Chen Ang's choice surprised Luke. He carefully observed Chen Ang and Constantine for a while before saying, "Of course, Mr. Constantine. This master key can open all the doors in this house … "
Chen Ang did not seem to react. He still smiled and said, "My request is too abrupt!"
"But who would have designs on this house?" Luke smiled and said, "This house might have been worth a lot of money in the past, but it's really old now. More than four generations have lived here, and we don't have the money to maintain this big house, so it's already broken down. This is also a small rural town — it's really not worth much! "
Nick interrupted, "But in such an old house, there must be a lot of antiques! That was a very valuable item! So this key can't be given to him … "
Luke smiled and said, "Both of you are trustworthy people, and the two hundred thousand will be of great help to us — we plan to leave here after we get the inheritance. We're old and need better medical care and retirement conditions. We need better medical care and retirement conditions. With that money, we plan to move to New Orleans. "
"Besides, all the antiques have been collected by us and placed in a room in the attic. That room has the only door in this house that can't be opened with a master key. "
Chen Ang accepted the key without hesitation and said gratefully, "Thank you for your generosity. It's been a pleasure talking with you. You're a knowledgeable person. It's like you've seen the history of this town and the changes of the times with your own eyes. I'm really interested in history, and this house has a very long history. It's like a gallery of time. Some of the styles and characteristics of the old era are well preserved here … Shall we take a look around? "
Luke welcomed them and said, "After dinner, you can look around as you please. It's too old! It's useless except for its history! "
They leaned against the fireplace and chatted for a while, then had dinner in the dining room. The dinner was chickpeas with mashed potatoes, a classic rustic dish. After dinner, Luke said apologetically, "I'm used to taking a nap after dinner, you know — it's the habit of country people. Our nightlife here is very boring, and we usually go to bed early!"
Chen Ang and Nick looked at each other and nodded to show that they understood. There was a serious divide between American cities and rural towns. The international metropolis was full of music every night and had a developed nightlife, but the rural towns were simple and boring. The traditional Puritan lifestyle still dominated here, although the rural towns were now dominated by entertainment. The various parties and entertainment of young people were no worse than those in the cities.
But this couple was very traditional — they were as traditional as the most conservative American Puritans.
The slightly hunchbacked hostess brought Chen Ang and the others to the guest room for them to rest in. The room was on the second floor. When the door was opened, a faint moldy smell wafted out. The house was quite big. Although there was a moldy smell, it was still clean. Chen Ang touched the table and there was no dust on it at all.
That was strange. This was a big house with thirty rooms.
And Chen Ang also came suddenly — he arrived one afternoon earlier than Nick, without any prior notice.
People who lived in big houses knew that it was not practical to maintain the house for a long time. Even the kitchen that was not used would have dust. As long as it was not used, even the corners of the bedroom would have dust. This was the room of young people, let alone two middle-aged widows.
How could they have the energy to clean up more than thirty rooms? This place should be covered with white cloth to seal up most of the unused rooms.
Chen Ang put down his luggage and went to find Nick. Nick lived next door. The moment he stepped in, he found that it was also very clean — there was a moldy smell, but there was no dust, not even in the corners.
Nick did not talk about Chen Ang suddenly calling him here. Instead, as if chatting, he naturally pulled out some information about the owner of this house from Chen Ang. They were clever with their words and exchanged a lot of information naturally. At the same time, they did not reveal anything about their own identity.
It was enough to prevent the eavesdroppers from learning anything.
"There are many religious symbols and statues here. There are the Virgin Mary, the Son of God, and some biblical figures." Nick joked. "You should be very interested!"
"What I'm more curious about is …" Chen Ang pointed at the top of the bed in Nick's room. There was something hanging from the ceiling. It was a doll about the size of a human palm with its eyes sewn on with a button. The doll's facial features — its nose and mouth — were all drawn on with a crude brush that looked like graffiti.
"Lying on the bed, opening your eyes and looking into this thing's eyes, what kind of feeling do you have?"
Not only was Nick not afraid, he was also curious after hearing what Chen Ang said. He lay back and a black bald head fell on the headboard. Its eyes were looking at the position where the doll was. "It is quite cute … if I have a daughter, I will play with her with the doll. You know, I will be the kind of father who can put down his pride and is very approachable. "
"First, you need to have a daughter!" Chen Ang said indifferently.
"Also, before having a daughter, you need to have a wife, but you don't have one …"
Nick lied on the bed and said, "I just went to the toilet. Can you imagine? Such a big house doesn't even have a mirror! Out of curiosity, I asked the woman who brought me here. She said, 'A mirror is a door. It will let you see bad things. If you want to live quietly in a place like this, it is best not to see a mirror.' So … "
"So she secretly rummaged through your luggage?" Chen Ang said calmly.
"Her movements are very light, but I can still find out … it is not easy to hide from people like us," Nick said. "It sounds like she also rummaged through your luggage. But the secrets of people like us will not be found out so easily … is she looking for a mirror? "
"It is possible for superstitious old people to do anything!" Chen Ang did not seem surprised.
"Also, can you smell it?" Nick's nostrils flared and he got up to sniff around. He turned to Chen Ang and said, "There is a faint stench here … There are many kinds of stench, and I happen to be very familiar with this one." The relaxed expression on Nick's face gradually changed. At that moment, his eyes sharpened, but this feeling quickly disappeared.
He had turned back into a black man who liked to do strange things.
Chen Ang walked around the house. He used his feet to lift up the carpet on the ground. Underneath the carpet, he used white and red powder to draw two straight lines to block the door.
"Is there a special meaning to this?" Nick asked.
"Salt can block evil damage, and the red brick powder is used in Sea witchcraft to stop enemies from getting close." Chen Ang pinched the white powder and easily determined that it was salt — it was coarse salt that had not been filtered. Red brick powder was more difficult to determine. Thankfully, he was familiar with the mysterious cultures of various countries and regions.
Chen Ang put down the carpet and said, "In my place, we usually use cinnabar!"
"Is cinnabar more useful or salt and red brick?" Nick asked curiously. "I have never seen you work a case before! I have to say, when I saw your resume, I was quite surprised. "
"In the hands of an expert, they are all useful. We follow the rules … "
"Oh! Tell me the truth! "Nick said." Now we are partners, aren't we? Tell me some of the little secrets of your profession! "
Chen Ang said helplessly, "Fine! I will say some … In folk witchcraft, there is a very important principle — if you believe it, then it exists; if you don't, then it doesn't! Some spells rely on energy to work, like Kamar-Taj. Sorcerers collect energy and forge it into weapons. That is why I said they follow the rules. But there are some magics that rely on faith. "
"The sorcerer's will makes it work!"
"Therefore, at that time, the subject's will is also very important. Once you don't believe in witchcraft, its power will be greatly reduced. This is because the world is material, and witchcraft is consciousness. Consciousness can work on consciousness, but it cannot work on material."
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