The Master of the Strange Realm

Chapter 69 Chapter 66 Confrontation

Jenkins turned around and saw that writers, both male and female, were looking at him. The speaker was a man with a mustache beside him. He looked fake in his smile. Jenkins remembered that when he was introduced just now, he was the author of a best-selling novel called "Palace Romance".

"Yes, hello."

He replied politely.

"It's such an honor to meet you. Now your book is a real bestseller in Nolan City. If I haven't read the stories you wrote, I will be considered as not keeping up with the trend."

The man's tone was a bit artificial, but Jenkins didn't understand what he was talking about, because he had recently been focusing on ritual spells.

"Really? I'm honored. I didn't expect fairy tales to be so popular."

Jenkins laughed.

"I think the fairy tales you wrote, in addition to being interesting to children, also contain a lot of educational significance. Even adults can gain something from reading them once. Also, those stories are very interesting. Really interesting!"

The woman wearing glasses praised without hesitation, and a gentleman wearing a blue tie next to her also nodded:

"This is definitely a pioneering innovation in fairy tales. In the past, fairy tale books on the market either wrote some very childish and ridiculous stories, or deliberately approached some big principles. Mr. William's story has opened up new ideas to a certain extent. Fairy tale mode, this time it’s a real fairy tale!”

Jenkins was a little embarrassed by the compliments from everyone, but when a few people spoke, they felt a little weird. Jenkins originally thought this was due to the literati's contempt for each other, but later he realized that the people who brought these people here might not have a good relationship with Miss Mihail or Miss Hesha.

Because of some preparation in advance, Jenkins could add a few words when talking about grammatical issues, but once he talked about the latest best-sellers or well-known authors, he could not add a word.

"I'm really not used to this kind of situation."

While he was thinking in his mind, he nodded to the man who was talking loudly, indicating that he thought what he said made sense.

"Mr. Willamt, I heard that you are currently working as an apprentice in an antique shop?"

While everyone was talking, the man sitting next to Jenkins suddenly asked.

Everyone suddenly closed their mouths and looked at the two people.

Jenkins raised his eyebrows, raised the corners of his mouth, and nodded, "Yes."

A meaningful smile immediately appeared on the face of the man who asked the question. Jenkins thought he had not offended him, but he was not the kind of person who would passively take a beating.

“This is the job that Bishop Parrod introduced me to.”

The atmosphere was a bit awkward, and Jenkins was the first to speak out.

"Bishop Parod, is he the one from the Church of [Knowledge and Books]?"

The gentleman's smile faltered.

"Yes."

Jenkins nodded, laughing in his mind that this man had investigated his work in advance, but did not investigate clearly what was going on.

"Our whole family is a believer in the Sage. I have known Bishop Parrod since I was a child when I went to church with my parents. Look, the brooch I am wearing now is a work gift given to me by the bishop."

After speaking, he raised his right hand and drew the square holy emblem of [Heritage Sage] on his chest.

"Praise the sage, praise the goddess, may your light illuminate the path forward for mankind."

A third of the writers sitting in the circle followed Jenkins in praying.

Because of the particularity of their beliefs and dogma, believers of [Inherited Sages] can easily become scholars, writers, etc., so it is not surprising that so many people pray together.

But even if they are not followers of the Sage, ordinary citizens have heard about the famous big figures in Nolan City, such as the nobles, the gentlemen of the city hall, and the bishops of major churches.

Therefore, even if they look down on the profession of "shop apprentice", no one dares to make irresponsible remarks on the job introduced by an archdiocesan bishop, not to mention that judging from the content revealed in Jenkins' words, he has a close relationship with the church. .

"By the way, besides being a writer, what else do you do?"

Jenkins looked at the man with a shit-eating expression on his face and asked, while vowing in his heart that no matter what his answer was, he would disgust him once.

"Me? Oh, I, I, I, oh, I am a full-time writer..."

The man was startled, and then admitted hesitantly, his face flushed with an expression of extreme shame.

"It doesn't seem like there's anything to be ashamed of."

Jenkins thought strangely, why is this person behaving so strangely?

Now that he said that, the topic was dropped and everyone started talking and laughing again.

Jenkins took this time to open the [Eye of Truth] and observed everyone in turn, but found that except for Hathaway Hesha, the young people present did not have a benefactor.

On the other hand, two of the bodyguards outside the room had bright spots of color on their bodies.

The so-called evil spirits and ghosts also have spirits. But because of the special nature of the spirit body, it will not appear in Jenkins' special vision unless it is very close.

He didn't think he would encounter a ghost this time, but he had to be careful.

Jenkins stood up and said sorry to everyone, asked the servant for the location of the toilet, and walked along the corridor toward the depths of the room. On the carriage here, Jenkins heard that this apartment was a property owned by a certain salon participant. Because it was unused, it could be used as a gathering place for everyone.

Jenkins, who is still looking for a cheap apartment, can only express envy in his heart.

As he walked, he observed the art paintings hanging on both sides of the corridor.

According to the knowledge he learned from his father, one or two of them should be real antiques. Although the value is not great, the fact that it can be hung casually in the corridor without any protection can also show how wealthy its owner is.

"Mr. Willamt seems interested?"

A familiar female voice sounded from beside him. Jenkins turned his head and found the red-haired Miss Hersa standing beside him, looking up with him at the overly colorful oil painting of a knight slaying a dragon with a sword. This should be just a modern handicraft, and this type of material based on heroic legends is very common.

"Yes."

Jenkins cautiously agreed, "I have been studying with Father Oliver for some time. This kind of oil painting is of little value and the cost of counterfeiting is very high. You can basically tell the authenticity at a glance."

"This kind of party is boring, isn't it? I invited you here, but the two of us threw you aside." She asked shyly.

“It’s also a great thing to get to know more colleagues.”

Chapter 70 Chapter 67 Stories and Prizes

Jenkins shook his head, changed the topic, and mentioned another thing: "But some people don't seem happy about my appearance."

"Yeah?"

Miss Hesha was startled, with some surprise on her face. She guessed in a low voice: "Are you jealous of your talent? I heard that your books have been sold like crazy in the city recently, almost to the point where they are worthless. ”

"is that so?"

Jenkins laughed sheepishly, while guessing how much money he could earn, and at the same time he was amused by the aristocratic lady in front of him who was pretending to be a weak girl.

How could someone who could become a gifter and have seen so many weird abilities and rituals still maintain such a personality?

While he was talking, he quietly opened the [Eye of Truth] to observe the other person, trying to find out the magical items the other person possessed.

But he just blinked and used psychological suggestion to activate his ability. Miss Hesha screamed softly, held her chest and took a few steps back.

"What's wrong?"

He quickly turned off his ability.

"I don't know either."

The girl looked around nervously. The servants in the distance heard the sound and came over. "I felt like something was looking at me just now. It was a bad feeling... Mr. Williamt, could you please help me?" I returned to the living room. There have been rumors of hauntings everywhere recently, and I’m a little scared..."

There was an inexplicable blush on her face, and she didn't know whether it was because she was really shy or because of her superb acting skills.

Jenkins agreed to her request very gentlemanly. At the same time, he knew in his heart that this girl probably had very keen intuition, and he activated his ability in front of her, so he was noticed accidentally. It seems that he will have to be careful in the future.

But luckily she didn't realize the culprit was right in front of her.

The time came to about eight o'clock, and Jenkins stood in front of the window, talking about the fairy tale he had written with a few ladies whose names he could not remember. Whenever Jenkins said that the Little Mermaid turned into bubbles and disappeared, the noble ladies would whisper in surprise.

"I don't really like the story."

Miss Mihail and Miss Hesha, who were holding wine glasses, also came over. Although the girls who had been talking to Jenkins were still laughing, they were a little reserved.

"Why? Because it's a tragedy?"

Jenkins asked.

He was also holding an exquisite goblet, but he was just pretending, and he didn't drink a sip of the red wine in the glass:

"But life is not always a comedy. After so many happy endings, you always have to write something different."

"is that so?"

Miss Michael winked at him, "I also read your warning to children from this story: Don't believe in love with men easily."

Jenkins couldn't take a deep breath and almost coughed.

Smiling softly: "Everyone has a different understanding, this is normal."

"Mr. Willamt, have you ever considered writing a book about the love between a prince and a princess?"

Seeing that the conversation between Jenkins and Bryony Mihail came to an end, the girl who was originally talking to Jenkins asked excitedly.

"This, um, I'm still thinking about it."

He didn't dare to finish his sentence. He knew what level he was at. The story was easy to come up with, but the writing style was still a bit poor.

The organizer of this reading salon was the third son of the Duke mentioned above. He coughed and signaled everyone's attention.

"Everyone, first of all, thank you for participating in this gathering. I feel extremely honored for your coming."

Jenkins didn't remember his name clearly. Wellington? Wellington? Huygon?

"Since it is a reading salon, we always have to do something related. How about this? It happens that so many young writers are invited to participate in this party. How about setting a theme and taking turns telling a short story on the spot? How about it?"

Naturally, no one objected to his proposal. This matter should have been arranged in advance and everyone was prepared.

"Well, since everyone agrees, let's get started!"

"etc!"

A young man wearing stockings and foundation on his face asked: "Since so many people are participating, there must be a lucky draw, right?"

This kind of dress is the most fashionable now and has a great influence among young people. However, some people would think that the old-fashioned gentleman dress like Jenkins tonight is outdated.

"This is a morbid manifestation of this era."

Jenkins thought so in his heart, and at the same time identified him as the third son of the Duke.

"Makes sense!"

Wellington, or Mr. Huygens, made an exaggerated sound, and then he took out a beautiful gem earring from his pocket and raised it up. It turned out that he had prepared it in advance.

"Then let me be the first. This earring will be given as a gift to the best storyteller tonight."

There were a few slight exclamations from the crowd, but Jenkins thought that this time it should not be a favor, because the embellishment on the earring was an extremely rare pure orange gem.

"I'd better not be in the limelight, keep a low profile."

He thought so in his heart, and lowered his head calmly. But he felt a little suspicious, blinked, and saw a faint yellow light on the gem.

"Since I'm here with Miss Michael and Miss Hesha, I can't embarrass them. This is the true gentlemanly demeanor."

Jenkins said to himself in his heart, raised his head, and smiled freely.

In order to make the atmosphere more appropriate, everyone directed the servants to draw the curtains, extinguished the candles in the overhead chandelier and the gas lamps on the wall, and lit the fireplace again.

A cashmere carpet was laid in front of the fireplace, and the sofas and rocking chairs were placed in a semicircle in front of the carpet. The gentlemen and ladies sat down one after another.

Miss Michael and Miss Hesha sat next to Jenkins.

"Mr. William, are you confident of winning?"

Miss Hesha asked shyly.

Jenkins nodded gently and pinched his bow tie with his right hand: "Don't worry, watch me!"

"Then I, Daniel Wellington, will decide the theme."

The young Duke's son showed a charming smile on his face. He looked at everyone who was looking at him one by one, and finally looked at Jenkins.

"Although summer is coming to an end, it is still elegant to sit around the fireplace and tell ghost stories on such a quiet night. So, let's set the theme of this time as horror stories!"

Jenkins' mouth curled up and revealed a smile.

He could feel that everyone around him was looking at him. After all, he was writing fairy tales, and this theme was aimed at him.

But so what?

Miss Michael seemed to have something to say about this theme, but Jenkins quietly pulled her and smiled, indicating that there was no need to worry.