We are displaying the solving process step by step in case you need to clarify some unsolvable piece.
Solving Steps
1 [locate the source of a call like a cop in a movie ✏️] is replaced by 'trace'
2 [one of two eyes on a dead stick figure] is replaced by 'X'
3 [Jay married to Beyoncé] is replaced by 'Z'
4 [abbreviation before X or Z] is replaced by 'gen'
5 [sign traced out, perhaps when genuflecting] is replaced by 'cross'
6 [companion with crossbones for a pirate] is replaced by 'Skull'
7 [___ **** (simian Skull Island resident)] is replaced by 'king'
8 [pro's counterpart on a list] is replaced by 'con'
9 [congregational concurrence] is replaced by 'amen'
10 [one found in a bowl of ramen 🧠] is replaced by 'noodle'
11 [noodle vessel?] is replaced by 'Skull'
12 [**** ___ (simian Skull Island resident)] is replaced by 'Kong'
2 [one of two eyes on a dead stick figure] is replaced by 'X'
3 [Jay married to Beyoncé] is replaced by 'Z'
4 [abbreviation before X or Z] is replaced by 'gen'
5 [sign traced out, perhaps when genuflecting] is replaced by 'cross'
6 [companion with crossbones for a pirate] is replaced by 'Skull'
7 [___ **** (simian Skull Island resident)] is replaced by 'king'
8 [pro's counterpart on a list] is replaced by 'con'
9 [congregational concurrence] is replaced by 'amen'
10 [one found in a bowl of ramen 🧠] is replaced by 'noodle'
11 [noodle vessel?] is replaced by 'Skull'
12 [**** ___ (simian Skull Island resident)] is replaced by 'Kong'
The Answer
the Treaty of Nanking cedes Hong Kong to the British
Please come back any time you need help with Bracket City Puzzle. We are glad to have created a nice community around puzzle players of the game.