Written by-Silver crown
Ch-17 First day, first trouble
After leaving the restaurant, we took the road that headed toward the central square. The central square is as literally as its name said, a plateau located at the center of all peaks.
It is a place that facilitates competition, examination, debate, transactions, and many other activities for the outer core disciples from different peaks. There is also a headquarters for Sect administration located in Central Square.
We are heading there to fetch the necessities provided for the new labor disciples. It's not like I know the way. I'm just following Zhao Chi's lead while listening to his occasional explanation.
The road we are walking on is quite neat and broad. It may be broad enough for ten people to walk side by side freely. Both of the roadsides were well decorated with various plantations that are trimmed neatly. Luscious strange trees with turquoise color trunks and orange color orchids are planted along both sides of the road.
The traffic is clear. There is no carriage or horse moving along the road. I only find two or three people walking ahead of us.
Currently, I'm walking barefoot on this tiled road without wearing any shoes or sandals. Although the road is clean and it doesn't have any deformation, patches, or obstacles, my feet are starting to feel the kick. Every step I took sent a sensation of pain into my brain.
If I have to walk for half an hour on this tiled road, I'm sure my feet will start swelling or bleeding. Seeing I'm walking slowly with awkward steps, Zhao Chi stopped and said
"Didn't I tell you to put on one of my shoes before we come out from my house?"
"You didn't listen. Now you are having it."
'My feet are twice the size of yours. How will they fit in your shoes? It might be more counterproductive and hurt my feet more.' I muttered in my mind.
"I'm okay Brother Zhao. I'm perfectly fine." I said. I shook my legs a little bit, showing that I was fine.
"If you say so. Just bear it for a few moments. It wouldn't take long." Zhao Chi said.
After walking for a bit, we reached a junction where our lane and another lane merged into a bigger road. I found more and more people along the way. Occasionally, one or two of them gave curious glances toward us.
Maybe they are wondering what has happened after seeing my bagger-like clothes. I wasn't minding their glance. My vision was solely focused on the Zhao Chi steps and absorbed in watching the scenery and beautiful buildings along the way.
When I looked where this road was leading, I saw a long vehicle stopping at the intersection point. I rubbed my eyes.
'Is that a butterfly? No, No. Is that a bus?'
'Am I hallucinating?'
"We could make it. Let's run Turtle." Zhao Chi said.
"Hum?"
"Come on, let's go." then he started running.
Zhao Chi and I sprinted toward the vehicle that looks like a bus. Ah, My feet are feeling it. It hurts but is bearable.
I hopped into the vehicle with huffing and puffing. My lungs greedily inhaled as much air as they could. Resulting in heavy breathing both from my mouth and nose. Whereas Zhao Chi had the same composure as before. He looked like he just did a light exercise.
We didn't stand at the door but looked around for a seat. Surprisingly inside is quite spacious. There are many empty seats but the seating is different from typical bus seating. It is more like train seating with two long seats facing each other and a table between them.
Out of habit, I sat near the window and Zhao Chi sat in the opposite seat.
"This is called 'Bus'. It will take us to Central Square."
"It's convenient, right?" Zhao Chi said.
"Yes, it is. Does everyone use this kind of thing?" I asked.
"No. It's just for Labour and the outer core disciples."
"Although it is convenient, this thing is too slow for others." He answered.
"Rest a bit. They will announce before they stop."
He said and leaned on his seat. He then pressed a switch that looked like a buzzer on the table. After he pressed it, Melodic music is coming out of that thing.
Putting my elbows on the table, I gazed at the scenery through the window. There are many trees, plantations, and structures that I haven't seen before. However, when I'm sitting like this, I have a nostalgic feeling about my past life. The emotional voice of the female vocalist in the music is also setting up the mood.
In my previous world, there were not only buses but also cars, trains, and planes.
Well, different from the thing I'm currently riding, they make a roaring sound from the engine when they move.
It can't be helped.
Since their source of power is combustion through the engine. To operate them, you need petroleum for the fuel. Inside the engine, the piston takes air inside the chamber and converts the energy released during combustion into mechanical action. However, it will be releasing a byproduct called carbon dioxide from the exhaust pipe.
It might be strange for people of this world but in my previous world, it is common knowledge. People from my world use those buses, cars, and trains in their daily life. Something like going to school, work, or shopping.
I can still recall how I went to school when my family moved to the town. My eyes become unfocused, gazing at the scenery appearing on the window.
Eagerly waiting for the bus with school uniforms and oily combed hair. When the bus comes, my tiny self firmly gripped small changes in my hand. I rushed into a cramped minibus. Not long after I entered the bus, I was pushed into the back by the crowd behind me. To prevent getting pick-pocketed, I have to hug my school bag in front with one hand.
The spare driver collects our fee while simultaneously cramping people to get more space. The fast and furious bus driver occasionally stomped the break which shoved the people to the back.
Speaking of the bus driver, the spare driver is only the name. The majority of them don't know how to drive. Their duty is to collect transportation fees and refill boilers. At the bus stop, They will become rappers who will rap the list of bus stops root. They pulled up and cramped the passengers into the bus. They also have foul mouths, insulting another bus after overtaking them. For their convenient sake, they usually put money notes they have collected in spaces between their fingers. They seem like Thanos collecting infinity stones on the bus.
Time is really good medicine. I hated the experience of being cramped and uncomfortable ride when I was young. But now, it's more like a funny memory as a part of my life.
"We arrived," Zhao Chi said.
"Wow, that's fast."
It only takes 12-13 minutes but we already arrived at Central Square. I stepped out of the bus and followed Zhao Chi's lead. As usual, I followed behind him with slow and steady steps. Out of curiosity, I wandered my eyes for a bit. I wanted to know what the prosperous area of the sect looks like.
Central Square is so dazzling. I feel like a countryside bumpkin arrived at the city for the first time. Tall buildings that pierce the sky, colorful 3d billboards, colorful sign boards, gorgeous decorations, and a variety of shops.
Many people are moving along the street. Footbridges and maze-like sky streets are hovering all over the place. These streets are laid with Jade tiles. What an extravagant way of laying ties. This is why my soles are feeling a cold sensation. I marveled at the sight and found everything bizarre yet fascinating to my eyes. When I got a hold of myself, I found myself in deep trouble.
'Where is Zhao Chi?'
'Where did he go?
'It's only my first day, I'm already in trouble. My head started spinning. I searched for Zhao Chi like a madman on fire.