Players, Please Board the Train

”Was He Pu good friends with him?” Xu Huo wiped his hands.

”Not exactly close friends, but Duke Tal is a very useful connection,” Mr. Dong said. ”Mr. He Pu’s baron title was purchased, so it cannot be inherited. Once he dies the title will be revoked. If you want to obtain the baron title, it’s best to cultivate a good relationship with Duke Tal.”

As he spoke, Xu Huo had already walked up to the second floor. Next to where He Pu’s portrait used to hang, another empty frame had been added, clearly reserved for a new painting.

”I have a question — are you treating me as the heir to Rose Castle?” he asked, turning back.

”Do you want to inherit Rose Castle?” Mr. Dong countered. ”If you inherit the castle, you will inherit everything belonging to Mr. He Pu.”

”Does that include those items and potions?”

”Those are part of my private collection, gifts from Mr. He Pu,” Mr. Dong said. ”They are not part of the inheritable property.”

Xu Huo looked at him and smiled. ”You are a Super Item?”

Mr. Dong remained silent, offering no answer.

”It seems trust between us hasn’t been established yet,” Xu Huo continued. ”Did He Pu set any requirements for an heir?””No,” Mr. Dong answered. ”You may dispose of this castle freely — sell it, gift it, destroy it.”

Xu Huo was a little surprised this time, but Mr. Dong added, ”However, I will not allow you to destroy the castle.”

Within this castle, Mr. Dong was the actual controller. His existence must be intertwined with the castle, so even if this place was no longer a dungeon, he could still freely oversee the buildings.

”If I want to inherit Rose Castle, what procedures are required?” Xu Huo wasn’t sure of Mr. Dong’s intention in transferring the castle, but this was a good chance to establish himself in District 011.

”I will have the necessary paperwork delivered tomorrow,” Mr. Dong said, his expression calm as ever, though a slight smile finally appeared. ”Shall Duke Tal and Madame Butterfly be personally received this afternoon?”

Xu Huo nodded. ”Place a bouquet of purple roses in Madame Butterfly’s room.”

”I will pick them myself,” Mr. Dong replied.

At three in the afternoon in District 011, Duke Tal’s carriage arrived at Rose Castle on schedule. The portly middle-aged man carefully supported Madame Butterfly’s hand as he guided her into the castle, saying, ”Right now Rose Castle is the most beautiful place in the ancient district. A beauty like Lady Butterfly belongs amidst blooming flowers — those stinking men’s houses are unfit for her.”

He gushed with infatuated flattery; it was obvious his visit was not purely for condolence.

Mr. Dong received them, then introduced Xu Huo’s new status: a distant nephew of He Pu. When Mr. He Pu bought this castle, he wrote a will leaving the castle to this distant nephew upon his death.

Duke Tal expressed regret for He Pu and anger toward the fake He Pu, then slapped Xu Huo on the shoulder and said, ”Your uncle and I were good friends. If you have any difficulties, speak up.”

Xu Huo wore an expression of sorrow and thanked him. ”Mr. Dong told me you helped my uncle a lot when he first came to District 011 and was unfamiliar with life here. You were a gentleman of noble character. My uncle always regarded you as his only true friend.”

”I always meant to pay a visit, but I was afraid it might be presumptuous...” Duke Tal laughed heartily and interrupted him. ”Presumptuous? You’re a junior of He Pu — and therefore my junior. My family even has kids around your age. I like you young people. Come anytime, come anytime!”

While they spoke, Madame Butterfly’s violet eyes stayed fixed on him. Xu Huo looked up and greeted her. ”This is...”

Madame Butterfly gave a soft laugh. ”You don’t remember me?”

Her tone was teasing. Xu Huo pretended not to understand. Duke Tal’s eyes flicked between them. ”You two know each other?”

”Most handsome men look about the same — no novelty, no real difference,” Madame Butterfly said, trailing her finger along the edge of her butterfly mask. ”They all seem similar. I feel like I’ve seen that face yesterday or the day before.”

”Madame’s insight is unique,” Duke Tal loudly concurred, supporting her waist with an insincere show of gallantry. ”There’s a maze garden further back where we’ve just planted new flowers. Would the lady like to see it?”

”Mr. Xu, come with me?” Madame Butterfly invited.

Xu Huo glanced at the two bodyguards who had followed in, and under their gazes chose retreat. ”I’ll go check the ingredients. To host you both, I’ll cook some hometown dishes myself.”

Duke Tal applauded the idea, and in his enthusiasm reached to touch Madame Butterfly’s shoulder but was stopped.

Madame Butterfly used a small fan to spread his hand away. ”Weren’t we going to admire the flowers?”

Duke Tal beamed and nodded, indicating for Mr. Dong to lead the way.

Saying he’d cook was, of course, an offhand remark. Xu Huo watched the pair perform from upstairs.

To flatter Madame Butterfly, Duke Tal nearly trampled the flowers Mr. Dong had just planted, speaking empty compliments. During this, Madame Butterfly contacted the bodyguards once; Duke Tal didn’t exchange a word and simply had the bodyguards dismiss the person, keeping his eyes on Madame Butterfly the whole time.

When the time seemed right, Xu Huo asked Mr. Dong to inquire whether the guests had dietary restrictions or preferences. Duke Tal had even brought his own cook and enthusiastically introduced his household’s specialty to Madame Butterfly.

”I’m fasting these days,” Madame Butterfly said, twirling her fan, showing him no deference. ”Every disciple of the New Wheel Church has a period of vegetarian practice.”

Duke Tal was not offended. ”Vicen told me about this. If the lady fasts, I will fast too.”

He waved and dismissed the cook.

Madame Butterfly covered a smile with her hand. ”You’re not a disciple, Duke. Why bother to fast with me?”

Flushed by vanity, the duke quickly replied, ”I could join the New Wheel Church.”

”Becoming a disciple isn’t that easy,” Madame Butterfly glanced at him, making a pointed implication.

”I could solicit donations among the nobility for the New Wheel Church,” Duke Tal followed readily. ”And in the lady’s name.”

Madame Butterfly’s laugh was pleasant. ”No need for donations. What I want is a batch of weapons.”

The two players acting as bodyguards exchanged a look. The portly gentleman who seemed so affable hesitated. ”That...”

”I can pay,” Madame Butterfly said. ”Everyone knows Rongxin Group has special channels to buy A-class weapons capable of wiping out a city within ten seconds, but Mr. Meni apparently lacks that authorization. So I hope the duke can act as an intermediary.”

”In return, the New Wheel Church will maintain good relations with Rongxin Group,” she continued. ”I heard Rongxin Group wants to develop a new commercial district in Zone 009. Some of our disciples are from Zone 009, which would be mutually convenient.”