I work as a security guard at a cemetery, and I overhear the dead chatting about getting rich quick.

Liu Jiankun didn't escape.

This statement should have been a relief.

But as Lin Ye looked at the black invitation card that Gu Wantang had sent, his heart sank lower and lower.

The edges of the black card were worn white.

The four characters "Mountain and Sea Night Banquet" in gold foil are very new.

There was also a line of smaller text at the bottom.

Tonight at 8 PM.

Secondhand goods street, Guiyun Guild Hall.

Uncle Zhao leaned over to take a look and frowned.

"A flea market has places like this?"

Lin Ye frowned as well.

"I've never heard of it."

Uncle Zhao scoffed.

"How many times have you been to the flea market? Do you think they'd let you hear about it?"

That's an unpleasant thing to say.

But yes.

The secondhand market is a secondhand market during the day.

Broken stalls, old cabinets, secondhand appliances, piles of copper coins, and fake antiques.

But at night, no one could say for sure how many doors were closed or who sat behind them.

Some doors are not for ordinary people.

News about Gu Wantang popped up again.

Liu Jiankun still didn't speak.

There was a noticeable reaction upon seeing the invitation.

Article :

Jiang Cheng has taken control.

Gu Mingyuan could still not be contacted.

Article :

The banquet at the mountain and sea tonight will most likely proceed as scheduled.

Lin Ye stared at the last sentence.

It will continue to operate as usual.

A17 has been investigated.

The old cold storage facility was raided.

Zhou Qin has been rescued.

The boxes in the artificial lake were also retrieved.

Jiang Cheng and Liu Jiankun were both detained.

The fact that the banquet at Shanhai Night still went ahead despite all this trouble only shows that they didn't consider Gu Mingyuan and his group as a threat at all.

Gu Mingyuan is down, so we can cut him.

Jiang Cheng is down, so we can cut him.

Even if Liu Jiankun falls, it can still be cut.

The table was set up as usual.

The dishes are served as pictured.

Lin Ye placed his phone face down on the table.

The anti-floating bottle is right next to it.

The artificial flowers were still too bright and glaring.

Uncle Zhao looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Ye said, "This round is better than Gu Mingyuan's."

Uncle Zhao didn't respond.

He understood.

No matter how bad Gu Mingyuan is, he's only a part of the Gu family's mess.

If the banquet at the mountain and sea were to actually proceed as planned, it would be a risk that no family member like Gu Jia could afford.

Tao Shuang stood at the door answering the phone.

She always speaks in short sentences.

This time it's even shorter.

"I know."

"Don't come any closer."

"Take a clear photo of the invitation; do not touch the original."

"Keep an eye on them."

After hanging up, she looked back at Lin Ye.

"Miss Gu said that Liu Jiankun might give in. If you hear anything else, send it to her immediately."

Lin Ye nodded.

Where is Liu Nian?

"She's been taken to the hospital. Zhou Qin is in the emergency room; she's not in immediate danger."

After those words were spoken, the security booth finally felt a little more alive.

Uncle Zhao let out a long breath.

"That mother and daughter are good at fortune telling."

Lin Ye didn't say anything.

You're lucky to be alive.

These two words sometimes don't sound like a compliment.

It's more like someone being pushed into the water, struggling for a long time to climb ashore, and then someone on the shore says: "Look, you're still alive."

But how will Liu Nian sleep in the future?

Will Zhou Qin tremble when she hears the sound of a car in the future?

These are not in today's news.

But it will certainly happen in their future.

Lin Ye looked down at his notebook.

It says:

QBM-17-0429.

It has already moved to the mountains and seas.

Gu Mingyuan found someone to bail him out.

Tonight at 8 PM.

Guiyun Clubhouse.

He drew a circle around the two characters "山海" (mountains and seas).

Old Li's voice rang out first from the East District.

"A banquet amidst mountains and seas? Sounds like a feast."

Mr. Wei said, "Do you send out black invitations with gold lettering for your banquets?"

Old Li was not convinced.

"Rich people are particular about their banquets."

Grandma Zhao sighed slowly.

"The more elaborate the feast, the less it resembles a fine banquet."

Lin Ye paused for a moment.

Grandpa Gu finally spoke.

"Not a seat."

Boss Wei immediately asked, "What is that?"

Grandpa Gu remained silent for a few seconds.

"Bureau".

Old Li clicked his tongue.

"Did you go there while you were alive?"

Old Master Gu sneered.

"Gu Mingyuan wants to go, but he's not qualified."

Lin Ye sat up a little straighter.

Gu Mingyuan wanted to go, but he wasn't qualified.

Who gave him this invitation tonight?

Or rather, who is willing to give him the qualification now?

Lin Ye sent this judgment to Gu Wantang.

Gu Mingyuan might not have been qualified to attend the Mountain and Sea Banquet before.

If he goes tonight, it will seem more like he's seeking protection than making a deal.

Gu Wantang replied after more than ten seconds.

Liu Jiankun just said something similar.

Lin Ye looked at the screen.

Similar words.

Has Liu Jiankun finally spoken?

Gu Wantang did not explain immediately.

A while later, she sent a message.

Liu Jiankun only admitted that he was the driver.

He said that three years ago, the genuine product did enter A17, but it only stayed for one night.

The next morning, following Gu Mingyuan's instructions, he delivered the items to the outskirts of the secondhand market.

The person receiving the goods wouldn't let him in.

All he saw on the invitation was "Mountain and Sea Banquet".

Lin Ye slowly finished reading it.

Gu Wantang's second message followed.

He said: The real thing is no longer in Gu Mingyuan's hands.

Uncle Zhao also saw that sentence.

He cursed.

"Are these people using nested nesting techniques?"

Lin Ye didn't smile.

The real thing is no longer in Gu Mingyuan's hands.

After he said that, many things went smoothly.

Why is Gu Mingyuan panicking?

Because he no longer has genuine products.

Why did Chiang Kai-shek still dare to take documents to the museum?

Because what they want to clean is the process, not the genuine product itself.

Why did Liu Jiankun risk going to the artificial lake?

Because the box at the bottom of the lake didn't contain anything, but rather traces of the transfer that proved the genuine goods were moved away.

Why does A17 have accounts, money, and empty boxes?

Because that's just a transit point.

The destination is in the mountains and seas.

Lin Ye wrote these lines into his notebook.

It wasn't sent immediately.

He was afraid that his thoughts would be too straightforward.

Thinking too smoothly is the easiest way to make mistakes.

Lu Zhixia called at that moment.

Lin Ye picked up.

It's much quieter over there now; she must have already left the side gate of the Qingdao Museum.

"Did Liu Jiankun speak?"

"Gu Wantang just sent it to me."

"The genuine article isn't in Gu Mingyuan's hands?"

"Um."

Lu Zhixia paused for a moment.

"Reasonable."

Lin Ye asked, "How is that reasonable?"

"If Gu Mingyuan still had the genuine article, he wouldn't be in such a state of chaos today."

Lu Zhixia spoke very slowly.

"He would sell off A17, Qingbo, Jiang Cheng, and Liu Jiankun, keep the genuine items for himself, and find new buyers. But he's out of contact now, which means he has no leverage."

"He went to find people from Shan Hai?"

"possible."

Lu Zhixia said, "It's also possible that someone from Shanhai wants to see him."

Lin Ye frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Gu Mingyuan messed things up."

Lu Zhixia's voice turned cold.

"Qingbo's substitute has been exposed, the hidden compartment in A17 has been exposed, Liu Jiankun has been arrested, and Jiang Cheng has also been detained. For Shanhai, he is no longer a guest, but a nuisance."

Lin Ye held his phone but didn't answer.

The sunlight outside the window shifted a little into the security booth.

The anti-floating bottle on the table looked even uglier in the light.

Lu Zhixia continued, "If the banquet at the mountain and sea goes ahead as planned tonight, there are probably two reasons."

Which two?

"First, they feel the evidence hasn't reached them yet."

"second?"

"They want to send the genuine item away before the evidence is complete."

Lin Ye looked at the notepad and saw the words "8 PM tonight".

It's 4:26 now.

There are less than four hours left.

"What should we do then?"

Lu Zhixia was silent for a moment.

"That's not a question you should be asking."

Lin Ye was startled.

Her tone was harsh.

"Lin Ye, the Mountain and Sea Night Banquet isn't a bargain hunt at a flea market. Don't go by yourself."

Lin Ye lowered his head and smiled.

"Do I look like someone who's not afraid of death?"

"picture."

"..."

Lu Zhixia didn't give him a chance to explain.

"Every time you say you won't go, you end up getting yourself into the most dangerous places."

Lin Ye glanced at Tao Shuang.

"I have bodyguards watching over me this time."

Tao Shuang looked over expressionlessly.

Lu Zhixia said, "Then you'd better listen to her."

Before hanging up, she added one more sentence.

"Also, don't touch the real thing."

Lin Ye said, "I haven't seen it yet."

"Don't touch it even if you see it."

The phone hangs up.

Uncle Zhao clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"The appraiser is quite concerned about you."

Lin Ye put down his phone.

"She cares about cultural relics."

Uncle Zhao nodded.

"And while I'm at it, let me check on your hands that keep touching things like that."

Lin Ye didn't want to talk to him.

Ning Zhi's news also emerged at this time.

I found Guiyun Club.

The back section of the secondhand market is usually closed.

The company registered with the business administration department is a tea culture company, and its legal representative has changed three times.

The last change involved financial dealings with a shell company called Gu's Cultural Tourism.

Lin Ye returned immediately.

Don't come near.

Ningzhi replied instantly.

late.

Lin Ye felt a chill run down his spine.

where are you?

Ningzhi replied quickly.

Outside the secondhand market.

Don't worry, I didn't go in. I'm squatting across the street where they sell pancakes.

A photo was also attached.

The photo shows a pancake stall.

Several cars were parked nearby.

In the distance is a narrow alley.

An old lamp hangs at the entrance of the alley.

There was no sign under the lamp, only two large celadon jars placed against the wall.

Lin Ye stared at the two tanks for a few seconds.

It's very inconspicuous.

But it's not like the things you'd see displayed at the entrance of a regular store.

Ningzhi sent another message.

Don't yell at me, my colleague is there too.

Linye returned.

Your colleague is really unlucky.

Ningzhi returns.

He thought so too.

Lin Ye looked at the screen, and the tension in his chest eased a little, but quickly returned to its previous state.

It's not surprising that Ning Zhi would go outside the secondhand market.

That's just the kind of person she is.

He talks a big game about being afraid of death, but he's faster than anyone else when it comes to actually doing it.

But tonight is different.

Bai Jingchuan, Pei Jingluan, and Shan Haiyeyan—these people haven't actually shown up yet.

They are not like Gu Mingyuan, a half-baked villain from a wealthy family.

The fact that these people were able to swap genuine artifacts from the display cases and almost smuggle them out of the museum's collection suggests that their influence extends far beyond what we currently see.

Lin Ye sent a message to Ning Zhi:

Stay away.

Ningzhi replied:

I know. You've said that for the third time today.

Lin Ye typed a few words, then deleted them.

Finally, only reply:

Even news about living people must be written while they are still alive.

Ning Zhi paused for a few seconds.

Just replied:

This sounds like a normal person.

Just as Lin Ye was about to put down his phone, Tao Shuang suddenly spoke.

"Miss Gu is coming to the cemetery."

Lin Ye looked up.

"Now?"

"She handed over the scene at A17 to Attorney Shen and the police, and they are on their way."

Uncle Zhao held the thermos cup, his eyes suddenly becoming meaningful.

Lin Ye ignored him.

His heart sank.

Gu Wantang's personal visit indicates that some things cannot be explained over the phone.

This also suggests that tonight's situation might actually involve him.

At 5:20, Gu Wantang's car stopped at the entrance of Qingshan Cemetery.

She didn't bring too many people with her this time.

There was only a driver and a legal assistant.

Tao Shuang went out to meet her.

When Gu Wantang entered the security booth, her coat was still damp with the heat from outside.

She still seemed calm.

There was just a faint bluish tint under his eyes.

Lin Ye moved the paper cups on the table to the side.

"This place isn't really suitable for discussing a banquet amidst mountains and seas."

Gu Wantang glanced at the anti-floating bottle on the table.

"Suitable."

Lin Ye followed her gaze.

The bottle is ugly in a very stable way.

Gu Wantang sat down and placed a sealed bag on the table.

There were no invitations in the bag.

It is a processed photocopy.

After technical processing, the plastic wrapping on Liu Jiankun's body, which had been soaked in water, barely revealed a single word behind the "recipient" label.

鸾。

Lin Ye stared at that word.

"Luan?"

Gu Wantang said, "Pei Jingluan."

Uncle Zhao muttered to himself from the side.

"This name doesn't sound like a respectable person."

Gu Wantang didn't look at him.

She continued, "In the Qingcheng cultural relics circle, there is someone who rarely shows his face. He serves as a consultant for private collections and also organizes events."

Lin Ye asked, "Did he host the Mountain and Sea Banquet?"

"It's not necessarily him in every game."

Gu Wantang said, "But tonight, he will most likely be in the head seat."

"Did Liu Jiankun say that?"

"Liu Jiankun refused to say."

Gu Wantang's voice was very flat.

"This was processed by the technicians from the laminating paper."

She took out a second piece of paper.

Information about Guiyun Guild Hall in the secondhand market.

Registrant, legal entity, transfer record, lease contract.

There are a bunch of names.

Most of them are obviously just shells.

Gu Wantang pointed to one of the lines with her finger.

"The property management fees for Guiyun Clubhouse for the past three years have been paid on behalf of a company called Qinglan Consulting."

Lin Ye looked at her.

Gu Wantang said, "The actual controller of Qinglan Consulting is Pei Jingluan."

The matter has finally come together.

A17 ledger.

It has already moved to the mountains and seas.

Invitation to the Mountain and Sea Night Banquet

Guiyun Clubhouse.

Pei Jingluan.

Lin Ye asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Gu Wantang looked at him.

I'll go in tonight.

Uncle Zhao immediately interjected, "What are you going in for? Just call the police!"

Gu Wantang looked at him.

There was no impatience.

"The police and cultural relics inspectors are already on the perimeter, but the problem now is that the evidence points to A17 and the Qingdao Museum substitute, as well as the connection between the 'Mountain and Sea Night Banquet' and the 'Luck-Changing Paper.' But to recover the genuine artifact, we must confirm whether the genuine artifact was present tonight."

Uncle Zhao frowned.

"Does it have to be seen on the spot?"

"most."

Gu Wantang said, "Otherwise, they could say the invitation was just for a private appreciation event. The 'lucky paper' could be said to be counterfeit. The Guiyun Clubhouse could be said to be a regular rental."

Lin Ye understood.

It's not that there's no evidence.

The evidence is just one piece short.

Authentic.

As long as the genuine article doesn't appear, the Mountain and Sea Night Banquet can still take a step back.

It was downgraded to a regular private bureau.

This was Gu Mingyuan's personal action.

The forgery was completed by Jiang Cheng.

Liu Jiankun is talking nonsense.

Gu Wantang has the status to be admitted.

But she was too conspicuous.

Lu Zhixia is a professional, and people in the industry will be wary of her.

Ning Zhi is a journalist, so the danger is greater.

What about Lin Ye?

A cemetery security guard.

That sounds the most illogical.

But they are not easily defended against by their professional approach.

Gu Wantang pushed an invitation card in front of Lin Ye.

It's not the one with Liu Jiankun.

This one is cleaner.

There is no wear on the edges and corners.

"This is another admission ticket."

Lin Ye didn't take it immediately.

"Where did it come from?"

"It was given to me by a former business partner."

Is it reliable?

"Unreliable".

Gu Wantang spoke very directly.

"So once you're inside, you don't need to pretend to know anything, and you don't need to touch anything."

Lin Ye looked at her.

"Then what would I do inside?"

Gu Wantang said, "It depends on the person."

Lin Ye didn't say anything.

Gu Wantang continued, "You don't understand cultural relics, but you are very good at judging from the details who is anxious, who is afraid, and who wants to steer the conversation away from the topic."

Uncle Zhao frowned as he listened.

"Isn't this just sending him in to die?"

Gu Wantang glanced at him.

"So he can refuse."

The security booth fell silent for a moment.

Lin Ye looked down at the invitation.

Black background with gold foil stamping.

A banquet amidst mountains and sea.

Of course he could refuse.

He was just a cemetery security guard.

Strictly speaking, he has already done enough.

Zhou Qin has been rescued.

Liu Nian is safe.

The hidden compartment in A17 has been found.

The boxes in the artificial lake were also retrieved.

Leaving the rest to Gu Wantang, the police, Lu Zhixia, and Ning Zhi seems reasonable.

But that phrase about the nameless grave in the West District popped up again.

The one in the display case is fake.

It chanted for so long.

Over and over again.

Like a dead man holding his last breath in his throat, waiting for someone to hear it.

Lin Ye did not reach out to take the invitation.

He asked first, "If I go in, can Tao Shuang come with me?"

Gu Wantang said, "I can't act as a bodyguard."

Tao Shuang spoke up: "I'm on the outer stage."

Lin Ye then asked, "Where is Ning Zhi?"

"She can't go in."

Gu Wantang's voice turned cold.

"A journalist's identity is too sensitive."

"Lu Zhixia?"

"Look at the chart from the outside."

Gu Wantang said, "I will forward the photos you take to her as soon as possible."

"Where are the police?"

"Outer perimeter cordon. Just waiting for on-site confirmation."

"What if something happens to me?"

Gu Wantang looked at him.

"I will bring you out."

Lin Ye smiled.

"Miss Gu, that doesn't sound like a promise, it sounds like a threat."

"It doesn't matter."

Uncle Zhao wanted to curse, but he held back.

In the end, all he managed to utter was, "Don't be a jerk."

Lin Ye didn't look at him.

He looked down at the invitation.

The anti-floating bottle is right next to it.

I bought a fake bottle for 18,000 yuan.

The flowers are too tacky.

It's also eye-catching.

He reached out and tapped the bottle.

"If I get cocky tonight, remember to remind me."

Uncle Zhao frowned.

"What did I remind you of?"

Lin Ye picked up the invitation.

"Remind me, I'm just a cemetery security guard."

Suddenly, Old Master Gu's voice rang out from the East District.

What happened to the cemetery security guard?

He snorted coldly.

"Things that even the dead know, the living may not necessarily know."

Lin Ye paused, his fingers moving slightly.

Gu Wantang looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Ye put the invitation into a sealed bag.

"It's nothing."

He looked up and glanced in the direction of the west district.

The nameless tomb remained silent.

But Lin Ye knew it was listening.

He said to Gu Wantang:

"I'll go in tonight."

"But there is one condition."

Gu Wantang asked, "What?"

Lin Ye said, "I don't touch anything."

Gu Wantang nodded.

"it is good."

Lin Ye added, "I only look at people."

Gu Wantang looked at him.

Two seconds later, she said:

That's enough.