The antique street was bustling with people, and Lu Fei moved through the crowd, gradually making his way toward a quieter, more secluded area.
He stopped at the entrance to a narrow alley, raising his gaze to the old pawnshop before him.
The shop's decor was modest yet solid, exuding an air of ancient charm accumulated over the years.
Above the door hung an old sandalwood plaque, engraved with four bold characters: "Evil Relics Pawnshop."
This shop had been passed down through Lu Fei's family for generations, initially managed by his grandfather and now inherited by him.
This pawnshop was unlike ordinary ones; it didn't accept gold, silver, or jewels but specialized in collecting items with a dark, sinister aura.
These included things like mahjong tiles made from human skulls, a beheader's blade, or coffin planks dug up from ancient graves.
His grandfather often said that while such items held danger, with care, they could be transformed into treasures that helped people ward off misfortune and attract fortune.
These dark relics, once processed through the Evil Relics Pawnshop, could turn evil into blessing, bringing good fortune to those who possessed them.
For example, mahjong tiles made from skulls could grant a gambler a winning streak, a beheader's blade could protect one from harm, and coffin planks could even smooth one's career path.
They could heal, avert disaster, and even alter a person's fate.
These transformed dark relics once attracted countless nobles and wealthy patrons. At the height of the Evil Relics Pawnshop's fame, even the royal family sought its services.
In the martial world, the name of the Evil Relics Pawnshop was renowned, and any item imbued with dark energy was considered a rare treasure.
However, those glorious days had become part of the past.
Now, the Evil Relics Pawnshop no longer saw the same prosperity, the shop quiet and deserted.
Lu Fei took down the sign on the door that read, "Owner Out, Please Call," pushed open the door, and entered the pawnshop, a hint of loneliness in his expression.
"Grandpa is still nowhere to be found."
Three years ago, his grandfather had gone out to collect dark relics and hadn't been heard from since, leaving behind only a brief note and a bank card.
"Xiaofei, don't look for me; focus on your studies! Three years later, you may reopen the Evil Relics Pawnshop. If you can gather three dark relics within a month, continue the business; otherwise, leave this place!"
The note was short, but the bank account held enough money to ensure Lu Fei a comfortable life for years to come.
Now, three years had passed, and Lu Fei had graduated from university, returning to the Evil Relics Pawnshop as his grandfather had instructed.
Although his grandfather told him not to search, he still habitually roamed the antique street daily, hoping for some news.
But after three years, it was as if his grandfather had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.
"There's still time… I'll complete Grandpa's task first, reopen the Evil Relics Pawnshop, and then gradually search for his whereabouts. At least the family business will be here when he returns."
Lu Fei encouraged himself and began tidying the shop, preparing to reopen it.
But in its secluded location, half a month had passed, and not a single customer had come.
At this rate, gathering three dark relics within a month would be nearly impossible.
Maybe it was time to try his luck outside?
After all, old artifacts often carried dark energy; perhaps he might come across a suitable item.
As Lu Fei pondered, he suddenly noticed a figure outside the door.
Under the old scholar tree across the street stood a young woman in a white dress, her gaze fixed intently on the Evil Relics Pawnshop.
"Could she be a customer?"
Lu Fei focused his gaze, and his pupils instantly contracted.
Strangely, why did her shadow appear so numerous?
He saw that beneath her feet, there was not only her own shadow but several faint, blurred black shadows.
Before he could get a clearer look, the woman began walking toward the pawnshop.
"Excuse me… is this the Evil Relics Pawnshop?"
A slightly hoarse voice sounded. As the woman in the white dress stepped inside, the room's temperature seemed to drop by several degrees. She looked around, hesitating as she spoke.
"Yes, this is the Evil Relics Pawnshop. How may I assist you?"
Lu Fei stood up, deliberately turning on the light.
The woman appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six, her figure slender and well-proportioned, her features delicate, though her skin was unnaturally pale.
In the light, a thick shadow appeared beneath her feet, layered and dark—not just one shadow.
There were at least a dozen shadows, like a string of eerie black balloons trailing behind her!
Lu Fei's heart tightened.
What had this woman gone through to be tainted with such heavy dark energy?
"Thank goodness! Is Mr. Lu, the old shopkeeper, here? I'd like to pawn something." A hint of relief flashed in the woman's weary eyes as she handed him a slightly worn business card.
It bore his grandfather's name and the insignia of the Evil Relics Pawnshop.
An old customer!
Lu Fei quickly asked, "Miss, do you know my grandfather?"
"No, I don't. My name is Xie Yao. This card was given to me by an elder in my family, and they insisted I find Mr. Lu."
The woman looked around, as if searching for the old shopkeeper.
"I'm sorry, my grandfather isn't here. I am Lu Fei, the current owner of the Evil Relics Pawnshop. Miss Xie, please feel free to let me know what you'd like to pawn."
"What? He's not here?" Xie Yao's expression darkened, her body swaying slightly.
"Miss Xie, please be careful!"
Lu Fei quickly pulled over a chair, motioning for her to sit.
"When will the old shopkeeper return? Money is no object!" Xie Yao grabbed Lu Fei's arm, her eyes full of urgency.
"Ouch!" Lu Fei felt a piercing chill in his arm.
Her hand was as cold as iron, and the chill seeped into his skin, cutting to the bone with a sting that struck deep into his heart.
To be so cold yet oblivious to it—this was surely a sign of impending death!
If this symptom was linked to the item she intended to pawn, this could be an exceptionally dangerous relic!