Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 526 - 22 Dorothy’s Visit
Early in the morning, a grand track carriage drawn by two spirited horses hurried past. The driver was a woman in her twenties wearing a felt hat with short hair; she steered the carriage through the streets and alleys under the gaze of passersby, finally arriving in front of Hesheng’s red mansion.
Stepping out of the carriage in a light blue English-style long dress that fluttered like a delicate cloud, was an elegant and beautiful lady.
The doormen of Hesheng waved and said, "Miss, you parked in the wrong spot, didn’t you?"
"I’m looking for Liang Hui. Is he here?"
"Who’s looking for me?"
Dressed in silk pajamas and holding a snuff bottle, Liang Hui descended the staircase and casually asked upon hearing the voice.
The two of them looked at each other across a threshold, both unexpectedly showing a surprised expression.
"You’re not Liang Hui. Oh, no, I should say, you are the real Liang Hui, aren’t you?"
The pretty girl shook her head.
"May I ask who you are?"
Liang Hui was asking knowingly because he recognized Dorothy. It wasn’t that he was particularly fond of the dramatic arts, but not long ago he had been busy with "The Will of the Blue Monarch," and had specifically gotten hold of a real-name system theater ticket.
"My name is Dorothy, and I am a theater actress."
The girl pondered for a moment and then smiled, revealing four white teeth to Liang Hui: "Please tell that Liang Hui who goes to the Black Rose Theatre every evening. The ’Steam Princess,’ who has made a promise with him, would like to meet him outside of ’Giant Lake.’ The sooner, the better, and he can set the place."
Just as Dorothy was about to leave, Liang Hui’s eyes rolled, and he quickly called out to her: "Wait."
With a snap, Liang Hui put down his snuff bottle: "I’ll take you to see him right now."
————————————————
More than two hours later, Chang Yu scrutinized the blueprints that Li Yan had drawn for him. After studying them for quite some time and getting a rough understanding, he finally spoke up: "I understand the rest of the design, but..."
Chang Yu pointed to a specific part on the blueprint: "You’ve designed an extra slot here, but it won’t fit another Tri-Orb Device."
Li Yan answered without hesitation: "That, I’m planning to put something else there."
"Huh?"
On the way back, Li Yan was still pondering if there was any room for improvement in the blueprint. His understanding of steam-powered individual units was far less than Chang Yu’s, but having dismantled quite a few at Giant Lake, his basic knowledge would not be mistaken.
"This Chang Yu really has some skill; I am even considering taking him back to the South Seas with me."
Li Yan couldn’t help but admire aloud.
Cha Xiaodao gave Li Yan a sidelong glance, knowing him well enough to recognize that when he said "I am even considering," he had basically made up his mind and was just sounding out the opinions of those around him.
To bring a native of the fruit’s core to another world, one didn’t need to travel back and forth; requiring only the native’s willingness and a single Wishful Stone. Even if the person was unwilling to leave, three Wishful Stones could forcibly transport them in a state of powerlessness.
Chang Yu’s life in San Francisco was not so good.
At least that’s what Li Yan thought.
Cha Xiaodao pondered for quite a while before saying, "I’m afraid it’s not that simple."
Li Yan raised his eyebrows at this remark.
"Ah, right. You had me inquire about that anti-steam book, and I’ve got some information for you. Back when the miner Chamos was committed to the mental hospital and his property was seized, even the furniture was sold off by the servants. That book ended up in the hands of Director Saint Yves of Cupid Tower. At one time."
"What do you mean by ’at one time’?"
Cha Xiaodao replied with a half-smile, "Because, two days ago Saint Yves went to the Black Rose Theatre to watch ’Giant Lake,’ and he fell for an actress named Dorothy at first sight. Miss Dorothy, a lady with a passion for esoteric studies, supposedly has one-third Gypsy blood in her lineage. Divination, black magic, crystal balls—many suitors collected all kinds of strange knowledge and artifacts to woo her."
"So that means my book is now in Dorothy’s hands."
"What do you mean ’your book’?"
Cha Xiaodao rolled her eyes.
Li Yan said nothing, just looked up at the sky where a huge poster was plastered on an airship.
In the poster, Dorothy’s face was brimming with a passionate smile, looking so enchanting.
A gust of wind passed, and an abandoned "Workers’ Advocate" fluttered into the air, slapping against an inconspicuous corner of the huge poster:
"We warn workers that a dangerous enemy has taken root in the West. Our Pacific brethren have already encountered them! After the completion of the Oceanic Railroad, these Chinese began to swarm out of the Rocky Mountains like locusts devouring everything, spreading throughout the country. People who work for a mere 1 US Dollar a day are a perilous element in our country. We cannot sleep when the enemy strikes. We must start dealing with them now, in the name of the common laborers of our nation. We demand Congress to forbid any more Chinese from entering..."
Li Yan hadn’t anticipated that he wouldn’t need to find Dorothy, for she had taken the initiative to come to him.
————————————————
"I think I won’t come away empty-handed this time."
With her hand holding her hat in place, Dorothy carefully examined the slightly worn and eerie-looking church in front of her, as well as the indifferent attitude of the red-clothed woman who turned her back to report.
"I must clarify, Miss Dorothy, that this is private property, and if the owner wishes not to, I can’t help you meet him as you desire."
Liang Hui stepped forward, standing beside Dorothy and silently sizing up this drama star who haunted the dreams of countless Westerners.
Someone like Liang Hui, who had dealt with violence, crime, and black-market trades all his life, would never have any connection with the famous actress Dorothy—and he would normally have first appeased her before finding another time to report back to Li Yan. But his eagerness to bring Dorothy here meant he had his own designs.
The abnormal deities that Liang Hui usually encountered, no matter how unimaginable their forms or even if they had human appearances, were almost entirely impossible to communicate with—strange and incomprehensible.
However, the "Blue Emperor" was an exception.
Though he hadn’t met the "Blue Emperor" many times, Liang Hui saw boundless possibilities in him. And then there was Mr. Cha; aside from his overwhelming power, what Liang Hui saw in "them" was an individual consciousness virtually indistinguishable from that of humans.
Only a living person holds the value of devoted loyalty and the possibility of being second-guessed...
But due to Zhen Lian’s intervention, Liang Hui had been repeatedly denied an audience with Li Yan, which was extremely uncomfortable for him.
At that time, Dorothy came knocking.
No matter what had transpired between this beautiful and renowned drama star and the "Blue Emperor," it gave Liang Hui a pretext to take advantage.
"Of course, I understand that. Regardless, I must thank you, sir. I had heard some rumors beforehand and was somewhat concerned, but now I see that the rumors are wrong, you are an elegant gentleman."
Dorothy thanked Liang Hui with sincere gratitude on her face.
"Oh, what have you heard?"
Liang Hui asked with a smile still on his face.
"There are many rumors; they say you are a cruel and cold-hearted criminal. You organize groups of over a hundred people for street fights."
The smile remained on Liang Hui’s face, but Dorothy realized the inappropriateness of her words and immediately apologized, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend."
"Haha, my business expenses are high, so it’s normal for many to have a poor impression of me. But I’m curious, why does Miss Dorothy, with her distinguished status, only hire a carriage and venture out of the city without any security? Below the hill are all kinds of villains, wolves, and opportunists who, upon seeing a beautiful woman, are like sharks smelling blood. Isn’t that too dangerous for you?"
Dorothy shrugged her shoulders: "I’ve been wild since I was little. This is just everyday life for me."
While the two exchanged these few words, Zhen Lian came out with a calm expression on her face.
"Beautiful Miss, the person you’re looking for has been gone since early morning and is not here now. Also, as a principle, the devoted followers of the Blue Emperor wouldn’t casually bring outsiders here, am I right, Liang Hui?"
Having said that, Zhen Lian glared angrily at Liang Hui.
Liang Hui was unfazed: "I took the liberty, but I feel, sir, that he would be pleased to meet her. After all..."
"It’s okay."
Dorothy intervened, stopping their argument.
She beckoned, and the short-haired maidservant who accompanied her retrieved a heavy leather suitcase from the carriage.
"I believe His Majesty the Blue Emperor would be willing to absorb some fresh young blood. Please give me an opportunity."
Dorothy opened the suitcase in front of Zhen Lian, revealing a stack of large green bills. The sum was so significant that even Liang Hui, used to seeing high stakes, was moved by it.
Zhen Lian pursed her lips dryly, unable to articulate a response.
Dorothy looked at Liang Hui, then at Zhen Lian: "So, am I one of you now?"
