A common tavern that connects all fantasy worlds

But Ikab, who was thinking hard for a long time, has also reached a deadlock.The pregnant widow, the beheaded father and son, the witch in the forest who seemed to know the truth, the headless horseman, these seemingly unrelated persons are obviously related to each other, but all he can think of at the moment are some ethical and moral challenges. The peachy news.

He was eager to find someone to provide other opinions for his reference and to straighten out his thinking, but Uncle Nine made it clear that he didn't understand this aspect, so what should he do?

"...Don't be in a hurry." Seeing him scratching his head, Uncle Jiu thought about it, and said to him again: "Did you forget that there is another place we are both familiar with? I heard from the owner of the tavern , that Mr. Ma used to be a police officer, and he lives in our future."

Ichab slapped his thigh, that's right, how could he forget this!

He didn't care about anything else, he directly pulled Uncle Jiu up and said, "Okay, let's go to the tavern now."

"Wait, let's find out where the door is first..."

"I know where it is!"

Uncle Jiu was dragged down the hillside by Icabula in such a daze, and came to the mansion of Fantaso's family on the other side.

Mr. Fantaso was having dinner, and when he saw two people walking in, he specially invited them to sit down and eat together.Ikab, who was in a hurry, didn't have this time, and said quickly after saluting: "Mr. Fantasso, my friend found the possible burial location of the Headless Horseman in the forest, and there is another one who can't tell whether it is the enemy or not." It's the witch of your friends. Tomorrow we need to prepare at least 100 people to go to the deep forest in groups to explore, hoping to solve the Dullahan. I'm going upstairs to discuss the case with my friends in a quiet environment. Please don't disturb us, we don't Hungry thanks."

After finishing speaking, he and Uncle Jiu went upstairs.

Mr. Fantaso and Mrs. Fantasuo were speechless, and before they had time to speak, they could only see their backs.

"...Okay, tomorrow I have to summon everyone to the woods again. Strange, he said just now that the Headless Horseman may not have done it, why did he believe it so quickly?" Master Fantasso muttered, and simply ignored it. , Turn around and eat your own meal.

On the other side, Uncle Jiu who walked upstairs had a headache and just wanted to cover his forehead and be quiet for a while.

He knew that this tavern was beyond the Three Realms and not in the Five Elements, but he didn't need to open the door in someone's house, right?Fortunately, before coming up, Ichab said that he didn't want people to disturb him, otherwise there was no way to explain it, and the two big living people disappeared at the end of the corridor?

Chapter 24 Wills

"I don't know much about 'supernatural' stuff..."

In the tavern, Max, who was sincerely asked, put down his glass for the time being, and began to explain his experience to Ikab, who was considered both a senior and a junior.

In fact, he likes to help others very much, and he has always been nosy in his life, but he will not move unless you ask him to. He will just keep staring at you, thinking "when will this guy come to me?" .

Xue Li is different. He likes to listen to stories and chat with guests, and he never hesitates to show this. When Ikab and Uncle Nine first came in to find Max, he had already moved a chair and sat beside him. Started listening with interest.

"However, based on my experience in handling cases, there are only three types of cases that require criminals to use this method of 'absolutely leaving no trace' to deal with the first and last cases, property disputes, tax evasion, and insurance fraud. Among these three cases, The perpetrator must be innocent, otherwise he will not be able to achieve his goal...and in your time, Ikab, and involving the largest nobles in the area, the first possibility is the most likely."

As Max said, he handed Uncle Jiu a cigarette, lit it himself, and continued amidst the smoke: "My suggestion is to check all local legal documents related to these two families, paying special attention to wills and gifts during life. In addition, take tissue samples from the deceased nobleman and the fetus in the widow's womb to see if there is any blood relationship between them."

Ichab nodded and said, "Thank you for your suggestion. I can definitely do the first point, but the second point...maybe I need your help. My age and Uncle Ninth's age don't have it." The conditions for this kind of analysis, even my genetics is just in its infancy!"

"It doesn't matter, you go to take a sample first, the guests of our tavern... have experts in this field."

As Max said, he stood up and touched his trouser pocket.

"In addition, Ikab, you can also talk to that young lady. Since the two families come from the same family, maybe she knows something." Uncle Jiu also made a suggestion.

"Ah...why is it Katrina and not Master Fantaso?" Ichab asked.

"You have to ask yourself this. I think the two of you can chat best."

It didn't take long for the three men with strong mobility to go out, and Xue Li, who had heard the story of the world, returned to the back of the bar contentedly.

It is rare for Amelia to not sit at the bar and drink, but to manipulate the joystick and buttons on the game console, presumably to use this kind of operation that requires reaction speed and precise effort to further familiarize herself with her prosthetic hand; black hair Cheetos was taking care of the pea sprouts, and from time to time stretched out his hand to tease the hamsters in the cage next to it. Only the blond Daig was idly leaning on the other side of the bar, fiddling with the thin metal chains hanging on his clothes.

"Is our tavern too abnormal, and everyone is dealing with ghosts?" He could only turn his head and chat with Daige.

"I'm not," replied Daiger.

"Well... you also served Amelia and Selene, so strictly speaking..."

Before Xue Li finished speaking, he heard a door knock, and another guest came in.

The person who came this time was not an acquaintance... I had never seen him before. He was a young man with slightly dark skin, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and no beard. He was wearing a long robe and a headscarf. He was still shaking the water from the corner of his clothes when he came in. .

"Boss, it's quite warm here... Ouch, what kind of lamp is this?"

Max, who missed this new guest, was standing under the cloud in London, took out a mobile phone, and dialed a certain number.

London is like this, with more cloudy days and less sunny days.Except for a vampire like Selene, no one likes this kind of weather... and even she doesn't like cloudy days very much these days.She accepted Mike's primitive blood, and after she could go out in the sun, she had to wander outside every day during the day, let alone at night like now.

The phone was connected, and there was a greeting from the lady on the other side.

"Max."

Max immediately came back to his senses and said, "It's me, 'Luna'...do you know where Mike is? I went to the hospital and couldn't find him."

"...he was promoted, and now he's been ordered to go to Bexley as the superintendent, rebuilding a local hospital."

"Wait, I heard you say 'rebuild'?"

As soon as Max finished speaking, he heard suppressed laughter from the other side of the phone.To be honest, this was scarier than anything he had experienced so far... This woman actually laughed out loud!It wouldn't be the same as what happened in the world of "Ninth Uncle", she was possessed by a ghost, right?

"…Sorry, but do you remember Marcus? He sneaked into Bexley Hospital to steal blood, was spotted by the nurse and called the police; the military quickly surrounded the place and used petrol bombs. He still ran... Parked from the underground Digging a tunnel and running away."

After imagining the scene of a cyan monster with fleshy wings growing on its back and waving its claws to dig the ground surrounded by flames, Max couldn't help but want to laugh a little.

"Well, I can understand how you feel about that monster. Can you send me Mike's new contact information and address? I need him urgently."

"...I'm going with you. Where are you now?"

After asking where Max is now and telling him to stay there temporarily, Selene hung up the phone.

Bored, Max could only wait there smoking a cigarette, watching the crowds on the streets of London far less than the last time he came.After the vampire elder Marcus rioted in London, the curfew order, the curfew protest order, and compulsory measures, etc., even if the order has returned to normal, not many citizens dare to go out at night.

In this cold and silent atmosphere, Selene's car stopped in front of him, the window was down, and the female vampire tilted her head at him.

"What is your situation like now? Why does it sound like a world war?"

After getting into the co-pilot, Max asked.

Selene stared at the road while holding the steering wheel, and answered him: "Almost. Almost all the alien creatures in London have been arrested. Marcus specially transformed a large number of vampires in order to create chaos, but these low bloods have already They are all under the control of the authorities. Amelia thinks that they have probably begun to study the mystery of vampire and werewolf 'immortality', so after the incident at Bexley Hospital, they relax their pursuit of Marcus and no longer use deadly weapons. … You came at a good time, if Marcus also falls into their hands, I can only go to the European continent to hide for my own safety."

"Don't you think about St. Paul?"

"No... I haven't finished my work here, and I don't want to run too far."

Selene glanced at Max, pressed the radio on the car, and the melodious melody of cowboy music came from the stereo.The car accelerated and drove east from here, leaving a red arc of taillights in the night.

In another world far away, Uncle Nine was in charge of going to the mortuary to take the body tissues of the deceased Master Van Garley and the widow's unborn fetus for identification according to Max's reminder.

Mr. James Hardenbrook was the superintendent, but it was too late for him to be here; and Ichab did not disturb the doorman, but picked the lock with a little trick.

Without anyone pointing or helping, it is still very difficult to find certain documents from a pile of old papers in the room. Fortunately, Mr. Hardenbrook is a very organized person, and he divides these documents by year and type. It is still very convenient to find.

I don't know how long it took, but Ichab finally found the will that might prove everything from the deepest part of a certain pile of documents.

It was written by the first deceased, Peter Van Garley, and it stated: "Ms. Winship and her son changed their surnames to Van Garley, entered into the Van Garley family tree, and have the right to inherit all of Peter Van Garley's property."

"Max guessed it!"

Immediately, Iqab's spirits perked up, and he immediately began looking for evidence in other types of documents.

Just as he continued to search, there was a voice outside the door, and the white-haired Mr. Hardenbrook rushed in and yelled at him: "Officer Corian, how dare you break into the file storage room without permission! Please immediately go out!"

"I have to remind you, Mr. Hardenbrook - I am authorized by the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police Department and the federal court, and I have the right to inspect all documents or physical evidence that may be related to the case in this town." Ichab didn't panic Answering in a leisurely manner, he raised his head and glanced at the lantern that he had hung on the post when he came in just now... This old guy probably just happened to see the light coming out of the window, so he rushed in so anxiously.

But this attitude can only prove one problem, that is, there is indeed a secret hidden here that he does not want outsiders to discover.

Glancing at the other document in his hand, Ichab sneered and pointed it at the notary: "And you are not someone who has nothing to do with this case, this marriage certificate is the same as Van Garley's will. Signed with your name! Emily Winship is no longer a widow, she and Peter Van Garley were married under your witness!"

The simple marriage certificate is signed by the names of the pastor Stingway and the notary Hardenbrook, which means that at least these two people know the relationship between the three deceased... no, it is the relationship between the four deceased, and they were together. Began decides to hide from Iqab.If the sheriff hadn't hinted to Ichab to examine the body, he still wouldn't be able to sort out this layer. This information is precisely the key to the case.

This is not a random killing by ghosts to vent their grievances, this is a conscious murder with a clear motive!

"That is to say, Magistrate Phillips also knows all this, because legal protection of marriages and wills is for him to carry out. Dr. Lancaster should also know that he is the only doctor in this town. Prenatal care for pregnant women Only he will be responsible... Now, Mr. Hardenbrook, the only question is whether you have leaked this information to others, especially this family?!"

Ichab threw down the two documents, took out the family tree he had redrawn from his memory from his bag, and pointed to the name closest to Peter Van Garley whose head had not yet been removed—Bottes Fanta search.

Chapter 25 Knights

In the mortuary, Uncle Jiu had to do something if he didn't want to.

Just for his inner peace, he still lit three sticks of incense first... where the head of the widow Winship should have been, and at the same time said silently: "Girl, don't blame me, I'm all here to help Ichab find out the case." The real murderer, give you justice. It is a last resort to disturb you and your children."

He has seen a lot of ghosts and ghosts harming people, but there are few such cruel ones.The baby suffered such misfortune before it was born, the newly formed little arms and legs made him feel sorry for him, and his fingers couldn't help trembling a few times.

Qiusheng and Wencai next to him didn't think there was anything wrong. These dead people had been buried for only a few days, and they hadn't started to rot yet. As for the usual smell... they were used to working in Yizhuang.One of these two young masters held Fan Jialei's shoulders, and the other reached for his neck. They easily took out a little spinal cord and sealed it in a glass dish.

"Master, can't you do it? Let me do it." Qiu Sheng looked up and saw that Uncle Jiu was still unable to do it, so he volunteered to replace him.

"Then you come." Uncle Jiu passed the things in his hand to Qiu Sheng smoothly, while he himself looked out of the window.

It's okay if you don't look at it, but when you see him, you immediately straighten up and your eyes widen.

In the wild grass under the hillside, there is a black shadow rushing towards the town.This black figure looked like a man on horseback, brandishing the weapon in his hand, and disappeared into the shadows behind the house in the blink of an eye. When it reappeared, it was only a few hundred feet away, and the sound of the horse's hooves was also echoing in the empty street. start beeping.

Uncle Jiu, who finally saw the black shadow clearly, turned pale in shock, and turned around and shouted, "Get down!"

Qiusheng and Wencai heard Master's voice, and before they had time to think about it, they quickly lay down on the ground next to the mortuary table, only to hear a click from above, and the window of the mortuary was broken into hundreds of pieces along with the window frame.

An ax spun in at the height of the necks of several people just now, smashed the window and slashed in the middle of the pillar on the other side with a "clank", the entire ax blade was embedded, and it was still buzzing Shaking for a while.

Uncle Jiu lifted up his double-breasted coat to block the shattered glass, and was standing up to shake off the shards of glass. Before he could say anything, the figure had already kicked open the door of the mortuary, carrying His great sword came in.

Looking closely, the image of the knight is even more frightening. His armor is carved with complicated patterns, but it is not painted in any color other than black; he is wearing this heavy armor weighing tens of kilograms. , moving freely and swiftly with the cloak on, as if his head was still securely around his neck.

Yes, right now his neck is a dark and deep hole, there seems to be nothing in it, and it seems that blood and fire from hell will spurt out at any time.

"No, why did this knight come to us?"

Uncle Nine suddenly thought at this unbearable moment, if Ikab and Max's deduction is correct...then this knight should be controlled by others, and he would clear the way for this person to inherit the Fan family property, so why would he come to attack the three of them, the master and the apprentice? Woolen cloth?

But the fact is that this guy just appeared here, and he was slashing towards Uncle Jiu with a giant sword.

"Cinnabar!" Jiu Shu yelled, rolled on the spot, leaned on the window with both hands and turned out of the mortuary, narrowly avoiding the fatal sword.

Qiusheng and Wencai heard his order in the room, hurriedly took out the cinnabar from the bag that fell on the ground, saw the knight turned his head back, trembling with fright, and hurriedly sprinkled the cinnabar towards the knight.

The knight's footsteps paused, he stretched out his hand and picked up the mortuary table next to him, and threw it towards the two young men. While lifting the body of little Van Garley to the ground, a gust of wind was also blown up to block and disperse it. Most of the cinnabar floating in the air hit the wall on one side of the mortuary with great force, almost knocking down the brick wall.

Qiusheng and Wencai ran out a long time ago, and said to Uncle Jiu with a look of panic, "Master, the cinnabar is gone, what should we do?"

"...I brought two catties of cinnabar, and you all used it?"

"We don't have time to think about it, Master!"

The three masters and apprentices were talking to each other, and the headless knight had already kicked down the window sill, holding the ax pulled from the pillar in one hand, and the terrifying sword in the other, walking towards this side silently .

Qiu Sheng's eyes widened, and he quickly grabbed Master's arm and said, "He's here again, Master, hurry up and find a way!"

Where did Uncle Jiu come up with a solution?All the tools were thrown into the mortuary, the mana was gone, and there was no response to praying to the gods. What else could I do but run away?

Just as he was about to tell his disciples to run quickly, he suddenly saw a colored silk sack lying on the ground next to him.

This was thrown out of his clothes when he jumped out of the window with too much movement just now. If I remember correctly, it contained the experience of "analyzing Taoism with scientific logic" as Ikab said.

At this time, I was in a hurry to go to the doctor, and Uncle Jiu couldn't take care of it, so he quickly grabbed the kit and opened it. Turning over the paper, he saw that it was written seriously in pencil:

First, the part affects the whole;

Second, parents influence offspring;

Third, similar effects are similar;

Fourth, concept against concept;

Fifth, everything has a limit.

These summaries are not written in random, but are refinements and summaries of all the contents recorded in Ikab's notebook; and the things recorded in Ikab's notebook, of course, have been discussed with Uncle Ninth many times. , long discussion.

Uncle Jiu read it once, and then again, and suddenly remembered the discussion he had with this little foreigner, and felt a realization in his heart.

The shape or other properties of things make it possible to affect similar things, such as eating walnuts to nourish the brain, drinking human blood for longevity; even if a part of a thing is separated, it can affect the whole, such as cursing with hair and nails, typing small characters with photos People and things have mutual restraints due to the different "reasons" they extend. For example, the ink fountain line representing "integrity" restrains zombies, and the salt representing "purity" restrains ghosts.Concept concept, the understanding of generalization.

It is better to understand that the parents affect the offspring. The Feng Shui of the father's cemetery affects the wealth of the son. If the ancestors are not happy, the whole family will suffer.

The only thing that is not easy to understand is this "everything has a limit", but Ikab discussed this issue with Uncle Jiu. This sentence contains two meanings at the same time: one is that the county magistrate is not as good as the current one, and some corresponding issues It can only be solved by means of the same field. If you want to make a fortune, don’t worship Yuelao, don’t worship Master Guan in the pregnant woman’s room, and you have to go to Pleiades Xingjun if you want to beat the centipede; the second is the boundary of a "occultist"'s inner belief It determines the scope of his ability, just like God fights this kind of thing, unbelievers will never be able to invite it.

At this time, the headless horseman was right in front of him. Uncle Jiu said to his apprentice: "Go to the foreign temple next to him", and then he jumped up with his feet hard, bumping into the headless horseman's arms, and dodging Swipe down the blade.

He's out of mana, but it's not that there's no other way to conceptually escape the headless horseman's pursuit...

[32. No. 32]

Just as the two apprentices were running towards the church across the street, the headless horseman took a step back, raising his sword and was about to slash it down again.

But seeing Uncle Jiu standing on the same spot, turning his body around a little, his whole head suddenly disappeared, only the three-cornered hat was left on the collar of his clothes, which was chopped off by the sword, revealing the dark neckline, as if he had taken off his armor Another headless horseman in a thick coat.

This is neither Taoism nor magic, and it has nothing to do with any supernatural things. It's just a trick that Uncle Jiu learned from a street performer, and it happened to be this trick that made the headless horseman stunned.

As a ghost, he has become so strong that he can separate from his body and have a physical body, can use a sword to split a house, and cannot be killed by any conventional weapons. A powerful reason... is the horror legend spread among the people of Sleepy Hollow, which connects this knight with the concept of "beheading".

A real demon, combined with the conviction of a group, shapes the existence of the Headless Horseman.