While Diana Henwick was occupied, Chen Ke was not idle in Langdon City either.
After the sun rose, Langdon City entered a state of bustling activity. Standing on the rooftop of the Britannia Library, one could see the crisscrossing streets below, where pedestrians and carriages flowed incessantly, the dense crowds resembling orderly columns of marching ants.
This was the peaceful era before the two world wars of mankind, according to the history of this world. By 1910, nations should have acknowledged the role of spiritual energy and established the Administration Bureau. But change doesn’t happen overnight; rather, it accumulates over a long period. While Ingram led the wave of steam and machinery, other countries might be considering using spiritual energy to leapfrog in development, right?
Mysterious events were occurring in the country, and Queen Victoria was not indifferent to them. Secret Keepers were clandestinely dealing with these matters, so that the common folk could live in blissful ignorance.
However, as the industrial moguls and the bourgeoisie formed the lifeblood of Ingram’s economy, they too must have been aware of these events. When a country encounters trouble, the capitalists are always the first to flee. To make big money within a country, one must maintain good relations with its government. These wealthy gentlemen would surely receive the world’s most secretive messages through various channels, at the greatest speeds possible.
Jacob had no solution for little Jack’s matters; all he could do was stay by Jack’s side to prevent him from doing anything foolish.
"You should talk to Sean. I think he definitely knows something about these symbols... and also... about the women on the streets carrying foul fetuses," Jacob suggested.
"Sean... the factory owner who’s into wife-swapping? He’s still alive?" Chen Ke exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course, he’s alive... And living very well, too. I even suspect those women on the streets are bearing his bastards. Who knows if his sperm’s been cursed," Jacob half-joked, half-serious.
Little Jack shook his head and said, "That guy hardly leaves his house now. For all we know, he might even need help taking a dump, let alone talking being a problem."
Chen Ke remained silent. In 1859, Chen Ke and Jacob had dealt with Sean once; he was significantly older than Jacob at that time, looking to be over 40 years of age.
Considering the healthcare and medical standards of 19th-century Langdon, as well as the influence of spiritual energy on people in this world, Sean had to be at least 70 years old.
"Why didn’t you consider this before?" Chen Ke asked.
"The relationship between the Thief Gang and capitalists isn’t exactly good... And, you see, you’ve come," Jacob laughed.
"Fuck... My relationship with him isn’t good either, have you forgotten? In 1859, I was with you when we broke into his house..." Chen Ke remarked.
"I remember that, but look at you, 29 years have passed, and you still look so young. I think just for that reason alone, he’d be willing to see you again," Jacob said.
"I don’t doubt that... but whether he’ll be willing to answer my questions, that’s another story. Also, I wouldn’t want to be hounded by a big capitalist for an elixir of eternal life," Chen Ke spread his hands.
Seeing someone they met more than 20 years ago reappear with almost no change in appearance, anyone would subconsciously think of "eternal youth," right?
The wealthier one gets, the more one desires to live longer, and they take real action. In Chen Ke’s former world, there were too many businessmen over 90, who didn’t look like elder octogenarians, their immense wealth maintaining a quality of life unimaginable to the average person.
But it’s different for ordinary people; while everyone wants to live a bit longer, ordinary folk have to toil away, selling their labor and intelligence. Their lives lack regularity, and they must subsist on junk food and gutter oil. Over time, their bodies are riddled with ailments. It’s not just about making it to 90; many barely in their 40s or just over 50 start gasping for air after climbing a mere three flights of stairs... And if cancer comes along, it’ll claim their lives just like that.
As the wealthy approach their twilight years, they begin setting up various medical foundations, investing in all sorts of medical research projects. In reality, in most cases, this money just goes down the drain. The last-minute scramble of the rich will never propel the advancement of human lifespan projects, but that doesn’t stop aging tycoons from continuously throwing money in search of ways to extend their lives, akin to Emperor Qin’s quest for the elixir of life.
"I’ll give it a try, hopefully he knows what’s happening in the streets and the meaning of this symbol," Chen Ke said.
He glanced at little Jack and noticed a look of concern in the boy’s eyes, seemingly hoping that Chen Ke wouldn’t unravel the mysteries at hand.
This only made Chen Ke more confident in his judgment—that the events befalling Jack were not mere coincidence or stroke of luck, but rather sought after.
This was the dawn of an extraordinary era, teeming with madmen and opportunists who coveted strange powers.
Chen Ke opened the window and left the library, thinking to himself, "Little Jack, don’t let power blind you. All gifts that come suddenly will surely exact a price from those who pry—spiritual energy is indeed life-threatening."
Sean’s mansion was not far ahead, Chen Ke walked up to the entrance and greeted the doorman with ease.
But it’s different for ordinary people; while everyone wants to live a bit longer, ordinary folk have to toil away, selling their labor and intelligence. Their lives lack regularity, and they must subsist on junk food and gutter oil. Over time, their bodies are riddled with ailments. It’s not just about making it to 90; many barely in their 40s or just over 50 start gasping for air after climbing a mere three flights of stairs... And if cancer comes along, it’ll claim their lives just like that.
As the wealthy approach their twilight years, they begin setting up various medical foundations, investing in all sorts of medical research projects. In reality, in most cases, this money just goes down the drain. The last-minute scramble of the rich will never propel the advancement of human lifespan projects, but that doesn’t stop aging tycoons from continuously throwing money in search of ways to extend their lives, akin to Emperor Qin’s quest for the elixir of life.
"I’ll give it a try, hopefully he knows what’s happening in the streets and the meaning of this symbol," Chen Ke said.
He glanced at little Jack and noticed a look of concern in the boy’s eyes, seemingly hoping that Chen Ke wouldn’t unravel the mysteries at hand.
This only made Chen Ke more confident in his judgment—that the events befalling Jack were not mere coincidence or stroke of luck, but rather sought after.
This was the dawn of an extraordinary era, teeming with madmen and opportunists who coveted strange powers.
Chen Ke opened the window and left the library, thinking to himself, "Little Jack, don’t let power blind you. All gifts that come suddenly will surely exact a price from those who pry—spiritual energy is indeed life-threatening."
Sean’s mansion was not far ahead, Chen Ke walked up to the entrance and greeted the doorman with ease.