Chapter Thirty-Six: The Prince of Rome

Italy, the capital city Rome—a radiant cradle of world history and culture, the birthplace of the ancient Roman Empire. Even the airport bears the name “Leonardo da Vinci,” a testament to the city’s artistic spirit.

Once upon a time, Mo Shu dreamed of being a cultured youth, and Rome was the essential pilgrimage for any such soul. Alas, this journey to Rome was a mission for him and Wang Yining; they needed to accomplish their task quickly and return to Nanshan for the competition. Naturally, sightseeing had to be sacrificed, much to Mo Shu’s regret.

Where to start searching for the “Core of the Eternal Engine”? The two of them stood in the airport hall for five minutes, utterly at a loss.

“Mo Shu, maybe you should try your Eagle Eye analysis?” Wang Yining’s suggestion was the desperate grasp of the hopeless.

“Hmm... I doubt it’ll help much.” Mo Shu, too, felt the chances of finding a clue were slim.

Standing in the bustling hall of Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Mo Shu, helpless once again, could not suppress his feelings and began to recite aloud:

“I am the king of kings,
Great deeds that even the heavens must bow before!”

Several hurried travelers cast perplexed glances at Mo Shu’s poetic outburst. Wang Yining, trailing beside him, felt her dignity crumble.

“I’ve got it!” Just as Wang Yining raised her hand to slap Mo Shu, he suddenly cried out.

“Did you see something?”

“Yes, yes, yes! I just spotted a traveler with a system!” Mo Shu pointed at the exit and rushed after the person.

Wang Yining, a girl, couldn’t hope to match his speed; Mo Shu left her far behind in an instant. In her panic, Wang Yining stumbled, nearly tumbling over, luggage and all.

Just as her face was about to meet the floor, a strong hand caught her mid-air, saving her from disaster.

Breathless and shaken, Wang Yining managed to regain her footing and hurriedly thanked her rescuer.

“You’re welcome.” The reply came in Latin-accented English from a brown-haired European man, stylishly dressed with a dark hat, fashionable sunglasses perched on his nose, and a large black mask covering his mouth. Behind him stood a graceful European woman, her face equally well hidden, while she held the hands of two children—a boy and a girl, both around ten—who mischievously pulled down their masks and stuck out their tongues at Wang Yining.

A seemingly blissful family of four. Wang Yining pulled a funny face at the children, and from their looks, she could tell their parents were surely strikingly attractive.

Mo Shu returned, crestfallen. In his rush, he’d mistaken an advertising board for his Eagle Eye’s data interface. Accepting the suitcase, he apologized profusely to Wang Yining.

“It’s nothing, really,” Wang Yining said, tugging Mo Shu’s sleeve. “If not for this gentleman’s help, I’d have landed face-first.”

“Thank you so much!” Mo Shu pressed his palms together and bowed, his eyes unable to resist lingering on the beautiful European woman.

“Hey, that’s rude! And I’m right here!” Wang Yining felt a surge of indignation. Men truly are all the same.

Mo Shu, unabashed, kept staring at the woman and murmured, “It’s not that I’m lecherous—she just looks so familiar…”

Wang Yining, hearing this, studied the woman. She seemed familiar. Then she looked at the brown-haired man—he, too, looked familiar. Perhaps they’d run into celebrities.

The man noticed their change in demeanor, lowered his hat brim, and tried to gather his family to leave.

Suddenly, Wang Yining shrieked, her voice rising an octave: “Totti?!”

Before she could finish, the man pressed her mouth, but Wang Yining’s excitement spilled over: “The Prince of Rome! You’re my favorite! Idol!”

“Please! We rarely get private time. Could you keep this quiet?” Totti pleaded in a lowered voice.

“Alright, idol! I want a photo with you!” Wang Yining instantly transformed into a fangirl, oblivious to Mo Shu’s feelings.

“There are too many people here—it’s not convenient!” Totti grew increasingly anxious, sweat beading at his brow.

“Please, idol! You’re my favorite among all athletes!” Mo Shu was ready to roll his eyes; since when had his girlfriend become so unreserved, acting like an overzealous fan?

“……” Totti tried to leave, but Wang Yining, clutching his sleeve, refused to let go.

“Just one photo! Look at him—do you know who he is?” Wang Yining played her trump card, pointing at Mo Shu. “He’s a very, very famous racing driver!”

“Racing driver?” Totti’s interest was piqued. “I love racing too! After retiring, I often go to Monza in Milan for a thrill. Is this driver famous? Which team does he drive for?”

“Stellar Racing Team!” Wang Yining declared.

“Stellar Racing Team...?” Totti pondered for a while, but seemed not to recall it.

“You might not know this team yet, but soon, Stellar Racing will catch the world’s eye!” Mo Shu replied with conviction.

Totti blinked, then smiled, giving Mo Shu an encouraging gesture. “I look forward to watching your races. But now, I really must say goodbye.”

As Totti waved and walked away, Mo Shu, on a whim, called out, “Prince of Rome, do you know anything about the Core of the Eternal Engine?”

His shout brought Totti to a halt. He considered for a moment, whispered something to his wife, and Mo Shu noticed Totti shake his head gently.

Mo Shu nudged Wang Yining, hinting with his eyes that he might have guessed right—Totti seemed to know something about the Core of the Eternal Engine.

Then Totti turned back, his expression grave. “I know a modification shop called Eternal Engine. Word is, they recently had a major accident. I advise you not to take any risks.”

“No matter how dangerous, we have to try,” Mo Shu replied solemnly.

“I don’t know your purpose, but that’s all I can tell you. Good luck.” Totti nodded, patting Mo Shu’s shoulder.

After bidding farewell, Mo Shu and Wang Yining rushed to the Eternal Engine modification shop.

Yet, the shop was nothing like Totti had described. There was no sign of a recent accident; in fact, business was booming, with swarms of modified cars parked outside.

They entered the shop, where a burly man, arms covered in tattoos, strode up and sneered, “What do you want?”

“Do you know about the Core of the Eternal Engine?” Mo Shu asked.

“So, you’re interested?” The burly man crossed his arms in disdain.

“Yes, we’re very interested. Could you tell us more?” Mo Shu replied cheerfully, thinking the task might be easier than expected.

The man snorted, pulling the cover off a car. “Here’s the Core of the Eternal Engine!”

Mo Shu looked closely—wasn’t this the new racing car one of the Level Six Celestials, Fernando Ken Russlein, had shown him before?

Wasn’t this the car that had been wrecked in the last accident? How did it end up in these people’s hands?