Chapter 280 Village Scenery
When Elbert spoke, Dawn's eyes lit up with genuine respect.
She gave a soft smile, "Mr. Perry, it's getting late. How about I find you a place to stay?"
"No rush," Elbert said, waving his hand as he walked alongside Dawn. "Miss Dawn, do you know if there's a mine around here that has some kind of black metal that flows like water?"
Dawn stopped in her tracks, looking at Elbert with surprise. "Are you talking about Demon's Blood?"
Elbert quickly caught on. So, "Demon's Blood" was the local name for the liquid metal.
This trip was already worth it!
"Mr. Perry, I wouldn't recommend looking into that," Dawn said with a slight frown. "It comes from underground, it's black, looks like water, but it can cut through a finger."
"The village elders say it's the blood of demons seeping from hell's cracks, a bad omen," Dawn added.
She then looked at Elbert with a gentle smile. "But I believe in science. It's probably just some kind of mineral or metal."
Elbert nodded, impressed. He didn't expect someone from such a remote village to have this kind of perspective. Clearly, Dawn had grown up here without much access to education.
"But, Mr. Perry," Dawn's face turned serious again. "There's something you should know. The young folks who've been down the mine say there's something strange in there."
"They've seen shadows and heard terrifying roars. I always feel like there are monsters down there."
Elbert raised an eyebrow. "That's pretty intriguing!"
Seeing Dawn's worried look, Elbert smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dawn. I'm not just any ordinary person. You can safely take me there. Where's the mine?"
Dawn bit her lip, still frowning. "The mine is on my family's land. But you'll need my father's permission to go there. He's got a bit of a temper. Mr. Perry, if you meet him, you might get upset!"
Elbert chuckled. He thought it would be tough to find the mine without any surveillance gear.
But it turned out Dawn's father, the guide, owned the land where the mine was!
"Your father, huh? Take me to him!" Elbert said eagerly.
They walked through the village, with curious villagers watching them, and headed towards the outskirts.
From a distance, they saw three mud houses with faint candlelight inside.
Around the houses were plowed fields, but due to the drought, not a single blade of grass was growing.
About 500 feet away, Elbert noticed a mound that looked like a grave.
On top, there was a hole just big enough for a person, supported by some broken wooden boards.
Elbert could sense something unusual beneath that mound.
He suddenly realized this was the place!
He didn't expect the entrance to the liquid metal mine to be a broken-down cave.
But this was good news! It seemed no one knew the value of this metal!
They reached the door of the mud house.
Dawn suddenly seemed a bit timid, her expression showing some fear.
Elbert stayed cool and stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, he caught a strong whiff of sandalwood. The place was filled with amulets, bird feathers, and turtle bones hanging from the ceiling.
In one corner, there was a strange statue with sandalwood incense burning below it.
A middle-aged man with graying hair sat on a mat in front of the statue, holding a string of beads, eyes closed, chanting something.
"Dad," Dawn's voice was barely above a whisper. "My guest wants to see the mine in the field."
The man frowned, "Dawn! Have you lost your mind?"
"How many times have I told you, that's the blood of demons, you can't touch it!" he shouted as he shot up.
He completely ignored Elbert and stormed over to Dawn, pointing a finger at her. "You useless girl! You have no strength, can't farm, don't take care of the house, and spend all day studying useless things!"
The man then turned his angry gaze to Elbert. "And this kind of man, don't bring him here again!"
"You're a girl. If you keep hanging out with this kind of man every day, which man in the village would dare marry you? When I'm old, and there's no man to take care of you, how will you live?" he yelled.
Dawn bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "Dad, it's very rude to speak to Mr. Perry like that. Besides, I don't need to rely on others; I can live by my knowledge."
The man got even angrier. "Foolish girl, what are you talking about? What's the use of knowledge? Can it farm?"
He turned around, grabbed a ruler, and was about to hit Dawn.
Dawn closed her eyes, standing her ground, not dodging.
But Elbert caught the falling ruler. The man tried to pull it back with all his strength but couldn't.
Elbert frowned. "I won't use the land for free. Name a price, and I won't argue. I want to buy it."
"Money? You're talking to me about money? You're just like those scoundrels, who secretly dug up the demon's blood to sell before! This is a sin! The gods will punish you!" the man shouted, still trying to pull back the ruler.
Elbert finally understood how the liquid metal owned by the Card Club had leaked out.
Dawn gave a bitter smile, pulling Elbert away. "Mr. Perry, I apologize for my father. Don't take it to heart. Let's leave."
Elbert didn't want to argue with this irritable man, so he turned and walked out with Dawn.
But the man chased after them, shouting, "Dawn, where are you going? Come back! Are you going to fool around with this man? Don't disgrace me."
"Come back and cook, you foolish girl!" he shouted again.
Elbert's patience snapped.
He suddenly turned around, exuding an intimidating aura. "Shut up! Listen, taking care of you is her responsibility, but it's not necessary! With her abilities, she can go to a better place. She can also have a better life. You're holding her back! From now on, show her some respect!"
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