According to Mrs. Hannah, since her grandfather was neither particularly famous nor wealthy at the time, the Canadian official search efforts were quite half-hearted.
Although the search supposedly lasted for two months, in reality, it was only a matter of sending telegraph messages to a few southern towns, and nothing more.
It was the $500 reward offered by the Smith family that had a significant impact. Drawn by the substantial reward, many locals, gold prospectors, and even Mounties joined the search efforts.
All the clues the Smith family currently has about old Mr. Smith were found by these individuals, providing a clearer direction for subsequent searches.
With the financial aid from old Mr. Smith’s previous ventures, the Smith family gradually rose to prominence, eventually becoming the true rulers of a large maritime company with operations spanning the UK and the US.
Unfortunately, by the time Hannah’s father and uncles were fully grown and capable of organizing a search party, thirty years had already passed. The new expedition found only a few items and nothing of significant value.
“The reason I sought you out is due to Mr. Skoode’s recommendation. He believes you have a unique advantage when it comes to finding people who have been missing for a long time.”
At the end of the conversation, Mrs. Hannah explained why she approached Liang En. Being in the same social circle and sharing similar experiences, it was normal for such information to circulate among them.
Especially since Liang En and Skoode had gone on numerous adventures together, these adventures often became a topic of conversation for Mr. Skoode, making it normal for people in their circle to know about Liang En’s capabilities.
“Thank you for your trust, but if you need my help, you must allow me access to all relevant information. Even with thorough preparations, I cannot guarantee I’ll find your grandfather.”
After listening to the elderly lady talk at length about her grandfather, Liang En pondered for a moment before replying.
No one can guarantee such outcomes, especially after so much time has passed. Any clues that might have existed are likely long gone.
If it weren’t for the cards providing supernatural assistance, Liang En wouldn’t have even considered taking on this task.
“That’s absolutely fine. No matter the cost, I will cover all your expenses during the search,” Mrs. Hannah nodded. “Additionally, I will compensate you based on the results of your search.”
“Even if you find nothing, as long as you give it your best effort, I will give you these items. However, if you find nothing, you’ll need to pay for them at market price.”
“That sounds like a fair deal,” Liang En smiled and nodded. “I’m willing to take on this task, but I’ll need some time to prepare.”
“Of course, entering the Arctic Circle isn’t something to be taken lightly. You should make thorough preparations before setting out,” Mrs. Hannah nodded after hearing Liang En’s commitment.
“I’ve waited many years, and my health is still good. I can continue to wait for a suitable time.”
Mrs. Hannah did not recommend Liang En go immediately, as it was already autumn, making the Arctic Circle unsuitable for human activity, let alone a search mission.
Such an operation requires mobilizing significant resources and manpower, necessitating ample preparation time to avoid potential issues.
“This is one of the long-pending tasks of the Golden Dawn,” Nelson said after Liang En finished his conversation with Mrs. Hannah.
“Ever since Mrs. Hannah became a member of the Golden Dawn, this task has been here. The elders say that ten years ago, when Mrs. Hannah first joined, she brought this task with her.”
“Back then, the Golden Dawn organized an expedition into the Canadian Arctic Circle, trying to find her grandfather and the legendary gold mine. Unfortunately, they found nothing but some supplies prepared for retreat.”
As an organization centered around mutual assistance and exploration, the Golden Dawn naturally has a set of rules to support this core goal, such as organizing joint exploration activities.
Participation in these activities is voluntary, but each participant receives rewards corresponding to their contributions during the exploration.
For instance, if the previous exploration had found the gold mine, the Golden Dawn would have purchased the mining rights under the organization’s name and distributed the profits to the participants.
This feature is a significant aspect of the Golden Dawn, pooling collective strength under the organization’s name to create a powerful force for mutual benefit.
That evening, Mrs. Hannah handed over all documents related to the Alexander Library to Liang En, promising to give him the most crucial clay seal within a week.
This practice is common among Golden Dawn members, as each member undergoes thorough vetting, fostering mutual trust.
Since the historical division of the Golden Dawn due to various reasons, the founders of the reformed Golden Dawn have focused on internal harmony.
For such a loose organization, if members need to spend a lot of time guarding against each other, the reformed Golden Dawn might disband even faster than the original.
Currently, trust is a core value of the Golden Dawn. For these successful individuals, the organization’s relaxed atmosphere is quite appealing.
Many Golden Dawn members contribute significantly to the organization because it provides a sense of family, making them willing to support it.
Clearly, this is an ideal situation. Liang En felt the positive atmosphere and genuinely embraced his identity as a Golden Dawn member.
The discussion continued for three days. By the third afternoon, Liang En received the clay seal, concluding the meeting.
For the Golden Dawn members present, this was an important meeting. It reaffirmed that legends often have historical roots, offering considerable encouragement.
As Liang En prepared to go home and rest, he received a call from his editor, discussing the arrangements for a book signing event.
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