Actually, thinking about it carefully, the location of the ruins entrance being very close to where the statue was hidden is also something that's easy to figure out.
"Even if they didn't dare to hide an Old God statue, which is more dangerous than a relic, in their own stronghold, fearing that if something went wrong, everyone would be finished, they also wouldn't hide it very far from the stronghold."
This was Xia De's opinion.
"Nock Printing Press," with its yard and three-story building, was the location of the underground ruins entrance. Mercury Blood spent money last winter to buy the struggling printing press and secretly carried out excavation work there. And the agent who bought the printing press was Mr. Pang Dun, whose entire family was killed tonight.
The Silver-Eyed One wanted to kill him, not only because this ordinary person's reach was too long, but probably also because he wanted to eliminate everyone who knew the secret.
The above was the information the doctor extracted from his dream interrogation. However, the doctor was not at all interested in the Sage-level (Level 2) relic, god's gift box; a relic of such high danger level was never his target.
On this rainy night, he stood by the corpse and stated his position. Then he looked at Louisa, who also shook her head:
"I don't want to risk going to some ancient ruins, but the information itself is valuable. After the doctor gets the forged philosopher's stone, we can consider submitting the information to the academy."
Xia De understood what she meant; this was to avoid alarming the Silver-Eyed One.
The doctor and Louisa looked at Xia De together, and Xia De nodded, then followed up by saying:
"Don't worry, I'm only a Ring術士; how could I have the guts to explore some ruins alone? I also agree that after this matter is over, we should sell this information for a high price. I'm currently short on pounds to repair the third floor of my house."
"No, your situation is hard to say, after all, Lakeview Manor and what you said about the fish scales..."
The doctor sighed softly:
"However, you are usually a cautious person. Remember, never let greed cloud your judgment; it's not worth it."
After dealing with the traces left in the house, the three parted ways at the intersection of Mr. Pang Dun's street. The rain washed away their footprints, so the Orthodox Church would not be able to find them when they discovered what happened here.
The doctor hurriedly left by carriage; he seemed to have genuinely found important clues about the forged philosopher's stone.
Xia De and Louisa were going the same way, so they shared a carriage back. But halfway, the Golden-haired girl suddenly had the carriage change course; she planned to pick up some things from Old John's pawnshop.
Xia De also didn't want to bring the strange eyeball home, so he went along to sell this magic eye.
"But it's already eleven o'clock now, is Old John's still open?"
He asked curiously.
"Pawnshops close at midnight and open at 7 AM. After all, when people conduct some gray transactions, they prefer to go at night."
Louisa said, tilting her head to look at the rainy Tobesk street scene. Xia De thought about it; whether he went to the pawnshop or the Black Raven Library, he always went during the day.
"As expected, I'm still not cautious enough."
The Outsider chastised himself like this, causing the female voice in his head to chuckle softly.
Visiting such Ring術士 trading places at night could very likely lead to encountering other Ring術士, but perhaps because the weather was bad tonight, even Ring術士 were unwilling to go out at night. Therefore, when the two walked into the gas-lit pawnshop, only the owner was inside.
Entering the warm, dry indoors from the damp outdoors, with the sound of rain isolated outside, was the best enjoyment on a rainy day. Out of politeness, they both wiped their shoes on the doormat before greeting the owner, Old John.
The old man, who looked quite old, placed the steel pen he was holding between the pages of his ledger:
"Oh, Louisa, and Detective, I thought no customers would come tonight; I was already doing the accounts."
He put the ledger back into the counter. Xia De greeted him while asking:
"Is there any news about the relic I ordered?"
Although Jialinna had promised to deliver the relic within a week, Xia De would not rely on just one plan.
"There's news. My friend in another City has something similar, a living leech. I'll inform you of the specific details once the item is in hand."
Old John said, handing Xia De a black and white photo. The photo showed a wooden jar, with a black leech inside, photographed from a top-down angle. The leech was similar in size to its ordinary counterparts, but its body was covered with dense, fly-like compound eyes, which looked very disgusting.
If even an eyeball could be a relic, then a leech being a relic wouldn't surprise Xia De too much.
"You really like strange things. A few days ago, Annette's request was even stranger."
The old man mumbled as he put away the photo.
"What does Luvia want to buy?"
Louisa asked curiously. The shopkeeper should have kept his customers' secrets, but Old John knew that this group of people had a good relationship, so he revealed a little information:
"It's also a relic, brought back from ruins in the New World. It's roughly a cubic box with a rattle inside, said to be something that caused disaster in ancient times. This isn't from my collection; the black market circulated news about selling it, and Annette asked me to help contact the seller. When did she start liking to collect such things, or is the Prophet Association buying it... Oh, it doesn't matter. It's so late, so what do you two want?"
The old man asked with a yawn, turned around, took a teacup from the small round table inside the counter, and then brewed tea for himself.
Because of their previous conversation about "inspiration and civilization," Xia De was full of curiosity about this pawnshop. He hadn't been there for a week, and it didn't seem to have changed much, but the miniature steam engine in the corner was gone. He didn't know if it had been donated to a museum or bought by a collector.
"Old John, is the alchemical item I ordered last time, the brush for erasing ink stains, ready? I was supposed to pick it up the day after tomorrow, but since I'm here, I'll ask."
Louisa asked, while Xia De looked at the old man behind the counter in surprise, not expecting him to have such a skill.
Alchemy and potions both require talent, and of course, more importantly, pounds and time. Even in the current Ring術士 system, not many people are proficient in these crafts.
"It's ready, but I can only guarantee its effectiveness for half a year. After half a year, the effect will be discounted."
Saying that, he searched inside the counter, then handed Louisa a small brush with a black metal handle. Xia De's eyes could see very delicate runes and symbolic patterns carved on the brush handle. The brush bristles, however, seemed alive, constantly wriggling, making Xia De suspect that the bristles were actually worms.
"I didn't bring enough money when I went out tonight; I'll pay the remaining balance next time I come."
Louisa said, observing the item in her hand under the gaslight. Old John didn't mind:
"Just settle the balance before the weekend. Also, are you going to write your new book or not? I've been waiting for a long time."
Saying that, the old man winked at Xia De:
"I can be considered her reader."
"At least not until after the exam season."
Louisa shook her head, lamenting that the recent busy academic schedule was a headache. Old John sympathized with her, so he tried to sell Xia De and Louisa a Poet Grade (Level 5) relic that could cure headaches. But they were both uninterested, as the relic's side effect was needing to sleep 22 hours a day.
After Louisa's matters were handled, Xia De took out the bottle from his pocket and placed it on the table with a thud.
"Oh? A magic eye? This is a rare item. Where did you get it from? Why is it still bloody? Oh, which unlucky fellow had his eye dug out by you?"
The old man immediately became interested, asking with a smile, then bending down to examine it carefully, but without touching the bottle:
"However, I don't take this kind of thing."
He shook his head.
"Why?"
This was Louisa's question.
"I never take magic eyes. Such items are too dangerous, and the buyers are relatively limited."
"Why haven't I heard you mention this rule before?"
The Writer asked again.
"Because you've never come to sell a magic eye."
Old John had a matter-of-fact expression:
"It's like, I don't take obvious stolen goods here, nor do I take dangerous relics with contagious curses. There are many similar rules, of course, they are only mentioned when the situation arises."
"Old John, then can you help me contact a buyer? Even if you don't take it, there must be Ring術士 in this City who need a magic eye."
Xia De asked, while Louisa was still puzzled by Old John's rules.
"Write down the specific name, function, and negative characteristics of the relic."
The old man gave Xia De paper and pen, and added:
"My intermediary fee here is not low."
"Considering that cane..."
"Alright, alright, don't mention that again. This time I'll charge you a ten percent intermediary fee. Louisa, you know what a generous offer this is."
The old man clasped his hands together on the table. Xia De hummed without replying, and Louisa's face broke into a smile:
"Old John, you never lose out."
It was almost 11:30 at night when they got home. After closing the door, the sound of rain and humidity were blocked outside, making Xia De feel exceptionally at ease.
The orange cat, welcoming Xia De home, excitedly ran downstairs and circled Xia De's boots. Only after being picked up did it calm down a bit. This feeling of being welcomed home made the Outsider very relieved.
He had quite a busy day and gained a lot. For safety, the keeper-level relics, The Earl's Left Eye and witch's copy paper, were stored behind a hidden wall in the basement before he went to sleep, to be retrieved at an appropriate time.
This place really was an excellent "safe."
He couldn't help but sigh as he left the basement. Although he longed for a peaceful Ring術士 life, it was by participating in various events that he could quickly gain power and wealth.
Annette said that The Chosen, as long as they didn't die, would definitely become a Thirteen Ring Sorcerer. Perhaps this was not due to the favor of fate, but because trouble constantly Entangled them.
When Xia De took the cat off his pillow and prepared to sleep, he suddenly thought of Bei Ya Si. Always encountering various accidents, she probably had more wealth and relics than Xia De imagined.