"This is?"
Lin Jie 's eyes fell on the statue on the counter. He reached out and picked it up to take a look. "Gargoyle?"
The statue is about 30 centimeters high and 10 centimeters wide, one third of it is the base and two thirds is the main body.
The overall shape is a half-human, half-beast monster squatting on a base.
It has bat wings and a tail, and two short horns on its head, like a demon.
I really don't know how Lao Wang hid it in his clothes.
But from Lin Jie 's point of view, this statue is definitely worth a lot of money. It is very finely crafted and carved to be lifelike.
The gargoyle's eyes seemed to glow an evil red, as if it would come alive at any moment.
Lin Jie's heart skipped a beat when he saw this, and he instantly felt something was wrong.
Very creepy.
However, the rough texture of the stone in his palm reminded Lin Jie that it was just a statue.
"Yes." Wilde nodded . "Although it is not a very valuable thing, and it is not even a fraction of the amount you have helped me with, please accept my gratitude."
"Next time I come, I will bring more precious gifts."
Lin Jie looked at the statue for a while and habitually wanted to refuse, but then he remembered that the Oriental humility did not apply here.
He could see that Lao Wang sincerely wanted to give him some gifts to express his gratitude.
If he refuses, the other party will feel that he is disdainful of the gift or that their friendship is not deep enough, which will be very destructive to the relationship.
Moreover, things like gargoyles are a bit like China's stone talismans.
It is mainly used to ward off evil and avoid danger.
He felt Lao Wang's thoughts and blessings!
Whether in terms of value or significance, there seems to be no need to refuse.
Then accept this "local specialty".
Lin Jie placed the statue on the counter and praised with a smile: "It is a very exquisite work of art. It really suits my taste. I look forward to what gift you will bring next time."
Wilde looked pleased and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The gargoyle he brought was his treasured collection for many years and was also his true graduation work from his teacher.
It is the most advanced gargoyle he has ever made.
It used fragments from the ancient ruins of the Gate of the Dead as raw materials, and was infused with the blood and vitality of nine hundred and ninety people's souls.
Its hard skin is invulnerable to swords and guns, its sharp claws can tear people into pieces, its powerful wings give it swift maneuverability, and it can automatically identify killing intent. Its combat power is comparable to that of a panic-level warrior.
In the field of wizard creation, Wilde's level has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle.
Originally, he still had a hint of pride and joy in his heart, and wanted to show his masterpiece to Lin Jie .
However, when he heard the word "artwork", Wilde's pride instantly disappeared and he became sober.
Yeah, it's just a panic-level gargoyle.
The value of any one of Mr. Lin's books is enough to be worth tens of millions of gargoyles!
It seems that his gift this time is really nothing in the eyes of those in higher positions.
Alas, Mr. Lin is still so kind. He expressed his praise from a different perspective and took into account his mentality.
But it doesn't matter!
He has already prepared the next gift, which is an absolutely huge gift. He believes that even a god-level being must take it seriously!
"You will be satisfied."
The old man's eyes flickered slightly under the brim of his hat. He stepped back, pushed the door, and left the bookstore.
Lin Jie waved goodbye and sighed.
He looked at the heavy rain outside and felt that today's business should come to an end.
The probability of receiving two guests in such bad weather is already very small, and we can't ask for more.
"Sure enough, if you maintain a good attitude, you will be more likely to have good luck."
Lin Jie sighed, took a sip of tea, played with the gargoyle for a while, and then placed it next to the counter.
In the dim light, the hideous statue, which looked like a real demon, squatted on the pedestal, as if ready to spread its wings and hunt at any time .
In a way, this gargoyle and his bookstore are a perfect match .
He thought about it and turned the gargoyle around, with its flashing red eyes facing the door.
That way, even if a thief comes in.
Not to mention late at night, even in the daytime you would be startled out of nowhere.
Very deterrent.
Very nice.
Lin Jie nodded with satisfaction, tidied up the counter, and was just putting away the teacups when his pupils suddenly shrank.
I saw the water stains on the table slowly moving and condensing into words - "Long time no see"!
He stood up suddenly.
His eyes were fixed on the table.
A familiar feeling suddenly came over me, just like when I came to this bookstore three years ago.
He understood instantly that the mastermind who teleported him to another world had reappeared after three years!
"It's you!" Lin Jie calmed down, took a deep breath, and sat down again: "It's been a long time since we last met... So, now that you appear again, have you finally thought about the price I should pay?"
He couldn't help but feel a little resentful: "Speaking of which, the conditions were not clearly explained at the beginning, and I came here without knowing what was going on. If it weren't for some wealthy customers who were willing to sponsor me to open a bookstore, I would have starved to death long ago!"
"Are you some kind of devil, the kind that trades souls?"
The water stains turned into the word "not" again.
Lin Jie let out a breath: "Well, it doesn't look like that. There is no devil who is so lazy."
In various literary works and myths and legends, the devil is always trying his best to extract benefits for himself.
"Forget it, just tell me, what do you need me to do?"
He sat upright, his hands folded, looking at the water stains on the counter.
Three years late, he didn't mind paying the price he should pay.
Not to mention that he himself attaches great importance to the spirit of contract.
Although the other party did not clearly state the terms of the transaction at the time, it is true that I helped him realize his wish.
He enjoyed the dividends of the contract three years in advance, so he made a profit.
And from his feeling, this being summoned by the ritual has a very gentle attitude and should be a "good god" like Aladdin's lamp.
But then, he was surprised to see the water stain turned into "You have done it, and I am awakened by it."
Lin Jie leaned back, his thoughts racing: "So after you helped me fulfill my wish, you were asleep for three years, until I did something and you gained some... energy or something from it, and then you finally woke up?"
"yes."
"..." Lin Jie knocked on the table, "Is it because I just asked Lao Wang to recommend my book to others?"
"yes."
"So, this is what you want me to do, and what I need to pay for? - to have other people recommend and spread the word about my book?"
"yes."
"Is this good for you?"
"yes."
Very good, concise and to the point.
"Phew... then, no problem at all. I'll do my best."
Lin Jie said solemnly, and the water stains on the counter table disappeared in the blink of an eye, as if nothing had happened.
…
Wilde's figure disappeared in the rain shortly afterwards.
Half of a figure poked out from the foggy alley, raindrops splashed on his hood, his hawk-like eyes stared at the place where Wilde disappeared, and he took out his cell phone.
The power of ether flows through the air and the silent barrier is operating.
"This is Jack, reporting that we have found traces of 'Black-Scaled Faceless Man' Wilde on No. 23 Street in Notkin. He is suspected to be involved in the internal fighting among the hunters."
"Also, he stayed in a bookstore for about an hour, which is very suspicious. I suspect that this bookstore might be a secret base for dark wizards."