I Have a Dice Left by a God-Chapter 414 - 6: Reunion with Kathy

Li Xin wanted to invite Old Fang to retire together in Hedan, but Old Fang said he was already accustomed to life in Hedan. With his age, he couldn’t handle the hassle anymore, and Dragon Capital was more suited for younger people. Hence, he didn’t return to Dragon Capital with Li Xin but asked Li Xin for a personal favor.

Upon arriving at the port, Li Xin finally understood that Old Fang wasn’t just being polite. Compared to Hedan’s blue skies and white clouds, the warm climate, what came into view was a noisy and bustling port.

It wasn’t the sunny and busy kind of scene in Hedan, but rather towering smokestacks, billowing thick smoke, the unending roar of machinery, gray seas littered with uncountable bits of floating garbage, the entire sky shrouded in a heavy mist—though not to the point of being pitch black, it was heavily polluted. Even here by the sea, the air carried a pungent smell.

Various large ships came and went, and occasionally overhead, a Hex Airship could be seen. The massive sound of the propellers was both awe-inspiring and overwhelming. It felt as if stepping into a new level of civilization, incredibly striking.

Li Xin, with memories of two eras, couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity at the sight. Seeing is believing, and in Dao Yuan’s understanding, while Dragon Capital had risen, from the outside perspective, it was still wedged between the Moncalleta Kingdom and the Black Cloud Empire.

Li Xin was certain upon seeing this scene that Dragon Capital’s strength would likely require just one war to make the entire Dao Yuan Continent recognize it. Of course, the only variable was the Hidden Power. Without the Hidden Power, Dragon Capital’s technology could already crush other nations. Such ships and airships allowed the army to completely suppress the enemy in operational efficiency, not to mention that other armed forces likely extended beyond just Hex-Tech Guns.

While lacking Hedan’s elegance, this environment surprisingly awakened the latent instincts deep within Li Xin, and he was eager to give it a try.

Meow, meow, meow...

Justin complained disdainfully; what it hated most in its life was being on a ship. The damn ship had nearly cost it several lives. Hardly having arrived in Dragon Capital, everything around made the cat doubtful. What had possessed it to decide to follow him to Dragon Capital? Wouldn’t lounging amidst the catgirls of Hedan be delightful?

"Stop grumbling; let’s go. I heard Qi Badao is here, and he’s doing quite well." Li Xin smiled, still giving some face to the lifesaving cat.

Once off the ship and through the port inspection, due to Justin’s presence, an extra ten lira was paid for the pet entry fee. Means of earning extra cash are the same everywhere.

Near the port, there was a city rail station, powered by Hex-Tech, a train of tin. But such a vehicle didn’t feel comfortable, noisy, and not fast. It carried both people and cargo, serving as an important transportation tool for the port.

People with status still chose luxurious carriages. Since he was here, Li Xin wanted to experience the city rail.

A ticket cost ten lira beans, quite cheap, board as you arrive, sit if there’s a seat, stand or hang if there isn’t. The train was already full; Li Xin stood by the window with Justin perched on his shoulder, curiously observing the metal box. How did this thing move? Was it some sort of special Hidden Power?

Ringing~~~

A clear bell rang as the train started. The noise was a bit loud, and the carriage shook significantly, but those on the train were used to it. Some, like Li Xin, coming from outside, were filled with curiosity about how such a massive iron monstrosity was powered. Knowing about Hex Airships, Li Xin wasn’t surprised by the train, finding the experience average, probably why it hadn’t been widely adopted.

In less than an hour, the train arrived at the station. Li Xin got off and looked at the bustling crowd, feeling somewhat dazed.

This was Dragon Capital, a peak city of the technological revolution of the Dao Yuan Continent of this era, the capital of the Li Long United Kingdom.

Many newcomers to Dragon Capital felt bewildered, facing a situation reminiscent of Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. It was a place with a touch of chaos amidst the bustle. Li Xin, however, detected familiar aromas; Dragon Capital was entirely different from what he’d imagined. As someone with memories of a past life, he knew such bustling was born only of a technological revolution. Li Xin first found a hotel to settle down.

This seemingly ordinary hotel cost 1 lira per day. With money in his pocket, Li Xin didn’t fuss over it, settling down for a satisfying bath. Despite Young Master Xiong Ying arranging a nice ship, showering at sea was impractical—being caught in the rain and washing off half-naked was the best one could hope for.

Once thoroughly clean, Li Xin forcibly cleaned Justin as well, whose resistance to dirt was even more impressive.

Together with Justin, they enjoyed a hearty meal, then wandered the streets. Dragon Capital’s population density was higher, its urbanization notably more advanced than Hedan, leaving Justin increasingly regretful of coming.

As night fell, Li Xin rested, planning for the morrow.

The next morning, Li Xin donned clean clothes and hired a carriage to the agreed meeting place with Kathy, the Black Gold Cafe.

With a jingle, Li Xin opened the cafe door and saw Kathy seated by the window. Kathy wore a white lace blouse with a knit sweater over it, her hair styled up, her expression detached as she gazed out the window. Hearing the door, she saw Li Xin, stood up, and grinned brightly.

"Sister Kathy, long time no see." Li Xin waved, his inner joy bursting forth.

"Welcome back, Ah Xin." Kathy enveloped Li Xin in a big hug, scrutinizing him, "You’ve grown a bit taller and more handsome too."

Li Xin chuckled, "Sister Kathy has grown even more charming." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Such a sweet talker. Sit down. Would you like coffee or tea?"

"Tea, please," Li Xin replied, "I drank coffee every day in Hedan, and I’m a bit nostalgic for Li Long’s tea."

Kathy ordered, thoroughly examining Li Xin with satisfaction, "Hedan’s environment has sure treated you well, glad you’re back. What are your plans?"

"I don’t know," Li Xin sighed wryly, "I can’t stay in Hedan, came to see Sister Kathy, and plan to visit Aunt Fei and little Xueyin too, then I’ll take it step by step."

Kathy laughed, "The recent Hedan maneuver was quite thrilling. If not for an unexpected turn at the last moment, the Earth Temple might have ended up with a major victory, and all our investments would have become their dowry. Tell me about the situation then; the Night Patrol’s report was unclear, with critical shifts remaining vague."

Kathy’s coffee arrived—she no longer drank tea—and Li Xin received a pot of floral tea in fine porcelain, a familiar yet foreign Li Long style. Kathy poured Li Xin a cup, steaming and fragrant.

It felt like home. Perhaps home isn’t a place but because someone is there.