Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 150 Da’an North

Da'an City, Baicheng, Jilin Province.

A dusty truck appeared on the grassland, moving forward in the icy wind.

A farm vehicle loaded with sheep drove past. No one noticed that there was an extra sheep on the vehicle, and just as no one noticed that the number of sheep returned to normal as the vehicle entered the city.

Miao Xin quickly transformed in mid-air, landing gracefully in a military overcoat, and walked forward like an ordinary passerby.

An older woman looked up and glanced at them strangely.

Miao Xin walked forward with unwavering confidence, her movements casual and unhurried. In the end, the older woman could only wonder if she was seeing things.

[So high-profile?] Su Ming was somewhat surprised; Miss Wraith hadn't even used her interference abilities.

"It's okay to be a little wild in places without cameras," Miao Xin replied.

When faced with something incomprehensible, a person's first choice is often to doubt themselves.

Miao Xin looked around and finally bought two jianbing guozi from a breakfast stall. While paying in cash, she asked the stall owner for directions to the Da'an North Locomotive Storage Base.

"You're here to see motorcycles, right?" The stall owner pointed out the route to Miao Xin. "But that place isn't open to the public."

Every year, it's not uncommon for travelers to come out of curiosity to see the steam locomotives, and the stall owner is already familiar with them.

"Thanks!"

Miao Xin knew the base wasn't open to the public before she came, and she hadn't planned to use the main entrance anyway. She carried her breakfast to a Cainiao Post Station and picked up a package. Inside was a drone.

Miao Xin randomly found a rooftop, spread out the instruction manual, completed the setup under Su Ming's guidance, and released the drone.

The storage base wasn't a particularly secret location. Miao Xin's drone flew over from a relatively high position without being noticed; similar situations were commonplace.

In the video, dozens of tracks are arranged radially in a circular area in the center of the base. Approximately 80 steam locomotives are displayed on them, including the Qianjin (进前) type, as well as smaller Shangyou (上游) and Jianshe (建学) types. Only one Qianjin type locomotive, number 6809, is listed towards the back; the rest are distinguished locomotives with honorary designations.

Trains such as QJ1820 and QJ1153 participated in the Korean War; QJ1699 participated in the 98 flood relief efforts; and QJ1043 has transported oversized and overweight equipment on multiple occasions.

The weather had cleared up, and sunlight pierced through the cold wind. Some workers were shoveling snow in the square and hauling it away in trailers.

On both sides of the square, near the outer edge, there were more than three hundred diesel locomotives, quietly huddled together. These locomotives were in long-term reserve and ready to be deployed at any time in the event of a widespread power outage.

The drone continued flying, and Miao Xin quickly located the maintenance workshop, parts warehouse, office building, and other locations of the aircraft depot, marking them on the map.

The base was simply too large; if she were to search it piece by piece in her ghost form, it would take an unimaginable amount of time. The drone was much faster, completing the reconnaissance in less than ten minutes.

Miao Xin retrieved the drone. She found a place to hide the little troublemaker, disassembled its fused form, and began a detailed "visit" of the target.

****
Half an hour later, Su Ming received a report from Miao Xin.

The Shenyang Train Museum houses the QJ6368 and the renumbered QJ6540. Because it is primarily for display, these two Qianjin-type steam locomotives are in poor condition, with significant damage and missing parts.

The situation is much better at the Da'an North Base.

"I just checked the license plates; only QJ6809 is relatively new at the storage base." Su Ming read the relevant information. "The rest are all early, used equipment, manufactured in the 1960s or 70s, with an age of over 50 years."

This model of locomotive, numbered from 1 to 7207, was produced over a period of more than thirty years.

"No, that's not true," Miao Xin corrected. "These are the ones in their best condition, and they're all later models that have undergone multiple improvements."

【oh? 】

"Don't look at the license plates on them; those are for visitors," Miao Xin explained. "The actual heroic locomotives, due to long hours of high-load operation, had long since completed their missions and wouldn't be on display here—they were destined to be recycled."

Su Ming felt a slight pang of emotion. "Indeed, why need thick earth to bury bones?"

【But even though it was in the best possible condition, all the steam boilers were severely corroded.】 Miao Xin continued to explain the situation.

"I expected this," Su Ming said. "That's why I wanted to order a new boiler system."

Corrosion is one aspect. Technology has advanced, and the old locomotives of the past are still far from meeting Su Ming's needs; modernization and power upgrades are essential.

As agreed, this matter was arranged by Miao Mu, and the new boiler was expected to be delivered in a week.

He was absolutely certain about it and indicated that there was no need to worry about any costs.

"We can use QJ7167 and QJ7173 as the main components, and combine them with usable parts from a dozen or so other locomotives to assemble two complete locomotives," Miao Xin planned. "Some of the wear and tear parts that need replacing are available in the warehouse."

The two checked the plan and decided to start their operation that evening.
-
On the White Triangle, Hanster began clearing out the warehouse, separating the supplies needed for the ice field expedition. Kira set up a greenhouse, saying she'd let everyone grow vegetables to improve their lives.

Su Ming used CAD to draw a structural diagram, printed it out, and handed it to the scholar who had been transferred to the construction worker position in the lower cabin.

A large number of zombies were processing amethyst ore there. In the center of the area was the form of a purple skeletal dragon.

"It's such a narrow space." Violet opened the blueprints and looked at them. "I need to fold it up to hide inside."

The entire building is only 2.8 meters wide. After deducting the thickness of the two side walls, the clear space is only 2.2 meters.

"Can you do it?" Su Ming asked.

"It's possible, but the bone dragon will take about ten seconds to transform from its folded form to its battle form."

"This price is worth paying to cover up the volatility."

"Okay."

Su Ming looked up and found that the bone dragon was even larger than the Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil he had seen in the museum when he was a child. Its huge head and eyes with a blue glow looked down at him, giving him a strong sense of oppression.

If the wings hadn't been integrated into the hull, it would have looked even more imposing and majestic.

A sudden surge of excitement welled up in Su Ming's heart; as someone with a penchant for large objects, he simply couldn't resist this allure. He stepped forward, all the way to the base of the ribcage. The pristine white bone above his head gleamed with a sharp, cold light, prompting him to raise his hand, wanting to touch it.

"Is it okay?" Su Ming suppressed the turmoil in his heart and turned to ask Zi Jin.

For a moment, the girl's expression became somewhat out of control. She closed her eyes and waved her hand, indicating that Su Ming could do as he pleased.

Su Ming took a deep breath and placed his hand on it. The skeleton was cold to the touch, with soft lines, yet it had a mechanical feel. He unconsciously released his magic, merging with the bones in front of him.

In this moment, I, so small, resonate with the vast life form.

Behind him, Violet clutched her chest and rushed up, kicking him away.

****
When Hanster entered the cabin, he found Su Ming and Zi Jin arguing.

"I was touching the bone dragon, not you," Su Ming said angrily, rubbing his lower back. "You gave me permission, so why did you kick me!"

"I'm the one who should be angry!" Violet's voice was equally loud. "Who told you to use magic to connect? You might as well have just groped my breasts!"

"How can they be the same!" Su Ming said, dissatisfied. "The bone dragon's ribs are much stronger!"

Zi Jin raised her hand and gave Su Ming a good whack on the lower back, and the latter immediately screamed in pain.

Qiluo stood to the side holding a basket of cabbages, with a piece of cabbage stalk still dangling from her mouth.

"Mr. Su, Lord Chestnut Owl, we haven't prepared enough warm clothing for the ice plains," Hanster reported. "And if we're going to rescue people from Divine Might Prison, we'll need to prepare enough for those people as well." Su Ming looked at his thin autumn and winter clothes and realized the problem as well. The further north they went, the lower the temperature became.

He checked the nautical chart and found that the Triangle had already crossed the Tropic of Cancer.

“Fjord City, a major industrial city on the Eastern Continent.” Violet pointed to a coastal city in the northern part of the Eastern Continent. “It has Redro, the main trading port of the dwarves, where it is easy to obtain resources.”

According to the planned route, the White Triangle will pass by a location approximately 400 kilometers outside Hongluo Port.

Hongluo Port primarily engages in trade with the Northern Continent, a short trade route of only about 3000 kilometers. While the trade volume is far less than that of the East-West Continent routes, the ships are small and numerous. Therefore, the White Triangle would be easily detected simply by approaching, let alone making purchases at Hongluo Port.

Su Ming summoned Yunier. The junior clerk, after accepting the task, diligently organized things in the warehouse, accumulating a thick stack of forms. Although she didn't utter a word, the occasional hints of complaint revealed how sloppy Su Ming's previous material management had been.

Yunier now wears a bone bracelet on her wrist, made by Violet, which allows her to control some zombies for the convenience of her daily work.

The three began to study the list of supplies.

Bored, Qiluo asked Hanster, "Can you cook?"

"I know a little," Hanster replied. Black Skull had taught him how to use various kitchen utensils, and he had made breakfast for him.

Do you know how to make shrimp and cabbage?

Hanster's eyes lit up; this guy knew how to eat. "Shrimp?"

"Available anytime."

"Row!"

****
It took Su Ming and his two companions two hours to complete the resupply. They placed an urgent order in Qi Luo's name with a merchant guild in Fjord City, requesting that a small, separate boat be used to deliver the goods to the Northern Continent, departing from Red Luo Port the next day.

It took several rounds of work to complete the formalities, including confirming a detailed list of goods and signing a contract remotely.

When they returned to their workshop after finishing their tasks, they found the scene somewhat chaotic, with a pungent, fishy smell in the air. However, it wasn't a major problem; the skeleton servants were already cleaning up.

On the long table, there was only a large, steaming basin, and Hanster and Kira were taking rice out of the electric steamer.

He also steamed a basket of fresh sea fish. Since acquiring the unicorn, Su Ming has been upgrading the kitchen facilities to resemble a factory canteen.

"What did you do?" Su Ming asked.

"Shrimp and cabbage, steamed turbot," Qiluo replied, tossing a plate of rice on top of the steamer onto the table, then sitting down and picking up a rice paddle to eat.

"Sorry, I'm not familiar with these devices, I made a mess of them," Hansster apologized.

"It doesn't matter."

Su Ming heated oil in a wok, quickly chopped some pointed chilies and threw them in, along with some Sichuan peppercorns. After frying until fragrant, he poured the oil directly onto a corner of the steamed fish plate.

"Thank you!" Violet said, picking up her cutlery as well. Yunier had already quickly set everything out.

Su Ming tasted it, and the food today was delicious. Indeed, there's never any need to worry about foodies; Hanster seems to be a hidden talent as well.

He scooped a large spoonful of shrimp and cabbage into Qiluo's rice plate, saying, "You've worked hard, eat more."

Qi Luo immediately became alert. "What are you going to do?"

"It's just the concern between partners," Su Ming said.

Qiluo didn't believe a word he said, and every time she ate something nice he ordered, she felt heartbroken.

“I need you to go on a business trip tomorrow to collect goods from a cargo ship,” Violet explained. “Fly there.”

"How far?" Qi Luo asked.

"About two hundred kilometers."

This was the agreed-upon method. The goods ordered this time certainly couldn't be delivered to Moon Bay Port on the Northern Continent; their initial plan was to intercept them at sea. The White Triangle couldn't appear rashly; a liaison officer had to first go to the cargo ship and guide it to a relatively secluded area.

And for this matter, there is no more suitable candidate than a social butterfly unicorn.

Qi Luo considered it for a moment, and it wasn't too far. "It's all clearly priced. Tonight's supper is smoked meat!"

The smoked meat was made from leftover pork from the bonfire party on Willow Leaf Island last time, and it looks like the unicorns have already set their sights on it.

"I haven't even tasted it yet," Su Ming smiled. "Deal!"

Historically, before Huo Qubing's expedition against the Xiongnu, he would feed his warhorses with fine grains to fatten them up. So her request was reasonable, Su Ming thought to himself.

****
There was a lot of preparation work to be done for the trip to the ice fields, and everyone's schedule was very full.

Qi Luo originally didn't care about growing vegetables or fishing, but she was shocked when she saw Su Ming's supply plan and was forced to reveal her identity as a seasoned traveler.

"Antifreeze, snow blindness goggles, basic medications, altitude sickness medication, atlas, territorial distribution, meteorological and cultural information," Qiluo complained as she frantically pulled out a list. "Have you guys even been to the snowfields? You think just a winter coat is enough!"

"Is it really that troublesome to go there?" Su Ming asked Zi Jin in a low voice.

"I don't know. When I went there last time, it was still in its skeletal dragon form, and it wasn't winter," a world-class wanted criminal replied. "And I was being chased by the Knights, so I was only focused on fighting."

He then looked at Hansster.

"When I was there, I spent the whole winter holed up in a cave. Only people who are too full to travel far during this season would do that," the old man said. "Even locals."

Alright, let's listen to the professionals. Su Ming let the unicorn place additional orders with Fjord City on its own, and then he and Zi Jin went to attend to other matters.
-
As night fell, Miao Xin arrived at the archives room of the sealed base, following the pre-arranged plan.

There were many blueprints, piled up like mountains. Guided by certain sources, Miao Xin found the blueprints and operation manuals for the corresponding modified version of the Qianjin steam locomotive, without even causing a big stir.

They even found a CD containing digitized data.

"What's this?" Miao Xin asked.

Su Ming knew about it, but Miao Xin, who was several years older, had never been in contact with it before.

[We need a CD drive.]

Fortunately, since there were CDs here, there must have been a device to read them. Miao Xin searched through several offices and found one.

Read the disk, download data to the SD card, and transfer it.

Then Miao Xin went to the parts warehouse.

Su Ming opened the data and began to check the relevant parameters.

The Qianjin steam locomotive has a maximum wheel circumference power of 2192kW, a boiler steam pressure of 1.5MPa, and a steam temperature of 350 degrees Celsius. Even the latest improved version has an overall efficiency of only about 9%, far lower than the more than 20% of ship steam systems.

The limited availability of fuel severely restricts the types of power equipment Su Ming can currently choose. And steam locomotives, unfortunately, have long been obsolete on Earth.

As it exists today, this is already the best in the world. As a country that lagged behind in the industrialization process, China was the last to mass-produce and use steam locomotives.

Su Ming rubbed his chin, pondering what kind of answer Miao Mu would give.

(End of this chapter)