As An Antique Shop Owner, It's Only Reasonable That I Know A Bit Of Magic - Chapter 113

“Good morning, Master Fan Su.”

“Good morning.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ron pulled out a chair and sat down.

Across from her, Su Fan’s table had no food or drinks on it.

“Aren’t you going to have some breakfast?”

“I’m not used to food made by others, and I don’t care for the tea here either,” Su Fan explained casually before immediately getting to the point. “I called you here to give you a different type of talisman.”

As he spoke, Su Fan took five Five Thunder Talismans from his robe.

“This talisman is quite effective against evil entities. It’s called the Five Thunder Talisman.”

“Place these inside the room where you’re staying.”

“And this one too… the Home Protection Talisman. It can also repel evil beings, but its focus is on defense rather than attack.”

“One for attack, one for defense. Combined with the Calming Talisman and Evil Warding Talisman you already carry on your person, the chances of Lasher being able to make a move against you become very slim.”

“Here are two more Evil Warding Talismans and Calming Talismans for you, just in case you need them later…”

Su Fan kept pulling out talismans, and Ron accepted them one by one.

“For talismans that don’t need direct contact with the body to work, there are some basic precautions.”

“Do not damage the talismans, nor dirty the patterns and characters on them.”

“Try to avoid getting them wet…”

Ron memorized Su Fan’s instructions sentence by sentence, nodding from time to time.

She only began asking questions after Su Fan had finished speaking.

“Master, do you think Lasher will come for me directly?”

“We are within his sphere of influence here. It wouldn’t be strange for anything to happen.”

Su Fan paused at this point.

“I suspect Lasher has already started making his moves.”

“But didn’t Xip say earlier that he was imprisoned within the Mayfair family residence and couldn’t leave? Why would that be?”

“Until we have confirmed information, we must consider all possibilities,” Su Fan’s voice was calm, his tone matter-of-fact. “Do you think he would just stay there quietly?”

To this, Ron couldn’t help but ask another question.

“But he shouldn’t be able to sense…”

As she spoke, Ron suddenly remembered the awkward incident on the plane and immediately stopped herself.

A hint of shyness and guilt appeared in her blue eyes.

“It seems you’ve realized it now, so I don’t need to say more,” Su Fan said, then stood up.

“Master Fan Su, where are you going?”

“To look around the area.”

After briefly answering Ron, Su Fan walked out of the hotel.

Ron watched his departing figure, then stood up and headed towards the elevator.

She now needed to follow Su Fan’s instructions and place the talismans in her room.

——————

After leaving the hotel, Su Fan initially thought about going to the pier for some fries.

But on a whim, he decided he wanted to buy some New Orleans-style chicken wings.

After asking around, he found out that New Orleans-style chicken wings were just a namesake item, similar to General Tso’s chicken.

They didn’t exist here at all.

He had been tricked.

Damn KFC and McDonald’s.

Su Fan couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

No snacks, fine then… time to check out the surrounding area.

Vampires… werewolves… if they’ve been active, there should be some traces left behind.

But he hadn’t walked more than a few steps when he noticed something unusual.

A crowd had gathered, looking towards a residential building cordoned off by police in the distance, whispering amongst themselves.

“Did you hear? Someone died there again…”

“Burned to a crisp again?”

“What do you think?”

“How many times is that this month? Who on earth is behind this?”

“Who else could it be but the Witch Hunters…”

“Witch Hunters? Those actually exist?”

“Buddy, not only do they exist, they even have a website. I stumbled onto it last time, and after looking around, I realized it’s definitely not a place for normal people.”

“They are genuinely planning to kill people from the so-called witch families…”

Hearing this, Su Fan frowned.

The Witch Hunters had appeared already.

Compared to the witches who possessed supernatural powers, these Witch Hunters were just a grassroots extremist organization.

They were not only fanatical in their actions but also downright twisted.

They frequently resorted to methods like burning at the stake, dismemberment—it was hard to believe this was an organization of people living in the 21st century.

Su Fan thought for a moment, then dialed Xip’s number.

The Priests were also a non-official, civilian organization, and their members all had special abilities.

They were perfectly suited to deal with those fanatical hunters.

“Master Fan Su, has something happened?”

“Not exactly. I’m just informing you that traces of Witch Hunter activity have been found here.”

“…Those lunatics…”

“Once Ron returns to the Mayfair family, she will quickly become a target for the Witch Hunters.”

“I understand what you mean, Master Fan Su. I will inform the organization, and personnel will be dispatched soon.”

At this point, Xip paused, looking at the delivery box on the floor.

“The items you shipped from your location have arrived. Should I bring them to you?”

“No need. Wait for me at your place; I’ll be there shortly.”

Xip’s apartment wasn’t far away.

In just over ten minutes, Su Fan arrived at the apartment door.

Unsurprisingly, Xip was waiting for his arrival.

After entering, Su Fan went straight to opening the delivery box.

“This is… a sword?”

Xip’s tone was full of doubt.

In the United States, the best self-defense weapon was always a firearm.

Gun control here wasn’t as strict as in California. It wasn’t exactly available everywhere, but obtaining a gun wasn’t difficult.

Why choose a sword, such a… retro weapon?

Su Fan paid no mind to Xip’s doubt. He drew the long sword from its scabbard and began practicing basic sword techniques in the spacious apartment.

Chopping, thrusting, lifting, intercepting, slashing, sweeping…

Each move was very simple, even somewhat rigid, completely lacking any visual appeal.

As Xip watched, a realization suddenly dawned on him…

These were genuine sword techniques meant for killing…

Su Fan’s movements gradually became smoother and more fluid.

The supernatural ability [Swordsmanship] had greatly enhanced his skills.

Many boxing styles were actually the foundation for armed combat and melee.

Li Shuwen, the Republican-era master famous for his “One Hit, One Kill” strong fist, was actually most famous for his spear technique.

Similarly, Taiji Sword was an extension of Taijiquan.

Therefore, Su Fan, who had considerable attainment in boxing, already had a foundation in swordplay, and it wasn’t a poor one.

But after acquiring [Swordsmanship], Su Fan automatically gained a thorough understanding of sword techniques the moment he held a sword. Now, his sword skills were growing at an extremely rapid pace.

Inside the room, Su Fan wielded the long sword so deftly it seemed impenetrable, his footwork elusive and unpredictable, combined with his extreme speed.

His figure flickered like a ghost before Xip’s eyes, startling the latter into a cold sweat.

[Swordsmanship has enhanced your comprehension in the way of the sword.]

[Congratulations on your Introduction to the Sword Path.]

[Introduction to the Sword Path: With a sword in hand, even flying arrows cannot harm you. Within seven steps, a gun is accurate and fast? I’m not so sure.]

The prompt appeared in his mind, and Su Fan finally stopped.

This so-called “seven steps” didn’t refer to an actual seven steps, but rather to close quarters.

In other words, even without relying on his supernatural abilities, as long as the environment was suitable and the distance wasn’t too great, the current Su Fan could kill an armed gunman with just the sword in his hand.

Xip, on the side, obediently kept his mouth shut.

He would never again ask why Master Fan Su needed to carry a sword…

No one had told him that an exorcist could be so formidable with a sword…

“Any progress on the investigation into the Mayfair family?”

“On the surface, there’s nothing unusual so far. But of course, that’s just superficial. A few days ago, I saw a doctor coming out of there…”

Using his special ability to glimpse memories through touch, Xip had ascertained the current situation.

The current Mayfair witch had regained her senses, but the people within the family were still unaware.

“I don’t know what exactly happened to make the Mayfair family treat their own witch like this, confining her and keeping her under house arrest…”

Xip recalled the memories he had seen, feeling somewhat upset.

The gaunt woman had lost her freedom and her mind, injected daily with massive doses of sedatives that left her incoherent.

It was only through a doctor’s pity that she briefly regained the ability to think normally after thirty years.

Su Fan didn’t show much emotional change.

No matter what situation arose within the Mayfair family, it wouldn’t be surprising to him.

His only concern was Lasher’s actions.

“Since he has already gained his freedom through the witch, he will inevitably join her in finding Ron’s whereabouts.”

“I estimate he is already on his way to the hotel…”

“I have a surprise prepared for him there…”

The smile on Su Fan’s lips grew increasingly pronounced.

——————

Su Fan was not mistaken.

At this very moment, Deirdre had taken advantage of her aunt’s absence and risen from her wheelchair.

She was going to follow the plan, escape this place that had confined her for thirty years, and reunite with her daughter!

Just as she was about to open the door, Deirdre suddenly sensed someone standing behind her.

Turning around, she saw it was a maid who had served their family for forty years.

The plus-sized Black maid was stunned to see Deirdre, who had been like a vegetable, able to move on her own one day. She stood frozen for a moment.

One of the main decision-makers in the family, Deirdre’s aunt Carlotta, had previously instructed her to report immediately if such a situation occurred.

But…

“Please…”

Deirdre’s pleading eyes and gaunt face made it impossible for her to do such a thing.

The Black maid raised her hand and gently waved twice.

Seeing this, Deirdre immediately turned and walked out the door.

The moment she stepped outside, crimson petals began to fall from the sky.

Deirdre knew this was Lasher’s way of celebrating her regained freedom.

After leaving, she immediately went to the home of her uncle Cortland, who had loved her the most in her memories.

Upon stepping into this place, memories of the past flooded back to her once more.

In the lamplight, men and women wearing masks reveled freely on the dance floor, as if it were only yesterday.

Seeing Deirdre after such a long time, Cortland immediately promised to protect her and prevent Carlotta from reaching her.

Deirdre had gambled correctly.

Cortland and Carlotta were still, as they were thirty years ago, at odds like fire and water.

With Cortland’s help, she finally had a quiet and safe place.

Deirdre changed her clothes and gently picked up the key hanging around her neck…

As she chanted an incantation, all the furnishings in the room began to tremble, as if an unknown, powerful presence was being summoned by the spell!

Sitting across from her, Cortland stared intently at his niece’s actions.

An eerie wind blew indoors, growing stronger and stronger.

Finally, as Deirdre finished her chant, her previously relaxed body suddenly stiffened, and her head tilted back high!

Her eyes, identical to Ron’s, completely lost their color, merging into the whites!

Clearly, she had now entered some kind of mystical trance state!

——————

Back at the hotel, after placing all the talismans, Ron remembered that she hadn’t taken a bath last night.

Stretching and massaging her sore shoulders, she undressed and walked towards the large bathtub in the middle of the hotel room.

She drew the shower curtain and turned on the faucet.

She began washing away her fatigue,安心ly. Her figure was silhouetted beautifully on the curtain.

However, the sound of the water masked her hearing, and the shower curtain blocked her view.

She was completely unaware of what was happening in the room.

A vague, white shadow gradually materialized outside.

It manifested with its back to the wall, then turned around, its eyes, like the entranced Deirdre’s, completely white.

It was Lasher…

He had accepted his witch’s summoning, acting as her eyes to find her daughter.

But the very next second after he fully manifested, the yellow talisman papers on the floor, windows, and doors suddenly reacted, emitting a faint, glowing light.

Lasher suddenly felt a mysterious power restraining his movements, preventing him from advancing.

Not only that, this power was also repelling him!

It was exactly the same as when he had tried to approach before!

It’s him again!! Him again!!

Lasher’s fury was transmitted back to Deirdre, whose senses were merged with his.

Her face also contorted with anger!

Lasher was not just the demon who served her; he was also her lover, her confidant!

Feeling his rage, Deirdre immediately channeled her power, wanting to break through the protective power of the Home Protection Talisman together with Lasher!

The demon’s power began to grow rapidly. Even though it felt like trudging through a swamp, he advanced step by step towards Ron!

The glowing Home Protection Talismans were quickly overwhelmed, their power depleted. They shattered and drifted silently to the ground.

One, two, three…

The restraining, repelling force grew weaker and weaker, and Lasher’s steps became faster and faster!

Finally, as the last talisman shattered, all resistance felt by Lasher and Deirdre vanished!

Everything that dared to obstruct them would be crushed!

A wicked, unrestrained smile appeared on Lasher’s lips.

But at that very moment, a muffled thunderclap suddenly erupted within the room!

A bolt of lightning, thick as a wrist, abruptly exploded!

Purple arcs of electricity pierced through the air, leaving behind a blinding light that illuminated the entire room, even overpowering the sunlight streaming in from outside!

Caught off guard due to his relaxation after breaking through the resistance, Lasher was struck solidly by this lightning bolt!

The man felt unparalleled agony. His mouth opened wide, and he let out a beast-like roar!

Not yet resurrected, and in his purely spiritual form, being struck by this ultimate, pure Yang lightning technique was almost unbearable torture!