Chapter 413: Chapter 279 City Garden Grand Theater
Everyone settled down in the wine estate.
Chen Lun looked at the empty and dusty wine estate, covered with fallen leaves, and imdiately had Connie hire dozens of servants from a relevant agency to clean and organize the manor.
Because it was inconvenient to take too many people along when leaving Amber City, the elite assassins from the Circus were personally disbanded by Chen Lun. Other mbers of the Murder Club, a considerable part of whom had their own Transcendent forces and were part of the Mutual Aid Society, took these people in.
It was also a favor given away.
“Golov, Barton, and Morey, you three go out and gather so information about Peacock City, try to keep a low profile… Additionally, I need to know which local noble family holds the most power, and information about the industries related to the Opera House.”
Chen Lun instructed the three of them.
...
“Yes, Leader, sir.”
Golov and his companions respectfully touched their chests in a salute and then turned to leave with long strides.
Chen Lun stroked his chin and began to ponder.
‘Now that a foothold has been established, the urgent matter at hand is to collect enough information to plan the next step.’
He thought about matters while looking over his new ho.
To honor the previous estate, Chen Lun nad the wine estate “Jack” nonetheless.
The main villa of the new Jack Estate was quite large; although it was also a four-story structure, the interior space was much more spacious than the previous one. Inside, it was roughly divided into three major areas: the work area for storing books and collections, the rest and entertainnt area, and the living area.
Most of the original furniture and invaluable collections had not been moved, even the books had mostly been left behind.
This was an unexpected surprise for Chen Lun.
It also saved a sum of money.
Moreover, among these books, there might be so chance of finding a Mystic Book.
Floey went to the kitchen area, tidied it up personally, while Noah and Maggie went upstairs to pick out their own rooms, studios, and laboratories.
Everyone was busy with their own things, only Chen Lun, the Leader, like an idle noble, inspected his own territory.
Two days quietly passed.
The estate had been completely transford, and everyone had begun to adapt to the new environnt.
To celebrate the “move,” Floey cooked a big al for everyone.
This al, every person ate with great satisfaction and joy. Perhaps, as Floey said, when emotions are infused into cooking, the dishes made will also be imbued with such emotions.
It beca apparent that Floey was in a very good mood.
That night.
Golov and the other two returned, and this ti, it seed they had brought back so gains.
Inside Chen Lun’s spacious and elegant study.
Old-fashioned incandescent lights hung on the walls, the whole study appeared diffusely dim and yellow, creating a secret and secluded atmosphere, like a confidential eting.
The three of them sat by the round coffee table and reported the information they had gathered to the Leader one by one.
“Peacock City is located on the Empire’s East Coast line, and its geographical location is quite remote. The local council’s open power is small and has little say… The city is mainly overseen by three forces: first, the nobility headed by the ‘Harrington’ family; second, the wealthy rchants led by the ‘Moses Far Voyage’ company; and third, the gang organization ‘Blue Sail’.”
Golov, smoking a cigarette, described in detail.
Chen Lun nodded.
As a port city, it was not surprising that shipping companies held significant power. And that Blue Sail gang was made up of dock workers. Although on the surface, they acted as protectors of sailors, dockworkers, and low-tier workers, in reality, it was just another form of exploitation among their own people.
“Although the Harrington family’s inherited title is only that of Viscount and their history is not very long, they are the most influential nobility in Peacock City,” Golov said softly, flicking away ash.
“Harrington…” Chen Lun mused over this na.
The reason he wanted to find out about the most powerful noble was that one of the three opportunities in Peacock City seed to be hidden within a certain noble family.
Chen Lun wanted to leverage this “leader” to locate the opportunity for himself.
That’s when Barton continued, “Leader, sir, regarding the Transcendent forces of Peacock City, the biggest undoubtedly are the official Shelter, Madman School, and History and Ritual Association. Among them, the Madman School, as the True God Church of the Magic pathway, is more keen on studying knowledge and doesn’t like to ddle too much in worldly affairs, while the relationship between the Shelter and the History and Ritual Association is not very amicable…”
Chen Lun listened quietly, sipping his tea.
This was a standard system of balances for Transcendents, with the administrative regions of State City usually overseen by an official Shelter and two Righteous God Churches.
“Oh, by the way, it’s worth ntioning that the Omutuo Academy was founded with the support of the Madman School in the background, which led to the gradual developnt of a college district centered on this university,” Barton added.
Chen Lun noted this information, sighing inwardly.
It was truly because his mories from the previous life were too distant, and he had not delved deeply into this city at the ti, which ant he now had to rebuild a frawork in his mind.
Fortunately, the clues about the three opportunities were still clear.
“Leader, sir, the information I found is that apart from those small family theaters and mobile stages, there are three major Opera Houses in Peacock City… naly ‘Golden Rum’ Grand Theater, ‘Tartar’ Opera House, and ‘City Garden’ Grand Theater,” Morey reported, holding a small notebook in his hand.
He turned a page and added, “Among these three grand theaters, Golden Rum is the largest, with the highest popularity and influence. Their current all-day show ‘Roses and the Gallows’ is their signature new hit, with first-rate playwrights and actors.
“Tartar ranks slightly behind but focuses more on classical opera and concert formats. Most of the city’s influential figures visit there every once in a while to enjoy performances.
“City Garden is at the bottom. They don’t have any outstanding features or advantages. Their leading perforrs were recently bought by a noble for a large sum, leaving only third-rate acrobatics, beast taming, and diocre magic performances, leading to a steadily worsening reputation.”
Chen Lun pondered.
The three people in front of him exchanged glances, as if they had already guessed what the Leader was planning to do.
Earlier, the Leader had told them that upon arriving in Peacock City, the main focus of the team should be on “high-level commissions,” which were the ones delivered by ssengers from the Silver Dragon Trade Association and involved mysterious events.
These commissioners often held power and influence, but when faced with supernatural occurrences within the Mystic Realm, they found it inconvenient to let the Shelter or Church know, hence they had to seek help from the Silver Dragon Trade Association.
The Association would then filter these commissions and distribute them to the Circus, where the officers were responsible for resolving them.
While earning a substantial reward, they could also conveniently achieve Mystical Accumulation.
Because of Chen Lun’s relation with Rosa, the Circus’s status within the Silver Dragon Trade Association had risen considerably, naturally earning them the most favorable treatnt… This was an extrely rare “mission platform.”
It was also an opportunity for the mbers to “level up” quickly.
However, the Circus’s life in Peacock City also required a legitimate identity to cover up their activities. This wasn’t a problem for a short period, but it could draw unwanted attention over ti.
“Let’s go with this ‘City Garden’ Opera House. I will personally negotiate with their owner to let ‘Jack Circus’ settle in, becoming the performance troupe of the theatre…” said Chen Lun, stroking his chin.
Upon hearing this, Golov and the others internally remarked that it was indeed as they expected.
However, their expressions were sowhat strange.
After all, although the team was called “Circus,” none of them knew how to perform. They were all Transcendents, adept in combat and solving incidents, but putting on an actual “show” was sowhat outside their expertise.
“Don’t worry, it’s just for show. I’m not expecting you to really delve into it…” Chen Lun said with a smile.
Golov and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Lun glanced at the antique wall clock, then said to them:
“All right, that’s all for now… You’ve all worked hard these past few days, go back to your rooms and rest.”
“Yes, Leader,” they replied respectfully, saluting and then excusing themselves.
As the door closed behind them, Chen Lun stood up and stretched languidly.
“As the boss of the team, I’ve got to do sothing after all…”
*
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*
The following day.
Early in the morning, after having breakfast made by Floey, Chen Lun left the house.
He was dressed impeccably, in a brand-new flat-topped black hat, a high-end black suit, a felt cloak, and a pair of new leather shoes.
Since Golov wasn’t familiar with the city, Chen Lun decided to spend so money to save trouble today. Arriving at the main street outside the winery, he casually hailed a rental carriage.
With cordial morning greetings from the coachman, Chen Lun boarded the carriage, his arm resting on a Silver Staff.
Though early upon departure, by the ti the carriage reached the “City Garden” Opera House three blocks away, it was the busiest ti of the workday.
Standing at the rather desolate entrance of the Opera House, Chen Lun looked at the sowhat old-fashioned sign and the long-untended interior walls, and he could roughly guess that the business here was probably not doing well.
“Hey sir, are you here for a show? Today we have the ‘Freak Acrobatics Troupe,’ the ‘Beast Taming Sisters,’ and the utterly srizing ‘Corvey Magic Show’ on stage!” said a thin, short man, dressed in a cheap and ill-fitting fat wine-red suit, as he approached Chen Lun to pitch the performances.
His expression was quite animated, trying his best to convey how exciting the shows inside were.
“Are you an employee of this theatre?” Chen Lun inquired.
The small man hesitated for a mont.
“Uh… cough, you could say that, ten Copper Kro an hour, plus a commission from ticket sales,” he shrugged and mumbled softly.
“So, what do you say, sir? Do you want to co in and have a look? Even though it seems quiet, the performances will definitely not disappoint you.”
Chen Lun pulled out two Silver Ducats and shook them in front of the man.
“I’m not here to watch the show. Go fetch the person in charge, preferably the owner of this theatre… and keep the money for yourself,” Chen Lun said.
“Oh, sure, no problem, generous sir,” the small man’s eyes sparkled brightly.
He took the money and imdiately turned around excitedly, rushing into the theatre.
A mont later.
A young man with a haggard face erged, accompanied by a tall, thin man with a handlebar mustache.
“Good day, sir. I am the owner of this theatre, Hoyle Simon. May I know what I can do for you?” The young man was well-dressed in a formal suit of dark grey with a polished finish, complete with a red bow tie, although his deep dark circles detracted sowhat from his presence.
“Mr. Hoyle, I heard your theatre’s main perforrs were poached? That ticket sales are increasingly difficult now and business is not so good,” Chen Lun said, all smiles.
“I believe I can help you.”
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