Whispering Verse

The old man looked like he was sighing:

"Let's see, this matter will become more lively than expected."

"Now that you mention Stone Oxenfurt, I understand that he served a very brief apprenticeship with the Masons. What kind of man do you think this was?"

Shade asked again, and the old stonemason replied with a smile:

"You really asked the right person this question. I knew Stone Oxenfurt back then. He was still a sailor at the time, but he often took time to come here. Later, he was busy with work on the ship, so he couldn't continue to study. Yes, people in the city all have the right impression of him, that he is irritable, evil, and unscrupulous in doing things, but it must be admitted that his sculptural talent is quite high."

Shade nodded:

"Then I know these things, and if your superiors ask, you can mention that I was here."

The old mason stood up and prepared to say goodbye:

"Sir, I'm curious, which side do you belong to?"

As expected, he did not fully trust Shade. After all, Shade's visit did not comply with MI6's contact rules:

"It's not important. You can even treat me as a grey-headed eagle in gray gloves. The information I asked for is not critical, and your superiors will not embarrass you."

He held the hat and covered his head. In fact, the most correct thing for the old stonemason to do was not to mention him to anyone. But if the old stonemason was truly loyal, he would certainly have mentioned it.

"I wish you a smooth retirement. I won't pay you any intelligence fees, otherwise it will cause more trouble."

Saying that, he reached out to him, waved his hand, and left here quickly.

Shade lowered his head and didn't want to talk to anyone, but as soon as he arrived at the door of the store, he saw Stone Oxenfurt jumping out of the carriage. I mentioned this person just now, but I didn't expect to see him immediately. Xia De was quite surprised.

He took a step towards the row of display cabinets on the side of the store, lightly wiped his face, canceled the simple illusion, and then used the witch's runestones to disguise himself again.

When he came out again, he had transformed into the familiar face of Stone Oxenfurt. Oxenfurt, who was walking in, also saw Shade, and Shade walked over:

"It's really rare to meet you in the city."

The man who rolled up his sleeves and exposed his wrists even though it was winter asked with a sly smile:

"What, did you find what I wanted?"

"Not yet, but it should be soon."

Shade turned and looked into the store:

"Come here to find someone?"

"An old stonemason, I want to talk to him about the past."

Shade said:

"It was a coincidence that I happened to have a conversation with him."

As he walked out, Oxenfurt squinted his eyes and hesitated for a moment, then turned around and followed Shade out:

"Wasant Manor has been cleaned up."

Oxenfurt said in a low voice, while Shade turned right into the narrow alley between the two stores. Although the snow was cleared from the roads, it was not cleared from such narrow alleys. The thick snow was strewn with various kinds of garbage and unidentified filth, and the walls of the alley were graffitied with various curse words and patterns.

Shade stopped and turned to look at the man following him. Stone Oxenfurt stood at the entrance of the alley and looked at him:

"That's funny, you cleaned up Watson Manor?"

"Why not the Orthodox Church? The church should have discovered it by now."

Shade asked.

"Introducing the church into this matter is not a wise choice. You may know where my power comes from, so you should know that if we offend it, neither of us will end well."

"What a coincidence. All my enemies are cursing me that I will not end well."

Shade put his hand into his pocket, then took out the [Profane Cross] and pointed it at Oxenfurt. The expression on the latter's face changed and he hurriedly dodged to the side. Shade smiled and said:

"You see, my investigation during this period is still very effective. Remember, when I get the sapphire pendant, I want to know where [Creation Earth] is immediately."

Oxenfurt said with a gloomy face:

"Maybe you are more powerful than I thought, but you are definitely no match for it. Don't even think about taking advantage of it. Have you seen it before?"

"Why do you think so?"

Shade put away the relics, and Oxenfurt immediately took a step toward him. Then Shade took out the cross with a silver snake entwined in it and shook it:

"Just stand there and say, have I seen it? What does it have to do with you?"

"Have you really seen it? Did it ask you to do things for it? Is it related to me?"

"I have the right to remain silent because I am better than you."

Shade said seriously:

"If it weren't for that [Original Land], I wouldn't be too lazy to get involved in this matter. But since I agreed to help you, I will definitely find the last sapphire pendant. I am a very honest person."

Oxenfurt continued to lower his voice:

"Work with it and you know what the consequences will be."

"What a coincidence. I didn't sign a contract with it. Besides, do you see its mark on me?"

Shade shook his head slightly:

"If it doesn't work, I can leave this city. And you, Stone, can you still leave now? This land is your prison, and I am free."

Stone Oxenfurt narrowed his eyes and looked at him:

"So, you have really seen it, and it does not have its mark. It seems that you are more powerful than I thought. If so"

"If you want to continue with your next sentence, answer me a question first, otherwise I will leave immediately - were you born in the spring?"

Although he had inquired in advance, Shade still wanted to confirm that this was the content of the remaining poem.

"Yes. I want to say, since you are so strong, why don't we try to cooperate?"

"No, no, although I am strong enough, I also know very well how strong it is. I am only a mortal after all, right?"

Shade took off his hat:

"I'm not crazy enough to deal with that kind of ancient evil. It's willing to give me a pretty good reward and let me do some small things for it. It's that simple."

"But have you ever thought about it?"

"Answer my next question before you can go on. What were you doing when it massacred Watson Hall? Mrs. Helena Oxenfurt, has she never held a grudge against you? I'll be there on Monday. When I was there, I really saw a scene I had never imagined. Does your wife really know about this?"

Stone Oxenfurt's face showed an inhuman ferocity for a moment. If he hadn't restrained himself rationally, he might have rushed over and punched Shade.

"That's what they deserve and I'm not going to answer that meaningless question."

"Okay, let me change my request. The day after tomorrow, that is, at nine o'clock in the morning on Friday, you will appear in front of the local Dawn Church holding a red rose, wearing a black hat, and a silver brooch on your chest. From nine o'clock sharp to nine thirty, you will be there, and then you can leave."

"May I know why?"

Oxenfurt asked rhetorically.

"Is this the problem you're going to get with your actions tomorrow morning?"

Shade asked back. In fact, those complicated requirements were meaningless. He just wanted Luvia to take a look at Oxenfurt from a distance to confirm whether he was a late candidate.

The corner of Oxenfurt's mouth twitched:

"You may have gotten something from the Watson Manor, but that thing will never be able to deal with it. Otherwise, the Watson family would not be what they are now."

"Thank you for your warning, I understand. Is there anything else? If nothing happens, I will leave."

"etc."

Stone Oxenfurt finally stopped him:

"Are you looking for a heart of stone?"

"What?"

Shade suddenly turned around, and Stone Oxenfurt laughed for the first time today:

"Look, I thought you had really planned everything. All the answers are in the Heart of Stone. I hope this can help you."

After saying that, he turned and left.

"Don't forget about the morning after tomorrow!"

Shade reminded loudly, and Oxenfurt just waved his hand and shook it.

Shade put the [Profane Cross] back into his pocket, turned around and walked towards the exit at the other end of the alley, thinking suspiciously:

"The 'Heart of the Earth' that is suspected of being divine is also shaped like a stone heart, right?"

Shade didn't know whether Stone Oxenfurt came to Stonemason Street for something else, but at least Shade knew that he didn't go to see the old stonemason, because Shade himself went back to see the old stonemason.

The latter was surprised by Shade's return, and Shade was only worried that he would be harmed by Oxenfurt, but fortunately, it seemed that he was not that important to Oxenfurt. When Oxenfurt came here, he probably had other things to do.

So Shade returned to the Masons' Guild again and came to the third floor.

At this time, the royal guards and some of the "Grey Gloves" agents mobilized by Margaret were still waiting for summons on the first floor. There was no one guarding the door of the association president's office on the third floor, so no one could tell how important the conversation was going on inside.

Shade followed the agreed-upon code and knocked three times on the door rhythmically. With a click, the door that was locked inside opened, and Shade stepped in sideways. The female guard at the door locked the door again, and Shade came to the sofa, bent down and whispered a few words in Margaret's ear.

Although her ears were a little red, Her Royal Highness the Princess still looked at him in surprise, and then said to the president, Mr. Pickman:

"I'm sorry, our conversation probably needs to be paused for a while. My most loyal servant has brought some new news related to this meeting."

She looked up at Shade, who nodded slightly, then took out the revolver from his waist and pointed it at the bespectacled Vice President Giles. The slightly obese man looked at him in surprise. It was not until Shade's finger pressed the firing pin of the revolver that he suddenly stood up at a speed that was not suitable for his body shape and raised his hands:

"Sir, what are you doing?