Chapter 423: Chapter 287: Clues in the Old Photo
The weather was just perfect today.
Chen Lun and Tracey were taking a stroll along the banks of the Feather River in the eastern district of Peacock City.
This river, a tributary of the magnificent river outside Peacock City, spanned the Northwest and East districts and was considered a beautiful cityscape.
Along both banks, there were numerous bars and dance halls bustling with activity. There were also homes by the river where private rowing activities were operated, and for just two Silver Ducats, one could get a small boat and enjoy an hour on the river.
Chen Lun felt the breeze blowing against his face and glanced at the girl beside him.
Actually, even if she hadn’t come to find him, Chen Lun had planned to take the initiative to visit Viscount Harrington’s home and try to make contact with her father. However, since Tracey came to him, he didn’t mind using this opportunity to gather some clues through the girl.
...
“Mr. Jack, let’s go boating!”
Tracey turned her head towards Chen Lun, a shy smile on her face, and whispered while pointing at the boats on the river.
“Miss Trill, is it convenient for you to be wearing a long dress today?”
Chen Lun asked with a smile.
“I’m fine!”
Tracey quickly shook her head, eyes filled with anticipation.
“Well, all right then.”
Chen Lun thought about it and agreed to the proposal.
The two approached a private cabin by the river and knocked on the outermost window.
A sign hung near the window, listing boat rental prices, operating hours, and precautions.
Though it didn’t look professional, it had its own charm.
The window slid open from the inside, revealing the face of a middle-aged woman. Seeing the attire of Chen Lun and his companion, she smiled respectfully, even somewhat ingratiatingly.
“Good day, sir and miss, would you like to go boating?”
“Let’s start with an hour, we’ll add more if it’s not enough, and consider the extra Silver Ducat a tip.”
Chen Lun took out three Silver Ducats and handed them over, and the woman deftly accepted them and thanked them, then handed him a key.
“Have a pleasant time,” she said.
Following the woman’s directions, Chen Lun led Tracey to the lakeside jetty and used the key to unlock the corresponding lock, boarding the wooden boat.
Tracey tidy up her umbrella and lifted the hem of her dress, hesitating as she looked at the small boat, seemingly worried about not making the jump and falling into the river.
Seeing this, Chen Lun gave a gentle smile.
“Miss Trill, let me help you.”
Saying so, he gracefully extended his hand.
Tracey’s cheeks reddened slightly, and she placed her small hand in his palm.
She couldn’t help but feel a warm sensation spreading from her hand, steady and strong.
With Chen Lun’s help, Tracey easily made it onto the small boat, and a strong sense of safety surged through her.
Chen Lun made sure Miss Tracey was seated comfortably, then untied the rope hanging on the jetty and pushed off, the boat slowly moving away from the shore.
Both of them held an oar each and began rowing.
Tracey maintained her ladylike image, being very careful with every stroke, while she quietly observed Mr. Jack beside her.
Looking at his perfect profile, her heart raced.
“Miss Tracey, why don’t you tell me some interesting stories about Peacock City?”
Chen Lun controlled the direction with his oar, preventing the boat from spinning in place, then softly said.
“Like those mysterious things…you know, as a magician, I find such things quite fascinating.”
“Mysterious things?”
Tracey snapped back to attention, then racked her brains to recall.
She wanted to perform well in front of Mr. Jack, to make him think more highly of her.
“Peacock City, being a port city, always has rumors of ‘Sea Demons’ around the southern docks…. It’s said they are stunning creatures that possess faces similar to human females but have bodies covered with fish scales.
They also have enchanting voices capable of bewitching humans with their songs, though they are bloodthirsty and brutal, often deceiving people into the water and then killing them.”
Tracey said softly.
Chen Lun nodded, showing that he was listening intently.
Speaking of Sea Demons, he couldn’t help but think of the Deep Sea Path.
The name of Sequence Six on this path was also “Sea Demon,” and its Sequence Ability was highly similar to that of these supernatural creatures, making him wonder about the connection between them.
The necklace on his chest was transformed from a Transcendent who was a Sea Demon.
“I’ve also heard that some have married Sea Demons and had children with them, though the outcomes are always terribly tragic… These stories all come from the sailors at the docks. My father told me it’s under the control of the ‘Blue Sail’ gang, and he never lets me go near there, so I’m not sure if it’s true or not.”
Tracey added.
“Sea Demons, huh? That’s quite interesting… Miss Trill, as a noble, you must attend gatherings with other noble ladies, right?”
Chen Lun asked with a light chuckle.
“Yes, I have several friends who are quite close, mostly from noble families, and their elders often stay in contact with my father.”
Miss Tracey revealed a sweet smile.
Chen Lun then used this topic to guide Miss Tracey, encouraging her to share some mysterious gossip from the noble circles.
Watching Chen Lun’s curious expression, the girl appeared very engaged, telling him everything in great detail.
Chen Lun nodded and made several remarks.
His speech was humorous, and every response was just right, making Miss Tracey very happy, feeling that chatting with Mr. Jack was indeed a fascinating affair.
But Chen Lun was somewhat disappointed in his heart.
Because he hadn’t gleaned any valuable information from Tracey.
The opportunity he sought was still elusive among the nobles.
“Mr. Jack, there is the ‘Boat Museum’ ahead, should we go take a look?”
Tracey suddenly said.
Chen Lun refocused his attention and looked up.
On the riverbank ahead, several large white “houseboats” were docked, only a little shorter than a typical bungalow but much more elongated.
They had doors and windows, looking just like houses resting on the river.
“What is that?”
Chen Lun asked curiously.
“Those are actually residences too, a family lives on each boat. But they collect many antiques and small items related to local history, displayed on tables and inside the cabin walls for visitors… We call these boats ‘Boat Museums’.”
Tracey said with a smile.
“This is something quite characteristic of Peacock City. Outsiders who come here often spend dozens of Copper Kros to a Silver Ducat to learn about the local history and stories. Each boat carries different content, and it’s always very fresh.”
Chen Lun became somewhat interested.
He smiled at Tracey and said,
“Then let’s go have a look.”
The two rowed the small wooden boat to the dock and then tied the rope to a post before turning to enter the ‘Cruise Ship Museum.’
Upon entering, they found a family busy inside the cabin. The father, who was also the captain, was explaining old objects on the wall to a couple, while the mother was cooking, and several girls dutifully brought food to the guests.
Chen Lun glanced at the notice on the wall near the entrance, and conscientiously pulled out two Silver Ducats as admission fees, dropping them into a tin can, making a clanging sound.
“Welcome to the Ottley Cruise Ship Museum, ladies and gentlemen.”
A little girl with sharp eyes saw Chen Lun and his companion arriving and called out sweetly.
“Thank you, generous sir.”
Another little girl ran over and said with a smile.
She also raised a platter that held freshly fried oyster cakes.
“Please try some, no charge.”
“Thank you.”
Chen Lun responded with a polite smile, took off his gloves, and picked up a piece to eat.
The oyster cake was golden brown on both sides and crispy, which pleasantly surprised him.
“You should try it too, Miss Trill.”
He said to Tracey beside him.
Tracey hummed a note and also smiled as she picked up a piece and began to taste it, then praised it endlessly.
“Sir, you are very handsome.”
The little girl looked up at Chen Lun and said in her childish voice.
Miss Tracey beside him couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Chen Lun grinned and handed a Silver Ducat to the girl.
“This is for you. Please tell your mother that the oyster cakes were delicious.”
The little girl was overjoyed, thanked Chen Lun while lifting her skirt, and hurried to the kitchen with the plate, loudly telling about a generous, handsome sir who praised their oyster cakes.
Faint voices of conversation floated from the kitchen.
Chen Lun and Tracey exchanged a smile and proceeded into the interior of the cabin.
As they walked, they admired some antiques on the tables and old newspapers and photographs framed on the walls.
Suddenly, Chen Lun’s attention was captured by an old photograph.
It was a photo of an old factory, apparently abandoned due to disrepair.
“That’s the Harrington Toy Factory.”
Tracey came next to Chen Lun and explained quietly.
Chen Lun raised an eyebrow.
“Is that Miss Trill’s family property?”
“Hmm…”
Tracey smiled slightly.
“But it was sold off by my grandfather over a decade ago. Now, it has been turned into a slaughterhouse, and the canned pork made there is very popular in Peacock City.”
“I see, quite an interesting history.”
Chen Lun remarked.
Yet his gaze was still fixed on a corner of the old photograph, particularly a ‘decorative item’ on the exterior wall of the factory.
It was a life-sized toy model, resembling an iron doll.
Chen Lun knew what it was.
It was precisely one of the opportunities he had been yearning for!
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‘The opportunity hidden in noble hands seems to be an iron doll… I’ve found the clue!’ Chen Lun thought.
With a casual tone, he asked Tracey,
“This toy model looks quite fun, did you see it when you were a child, Miss Trill?”
“When I was a child? I don’t really remember.”
Tracey looked towards the corner of the old photo that Chen Lun referred to and shook her head.
Chen Lun was slightly disappointed.
But Miss Tracey’s face soon showed a moment of thought.
“However, I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere recently… ”
Noticing Chen Lun’s concerned gaze, she then smiled broadly.
“How about I think it over when I get back and tell you if I remember? Then we can go see it together… Such a large toy model can’t be bought nowadays.”
“Okay.”
Chen Lun chuckled lightly.
*
*
*
As the two left the Cruise Ship Museum and rowed the small boat back,
several bodyguards who had been secretly protecting Miss Tracey whispered among themselves on the shore.
“Miss Tracey slipped out of the estate just to go on a date with that ‘Jack’ the magician?”
“What should we do about this?”
“What else can we do but report it honestly to Viscount Harrington.”
The bodyguards shook their heads, seemingly foreseeing the unfortunate scene for the young magician.