Shopkeeper Li wasn't much of a talker. She held a Jade File, meticulously shaping her fingernails.
Every so often, she would blow gently, clearing away the fine powder from her nails.
She led Tang Wen into a hidden passage and down into the earth.
After a few minutes, they came to the mouth of what looked like a deep well.
The opening was pitch-black.
Tang Wen peered inside, but it was bottomless.
His body involuntarily tensed.
'This place is a little too perfect for a murder and a body dump.'
He was afraid the quiet Shopkeeper Li would suddenly say something like: 'Such a perfect hole. It makes me want to throw something down it. How about you make the sacrifice?'
"We're here!"
'This is it?'
'Damn it!'
'She's not really going to throw me down there, is she?'
'It's not that I'm afraid of the dark.'
'It's just that there are no safety guarantees here!'
RATTLE! RATTLE!
Shopkeeper Li pulled a lever.
The sound of chains echoed.
