Chapter 50 Chapter Forty-eight

Langdon could hardly believe his own assumptions.However, considering the identity of the owner of the cipher box, the way the cipher box was delivered, and the rose mark on the box cover, he could only draw one conclusion. I hold the Priory's keystone! The legend is true. A keystone is a coded stone placed under the rose marking. "Robert?" Sophie asked, looking at him, "what's the matter?" Langdon collected himself, "Did grandfather tell you about a thing called the 'arch key' (laclefdevoute)?" Sophie translated the word into English: "Did you mean 'the key to the vault'?"

"No, that's just the literal meaning. 'Arch key' is a very common architectural term. 'voute' doesn't refer to a bank vault, but to a vaulted top, like a vaulted roof." "But a vaulted roof doesn't need a key." "They actually have keys. In the center of each vault there is a wedge-shaped stone. This load-bearing stone is used to hold all the stones in place. So, architecturally speaking, this stone is the arch. key. In English we call it a 'keystone.'" Langdon looked closely into her eyes to see if she understood. Sophie shrugged and looked down at the cryptex.Said: "But, this is obviously not a keystone."

Langdon didn't know where to start.The technique of using keystones to build vaulted roofs was one of the closely guarded secrets of the early stonemasons' guilds.Royal vaulting, architecture, and keystones are all interrelated concepts.Mastering the secret knowledge of using keystones to build arches is one of the ways stonemasons get rich, so they are very careful to keep this secret, and there has always been a tradition of keeping keystone secrets.However, the stone tube in the red sandalwood box is obviously different from ordinary keystones.If this was really the keystone of the Priory, it could only mean that the keystone of the Priory was completely different from what he had imagined.

"I haven't done any in-depth research on the Keystone of the Priory," Langdon admitted, "I study the Holy Grail from the perspective of symbolism, so I generally don't pay much attention to the knowledge of how to find the Holy Grail. " Sophie opened her eyes wide and asked in amazement, "Find the Holy Grail?" Langdon nodded and said word by word: "Sophie, according to the Priory, the keystone is a coded map. And this map indicates the location where the Holy Grail is buried." Sophie looked blank, "Do you think this is the keystone?"

Langdon didn't know what to say. Even he found it unbelievable.However, judging that this thing is a keystone is the only conclusion he can make.A coded stone hidden under the Rosemark. The fact that the cryptex was designed by the former mentor of the Priory, Leonardo da Vinci, further proves that the cylinder was the Priory's keystone.A former mentor's design...and a few hundred years later another member of the Priory put it into practice.Such a connection is too strong. For the past decade, historians have been hunting for keystones in French churches.Grail seekers familiar with the history of the Priory's codes have always assumed that the "Key of the Arch" was the real keystone, and that this coded stone wedge was stuck in a church arch.Just below the rose marker.There is no shortage of rose marks on many buildings.Rosette pane.Rosette relief.There is of course also a great deal of pentagonal ornamentation, and arches often have this five-petal rosette ornamentation at the top, just above the keystone.These treasure places seem too conspicuous.The map showing where the Holy Grail is buried is stuck in the arch of some forgotten church, mocking the ignorant passers-by below.Sophie argued: "This cryptex can't be a keystone, it's not old enough. I'm sure it was made by grandfather. It can't be part of the old Grail legend."

Langdon felt a sudden surge of excitement.He replied: "It is said that the keystone was actually made by the Priory decades ago." Sophie blinked and said suspiciously: "But if this cryptex shows where the Holy Grail is buried, Grandpa Why was it given to me? I don't know how to open it or what to do with it. I don't even know what the Holy Grail is!" Langdon was surprised to find that she was right.Until now, he hadn't had a chance to explain to her the true meaning of the Holy Grail.That will have to wait.Now, their attention is on the keystone. if that's true...

Amidst the rumble of bulletproof tires, Langdon quickly explained to Sophie everything he knew about the Holy Grail.As far as he knew, the Greatest Secret of the Priory—the place where the Holy Grail was buried—had never been written down for centuries.For safety's sake, this secret was orally passed on to the new bishop in a ceremony.In the last century, however, the strategy of the Priory is said to have changed.This may have been a defense against new electronic eavesdropping techniques, but regardless, the Priory vowed never to "tell" about that sacred burial site again. Sophie asked, "So how do they pass on this secret?"

Langdon explained: "That's why the keystone came into being. When one of the four top leaders dies, the remaining three have to choose from among the members of the lower level the candidates for the next bishop. They are not Instead of 'telling' the candidate where the Holy Grail is buried, the candidate is tested to confirm that he is qualified to know the secret." Sophie looked skeptical.Langdon's words suddenly reminded her of her grandfather's treasure hunt.It is undeniable that getting the keystone this time is also a treasure hunt.Such tests are also very common in secret societies.The most famous of these is the Masons' Guild.In the guilds, a man's ability to secure a higher position had to prove his ability to keep secrets, and he had to participate in ceremonies and pass various tests of character over many years.The tests are increasingly difficult, and the most difficult tests are for candidates who are preparing to take the position of thirty-two masons.Sophie said: "So the keystone is a proof. If the candidate for the leadership of the Priory can open it, it will prove that he is qualified to know the secrets in the keystone."

Langdon nodded: "I forgot that you have experience in this field." "It's not just from experiences with my grandfather. In cryptography, it's called 'self-approved language.' That is, if you're smart enough to read the code, you're allowed to know the code." meaning." Langdon hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sophie, you must know that if this is indeed the keystone and your grandfather can get it, it means that he is very powerful in the Priory. He must be the fourth one of the top leaders." Sophie sighed, and said, "I think he must be a very powerful figure in a secret organization, and that organization is the Priory."

Langdon probed again: "You knew in the past that he joined a secret organization?" "Ten years ago I saw something I shouldn't have seen. Since then, I haven't spoken a word to my grandfather." She paused and continued, "Grandfather is not only one of the top leaders, I think he's... the supreme leader of that organization." Langdon couldn't believe her words. "You mean he is the master? But...you have no way of knowing!" "I don't want to talk about this." Sophie turned her head to the side, the expression on her face was pained but determined.

Langdon sat there, dumbfounded.Jacques Saunière? Head? Although Langdon was amazed by this, he had a strange feeling that it was very likely to be true.After all, the previous heads of the monastery were all social celebrities with high artistic accomplishment.This was pointed out years ago in a newspaper article entitled "The Secret of Les Dusiers." Early Priory historians and Grail fans alike have read the article "The Secret of Les Dusiers."This article answers the open questions of historians - the Great Mentors of the Priory were Leonardo da Vinci, Botselli, Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, And more recently Jean Cocteau, a well-known Parisian artist.Why wouldn't there be Jacques Saunière? Langdon thought of the meeting he had arranged with Saunière tonight and found it all the more incredible.The head of the Priory called to see me! Why? To chat about art? Apparently not possible.After all, if Langdon's feelings were right, the head of the Priory would give the fabled keystone to his granddaughter Sophie and at the same time order her to find Langdon. It's incredible. Langdon simply could not understand Saunière's motives.Even if Saunière had a premonition that he was about to face disaster, there were three other leaders who knew the secret of the Holy Grail, so they could still guarantee the safety of the Priory.Why would Saunière take such a big risk and give the keystone to his granddaughter? After all, they had lost touch for years? And, why would Langdon be involved? He was a stranger. "There must be a disconnect in this puzzle," Langdon thought. Obviously, the answer has yet to be found.The engine of the armored vehicle slowed down suddenly, and the sound of tires crushing gravel was heard in the cargo compartment. Sophie and Langdon raised their heads. "Why did Vernet park on the side of the road?" Langdon wondered.Vernet had told them he would take them to a safe place far from the city.The speed of the vehicle slowed down, and the armored vehicle was driven onto a bumpy dirt road.Sophie gave Langdon an anxious look, quickly closed the box and snapped the buckle.Langdon quickly took off his jacket and rewrapped the box.The armored vehicle stopped, its engine idling.The keyhole on the rear door turned and the door opened.Langdon was surprised to find that they were taken into a wooded area away from the road.Vernet stuck his head in nervously, a gun in his hand. "I'm very sorry," he said, "but I have no choice."