"I haven't found it yet; all of this is just my speculation!" Under the light, Liang Ge's expression appeared a bit disheartened.
"Although I left the police force for certain reasons and no longer investigate cases, this one has always stayed with me."
"I heard there was another strange tragedy on Antique Street recently, so I paid attention."
"These two cases on Antique Street, though one was a suicide and the other a murder, share a similarity: both involved acts that defy reason and are terrifyingly bizarre."
As he spoke, his scrutinizing gaze fell again on Lu Fei.
"Shopkeeper Lu, if you were able to make Boss Liang suddenly come to terms, I think you must have helped him find the real culprit."
Lu Fei couldn't help but reevaluate this unkempt man.
Just from the fact that he and Tiger had visited Boss Liang, Liang Ge had deduced so much—his investigative skills were indeed exceptional.
Xie Yao was truly sincere in helping him find his grandfather.
Since that was the case, there was no need for secrecy, as long as this man had no connection to the sunglasses-wearing buyer of the knife.
"More or less," Lu Fei admitted.
"What was it?" Liang Ge's eyes fixed on Lu Fei.
Xie Yao was equally curious.
"A cursed knife," Lu Fei said.
"A cursed knife—is that what your Evil Pawnshop calls an evil object?"
Liang Ge's eyes widened, eager for confirmation. "There were rumors on Antique Street that before the incident, Boss Liang acquired a mysterious antique."
"Yes, it was an executioner's decapitation knife from ancient times, drenched in too much blood. Only the executioner's descendants could suppress it. Anyone else who possessed the knife would be affected by it, driven to kill."
On the surface, it was just a knife, but in reality, it symbolized Boss Liang's greed. If he hadn't been so greedy, forcing the farmer to sell it despite their refusal, the tragedy wouldn't have happened.
"The victim in the flaying case must have been influenced similarly!"
Liang Ge's hand, holding the cigarette, trembled slightly.
It was the excitement of having a long-held suspicion confirmed at last.
"Shopkeeper Lu, I need your help to find this killer!"
"But the problem is, I don't know anything about this 'killer.' I can't promise that I'll be of any help," Lu Fei said cautiously.
If it really was an evil object capable of making someone flay themselves alive, even the thought of it was daunting.
Besides, this was all based on Liang Ge's conjecture; it might not even involve an evil object at all.
"I'll restart the investigation, compare the case files, and not overlook any similar items or clues from the scenes," Liang Ge's eyes seemed to burn with a flicker of hope.
"Shopkeeper Lu, even though I no longer wear the uniform, I can't bear to see anyone suffer because of a case I failed to solve!"
"No policeman could ever accept that!"
Looking into his eyes, Lu Fei was moved by Liang Ge's determination and nodded. "If it's an evil object causing this, I'll help!"
"Great!"
Liang Ge beamed with a wide smile, delighted like a child in his thirties.
As a token of gratitude, he promised to continue searching for information about Lu Fei's grandfather and assured him that he would do everything he could if Lu Fei ever needed his help.
After this conversation, Lu Fei found himself liking this seemingly unkempt yet genuinely righteous elder brother.
They exchanged contact information and prepared to leave.
"Shopkeeper Lu, let me drive you," Xie Yao offered, bringing her car around.
The understated luxury of the Mercedes was filled with a faint scent of perfume.
Tiger, sensing the situation, sat in the backseat and pretended to nap with his eyes closed.
"Liang Ge is ten years older than me. I always remember him as a bright and just older brother. No one was surprised when he became a policeman."
"But for some unknown reason, he suddenly left the force. When we asked, he wouldn't say anything and instead opened a detective agency on the old street."
"Even though he seems down and out now, he's still as trustworthy as ever."
Xie Yao felt happier now that she had managed to help Lu Fei, easing some of her guilt.
"Thanks for your help," Lu Fei said, smiling at her.
"No need to thank me; it's what I should do."
Xie Yao's smile was warm, but she noticed Lu Fei's subdued mood. Thinking about his grandfather and parents, her heart sank.
In a soft voice, she said, "Shopkeeper Lu, Old Master Lu is not an ordinary man. I believe he wouldn't be easily harmed. One day, you'll find him."
"Yes." Lu Fei felt her kindness and nodded gratefully.
Xie Yao was a good person, perhaps someone he could consider a friend.
Back on Antique Street.
That night, Lu Fei couldn't sleep.
Under the lamplight, he pored over the few thin pages of information again and again.
He should have been happy to have finally found a clue to his grandfather, but thoughts of his parents' deaths possibly being no accident robbed him of any joy.
If it hadn't been so late, he would have rushed to Tenlong Auction House to demand answers.
What did the sheepskin map record? Was it connected to his parents' deaths? Had his grandfather gone to the place marked on it…
Too many questions.
His mind was a chaotic mess, and he lay awake until dawn.
The next morning, as soon as Tenlong Auction House opened.
Lu Fei and Tiger stepped inside.
At that hour, there were no customers, and two receptionists were whispering behind the counter.
"Xiao Yang, have you heard about that new item the house acquired?"
"What about it?"
"I heard that everyone who has seen it has gone mad. Lingling saw it and hasn't come to work for days. Could it be…"
"Don't say that, or Manager Wan will scold us if he hears."
"How can we not talk about it when something like this happens, making everyone uneasy?"
"Lower your voice; there are guests."
At that moment, Lu Fei approached the counter and asked, "Hello, is Manager Wan Chunhui here?"
"You're looking for Manager Wan?"
The receptionist, dressed in a neat uniform and light makeup, smiled politely. "Are you here to auction something?"
"No, I… I need to consult Manager Wan about an auction item. Could you please inform him?" Lu Fei said politely, suppressing his urgency.
"We compile a list of auction items every month, so there's no need to ask the manager. I'll get the list for you," the receptionist said, going to retrieve it.
"Sorry, the item I want to ask about isn't recent. It's not on the list, and only Manager Wan would know about it."
Seeing how serious Lu Fei was, the receptionist assumed he must be inquiring about something valuable.
"I see… Please wait in the lounge, and I'll notify you when the manager arrives."
She led them to the lounge and even served them tea.
"Thank you."
Seated, Lu Fei began observing the surroundings of Tenlong Auction House.
Luxurious and elegant as expected, but in one direction, Lu Fei noticed black smoke seeping out.