Returning to the Mysterious Era

Chapter 257 - Run!

The sky was already quite dim by the time they got off the train. Thick, layered clouds covered the sky, but the sun found a hole to peek through. Still, it was around five in the afternoon, and dusk was fast approaching.

Cassius’s shoes tapped on the square platform as he walked. Nearby, two people wearing similar clothing glanced over in his direction from under the metal roof. Cassius glanced up at the gloomy sky before joining them.

Just as he was about to speak, a young man staggered out of the train car behind him. The youth had dark circles under his eyes. He looked as if he were about to collapse. The young man gripped the doorframe for support as he stepped down, almost tripping on the mere five-centimeter gap. Behind him, white steam continued to puff from the yellow train engine.

Lawrence took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling the discomfort in his body ease slightly. His foggy state of mind cleared up a bit as well. He exhaled as he scanned the empty platform. Then his eyes met those of the three people on the left, and he froze.

Lawrence’s already tired face visibly paled. He took a sharp breath and quickly started jogging away. Suddenly, a train conductor in a blue and white striped uniform stepped out of the train car behind him, shouting, "Who left behind a large black suitcase?"

Lawrence stumbled. His face turned red and white in embarrassment as he avoided looking at Cassius and quickly grabbed his suitcase before heading toward the station building.

Saint Feinan smirked at Cassius as he watched Lawrence almost bolting away, "What did you do to him? He looked like a mouse seeing a cat. Tsk, you're a combat artist, you wouldn't mess with a regular guy, would you?"

Feng Liusi, who had been silently watching, glanced at Saint Feinan and subconsciously stroked his beard, only to find it wasn't there.

Cassius cleared his throat, feeling slightly guilty for playing that kind of trick on a regular person. "I didn't do much to him. The kid just wasn't very good with his words, and his judgment was off, so I gave him a little lesson."

The youthful looking Saint Feinan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. He really has no sense."

There was a wide, flat-roofed building next to the train platform. It had large cylindrical columns supporting the structure at key points. There were two main doors—one leading to the platform, the other to the streets outside the station. Guards in blue uniforms, complete with hats, manned checkpoints near both entrances, monitoring the flow of people.

Lawrence entered the station's main hall from the platform and glanced back, relieved to see that he wasn’t followed by those people. After that miserable train ride, he felt like he had developed a phobia of trains.

Lawrence couldn't pinpoint why he had felt so uncomfortable, but he was certain it had something to do with those three, especially the man with the short blonde hair. Sitting near him had been pure torment.

At first, Lawrence had thought they might be a beautiful woman, which had given him a small comfort. However, when he heard his seatmate’s low male voice upon getting off the train, the last of his pleasant fantasy shattered completely. In hindsight, he wished the man had just stayed silent. Even if it meant missing his stop, Lawrence would have preferred not to face that harsh reality.

Grumbling inwardly, Lawrence weakly lifted his suitcase. He wiped his face and tried to muster some energy. After all, he was in East Sea County for a business trip and had a meeting with a client that evening. However, he was completely exhausted. It was frustrating that he hadn't had a chance to rest on the train at all.

It felt as if he'd been under a spell, just sitting there in his seat. It was as if a magnetic force had held him in place, subconsciously preventing him from considering getting up and finding a spot to stand.

"That was just bizarre!" Lawrence slapped his face lightly and took a deep breath. He felt a sudden urge to relieve himself. He shook out his legs before taking small steps forward.

After passing through a manned checkpoint, he entered the spacious main hall of the train station. There weren't many people around, but most were carrying one or two suitcases. Some travelers lay on black metal seats tucked into the corners, blankets draped over their chests, clearly having waited a long time for their departure.

Carrying his suitcase, Lawrence stopped a fellow traveler, asking anxiously, "Excuse me, sir, could you tell me where the public restroom is? I've been holding it in for too long, and I can't take it anymore."

To his surprise, the traveler's face immediately darkened in visible annoyance. "Sir? I'm a lady! Do I really look that much like a man to you?"

At that moment, Lawrence just wanted to dig a hole and hide. He stared at the middle-aged, slightly overweight woman with short hair and a furious expression. He mentally grumbled at his luck, wondering how he'd managed to run into two oddballs in one day.

However, despite his thoughts, his body urged him to comply as he hurriedly said, "Sorry, ma'am... Could you please help me out? Where's the restroom?"

"Go out the door, take a left, and it's a hundred meters ahead." Despite her earlier irritation, the woman pointed Lawrence in the right direction.

"Thank you, thank you." Lawrence expressed his gratitude as he scurried toward the exit. He was too anxious to notice that two pale-skinned men nearby were observing and commenting on him.

"Chernault, how about that one? He's tall, well-built, and looks pretty strong. Should be to your taste, right?" The short-haired muscular man turned his head and whispered.

"He looks okay from a distance, but up close, you can tell he's weak. Pale face, dark circles under his eyes, and he's out of breath after just a few steps. I suspect he has some kind of leg condition. I'm not picky, but I won't eat damaged goods."

The other man had long hair tied roughly behind his head, revealing a scarred face. He wasn't satisfied.

"After looking around, it seems like there aren’t any high-quality goods here." The short-haired man complained, "It's your fault for being so slow. By the time we got to the train station, most of the good stuff was already gone. Now you're still being picky. Be glad there's even anything left to eat."

"Hurry up and just pick a strong one as blood bait to feed your Blood Spirit. That way, we won't have to eat again for a week. Saves us the trouble," the short-haired man added.

The long-haired man shook his head. "One isn't enough. Normally, it'd do, but we've come to East Sea County to fight those people. The consumption of blood bait will be much higher when we start using our abilities. A healthy adult male, even rationed, will only last three days at most."

"Alright, alright... hurry up and pick. It's getting dark soon," said the short-haired man.

The short-haired man had already eaten, so he was just accompanying his companion. He wasn't in a hurry.

"Fine, fine." The long-haired man squinted as he quickly scanned the train station and locked onto a few of the best targets.

Just as he was about to make a decision.

Suddenly, a blood-red mouth opened on the man’s neck and rasped, "Eighty meters ahead, at the train station entrance."

The man immediately turned and saw three people walking towards them.

It was a boy, a girl, and behind them, an old man with white hair carrying a suitcase. The boy wore black boots that reached up to his calves, with black straps above them. He was dressed in a fine vest with a small decorative black cloak. The collar was made of obsidian, and had a delicate lavender bow.

The girl was dressed in a long black dress, similar to formal wear, with lace along the waist and back. The intricate design of the lace created a layered effect. She also wore a pair of glossy black gloves. Both wore custom-made metal badges made of ancient silver, with a pattern resembling a rotating pupil on the surface.

At a glance, you could sense the distinct noble aura of the boy and girl. Their clothes were similar too. Though intricately designed, they weren't of the luxurious kind. These outfits had a more practical, everyday feel compared to formal evening wear. The boy and girl were likely twins, since they shared similar facial features. Their skin was pale, and their features delicate. They had an unmistakable aura of elegance.

"Ho ho... luck's on our side," said the long-haired man, his eyes lighting up as he snapped his fingers.

The short-haired man shook his head. "What's the use of looking pretty? Strong men are more filling."

The long-haired man turned to face his comrade, "It's different. You don't get it. It's like a gourmet dish—small portions but absolutely delicious. The Blood Spirit inside me loves this kind of flavor the most. They'll do. You can have the old man later..."

"Thanks for your generosity, but I'm already full," the short-haired man joked before walking out of the station.

"If you don't want him, just kill him. Wasting food... tsk," the long-haired man muttered. He started making his way out of station, full of anticipation now that they'd chosen their prey.

Inside the train station, the boy and girl curiously looked around as if they had never been outside before. They seemed easy to deceive, glancing around like excited tourists. The white-haired old man followed them, carrying two suitcases.

"Young Master You An, Miss Haiman. Our car should be waiting outside. The family has arranged a villa in the outskirts of Kula City, which will serve as our temporary residence during the Tulip Antique Exhibition," the old man spoke in a deep, weathered voice. Though he looked to be in his sixties or seventies, his suit-clad frame was still sturdy, hinting at a muscular build.

Calluses lined his hands, suggesting he had practiced combat techniques in the past.

"Alright, Butler Julian," the girl responded politely, nodding her head.

On the other hand, the boy was less interested, as his curious eyes continued to wander. "Butler, I heard the Tulip Antique Exhibition is hosted by a well-known school from East Sea County. They say there are many masters who have reached the Federation’s fifth stage. Last year, someone even won the National Combat Championship! I want to see them in action."

The butler sighed as he leaned closer, "Young Master You An, surely you don't intend to spar with them, do you? I know you love combat techniques and enjoy watching fights. But we are not like ordinary people. The energy within our bodies allows us to easily surpass humans. Don't you remember when you fought that leopard at the age of ten? You tore that feline apart with your bare hands. And now you're fifteen."

"Those so-called fifth stage Federation masters are merely ordinary people who have trained their combat techniques to the limit. Compared to you and the bloodline passed down through our family to them is like comparing the ground to the sky. What you should be focusing on is mastering the vast power within you, not wasting time on these useless human techniques. That is not your purpose... The Lady has reminded me that you must meditate for four hours every day."

"Ah..." You An let out a disappointed sigh.

The butler knew when to ease the tension and immediately added, "Of course, if you manage to diligently complete your daily studies, I can take you to see the combat techniques of East Sea County's martial schools. I've heard the martial arts halls here are thriving."

The boy's eyes lit up with excitement as soon as the old man finished speaking.

"Hey, could you move? You're blocking the way." Suddenly, someone spoke from the checkpoint behind them. You An turned to find three men dressed in black. Their matching outfits gave off the impression of gangsters.

"Cool." Instead of being angry, You An seemed a little excited.

You An had been kept at home all his life. Though he was well-educated, he couldn't suppress his naturally lively and curious nature. Every rare chance he got to go out felt like an adventure to him, and he explored with the wonder of a child.

You An took a step forward and mimicked a gun with his fingers toward the nearest blond figure, speaking in a playful, mysterious tone.

"Are you in the business? Bang..." The boy even made a shooting sound with his mouth. It seemed childish, and his knowledge likely came from reading magazines.

"Sorry, sorry," the old man hurriedly apologized.

"No problem," Cassius responded nonchalantly as he and the other two passed through the checkpoint. Sometimes, looks play a big role in social interactions. You An's actions came off as silly, but also a little cute. If someone less attractive had done the same thing, it would have seemed awkward, like the unsolicited approach of a crazy person.

"Young Master, do you remember what you promised me before we left? Don't talk to strangers, and definitely don't initiate conversation with them." The butler sighed. "Let's go."

The two groups left the train station, one after the other. Outside, the street was quiet with few vehicles and even fewer pedestrians. A black car with silver trim waited on the street.

Two pale-skinned men kept glancing toward the entrance of the train station. Suddenly, the long-haired man's eyes lit up. "They're here, they're here, get ready!"

The short-haired man perked up as well. At the entrance, the group they had marked as prey earlier emerged. There were also three others nearby.

The long-haired man was just about to take a step when he was forced to tilt his head back as a blood-red mouth opened at his neck. "Forty-five meters ahead!"

"At the train station entrance!!"

"Those three in black!!!"

The two men exchanged a glance, surprised by the urgency in the Blood Spirit's voice. The long-haired man said, "Could there be an unexpected bonus?"

The short-haired man said, "Maybe it's top-tier prey!"

They both raised their heads slightly, but two blood-red mouths simultaneously hollered, "Run!"