As An Antique Shop Owner, It's Only Reasonable That I Know A Bit Of Magic - Chapter 8

Su Fan’s fist smashed into Ella’s beautiful face.

There was no denying it—she was stunning, the very picture of an American beauty.

No wonder Jamie’s father had brought her home.

But now—

With every brutal strike, her disguise began to peel away, revealing the truth beneath.

Her skin turned corpse-gray, cold and lifeless—just like Jamie’s father in the wheelchair.

She was a puppet too.

Jamie’s blood ran cold.

But what terrified him even more was Su Fan himself.

The young man’s fists hammered into Mary Shaw’s skull with such force that the floorboards cracked.

Is this really an exorcism?

Since when do exorcists fight like rabid beasts?

Weren’t they supposed to wave crosses, chant scripture, or splash holy water?

This guy was more like a human-shaped wrecking ball.

And—could physical attacks even hurt a vengeful spirit like Mary Shaw?

What Jamie didn’t know was that Su Fan’s fists were infused with Qi—blending brute force with spiritual energy.

Even Su Fan was impressed.

Mary Shaw’s craftsmanship was ridiculous.

These punches would’ve turned a grizzly’s skull into paste.

Yet her puppet only chipped.

Damn, that’s durable.

But durability was its only advantage.

Every time Mary Shaw tried to rise, Su Fan slammed her back down.

After three or four rounds of this, the spirit finally gave up.

Her face shattered.

Then—

Her body suddenly slid sideways, dodging Su Fan’s next strike, and leapt through the window!

…..

Outside, Old Man Walker and his wife cowered in their car.

According to Su Fan, Mary Shaw was likely inside the mansion.

Which meant those two were facing the town’s worst nightmare head-on.

Walker had already moved to the driver’s seat—ready to floor it if things went south.

The noises from the house were testing their sanity.

First, an unnatural silence.

Then, a scream no human could make.

A wave of primal terror—gone as quickly as it came.

And now, the relentless thuds of what sounded like a demolition crew.

Suddenly—

CRASH!

A figure tumbled through a second-floor window, landing hard on the ground.

One arm dangled, broken, yet it still scrambled to its feet and ran.

Moonlight broke through the clouds, revealing its face.

“Oh—good God…”

Walker clutched his chest.

The thing’s features were smashed, its skin peeling away to expose a grotesque mix of wood and flesh.

What kind of monster could create something like this?

Only one answer came to mind—but he didn’t dare say it.

Neither of them breathed. Neither of them moved.

Their minds reeled.

That young man had actually forced Mary Shaw to flee like a cornered animal!

…..

Upstairs, Su Fan watched the retreating figure.

Unlike before, he didn’t give chase.

“Su!”

Jamie staggered up, grief now replaced by raw fury.

“You’re going after her, right? Take me with you!”

Rage had sharpened his mind.

It wasn’t just his father.

Mary Shaw had also killed his unborn child.

The realization hit him like a truck.

Lisa wasn’t part of the Ashen family. She had no blood ties.

The only reason Mary Shaw would target her?

She was pregnant.

His child. His wife. His father.

All gone.

Now, with nothing left to lose, Jamie had one goal:

Make Mary Shaw pay.

“Fine,” Su Fan nodded.

He had no intention of leaving Jamie behind.

In fact, he needed him.

“When do we leave?” Jamie pressed.

“Not yet.”

Su Fan explained:

“Mary Shaw’s spirit only lingers where her puppets are. Besides this house, there are two possible locations.”

“First, the cemetery where she and her dolls were buried. But I checked earlier—every grave’s been dug up. The coffins are empty.”

“Ella must’ve done it,” Jamie realized.

“She’s the only one with motive. And no one else could’ve exhumed over a hundred graves unnoticed.”

“Exactly,” Su Fan agreed.

“Which leaves one place.”

“The Lakeside Theater. Where Mary Shaw lived—and died.”

He started downstairs.

“All the unearthed puppets are probably there now.”

“This won’t be easy.”

Jamie nodded grimly, his gratitude deepening.

Even with payment, this was a suicide mission.

Su Fan had already saved his life twice.

As they stepped outside, Jamie stopped, turning to the younger man.

“Su, I… thank you—”

The raw sincerity made Su Fan uncomfortable. He cut him off with a wave.

“Save it. We’re not done yet. And I need your help.”

“With what?”

Jamie perked up.

Whatever it was, it had to be crucial for defeating Mary Shaw.

“Get me gasoline.”

“…What?”

Jamie blinked.

Gasoline?

Since when was that part of an exorcism?

Shouldn’t they be grabbing Bibles, crosses—or at least some Taoist talismans?

“Problem?” Su Fan raised an eyebrow.

“N-no! I’ll get it. Fast.”

Jamie took off running before Su Fan could change his mind.

As he disappeared, an unfamiliar car pulled up to the mansion.

Su Fan turned—

And saw the detective stepping out, a shotgun in hand.