corridor.

"Let me introduce you. This is the man who helped dismantle the Crimson World's White City lab, captured their core data, and aided Silent City in escaping the Abyss. He's the captain of the Infinite Train's unified convoy... our partner."

"Vice Chairman Zhou, nice to meet you." Lin Xian spoke calmly.

Both Zhou Mingyuan and Wen Dong's gazes locked onto Lin Xian, their expressions tightening. Jian Xuwei stood quietly at the back, her eyes fixed on Lin Xian.

"What did you mean by that just now?" Zhou Mingyuan looked at Lin Xian, his expression neither surprised nor confused, but direct.

"Isn't it obvious?" Lin Xian replied with a smile. "He said the one colluding with the Crimson World... is standing right next to you."

KIKI stepped out from behind Lin Xian, smiling sweetly at Wen Dong.

Wen Dong's eyes widened in shock, pupils contracting sharply as if in disbelief.

"Wen Qi?!"

"I'm Zhao, not Wen." KIKI crossed her arms, her voice cool. "Your Wen family mixed up with the Crimson World? Don't drag me into it."

Hearing KIKI's words, Wen Dong's expression turned fierce. He glanced at Mochizuki Shinji with a sharp gaze. "Mr. Mochizuki, what exactly do you mean by this?"

Zhou Mingyuan, meanwhile, kept his gaze on Lin Xian, silently waiting for an answer.

Lin Xian casually produced a recorder and pressed the play button in front of everyone. Zhou Lei's voice came through:

"I was locked up in an iron cage. Before we got on the transport ship, I saw a group of people disembark from another ship. One of them was the former general manager of Jin Hai City Investment Corporation, Wen Dong. That guy... I'd recognize him even if he turned to ash. And Wen Dong is part of the Wen family, the second-in-command at Linglong Group. Everyone knows Linglong Group has been working closely with Dawn City, and Wen Hui is even a new Federal Council Member. If Wen Dong shows up at a Crimson World site, that's clearly collusion!"

"Utter nonsense!" Wen Dong's face darkened. He turned to Lin Xian, snapping, "You're going to accuse a Federal Council Member based on a single recording? Lin, how old are you—watching too many cartoons, maybe?"

"The person was captured from the Crimson World's lab, and the accusation is his, not ours." Lin Xian grinned. "No need to get so worked up, you know?"

Wen Dong was momentarily speechless. He turned to Zhou Mingyuan, then gathered himself and addressed Mochizuki Shinji. "So, what do you say? Who exactly is this person? If he claims I'm colluding with the Crimson World, then where did he see me? What time? What location? There has to be some explanation, right?"

"None." Lin Xian shook his head, looking serious. "He didn't say any of that. We highly suspect it's false."

"Then what the h*** are you even talking about?!" Wen Dong snapped.

"Didn't Vice Chairman Zhou want detailed intelligence? We're just presenting what we have," Lin Xian replied, his gaze briefly sweeping over Jian Xuwei before landing back on Zhou Mingyuan. "This is all part of showing our sincerity in cooperation. By the way, Mr. Mochizuki never introduced my name. How did you know I'm Lin?"

"You—!" Wen Dong's pupils shrank. Seeing Lin Xian's smirk, he suddenly realized something, falling silent.

Zhou Mingyuan's gaze darkened as he swept his eyes over Mochizuki Shinji and Lin Xian's faces, then turned without a word and headed straight for the transport ship.

Under Lin Xian's gaze, they boarded the ship, which rose into the air and sped away.

"Lin Xian, working with Dawn City might make the path ahead smoother." Jian Xuwei glanced at Lin Xian and the others, then turned and followed the group.

...

On the transport ship:

"They're clearly trying to go against us!" Wen Dong's face was dark, his expression shifting constantly.

"We didn't expect any different," Zhou Mingyuan said, scrolling through the Infinite Train team's data on his handheld device. He looked calm as he asked Wen Dong, "What's the story with that Wen Qi?"

"She's some illegitimate child my brother picked up from somewhere," Wen Dong replied, eyes closed, voice low.

"According to the Federation's database, she's listed as the primary heir in your family." Zhou Mingyuan placed the device on the table. "Psychic Ability user—telekinesis, classified as Super-S in the Seraphim's assessment. Extremely rare. It's a shame Yurius didn't capture this group."

"They have the Umbra-Cell and core data. Could they pass it to the Phoenix Society?" Wen Dong asked.

Star Abyss shook his head and leaned back in his chair. "Doesn't matter. The Phoenix Society isn't going to change. You should focus on your own preparations."

After a pause, he lifted his gaze slightly. "Let's check in on Zhou Mingyuan."

Lin Xian nodded, then halfway down the hall, muttered in a low voice: "With Dawn City being so aggressive, could they be tied to the Phoenix Society as well? If we'd known, we wouldn't have needed that man for the show."

"Still, appearances matter."