Chapter 1861 - Capítulo 1861: 1862: Black Mist
Chapter 1861 - Capítulo 1861: 1862: Black Mist
Capítulo 1861: Chapter 1862: Black Mist
“Alright, so the question now is, where is the scheduling room?”
After wandering around the station, Feng Yuan looked at Veronia and curiously asked. There was no other way; aside from the platform, every other area was merely a backdrop. Not only could the doors not be opened, but even if Feng Yuan forcefully broke through the walls, there would be nothing but empty space inside. In other words, unless the scheduling room was on the platform, they wouldn’t be able to find it at all.
“Wait, I remember that during this period, the train schedules are posted in places easy to see but not too obvious, so staff can understand upcoming tasks.”
Glancing at the ubiquitous clocks, Yang Hongzhi recalled and said. Unlike modern times, this station was clearly a product of the era when trains had just been invented. Therefore, many aspects were different from the present, and if this was restored as well, perhaps they wouldn’t need to find the scheduling room.
“That’s indeed possible, but this platform isn’t small.”
Veronia pondered and said. Despite the constant chaos in this place, at least one thing was certain: the difficulties weren’t completely unsolvable. Since the station’s interior was inaccessible, it’s likely that train information might be on the platform.
Of course, besides this possibility, perhaps what was meant was for them to try each train one by one. Veronia had counted; there were roughly more than ten different train schedules coming and going. Trying each might not be entirely unfeasible.
“Let’s split up and search. Call out when you find it.”
Feng Yuan placed his hand on Xiao Ji’s head and said helplessly. It was necessary; they didn’t know how long the Ferris wheel would remain stopped. Whether it wouldn’t move until the mechanism was disengaged or there was a time limit, they had already wasted too much time here.
“Here it is… over here!”
While wandering with Xiao Hei, Yang Hongzhi noticed that some advertisements on a few columns seemed off. He walked over to take a closer look and immediately shouted. Najia, looking at the information on the table, said
“The train at C3 platform has been temporarily changed to A1 platform, so what we need to do is switch the train at A1 back to C3 platform. However, this requires analyzing the different train arrival times. If a collision occurs, it could cause a big mess.”
“It truly is a troublesome task…”
Yang Hongzhi pondered, rubbing his chin. At that moment, Feng Yuan and the others arrived, and after reading the information, Feng Yuan sighed with relief and said
“Fortunately, I was really worried we’d have to try each train one by one. But now the issue is the scheduling of train arrivals and departures. Let me handle it; you all can rest for a bit.”
“Don’t you need a break?”
Veronia looked at Feng Yuan in surprise. Based on his habits, wasn’t this the point where he usually complained and pushed the job onto them? Why was he being so proactive now? Was he swapped with someone else partway through? But that’s impossible. Apart from anything else, this abnormal space couldn’t easily fake Xiao Ji, and Xiao Ji’s reactions were perfectly normal.
Noticing Veronia’s strange gaze, Feng Yuan gave Xiao Ji a gentle smack and said
“Not for now. Even though there aren’t too many trains coming and going, if too many people record it, issues could easily arise. Besides, if I finish up now, maybe I can slack off later~”
“Suit yourself. Anyway, just ask if you need help.”
Seeing Feng Yuan wasn’t joking, Veronia still couldn’t fathom his motives. She returned to her original form and sat on Rainbow Bubbles, watching Najia while softly humming.
Leading Xiao Ji towards the tracks, Feng Yuan exclaimed helplessly
“What a troublesome place. Xiao Ji, stick close and be careful not to step on the tracks. If this place is damaged too much, it might collapse.”
Rolling her eyes, Xiao Ji grumbled, sticking close behind Feng Yuan. Besides recording the arriving and departing trains, Feng Yuan also attempted the various track-switching scenarios one by one. As he suspected, this contraption defied logic by simultaneously controlling multiple track switches.
Coupling that with the train arrival and departure schedules, if one lacked strong analytical skills, they would easily end up bewildered. Even for Feng Yuan, analyzing this mess was a headache, especially when he finished recording the arrival time and ran to check the departure end after adjusting the tracks, leaving Veronia and the others puzzled about what Feng Yuan was actually doing.
“Fortunately, there’s no linkage to the departure tracks. Tsk, this thing has a conscience.”
Finally completing each test, Feng Yuan murmured, rubbing his chin. If this contraption had linked both entry and exit, he truly wouldn’t have wanted to play by its rules, as the calculations would be excessively complex.
With Xiao Ji’s help, Feng Yuan drew a sketch of the entire station layout on the ground, marking all the track-switching points and their corresponding tracks. He then started assigning tasks to everyone.
It was unavoidable. Although he could do it alone, it was too exhausting. Both arrivals and departures needed adjustments, and it wasn’t just about adjusting and forgetting. To prevent issues when the trains enter the misty area, where different tracks correspond to different entry track, Feng Yuan had everyone revert the adjusted trains back to their original tracks after departure.
After triple-checking everyone’s tasks, Feng Yuan and the group started adjusting the trains. As trains passed by the platform, the train that the woman had missed countless times finally emerged from the misty area.
“Is it here?”
Yang Hongzhi, watching the train enter from another track, squinted and adjusted the tracks according to Feng Yuan’s plan. As the two trains changed tracks, the long-missed train finally arrived at the woman who had been waiting for it.
However, watching that train, the woman’s eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and sorrow that bewildered Feng Yuan.
The train came to a halt, and passengers disembarked. The platform, previously devoid of others besides the woman, suddenly filled with many travelers. But she simply stood there until an older woman approached her.
The sky grew increasingly dim, and all moving trains gradually vanished. The dim station lights flickered and dulled. Noticing the anomaly, Yang Hongzhi and others rushed onto the platform.
The mist thickened, and the woman and the old woman embraced and wept. The lights seemed to focus solely on them. Scratching his head, Feng Yuan couldn’t fathom what was happening.
“What’s going on now?”
Yang Hongzhi patted Feng Yuan’s shoulder and asked, confused. Besides the train, and the two weeping women, only Feng Yuan and his group were left in the station. Other passengers and trains had disappeared without a trace.
Shaking his head, Feng Yuan replied in confusion
“I don’t understand. I really don’t know what’s happening here.”
The mist was becoming so thick that everything in the station was hard to see. The two embracing women gradually faded away, and the light vanished from everyone’s view. The station, now in darkness, felt cold and desolate. Furrowing his brow, Feng Yuan suggested
“Let’s head back to the Ferris wheel. This place is probably finished, right?”
“Perhaps.”
Looking at the ground, under the faint light of illumination spheres, the group could barely discern the nearby path. The ground had become mottled. Veronia remarked softly, glancing at the adjacent column, which now seemed weather-worn, like it would shatter at even a gentle touch.
“Looks like this might be the end.”
Noticing the changes, Feng Yuan nodded, sighing helplessly. The Ferris wheel’s lights reverted to green. As it slowly spun, the train station in the mist vanished from sight.
“You seem quite intrigued by that place?”
Watching Feng Yuan deep in thought, Veronia couldn’t help asking. After a while, Feng Yuan looked up and said
“Sort of, since the place was a bit… odd. Maybe, this Ferris wheel…”
Feng Yuan sighed, shaking his head. It was merely his own speculation. Perhaps, it was just a coincidence? As the darkness receded during their ascent, the soft yellow light dispelled the gloom in Feng Yuan’s heart. The ground, comprised of cloud-like cotton candy, danced with the wind. As the Ferris wheel stopped once again, this time the space caught everyone off guard.
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