Ye Qiu observed the anxious look on Chen Huaien's face, secretly amused, but he maintained a serious expression as he said, "Professor Chen, that 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' isn't mine. It belongs to an elder of mine. Such a precious artifact—they wouldn't show it to just anyone."
"Oh, right, of course," Chen Huaien said, patting his forehead as if to shake off his impatience. "Ye Qiu, can you contact your elder? Do you have a mobile phone? Or perhaps use the office landline? We could call and ask for their permission?"
"Professor, a phone call won't work," Ye Qiu replied with a smile, shaking his head. "There's no phone service where they are."
"No phone service?" Chen Huaien's brows furrowed, and he found himself believing Ye Qiu's story even more. "Such a remote place? Then what do we do? When can you get in touch with your elder? Please assure them that I give my word, as a man of honor, that I will keep this matter completely confidential. I just want to appreciate the artwork, and I promise it will be returned in perfect condition."
Chen Huaien understood well the Chinese tradition of not flaunting one's wealth. Someone who possessed such a priceless treasure would naturally want to keep it a secret. If word got out, they would never have peace—at worst, they might even face life-threatening danger.
"I understand. I have complete faith in your integrity, Professor Chen, or I wouldn't have brought this up with you," Ye Qiu said, flattering Chen with a few harmless compliments before continuing, "But this matter is quite significant, and my elder lives in seclusion in the mountains. I'll need to find someone to make a special trip for this. As soon as I have confirmation, we can set out immediately."
"Very good, very good. I'm deeply grateful, Ye Qiu. You have no idea how long I've admired that ancient scroll," Chen Huaien said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Yes, I'll do my best to fulfill your wish, Professor Chen," Ye Qiu assured him. "By the way, Professor, there's another favor I need to ask. Can you tell what era this ring is from?"
Ye Qiu casually extended his right hand, showing the ring to Chen Huaien for inspection. Inside, though, Ye Qiu's emotions were tumultuous. The ring was too mysterious, and he could feel that it was growing stronger over time. He feared that one day its power would surpass his control, reversing their master-servant relationship.
"Can you take it off?" Chen Huaien asked casually as he squinted at the ring.
"It's a bit tight. It doesn't come off easily," Ye Qiu declined. The ring was too precious, and he couldn't risk handing it to anyone. This was one of the things the old man had repeatedly warned him about before he left. If it fell into the wrong hands—whether those of an enemy country or a hostile faction—it could spark a large-scale conflict.
Moreover, if someone could study and replicate the ring, arming individual factions or military forces with it, the consequences would be terrifying. Technically, Ye Qiu should destroy the ring, but he found himself unable to part with it.
Chen Huaien didn't insist. He held Ye Qiu's hand, bringing the ring closer for a detailed look. After a moment, he said, "The ring's material is ordinary silver, but what's strange is the band of characters engraved around it. They resemble both Eastern pictographs and Western Arabic script. The carvings are too rough and connected to make out clearly. But in my opinion, it probably doesn't have much archaeological value."
Ye Qiu felt a bit disappointed. This wasn't the first time someone had told him this.
"Professor Chen, with your vast knowledge, have you ever heard of—how should I put it—objects that possess a soul or consciousness?" Ye Qiu asked, unwilling to give up.
"Soul or consciousness?" Chen Huaien chuckled. "Every piece of art has a soul and consciousness; it just depends on whether the viewer can perceive it."
"I mean—something with the ability to attack?" Ye Qiu clarified.
Chen Huaien paused, then said, "I've never heard of that. If such a thing existed, it would be considered a legendary divine artifact or a ghost weapon. Monks' ritual tools or Taoist talismans can be used offensively, but those items are quite mystical and align with the universal principles of creation and destruction. That's beyond the scope of my research."
"Thank you, Professor Chen," Ye Qiu said as the bell rang, signaling the start of the next class. He rose from the sofa.
"No need to thank me. If anyone should be grateful, it's me," Chen Huaien replied with a wave. "By the way, about 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'?"
"I'll have someone look into it after class," Ye Qiu responded noncommittally, hoping to delay until either Chen forgot or he left.
"Alright, I'll be waiting eagerly," Chen Huaien said with a satisfied smile.
Just as Ye Qiu was about to leave the office, his phone vibrated in his pocket. This surprised him—few people called him, especially during the day. Could it be Tang Guo, finished with her classes early and wanting to return? If so, he'd need to request leave.
He pulled out his phone and saw that the caller ID showed Tang Buyi's number. Now, Ye Qiu was even more puzzled. Tang Buyi was usually too busy to contact him directly. Even if he needed something, he would typically have Uncle Wang make the call. Why was he calling in person today?
Ye Qiu answered, and Tang Buyi's voice came through, sounding urgent.
"Hello, Ye Qiu?"
"Yes, it's me. What's the matter, Uncle Tang?"
"There's something urgent. Ye Qiu, I need you to come to the company immediately."
"What about Miss Tang?"
"I'll arrange for someone else to pick her up."
"Alright, I'm on my way," Ye Qiu agreed and hung up.
Turning to Chen Huaien, he said, "Professor, I just received a call. There's something urgent I need to take care of. May I request to miss one class?"
"Of course, go ahead," Chen Huaien replied with a smile. He hadn't hidden the conversation from Chen, who had overheard parts of it. Moreover, given that he now had a favor to ask of Ye Qiu, he wasn't about to create any friction over such a minor issue.
Ye Qiu walked to the school gate, hailed a taxi, and said, "To Tang Group."
As Ye Qiu's taxi began to move, a white van that had been parked not far from the gate also started up, trailing him at a steady distance.
"Reporting to the director, the target has appeared. Number 1 is in pursuit," the driver, an ordinary-looking young man, whispered into a small microphone, eyes fixed on the taxi ahead.
"Continue the pursuit. Alternate with Number 2."
"Understood. Should we intervene en route?"
"No need. The target is highly skilled; you're no match for him. Be cautious and await further instructions. Others will take care of it when the time comes."
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8