Ya She

Chapter 12 The Silent Shop - Longevity Lock

The doctor looked down at the longevity lock that had been with him for twenty-four years, his mind blank.

The white jade longevity lock was neatly broken in two on the bluestone pavement. The crack was horizontal, precisely shattering the four characters "long life and a hundred years."

This longevity lock was a keepsake from his mother. When he was very young, he was strictly told that this longevity lock must never be removed, so he never took it off, not even when bathing, sleeping, or going to the operating room as an adult. He had thought about changing the red string that tied the longevity lock, but although the red string had worn down over the past twenty-four years, it was still tied very securely, so he gave up the idea.

Who would have thought that it would break down so suddenly today without any warning?

The doctor stared blankly at the longevity lock broken in two on the ground. Although he was indifferent to material possessions, seeing the beautiful jade that had been with him for twenty-four years shatter before his eyes still made his heart tremble. After a moment of stunned heartache, he came to his senses and bent down to pick it up.

But a slender, fair hand moved even faster than him, and the longevity lock, broken in two, lay quietly in the boss's palm in the blink of an eye. Seeing that he had no intention of returning it, the doctor looked over in confusion.

"Do you... feel anything?" The shopkeeper carefully examined the doctor's face and asked quietly.

"Feeling?" the doctor asked, puzzled. "What feeling?"

This question stumped the boss. He looked at the unharmed doctor in disbelief, then silently dragged him toward the main road.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" The doctor sensed that something was very wrong with the boss. His thin lips, which were usually curved in an unfathomable arc, were now pressed into a straight line, and even his long eyebrows, which rarely furrowed, were twisted into a knot.

"Find someone to fix this longevity lock of yours." The shop owner stood by the roadside, waved, and hailed a taxi.

Upon hearing this, the doctor immediately and obediently got into the car with the boss. He had an extraordinary attachment to this longevity lock. Although it was broken, he had just successfully extricated himself from the supernatural event involving the white snake umbrella, and he was very curious about what miracles the boss could pull off next.

Upon hearing the boss mention a place to the driver, the doctor knew the destination was extremely far. He sighed, took out his phone, and called Chun Ge, apologizing for having to reschedule his birthday party. On the other end of the line, Chun Ge's ambiguous laughter came through, teasing the doctor that he was probably having a romantic candlelight dinner with someone.

A candlelight dinner, my foot! He almost got eaten by a snake spirit for dinner!

The doctor explained that it was impossible, so I could only put down my phone with a wry smile. I stole a glance at my boss sitting upright next to me, thinking to myself that I had truly had a thrilling birthday.

Although the longevity lock he had worn for twenty-four years broke unexpectedly, leaving the doctor feeling down, he quickly became tired and sleepy once his tense nerves relaxed. The doctor simply closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, and vaguely didn't know how much time had passed before he felt the car stop. He was passively pulled out of the car by his boss and realized with a start that they were standing in front of an incredibly luxurious villa.

Upon seeing the grandeur of the villa, the doctor immediately woke up, his eyes shining.

This villa, designed in the style of ancient Chinese architecture, actually resembles an ancient palace. However, it's not a complete imitation; many details incorporate modern, streamlined designs, yet the overall effect is harmonious and aesthetically pleasing, like a fine work of art that leaves one in awe. This villa is somewhat famous, frequently featured in architecture magazines, so the doctor was quite familiar with it. However, this is only true of its exterior; reportedly, the villa refuses interviews regarding its interior, so its interior design remains undisclosed.

The boss pressed the intercom on the iron gate, startling the doctor, who hadn't expected that the person he was looking for lived in this villa.

The massive iron gate swung open after a moment, revealing a cobblestone path. The garden in front of the villa wasn't large, but in this city where land was incredibly valuable, it was breathtaking. The doctor looked around, then followed the owner. Antique wind chimes hung from the eaves of the villa; occasionally, a breeze would blow, and the brass chimes would produce a series of clear, crisp sounds, creating a unique scene in the twilight. The doctor couldn't help but slow down, wanting to take a closer look, but the owner was in a great hurry and strode into the villa. The doctor had no choice but to follow.

Upon entering the villa, one is greeted by a magnificent, gilded corridor lined with meticulously arranged antiques. Although the doctor didn't have time to examine them closely, he knew these antiques were undoubtedly priceless. Beyond the corridor lay an exceptionally bright living room, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides offering direct views of the lake. The setting sun reflected on the shimmering water, bathing the entire living room in a dazzling yellow light; at first glance, the whole house seemed to be crafted from gold.

The doctor blinked several times before noticing a man sitting on the sofa in the living room. The man had an ordinary face, medium build, and looked to be in his forties or fifties, but his eyes were like a child's—clear and bright. His head was completely bald, reflecting the setting sun like a giant light bulb. The doctor knew this must be the owner of the villa, but before he could even know how to address him, the man smiled warmly at the owner and pointed to the sofa, saying, "A rare guest indeed! Please sit! Please sit!"

The boss didn't move, but the doctor reflexively sat down. The sofa was so soft that it instantly lulled him into a sweet dream, leaving him without the strength to stand up, or even to wake up forever.

The doctor was still a little dazed when the shop owner handed over the longevity lock he had been clutching, saying calmly, "Master, I've come to you to see if this longevity lock can still be repaired."

Upon hearing the way the boss addressed the man, the doctor suddenly remembered that this man had given a lecture at the museum during a previous exhibition. This middle-aged man, referred to as a master, was a renowned figure in the world of collecting, whose secret skill, passed down through generations, was the restoration of antiques.

Unexpectedly, he was the owner of this villa.

Although the shopkeeper handed over the longevity lock, the master didn't take it. Instead, he touched his bald head and smiled shyly, saying, "Sir, you know my rules. I charge for repairing other people's antiques. But the antiques you brought aren't ordinary. Every time I repair one, I lose a hair. It's not that I don't want to repair them, but... look, I've already lost all my hair!"

The doctor's lips twitched upon hearing this. He knew that people who collected things were somewhat abnormal, but he never expected that they would have such a strange habit as hair loss.

The boss's expression remained unchanged as he continued calmly, "Take a look first. It shouldn't be anything bad, right?"

"Haha, yes, let me see! Let me take a look first!" The master rubbed his hands together, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wrapped it up, and took the longevity lock that had been broken in two.

The doctor had been watching the master's expression the moment he took the longevity lock. The master shuddered, sat up straight, and shakily picked up the remote control from the coffee table and pressed a few buttons.

The living room curtains automatically drew back, blocking out the harsh sunlight, and the lights inside turned on, soft yet bright as day. The doctor watched as the master craftsman pulled out a set of various magnifying glasses from the coffee table and began to examine the longevity lock, now broken in two, with great care.

The doctor was waiting for the master's conclusion, but after more than ten minutes, the master was still turning the longevity lock over and over, and the doctor began to get bored. The boss remained standing upright, his eyes fixed on the master without relaxing for a moment, as if afraid that he would switch the longevity lock in the blink of an eye.

More than ten minutes later, the master slumped back, sinking into the soft sofa, muttering to himself, "What a sin... what a sin!" He repeated these three words over and over, his voice growing from barely audible to furious, until finally his face turned red with rage, and he waved his hand at the air, shouting, "Who! Who broke this longevity lock!"

The doctor was speechless. Before he could even think of a reply, the master turned to him, his voice filled with grief and indignation as he roared, "It must be you! The boss wouldn't be so reckless. I'd trade you this villa for a longevity lock! How could you be so careless as to break it! What a tragedy!"

The doctor was stunned by the master craftsman's reaction. From the owner's attitude, he had already guessed that this longevity lock was no ordinary item, but he never imagined it would be this valuable! This villa was already the most luxurious in the city, and designed by a renowned architect, it was practically becoming a landmark. And this small longevity lock was worth a villa?
The doctor felt an unbearable pain in his neck just thinking about how he used to wear a villa around his neck all the time.

The boss snorted coldly and said, "Only worth a villa? You underestimate this longevity lock."

The master craftsman, as if provoked, shouted, "How much do you think I paid for this villa? This is the most prime location in the city, where every inch of land is worth more than gold! You can't buy it even if you have money! Moreover, I traded a piece of Song Dynasty porcelain for that designer to design it for me, using the most advanced and top-quality materials. It's no exaggeration to call it a work of art! Even if this longevity lock was carved by Lu Zigang, it's only worth about the same as this villa!"

"Carved by Lu Zigang? Who is this Lu Zigang?" Afraid that the two of them would start arguing, the doctor quickly changed the subject, "Master, how could you tell who carved this longevity lock? I don't remember there being any signature on it!"

"You rascal, you don't even know Lu Zigang! Lu Zigang was the most famous jade carving master of the late Ming Dynasty. His techniques, such as raised relief, openwork carving, and incised lines, were all unparalleled. In particular, he could even carve shallow relief effects. Moreover, his works all had inscriptions, but the placement of the inscriptions was very particular, mostly in inconspicuous places such as the bottom or inside the lid. Legend has it that Emperor Shenzong of Ming once ordered him to carve a jade pot, strictly forbidding him from signing the pot. Lu Zigang, however, cleverly used his internal carving skills, relying solely on touch, to subtly place his name inside the spout of the jade pot." The master had been lonely all day, and now that someone had finally come to listen to his lecture, he immediately began to speak eloquently. "Although this longevity lock doesn't have an inscription, look at the back. Within the lotus pattern, there are two characters. They are the two characters 'Zigang'."

The doctor took the half of the longevity lock from the master craftsman, examined it closely with a magnifying glass, and sure enough, discovered two graceful seal characters that perfectly connected to the patterns on the lotus flower—a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The doctor found it amazing; he had worn this longevity lock on his body for twenty-four years, memorizing every detail, yet he had never noticed the two characters hidden within the lotus flower's patterns.

“That kid Lu Zigang, I told him not to leave his mark on this longevity lock, and he really is that stubborn. No wonder he was killed by the emperor in the end.” The shopkeeper sighed from the side, but his tone was completely different from the master’s, as if he knew Lu Zigang.

"Huh? He's dead?" The doctor immediately realized his mistake. How could someone from the late Ming Dynasty still be alive? So, feeling embarrassed, he added, "He was murdered?"

"Yes, legend has it that Lu Zigang once carved his name on the dragon head pattern after making a jade carving for the emperor, which angered the emperor and led to his execution. Lu Zigang died young without descendants, and his extraordinary skills were lost. That's why surviving pieces of Zigang jade are so rare. Although there are countless fakes in later generations, only a handful of genuine Zigang jade pieces have been authenticated and are either displayed in museums or kept in private collections." The master sighed regretfully, then took the longevity lock back from the doctor and stroked it with remorse.

The doctor was still confused, feeling as if he were listening to a story, and had no idea how it connected to the longevity lock he wore every day.

The master suddenly exclaimed, "Something's not right! This jade has a gleaming patina, incredibly smooth and lustrous, warm and full of spirit. It must be much older... but it doesn't look earthy at all..." The master examined it repeatedly under the light, becoming increasingly excited. "This jade has been handled for at least two or three hundred years! What a disaster! What a disaster! Young man, where did you get this jade from?!"

The last sentence was spoken menacingly to the doctor, who replied blankly, "It's my mother's keepsake... well, it can't really be considered my mother's keepsake. My grandfather said that when I was born prematurely, a gentleman gave me this longevity lock and told me to wear it with me at all times and never take it off. I've worn it like this for twenty-four years, and today the red string suddenly broke, and the longevity lock shattered..."

The master's face grew increasingly contorted as he listened. He could tell at a glance that this young man was an amateur. Jade shouldn't be worn close to the body, much less come into contact with soap or other chemicals. If he hadn't taken it off for twenty-four years, it meant he had worn it even while bathing and sleeping. The fact that the jade was still lustrous and smooth meant that it had been handled and polished for hundreds of years, or even longer, before it was carved.

"Playing with jade" refers to the process of handling and wearing jade over a long period of time, much like a butterfly struggling through its pupa, gradually shedding its rough outer shell. Even the most beautiful colors and patinas of ancient jade will remain hidden without this process, making the jade's inherent qualities even more difficult to see, and its true nature will not be restored, leaving it resembling a stubborn rock. Therefore, the ancients highly valued and emphasized the methods of playing with jade. The book "Distinguishing Ancient Jade" categorizes playing with jade into three types: gentle playing, vigorous playing, and intentional playing. Gentle playing involves wearing the jade year-round with meticulous care, sometimes for decades. Vigorous playing involves rubbing the jade with a white cloth, using the high temperature generated by friction to force out the jade's inherent qualities. Although this process is much faster than gentle playing, a slight mishap can ruin the beautiful jade. Intentional playing is even more ethereal; it requires a virtuous person to hold the jade in their palm, choose a place where spiritual energy is concentrated, and communicate with the jade through intention. Only those with extremely high spiritual attainment can accomplish this. The master initially focused on the carving of the broken longevity lock, but when he noticed the jade material, he almost jumped up.

Only Lu Zigang would be willing to use his Kunwu knife on such jade material, and only Lu Zigang's jade carving skills could be worthy of this piece of jade.

The master was stunned for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh: "If this longevity lock were intact, I would trade it for both villas, let alone this one."

The doctor was numb to it all; since the longevity lock was already broken, it didn't matter what he said.

The owner, however, said calmly, "Even if you add all the collections in your villa, it still wouldn't be worth this longevity lock."

The master's expression changed, but he didn't lose his temper. His villa was valuable, but the collection within was even more precious, many being rare treasures passed down through generations. Now, after the shop owner's words, the master almost wanted to jump up and argue with him. However, his family and the shop owner were old friends; the shop owner and his grandfather were close confidants, but the shop owner also knew that the master never made careless comments about antiques.

The master held the longevity lock and began to rack his brains, trying to recall which piece of jade could be so precious. After thinking for a while, he chuckled and said, "Boss, don't tell me this longevity lock is Jia Baoyu's magical jade. The inscription on that one doesn't match up!" However, apart from that piece of jade, the master really couldn't think of anything else.

"The Spirit Jade is no ordinary item; it won't break easily, and it always finds its own destined owner." The shopkeeper slightly curled his lips. "The jade in your hand comes from the same piece as the He Shi Bi; it's a leftover scrap from carving the He Shi Bi."

"The He Shi Bi jade?" The master was suddenly shocked, knowing that if the shopkeeper's words were true, then this longevity lock was indeed priceless. The jade material, passed down from the Warring States period, with thousands of years of heritage, coupled with Lu Zigang's jade carving skills, was simply invaluable! Yet this priceless treasure, which had remained intact for so long, had shattered so easily today! The master's eyes almost turned bloodshot as he glared angrily at the doctor beside him.

The doctor shrank back into the sofa, feeling that the air conditioning in the living room was set far too low.

"The He Shi Bi jade was discovered in the Jing Mountains by Bian He, a master jade carver during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Initially unknown, it was later appreciated by King Wen of Chu, who crafted it into a masterpiece and named it the He Shi Bi, thus making it a treasure passed down through generations. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it passed through several hands before finally ending up in Qin, where it was used by Qin Shi Huang to make the Imperial Seal. When the Imperial Seal was made, two pieces of the He Shi Bi jade, one large and one small, were left over. The larger piece was about the size of a palm, white jade like mutton fat, while the smaller piece was about the size of a finger, with a pale blue hue. Because he hadn't decided how to carve it, Qin Shi Huang bestowed these two pieces of jade, one large and one small, upon his sons. The larger piece was given to his eldest son, Fusu, and the smaller piece to his youngest son, Huhai." The shopkeeper recounted slowly, his slightly hoarse voice echoing in the empty living room, as if carrying the weight of a bygone era.

The master's eyes flickered, his focus clearly shifting: "After the fall of Qin, the Imperial Seal of the State came into the possession of Liu Bang of Han. Whoever possessed the Imperial Seal of the State would rule the world. This He Shi Bi jade passed from hand to hand among emperors until it reached the Tang Dynasty. However, during the Five Dynasties period, the world was in chaos, and the whereabouts of the imperial seal became unknown..." He glanced at the shopkeeper. Although he knew nothing about the shopkeeper's background, decades of acquaintance had taught him that many rare treasures lost to history were hidden in the Silent Shop. Of course, he had no intention of possessing it, but even just glimpsing such a legendary treasure would be worthwhile for a lifetime.

The boss, however, did not understand his meaning. He was still immersed in his long memories, and vaguely saw the figure of Qin Shi Huang holding the jade seal and looking down on the world. But in the blink of an eye, it turned into the scene of Ziying kneeling before Liu Bang to accept the surrender of the He Shi Bi jade...

The boss suddenly started coughing violently. The doctor quickly poured him a glass of water and handed it to him, only to be shocked to find blood seeping from between the boss's fingers as he covered his mouth.

Between those deathly pale fingers, the blood was an eerily glaring color. The doctor, displaying his professionalism, quickly regained his composure and attempted to pull the shopkeeper aside for a brief examination. But the shopkeeper brushed his hand away, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the blood from his lips and palms, and casually asked the astonished master craftsman, "I'm running out of time, so I won't say any more. Can you repair this longevity lock?"

The master scratched his bald head and said with difficulty, "If it were ordinary jade, I would try to glue it back together. But if the jade is broken, it means it has protected its owner from a calamity. It must not be worn anymore; it must be wrapped in red cloth and stored away safely. Especially such a precious piece of jade, if handled improperly, it could cause serious trouble. Jade has a spirit, but it also has an evil nature. Broken jade can easily attract bad things..." As the master spoke, he felt guilty and stood up to solemnly return the longevity lock, broken in two, to the shopkeeper.

The boss was well aware of what the master had said, but when he suddenly saw the jade he had protected for thousands of years shatter, he was in a state of utter confusion and found it hard to accept.

Over the years, he had witnessed so many antiquities crumble and destroy before his eyes, and he thought he had long since become indifferent. It seems that wasn't the case; it was simply that what was broken wasn't something he truly cherished.

The boss took the longevity lock, still warm from the master's touch, from his hands. Looking at the doctor beside him, who seemed to be in good spirits but had a worried expression on his face, he pondered the phrase, "The jade's shattering was to protect its owner from a calamity."

Could it be that he's been misunderstanding all along? Is it actually a good thing that the longevity lock broke?

The shopkeeper composed himself, took a deep breath, cupped his hands in greeting to the master, and said, "Excuse me, I'll be leaving now."

The master noticed the tear in the man's Zhongshan suit at a glance because of his action, and his expression changed drastically as he asked, "You... how did your clothes get torn?"

The shopkeeper chuckled nonchalantly, "Clothes are just clothes. If even clothes can tear, how can they not?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses, noticing the stark difference in the two men's attitudes. The owner of the suit seemed like a master, while the shopkeeper appeared completely unconcerned. Could this suit also be an antique? The doctor stared at the crimson dragon on the Zhongshan suit, not believing his earlier visions were illusions—he truly saw the dragon moving.

The master's face was as cold as ice. He grabbed the boss's arm and led him to a room to the side, saying fiercely, "Come with me."

"Didn't you say you'd lost all your hair and couldn't fix things for me?" the shopkeeper said jokingly, raising an eyebrow.

"It's just a try. I'm not confident. After all, my skills are far inferior to my grandfather's. I can't possibly repair such a lifelike red dragon." The master's voice sounded somewhat wistful.

The doctor watched the two disappear into the inner room, consciously choosing not to follow, but that didn't stop him from hearing those two sentences. That moving dragon also had something to do with this master craftsman? A man embroidering? The doctor pointed out that if there were a mirror in front of him, he would definitely see how distorted his expression was.

Once the two left, the doctor became bored, but he couldn't just leave without saying goodbye, so he sat down again in the living room. Fortunately, there was a bookshelf in the living room filled with books and magazines, which the doctor casually flipped through while sipping tea, finding some enjoyment in it. However, these magazines about the world of collecting were far too boring, and the sofa was far too soft and comfortable. In the end, he simply slumped onto the sofa and fell asleep completely.

The doctor only realized he had slept until after 11 p.m. when his boss woke him up. The master himself drove them home. The doctor glanced at his boss and noticed that the torn parts of his clothes had only been roughly stitched up with thread. The stitches were terrible, even worse than his own skill in stitching wounds.

How could such a simple needlework task take several hours to complete?

The doctor inwardly expressed his disdain, but wisely kept it hidden on his face.

The master drove them to the entrance of the Silent House and then turned back to normal. The doctor wanted to yawn and stretch, but when he got out of the car and was hit by the cold wind, he immediately felt refreshed.

"Would you like to go back first? Or come in and sit for a while?" Seeing that the doctor didn't intend to leave, the boss asked politely.

"Come in and have a seat. I have some questions I'd like to ask you." The doctor looked intently at the owner, eager for answers to his questions.

The shopkeeper neither confirmed nor denied it. He lowered his head, pushed open the carved door of the Silent Shop, took out a match from the cabinet next to the door, and lit the Changxin Palace Lantern at the entrance.

The dim lights flickered in the quiet night, and suddenly the Western clock from the Republic of China era on the display cabinet began to chime—it was midnight.

The boss breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the doctor's birthday was finally over. Just as he was congratulating himself on successfully turning twenty-four and escaping a disaster, he suddenly felt a strong force coming from behind. Caught off guard, he was knocked and stumbled, only managing to stand up by taking a step forward and grabbing the counter for support.

Turning around in a panic, the boss was horrified to find that the doctor had his eyes closed and was leaning against his back, already unconscious.

He felt as if he were walking in a thick fog.

The fog was so thick that the surroundings were completely obscured. Even reaching out a hand revealed only vague shadows, leaving the doctor utterly disoriented. Looking down, he couldn't see his own feet, and with no idea what lay ahead, the doctor dared not move.

What on earth happened? His last memory was walking into the Silent Shop, how come it seems like he got here in the blink of an eye?
The doctor paused for a moment, then suddenly heard a faint voice coming from afar. Standing there like an idiot wasn't going to work, and the doctor was convinced he was in a dream, so he figured nothing could threaten his safety and followed the sound.

The fog gradually thinned, and the doctor saw that he was standing on blue bricks. These blue bricks were different from the ones he had seen in the secret room of the Silent House. The blue bricks under his feet had perfect carvings, inlaid with gold leaf and various jade stones, so magnificent that they were breathtaking.

The mist surrounding him slowly dissipated, and the doctor found himself in an extremely magnificent palace, surrounded by many people dressed in elaborate ancient costumes. At first, the doctor was startled by this sight, but he relaxed when he realized that these people couldn't see him. It was indeed a dream. The doctor looked around the palace with great interest, his attention drawn most to a richly dressed man standing at the very front. The man was tall and imposing, standing ramrod straight like a towering pine tree, possessing extraordinary bearing. He was only in his early twenties, yet he exuded an aura of supreme authority.

The doctor couldn't help but take a second look at him, only to discover that he was holding a swaddled baby with a sleeping infant inside.

"On the mountain grows the hibiscus, in the marsh grows the lotus. My eldest son shall be named Fusu!" the tall man holding the infant said with a carefree laugh, and a group of officials below began to offer their congratulations. The chorus of congratulations woke the sleeping baby, who began to cry loudly, while the doctors watching were stunned.

Fusu? How many people in this world have that name? There was only one prince named Fusu in history.

Could this tall and imposing man be Qin Shi Huang?
The doctor wanted to take another look, but the fog that had dissipated reappeared, almost instantly filling the entire space. It not only blocked the view but also the sound, and gradually even the baby's cries could no longer be heard.

The doctor believed he was dreaming, so he remained calm and patiently waited.

Not long after, the fog suddenly dissipated, revealing an even more magnificent palace, though its basic structure was similar to the original, even down to the blue bricks underfoot. It appeared to be a council chamber, filled with various officials. The man resembling Qin Shi Huang sat at the head of the table. What surprised the doctor was that the person reporting on the council's affairs was a child who looked only about ten years old. There were at least a hundred people in the hall, yet this child remained unfazed, speaking fluently and confidently, his clear voice echoing throughout the empty hall.

Could this be the legendary Prince Fusu?
The doctor had discovered that the man resembling Qin Shi Huang had lost the childishness that lingered in his features, and his demeanor had become increasingly composed and dignified. He appeared to be in his thirties, indicating that this scene was clearly set many years after the birth of Prince Fusu. However, this ten-year-old child bore absolutely no resemblance to Qin Shi Huang standing in the palace.

Anyway, since no one here could see him, the doctor walked right up to the child before stopping. The child had rosy lips and white teeth, and only reached the doctor's waist. The more the doctor looked at the child, the more familiar he felt, and the answer seemed to be on the tip of his tongue.

Just as the doctor was wondering what was going on, he suddenly felt someone tap him on the back. A familiar voice, as if relieved, said, "I've finally found you."

The doctor turned around and saw the pale-faced boss. Then, as if he had seen a ghost, he looked back and forth between the boss and the child, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.

The shopkeeper smiled wryly and said, "I didn't expect you to come here. Yes, this child is me when I was a child."

The doctor felt as if someone was choking him, staring intently at the boss in disbelief.

He began to think that this was not a dream. No matter how outrageous his fantasies were, he would never dream of a dream with such a complete setup.

At this moment, a majestic voice rang out in the hall, slowly saying, "Gan Luo was sent to Zhao and obtained the land of Hejian without losing a single soldier. His achievement is commendable. You are hereby appointed as a high minister, and your ancestor Gan Mao's land and residence are also granted to him."

The doctor pointed to the young boy bowing in gratitude in the hall and asked hesitantly, "You... this is Gan Luo? The child prodigy Gan Luo who became prime minister at the age of twelve?"

"In the Qin system, the rank of the Chancellor and the Senior Minister were roughly the same, which is why there's the saying that a twelve-year-old could become Chancellor." The shopkeeper looked around with great nostalgia, finally fixing his gaze on one spot. The doctor followed his gaze and saw a boy in his teens standing behind the screen behind Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng. The boy was handsome, dressed in fine clothes and a crown. Although he didn't have Ying Zheng's imposing aura, his features were remarkably similar.

"Is this Young Master Fusu?" The doctor felt a strange sensation as he looked at this man, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Before he could sort out his thoughts, the mist instantly enveloped them again, even obscuring the palace. Strangely, although the mist was thick, the doctor could still see his boss standing beside him.

"I know you have questions. Keep reading, and you'll know everything you want to know," the boss said calmly, his entire being appearing somewhat unreal in the swirling mist.

The doctor composed himself. Although what the boss said was unbelievable, he had indeed heard the boss say before that the white snake was a medicinal snake raised by his master, and that the white snake was over two thousand years old. The Warring States period was more than two thousand years ago, and Gan Luo's appearance was so similar to the boss's...

Could it be that the boss is really Gan Luo?
The doctor stared intently at his boss, the thick fog making his expression even more enigmatic. The doctor suddenly remembered that in official history, Gan Luo's birth and death dates were unknown; there was no record of this extraordinary child prodigy's ultimate fate. Logically, as a nobleman of Qin, even if Gan Luo had died of old age, there should have been some mention of him in Qin history. But this man was like a shooting star, suddenly flashing across the Qin court before vanishing in an instant.

Or is it that... the historical records did not record the cause of Gan Luo's death because he never actually died?
The doctor suddenly felt his mouth go dry, and just as he was about to ask, the fog suddenly dissipated. This time, the scene wasn't a palace, but a simply furnished study. Several years seemed to have passed again; Gan Luo had grown from a child into a young man, his face increasingly resembling his boss's, except that he lacked his boss's unique, profound air, possessing only innocence and naivety.

"The Emperor Qin appointed me as a high-ranking minister, but given my merits during my mission to Zhao, I was not worthy of the position. It wasn't a whim of the First Emperor, but rather a way to appease the old nobles of Qin. Although I was called a high-ranking minister, no one treated me as such. The First Emperor seemed to have anticipated this situation, and soon after, he had me study with Prince Fusu, making me his study companion," the innkeeper said slowly. The doctor watched as the now-young Prince Fusu entered the study, and the two began discussing politics with great familiarity, sometimes clapping and laughing, sometimes arguing heatedly.

The doctor then realized why historical accounts of Gan Luo ended with his appointment as prime minister at the age of twelve: Gan Luo had become the crown prince's study companion, essentially part of Qin Shi Huang's inner circle of advisors for Fusu. If Prince Fusu were to ascend the throne, the previously dormant Gan Luo would undoubtedly shine brightly in Qin Dynasty history.

Unfortunately, the final Qin Er Shi was not Fusu, but his younger brother Huhai.

The thought of this first true crown prince of China, this gentle and refined young man, dying so young, filled the doctor with a deep sorrow. This feeling was truly inexplicable. As a conscientious doctor, he had long since learned to be indifferent to life and death. Besides, this Prince Fusu had died more than two thousand years ago; why was he so grieving for him?
The doctor quickly composed himself and subconsciously turned to look at his boss, taking in the nostalgic look in the other's eyes.

He was probably the one who felt it the most.

The doctor didn't know what it felt like to live alone in the world for over two thousand years, watching one's relatives and friends die one by one, leaving only oneself to wander aimlessly...

The doctor suddenly understood why the owner was in the antique business. Only those antiques, like him, possessed a long history, bearing the weight of time, witnessing the changing times and the passing of generations…

The fog came and went, revealing scene after scene, sometimes fleeting, sometimes lingering for a long time. The doctor felt as if he were watching someone's memories.

He thought to himself that it was most likely the boss's.

As the scene unfolded through the mist, more and more figures of Qin Shi Huang appeared. The doctor, unable to understand their semi-classical conversation and finding their discussions of politics rather tedious, stopped seeking a translator from his boss. At that moment, the scene shifted to the legendary assassination attempt on the King of Qin by Jing Ke.

Jing Ke knelt silently before the Qin Emperor and respectfully presented him with the map. The map scroll unfurled inch by inch, until finally, the dagger was revealed. Jing Ke swiftly grabbed the Emperor's sleeve, and with his other hand, a gleaming dagger shot out—a sharp blade aimed at the Qin Emperor. The Emperor broke free, tearing open his sleeve to dodge the attack.

Jing Ke's sword missed its mark; he had come with the determination to die, vowing not to rest until he killed the King of Qin. The King of Qin drew his sword to parry, wounding Jing Ke. Blood splattered, and Jing Ke threw his dagger at the King of Qin, but missed again, and was once more stabbed by the King of Qin, falling to the ground wounded.

Watching Jing Ke struggle and roar, cursing the tyranny of the King of Qin, the doctor couldn't help but ask, "Boss, do you think Qin Shi Huang was a tyrant?"

The boss glanced at him and said calmly, "Prince Dan sent Jing Ke to assassinate the First Emperor, who nearly lost his life. However, when Qin conquered Yan, it didn't even harm the kings and ministers of Yan. After unifying the Central Plains and conquering the six states, the First Emperor didn't massacre any cities or slaughter any of the kings and nobles of the six states. Yet, these people later became the main force against Qin. If the First Emperor was truly a tyrant, then why was Liu Bang from Chu allowed to become an official? And why was Xiang Yu, a descendant of Chu nobility, able to grow up so smoothly?"

The doctor was stunned by his boss's words, and also because at that very moment, Jing Ke was slain by a swarm of Qin soldiers right before his eyes. The splattered blood almost reached his feet, and although this scene was separated from him by more than two thousand years, the doctor could still almost smell the chilling stench of blood. "You said the rebels against Qin were the princes and nobles of the six states? But I remember the first uprising was led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang of Dazexiang, right? They were all commoners; it was Qin Shi Huang's excessive corvée labor that forced them to rebel."

The boss snorted and said, "Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty said that the Chen Sheng and Wu Guang uprising was caused by the punishment of beheading for being late for corvée labor. However, recently unearthed Qin bamboo slips say that the punishment for being late by less than five days was only a verbal reprimand, and for more than five days, only a fine. Everyone says that the laws of the Qin Dynasty were harsh, but the opposite is true. The laws of the Qin Empire already contained clauses protecting criminals that did not appear in the West for two thousand years. The Records of the Grand Historian also records that many cases assigned by Qin Shi Huang could not be solved, which is unimaginable in later generations. Because under torture, even if the criminal cannot be found, a scapegoat can be found. This shows that the Qin Dynasty did not use torture to extract confessions. Compared with the countless wrongful convictions in later dynasties, the Qin Dynasty was already considered enlightened."

The doctor was speechless, yet also intrigued. "Could it be that Qin Shi Huang was a wise and invincible emperor without any flaws? Were all those accusations fabricated?"

"What crimes? Tell me." The innkeeper smiled slightly. He had been holding back his anger for two thousand years over the prejudice people held against Qin Shi Huang. If he had said this to anyone else, they would probably have thought he was crazy. He then turned to examine the doctor closely. He was standing right there, and he could see scenes from over two thousand years ago. Fate had shifted and turned for thousands of years, but in this moment, it seemed as if he had returned to the beginning—back then, he and she had stood on the smooth blue bricks, discussing politics and debating state affairs. There was no crown prince, no pageboy, only a shared ideal and ambition—to establish a great Qin dynasty that would last for a thousand generations!

Although he hasn't regained his memories of his past life, he hasn't experienced this exhilarating feeling of arguing with someone in a very, very long time...

The doctor, oblivious to the boss's dazed expression, racked his brains to recall Qin Shi Huang's tyrannical crimes, and began by saying the least serious one: "He wantonly killed innocent people!"

"Hmph, the First Emperor reigned for 37 years and never killed a single general or minister. Every dynasty that followed, without exception, eradicated the previous dynasty. Some even went so far as to exterminate their own people. Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, practically killed all his comrades who rebelled against him, without exception, their entire families executed. Did anyone later call Liu Bang a tyrant? No. Because those who hated him were all wiped out. Even Sima Qian, in his *Records of the Grand Historian*, dared not speak carelessly, otherwise Emperor Wu of Han would have easily burned his years of painstaking work." The shopkeeper's face showed disdain.

"Didn't Qin Shi Huang also burn books and bury scholars alive? Wasn't that also eliminating those who criticized him?" the doctor said indignantly.

The boss didn't immediately refute, but waited for the surrounding mist to dissipate. The scene was now in a vibrant imperial garden, where Qin Shi Huang, seated on a reclining chair, didn't appear dignified, but rather affectionately teased the child in his arms. Fusu and Gan Luo stood at a distance, Fusu, now an adult, unable to hide his envy.

"Who is this child?" The doctor forgot the debate they had just had and was equally surprised by Qin Shi Huang's rare display of tenderness.

The boss closed his eyes, sighed deeply, and said, "He is Hu Hai."

The doctor gasped. Was this truly the tyrannical and profligate Qin Er Shi, Hu Hai? Although he knew that Qin Shi Huang might have committed various crimes, he was, after all, the First Emperor who unified the Central Plains. The empire he had built hadn't been passed down through generations as Qin Shi Huang had predicted, but instead had been squandered by Qin Er Shi. Looking at that innocent child, the doctor couldn't imagine that he would grow up to be so cruel and ruthless.

"Remember when I mentioned the jade material for the longevity lock? It was around this time that the First Emperor unified the Central Plains, polished the He Shi Bi jade into the Imperial Seal of the State, and bestowed the remaining two pieces of jade upon his eldest son, Fusu, and his youngest son, Huhai," the shopkeeper said calmly. At this moment, the scene showed Fusu receiving the crystal-clear jade piece, not daring to carve it arbitrarily, but simply attaching a red cord and wearing it close to his body.

"This... I remember that during the Warring States period, there was no concept of primogeniture or the eldest son inheriting the throne, right?" The doctor also understood the deeper meaning in the boss's words.

"Yes, so although Fusu was officially the first in line to inherit the throne, anyone with eyes could see that the First Emperor favored Huhai." The shopkeeper sighed as he watched the changing images of the First Emperor beating Fusu. "Actually, the First Emperor was harsh on Prince Fusu because he wanted to hand over the empire to him. He doted on Huhai because this younger son wouldn't have to inherit this vast country. Alas... Prince Fusu didn't like political intrigue at all; he loved reading medical books the most..." The shopkeeper spoke the last sentence very softly, but couldn't help glancing at the doctor beside him.

The doctor, not hearing the boss's last words, was filled with indignation. If Qin Shi Huang hadn't given Hu Hai the wrong impression and had treated everyone equally, perhaps none of this would have happened. But then again, wouldn't it be too tragic if an emperor didn't even have the freedom to favor whomever he wanted?
Because of this incident, the two did not continue their debate and the atmosphere returned to harmony. The boss watched the ever-changing misty scene, occasionally pointing out the characters and events to the doctor, who listened with great interest, as if watching a real 3D projected television series.

"Oh, right, Qin Shi Huang also had another major crime: massive construction projects! The Great Wall, the Epang Palace, the Lishan Mausoleum—weren't they all huge projects?" The doctor recalled their earlier conversation when he saw Qin Shi Huang standing in front of a map studying the construction site of the Great Wall.

The boss curled his lip and sighed, "After the Qin Dynasty conquered the six states, what happened to the remaining soldiers? Did they retire to their fields? That's not a solution. Prolonged peace inevitably leads to chaos. They either continued to expand outwards or engaged in massive construction projects. Every dynasty has done this without exception. Emperor Wu of Han repeatedly led troops to conquer the Xiongnu, and the Sui, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties were no exception. Even Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty personally led military campaigns during peacetime. This is one way to resolve internal conflicts."

The doctor suddenly understood. This method has indeed been used from ancient times to the present, not to mention in modern society. A certain major country even launched some kind of war in order to divert attention from its domestic economic crisis!

Seeing that the doctor didn't refute him, the shopkeeper continued, "Leaving aside the praise and criticism of the Great Wall in later generations, every dynasty after the Qin Dynasty built sections of it. Doesn't that demonstrate its importance? The First Emperor didn't pursue external expansion because he considered the people's livelihood. You might not believe me if I just said it, but the unearthed bamboo slips from the Shuihudi Qin tomb clearly record that corvée labor in the Qin Dynasty was paid, provided with meals, and even clothing. Do you think the common people preferred fighting or working?"

The doctor was completely speechless, his mind replaying the boss's words, a complete mess.

"This is the truth behind the burning of books and burying of scholars alive," the shopkeeper suddenly said. The doctor's eyes widened immediately. Fearing he wouldn't understand from just a few scenes, the shopkeeper slowly explained, "The catalyst for the burning of books and burying of scholars alive was that the First Emperor pursued immortality but feared being poisoned. Therefore, the alchemists who presented him with pills had to make two pills at the same time, and several attendants were specifically assigned to test them. Only after a month, if there were no abnormalities, would the pill be taken. Then, one day, one of the attendants who tested the pills suddenly died."

On the screen, Qin Shi Huang was raging, while the people below remained silent. The doctor frowned and said, "Modern research has proven that the mercury, alum, and other substances contained in ancient alchemy are heavy metals, highly toxic to the human body. Accumulation to a certain level will definitely cause side effects. In fact, many emperors in history have died from taking elixirs; the legend of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, is that he died because of this. What's the point of pursuing immortality..." The doctor suddenly stopped talking because he then realized that there seemed to be an immortal person next to him.

The boss nodded nonchalantly, saying, "Yes, but at the time, no one knew that the elixir was inherently poisonous. There was also no way to verify whose elixir the test subject had consumed and who caused his death. Furthermore, the discovery of Hou Sheng, Lu Sheng, and others' embezzlement and misappropriation of funds led the First Emperor to decide to execute the relevant alchemists. In modern terms, they were defrauding research funds. There were 463 perpetrators, all with conclusive evidence, and their crimes were punishable by death; they were all beheaded. This was the only instance of the 'burying of scholars,' or more accurately, the 'burying of alchemists.' In the *Records of the Grand Historian*, Sima Qian also believed it was the burying of alchemists, but later generations embellished and exaggerated it, turning it into the burying of countless scholars. As for the burning of books, the Qin bamboo slips unearthed recently are still there. If books were truly burned, how could so many Qin bamboo slips have been unearthed? What Qin Shi Huang burned were merely the books of the nobles of the six states, intended to erase their history and prevent unrest. However, he didn't expect that a merciful burning of books alone could not stop people's rebellious hearts."

The doctor had completely given up on arguing with his boss and was now completely immersed in the historical narrative. The story that followed somewhat overturned his understanding of the world. Qin Shi Huang, wielding absolute power and personally attending to every detail, realized that only his life could sustain the empire. Therefore, he began to tour various regions, leaving Prince Fusu in charge of governance. However, Prince Fusu was benevolent and loyal, completely opposite to Qin Shi Huang's governing philosophy. After numerous conflicts, Qin Shi Huang sent him to the frontier to serve in the army, intending to train him for several years, hoping to cultivate a resolute and decisive Fusu. Gan Luo, who was his former boss, accompanied him as Prince Fusu's companion.

After that, Qin Shi Huang rarely appeared in the scenes anymore; instead, the focus was on the monotonous military life. The campaigns in the frontier indeed transformed Fusu from a noble prince into an excellent general. Then, after countless seasons, someone suddenly brought Qin Shi Huang's decree. This edict, delivered to Shangjun, reprimanded Fusu for his incompetence and ordered him and General Meng Tian to commit suicide.

The doctor stared blankly, knowing full well that this decree was actually a forged imperial edict from Huhai and Zhao Gao—Qin Shi Huang had already passed away on that eastern tour. Fusu, unlike the historical accounts that portray him as weak enough to commit suicide, wanted to lead troops back to Xianyang with General Meng Tian to uncover the truth. However, Huhai and Zhao Gao's men were prepared and mercilessly killed Fusu, who began to show signs of resistance inside the tent.

Despite the passage of more than two thousand years, the doctor couldn't help but gasp in shock when he saw the soldiers wielding swords and thrusting at Fusu.

He was surprised to find that his boss, who had been standing next to him, rushed over and bravely stood in front of Fusu.

The doctor watched helplessly as the sword, gleaming coldly, pierced through the boss's illusory body and plunged directly into Fusu's chest.

The boss turned around and stood there, stunned.

"It's not your fault..." The doctor knew that the boss wasn't present back then; if he had, he probably would have done what he just did. For a moment, the doctor felt a surge of relief—thankfully, the boss wasn't there.

However, looking at Fusu lying dead in a pool of blood, eyes wide open, a chill ran down the doctor's spine.

The jade piece bestowed by Qin Shi Huang fell to the ground from Fusu's arms. The doctor looked at the jade piece, now stained with warm blood, and felt a chill run down his spine.

"It's not that justice can defeat evil, but that history can only be written by the victor. In this world, the winner is always the righteous one." The boss's ethereal voice drifted over, but the doctor had no time to ponder it before plunging back into darkness.

The doctor seemed to surface from the depths of the ocean, struggling to open his eyes. The familiar, dim light of the silent room flickered before his eyes.

He sat up from the chair, rubbing his slightly aching temple. He raised his hand and stopped, for in his hand lay the broken longevity lock in two. The doctor stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly said, "The memories I just saw were actually Fusu's, weren't they?"

Liang Ban poured him a cup of tea, and upon hearing this, nodded and said, "Yes. Fusu died tragically, and after I helped Liu Bang defeat Qin and avenge Fusu, I have been searching for Fusu's reincarnation."

"You helped Liu Bang defeat Qin?" The doctor picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. The scalding tea slid down his throat, making him click his tongue in surprise.

"Well, I originally chose Xiang Yu, but I never expected that he would destroy Xianyang, burn down the Epang Palace, and kill all the royal family members and generals of the Qin Dynasty." The shopkeeper paused here, as if recalling the scene at that time, and his hand holding the teapot even became a little stiff. After a long while, he continued, "So I switched to Liu Bang."

The doctor chuckled dryly twice. "You're not going to tell me you're Han Xin, are you?" He meant it as a joke, but to his surprise, the shopkeeper calmly nodded. The doctor was speechless. He could only snatch the teapot from the shopkeeper and pour himself a cup of tea. If this guy had lived for over two thousand years, what was there to doubt? Heaven knows what roles he'd played in history…

After drinking several cups of tea to calm his nerves, he put the teapot lid back on and then calmly said, "I found them, but for some reason, Fusu's reincarnations always die young, at most living to the age of twelve. Because the time is so short, I often can't find them in time and am exhausted from running around. It took me an extremely long time to discover that only by having Fusu's reincarnation wear the jade that he wore close to his body for several years can his life be extended. So I had Lu Zigang carve this longevity lock, but even so, it can only allow Fusu's reincarnation to live in the world for twenty-four years."

Although the doctor had already guessed some of the situation, he still felt a chill run down his spine when the boss looked directly at him after saying his last sentence. The doctor forced a stiff smile and said awkwardly, "Are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else? I'm over twenty-four years old, and I'm still perfectly healthy."

The shopkeeper looked at him and shook his head, saying, "No, I haven't mistaken you for someone else. Do you remember that Christ statue made of turquoise jade?"

"I remember, how could I not remember? I was the one who came back! What?" The doctor, of course, still remembered that bizarre incident. Because of that aquamarine Christ statue, Ning Qiqi, who had been murdered, had possessed the body of bestselling mystery novelist Xiao Ji, while Xiao Ji's soul had been absorbed by the aquamarine Christ statue he wore. The doctor was about to say a few more words when he saw the shopkeeper take a small box out of the counter, and the aquamarine Christ statue was lying quietly inside.

“Ning Qiqi gave me this Christ statue. I had the curator appraise it. Although the carving is a recent work, the jade material is over two thousand years old.” The shopkeeper added, fearing that people might not understand, “It is the same piece of blue jade that the First Emperor bestowed upon Hu Hai, and the longevity lock in your hand comes from the same piece of He Shi Bi.”

The doctor was speechless. He had already been shocked too much today and decided to say nothing and just listen to the conclusion.

"I only just learned that before his death, Prince Fusu's soul and spirit were locked in this piece of jade. With an incomplete soul, Fusu's reincarnation naturally ended prematurely. Today, the longevity lock shattered, releasing Fusu's soul and spirit anew. Everything you and I just saw were the memories Prince Fusu left behind within this longevity lock." The shopkeeper spoke slowly, almost as if each word was forced out from between his teeth.

The doctor felt dizzy, but he was still good at extracting the words he could understand. So after pondering for a moment, he blinked, pointed to himself, and said, "So, you mean the great calamity in my life has passed smoothly? I can live a carefree life from now on?"

The doctor had absolutely no interest in whether he was the reincarnation of Fusu. He treated the scenes he had just witnessed as a holographic 3D TV series, without much feeling for them. After all, it happened more than two thousand years ago; what was the point of dwelling on it? When dawn broke, he would still go to work, put on his white coat, and treat patients. Whether his past life was that of a hero or a coward made absolutely no difference to his life.

Upon hearing this, the boss smiled and slowly nodded, saying, "Yes, there are no problems at all. Not only in this life, but in your future reincarnations, you will also be subject to the control of fate just like ordinary people, and there will be no more premature deaths."

The doctor felt a strange sense of melancholy in the boss's words, but couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong. Just as he was about to ask, his frustration turned to horror as blood began to trickle from the boss's lips, yet the smile remained on his pale face.

"Yes, you can finally live a good life. My mission is finally over... I... should rest now..."

(End of this chapter)