The Daily Life Of A Cyberpunk Magician

Chapter 60 - 61 T1, Shen Xuwan
Chapter 60: Chapter 61 T1, Shen XuwanWolf heard him say this and quickly walked over, examining the ventilation duct above. He squinted for a while and also noticed something wrong.

There was supposed to be an iron cover sealing the entrance of the ventilation duct, but now the cover showed signs of having been tampered with; the two screws below were not tightened, and there were also some scratch marks nearby.

And he was very aware that the diagram of the ventilation duct that Joyce had sent showed all four screws properly fastened.

”Should we notify the police or New Moon Hall?” Jiang Shu looked towards Wolf.

Wolf shook his head, ”Let’s not notify them yet; we’re not clear about the actual situation. It wouldn’t be good to startle the snake.”

”But...” Jiang Shu pointed in a direction, ”there’s surveillance there. The Deception Group might have already spotted us.”

”Uh...” Wolf was somewhat embarrassed, ”Okay, I’ll inform the police to arrange a surround.”

He then looked at Jiang Shu, who had brought over some boxes to stand on, and climbed up to the entrance of the ventilation duct, his gaze level with the interior.

Jiang Shu touched his chin and took out two screws from his pocket, tightening them into the iron cover of the duct entrance, effectively sealing it from the outside.

”What... are you doing?” Wolf’s eyes were full of confusion. ”Why seal it up?”

”Just... in case they make a move and plan to come out from here, I can block their way,” Jiang Shu explained matter-of-factly.

Wolf found it somewhat amusing, ”And what if they have heavy weapons? This thing won’t stop them.”

”Yeah, I know, I just wanted to annoy them,” Jiang Shu still said matter-of-factly.

Speaker C: He’s always been good at annoying people.

Wolf: ”...”

”I’ll have someone watch over this alley in a moment,” he said gruffly. ”Let’s hurry, the memorial is about to start.”

The two then ran all the way to the entrance of New Moon Hall.

New Moon Hall, though not as large as Black Currant Theater, was meticulously designed. From a distance, it looked like a...

USB drive?

Jiang Shu’s gaze became strange, the silver white slanted cube did indeed look like a USB drive. If one had to describe its aesthetic, it probably would qualify as a sleek USB drive...

”Gentlemen, please present your identification,” said the two greeters at the door politely.

”Here, check if I’m on the invitation list.” Wolf suddenly became uncertain; he wasn’t sure if the curator had genuinely invited him or had just said it casually.

Jiang Shu, on the other hand, handed over a plastic card given by the curator. ”Can this prove it?”

When the greeters saw the card, their eyes suddenly widened. One of them took the card with both hands and swiped it on a nearby slot; the indicator light on the slot turned green.

This was legitimate...

Instantly, the attitude of the greeters became extremely respectful. Having been greeters here for a few years, they naturally knew that the curator rarely gave out his own card, and in the Seventh District, the curator’s backing ability was not to be underestimated.

So anyone deemed significant by the curator...

”Please come in, gentlemen,” the greeter bowed, inviting Jiang Shu and his companion into New Moon Hall. ”Is this your first visit? Would you like me to show you the way? It would be an honor.”

”No need, no need,” Jiang Shu didn’t want anything special, and quickly walked into the hall.

”Your card seems to be very useful,” Wolf whispered. His voice was usually loud, but as soon as he entered, the elegant atmosphere made him lower his voice unconsciously.

”Hmm, but why give it to me? I’m just a magician with, at most, a non-staff role at the police station,” Jiang Shu questioned. It seemed implausible if it was for case-solving.

”It’s probably to win you over,” Wolf speculated after a pause. ”Your identity is very unique; you’re not really part of the police, so befriending you doesn’t count as bribery, yet at the same time, you can intervene in some cases. You might even enter the decision-making circle someday.”

”Moreover, he definitely recognized that you have a great ability,” he continued. ”In any case, he has nothing to lose but a chance to expand his network.”

”Oh,” Jiang Shu said with a face full of disappointment, ”I thought he wanted to recruit me as a pillar of support.”

”Uh, do you understand classical?” Wolf asked helplessly. ”New Moon Hall is a very traditional art gallery.”

”I understand a bit of classical...” Jiang Shu pursed his lips, cautiously adding, ”Classical magic.”

The two walked through a glass-like corridor, with glass cabinets on either side displaying various meticulously crafted musical instruments from New Moon Hall, each engraved with the name of a master craftsman.

At the end of the corridor was a large hall, with soft, warm lights spilling out from within. Jiang Shu and Wolf casually chatted as they walked into the hall.

The commemoration hall was scattered with glass pillars, on which were placed several fruit plates and tall glasses of wine.

Apart from these glass pillars, there were also some glass showcases, equally displaying various collectibles that all belonged to the legendary master—Shen Ting.

Scores, photographs, musical instruments—these items, along with accompanying texts narrated the life of Shen Ting. Jiang Shu looked at each one, momentarily captivated deeply by them.

A master of various classical and modern instruments, her music bridged old and new, a city-beautifying appearance, friendly, with a harmonious and happy family...

She was almost a flawless individual, with character, appearance, and talent all unparalleled among her peers. Hence, her untimely demise was all the more pitiful.

This reminded Jiang Shu of the historical paragon Zhou Yu from a past era.

On the tenth anniversary of her demise, this New Moon Hall still managed to gather a large group of her devoted fans, who came together to listen to her music during her lifetime and share their passions.

Those who listened to Shen Ting back in the day had mostly become influential figures now, and therefore, this also turned into a major networking event, which was a primary reason why such a commemoration event could be held for ten years continuously.

Taking advantage of this, the curator made a roaring success.

”I heard the music box was stolen.”

”Yes, I wonder how the curator will handle this. The tenth-anniversary commemoration, and now without that music box, alas.”

Jiang Shu heard faint murmurs nearby and sauntered toward the source, pretending to pick fruit from a dish while actually eavesdropping.

”Yes. But I heard the curator prepared a surprise; I wonder what it is.”

”Look, the curator is coming out now.”

Jiang Shu raised his eyes towards the stage at the front of the hall. A man close to sixty stood there, his hair graying but still spirited. He took the microphone and said aloud, ”Today marks the tenth anniversary of Master Shen Ting’s death. We, her fans, once again gather here to celebrate with music and honor the eternal myth of Lonely City’s music scene.”

”Now, please welcome New Moon Hall’s Tier 1 musician—Ms. Shen Xuwan, who will perform Master Shen Ting’s signature piece—’Moonlit Night Ninth Concerto.’”

The curtain parted, and on the stage, there was an opulent grand piano. Seated next to it was a woman in a black floor-length gown, her posture and slender neck creating a beautiful straight line, and her side profile delicate and fair, captivating everyone.

Everyone could see a pendant, resembling a small bell, dangling from her delicate earlobe. The black crystal-surfaced bell, subtly glowing, had a red gem embedded in its center, looking opulent and stately.

She extended her right hand, and her index finger pressed down on the tenth key of the piano with a motion so natural and elegant.

”Boom—” A deep piano note sounded like a hammer, as if striking at everyone’s heart, and they could clearly feel their DNA stirring!

This face, this attire, this earring, this signature gesture—

”Master Shen Ting?”

Someone involuntarily murmured aloud.