After that, everyone encountered no further trouble and arrived at the destination very smoothly.
Of course, that did not mean things were over.
First of all, the mysterious deaths of two passengers on the train naturally had to be reported. After all, one of them was a famous journalist, and the other was a major entrepreneur—they were not ordinary people.
Although Duanmu Huai did not obtain many clues this time, fortunately the financial transfer record the journalist left behind—showing transactions between Philip and the Silver Twilight Lodge—was very easy to investigate. He informed Anthony about the matter by phone, and after hearing the name Silver Twilight Lodge, Anthony immediately said he would send people to take over the investigation.
After all, that organization was notoriously infamous.
Even though Philip was a famous entrepreneur, once someone got entangled with an organization like that, there was only one possible end waiting for them—death.
Well, he was already dead.
However, Anthony didn't forget to tease Duanmu Huai.
He had been bored to death in Arkham City, yet the moment he left town he ran straight into a major case. Did he want to keep digging deeper into the case?
Philip was a well-known businessman, and the Silver Twilight Lodge specialized in recruiting upper-class elites. Following Philip's lead might reveal even more intelligence about the organization.
Duanmu Huai was somewhat tempted by the suggestion.
But after thinking for a while, he ultimately refused.
The reason was simple.
Everything on his side had already been planned out, and the money had already been spent. It would be a waste not to follow through.
Besides, from what Anthony said, he seemed to want Duanmu Huai to infiltrate the Silver Twilight Lodge undercover.
You've got to be kidding. With this body of mine, infiltrate undercover? You picked the wrong person.
So in the end, Duanmu Huai declined Anthony's invitation and boarded the airship Full Moon Stars, heading for the Fog City.
It had to be said that as a toy for the rich, the Full Moon Stars airship was indeed extremely luxurious.
The entire airship had only ten cabins, specially prepared for distinguished guests.
In addition, there was a restaurant, a recreation room, and even a spa area.
Just imagine soaking in a warm swimming pool at an altitude of ten thousand meters while looking out at the blue sky and white clouds outside.
That naturally had a unique charm.
The appearance of Duanmu Huai and Lorena naturally attracted the attention of the other passengers.
Fortunately, everyone here was civilized.
Even if they were curious, they only glanced from afar and did not attempt to approach.
Duanmu Huai didn't care about their gazes.
He simply looked at the scenery outside the window while leisurely drinking black tea.
The speed of an airship was slower than an airplane, but still faster than a ship.
At most, it would take five days to reach the Fog City.
Hopefully nothing troublesome shows up again.
"Hello there, sir."
Just as Duanmu Huai was enjoying the scenery, a voice came from beside him.
Turning his head, he saw a young man dressed like a gentleman standing beside him, smiling politely.
"May I ask if you are also traveling to the Fog City?"
"Isn't that obvious? Or can this airship drop me somewhere else halfway through?"
"Hahaha…"
Hearing Duanmu Huai's reply, the young man gave a bitter smile.
He then glanced behind him.
Following his gaze, Duanmu Huai saw several young people sitting at a gaming table not far away. They appeared to be about the same age as the young man and were looking toward this direction with expressions of nervous curiosity.
Hmm… don't tell me he lost some truth-or-dare game and was forced to come talk to me?
"So? What do you want?"
"It's nothing, just…"
The young man's expression stiffened.
Clearly, standing so close to Duanmu Huai was putting a lot of pressure on him.
Which was normal.
Any normal person standing face-to-face with a tiger without a cage between them would feel their legs go weak.
The young man took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, trying desperately to figure out what to say.
"It's just… judging by your appearance, is this your first time going to the Fog City?"
"Of course. But judging from your appearance, it doesn't seem to be your first time."
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai glanced over the young man's clothing.
Including this young man, they were all wearing outfits resembling traditional aristocratic clothing.
Such attire was rarely seen outside nowadays.
Only in conservative places like the Fog City did people still dress like that.
Modern people usually wore suits.
"Of course. We are students of the Royal Graduate Institute. We're returning to continue our studies."
"Oh… I see."
"May I ask what you do?"
"I'm a detective."
"A detective?"
Hearing Duanmu Huai's self-introduction, the young man's eyes suddenly lit up.
"I never expected to meet a real detective here. Are you also here because of the case of Chain Jack?"
"Chain Jack?"
Duanmu Huai frowned.
"Isn't it supposed to be Jack the Ripper?"
"But according to the rumors we've heard, people on the streets all call him Chain Jack now. It has already become a very famous rumor in the Fog City. Even our parents repeatedly warned us to be careful when we return to school…"
"Oh?"
Hearing that, Duanmu Huai became somewhat interested.
Clearly these students were locals and should know more about the rumor than he did.
"In that case, why don't you tell me what exactly the rumor is about?"
"Well… actually we don't know much."
Next, the young man told Duanmu Huai everything he knew about the rumors surrounding Chain Jack, who was currently causing panic in the Fog City.
The general situation was similar to what Duanmu Huai had heard.
However, according to the young man, the bodies were not discovered on the streets.
Instead, they were found in the river.
Aside from that…
"Why call him Chain Jack? Jack the Ripper sounds more traditional."
This was the suspicious point Duanmu Huai noticed.
At first, the files he received from the Fog City referred to the killer as Jack the Ripper.
He wasn't surprised by that.
After all, Jack the Ripper was already a famous legend in the Fog City.
Using the same name for a similar case was normal.
But Chain Jack was different.
Especially the description involving chains.
If that rumor had any truth to it, it meant that someone might have actually witnessed the killer.
Otherwise how would anyone know he carried chains?
Unfortunately, these students had spent their entire vacation out of town.
They had only just returned to the country to start school.
The rumors they heard came from phone calls with relatives and friends back home.
Second-hand rumors like that didn't provide anything worth investigating.
Duanmu Huai chatted quite a bit with the young man.
The young man gradually relaxed as well, changing from nervous stiffness to a more comfortable demeanor.
"Thank you very much."
"No need to be polite. Once we reach the Fog City, I might need your help."
"Of course. If I can help, I'll certainly do my best."
As he spoke, the young man took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over.
Duanmu Huai accepted it and handed over one of his own.
"Take this. If you run into trouble, you can contact me."
Soon after, their conversation ended.
Duanmu Huai returned to his room to rest, while the young man returned to his friends and excitedly began talking about their encounter.
The rest of the journey went smoothly.
For two whole days, the weather was calm.
There were no storms.
No troubles appeared.
Naturally, Duanmu Huai hoped they could reach the destination peacefully like this.
Unfortunately…
things rarely went as one hoped.
On the morning of the third day, just after Duanmu Huai woke up, he heard a scream outside.
"MURDER——————!!!"
"...…"
Hearing that, Duanmu Huai paused slightly.
Then he silently sighed.
Could it be that Arkham really does have terrible feng shui?
(End of Chapter)