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I've Become the King of Villains in the Game-Chapter 414 - 279: City Garden Grand Theater
Chapter 414: Chapter 279: City Garden Grand Theater
Everyone settled down in the winery.
Chen Lun looked at the empty and dusty winery, and immediately had Connie hire dozens of servants through a related agency to clean and organize the estate.
Because it was inconvenient to take too many people with him when he left Amber City, those elite killers from the Circus were personally disbanded by Chen Lun. A significant number of members from the Murder Club, who had their own Transcendent forces and belonged to the Mutual Aid Society, took in these people.
It was also a favor given out.
“Golov, Barton, and Morey, you three go out and gather some intelligence on Peacock City, act as low-key as possible… Besides, I need to know which local noble family is the most powerful and information about the Opera House industry.”
Chen Lun instructed the three.
...
“Yes, Leader Sir.”
Respectfully touching their chests in a salute, Golov and the others then turned and left with long strides.
Chen Lun stroked his chin, beginning to contemplate.
‘Now that the place to stay has been settled, the priority is to collect enough information to plan the next steps.’
He mused over this while sizing up his new home.
To commemorate the former estate, Chen Lun still named the winery “Jack.”
The main villa of the new Jack Estate was quite large. Although it also had a four-story structure, the interior space was much more spacious than the previous villa. Inside, it was roughly divided into three major areas, including a work area for storing books and collectibles, a rest and entertainment area, and a living area.
Most of the original furniture and valueless collectibles were not moved; the books were also left behind in large quantities.
This was an unexpected surprise for Chen Lun.
It saved him a sum of money.
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Moreover, among these books, there may even be some Mystic Books to be found.
Floey went to the kitchen area and personally cleaned it up, while Noah and Maggie went upstairs to select their own rooms, studios, and laboratories.
Everyone was busy with their tasks, only Chen Lun, the Leader, like an idle noble, surveyed his territory.
Two days quietly passed.
The estate was completely renewed, and everyone began to adapt to the new environment.
To celebrate the “housewarming,” Floey cooked a big meal for everyone.
This meal was enjoyed by everyone, deeply satisfied and happy. Perhaps, as Floey said, when emotions are intertwined with cooking, the resulting dishes also reflect such emotions.
This indicated that Floey was in a very good mood.
Late that night.
Golov and the others returned again, and this time, it seemed they had obtained some results.
In Chen Lun’s spacious and exquisite study.
Old-fashioned incandescent lamps hung on the walls, giving the study a dim, amber glow, while also providing a secretive atmosphere, like that of a secret meeting.
The three sat at the edge of a round coffee table, reporting the intelligence they had gathered to the Leader one by one.
“Peacock City is located on the Empire’s East Coast, and its geographical position is quite remote. The local overt parliamentary power is small and has little say… The area is mainly controlled by three forces. One is the ‘Harrington’ family of nobles, the second is the wealthy merchants led by ‘Moses Far Voyage’ company, and the third is the gangster organization ‘Blue Sail’.”
Golov explained in detail as he smoked.
Chen Lun nodded.
As a port city, it was not surprising that shipping companies had significant power, while the ‘Blue Sail’ gang was formed by dockworkers. However, on the surface, it acted as the protectors of sailors, porters, and the lower-level workforce, but in reality, it was just another form of exploitation.
“Although the title inherited by the Harrington Family is only that of a Viscount and their history is not long, they are the most influential nobles in Peacock City.”
Golov flicked the ash off his cigarette and continued softly.
“Harrington…”
Chen Lun mulled over the name.
The reason he wanted to inquire about the most influential noble was that one of the three opportunities in Peacock City seemed to be hidden within a certain noble family.
Chen Lun wanted to use this “leader” to locate opportunities for himself.
At this time, Barton continued to speak:
“Leader Sir, regarding the Transcendent forces in Peacock City, the three biggest are undoubtedly the official Shelter, Madman School, and History and Ritual Association. Among them, the Madman School, a True God Church of the Magic pathway, is more keen on researching knowledge and does not like to meddle too much in mundane affairs, whereas the relationship between the Shelter and the History and Ritual Association is not good…”
Chen Lun listened quietly, taking a sip of his tea.
This was a very standard system of Transcendent checks and balances, where administrative regions of State Cities were generally under the control of the official Shelter, complemented by two Righteous God Churches.
“Oh right, it is worth mentioning that Omutuo Academy was established with the covert support of the Madman School, which led to the gradual development of a college district centered around this university.”
Barton added.
Chen Lun took note of this information and sighed inwardly.
It was simply because his memories from the previous life were too distant, and he had not delved deeply into the city, resulting in a need now to rebuild a framework in his mind.
Fortunately, the clues regarding the three opportunities were relatively clear.
“Leader Sir, according to the information I’ve found, excluding those small family theaters and mobile stages, there are three major Opera Houses in Peacock City… namely ‘Golden Rum’ Grand Theatre, ‘Tartar’ Opera House, and ‘City Garden’ Grand Theatre.”
Morey spoke while holding a small notebook in his hand.
He turned a page and continued:
“Among these three Grand Theatres, Golden Rum is the largest, with the highest popularity and influence. The play ‘Roses and the Gallows’ they perform all day is their newest headline, with authors and actors both of first-rate caliber.
Tartar ranks slightly below but focuses more on pure opera and concert-style performances, and most of the city’s elite have probably attended performances there.
City Garden is at the bottom, lacking any outstanding characteristics or advantages. Their star performer was recently bought off by a wealthy noble for a hefty price, leaving behind only some third-rate acrobatics, beast taming, and mediocre magic shows, with their reputation increasingly worsening.”
Chen Lun pondered.
The three people in front of him exchanged glances, seemingly having guessed what the Leader was preparing to do.
Previously, the Leader had told them that their main focus this time in Peacock City should be on “high-level commissions,” which were the mysterious event-related commissions passed along by the Silver Dragon Trade Association’s Messengers.
Those commissioning such work often had power and influence, but faced with extraordinary events in the Mystic Realm, and unable to let the Shelter or Church know, they had no choice but to seek the help of the Silver Dragon Trade Association.
The Association would screen these commissions and then assign them to the Circus, leaving it to the executive members to take the lead in resolving them.
While earning substantial rewards, they could also conveniently accomplish Mystical Accumulation.
Due to Chen Lun’s relationship with Rosa, the Circus’s status within the Silver Dragon Trade Association had risen with the tide, naturally gaining optimal treatment… a very rare “mission platform.”
This was also an opportunity for the members to “level up” quickly.
However, the Circus’s presence in Peacock City required a public identity as a cover. If this went on for a short time, it was alright, but longer durations could draw unnecessary attention.
“Let’s settle on this ‘City Garden’ Opera House, then. I’ll personally negotiate with their boss to have ‘Jack Circus’ stationed there, becoming the theater’s official performing troupe…”
Chen Lun said, stroking his chin.
The three Golovs heard this and thought to themselves that it was indeed so.
However, their expressions were somewhat strange.
After all, while the troupe was named “Circus,” nobody actually knew how to perform. They were all Transcendents. Fighting or resolving incidents was no issue, but truly embarking on their “original profession” was somewhat unfamiliar territory.
“Don’t worry, it’s just for show; I’m not asking you to truly delve into that…”
Chen Lun said with a smile.
The three Golovs breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Lun glanced at the antique wall clock and then said to the three:
“Alright, let’s leave it at that… You’ve all worked hard these past few days, go back to your rooms and rest.”
“Yes, Mr. Leader.”
Golov and the others respectfully bowed and excused themselves.
Chen Lun watched the room door close and then stood up, stretched lazily.
“As the team leader, I should do something after all…”
*
*
*
The next day.
Early in the morning, after enjoying a breakfast personally prepared by Floey, Chen Lun left the house.
He was dressed impeccably, in a new flat-topped black hat, a high-quality 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 a little to save a lot today. Arriving at the busy street outside the vineyard, he casually hailed a hired carriage.
Greeted by the carriage driver’s obsequious good morning, Chen Lun, arm leaning on a Silver Staff, got into the carriage.
It was still early when they set off, but by the time the carriage arrived at the “City Garden” Opera House three blocks away, it was at the busiest time of day for work.
Chen Lun stood at the somewhat deserted entrance of the Opera House, looking at the somewhat vintage sign and the long-neglected interior walls, and surmised that the business was probably not doing well.
“Hey sir, are you here to watch a performance? Today’s acts include the ‘Freak Acrobatics Troupe’, the ‘Beast Taming Sisters’, and the most mesmerizing ‘Corvey Magic Show’!”
A skinny short man, wearing a cheap and ill-fitting, oversized burgundy suit, came up to Chen Lun and began to pitch eagerly.
His expressions were rich, desperately conveying the allure of the theater’s performances.
“Are you an employee of this theater?”
Chen Lun asked.
The short man hesitated for a moment.
“Uh… cough, you could say that. Ten Copper Kro an hour, plus a commission on ticket sales,”
he said quietly, shrugging.
“So, sir, would you like to come in and take a look? It might seem quiet, but I assure you the performances won’t disappoint.”
Chen Lun directly took out two Silver Ducats and waved them in front of the man.
“I’m not here to watch a show. Go get the person in charge, preferably the owner of this theater… and this money is yours.”
“Oh, certainly, no problem at all, generous sir.”
The short man’s eyes lit up with a bright gleam.
He took the money, immediately turned around excitedly, and darted into the theater.
A moment later.
A weary-faced young man came out, accompanied by a skinny, tall man with a handlebar mustache.
“Good day sir, I’m the owner of this theater, Hoyle Simon. What can I do for you?”
The young man was very formally dressed in a neat, dark gray suit with a red tie, but the deep dark circles under his eyes made him seem less than energetic.
“Mr. Hoyle, I’ve heard that your theater’s main performers have been poached? Ticket sales are getting harder, and business isn’t going too well,”
Chen Lun said, offering a polite smile.
“I believe I can help you.”