John finally made up his mind to follow Xing Ze to investigate Knockturn Alley, not only because Xing Ze needed a guide, but also because of the things that tortured his conscience.
He actually still has a conscience. John smiled mockingly to himself, it seemed that he could still drink some.
"Where should we go first? I remember the bartender mentioned Sweet Home?"
Xing Ze thought about it and replied: "Isn't it a little early to go to the brothel at this time?"
"You are really a master of bad jokes."
The two walked into the second-hand store, and John said to Corey: "It's time to show our customers the good stuff, Corey."
Corey stood up and showed a meaningful smile, then he twisted the ink bottle on the counter. There was a clicking sound in the store, and a secret door appeared on one side of the wall.
"It's like those spy movies." Xing Ze said to himself.
John has become accustomed to the strange words this young man throws out from time to time. Compared with wizards, he is indeed more like a Muggle, a troublesome Muggle.
Xing Ze followed John into the secret door and stepped down the spiral staircase. The smell of tar and burning wood came to his nose, and the torch above his head made a crackling sound, lighting up the way forward.
Following this smell, they came to an underground storage room. John clapped his hands, and the room suddenly became bright.
Xing Ze saw the objects stacked on a stone table—all kinds of magic items, as well as bottles and jars of potions.
"Pick out a few that are convenient," John said, "and I'll let Corey give you a good price."
"Most of the stuff here is on the Office for the Misuse of Magic's banned list."
"Come on, kid, that list is bullshit compared to our career risks. Did you see anything?"
Xing Ze picked up a bottle of magic potion, which was Agripa's demon potion. This thing allows wizards to quickly gather fire elements in a short period of time. Even novice wizards can successfully use advanced fire magic, but the side effects are easy
Happens naturally to the human body.
In addition, he also saw flaming cigarettes, exploding cigars, poisonous apples, red cloaks, glass slippers...
Oh, it’s really complete. This pile of stuff is enough to blow up most of Knockturn Alley, Xing Ze thought to himself. He picked through it and selected two bottles of magic potion and some gadgets.
Magic items are expensive, not to mention such contraband. Even if John promised to give him a discount, Xing Ze stopped in time when he thought of Corey.
…
"A total of one hundred and twenty galleons." Corey said.
Xing Ze looked at John aside, probably wanting him to explain the meaning of discount, but John turned his head shamelessly.
"I think you can give me a discount, Mr. Corey." As a last resort, Xing Ze had to force out a smile and said.
"Oh, sir, I gave it." Corey also smiled, "I removed the ten Sickles and Nine Nuts at the back."
Before going to Mitte Antique Shop, Xing Ze changed his clothes, messed up his hair, and followed John's suggestion and put some mud on his face.
The Disguise Spell is a high-level transformation technique. Although he has a good relationship with Professor McGonagall, Xing Ze really has no talent in transformation, so this trip to Knockturn Alley is indeed full of dangers.
"Hey, are you sure what you want to do?" John confirmed to Xing Ze again.
"Not sure." Xing Ze answered honestly, and then stepped into Knockturn Alley, and the familiar smell enveloped him again.
Mitte's Antique Shop was right in the middle of Knockturn Alley. They were lucky that the members of the Oil Gang who passed by from time to time did not show much interest in Xing Ze.
However, before he almost reached the door of the antique shop, John suddenly pulled him and turned him into the dark alley on the side.
"Acquaintance?" Xing Ze looked over at the antique shop and saw several members of the Oil Gang surrounding a man in a suit walking out of the antique shop.
"Smiley Charlie." John motioned for Xing Ze to look away, "Smooth Face's right-hand man, he is responsible for many trivial matters in Knockturn Alley, such as candy trading."
"His name sounds pretty good."
"Really? He likes to kill people with a smile. Killing people probably brings him pleasure." John pulled Xing Ze and walked inside, "Keep walking, they are coming."
When Smiley Charlie passed through the dark alley, the two of them returned to the street, hiding among the locals, and slowly walked into the antique shop.
The store was dark, with no customers, and only a few magic chandeliers shimmering. An old man with a white beard sat behind the dusty counter, surrounded by various strange things. When he saw the visitors, he seemed to
Not very happy.
"Isidore, are you okay?" John greeted warmly, as if he had met an old friend he hadn't seen for a long time.
The old man snorted disdainfully and said in a hoarse voice: "Put away your false kindness, J, what are you going to pawn this time?"
"Hey, Isidor, don't be so unkind. I've helped you with things before. Do you remember that time with the Devil's Net?"
"Shut up, J, you're not here to settle an old score, are you?" Isidore turned his attention to Xing Ze.
"Of course, of course, let bygones be bygones, I brought you a friend."
"Friend? What are you planning?"
"How much do these black irons cost?" Xing Ze asked as he took a few pieces of black metal from the shelf.
A smile immediately appeared on Isidor's face, "Twelve psicos per ounce, how much do you want?"
Black iron is a common metal in the magical world. Its hardness is comparable to mechanical structural steel, but its texture is much lighter. It is often used to make puppet connecting components and metal magic items.
"That's all." Xing Ze walked to the counter and placed the black iron piece in his hand on the counter.
Isido took the iron piece and weighed it, and quickly calculated a price. It was much more expensive than the one in Diagon Alley, but Xing Ze still paid the money happily.
"Learn a lesson, J. I welcome guests, not drunkards." Isidore took the opportunity to scold John, "So, new friend, I think you are not just here to buy black iron, right?"
Xing Ze nodded, put the black iron into the ring, "I want to ask you something."
"Ask for advice? Oh, haha, you are so polite." Isido pushed up his reading glasses, "If it is about antiques and jewelry, I will be happy to share my superficial suggestions."
"What if it's about people?"
Isidor looked at John and asked after a long time: "J, do you have anything to explain?"
John, who was browsing the shelves, turned around and replied nonchalantly: "Dunn Eric, I know you don't like him very much, so I came to ask if there is anything we can do to help."
"When did you become so kind? Didn't you drink in the morning? Or did you drink too much?"
"Hey, old friend." John put the rosary beads in his hand back on the shelf, "Don't be so hostile to others, help each other."