Original Mystery Novel: "ℬ𝓁𝒾𝓏𝓏𝒶𝓇𝒹 ℳ𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓇" EP49

Dry dust, old wood, and something like sandalwood. "Let's go," he said. He sidled into the passage. Xu Ziqian followed behind, Lin Jing last. The candle flame burned steadily in the confined space, illuminating the stone walls on either side. Symbols were carved into the walls every few steps. Chen Mo didn't recognize the script, but he knew it was hand-carved, each stroke deep. The passage was about ten meters long, ending in a wooden door. It was much smaller than the stone door outside, about half a person's height, like an old-fashioned cellar entrance. The door was reinforced with iron bands, now rusted, but the door itself still looked solid. A line was carved into the door with the tip of a knife: "Those who enter, please bring your whole self." Chen Mo stared at the words, silent for a long time. "What is a 'whole self'?" he asked, his voice echoing in the narrow passage. Xu Ziqian said from behind him, "My father said that door can only be opened by someone who remembers exactly who they are. If you forget who you are—when the door opens, you'll see things you shouldn't." "Like what?" "Like truths you're not ready for." Chen Mo reached out and pushed the door. It wasn't locked and opened inward with a low groan. The space inside wasn't large, about the size of a bedroom. The air was drier than in the passage, and a thin layer of dust rose from the floor as Chen Mo stepped in. Then the candlelight illuminated the room. Chen Mo stopped. There was a wooden table and a chair in the room. On the table sat (To be continued)