Ever since Simmons visited, Li Xin's treatment improved once again. Though he didn't get a raise, Dragon Mother's attitude became kind and friendly, and Li Xin was given more vacation time. Of course, this was also because Ma Liu could handle most of the kitchen work. Essentially, Ma Liu could be said to have mastered the core techniques of the kitchen, though he still needed Li Xin's help with the sauce blends.

In the world of wandering, you always have to keep a trick up your sleeve — at least for now it's necessary. Actually, as long as anything circulates for a while, knock-offs will emerge. Li Xin didn't plan to spend much time on this matter; he still needed to focus on Simmons, as he knew too little about secret knowledge. He had to make a deal with Simmons.

Li Xin planned to wait a few days. If Simmons didn't come to him, he'd go to Simmons, after all, it's better to be patient and wait.

In the kitchen, Li Xin and Ma Liu were busy in a heated frenzy. A magician, a painter, and now there even was a fortune-teller all helping. After the three of them collectively negotiated with Dragon Mother, they got wages. It felt like art was less important than filling their stomachs. The noon customers didn't need portraits or magic tricks; wealthy people mostly came out at night. Dragon Mother, who was stingy, agreed with them to work a day and get paid a day, like a daily laborer.

Li Xin was flipping a pan with flair when a head peeked in at the door. Dalivin looked at Li Xin in disbelief, "Ah Xin, there's a telegraph operator outside saying there's a telegram for you."

As soon as the word 'telegram' was mentioned, Ma Liu perked up his ears. This was very high-end stuff, known to be extremely expensive, capable of transmitting information thousands of miles away, utilizing high-end Hex-Tech technology from Liron. Only important figures generally used it.

Are cooks considered important figures too?

"Ah, it's a letter from home." Li Xin chuckled, "Six, cover for me for a bit, I'll be right back."

"Brother Li, you're busy, don't worry, I've got this." Ma Liu said, adding a bit more respect in his eyes for Li Xin, being good at cooking and receiving a telegram too. Gosh, in this lifetime, if he could just receive a telegram once, it would be worth it.

The telegram operator, waiting for the customer, was very handsome, his uniform equally so. He stood tall and accepted the envious glances around him with ease. He rarely delivered telegrams to places like this, but every telegram customer was worthy of respect.

"Mr. Li, here's your telegram. You need to pay a reception fee of fifty Lira." The telegram operator said respectfully, without a hint of disdain despite the chaotic surroundings.

The surrounding diners buzzed with conversation. Li Xin's face darkened. Couldn't he pay in advance? Searching every pocket, he only found 29 Lira, "Mr. Dalivin, can you lend me some? I'll pay you back later."

Dalivin, who was watching the spectacle, froze for a moment, time seemed to stand still for a few seconds, then after rooting around in his clothes for a long while, he solemnly handed 21 Lira to Li Xin, "Remember to pay me back soon."

He believed in Li Xin's ability to repay, and Li Xin often secretly gave them extra food. Recently, the meals had improved, and their complexions were looking better too. When they went out to sketch for those noble ladies, they were noticeably more popular.

This despicable world that judges by appearances knows nothing about art.

The telegram operator remained patient throughout, bowing slightly after taking the money, "Thank you for your patronage. Helden Telegram Saint George Branch is at your service."

Watching the man pocket the Lira, Li Xin felt a pang of pain. Although Dalivin wanted to see it, Li Xin couldn't show it to him. Returning to his room, he opened the telegram: Saint's Grace District, Mahler Street No. 85, Room 309, Hex Bird Report Helden Fifth Branch.

Though telegrams are fast, some things can't be said in detail due to the risk of leaks. Things like Morse code weren't heard of yet. Maybe a simple code could be considered in the future.

When he left the Celestial Capital, he chose Helden as a backup plan. The incident had made too big a splash, and how far the Church Court's investigation would go was uncertain. Li Xin's identity was not that important, but to say it had no presence was clearly impossible. Disappearing suddenly was definitely not an option. If the investigation tracked him down, he would say he was dispatched to Helden to perform a mission. After all, he had the identity of a Night Patrol member, which also explained why his presence at the Canon Law School was merely for an undercover mission to find flaws with Zhao Qing.

And when this address was sent, according to the agreement with Kathy, it meant the Church Court had taken note of him, at least initiated an investigation. He had two choices: immediately go incognito and stay away from trouble, or execute the Night Patrol's task at the place given in the address. The person in charge there was Luo Jin, a friend from the Night Patrol captain's special training. At least he could look out for him.

Luo Jin had already arranged follow-ups before deciding to make a move. He had also considered Li Xin's situation, clearly not optimistic about his chances of success.

Go incognito?

Li Xin didn't plan to do that, especially since it was Uncle Luo's arrangement.

Li Xin looked at the address. He chose the latter option, treating it as an overseas mission for a Night Patrol member. With Luo Jin's connections, it ought to offer more progress than being a cook. He really didn't plan to do this forever.

He opened the door, only to find the fortune-teller, the painter, the magician, and even David, whom he hadn't seen for several days, all there. "What are you guys up to?"

"Ah Xin, don't hide it anymore. I knew you were extraordinary the first time I saw you. Your fate is very noble. It's just that you've fallen on hard times now," Old Fang said, twirling his fingers, his eyes dreamy. "Now the tides have turned, and your good fortune has come, Young Master Li, we're all comrades in hardship, don't they say not to forget each other when in wealth?"

"Yeah, Young Master Xin, we've shared life-and-death bonds in hardship. You know my artistic talents..."

Li Xin couldn't help but laugh, hurriedly waving his hand, "You've got it wrong, it's not like that. It's truly a letter from home. In our Liron, Hex-Tech is widely promoted, it's not as grand as it sounds. And I didn't know you had to pay to receive telegrams here. My family found me a job opportunity and I have to go for an interview."

"What job? Don't you try and fool us, we've shared life-and-death bonds!"

"I know, I know, not just life-and-death bonds, we also eavesdropped together," Li Xin chuckled, "It's that our Liron's Hex Bird Report is hiring in Helden. I have stayed in the Canon Law School before, going to try my luck. If I get accepted, I can have a stable job."

"Hex Bird reporter, wow, not bad. That's quite a prestigious profession. Ah Xin, you have to work hard. Though I'm not in a rush, remember to pay back the money," Dariel said warmly.

Li Xin quickly took out 21 Lira and handed it back to Dariel, "I'll repay the interest with a grand meal."

Dariel's face immediately lit up with a broad smile, "We're all friends, no problem, small matter. Remember to add more chicken thigh meat, I like it tender."

"Sure thing, Ah Xin. Being a reporter is very promising. If you encounter anything you can't handle, come find me!" David said, patting his muscular, shiny chest, even creating a vibrating effect. With his cheerful smile and perfectly white teeth, it was easy to see why he enchanted Dragon Mother.

After the bustling noon, Li Xin changed into clean clothes and called for a carriage. In Helden, carriages have three grades: high, middle, and low. Normally, simple, open-top carriages emphasize speed and convenience, starting at 1 Lira. Mid-range features a black carriage, much pricier, with a starting price of 5 Lira. The purple carriage is for the nobility, with a starting price of 50 Lira, luxurious and opulent in design, drawn by at least two fine horses. Exact pricing is negotiable based on distance.

Li Xin rode in the open-top carriage, enjoying Helden's clear blue sky. These people don't understand that perhaps one day open-top might become high-end.

After about half an hour, he arrived at the Fifth Branch of the Hex Bird Report. Once inside, he was nearly knocked over, with the place abuzz with activity.

"Hurry up, hurry up, move these newspapers to the fourth district. Hey, don't stand idle, go move them. All keep your spirits up, the weekly issue is of the utmost importance!"

"The editor-in-chief said a detail needs revision."

"Revise my foot. It's already been printed; why not say so earlier? Damn it, go fetch them back quickly, recovering even a bit counts for something."

"Second team, second team, hurry up, hurry up."

"Sixth team, it's you who are always lagging behind, chop-chop, get your legs moving, pace, pace. We are the fifth branch that excels in both efficiency and capability!"

"There's new info from the reporters, put out the daily issue, put out the daily issue. Overtime tonight, no one leaves until we're done."

After moving a stack of newspapers, Li Xin returned, wanting to find a receptionist. But everyone was busy and no one paid him any mind. Is business really booming?

"Hello, I'm Li Xin, here to see the director. I've made an appointment with the director," he finally caught someone with a reporter ID and asked.

The person sized up Li Xin, "Go straight ahead, exit the workshop, then turn right for a hundred meters, then turn left and you'll see it."

After saying this, they disappeared, leaving Li Xin's mind buzzing. Go straight... Forget it, I'll just ask along the way. The Fifth Branch is quite large, really unlike the Night Patrol's style.

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