Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Train
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Hubei Province, home to the Zhuge Family, the Wudang Sect, and the Wind Cloud Inn frequented by Zhu Yeonhwa.
Hebei Province, where Beijing—the ancient capital with over a millennium of history and the imperial seat—stands.
The distance between them wasn't so vast as to span the entire Central Plains, but with one province sandwiched in between, it wasn't close either.
A long journey lay ahead: from Hubei up to Henan, crossing the Yellow River into Hebei.
Of course, distance was no issue for So-hyang regardless. But her eyes sparkled at the mention of passing through Henan.
"Oh? So we'll stop by Mount Song on the way?"
Henan Province.
The heart of the orthodox martial world, the Shaolin Temple—fount of Central Plains martial arts.
All the world's techniques emerge from Shaolin.
Its prestige had waned a bit since the War God's rise, but it was no exaggeration to say that Shaolin wisdom touched every martial art in the Central Plains.
Alongside Mount Tai and the North Star, they were the pillars of the orthodox sects, the roots of proper martial arts.
Common consensus held Shaolin a notch above Wudang.
Her time at Wudang had been enjoyable and fulfilling. If Shaolin was even higher...
Didn't she have to test it out?
It was truly exciting, her ambitious heart swelling even more.
"Hm, friend. Sadly, we can't go via Mount Song."
"Huh? Can't we just swing by since it's on the way?"
"Normally, yes... but this time, we're traveling by something a bit different."
As he spoke, they arrived at the northern border of Hubei...
"This is the new mode of transport I've introduced to the empire: the steam locomotive."
A massive train station, straight out of those hugely popular British wizard boy movies from her previous life.
"...Huh?"
So-hyang's relaxed smile froze on her face, her composure cracking into open bewilderment.
Elevators in high-end inns and such facilities? She could accept that.
The principle had existed since ancient times, and similar examples popped up in her previous life.
But this? No way.
"Th-that, no, what is...?"
Myriad tracks laid into the ground, a colossal train car rumbling in with a blaring horn.
No matter that this world wasn't the Central Plains she remembered from her past life—this scene clashed wildly with everything she'd seen so far.
"Mm, so you are human after all. Getting surprised like this."
"...Who wouldn't be shocked by this?"
Railroads and trains in an era before the Industrial Revolution?
Calling it a steam engine suggested it ran on principles she knew.
Metalworking tech, infrastructure, conservative politics—none of it should allow such a radical invention...
"Friend, I have a lot of money."
"Ah."
All those obstacles meant nothing before overwhelming capital.
Tech development? Pour funds into the Academy of Sciences.
Infrastructure shortage? Dump money into construction.
Conservative politics? Who questions the heir to the throne?
Plus, division of labor for factory production, jobs for Northern Han farmers...
The fruits of the Imperial Princess's talents, myriad clever schemes unleashed.
"It cost a fortune, of course... but I'm confident it'll pay back manifold."
The princess had already devoured the current economy—domestic trade, imports, exports, all monster territory.
To create more value, she needed unprecedented innovations.
"Unaffected by weather, no delays in travel, transporting cargo beyond compare."
A transport revolution, herald of a new era.
Industries would crumble, but far more would boom.
Guiding the change, decline and growth alike danced on Zhu Yeonhwa's palm...
Escort firms shrinking, regional price gaps narrowing—mere basics.
Commerce sprouting at stops, land values skyrocketing into real estate holy lands.
New cities and bustling districts rising, their gold and power under her dominion.
In short, she'd exhausted investments and was creating new frontiers.
"The Academy's comet-like genius—snatching and employing him ranks among my top recent investments."
An extraordinary prodigy churning out 'like from another world' innovations.
Seeing him struggle without power or wealth to realize his ideals, she grabbed him by the scruff and pulled him under her wing.
"Hmm...?"
Beijing's sorcery research institute.
The Imperial Sorcery Graduate Academy, commonly the Academy of Sciences...
The empire's greatest ivory tower, where top scholars sought knowledge.
But this iron horse before her eyes felt oddly un-sorcery-derived from this world's view.
Alien here, yet familiar to So-hyang—traces of knowledge from her world.
"Boiling water to spin a waterwheel engine..."
"Quite novel, isn't it? Beyond trains, endless applications—a total jackpot tech."
"Indeed, you've picked up a real genius."
So-hyang's eyes narrowed in interest; she'd have to visit the Academy upon reaching Beijing.
The journey to Beijing by train: Zhu Yeonhwa, her guard Moon Shadow, fellow traveler So-hyang—three in total.
But...
"Waaaaaaah!!! It's a ridiculously huge hunk of steel!"
One more joined, making four.
A girl with wide saucer eyes darting everywhere, her frame slight from poor nutrition.
The youngest of the Jeonju Yi Clan, Palace Assassination Sect's top prodigy: Number One, Yi Seong-ah.
Her mission: protect her liege.
Since the sect fell under Zhu Yeonhwa, they'd taken various tasks on her orders, but this was self-volunteered.
Guarding their lord.
How could retainers not escort their master's travels?
They hailed from a lineage producing Goryeo royal guards, after all.
Strictly, protection was closer to their roots than assassination—and it was odd for such experts to skip guarding their lord.
Still, this was more covert trip than official princess business, so no large escort.
Attaching their best sufficed.
"So, what's the real reason?"
"...Seong-ah, I wanted my granddaughter to see the world."
A valid official motive, but laced with personal feelings.
They regretted their past mistakes and sought amends, but duty-bound to assassinations under princess orders...
Shifting to espionage helped, but keeping her close meant she'd stay an assassin.
"Wouldn't it be better with family? She seemed to like you all before..."
"She's lived her whole life with us. No friends, no peers... If we truly care for the child, we must let her out."
"Hmm..."
"...I know. After ignoring her so long, it's not my place—"
True words.
Peak mastery meant no easy death, and zero outside experience till scholarly age was a problem.
"I'm fine with it. More companions make the trip merrier, no?"
She disliked massive escorts, but safety wasn't bad.
Thus, the Palace Assassination Sect's Number One joined the journey.
"Then, may I call you Seong-ah?"
"On VIP protection duty now—call me Number One."
Her initial shock at the novel sight faded quickly; true first-rate assassin, composure regained, calm reply.
"Want some rice cake?"
"-Whoa! Yes!"
Of course, that poise shattered the instant So-hyang offered injeolmi.
The train looked majestic and sturdy from outside, but its piercing whistle and jolting shakes were rough.
Early steam locomotive, so no high ride comfort expected...
"Oh, inside's less shaky than I thought?"
Soundproofing and shock-absorbing spells.
What her past life achieved with suspensions and such, this Central Plains managed with mystic diagrams.
As So-hyang tapped the floor, marveling at its sturdiness, Number One spotted something off and went alert.
"Your Highness, this is strange. Space this vast, yet we're the only passengers?"
"Not officially open yet. Tracks done, but still test runs for safety."
Of course, Zhu Yeonhwa chose this because this line's runs confirmed near-perfect stability.
Last test run before opening—they snuck aboard.
Thus, no passengers inside.
Just essential crew and attendants scrambling aboard at the princess's sudden visit.
"Y-Your Highness...? Anything you need, just say...!"
"Nothing for now. You may withdraw."
First day on job, serving VIP of VIPs—the Dragon Blood Princess—attendants' faces twitched near-spasming.
"Th-thank you...!"
Wheels rolling on rails, rhythmic thuds quickening pace.
Scenery outside receding, then flying by.
"Wh-whoaaaaa...!"
Number One, stoically at her lord's side, finally gawked out the window, mouth agape.
No wonder—even seasoned wanderers couldn't hide awe at landscapes from a speeding train.
Unprecedented novelty.
Moon Shadow feigned nonchalance but was hooked too; Zhu Yeonhwa's eyes sparkled.
"Could be a fine tourist draw, depending. Nicer views than expected."
So-hyang felt more absurd than amazed, but still impressive.
"Man, the world's turning in crazy ways..."
The iron horse barreled tracks at speeds incomparable to carriages.
But something odd.
Test run train, not open to public.
Per Zhu Yeonhwa, only their party of four and crew aboard.
So who were those huddled in the tail car, holding breath...?
No welcoming smiles, so not attendants.
Not rugged work clothes, so not engine crew.
Black garb cloaking all, sharp blades in hand...
No matter how kindly viewed, their intent wasn't benign.
"Well, won't be boring—good thing."
"Pardon? Didn't catch that."
"Nah, want a boiled egg?"
"...! Yes, please!"
"Good girl, eat up. Sikhe too?"
"...!! Thank you!"
Her milky-white eyes, crescented with intrigue, fixed on the train's rear.