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Chapter 234 The Great Modi Opera House
"Gai, where should we go next?"

The three walked aimlessly down the road, and Godaril whispered to Wang Xi, "What do you mean?"

Let's find a place to stay for now.

Wang Xidao.

Pinocchio, standing to the side, gently tugged at Wang Xi's sleeve, his voice deliberately lowered, making him sound even more delicate and frail:
“Brother Gai, we don’t have identification, so we probably won’t be able to stay in a hotel or rent a place. Besides, we’ve already been targeted by the Marquez authorities, and the checks will be even stricter recently.”

Even Godard had to admire Pinocchio's acting skills. His portrayal of the "noble lady" was so natural and seamless.

This even ignited a nameless anger in Godariel.

"Identity verification..."

Wang Xi pondered for a moment.

This is a problem.

All three of them were illegal immigrants, and Pinocchio was even wanted by the police. Although Wang Xi wasn't afraid of being rounded up, it was still a troublesome matter.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! There's new progress in the McCauley Town 'black energy leak incident'!"

"A hot-printed copy of the Marquez Express is only 5 copper coins!"

"The Elder Council has issued a new order to hunt down the traitor Gipeter Tesla to the ends of the earth!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, buy a copy and take a look! Today's newspaper is definitely worth every penny!"

At this moment, two newspaper boys, aged twelve or thirteen, walked together, hawking their wares along the street.

They wore faded coarse cloth coats and tattered bowler hats, clutching stacks of newspapers with undried ink, weaving through the crowd. Their voices, hoarse from years of hawking, were still full of energy.

When pedestrians slowed down, they would immediately approach, hand them a newspaper, and repeat the slogan. If the pedestrian shook their head, they would immediately turn around and chase after another target, afraid of missing any business.

Soon, two newsboys arrived in front of Wang Xi and his companions. Their eyes lit up when they saw their expensive and luxurious attire.

"Sir, ladies, would you like to buy a newspaper? Today's news is absolutely explosive!"

“Okay.” Wang Xi smiled, took out a gear-shaped silver coin, and handed it over. “Keep the change, the extra money is your tip.”

The two newsboys exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with delight: "Thank you, generous and handsome noble sir."

They pulled out three newspapers, handed them over, and politely removed their hats and bowed, offering compliments to Godard and Pinocchio such as, "The weather today suits your beauty perfectly."

Then he jogged away to continue hawking his wares.

Wang Xi picked up the newspaper, flipped through it, and glanced at it—most of the articles were gossip about the nobility, but two of them were somewhat of value.

One of them is:
"...According to the notice from the Márquez Council, following the 'Black Energy Leakage Incident' in Macaulay Town, the Elder Council has urgently promulgated the 'Regulations on Suspending the Use of Cold Crystal Machines and Black Crystals,' and the Márquez Sky Train service has been completely suspended."

"Currently, the 'Clockwork Mobile Force' has sealed off the town of Macaulay to prevent the spread of out-of-control automatons and pollution."

"Unfortunately, no survivors have been found within the cordoned-off area. The council notice suggests... that all residents of McCauley may have perished. The Presbyterian Church has issued an official obituary to mourn the victims of this accident."

Wang Xi glanced at the newspaper briefly.

No survivors were found?
Did Mayor Kelton and the more than one hundred townspeople in the town center perish? Or did the black pollution within them erupt prematurely, leading to their massacre?

But soon, he thought of another possibility.

That means the Kingdom's government never intended to truly rescue Macaulay Town from the beginning, but rather let them fend for themselves. This announcement was merely a cover-up...

Thinking of this, Wang Xi shook his head.

Another valuable piece of news in the newspaper is:
"...The Elder Council announced that Geppetto Tesla, the chief engineer of the research institute and a recipient of the 'Medal of Merit First Class,' has been formally convicted of 'treason.' It is understood that he disappeared a year and a month ago."

"The report states that during a police raid on Gippertto's former residence, they discovered blueprints for intelligent automatons and giant automaton weapons that he was secretly researching, which are suspected to be irrefutable evidence of long-term treason."

"The police are making every effort to apprehend and capture him."

Wang Xi turned to look at Pinocchio and found him frowning, his eyes revealing anxiety and worry.

"I wonder how my father is doing now."

Pinocchio murmured.

Wang Xi patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Mr. Gippetto hasn't been found by them yet, he should be fine."

"Gai...can you help me find him?"

Pinocchio, who looked like a cute noblewoman, looked up and pleaded.

Wang Xi thought about it.

He came to the Clockwork Kingdom to find a way to solve the problem of the blackened pollution, but the initial version of the Cold Core machine clearly did not have such capabilities.

Therefore, Gipeter Tesla, as the creator of the refrigeration machine, became the only breakthrough point.

“Okay.” Wang Xi nodded with a smile. “I will help you find Mr. Gippetto.”

"Thank you, Kay."

Pinocchio was very touched and quickly stood on tiptoe, wanting to imitate Godard and give her a sweet kiss.

Fortunately, Cinderella reacted quickly and grabbed Pinocchio's skirt: "Hey? What are you doing!"

"Isn't it normal for a sister to kiss her brother?" Pinocchio asked, puzzled.

"That's not right!" Godariel glared at him. "Don't do that again!"

Witches, fairies, sorceresses, and noble ladies are all vying for her man, and now even the Tin Man has joined the fray.

Cinderella was quite annoyed.

At that moment, Wang Xi glanced at the end of the newspaper, where the Kingdom Parliament published the newly passed "Machine Doll Management Act," accompanied by a picture of several members of parliament in splendid attire shaking hands with smiles on their faces.

Below is an unassuming job advertisement.

"Job Posting: The Grand Morti Opera is hiring a warehouse manager. Physically fit young men are preferred. Excellent compensation package. Contact: Mr. Draco Quentin, Address: 37 Rue du Haut."

Just as his gaze swept over the line of text, Caius popped up a notification:

"You've discovered the 'Blue Butterfly' code!"

code word?

Wang Xi was slightly startled.

He re-examined the seemingly ordinary job advertisement and found that the arrangement of letters did indeed have a subtle sense of disharmony.

With Caius's help, the letters in the advertisement twisted and recombine on their own, creating entirely new content:

"The powerful Awakened One, Kai Farrell, has arrived in Marquez with a boy and a girl (the boy is the intelligent puppet Pinocchio). Please pay close attention to their movements."

Wang Xi's eyes narrowed.

The rebel group "Blue Butterfly" seems to be keeping a close eye on his every move, even knowing that he has arrived in Márquez's territory.

Wang Xi frowned slightly after his gaze lingered briefly on the name "Da Modi Opera House".

The Great Mo Emperor...

This name sounds familiar.

Yes, in the main world's "Puss in Boots" dungeon, there is a Great Morti Circus.

coincidence?

It should not be.

Wang Xi's gaze grew increasingly profound, yet a smile unconsciously curved his lips.

Pinocchio, observing the situation, looked up and asked, "Brother Kai, what are you laughing at?"

Wang Xi closed the newspaper and said softly, "I think I've found a suitable place to stay."

...

...

Gabriel García Márquez, 37 Rue du Haut.

The Grand Modi Opera House is a magnificent building in a Baroque style, but its exterior is decorated with copper pipes and mechanical devices, which further highlights the unique aesthetic of the Clockwork Kingdom.

Wang Xi led Godaril and Pinocchio up the steps and bought tickets at the ticket booth at the entrance for three gear-shaped silver coins.

The ticket inspector at the entrance was a blonde woman in a short skirt with a hot figure. When she tore off the ticket stub, she secretly scratched Wang Xi's palm and gave him a flirty wink.

"Please come this way, the next program is a circus performance, which will begin in twenty minutes."

As they walked in, Godalier coldly uttered, "Slut."

"Godariel, what is a 'slut'?"

Pinocchio raised his innocent and adorable face and asked curiously.

Godaril straightened her lapel insignia and said calmly, "Just like that ticket inspector from earlier."

"Oh." Pinocchio suddenly realized, turned around and waved vigorously: "Thank you, you slutty sister!"

The surrounding guests all turned to look.

The ticket inspector's smile froze on her face instantly, and her complexion turned red at a visible speed.

Wang Xi pulled Pinocchio back, and the guy kept asking, "Why is she blushing? Is it because she's too sexy?"

"..."

Godarin immediately realized that her explanation was a mistake, and lowered her voice, saying, "A noble lady doesn't shout. Mind your manners, Nora!"

The word "Nora" at the end of her name is emphasized.

"Oh." Pinocchio then reluctantly shut up.

The interior of the theater is even more luxurious than the exterior.

A scarlet carpet stretched into the rotunda, and crystal chandeliers hung from the soaring dome, illuminating the epic murals painted on the walls.

The audience was already filled with elegant gentlemen and ladies, who were talking in hushed tones, their fans and handkerchiefs tracing graceful arcs in the air.

Wang Xi chose a seat near the aisle for a good view of the entire theater. Godarial sat to his right, and Pinocchio to his left, both of them curiously looking around.

“Gai.” Godariel leaned close to his ear, her warm breath carrying a faint scent of perfume. “What are we doing here?”

Wang Xi gently took her hand and smiled:
"Don't rush, let's watch the performance first."

Godaril nodded in understanding and asked no further questions.

As the lights dimmed, the band played a lively overture, and the curtain slowly rose. The stage was set up like a medieval town, where a group of clown puppets in comical costumes were bullying a ragged young man.

Just then, a loud meow suddenly came from the left side of the stage.

"In the name of the gun and justice!"

A loud voice rang out, and then an orange cat wearing brown boots and a flintlock pistol strode onto the stage, followed by a dozen other cats dressed in the same attire.

"Long Boot Musketeer Regiment, attack!"

The audience erupted in laughter and applause.

Wang Xi's eyes narrowed—

"Great Mordeian Circus Performer - Walking Cat Booth (Neutral/Four-Star/Elite)"

The orange cat leading the pack is none other than Boots, the demon king we met in the "Puss in Boots" dungeon in the main world.

Among the group of clown puppets playing villains, there was a particularly tall figure. Although he was painted with exaggerated paint, Wang Xi recognized him at a glance as the circus ticket seller in the maze.

'So the Puss in Boots maze really did originate from the Clockwork Kingdom...'

A realization flashed in Wang Xi's eyes.

The performance went very smoothly.

The chivalrous cats helped the young man defeat the clown and win the princess's heart. When the young man was surrounded by the walking cats and sang, and knelt down to kiss the princess's hand, the whole audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

Crackling sounds. "By the way, Brother Kai," Pinocchio, seeing this scene, suddenly asked, "Where's your pet Ruri? I haven't seen her in ages."

Wang Xi casually replied, "She went to a faraway place."

Pinocchio's expression immediately darkened: "I'm sorry... May Ruri rest in peace in heaven."

"??"

Wang Xi knew that the more he explained to Pinocchio, the more misunderstandings he would have.

He simply closed his eyes and began to use his spiritual perception.

An invisible force spread out like ripples, sweeping across every corner of the theater.

Soon, Wang Xi found his target in a room on the second floor.

He was a middle-aged man in a sharp suit with a small mustache, sitting in a leather chair, observing the audience seats on the first floor through a one-way mirror.

On the table in front of him was a copy of "Marcus Express".

Wang Xi quietly stood up.

Godariel asked疑惑地, "Gai, where are you going?"

“Go talk to the owner of this theater,” Wang Xi said. “You guys stay here and watch the show.”

The second-floor corridor is covered with thick carpet, completely absorbing the sound of footsteps.

Wang Xi arrived at the door of that room and gently pushed it, only to find it wouldn't budge—it was locked from the inside.

With a smile, he gently placed his fingers on the handle, and a wisp of snow flame seeped into the lock cylinder, instantly melting the internal mechanical structure of the lock.

The door opened.

Draco Quentin, who was in the office, heard the noise, looked up abruptly, and the newspaper in his hand slipped to the floor.

"Who?!"

He was a lean man in his fifties, with meticulously trimmed gray sideburns and a sapphire lapel pin on his waistcoat.

"How did you get in?" Draco's face was grim, his voice tense, and his right hand quietly moved towards the drawer.

He remembered that he had locked the door.

"Draco (Neutral/Four-Star/Hero), a core member of the Blue Butterfly and owner of the Great Morti Opera House"

Wang Xi glanced at the entry above the other person's head, then gently closed the door behind him.

Click.

"The owner of the Grand Modi Theater, or rather... Mr. Draco Quentin, the Blue Butterfly Organization's intelligence chief in Marquez?"

Wang Xi walked slowly toward the desk.

Upon hearing the other party reveal his hidden identity, Draco's Adam's apple bobbed.

He suddenly felt that the young man in front of him looked strangely familiar, and quickly picked up a photo on the table with his left hand—it was the footage of Wang Xi and the other two being captured by surveillance cameras in Macaulay.

Draco's pupils suddenly contracted as he compared the photograph with the young man before him.

"You're Kai Farrell?!"

Draco was somewhat incredulous.

The organization had just sent him a coded message, instructing him to keep an eye on the other party, but they'd already come knocking on his door...

Could it be that this young man's special ability is related to precognition?
Draco was deeply shocked.

Wang Xi sat down in the leather chair opposite the desk, looking relaxed as if he were the master of the place.

“Mr. Draco, your people have been secretly monitoring me ever since Macaulay Town…”

He tapped the armrest lightly with his fingertips, his tone calm.

"While I am pleased with your recruitment efforts, I do not like this way of showing interest."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Draco's forehead.

As the Blue Butterfly Organization's head in Marquez, he had met many Awakened Ones, but the young man in front of him gave him a completely different feeling—not the kind of manic energy that radiates outwards, but a kind of unfathomable calmness.

"I apologize, Lord Gai."

Draco tried to remain calm.

“We pay special attention to Awakened Ones, especially powerful ones like you… We just hope to become your friends.”

The air in the room seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Wang Xi smiled and suddenly changed the subject: "Mr. Draco, you don't want the official Marquez organization to know that the famous Grand Morti Opera House is actually a rebel stronghold, do you?"

Draco's expression changed drastically.

He clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the urge to lash out, and took a deep breath: "We have no ill intentions toward you, and we believe Mr. Kai knows that... Just tell us what you want."

"Cooperation." Wang Xi said with a smile.

"cooperate?"

"Yes, a temporary, mutually beneficial cooperation."

Wang Xi nodded.

"For example, right now, my companion and I lack identification and are homeless in this bustling capital of the kingdom... Don't you think it's pitiful, Mr. Draco?"

Draco's lips twitched, but his tense shoulders relaxed slightly: "Cough, indeed pitiful."

He paused for a few seconds and said, "I happen to have a vacant apartment on Red Bird Street that you and your companion can stay in."

"Thank you, you are very generous."

Wang Xi's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power: "In return, I can lend a hand if you need anything."

Draco's eyes lit up with joy.

By simply giving up his vacant house, he was able to turn enemies into friends, and in doing so, he also completed his superior's task.

This is a very good deal.

Draco immediately took a brass key from the drawer: "15 Redbird Street, fully furnished, regularly cleaned by a trusted person. It's safe there; the police won't search it."

"Or, Your Excellency, you may wait a moment, and I will have someone drive you there."

Wang Xi took the key and twirled it between his fingers:
"Thank you very much."

...

...

When Wang Xi returned to his seat, the performance was nearing its end.

Godaril looked at him curiously: "Did everything go smoothly?"

“Of course,” Wang Xi said with a smile. “The generous theater owner gave us a safe place to stay.”

"Huh?" Godariel and Pinocchio exchanged a glance, not understanding how Kai had done it.

After the performance, the audience gradually left the venue.

Wang Xi and his two companions remained in their seats until the theater was almost empty. At that moment, the walking cat Booth and the magician Hawk emerged from the side door of the stage and walked straight toward them.

“Please follow us, all three of you,” Hawke whispered. “As Mr. Draco instructed, the transportation has been arranged.”

Godaril and Pinocchio, puzzled, looked at Wang Xi, who simply smiled and gestured for them to proceed.

To Wang Xi's surprise, the driver was none other than the cat, Booth.

It drove a black steam locomotive, carrying Wang Xi and the other two through the streets of Marquez. Hawke sat in the passenger seat, glancing at them from time to time through the rearview mirror.

“Mr. Draco has a good relationship with several members of parliament, so the police dare not search that apartment. The three of you can stay here without worry.”

Hawke said softly.

Wang Xi nodded.

He chatted with them for a few more minutes and learned that Booth, Hawke, and the other circus members were actually members of the Blue Butterfly rebels and were awakened individuals.

15 Redbird Street is a red-brick apartment building, just a ten-minute drive from the opera house.

Booth parked the car at the back door and led them inside. The apartment was spacious, with a high-end carpet in the living room and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Marquez's shopping street.

The three-story building has nine bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and washroom, and the kitchen is fully equipped.

“I will bring the daily necessities later.” Hawke stood at the door and bowed respectfully to Wang Xi. “Mr. Draco said that you can let me know if you need anything.”

"Thank you." Wang Xi nodded, then took the opportunity to ask, "By the way, how are the survivors in Macaulay Town?"

He knew that Blue Butterfly had been secretly observing the situation in that town.

Hawke shook his head: "The kingdom has abandoned them; there will be no rescue."

really……

Wang Xi thought to himself.

Just as he thought, the news in the newspapers was merely a smokescreen.

"Since the authorities don't plan to provide assistance, what will Blue Butterfly do?"

Wang Xi asked again.

Hawke and Booth exchanged a glance. Booth flicked his tail and said, "Don't worry, if the authorities won't help, we will."

Wang Xi raised an eyebrow slightly: "You're being so kind?"

“Hey, Lord Gai, you seem to have a prejudice against us Blue Butterflies.”

Booth put his hands on his hips and said with dissatisfaction.

“We are rebelling against the kingdom’s oppressive rule and the Elder Council’s blind pursuit of mechanical ascension… We treat all commoners equally.”

"But they were corrupted by 'black energy'."

Wang Xi continued.

“We know,” Hawke nodded. “But cold essence can unleash potential… those with mild contamination have a chance to awaken superpowers, survive, and become one of us.”

Wang Xi immediately understood.

Perhaps, the blue butterfly was waiting for this opportunity.

When Mayor Kelton and the survivors learned that they had been abandoned by the authorities, they resolutely joined the rebels...

"By the way, Mr. Kai."

Hawke suddenly remembered something and looked at Pinocchio, who looked like a noble lady, standing next to Wang Xi.

"This must be Pinocchio, the intelligent robot created by Master Gipotto himself, right?"

Wang Xi did not answer, but waited quietly for what would happen next.

Hawke took a deep breath: "Please protect him at all costs. The Elders' Council must not be allowed to catch him..."

"Hmm?" Wang Xi frowned.

He felt there was more to the story.

Hawke said in a deep voice, "The Elder Council is a bunch of madmen. They are trying to achieve mechanical ascension, which requires a perfect body and mind... and Pinocchio is the most perfect mechanical body in the eyes of the Elder Council."

Upon hearing this, Pinocchio was slightly taken aback.

And Wang Xi guessed what it was.

Pinocchio has many unique characteristics, one of which is "growth potential," which may be the fundamental reason why the Kingdom's officials covet Pinocchio.

(End of this chapter)