LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 238: Li Sushang
Volume V: Moonlit Scar and the Heroic Shadow
"Esteemed guests, welcome to Arc City. This is a city reborn from ruins, changing every day. We strive for justice and equality, protecting every citizen in this dangerous world."
The massive passenger transport ship landed smoothly at the designated port. The gentle broadcast echoed throughout the cabin, and people curiously gazed out the windows at the city known as the City of Kindling.
Dazzling lights filled their vision, along with advanced technology unlike anything they had ever seen, seamlessly connecting the entire port. Despite the bustling activity, there were few human workers; most tasks were handled by sophisticated civilian robots.
"Wow!" Children's exclamations echoed through the cabin. Li Sushang, startled awake from her nap, instinctively looked out the window and saw a gigantic blue whale leap from the city, arcing gracefully under the moonlight before splashing back down, sending up countless sprays of water.
"Such a huge Honkai Beast!" Alarmed, Li Sushang instinctively reached for her sword, but immediately remembered that it was still at baggage claim.
Her panicked movement caught the attention of some children. A few bolder ones giggled. "Big sister, that's not a Honkai Beast! It's just a virtual projection of Arc City. It's super cool!"
The child puffed out his chest, seemingly looking down on Li Sushang's lack of knowledge. But in truth, it was only his second time visiting this city with his parents. He'd been even more surprised than Li Sushang the first time he saw it.
Thanks to the modern network, even those who hadn't seen such things before would have encountered similar fantastical images in TV shows. Li Sushang, recently awakened by Otto, naturally hadn't.
After being lectured by the child, she blushed, but quickly recovered from her embarrassment, watching the virtual projection with fascination.
"Is this the world 500 years later? It's amazing."
"The transport ship has safely docked. Please disembark in an orderly fashion. Passengers with checked baggage, please follow the guide robots to the baggage claim area."
Captivated by the projection, Li Sushang was completely immersed until a staff member politely urged her to leave the ship.
"The carriages of this era are truly unimaginable, traveling through the sky."
Her eyes sparkling with excitement, Li Sushang carefully stepped onto the moving walkway. It was her first time encountering a self-moving floor, and she was afraid of falling.
Fortunately, the intelligently controlled walkway was quite stable, carrying her safely to the terminal.
"Passenger 033, please present your identification to retrieve your baggage."
"Identification?" Li Sushang rummaged through her pockets, retrieving a jade pendant and handing it to the guide robot. The robot remained unresponsive.
"Young lady, it's asking for your ID card." A passerby informed her. Li Sushang then remembered the small card Otto had given her before she left, telling her it was her ID card.
In the era she lived in, identification usually required special tokens or talismans. Depending on the region, different tokens were required. Now, however, a single small card could be used worldwide, a completely new experience for Li Sushang.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Coachman." After thanking the robot, Li Sushang successfully retrieved her sword.
"You're welcome, Miss Sushang," the robot responded politely.
Seeing Li Sushang conversing with a robot, the passerby couldn't help but laugh.
He didn't know that under Ren's adjustments, the reborn Arc City had shed its former class divisions and indifferent. Even the ubiquitous AI was imbued with a sense of human warmth. Outsiders from other cities couldn't grasp this city's true charm.
Leaving the airport, the city revealed its exquisite beauty, the world 500 years later unfolding before Li Sushang, filling her with awe.
A city of technology, a city of rebirth.
Technology stolen from Anti-Entropy was now widely available for civilian use. Technological advancements were no longer monopolized by corporations. Everyone had access to the new era, everyone had new hope.
"It's the whale from before!" The virtual whale leaped into the sky again, like the mythical Kunpeng. But this time, instead of landing, it circled in the sky, transforming into starlight, revealing a new image.
"Dazzling stars, a golden song. Miss Eden's solo concert, [Golden Dazzling Song], will be held on June 12th at the Arc City Central Venue. We look forward to your participation."
It was an advertisement for a concert. Li Sushang had never seen an advertisement before; the closest equivalent she knew were the street vendors' calls in her time.
The cost of such a citywide virtual projection advertisement was astronomical per second. Unaware of this, Li Sushang simply stared at the wine-red-haired woman in the sky, wondering if she'd ever have a chance to appear there herself.
"I'm so envious." But while envious, Li Sushang was self-aware.
Though the wandering swordsmen of her time seemed free and unrestrained, only those who had experienced that life understood how difficult it truly was.
During her time roaming the world, Li Sushang had experienced days of hunger, her pockets empty. Having her image projected in the sky was a far-fetched dream.
After a sigh, Li Sushang quickly regained her composure. Everything in this era was captivating. She couldn't wait to embrace it.
...
"Shopkeeper, I want to play on this, may I?" After wandering for a while, Li Sushang's attention was caught by something.
"Uh, this..." The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man, seemed troubled by her request, wiping sweat from his brow.
"What's wrong? Do I need money? I still have quite a bit on this card." She took out the [Schicksal Store Supreme Card] Otto had given her, looking at the shopkeeper curiously.
"Ah, it's not that." The shopkeeper stammered, looking at her hesitantly, finally sighing and activating the machine.
Under the surprised gazes of several children, Li Sushang sat down in the small rocking ride.
What do you call your dad's dad?~
Your dad's dad is your grandpa!~
As the music played, Li Sushang was oblivious to the fact that it was a children's ride. She sat curled up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Mommy, I want to play on that too!" The children, captivated by Li Sushang, tugged on their parents' hands, wanting a turn. The shopkeeper beamed. These children represented a hefty profit, and he was grateful that he'd let Li Sushang play.
After enjoying her ride, Li Sushang, oblivious to the stares, bought a candied haw from a nearby shop. It was a treat she'd longed for as a child, but back then, she couldn't afford it. With her strong sense of justice, she could only watch others enjoy it.
But now, candied haws were much cheaper than she'd imagined, so she bought two.
"Hmm, I've already spent 60 yuan. Is that a lot? Will I be able to pay it back? Will the luocha cause trouble for me?" Calming down, Li Sushang looked at the candied haws in her hand, slightly worried.
She wasn't sure about the current prices. Back when even sugar was a rare commodity, everything now seemed incredibly expensive.
She was a wandering swordswoman, she didn't want to work for Otto forever.
She held the card up, amazed that such a small thing could buy so much.
Focused on the card, she wasn't paying attention to what was in front of her. Just as she turned a corner, a running figure appeared. They collided unexpectedly.
Both lost their balance and fell to the ground. Li Sushang was fine, but looked at the gray-haired boy she had knocked over with concern. "I…I'm sorry. Are you alright?"