Cataclysm King

Chapter 252: Daily life in Black Gold City

“Mr. Ji Xun, we will arrive at Black Gold City in about half an hour. We haven’t been back for a long time, so we are still looking forward to it. By the way, have you been here before?”

"No."

"Ah, then I can show you around. Black Gold City is the largest city-state in the western part of Wadona County, and it is also the largest high-burning coal mining area in the entire federation. It is quite rich, but there is dust and coal everywhere. Smoking. Although I have grown up here since I was a child, I still don’t like the feeling of being covered in ashes every time I go out.”

ˆ “.”

 On a train whirring across the dark wasteland.

 In the luxurious VIP carriage, the orange light of the crystal lamp illuminated the entire carriage.

Ji Xun and Song Yu were eating lunch leisurely.

As she was about to go home, the chaebol lady enthusiastically introduced her hometown.

Ji Xun listened with great interest and nodded from time to time.

　　I put a piece of meat into my mouth with my fork and looked at the plain outside the window.

 The field of vision is very far away, and the lights on the horizon can be vaguely seen.

 He felt quite emotional in his heart, the Federation was really too big.

 Seven days ago, they returned to the town of Bolton, which had been blood sacrificed.

 Then he took a motorcycle and drove for nearly two days before arriving at a parrot city with a train nearby.

After that, they took the train seven times and changed trains, passing through dozens of large and small cities. It was only now that another five days had passed, and they were about to arrive at their destination, Black Gold City.

Although Ji Xun knew that the Federation had a large territory, he had only stayed in Innocence City before. When he came to the rich mineral layer for the first time, he was also surprised by the vast area.

 Because it is a cave world, there are no boundaries.

 The lords are expanding and opening up new lands every moment, and their territories are changing at any time.

 Even the Federal Archives Office does not have accurate land area data.

It is said that there are still ten days to go from Black Gold City to Dragon City, the federal capital.

And not only is the land vast and rich in resources, the federal population is also so large that there is no accurate figure at all.

The permanent population of Black Gold City alone exceeds one million.

 There are countless such urban federations.

Ji Xun also understood why a place of exile like Innocence City was filled with so many people, and new people were constantly being added.

Ji Xun looked out the window and was slightly lost in thought.

At this time, the exclusive maid in the carriage added dessert after the meal.

Song Yu happened to be introducing Black Gold City with great interest, and also introduced: "However, although the city is dusty, there are also many delicious places. For example, Luo Li's pastry shop, Phil Luo's fried fish, Sen I have loved the mashed potatoes in the wooden house since I was a child. Ji Xun, you must try it."

After all, Black Gold City is too far away from Dragon City. In the eyes of many great nobles, it is synonymous with remote upstarts.

 After spending the past few days together, Song Yu also felt that Ji Xun was not familiar with many things here, so he explained them in detail.

Ji Xun listened and smiled slightly: "Okay."

 “Let me think about it, what else is there besides food?”

At this time, Song Yu thought of something, blinked, a hint of joking flashed in his smart crystal eyes, and said: "Oh, Black Gold City also has a very famous song and dance drama in the Federation! The most famous 'Royal Song and Dance Troupe' in the entire Federation , the earliest one is from Black Gold City.”

As she said this, she seemed to think that musicals can be found everywhere, and added a point that was often heard in the conversation among male students in the college: "If it is the 'Charm Special' at midnight, there will be many good-looking young girls~"

 “Oh? Charming special show. What is it?”

Ji Xun glanced at her and showed a strange expression.

I also guessed a little bit.

 The experience of life and death has always been the most direct way to quickly close relationships.

This girl has lost her courtesy at all since she came out of the previous mithril mine.

 After saying that, he looked like a close friend who could talk to him about anything. He no longer had the ladylike reserve before.

 She can tell Ji Xun any business secrets or family secrets.

We have become more and more familiar with each other on the road these days.

  Generous, cheerful and elegant, like a rose in full bloom.

 “This... is that gorgeous stage plays are very popular in the upper class.”

As soon as he said these words, Song Yu looked at Ji Xun and felt a little guilty after all, "But, I...I haven't been there either."

She stuck out her tongue and added: "I heard it too. My brothers and adults at home like to go there. But if Ji Xunqin is interested, I, we can go and have a look."

"Ah"

Ji Xun listened and smiled.

 From this description, it seems like it feels like an adult theater.

This was not surprising in the Fengyuechang of Innocence City, and he didn't feel anything curious about it.

But the "Royal Song and Dance Ensemble" also has this kind of performance?

 This is the second time he has heard this name.

The last time was, a hundred years later, when Hong Tower opened.

If it were really that kind of performance by a song and dance troupe, he would really be a little interested.

ˆ “.”

Song Yu looked at his suspicion of "You haven't been there yet, why are you taking me there?" and chuckled,

 There is always a feeling of dissatisfaction in my heart.

Her eyebrows moved slightly, wondering why she felt guilty just now?

 It’s obviously normal in the upper class society.

Like a rebellious girl looking forward to something unknown, she puffed out her cheeks and pondered for a moment, then said seriously: "Well! I must go and see it if I have the chance!"

 It seemed that after experiencing life and death adventures, she felt that she had some inexplicable "courage".

 Why can’t I go and see it?

ˆ “.”

Ji Xun looked at her serious look and smiled without saying a word.

But that's not what he was thinking about.

But how long can you stay?

 Intuition told him.

 He couldn't stay in this marvelous time travel for long.

 And as the body's "weak state" gradually recovers, this feeling becomes stronger and stronger.

While he was lost in thought, Song Yuxiu noticed that he was a little melancholy and asked, "What's wrong?"

Ji Xun shook his head.

 Song Yu's eyes flashed with brilliance and he said, "I noticed that you tend to be distracted a lot of the time."

Ji Xun explained: "Yeah. I was a little distracted thinking about something."

At this moment, the sound of a whistle came from outside the carriage.

 The train pulled into a bustling station.

Black Gold City has arrived.

 The carriage door opened, and Song Yu looked like a qualified tour guide: "Welcome Mr. Ji Xun to my hometown - Black Gold City!"

As she spoke, she naturally took Ji Xun's arm and prepared to lead him down together.

But as soon as she opened the door and looked at the group of people picking up the car outside, the Song family girl immediately shrank her neck and let go of Ji Xun's arm as if she was electrocuted.

She tried her best to hide the shyness on her cheeks and greeted the group of people in front of her: "Aunt Rosie, Uncle John, Cousin Alice, and Uncle Eight, why are you here?"

Ji Xun listened to the series of names of his seven aunts and eight aunts, his expression remained unchanged, but he smiled in his heart.

 This group of people probably heard something.

 Originally, it was the job of servants to pick up cars.

 But now many relatives are coming to the Song family.

Although they are not big shots, it can be seen that they are very enthusiastic about Song Yu, and they greeted him for a while.

"Oh, uncle heard that you went to Bolton Town? There is a war there. It is too dangerous. It would be nice to arrange for servants to do this kind of dangerous work."

"I heard from your mother that you were assassinated by bandits? Oh my god, it's so scary. Xiaoyu, don't go to those remote countryside next time. The security is too chaotic. But it's good to come back safely."

“I heard that there is a problem within your Rose Chamber of Commerce? What’s going on? Tell Aunt Seven and I’ll make the decision for you!”

“Xiao Yu, your cousin Harlan just graduated from the Federal Military Academy a few days ago. When he heard that you were coming back, he said that he hadn’t seen your cousin for a long time and asked you to go to the theater tomorrow.”

ˆ “.”

Even though these guys are all well-dressed as upper-class gentlemen and ladies, in front of the Song family, they are all second-rate rich people.

 And only those who can really look down on themselves in the face of interests will get more benefits.

 After all, they all know that Song Yu is a kind girl.

 As long as you say something nice, you will be easily persuaded.

Just like her aunt Meera, isn't she just so thick-skinned that she follows her wherever she goes and takes advantage?

 It’s not too late to realize it now.

 Oh, I heard that the fat woman is dead. There is simply no better news than this.

 There was such a big incident in Bolton Town, not only the Song family, but even the Dragon City Federal Council was disturbed.

Although the news about vampires was blocked by the people in Bureau X.

 But other things got out.

 Because of the need to investigate pollution, X Bureau and various forces conducted a detailed investigation on the personnel involved in Bolton City.

 This will inevitably lead to the investigation of personnel, transactions, accounts, etc.

 It doesn’t matter if you don’t check.

In this investigation, the investigators were surprised. The Rose Chamber of Commerce is actually so rich?

In the past few days, the existence of the "Rose Chamber of Commerce" has quietly emerged in the eyes of the upper class through various channels.

The older generation of businessmen can’t understand why those at the bottom, whom they regard as “poor devils”, can squeeze out so much money.

 But the fact is that this "Song Yu" is now the most famous young rich man in Black Gold City.

 The Song family also received the news immediately.

 The older generation within the family who originally looked down upon Song Yu suddenly came to their senses.

 They discovered that the small chamber of commerce that they had looked down on before had already acquired an enviable huge amount when they came to their senses.

After greeting him for a long time, Song Yu finally separated from the group of relatives who enthusiastically picked up the car.

 Saw Ji Xun who was already waiting in the car.

 She quickly got into the car.

 As soon as the car door closes, the world becomes quiet.

If it were before, she would really have thought that the adults in the family cared about her.

Even if you know that they have an agenda, you will feel that it doesn’t matter if they are family members anyway.

But after experiencing the murders committed by her third uncle and the conspiracy and instigation of her aunt, she no longer has such simple thoughts about these so-called family members who are so attentive.

Song Yu looked at Ji Xun helplessly: "Sorry, I kept you waiting for so long."

Ji Xun didn’t care at all: “It’s okay.”

 The two of them smiled similarly.

Ji Xun thought of his previous attitude and said, "But you may be busy when you come back this time."

Song Yu pursed his lips lightly and nodded gently: "Ah, yes. Suddenly I feel that this kind of social interaction is very annoying. But as a family, we can't avoid it."

 At the Battle of Bolton City, she felt as if she had grown too much.

 The principles that I couldn't understand before can now be understood all at once.

She did not shy away from Ji Xun, and said in a helpless tone: "When I was kicked out of the house because I didn't agree to the marriage, those uncles and aunts made sarcastic remarks one by one, as if they thought that my failure to consider the family was infringing on their interests. . I wish they could tie me up to get married. But I don’t understand why they want me to get married to protect their interests? Obviously, wealth is created and fought for by oneself. Of course, I am even more afraid that I will borrow money from them. You know, it is difficult for a chamber of commerce to start. Yes, I did find a lot of people for help during that time, but few were really willing to help me."

ˆ “.”

Ji Xun listened silently.

 It’s like walking along the way and just being a listener.

Song Yu added: "In the past, we needed the family's funds and channels, but we were also afraid of being suppressed by those big chambers of commerce with their financial advantages, so we needed the family to be the source of support. Now that we have the mithril mine, we don't have to worry about funds. Many things can be done with money." It's solved. In the future, my 'Rose Chamber of Commerce' will no longer have to ask my uncles for help."

 When she said this, her eyes shone with anticipation for a better future.

Ji Xun and I have been talking a lot about business planning in the past few days.

 She seemed to have thousands of ideas in her mind waiting for her to try.

  I can even imagine that if I go step by step like this, I will definitely have a huge business empire in the future.

 But it all seems to have started from those letters.

What a wonderful fate. Suddenly something occurred to him. Song Yu turned his head and looked at Ji Xun and said solemnly: "Thank you. Mr. Ji Xun, you really helped me a lot."

ˆ “.”

Ji Xun raised the corners of his mouth slightly, not caring at all.

The serious atmosphere in the carriage only lasted for a second. Song Yu burst out laughing, breaking the unnecessary atmosphere.

Her eyebrows were curved, and her clear eyes looked at Ji Xun, and asked half jokingly and half seriously: "You have saved my life and helped me so much, how can I thank you?"

Ji Xun didn't need any thanks. It was the best arrangement of fate to meet each other. He said casually: "Then, please invite me to watch the opera and dance show."

Song Yu pursed his lips and smiled, then responded: "Okay!"

 The steam locomotive speeds all the way through the Black Gold City.

 There is a thick smell of coal smoke in the air, which is the smell of the steam industry.

On the outskirts of the city are various mechanical towns used for mining. They are like hard-working marmots, mining ores from all directions and transporting back black gold.

 The inner city is lined with high-rise buildings.

 This is a prosperous mining city. The streets are crowded with people and the various shops are dazzling.

 Even a hundred years ago, this city was much more prosperous than the Innocence City.

 Steam locomotives gather in a stream on the street, and there are traffic jams from time to time.

Although the appearance of the motorcycles on the street is a bit retro, the technical aspects are not much different from those a hundred years ago.

 Even the styles are similar.

Ji Xun used to go shopping for machinery and equipment in Innocence City, and from time to time he would see many century-old antiques that had been eliminated from the rich ore layer.

 Now, those old antiques are right in front of you.

Ji Xun looked at the street scene outside the window and suddenly felt like he had stepped into history.

 He clearly felt that he was being repelled by some kind of force.

 “The law of time?”

Ji Xun muttered to himself.

 Once you understand it a little bit, you will feel more and more that the law of time is mysterious and indescribable.

 Not long.

 The steam car stopped outside a luxurious manor.

The Song family is the first family in Black Gold City. Although they do not have high-level noble titles, they are the actual powerful lords.

This vast manor is the headquarters of the Song family.

As soon as the car stopped, Ji Xun saw a large number of greeting people gathered at the entrance of the manor.

 Ten times more than the previous train station.

You can tell just by looking at their clothes that they are either rich or expensive.

At this moment, he chose to welcome Song Yu, a junior of the Song family. The ostentation was already outrageous.

 The housekeeper opened the car door.

Ji Xun didn't like this kind of excitement and had no intention of showing his face in front of others.

However, Song Yu took his arm generously: "Let's go, I will take you to meet the elders in the family."

Ji Xun had no choice but to get off the bus.

As soon as the two people walked out, they were immediately scrutinized by countless eyes.

 They all smiled when they saw that Song Yu seemed to have seen a walking gold mine.

 When she saw Ji Xun next to her, her expression was not good.

　　It seems as if someone else has already taken advantage of the melon that I haven't picked yet.

 The women pointed and whispered.

 “Who is that young man next to Xiaoyu? Why is he so unfamiliar?”

"I heard from people who came back that the secret guard arranged by the old man was called Chaoyang. He helped a little in Bolton Town before and became famous."

"Oh, it turned out to be a bodyguard. I thought he was some kind of young master. Is a bodyguard worthy of being with our little fisherman? I really can't tell my identity."

"I heard from the old man that this girl is lucky. She found some mithril mine and asked the family to arrange manpower to mine it. Looking at it, it seems that the reserve is very large."

"This little girl is really lucky. She just tinkered with a Chamber of Commerce and found it, and she also found a mithril mine. Oh, if fate was so kind to me, I would have been rich a long time ago."

"Be careful. Outsiders are staring at this girl everywhere now. There are many people with crooked ideas. I heard that several top noble families are interested in getting in touch with her."

ˆ “.”

Ji Xun’s hearing and perception are very sensitive.

These gossipy women seemed not to be afraid of being heard by him, and they spoke without any cover.

　Not only those middle-aged people, but also those young people can feel naked jealousy, malice and disdain in their eyes.

If vicious glances are like sharp arrows, Ji Xun felt that he had been riddled with holes along the way.

Song Yu sensed something very cleverly and whispered: "I'm sorry."

As she said that, she took Ji Xun's arm, as if she wanted to show her protection for her friend in this way without the need for others to point out.

Ji Xun didn't care about this at first, but when he saw this action, he smiled slightly.

Ji Xun never liked this kind of useless communication.

Song Yu also knows.

After briefly meeting a few elders, Ji Xun was treated as a guest and placed in the guest room to rest.

 He ignored the various greetings.

There happened to be a bookcase in the room, so I casually looked through these centuries-old classics.

　　I found it boring after watching it for a while.

 Whether it is mechanical technology or extraordinary classics, the content is not much different from what it would be a hundred years later.

 On the contrary, some humanities-related classics can bring some new ideas to Ji Xun.

 He is reading a book.

 In another room, Song Yu took a shower, put on a beautiful little dress, and was putting on makeup in front of the dressing table.

At this moment, a graceful and elegant lady walked in.

Looking at the woman in the mirror, Song Yu greeted with a smile: "Mother, why are you here?"

The lady looked at her daughter and said, "Xiaoyu, you are too reckless. Don't go to such a remote place next time. I heard that you encountered an accident, but it didn't scare my mother to death."

I've met before, but there are some things that I can't say clearly, so it's better to do it in private now.

Song Yu knew his mother's character. She would chatter for a long time as soon as she opened her mouth. She interrupted with a smile: "Okay, okay, I got it. I'm back safely, haven't I?"

Looking at her daughter dressed so beautifully in the mirror, the noble lady was happy in her heart, but she also frowned.

She asked tentatively: "Xiaoyu, I heard that you brought a friend back?"

When talking about Ji Xun, Song Yu was in a good mood, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face: "Yes. I originally wanted to take him to see his father and mother later."

The lady looked at her expression getting worse and she asked cautiously: "I asked your grandfather, and he said that 'Chaoyang' is not the bodyguard of the family. So who is he? And how do you know him?"

 “He is my good friend anyway.”

Song Yu thought for a while and didn't know how to introduce himself as a friend he met through writing letters. He could only say: "Ji Xun saved my life. Uncle Sam and the others are also alive because of him."

ˆ “.”

This cryptic statement made the lady's expression become more and more uneasy.

 But she also knew her daughter’s character and was unwilling to tell her. She would never tell her no matter how much she asked.

The noble lady just said: "It's not that my mother is too talkative. But Xiaoyu, you have to be careful about people with unknown origins. After all, our Song family is also a reputable family, and we are afraid that some people with evil intentions will deliberately approach us."

Hearing people say that Ji Xun is not good, Song Yu interrupted his mother and said, "Mother, you are overthinking. Mr. Ji Xun is a very good character and is also your daughter's savior."

Song Yu felt that she was no longer the innocent little girl she was before.

 She felt that her mother was right, she really needed to be on guard against those who had evil intentions.

 But it doesn’t have to be an outsider.

 Just like my aunt and third uncle who I always thought cared about me.

 Lady: “you”

Seeing what his mother wanted to say, Song Yu said in a calm but serious tone: "Mother, Mr. Ji Xun has saved me many times. Without him, you would never see me."

ˆ “.”

The lady sighed slightly when she heard this.

 She also heard that her daughter didn't want to talk about this topic, so she didn't say anything more.

She turned around and thought of something, and said: "By the way, there is one more thing. Duke Ross has had a lot of business dealings with us recently. Coincidentally, the third young master of Duke Ross's family is also an alumnus of your Federal College. Want to I know that there are several members of Parliament in the Duke of Ross family, and they are truly high-ranking nobles. I happened to meet him last time, and that Young Master He Ao is a very handsome and talented federal general."

As soon as Song Yu heard the beginning, he knew what he was going to hear next.

She didn't finish listening and interrupted: "Mother, nine out of ten young masters in the upper class are graduates of the Federal College. It's no coincidence. Also, I have already said that I don't want to get married. Who in the family wants to As a noble lady, just let anyone go. Why are you looking for me?"

 If she was willing to compromise, she would not be kicked out of the house.

 Compromise is even less possible now.

ˆ “.”

 The lady also had a headache seeing this attitude.

But the task of persuading the clan elders is on her.

What's more, she really felt that this young master from the Duke's family was the most ideal marriage partner, with both talent and appearance.

 This is also a great nobleman that the Song family needs to climb up to.

However, before the noble lady could say anything else, Song Yu didn't want to listen to the nagging for a moment.

She hurriedly put on makeup and slipped out of the room: "Dear mother, I'm going to find Mr. Ji Xun first. See you later~"

Ji Xun is reading a book in the room.

 Suddenly I heard someone knocking on the door.

 “Duh, duh, duh!”

 “Please come in.”

 Then I heard a man come in with a smile on his face: "Ji Xun, are you resting?"

Ji Xun already guessed it was Song Yu by hearing the light footsteps.

The girl saw Ji Xun reading, and without waiting for a reply, she rushed in without hesitation, muttering: "Ah, I've had enough. I've been nagged all the time when I came back. If I had known better, I wouldn't have come back." ”

Ji Xun had already expected it, so he raised his head and glanced at her, "Are you being urged to get married?"

 Sure enough, the world is like this.

 As you get older, you will inevitably experience it after returning home.

 And Song Yu’s current situation is even more complicated.

Song Yu pursed his lips: "Yes. It's very annoying."

As she spoke, she looked at Ji Xun resentfully, "You're still smiling."

Ji Xun didn't mention this topic. He glanced at her and then praised her: "The skirt is very beautiful."

 Lady's skirt in the traditional palace style, the tight cut outlines a wonderful figure.

The makeup is light and elegant, and it is obvious that she has been dressed up.

The feeling of having a filter makes her whole figure shine even more.

Song Yu suddenly felt depressed after hearing the praise. He held his skirt and bowed, and said with a sweet smile: "Thank you~"

 Her happiness now seems to be all she needs to say.

She added: "Ji Xun, do you think it's boring to stay here? Come on, let's go to the manor for a walk."

Ji Xun didn't feel bored, but nodded: "Yeah."

Song Yu walked over and helped him clear the books on the table. Just like he had done many times before, he took his arm naturally and generously, and said in an uncertain tone: "By the way. Can I ask you a favor?" It’s a big deal, you must help me.”

Ji Xun glanced at her, "Huh?"

Song Yu looked at him weakly and said, "Can you accompany me to a dinner party tonight?"

 What did Ji Xun guess: "Pushing for marriage?"

Song Yu pursed his lips: "Yes."

 (End of this chapter)