[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-notes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies":3,"chapter-notes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies-notes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies-chapter-61":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Notes on Kraft Anomalous Studies",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2283539,4467,"Chapter 61","notes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies-chapter-61",61,"\u003Cp>“Put some effort into it—move it over here, don’t bump into the bottles by the corner.” The newcomer directed the delivery workers to avoid the scattered items at their feet as they carried the heavy crate upstairs; this was already the third trip of the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiusi sat on a crate near the wall, blowing on a cup of water. It had been handed to him by Kraft, a man famously fastidious about cleanliness, who refused to trust the well water on Elm Street and insisted on boiling it first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after explaining for half an hour by the well until his throat ached, he could only sip sparingly—hard to say whether he drank more water or blew away more saliva.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s task wasn’t arduous: a nobleman with a sword, vouching for his family’s reputation, had ample persuasive power to convince locals to temporarily shift their water-fetching to other wells, even if it meant walking a little farther.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to that, the strange “sleeping sickness” had already spread panic, with rumors swirling everywhere—more pervasive than the salty breeze, more numerous than barnacles clinging to rocks—many of them claiming ties to the well water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with a noble-born scholar arriving to declare the water itself the culprit, the people’s fear of the incomprehensible unknown was somewhat eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the locals had no idea what exactly was wrong with the well water that caused prolonged unconsciousness, nor did they understand what the Academy studied, or the distinctions between noble houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least the people of Hegang had all heard of the Academy, and knew this title carried weight—that was enough. For those still confused, they could simply look at the sword; it might help clarify things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Lu Xiusi had to do was take over after Kraft’s voice gave out, clearly explaining to newcomers while subtly or overtly hinting at his status—it wasn’t a difficult job, far easier than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed, marveling at how useful certain titles could be, then took another sip. The warm water slid down his throat, spreading a gentle heat through his stomach. In this still-chilly season, a cup of hot water was indeed a comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were in a three-story building Kraft had just rented on Elm Street—not counting the attic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The builder had clearly chosen a poor location, wedged between two older houses, with both side walls pressed flush against their neighbors, leaving no choice but to build upward, resulting in an unusually narrow, elongated structure. Aside from the stairs, each floor held only one room and a long, thin corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cramped space meant the first and second floors had no side windows at all—only front-facing ones, giving abysmal lighting; even in broad daylight, one had to feel their way up the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, due to space constraints, the stairs were built extremely steep—climbing them required using hands and knees without even needing to bend over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with these factors and its proximity to the Salt Tide District, the rent had been slashed to a level that made onlookers grieve and listeners weep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original owner, leaning on his cane, swore to them that in Hegang, no other place was cheaper—except the Salt Tide District. If they could find one, he’d drop the price even lower than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling his near-fall down the stairs and the owner’s appearance, Lu Xiusi had been ready to walk out—but Kraft, surprisingly, was delighted with the place and immediately signed a one-month lease. Lu Xiusi even suspected Kraft had considered buying it outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing Kraft as he did, price couldn’t be the reason—but he couldn’t fathom any other motive for choosing a dwelling that might seriously damage a resident’s upper limbs, lower limbs, skull, ribs, all bones, and their protective soft tissues upon descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make way. Excuse me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiusi pulled his legs in as the worker squeezed past. He hadn’t seen the list Kraft gave Li Siton, but this seemed excessive—and nothing like supplies for long-term living.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth group of workers carried their crate upstairs, shoulders sagging under the weight; faint metallic clinks echoed from within the wooden box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Driven by idle curiosity, Lu Xiusi followed and tapped the crate. The metallic sound grew louder. “What’s inside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker clearly mistook him for the overseer. He set the crate against the wall and settled into a chatting posture, happy for a break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some old clamps. Few people buy them, but someone finally wanted a lot, so we sold them all cheap.” He wiped sweat from his brow—dragging out a pile of old junk and hauling it to the buyer’s specified spot wasn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clamps?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker’s answer surpassed any guess Lu Xiusi had made. In his mind, the largest clamps were no bigger than a palm—how many could fit in one crate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, clamps.” He shook the crate, letting Lu Xiusi hear the loud clang of heavy iron inside. “To be honest, it’s not fine material. Ugly, sure—but it’s plentiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sounds big?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. Animal traps can’t be small. I heard there are bears in the mountains taller than a man—and these aren’t even the largest size.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker shouldered the crate and continued upstairs. Lu Xiusi stared, stunned, unable to imagine what Kraft intended to do with these weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy footsteps rang continuously upstairs—more workers were placing various items according to the employer’s instructions. At least ten of these large crates had already been hauled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint voices drifted from the attic: “Yes, I ordered this. There should be more… coming soon? No problem—just get it here before sunset.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiusi could no longer sit still. He opened the crate he’d been sitting on; a greasy odor rose, mixed with saltiness and fishy stench. Neatly arranged small jars, sealed with wooden stoppers, filled the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked one up, pulled the stopper—and the overpowering smell instantly reminded him what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An entire crate of fish oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Made from the fat, oversized “sunfish,” its taste was abysmal—overly fatty and intensely fishy. In Hegang, where food wasn’t scarce, it had become universally loathed—and thus repurposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, oil from unpalatable fish was equally unwanted—even as lamp fuel, its burning smell was too acrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, he’d accidentally tasted a dish cooked with it—like a slimy, stinking film coating his tongue, no amount of rinsing could wash away the revolting sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its only advantage was how easily it ignited: a small amount soaked into tinder could catch fire with just a spark. A joke circulated in the port about a ship burning down because someone left sunfish too near a brazier—though its truth was dubious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sealed the crate and prepared to go upstairs and find out what project required these things. As he stepped onto the stairs, a faint voice came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Kraft here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, come right in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned toward the door. A child in durable linen clothes peeked out from behind it, half his head visible—likely a helper from one of the workers’ families. He flinched, startled by Lu Xiusi’s impatient tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though slightly irritated, Lu Xiusi calmed himself, adjusting his expression as he descended the stairs so he wouldn’t seem frightening to the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right—you found the right place. Good job. What’s it about?” Lu Xiusi offered a Mianqiang  passable smile, speaking as gently as he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His experience dealing with children suffering from intussusception with Kraft had taught him a thing or two—like how to communicate effectively with kids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone gave me this,” the child opened his palm, revealing a copper coin, “and told me to come here and find someone named Kraft, and tell him to go somewhere right away. And he said Kraft would give me one too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child looked up, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright—you’re clever.” Lu Xiusi pulled out a shiny new copper coin and handed it to him. “See? This good enough? Tell me what the man said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child happily took the coin, slipped it into his pocket. The man’s understanding gesture won his trust—he even forgot to ask if this was Kraft himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said hurry to Pelican Street, past the tree, third door. That’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile faded from Lu Xiusi’s face. “Did he say his name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Right—I almost forgot. He also said it was Li Siton who sent me. That’s all.” The child, embarrassed he’d been paid but hadn’t delivered the message properly, turned his face away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. You did well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The message-delivering child ran off cheerfully. Lu Xiusi watched him go, his face grim, murmuring the address: “Pelican Street… past the tree… third door?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he’d never heard the place—quite the opposite. He knew it too well, too well to forget. He’d visited it several times each year. Yet now, it was the last place he wanted to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Karlman’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up. The dim, steep stairs twisted upward. The noise of moving heavy objects continued, punctuated by hammering and voices. No one seemed to have noticed the brief exchange—everyone was absorbed in their own tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up in the attic, Kraft was likely organizing his mysterious purchases, setting up this new base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiusi stepped outside, closed the door behind him, raised his cup, and drank the now-cold boiled water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elm Street wasn’t long. Looking one way, he could see Bread’s bakery, where they’d visited last time. Beyond those few houses, not far behind, lay the Salt Tide District. The faint, distinctive salty stench drifted from that direction—you didn’t need to see it to know it was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange feeling: separated by just one street, a completely different world existed just out of sight. Like the salty odor—easy to overlook unless you paid attention, yet you knew it was real, and so were its people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiusi drank again, swished the cool liquid in his mouth, then swallowed. It moistened his dry lips, tongue, and throat. He shouted toward the attic window:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kraft—urgent matter!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1657,"2026-06-20T02:15:55.761Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ee8d480f8f287e805bb66ed639bf79474d41d7f6a0112438eb6cdf99b5492558","notes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies-chapter-62","notes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies-chapter-60",406,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-kraft-anomalous-studies-cover.jpg"]