The Urban Dao Child

The people rode bikes along with the bus at a calm pace. The journey was going to belong. They could not stop for six hours of cycling. They will stop at night, but that is also after nine. If they found a hotel on the way, then they are lucky. Otherwise, the wide sky will be their ceiling. 

They have prepared rations and drinking water on the way to support them for three days. That is the time it will take them to reach Diamond Desert with an average speed of 45 kph. The cycling club was excited, they have never been out on the road, on their bikes for such a long journey. 

...

Icarus said, "Say, can we make a stop and try the local specialties?" 

Yang Dao's eyes shined with a hint of joy. The Foodie prevails. Thomas said, "If only you can reach the local town exactly on your break time. Otherwise, the coach will eat us raw." 

The few guys chuckled. Yang Dao said, "The next town residential area on this route is two hundred kilometers away. Given our average speed, we may reach on time." they have been riding for an hour already, and they had left the Jade City. 

The route to the Diamond Desert was northbound, and for the safety of the cycling club, Ayaka had taken the less-trafficked route. That also meant fewer human settlements. Thomas heard Yang Dao's voice and said, "Yes, but we need to keep up at this pace. Also, Felix, it is your turn to draft." 

Felix said, "Aye." he fell out of the queue and Thomas slowed down, letting Felix take the lead and draft for the pack. 

They rode and kept talking. Yang Dao was silent most of the time, he was immersed in the scenery. 

...

On the bus, Ayaka sighed. She said, "These guys, can they not preserve their energy? Look at them chatting like a radio." She cast her gaze on Yang Dao and said, "If I had Dao riding on his 'Silence' he would have left them here to lament. Let's do this. They had enough fun." 

She peeked out of the window and spoke loudly, "Dao, you pull up." her voice made the people calm down, and they glanced at the boy in askance. He shrugged, following the order of the coach, and pulled up the bike. 

The bus also stopped and Ayaka got down. She said something to the boy and with a nod, he got down from his bike. The cycling club saw this as they also stopped a few meters ahead. Icarus said, "Captain, let's go. I have a bad feeling. I know this look on her face. She is definitely up to something." 

He was terrified because Ayaka had just smirked in their direction. Thomas and the rest nodded and pedaled. Soon, the bad premonition came true. Yang Dao loaded his bike in the bus and exchanged it with 'Silence'. 

The boy rode his bike and shot to the front, soon caught up with the pack and said, "The coach said, If you all reach the next town with more than half an hour later than me, you will be sent back home." with that said, he shot forward. 

His speed was fast and after taking the lead of a few meters, he stopped. This was not a dash race, this was a marathon. So he just had to keep ahead of these guys and pull them to be more focused. Ayaka told him to say the things earlier, but it was all to motivate the people. 

Yang Dao rode with a smile on his face. The bus drove side by side to the pack. Ayaka noticed that none of the people were talking now but were focused. Icarus was also quiet for a change. Kiya noted this situation. They had installed a camera on everyone's helmet. 

When she watched the footage coming from Yang Dao's camera she said, "Coach, Dao seems to look at the scenery rather than the road." 

Ayaka smiled and said, "The purpose of a bike is to traverse the scenery. The road is too bland and given the personality of Dao, this is fine." 

The two managers nodded. True, they always thought that Yang Dao's actions were simple yet profound at the same time. The two kept monitoring and noting a little few things in the video and reporting them to the Coach. 

Ayaka would peek out of the bus and speak a few words of guidance to the boys to constantly improve their performance. While the cycling club was worried about keeping up with Yang Dao, the boy was having fun. 

He rode with his hands off the handle and sat straight, looking around at the changing scenery. He liked how the fields changed color from yellow to green, he liked the wind rushing around him, the feeling of moving forward as if he was flying. 

His legs were in good condition and it was as if his legs had some sort of machine fit inside them. He was riding as if he was breathing effortlessly. His distance of a few meters has now extended to ten meters. 

The boy was unaware of the pressure he gave to the rest of the club. Icarus spoke, "This guy is not a climber, he is an all-rounder."

Thomas nodded. "His true skills are not yet at the display. But as I look at him, it feels as if I am looking at a carefree child, who is engrossed in his fun and joy. His hands are off the handle, but his bike is moving smoothly. It is as if I am watching a movie." he said with a sigh in the end. 

This was true, Yang Dao was immersed in the fun part of the journey. His mind was clear of any pressure. Suddenly, he heard something akin to a whisper ringing in his ears. He was shocked and almost lost his balance on the bike. Controlling his bike, he looked around and found nothing. 

Icarus saw this and said, "Did he fall asleep while riding?"