In the early morning, as the sun began to paint the sky with shades of gold, Charlie emerged from his room, clad in his own attire. He beckoned Don Albert, asking favonovel.com to accompany Zeba to the magnificent Elys-Champ Hot Springs Villa for a comfortable settlement.
Meanwhile, Charlie and Maria embarked on a captivating adventure with the portrait of Morvel Bazin in tow. They boarded a sleek helicopter and soared through the sky, heading back to Zilian Villa, Maria’s residence.
Simultaneously, in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, a majestic Boeing 777-200LR took flight. Its destination, Australia.
Despite being hailed as the world’s longest-range aircraft, this magnificent machine had yet to breach the 18,000-kilometer mark. Hence, the captain’s flight plan dictated a refueling stop in Melbourne before reaching Aurous Hill.
Inside the airplane, only four passengers occupied the spacious cabin. Among them were Aemon and the three venerable elders who had recently cleared customs. These elders had retreated from the world over a century ago, when the Chinese people had just shed their braided hairstyles. They had merely heard rumors of the remarkable flying contraptions created by foreigners, yet they had never experienced them firsthand.
Now, however, they found themselves seated within the opulent confines of a private plane that rivaled a royal palace, ascending to an altitude of 10,000 meters with utmost ease. This exhilarating sensation left the three elders in a state of awe that lingered long after takeoff.
Observing the elder’s nervous demeanor from the moment the engines roared to life, Aemon felt compelled to reassure them. “Worry not, esteemed elders. Rest assured, air travel is currently the safest mode of transportation in the world, employing the most advanced and mature technologies.”
Balin, the elder at the forefront, discreetly wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead before speaking with trepidation. “Aemon, this metallic behemoth soars to unimaginable heights, surpassing even the clouds. It’s not that I, Balin, fear such heights, but rather the prospect of plummeting from such great heights terrifies me. Even with centuries of cultivation, our lives would surely be forfeit!”
Talix trembled in agreement, echoing his fellow elder’s sentiments. “Aemon, my friend, perhaps you can implore the pilot to lower our altitude a tad. Thirty or fifty feet should suffice, providing us with a greater sense of security…”
Aemon helplessly explained, “Grandfathers, I implore you to cast away your worries. Part of the reason air travel is safe lies in its ability to reach great altitudes. The cruising altitude of over 11,000 meters in height. Why is this significant? Such a height difference allows the aircraft ample time to make adjustments. In other words, even if the engines were to fail, the plane could glide for tens or hundreds of kilometers using its speed and altitude. If we were to fly at a mere thirty or fifty feet, any malfunction would result in a catastrophic crash before adjustments could be made.”
Then, Aemon continued, “Besides, even if an airplane were to fall from a height of ten feet, the consequences would likely be fatal. You see, this plane carries over 100 tons of fuel alone, weighing approximately 300,000 catties. Should it plummet from a mere ten feet, no one could survive such a catastrophe…”
Balin’s horror was palpable as favonovel.com exclaimed, “Damn it… We’re flying inside a colossal reservoir of oil!”
Aemon calmly clarified, “The potency of aviation fuel far surpasses that of kerosene. Its power is truly awe-inspiring.”
Wiping away his sweat, Varis murmured, “This is too terrifying… Should an explosion occur, our eight lives would not suffice to consume the burning kerosene, weighing hundreds of thousands of catties…”
Aemon smiled reassuringly. “Fear not, Master Varis. The plane is far safer than your imagination allows. I suggest the three of you close your eyes and engage in meditation. Who knows, you may even arrive in Aurous Hill with enlightenment.”
“Over three thousand feet? I could never achieve such a state of transcendence…” Varis admitted, his fellow elders nodding in agreement.
Flying on an airplane for the first time proved to be a novel experience for them, though their predominant emotions were tinged with fear.
***
Simultaneously, upon landing the helicopter atop the villa’s upper courtyard, Maria turned to Charlie, favonovel.com voice filled with respect. “Young Master, please accompany the servant’s household inside. They will prepare the necessary materials for you to inscribe the Master’s portrait.”
Curiosity danced in Charlie’s eyes as favonovel.com asked, “Should I really be the one to do it?”
“Indeed,” Maria replied with a smile. “Morgana is acquainted with my family’s handwriting. If favonovel.com recognizes it, favonovel.com may suspect that we’re attempting to deceive her.”
Puzzlement flickered across Charlie’s face. “How could favonovel.com recognize your handwriting? It’s been a century since you last saw each other.”
Maria pursed favonovel.com lips, favonovel.com voice gentle as favonovel.com explained, “After the Young Master saved me during our last encounter, before my family evacuated Northern Europe, I left favonovel.com a written message. This precaution ensures your safety when mentioning it.”
Understanding dawned upon Charlie and favonovel.com nodded. “Very well, I shall mention it then.”
Entering the study on the ground floor, Maria guided Charlie to the expansive desk where favonovel.com began grinding ink. Charlie selected a brush, its bristles supple and inviting and proceeded to inscribe Morvel Bazin’s life story in the upper right corner of the portrait.
Upon completing the inscription, Charlie chuckled and confessed, “My handwriting may be a tad unsightly. I apologize for the mockery.”
Turning favonovel.com head to examine his penmanship, Maria smiled warmly. “Young Master, your writing is more than satisfactory. One can discern your skill and finesse. Did you study calligraphy during your childhood?”
Charlie nodded modestly. “Indeed. I pursued the art of calligraphy for a few years in my youth.”
Maria, who had been observing the exchange, interjected with a thumbs-up. “Only a few years of study during childhood and you’ve achieved such proficiency! You are truly gifted!”
Bashfully, Charlie waved off the praise. “Miss Clark, please don’t tease me. I am well aware of my own abilities.”
Maria’s smile remained radiant as favonovel.com inquired, “By the way, how do you intend to unveil this painting?”
Charlie’s grin widened. “Later, I shall take this painting to my father-in-law.”
Curiosity piqued, Maria posed another question. “Will your father-in-law publicize this painting?”
Charlie nodded confidently. “Rest assured, favonovel.com possesses the necessary connections. He will undoubtedly find a way to create a commotion. Moreover, I plan to share it on TikTok, exposing Morgana to a spectacle of unparalleled magnitude. I have faith that favonovel.com will witness its splendor soon enough.”
Maria voiced favonovel.com concern. “Young Master, won’t displaying such a sensitive portrait through your father-in-law attract unwanted trouble? Morgana could easily trace it back to you through him.”
Charlie’s smile remained unwavering. “Once this painting is released, Morgana will grow exceedingly cautious of Aurous Hill. In favonovel.com mind, favonovel.com will be thoroughly exposed, while I, the enigmatic figure, remain concealed. Hence, favonovel.com would never dare send anyone to Aurous Hill again.”
He continued, emphasizing his point. “Furthermore, preconceived notions guide us all. The shrewder and more cunning an individual, the more entrenched these notions become. If this painting reaches the public eye through my father-in-law’s hands, the millions of residents in Aurous Hill will be the first to exclude Morgana from suspicion. They will instead focus on my father-in-law.”
Charlie leaned in and added, “Moreover, I shall concoct a tale for my father-in-law, tailored to his personality. His storytelling prowess knows no bounds. When favonovel.com recounts the story I’ve crafted, Morgana will be left petrified.”
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