"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Uniforms, first-year students need..." Li Mu quietly recited the list in the appendix to his admission letter.
There really was quite a lot to buy. Three sets of black robes, a pointed black hat, as well as cloaks, gloves... Fortunately, he had already bought several of the books needed by first-year students.
But now, standing amid the bustling, prosperous streets, he had shifted most of his attention elsewhere, his eyes constantly scanning the buildings on either side of the street.
Led by Hagrid, the moment all three of them passed through the archway, the brick arch turned back into a wall—Li Mu would bet this was some kind of spatial spell. There could not possibly have been such a broad street behind the Leaky Cauldron.
That wall was a magic array. They had passed directly through it and been transported into another space.
Yet even after pondering it for a long time, he could not figure out the principle behind it. How exactly had it been done? It also inexplicably reminded him of the Time-Turner Hermione had "once" used.
By comparison, Eastern Daoist arts still lagged far behind in their study of space and time. They had not reached such an effortless, freely wielded level.
"How incredible!" Li Mu exclaimed. He felt that this trip had truly been worth it. Under old Li Jianmin's guidance, he had cultivated for eight years. The further he progressed, the more he understood how difficult cultivation was. Every step forward was arduous—after all, peerless geniuses were few. Most people relied on hard work and a little meager talent, steadfastly climbing upward, only achieving modest success after long years of tempering.
Apart from satisfying his guilty pleasure of "fangirling," if this trip to England let him understand even the principles behind altering space and twisting time, he would already have gained immensely.
"Yes, it's incredible..." Harry Potter could not help sighing in wonder as well. Like Li Mu, he had kept turning his head the moment he entered Diagon Alley, gazing at the strange and varied shops on both sides of the street.
"We're here at Gringotts—Li Mu, do you need to withdraw money too?" Hagrid interrupted their fascination and led them toward a snow-white building. When they reached the entrance, he did not forget to turn his huge head and ask Li Mu.
When he saw Li Mu nod, Hagrid waved a large hand. "Good, then we'll all go in... Oh, right, do you have a key?"
He asked Li Mu again.
"Oh, of course!" Li Mu smiled at Hagrid and pulled a small golden key from his clothes. Old Li Jianmin had stuffed it into his hand at Huayang International Airport back in China.
As they spoke, they had already arrived before the bronze doors of the pristine white building.
Several small figures in red and yellow uniforms stood on either side of the doors. They were another species, different from humans, with goat legs, short curled tails, sparse short hair, and frail-looking bodies that made them resemble little old men.
But Li Mu knew these small figures were not to be trifled with. Their slender hands might unleash unimaginable magic.
"Those are goblins!" Hagrid whispered to the two of them, glancing at the small figures.
Goblins? That name really was... completely at odds with the appearance of these rather disgusting little fellows. Li Mu smiled faintly. The moment he heard those words, he immediately thought of Eastern legends.
Those enchanting little goblins... tsk tsk... now those deserved the word goblin.
Yet, despite having lived two lives, he did not know that in the legends of the ordinary world, these small figures were not called "goblins" either. Their proper name was "imps," cunning, fierce little troublemakers renowned throughout English and German mythology.
When they entered the first set of doors, several goblins bowed to them. After passing through a second silvery-white door, they arrived in a grand hall paved entirely with beautiful marble.
At least a hundred goblins sat behind the counters directly opposite the entrance. They acted as accountants or shopkeepers, while countless wizards came and went, making Gringotts seem all the more prosperous.
There were actually so many people in the magical world?
Li Mu stared at the scene before him in a daze. He had always thought that the entire magical community in England only numbered two or three thousand people... Or had all the wizards in England gathered here?
Smack!
Ow, ow, ow... His shoulder, his shoulder was about to fall apart...
Before Li Mu could continue thinking, Hagrid gave both him and Harry a pat on the shoulder with each hand, then led the two grimacing boys, who were sucking in sharp breaths, toward a relatively empty counter.
"Good morning!" Hagrid greeted the goblin behind the counter. "I need to withdraw some money from Harry Potter's vault... And of course, there's also..."
He began pulling things out of one of his pockets. A moldy smell wafted from within, making the goblin frown—if the few fine hairs above its huge eyes could be considered eyebrows—and cover its nose.
Fortunately, Hagrid quickly found a golden key, then took out a letter as well. "I've also brought a letter from Professor Dumbledore, concerning that thing in Vault 713."
Li Mu felt that Hagrid looked rather smug at that moment.
The goblin carefully read through the letter, then nodded and returned it to Hagrid.
Li Mu also took out his own golden key. "I think I need to withdraw some money from my vault. It was opened two months ago through the China Spirit Currency Regulatory Association. The account holder is Li Mu."
The goblin took Li Mu's key and examined it for a moment, then swept its gaze over the three of them. At last, it spoke in a shrill, childlike voice. "Hmm, are you together?"
"Er..." Hagrid finally realized something was amiss. He looked at the two boys again, paying particular attention to Li Mu. He saw Harry's unease and panic, as well as Li Mu's innocent calm. His concern faded, and he boomed, "Of course, the three of us are together!"
The goblin nodded again. "Very well. I'll send someone to take you to the three vaults."
Then it called out in a certain direction. Immediately, an even smaller goblin jogged over and led the way. Hagrid lumbered forward with his mountain-sized body, Harry and Li Mu close behind. The three followed the little goblin to another door at the side of the hall.
"What's in Vault 713?" Harry asked curiously. Li Mu naturally remained silent.
A child was still a child. If someone did not say something, it was best not to ask, especially when it concerned money.
And the thing Hagrid had mentioned was far more valuable than money.
Sure enough, Hagrid shook his basketball-sized head and said mysteriously, "Can't tell you. It has to be kept secret. That thing is... tsk tsk."
Uh... Li Mu was speechless. That reckless Hagrid was no better than Harry. Wasn't that basically saying there was no silver buried here, blatantly telling everyone there was something valuable inside?...
Just as Hagrid spoke, the small goblin opened the door. Harry's mouth immediately fell wide open, clearly astonished.
(End of Chapter)
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