Chapter 7: The Strange Team

With Fourth Brother not around, I locked the door from the inside and lay down on the bed, reflecting on everything that had happened today, especially that Nine-Ring Jade Casket. When Tian Yuqing asked me to take a closer look the second time, I did notice something I hadn’t seen before.

On the right side of the casket, there was a faint painting applied with a special kind of paint, which I hadn’t noticed at first. I guessed it must be a unique paint that only becomes visible under natural light at a certain angle.

The painting was easy to understand; it depicted a massive army advancing into a winter forest. What struck me was the unimaginable size of the army, so vast that its end blended into the forest, making it impossible to see the end.

Not only the army, but the forest itself seemed significant. If this depicted Chinese territory, it would be a distinctive place that wouldn’t disappear quickly, with very unique scenery.

This led me to confidently rule out the Central Plains and southern regions.

Besides the painting I initially overlooked, there were other fragmented phrases. I hoped to find clues from these disjointed words and the sudden arrival of these people. What exactly were they up to?

I noticed that during my conversation with Tian Yuqing, he mentioned a crucial piece of information: the right time.

What exactly is the right time?

I was curious, not knowing what Tian Yuqing meant, but he wouldn’t say. For the next two days, I racked my brain trying to extract more information from him, but every time I was about to speak, I realized I had already lost just from the aura he exuded.

A week passed with no news. Fourth Brother’s shop was soon closing for the holiday. I couldn’t handle the professional aspects of feng shui, so I busied myself with the shop’s accounts and helping the staff prepare for the New Year, leaving me overwhelmed in the days leading up to it.

Tian Yuqing still stayed at the shop, spending his days brewing tea, admiring the snow, and playing with his phone, or watching the kids outside play with firecrackers. While we were busy, he seemed to have all the time in the world.

I struggled to paste spring couplets, standing on a stool, while Tian Yuqing sat in the shop playing games. I was surprised to see him gaming for the first time. How could someone from such a traditional family play modern games? He said I didn’t understand, that it was about keeping up with the times.

I couldn’t be bothered to use paste for the couplets, so I used clear tape instead. Just as I finished taping the last one, Tian Yuqing’s phone rang. Instinctively, I lightened my movements and listened intently.

I couldn’t hear the other side, unsure if it was Fourth Brother. After a long conversation, Tian Yuqing’s expression turned serious. He replied coldly, “Understood, I’ll be there within three days. Please arrange for my passage in advance.”

Was he finally leaving?

It sounded like something urgent had come up. Originally, with Tian Yuqing finally leaving, I should have brought out my stash of firecrackers to see him off like a plague god, but my instincts told me the caller was likely Fourth Brother, or at least related to him.

Tian Yuqing stood up and said to me, “Once you finish this one, stop. Pack up; we won’t be celebrating the New Year here. We need to go to Gansu. Something’s happened with your Fourth Brother.”

He spoke quickly, summarizing the situation in just a few words, making it clear that we needed to go to Gansu and that something had happened to Fourth Brother.

When someone suddenly speaks quickly, it usually means they’ve encountered something urgent and need to convey information rapidly.

For the rest of the time, Tian Yuqing was constantly on the phone in the shop. From what I heard, he made at least twenty calls. It seemed Fourth Brother had been hired to go to a place in Gansu, and this place was definitely related to the Jade Casket.

Although I couldn’t be much help with Fourth Brother’s situation, I quickly packed a suitcase with clothes for a few days.

Tian Yuqing mentioned that Fourth Brother wanted to bring me along. Since Fourth Brother said so, there must be something I could help with. Considering I’ve already caused him enough trouble just by opening a cabinet, it’s only right to lend a hand.

So this time, I was unusually proactive, packing enough clothes for four days and dragging my suitcase downstairs. Tian Yuqing had just finished a call, looked at me, then at my suitcase, and said, “That’s all you’re bringing?”

I thought, it’s not like we’re moving or going on vacation. Why would I lug a bunch of stuff over a thousand kilometers to Gansu? Besides, whatever I bring, I’ll have to carry myself. Fourth Brother’s feng shui work often takes him to rural areas, and I only have two hands, not three heads and six arms.

“That’s it. When do we leave, now?” I asked.

Tian Yuqing smiled at me, nodded slightly, and stood up from his chair. “Alright, since you’re ready, let’s go.”

He picked up the wooden box containing the Jade Casket, which was locked with a large padlock. After he spoke, the staff started pulling down the shop’s shutter.

Tian Yuqing put his phone in his down jacket pocket, walked over to me, and swapped the wooden box for my suitcase handle. “We need to head east first, then to Gansu. It’s a long journey. Except for designated rest areas, we won’t be stopping. If you get carsick, sitting in the front might be more comfortable.”

I didn’t expect him to be so thorough, driving over a thousand kilometers and even making a detour east first. The thought of him driving all that way made me wonder if I had remembered to bring my driver’s license. I couldn’t let him drive all that distance alone.

Just as I thought about it, the shutter was fully opened, and the sound of firecrackers from the shop across the street filled my ears, the smell of gunpowder wafting in. The winter sunlight made me squint, and the next second, I was dumbfounded by the sight on the street.

At least five or six jeeps were parked along the empty street, all brand new. A seasoned-looking guy jumped out of one and greeted Tian Yuqing, then nodded at me. “Hello, Young Master Gan. I attended your full moon banquet.”

Tian Yuqing waved him off. “Lao Gen, it’s urgent, no need for pleasantries. Is everything ready?”

I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to Tian Yuqing for interrupting. I was afraid this guy, nicknamed Lao Gen, would say something like “I held you when you were a baby” or “You look just like your mother.”

Lao Gen took the suitcase from Tian Yuqing and respectfully said, “Everything you requested is prepared. The last two vehicles are just for cargo, and everyone is in the first three cars. The message from the other side said the situation is unclear. The team will take turns driving, and we’ll reach there in two days at the earliest.”

I followed Tian Yuqing to the cars. There were people in each vehicle, at least six or seven in total, just as Lao Gen had said. The last two cars were filled with luggage and some large black boxes. My small suitcase looked out of place among them.

I cursed silently, wishing I had packed more.