The Death Knell

The last time Su Ming went to Greenwich in the West District of New York was when he went to meet Tony's biological mother at Marvel. In that special era, the streets and alleys in this area were filled with hippies and drug addicts, and the bars were bustling everywhere. breath.

Maybe Greenwich in DC Earth 0 once had such a glorious time, but now that we have entered the new century, it has become a quieter place.

Or rather, the form of art has changed, and it has become more bohemian, so much so that tasseled curtains are hung in the windows of roadside bars and cafes.

It's like an American replica of Paris' Left Bank. The pace of life here is very slow. Roadside shops sell all kinds of coffee, tea, drinks, simple meals and all kinds of cakes. You can just buy one. You can sit on the bench on the side of the road for a whole day.

Literary and artistic young people are like this. Even if they only have a few coins in their pockets, they are still willing to look at the leaves on the roadside for a day, as if they think that their sadness and thoughts can shine like diamonds and can be sold for any value.

In fact, making art is very similar to opening a bar. They must have their own style, atmosphere and charm, otherwise they cannot survive long.

Deception is also an art, a dark art, so in addition to bars and cafes, the various magic shops on Greenwich Street have their own differences, and they still stand.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not Diagon Alley in London, nor is it Huaxi Village at the foot of Mount Kama. Most of the magic shops here are aimed at ordinary people who are full of fantasy and turmoil.

They will come here to travel, enjoy avant-garde art and music, and then buy some souvenirs back home to prove to their relatives and friends that they are fashionable and cool.

Even at night, the magic shop here is still open, and the lights are deliberately dimmed to create a mysterious atmosphere.

Su Ming walked with a few people along the way. He took a few casual glances at the surroundings and saw a large number of fakes.

For example, the 'cursed monkey's paw' is actually made of silica gel; the crystal skull of the Mayans is actually made of glass; the exact origin of the ancient fossils dug out of Africa is not known, but there are rumors of strangulation on the bones. The taste? It must be from last week.

Even so, some people still buy it, and tourists still come in an endless stream at night. What they want is not a powerful magic weapon, but a sense of curiosity and psychological sustenance.

The earth is in a bad situation right now, and many people don’t have enough to eat? But not everyone is living a miserable life. There are always some people who have the capital to continue to enjoy life? What else can be better than a mysterious shopkeeper with a fairy-like spirit? Or a face? Is a gypsy witch wrinkled like a walnut more attractive?

A big event happens every three days in the whole world, and a lot of people die at every turn. After people find that hanging crosses at home is not effective, many people come here to buy a Buddha statue or an Indian dream catcher or something like that to go back to? Picture. It's a comfort.

So? Although 99% of these shop owners who claim to be masters or gods are fake magicians, they can still make money. On the contrary, the only real sorcerer on the whole street has no business at this time.

A light mist drifted out from under the sewer fence and filled the corner close to the ground. A three-story old house with a small garden in front of the door seemed to be integrated with the mist.

Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see the bright lights in the room? But there may be something wrong with those glass, because no one can see what is specifically in the room.

There was a small signboard hanging outside the door. It didn't write the name of the store or its business scope. It just had a purple X letter drawn on a gold background.

"I want to eat the cake from that place just now!"

Harley grabbed Deathstroke's arm and shook it, desperately pointing to the way everyone came.

She took a fancy to a product in the window. A seven-layer wedding cake was penetrated by a giant chain saw. Bloody red liquid flowed everywhere on the window stand.

She couldn't walk when she saw that thing. She insisted on eating the newlyweds' little people standing on the cake. But that shop was not a cake shop, but an art classroom. Cutting the cake with a chainsaw was a kind of expression. Performance Art on the Unstable Prospects of Marriage…

The shop owner doesn't accept insulting art with money at all. He won't sell it even if he gives money. He's just so stubborn.

"Didn't you say you had cake at Wayne Mansion?" Su Ming pulled off the wig from her head, threw it into her arms, and said speechlessly: "Besides, I don't usually do robberies, it's too out of style. , and there is no technical content.”

"But if we want to ask Mrs. crow.

The raven was a little moved. Although his face was still expressionless, his eyes turned to the corners of his eyes to peek at the way he was looking.

"Let them go." Bobo took a puff of cigarette and persuaded from the side: "Sannomiya is a peeping tom. It is not convenient for Raven to be present during the divination, and Harley's noise makes me have a headache."

"Okay, although I don't think it's worth it, as long as you are happy." Su Ming took out a pair of silver candlesticks from his pocket and handed them to Harry: "I got these from a group of vampires. They should be from the 15th century. I don’t have room to display the antiques in my office or home. You can exchange them for cakes. Artists should also like antiques."

Harry took the candlestick and put it under his arm with a smile. He took the other two women with his left and right hands and turned to leave: "You know where to find us after you finish your work. Hehe, let's go eat cake!"

She jumped away and ran away. Bobo next to Deathstroke was visibly relieved. The orangutan smacked his lips: "It seems that Harley is allergic to cards. If you don't let her eat the cake, she will I will also find other reasons to leave temporarily."

"I know, tarot cards are a bit too similar to poker, and she will get very angry when she sees that." Su Ming calmly walked into the lower garden and climbed up the stairs in front of the door: "But she can adjust herself. Let's go in."

The door was not locked, and the small bell behind the door made a clear tinkling sound when it was pushed open. However, there was no need for this, because the owner of the shop was already sitting at the round table in the hall, waiting for the death knell and the orangutan.

"Good evening, madam, I'm here again." Bobo knew his way very well. He staggered into the living room, walked around the various gypsy decorations shining in the candlelight, and jumped on a chair.

Madam Xanadu was veiled, and she took away the crystal ball in front of her.

"I knew you were coming, and I'm glad you didn't come with that scumbag Constantine this time." After saying that, she turned her beautiful big eyes to the death knell again, stretched out her palm and said, "Death knell, too, please Sit down, I already know why you are here."

Su Ming sat down, smiled and nodded: "This should be our first real meeting, Ms. Yinwandu, you look better in person."

"Why do you say that? Shouldn't you have seen me a long time ago?" Under the purple translucent veil, the corners of her beautiful lips curled up in a small arc: "In the House of Mystery, under a certain tree, You introduce yourself every time.”

"Others may not know, but I know the difference, madam." Su Ming took out a gold brick from his pocket and placed it on the table, then slowly pushed it over: "How about you explain to Bobo how you did it? How about opening stores or appearing in different places at the same time such as Greenwich, London, Los Angeles, Dark Zhenglian Headquarters, etc.?"

Mrs. Xanadu took away the gold brick, pushed the tarot card pile, and said with a smile: "This is a business secret. The two detectives should stop asking about women's secrets. Let's get down to business now."