Chapter 1237: Chapter 381: Sixth Tier [Thousand Hands Trickery] Chapter 1237: Chapter 381: Sixth Tier [Thousand Hands Trickery] “`
Lenny led Leonard Churchill into the sewer camp.
As they passed a rain gutter, a few red-eyed rats sniffed the air, as if to be on guard against the unfamiliar visitor.
Leonard knew those were a card master’s Spirit Objects; the City of Thieves was never short of Mysterious Series card masters.
Worried he might misunderstand, Lenny quickly explained, “These are ‘Granny Ge’s’ little pets and also sentinels of the camp. They’re just a bit cautious since we seldom have outsiders visiting.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the rats and said, “Tell Granny these are guests I’ve brought.”
The red-eyed rats seed to understand human speech, responding with a “squeak” before disappearing in a flash.
Thinking of sothing, Lenny turned to Leonard and added, “Oh, almost forgot. ‘Granny Ge’ is a respected Diviner and one of the earliest residents of the camp. She’s currently in charge of camp security.”
“Hmm.”
Leonard nodded, listening without much to add.
He also understood that without an acquaintance to lead the way, it would likely be impossible to enter this sewer rat camp.
…
The camp was like a small village; Lenny had stayed there for many years and was acquainted with almost everyone.
When he returned, many familiar faces greeted him.
Leonard himself was a fugitive, so he made a point of paying attention to the Bounty Guild’s rewards.
After carefully discerning, he indeed recognized several familiar faces within the camp.
Upon reflection, he realized they were fugitives with federated bounties over a million.
But those were tis of old.
Lenny guessed he’d be curious and took the initiative to explain, “This place was originally a temporary hideout for a few people wanted by the Federation. Later, with nowhere else to go, they settled here. As more people arrived, the camp gradually expanded. Everyone here sought refuge, and we look out for each other.”
“Hmm.”
Leonard listened but didn’t think much of it.
Far from feeling uneasy about the company of fugitives in the camp, he felt as if he were returning ho.
If truth be told, the combined bounties of everyone here likely didn’t amount to his own.
Nor was there any real danger to speak of.
Lenny had his own wooden hut in the camp, suspended above an abandoned colossal rain pipe.
The two climbed up the rusty staircase.
Upon opening the door, they found the interior crowded with various puppet-making tools; intricate chanical parts could be seen everywhere around the room.
On the workbench, there was an arm of a puppet being carved, with a hollow interior fitted with a cleverly crafted tal secret compartnt.
The worn, polished edges of the workbench showed it was used regularly.
A quick glance around, and Leonard was certain this had been Lenny’s abode for so ti.
He also understood Lenny’s intention of bringing him here to hide, which would foster the greatest degree of trust.
After entering the hut, Lenny deactivated several small chanisms before saying, “There’s a loft above, just filled with so clutter. I might need so ti to contemplate the [Mist Legacy Relics], so I’m afraid I must impose on you.”
“Hmm.”
Leonard didn’t mind.
Having just acquired a Profession Card, he needed a stable environnt to test if he could advance.
They had just returned when suddenly a childish voice from beneath the wooden house called out, “Uncle Lenny, have you co back?”
Upon hearing the call, Lenny opened the window and replied, “Yes, Little Jimmy.”
The child downstairs asked again, “May I co up to visit you?”
Possibly because there was a guest in the room, Lenny glanced at Leonard for approval. Seeing no objection, he responded, “Of course.”
No sooner had he spoken than the sound of pinging and clanging steps rang out on the tal staircase.
In a blink, a little brown-haired boy peeped inside the door, curiously eyeing the two n in the room, “Ah… I see there’s a guest. Sorry for intruding.”
Leonard looked over and saw not just one, but five children ranging from about three to ten years old.
They were clad in tattered patchwork clothes, thin and malnourished, bearing signs of chronic undernourishnt.
Despite their visible poverty, they were quite polite in deanor.
Apparently not accustod to strangers, they looked on with curiosity and caution.
Lenny introduced, “This is Jimmy, an orphan without father or mother. Not long after he was born, soone abandoned him in the sewers. Fortunately, Granny Ge’s rats found him and brought him to the camp. That’s Waterlon, Black Charcoal, Big Mouth, and Nini beside him—they were all born in the camp. I teach them how to read and so Transcendent knowledge occasionally, so they like to co here and hang out…”
He seed apologetic, as if afraid that the noise might bother Leonard.
After their introduction, the five kids finally dared to push the door open fully, bowing in unison, “Sir, hello.”
Leonard, seeing reflections of his past self, smiled back, “Hello, everyone.”
Only then did he understand why there was a chalkboard covered in scribbles in the room—it was for teaching.
One can feign many things, but not the circumstances of life.
Indeed, Lenny had earned Leonard’s trust.
After all, they were children, and the waterlon-headed boy, eager after the greetings, asked expectantly, “Mr. Lenny, did you go to the surface today? Did you bring any treats back?”
Not just him, the other four children were also gazing up with their wide, hopeful eyes.
For those who grew up in the sewers from a young age, everything about the outside world filled them with longing.
Hearing this, Lenny’s expression turned sowhat awkward, “Well…”
“`
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