Chapter 437: Chapter 300 Exhibit Transfer
Into the night.
Chen Lun appeared in front of the Simon Museum.
Two gray square stone pillars stood at the entrance, one on the left and one on the right, but at the top, the gargoyle statue decorations were nowhere to be seen, and overall, the exterior was somewhat inconsistent with the one in his dream.
He strode up the steps and walked straight into The Great Gate.
Just inside, on the right-hand side, was the ticket office.
Chen Lun spent five Silver Ducats to buy a ticket, and the tall security guard on the side softly reminded him that the museum only stayed open until ten o’clock at night, so he should be mindful of the time if he planned to visit.
...
Chen Lun touched his hat in thanks to the security guard and went straight inside.
Tonight, he didn’t carry his Silver Staff, and he used “Extreme Beauty” to disguise himself as an ordinary-looking young man.
The interior decoration of the museum was modest, but within its simplicity, there was a sense of high-end class, with a color scheme of black, white, and gold. A faint scent of flowers lingered in the air, and Chen Lun could tell that this was probably some expensive fragrance, diffused throughout the venue by way of vapor.
By this time, it was nearly eight in the evening, and there weren’t many visitors around, but it wasn’t very quiet either. The entrance fee of five Silver Ducats inevitably barred most of the lower class from entering, and most of the guests here were from the middle class or the upper echelons of society, the gentlemen and ladies.
They stood in small groups in front of antiques and famous paintings, quietly appreciating and chatting with a laugh.
Chen Lun blended into the crowd inconspicuously, appearing to earnestly admire the exhibits, but in reality, he was covertly scanning his surroundings.
He noticed an interesting phenomenon.
That is, among these guests, there were actually more than a dozen Transcendents, who had disguised themselves and were mainly lingering around three exhibits, seemingly guarding them at all times.
‘Purely Earth Faction Transcendents, going by these people’s demeanors, for the most part match the dream’s prediction and are likely from the History and Ritual Association,’ Chen Lun silently surmised.
Immediately, he turned his attention to those three exhibits: a piece of stone fragment of unknown material, an aged parchment manuscript, and an ancient book.
The stone fragment was triangular in shape and looked like a corner of some tombstone.
The parchment manuscript seemed to be notes or a letter.
The ancient book was the “Carmen’s Notes” that Chen Lun was searching for, though it was unclear whether it was the second or third volume.
‘Since the History and Ritual Association is interested in them, they surely mustn’t be simple things… However, given the current situation, it’s inconvenient to make a move,’ he thought to himself.
Although these Transcendents were all Low Sequence, he could sense there were masters hidden among them, probably strong individuals from the local branch of the History and Ritual Association.
Chen Lun was confident he could leave unscathed, but he couldn’t take the items without causing a disturbance, and if he attempted to take them by force, he would be discovered. He would only be able to escape by using Blink, but that could easily expose him.
Chen Lun did not want to cause too much commotion, and since there were ordinary people present, his actions could lead to unnecessary casualties, he was not so cold-blooded as to do that.
‘There’s always a way, I’ll have to find another solution,’ he thought.
If possible, he preferred to obtain those items through conventional means.
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The next day.
Chen Lun found Hoyle, the owner of City Garden Theater.
He planned to get some information from this candidate heir of the Simon family.
Seeing Chen Lun’s arrival, Hoyle appeared very happy. He ushered Chen Lun into his office with due respect and personally brewed him a cup of black tea.
“Mr. Jack, what brings you to the theater today? The performance of ‘Jack Circus’ is scheduled for prime time on the weekend.”
Hoyle said with a smile.
These days, he could be said to be in high spirits.
Although Corvey, the Dwarf Group, and the Beast Taming sisters had been sent to the mental hospital, thanks to the reputation of Mr. Jack’s wonderful performance last time, City Garden Theater soon attracted the attention of several top-tier performance troupes and successfully invited them to stay.
Now from Monday to Friday, there were good shows on stage, and the weekend was basically Jack Circus’ time, with Noah and the Golov trio taking turns in charge of the performances. After all, they were Transcendents, and a mere display of their extraordinary abilities was enough to create a breathtaking visual effect.
“Hmm, Mr. Hoyle, I just came today for a casual chat,”
Chen Lun said softly after sipping his tea.
“I see. I don’t have anything particularly urgent at the moment. What would you like to talk about, Mr. Jack?”
As he spoke, Hoyle also enthusiastically took out his treasured cigars, but Chen Lun politely declined. Hoyle shook his head regretfully and lit one for himself.
In truth, Hoyle was not idle, but upon hearing Mr. Jack’s purpose, he chose to put aside his work. After all, what could be more important than this gentleman?
Chen Lun let out a soft chuckle and then began to ask Hoyle about the Simon Museum.
Hoyle seemed surprised, not knowing why Mr. Jack was suddenly interested in the museum, but he still shared everything he knew.
He said that the Simon Museum was not like the family’s other businesses, which were handed over to his siblings to manage, but was personally overseen by his father, Domme Simon.
This was because Hoyle’s father had always been very keen on collecting antiques, famous paintings, and other old items, and the museum was his labor of love.
“However, when I went home recently, I discovered something strange…”
Hoyle suddenly remembered something and said so.
“Lately, my father has been frequently giving away his collection to some friends, and even Omutuo Academy and other universities have received donations from him… Those were antiques that he used to cherish, but I don’t know why he suddenly doesn’t want them anymore.”
He said, shaking his head and exhaling smoke.
Chen Lun listened quietly, connecting this matter with the omens in the dream and what he saw the previous night at the Simon Museum, the Transcendents from the History and Ritual Association.
‘Could it be because of them? The three exhibits were coveted by the History and Ritual Association, so they put a lot of pressure on Hoyle’s father…?’
Chen Lun speculated.
Hoyle took a drag of his cigar and continued:
“Yesterday, father also said that in a few days, he’s going to pack up most of the museum’s collection and send it off in several batches to friends abroad… I just can’t understand why he’s doing this, those things are the result of his hard work collecting over the past ten or twenty years, costing him countless efforts and Gold Pounds.”
His expression was extremely puzzled, yet he felt helpless.
Chen Lun put down his teacup and looked at Hoyle, saying:
“Mr. Hoyle, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Hmm?”
Hoyle smiled.
“Mr. Jack, please speak, if it’s within my power, I will certainly help you!”
“Well, actually, I’m very interested in one of the exhibits at the Simon Museum, and if possible, I hope you could help me acquire it from your father… Rest assured, I will pay enough Gold Pounds as a purchasing fee.”
Chen Lun said.
After hearing this, Hoyle waved his hands repeatedly.
“That’s no problem at all, Mr. Jack. If it’s just an exhibit, I should be able to plead… Father wouldn’t even mind giving away a large batch of them, so I believe taking one won’t be rejected.”
“Then I’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Hoyle.”
Chen Lun smiled.
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Three days later, in the morning.
Chen Lun was dining when Golov strode in from outside and stopped beside him.
“Leader, there’s been activity at the Simon Museum.”
Chen Lun swallowed his food, turned to look at Golov, and showed an interested expression.
“Hmm, let’s hear it.”
After his last return, he had instructed Golov and the other two to always keep an eye on movements at the Simon Museum, and now finally there was news.
Removing his hat, Golov said:
“Yesterday, the Simon Museum closed for business, and early this morning, four large wagons appeared at the entrance. Workers were seen moving many wooden crates into the wagons, looking as if they were preparing to move the exhibits.”
“I see.”
Chen Lun set down his homemade chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“Are Barton and Morey still watching?”
“Yes, Leader.”
Golov nodded in response.
Chen Lun picked up the black hat from the table, put it on, and then stood up to walk toward the door.
“Leader, you haven’t finished eating yet.”
Golov hurriedly said.
Without turning his head, Chen Lun waved his hand.
“It’s fine, I can eat when I return.”
Immediately after, he took a step and vanished into thin air.
The reason why Chen Lun was in such a hurry was that he was worried Barton and Morey might be discovered by the members of the History and Ritual Association.
With the Simon Museum making such a conspicuous move with their exhibits, the members of the History and Ritual Association could not be unaware. Chen Lun surmised that they would probably not just watch those three items being taken away and would likely make a move.
Although Chen Lun had instructed Golov and his team to merely observe from a distance in secret without taking any action, there was always a chance that the History and Ritual Association had some sort of Scout Mysterious Objects in their possession.
At this moment.
In front of the Simon Museum.
The four wagons had already been loaded with wooden crates, and led by the calls of the museum’s manager, the drivers picked up the reins, and the wagons slowly started moving.
In a distant alley, Barton and Morey were watching this scene.
“What do we do next?”
Barton asked in a deep voice.
“Golov has gone back some time ago, and I am sure the Leader will be here soon… As we planned, in case the Leader can’t find anyone, I’ll follow, and you stay here,” Morey replied.
Being the newest member of the Circus, he viewed himself as less experienced and thus felt that he should undertake the more dangerous tasks.
But just at that moment, a familiar figure suddenly appeared before them.
“Leader!”
Upon seeing him, Barton and Morey immediately touched their chests in a salute.
“Good, you’ve completed your task. Go back now,” Chen Lun said to them with a smile.
“I’ll take it from here.”
Barton and Morey looked at each other and nodded simultaneously.
“Yes, Leader, please be careful.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just a small matter,” Chen Lun waved his hand.
He turned around to look at the wagons that were gradually driving away, a faint smile on his face.
The next second, Chen Lun’s appearance underwent a complete change, transforming from an extremely handsome young man into an ordinary middle-aged man.
He glanced at a few dark places on either side of the road.
‘History and Ritual Association… They certainly won’t give up that easily.’
Chen Lun walked toward the direction where the wagons had left, as if he was just out for a stroll.
‘Let’s see what you will do.’