The Company

Chapter 12: Dumb Shop · Longevity Lock

Doctor looked down at the Longevity Lock that had accompanied him for twenty-four years, his mind completely blank.

The white jade Longevity Lock lay shattered neatly into two halves on the bluestone pavement. The fracture ran horizontally, precisely breaking the characters "Long Life and Hundred Years" inscribed upon it.

This Longevity Lock was his mother's relic. Since childhood, he had been strictly instructed that it must never be removed, so he had never taken it off even while bathing, sleeping, or later when entering operating rooms. He had once considered replacing the red cord securing the lock, but though it showed signs of wear over these twenty-four years, it remained securely fastened, so he dismissed the thought.

Who could have predicted it would break without warning today?

Doctor stared blankly at the shattered lock on the ground. Though he cared little for material possessions, witnessing the jade that had accompanied him for twenty-four years break before his eyes still made his heart ache. After a moment of dazed sorrow, he regained his composure and bent down to pick it up.

But a slender, pale hand moved faster than his. The broken lock now rested quietly in Boss's palm. Seeing no intention of returning it, Doctor looked at him in confusion.

"Are you... feeling anything unusual?" Boss examined Doctor's expression carefully and asked softly.

"Feeling?" Doctor was baffled. "What do you mean?"

This response seemed to stump Boss. He stared at Doctor as if unable to believe he remained unharmed, then silently pulled him toward the main road.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Doctor sensed something was terribly off about Boss. His usually enigmatic thin lips were now pressed into a firm straight line, and even his rarely furrowed brows were tightly knit.

"We're finding someone to repair this Longevity Lock," Boss said, hailing a taxi by the roadside.

Hearing this, Doctor obediently followed Boss into the car. He held deep attachment to this lock. Though it was broken, having just emerged from the supernatural incident with the white snake umbrella, he was curious what miracle Boss might conjure next.

When Boss told the driver their destination, Doctor knew it was quite far. He sighed, took out his phone, and called Chun Ge to apologize that his birthday gathering needed rescheduling. Over the phone, Chun Ge chuckled suggestively, teasing that Doctor must be having a romantic candlelit dinner with someone.

Candlelit dinner? He'd nearly been eaten as dinner by a snake spirit!

Unable to explain, Doctor could only hang up with a bitter smile. Sneaking a glance at the solemnly seated Boss beside him, he thought this birthday had truly been thrilling.

Though the sudden shattering of his twenty-four-year companion left him dejected, his tense nerves finally relaxed, and weariness quickly set in. Doctor closed his eyes to rest, drifting in and out of sleep until he felt the car stop. He was pulled out by Boss and startled to find them standing before an incredibly luxurious villa.

Taking in the villa's grandeur, Doctor instantly woke up, his eyes sparkling.This villa, constructed in the style of ancient Chinese architecture, more closely resembled an ancient palace. Yet it wasn't entirely traditional—many details incorporated modern streamlined designs, blending together without any sense of discord. It was an absolute visual delight, like an exquisite work of art that left people in awe. The villa was somewhat famous, frequently featured in architectural magazines, so the Doctor was quite familiar with its exterior. However, that was the extent of his knowledge; it was said the villa's interior refused interviews, so its decor had never been publicly revealed.

The Boss pressed the intercom on the iron gate, startling the Doctor, who hadn't expected the person they were seeking to live in this very villa.

The massive iron gate swung inward after a moment, revealing a path paved with cobblestones. The garden in front of the villa wasn't large, but in this city where land was worth its weight in gold, it was already astonishing. The Doctor glanced around as he followed the Boss forward. Under the villa's eaves hung rustic wind chimes; whenever a breeze passed, the bronze chimes emitted a series of crisp, clear sounds, creating a unique scene under the twilight sunset. The Doctor couldn't help but slow his pace, wanting to take in more, but the Boss was in a great hurry, striding swiftly into the villa, forcing the Doctor to catch up.

Upon entering the villa, they were greeted by a resplendent, gold-and-jade-adorned corridor lined with meticulously arranged antiques on both sides. Though the Doctor had no time to examine them closely, he knew these antiques were undoubtedly priceless. Beyond the corridor lay an extremely bright and spacious living room, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides offering a direct view of the lake outside. The sunset reflected off the lake's surface, shimmering with ripples and casting a dazzling golden light throughout the room, making the entire space appear as if forged from gold at first glance.

The Doctor blinked several times before noticing a man seated on the sofa in the living room. This man had an ordinary face and a medium build, looking to be in his forties or fifties, but his eyes were remarkably clear and distinct, like a child's, with pure whites and blacks. His head was completely bald, not a single hair, reflecting the sunset's glow like an oversized light bulb. The Doctor knew this must be the villa's owner. Before he could figure out how to address him, the man hospitably smiled at the Boss, gesturing to the nearby sofa and saying, "Rare guests, rare guests! Sit, sit!"

The Boss didn't move, but the Doctor reflexively sat down. The sofa was so soft it felt like sinking into a beautiful dream, sapping any strength to stand up, as if one might never wake again.

Still somewhat dazed, the Doctor watched as the Boss handed over the Longevity Lock he had been clutching all along, saying calmly, "Master, I've come to see if this Longevity Lock can still be repaired."

Hearing the Boss's form of address, the Doctor suddenly recalled that during a museum exhibition, this person had been invited to give a lecture. This middle-aged man, referred to as the Master, was a renowned figure in the collection world, possessing a unique skill passed down through generations: the art of restoring antiques.

So the owner of this villa was him.Although the Boss handed over the Longevity Lock, the master did not take it immediately. Instead, he rubbed his bald head and smiled sheepishly, "Boss, you know my rules. When I restore antiques for others, I charge a fee. But the artifacts you bring are never ordinary—each restoration costs me a strand of hair. It’s not that I don’t want to help, but... well, as you can see, I’ve already lost all my hair!"

Hearing this, the Doctor’s lips twitched. He knew that people in the collecting world often had their quirks, but he never expected one to have such an eccentric obsession with losing hair.

The Boss remained expressionless and said calmly, "Just take a look. It shouldn’t hurt to examine it, right?"

"Haha, right, just a look! Let me take a look first!" Rubbing his hands together, the master took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wrapped it around his hands, and carefully accepted the Longevity Lock, which had broken into two halves.

The Doctor had been observing the master’s expression the moment he took the lock. He saw the master shudder, sit up straight, and tremblingly pick up the remote control from the coffee table, pressing a few buttons.

The living room curtains automatically closed, blocking out the harsh sunlight outside, while the indoor lights turned on, casting a soft yet bright illumination as clear as daylight. The Doctor watched as the master pulled out a set of various magnifying glasses from the coffee table and began meticulously examining the broken Longevity Lock.

The Doctor had initially waited for the master to draw a conclusion, but after more than ten minutes passed with the master still turning the lock over and over, he began to grow bored. The Boss, however, remained standing straight, his eyes fixed intently on the master as if afraid he might swap the lock in the blink of an eye.

Another ten minutes later, the master slumped backward into the soft sofa, muttering to himself, "What a sin... What a sin!" He repeated these words over and over, his voice rising from a barely audible whisper to furious outrage. Finally, his face flushed red with anger, and he waved his fists at the air, shouting, "Who was it? Who broke this Longevity Lock?"

The Doctor was speechless. Before he could figure out how to respond, the master turned to him, filled with grief and indignation, and roared, "It must have been you, kid! The Boss would never be so reckless. I’d trade this entire villa for that Longevity Lock if you brought it to me! How could you be so careless as to break it? What a sin!"

The master’s reaction left the Doctor stunned. From the Boss’s attitude, he had already guessed that the Longevity Lock was no ordinary item, but he never expected it to be so incredibly valuable! This villa was already the most luxurious in the city, designed by a renowned architect, and had almost become a landmark. And this small Longevity Lock was worth an entire villa?

The thought that he used to wear a villa around his neck every day made the Doctor’s neck ache unbearably.

At that moment, the Boss snorted coldly and said, "Worth only one villa? You’re underestimating this Longevity Lock."

But the master, as if provoked, exclaimed loudly, "Do you know how much I paid for this villa? It’s in the prime location of the city, where land is worth many times more than gold! You can’t buy it even with money! And I traded a Song dynasty porcelain piece just to have that designer work on it. The materials used are the most advanced and superior—it’s practically a work of art! Even if this Longevity Lock was carved by Lu Zigang, its value matching this villa is already the limit!""Carved by Lu Zigang? Who is this Lu Zigang?" The Doctor, fearing they might start arguing, quickly changed the subject. "Master, how can you tell who carved this Longevity Lock? I remember there's no signature on it!"

"You youngster, you actually don't know Lu Zigang! Lu Zigang was the most famous jade carving master in the late Ming Dynasty. Techniques like raised relief patterns, hollow openwork carving, and incised line engraving were all perfected by him, especially his ability to create shallow relief effects. Moreover, all his works bear his signature, though the placement is very particular—often in inconspicuous spots like the bottom or inside of the lid. It's said that Emperor Shenzong of Ming once ordered him to carve a jade teapot and strictly forbade him from signing it. Lu Zigang, relying solely on his tactile skill in internal carving, cleverly inscribed his name inside the spout of the teapot." The Master, having been lonely all day, finally had someone to listen to his lecture and immediately launched into an enthusiastic explanation. "Although this Longevity Lock has no visible signature, look at the back—within the lotus pattern, there are two characters. They are precisely 'Zigang'."

The Doctor took the half of the Longevity Lock handed to him by the Master, picked up a magnifying glass for a closer look, and indeed discovered two elegantly curved seal script characters that seamlessly connected with the lotus flower patterns—a truly marvelous feat of craftsmanship. The Doctor found it incredible. He had worn this Longevity Lock close to his body for twenty-four years and remembered every minute detail, yet he had never noticed these two characters hidden within the lotus patterns.

"That Lu Zigang, I told him not to leave any signature on this Longevity Lock. He really was stubborn—no wonder he ended up being executed by that emperor in the end." The Boss sighed nearby, though his tone was completely different from the Master's narrative, as if he had actually known Lu Zigang personally.

"Ah? He died?" The Doctor immediately realized his mistake—someone from the late Ming Dynasty would naturally be long dead—and awkwardly added, "He was killed?"

"Yes, legend has it that Lu Zigang once carved his name into the Dragon's head pattern on a jade piece made for the emperor, which enraged the emperor and led to his unfortunate execution. Lu Zigang died young with no descendants, and his extraordinary skills were lost with him. That's why genuine Zigang jade pieces passed down through generations are extremely rare. Although there are countless imitations, only a few dozen authenticated works confirmed to be from his hand exist—either displayed in museums or held in private collections." The Master sighed regretfully, then took the piece of Longevity Lock back from the Doctor, stroking it wistfully.

The Doctor remained bewildered, feeling as though he was listening to a story that had nothing to do with the Longevity Lock he had worn every day.

The Master suddenly exclaimed in surprise: "Wait, this jade's patina is gleaming, exceptionally smooth and moist, full of warmth and spiritual energy. It should be much older... yet there's not a trace of earthly dullness..." The Master repeatedly examined it under the light, growing increasingly agitated. "This jade has been handled for at least two to three hundred years! What a sin! What a sin! Young man, where exactly did you get this jade?"The last sentence was snarled viciously at the Doctor, who replied in a daze, "It was my mother's keepsake... though not exactly. My grandfather said I was born prematurely, and a gentleman gave me this Longevity Lock, telling me to keep it close to my body and never remove it. I’ve worn it like this for twenty-four years, but today the red cord 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 directly against the skin, let alone exposed to chemicals like soap. If it had been worn without removal for twenty-four years, it must have been kept on even while bathing and sleeping. Yet the jade remained lustrous and moist, indicating that the raw material had been polished and nurtured for centuries, if not longer, before it was ever carved.

Polishing jade refers to the long-term process of wearing and handling it, much like a butterfly struggling out of its cocoon, where the jade gradually sheds its coarse, earthy shell. Even the most beautifully colored ancient jade, if not polished through effort, will remain dull and obscure, its inner patterns hidden, its essence unrevealed, becoming as lifeless as a common stone. Thus, predecessors placed great emphasis on the methods of polishing jade. In Appraising Ancient Jade, the techniques are divided into three types: gentle polishing, vigorous polishing, and spiritual polishing. Gentle polishing involves years, even decades, of careful wearing and nurturing. Vigorous polishing uses a white cloth to rub the jade, generating heat to draw out its essence—a faster method but one that risks destroying the jade if mishandled. Spiritual polishing is even more elusive: a virtuous person holds the jade in their palm, selects a place rich in spiritual energy, and communicates with it through intention—a feat only achievable by those with profound mental cultivation. Initially, the master had focused only on the carving craftsmanship of the shattered Longevity Lock, but once he noticed the quality of the jade itself, he nearly leaped to his feet.

Such jade material could only warrant Lu Zigang wielding his Kunwu Blade, and only Lu Zigang’s jade-carving skills could do justice to this raw stone.

The master stood stunned for a long while before finally heaving a deep sigh. "If this Longevity Lock were intact, I’d trade you not just one villa, but two for it."

The Doctor was numb to it all by now. Since the Longevity Lock was already broken, it didn’t matter how extravagantly the master praised it.

The Boss, however, remarked coolly from the side, "Even if you added all the collectibles in your villa, they still wouldn’t match the value of this Longevity Lock."

The master’s expression shifted, but he refrained from losing his temper. Although his villa was valuable, the collectibles inside were even more precious—many were rare treasures passed down through generations. Hearing the Boss’s words, he almost jumped up to argue. But his family and the Boss’s were old friends, and the Boss had been a close companion of his grandfather. He also knew that the Boss never spoke carelessly about antiques.

Clutching the Longevity Lock, the master fell into deep thought, trying to recall any jade of such legendary value. After a long pause, he suddenly chuckled and said, "Boss, don’t tell me this Longevity Lock is Jia Baoyu’s Magical Jade—the inscription doesn’t match!" Yet, aside from that legendary piece, he truly couldn’t think of any other jade that could compare."The Spirit-Jade was never an ordinary object to begin with—it cannot be easily broken and always finds its destined owner." The Boss curled his lips slightly. "The jade material in your hands comes from the same source as the Heirloom Seal of the Realm; it's a leftover fragment from carving the seal."

"The Heirloom Seal of the Realm?" The Master jolted, realizing that if the Boss spoke the truth, this Longevity Lock would be priceless. Jade material passed down since the Warring States period, millennia of heritage, combined with Lu Zigang's craftsmanship—it was truly a treasure beyond value! Yet such an invaluable treasure, preserved intact through the long passage of time, had shattered so easily today! The Master's eyes nearly turned crimson as he glared furiously at the Doctor nearby.

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

"The Heirloom Seal of the Realm was discovered by Bian He, a master jade craftsman from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, on Mount Jing. Initially unknown, it was later appreciated by King Wen of Chu, who had it polished and named it the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, making it a treasure passed down through generations. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it changed hands multiple times before finally ending up in Qin, where Qin Shi Huang had it made into the Imperial Jade Seal. When crafting the Imperial Jade Seal, two leftover fragments remained from the Heirloom Seal of the Realm—one large, the size of a palm, white as mutton fat, and one small, the size of a finger, bluish like water. Unsure how to carve them, Qin Shi Huang bestowed these two jade fragments upon his sons: the larger one to his eldest son, Fusu, and the smaller one to his youngest son, Huhai." The Boss narrated slowly, his slightly hoarse voice echoing in the spacious living room, as if carrying the weight of ancient memories.

The Master's eyes shifted, his focus clearly elsewhere: "After the fall of Qin, the Imperial Jade Seal passed to Liu Bang of Han. 'He who possesses the Imperial Jade Seal possesses the world.' The Heirloom Seal of the Realm passed from emperor to emperor until it reached the Tang Dynasty. During the Five Dynasties period, amidst great chaos, the imperial seal was lost and its whereabouts unknown..." He glanced at the Boss. Though he knew nothing of the Boss's origins, decades of friendship had taught him that many treasures lost to history were hidden within the Dumb Shop. He certainly didn't aspire to claim them for himself, but even a glimpse of such legendary treasures would make his life worthwhile.

The Boss, however, didn't catch his meaning, lost instead in his long memories. Visions flickered before his eyes: Qin Shi Huang holding the jade seal, surveying the world with disdain, then shifting to Ying presenting the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, kneeling in surrender before Liu Bang...

Suddenly, the Boss was seized by a fit of violent, heart-wrenching coughs. The Doctor quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to him, only to be shocked to see blood seeping through the fingers the Boss held over his mouth.

The stark red against his paper-white fingers was startling. Drawing on his professional training, the Doctor quickly composed himself and moved to guide the Boss to sit down for a preliminary examination. But the Boss waved his hand away, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the blood from his lips and palm, and, as if nothing had happened, calmly asked the astonished Master, "I'm running out of time, so I'll be brief. Can you repair this Longevity Lock or not?"The master scratched his bald head and said with difficulty, "If it were an ordinary piece of jade, I might try to glue it back together. But since the jade has shattered, it proves it has taken a calamity for its owner. It must never be worn again—wrap it in red cloth and store it carefully. Moreover, this is such a precious piece of jade; if handled improperly, it could lead to serious trouble. Jade possesses spirituality but also carries a sinister nature. Broken jade easily attracts negative energies..." As he spoke, the master began to feel apologetic and stood up, solemnly returning the Longevity Lock broken into two halves to the Boss.

How could the Boss not know these things the master mentioned? It was just that seeing the jade he had protected for thousands of years suddenly shatter left him momentarily distraught and struggling to accept it.

Over so many years, he had witnessed countless antiques break and decay before his eyes, thinking he had long become indifferent. It seemed that wasn't the case—it was only because what shattered hadn't been something he cherished.

Taking the Longevity Lock from the master's hands, still warm with residual body heat, the Boss glanced at the Doctor beside him, who appeared in good spirits but wore an expression of concern for him. He pondered repeatedly the phrase "the jade shattering means it has taken a calamity for its owner."

Had he misunderstood all along? Could the breaking of this Longevity Lock actually be a good thing?

The Boss steadied himself, took a deep breath, and cupped his hands toward the Master. "Sorry to disturb you. I'll take my leave now."

However, this movement allowed the Master to clearly see the torn opening on his Mao Suit. His face paled dramatically. "Y-Your clothes... how did they get torn?"

The Boss chuckled lightly, unconcerned. "Clothes are just clothes. If even jade can shatter, how could clothes remain untorn?"

Doctor, standing nearby, adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. He noticed the stark contrast in their attitudes—it was as if the Master owned the garment while the Boss remained utterly indifferent. Could these clothes also be an antique? Doctor stared intently at the crimson dragon embroidered on the Mao Suit, convinced that what he'd seen earlier wasn't an illusion—he had truly witnessed the dragon moving.

The Master's expression turned frosty. He grabbed the Boss's arm and pulled him toward a side room, growling, "Come with me."

"I thought you said all your hair had fallen out and you couldn't repair things for me anymore?" The Boss raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing.

"I'll just try. I can't guarantee anything—my skills are far inferior to my grandfather's when it comes to restoring such a lifelike crimson dragon." The Master's voice carried a tinge of melancholy.

Doctor watched the two disappear into the inner room and wisely refrained from following, though he didn't miss their exchange. Had this moving dragon involved the Master's grandfather as well? A man doing embroidery? Had there been a mirror nearby, Doctor would have seen how twisted his own expression had become.

Left alone, Doctor grew bored but couldn't leave without saying goodbye. He resigned himself to sitting back down in the living room. Fortunately, there was a bookshelf filled with books and magazines. Flipping through them while sipping tea provided some amusement. Still, the collector's magazines proved unbearably dull, and the sofa was far too soft and comfortable. Eventually, he slumped sideways and fell sound asleep.

He only woke when the Boss shook him, realizing he'd slept until past 11 PM. The Master personally drove them back. Doctor stole glances at the Boss and noticed the torn part of his clothes had been hastily stitched up with crude, messy seams—even worse than his own surgical sutures.

Had such shoddy needlework really taken several hours?

Doctor internally scoffed but wisely kept his expression neutral.

The Master dropped them off at the entrance of Dumb Shop before driving away. Doctor initially wanted to yawn and stretch, but the chilly night air instantly revived him.

"Are you heading back first? Or would you like to come in?" Noting Doctor's reluctance to leave, the Boss politely inquired.

"I'll come in. There are still some things I want to ask you." Doctor's eyes gleamed as he looked at the Boss, eager to resolve the questions swirling in his mind.

The Boss offered no objection, simply lowering his head to push open Dumb Shop's carved door. He retrieved matches from a cabinet nearby and lit the Changxin Palace Lantern by the entrance.

The faint, flickering flame danced in the silent night. Just then, the Republic-era Western clock on the Curio Cabinet began to chime—midnight had arrived.The Boss let out a long sigh, thinking that the Doctor's birthday had finally passed. Just as he was calculating how he had smoothly made it through his twenty-fourth year and escaped disaster, he suddenly felt a strong force hit him from behind. Unprepared, he staggered forward and barely managed to steady himself by grabbing the counter.

Panicked, he turned around and was horrified to find the Doctor leaning against his back, eyes tightly shut and completely unconscious.

The Doctor felt as though he were walking through layers of thick fog.

The mist was so dense that he couldn't see his surroundings at all. Even when he stretched out his hand, he could only vaguely see its shadow, completely disoriented. Looking down, he couldn't see his own feet and had no idea what lay ahead. The Doctor didn't dare move recklessly.

What was happening? His last memory was entering the Dumb Shop—how had he ended up here in the blink of an eye?

After a moment of bewilderment, the Doctor faintly heard voices in the distance. Standing there foolishly wasn't going to solve anything. Convinced he was in a dream, he decided there was nothing that could threaten his safety and began walking toward the sound of the voices.

Gradually, the mist thinned, and the Doctor noticed he was stepping on blue bricks. These bricks were different from the ones he had seen in the secret room of the Dumb Shop. The bricks beneath his feet were exquisitely carved, inlaid with gold foil and various gemstones, so magnificent they were breathtaking.

As the mist around him slowly dissipated, the Doctor realized he was in an incredibly splendid palace, surrounded by people dressed in elaborate ancient attire. Startled at first by the sight, he relaxed when he realized these people couldn't see him at all.

So, it really was a dream. The Doctor wandered around the palace with keen interest, his attention drawn most to a man in lavish robes standing at the forefront. This man was tall and imposing, standing as straight as a sturdy pine tree, with an extraordinary and heroic presence. Though only in his twenties, he carried an air of one who ruled the world.

The Doctor couldn't help but take a few more glances and noticed the man was holding a swaddled baby, who was sleeping soundly.

"On the mountains grows the Fusu, in the marshes bloom the lotus flowers. My eldest son shall be named Fusu!" the tall man declared with a hearty laugh. The officials below immediately began offering their congratulations one after another. The commotion woke the sleeping baby, who started wailing loudly. The observing Doctor was utterly stunned.

Fusu? How many people in the world bore that name? Historically, there was only one—Prince Fusu.

Could this tall, imposing man be Qin Shi Huang?

The Doctor wanted to look a bit longer, but the mist that had just dispersed began to reappear. In an instant, it filled the entire space, obscuring his vision and muffling all sounds. Gradually, even the baby's cries faded away.

Convinced he was still in a dream, the Doctor remained calm and patiently waited.Before long, the mist suddenly dispersed again, revealing an even more magnificent palace. Though grander in scale, its basic structure remained similar to the previous one, with identical blue bricks beneath their feet. This appeared to be an assembly hall, filled with officials seated on both sides. The man presumed to be Qin Shi Huang sat enthroned at the far end, but what surprised the Doctor was the one addressing the court—a child who seemed no older than ten. Despite the hall containing at least a hundred people, the boy spoke fearlessly and eloquently, his clear voice echoing through the vast space.

Could this be the legendary Prince Fusu?

The Doctor noticed that the man resembling Qin Shi Huang had shed any lingering youthfulness from his brow, his demeanor now profoundly authoritative and composed. He appeared to be in his thirties, indicating this scene took place many years after Prince Fusu’s birth. Yet this ten-year-old child bore no resemblance whatsoever to the emperor in the hall.

Taking advantage of his invisibility to those present, the Doctor walked right up to the boy before stopping. The child had rosy lips and bright eyes, standing only waist-high. The longer the Doctor looked at him, the more familiar he seemed—an answer hovering just beyond reach.

As he pondered this, the Doctor suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. A familiar voice sighed with relief, saying, "Finally found you."

Turning around, the Doctor saw the pale-faced Boss. His eyes darted back and forth between the Boss and the child as if seeing a ghost, his mouth agape but speechless.

The Boss smiled wryly. "I didn’t expect you to come here. Yes, this child is me in my youth."

The Doctor felt as if his throat were being squeezed, staring fixedly at the Boss in disbelief.

He began to suspect this wasn’t a dream—even his wildest fantasies wouldn’t conjure such a meticulously detailed illusion.

Just then, a commanding voice resonated through the hall, declaring slowly, "Gan Luo’s mission to Zhao secured the Hejian territory without mobilizing a single soldier—a commendable achievement. You are hereby appointed as Senior Minister, and your grandfather Gan Mao’s estates are restored to you."

Pointing at the bowing child in the hall, the Doctor stammered, "You... this is Gan Luo? The prodigy Gan Luo who became chancellor at twelve?"

"In the Qin hierarchy, the chancellor and senior minister held similar ranks, hence the legend of the twelve-year-old chancellor," the Boss explained nostalgically, his gaze sweeping the surroundings before settling on one spot. Following his line of sight, the Doctor noticed a handsome teenage boy in splendid attire standing behind a screen at Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng’s back. Though lacking Ying Zheng’s intimidating presence, his features bore striking resemblance.

"Is this Prince Fusu?" the Doctor asked, though he felt an indescribable unease while looking at the youth. Before he could sort through his thoughts, the mist abruptly enveloped them again, obscuring even the palace. Strangely, despite the thick fog, the Doctor could still see the Boss standing beside him.

"I know you have questions. Keep watching, and you’ll learn everything you wish to know," the Boss said calmly, his form appearing almost illusory amidst the swirling mist.The doctor steadied his mind. Although what the Boss said was utterly unbelievable, he had indeed heard the Boss mention before that the white snake was a medicinal serpent raised by his master—a snake over two thousand years old. The Warring States period happened to be more than two millennia ago, and Gan Luo bore such a striking resemblance to the Boss...

Could it be that the Boss truly was Gan Luo?

The doctor stared unblinkingly at the Boss. In the thick mist, the expression in his eyes grew increasingly elusive. The doctor suddenly recalled that in official historical records, Gan Luo’s birth and death dates were unknown. The history books contained no account of the ultimate fate of this extraordinary prodigy. Logically, as a noble of the Qin state, even if Gan Luo had died of old age, there should have been some trace of him in Qin dynasty records. Yet, like a shooting star, he had flashed across the court of Great Qin and vanished without a trace.

Or perhaps... the history books contained no record of Gan Luo’s death because he never died at all?

The doctor suddenly felt his mouth go dry. Just as he was about to voice his question, the mist dissipated once more. This time, the scene was not a palace but an elegantly furnished study. It seemed several more years had passed. Gan Luo had grown from a child into a youth, his features increasingly resembling the Boss’s, though his expression lacked the Boss’s profound depth, retaining only innocence and exuberance.

"The First Emperor appointed me as a high minister, a position my achievements in the mission to Zhao did not warrant. It was neither a whim of the emperor nor a reward for merit, but a gesture to placate the old nobility of Qin. Though I held the title of high minister, no one treated me as one. The First Emperor seemed to have anticipated this, and not long after, he assigned me to study with the Crown Prince Fusu—essentially making me his study companion," the Boss recounted slowly. The doctor watched as the now fully grown Crown Prince Fusu entered the study. The two conversed with the ease of old friends, discussing affairs of state, sometimes laughing heartily, other times arguing until their faces flushed.

Only then did the doctor understand why historical records of Gan Luo’s deeds ended with his appointment as minister at age twelve. Gan Luo had become the crown prince’s study companion, effectively joining the circle of advisors Qin Shi Huang had prepared for Fusu. Had Crown Prince Fusu ascended the throne, the dormant Gan Luo would undoubtedly have shone brightly in the history of the Qin dynasty.

Unfortunately, the eventual second emperor of Qin was not Fusu, but his younger brother Huhai.

At the thought of China’s first true crown prince—this gentle, jade-like young man—meeting an untimely death, the doctor felt a surge of sorrow from the depths of his heart. The feeling was inexplicable. As a dedicated physician, he had long trained himself to remain detached in the face of life and death. Moreover, this Crown Prince Fusu had died over two thousand years ago—why should he grieve so deeply for him?

The doctor quickly composed himself and instinctively turned to look at the Boss, catching the profound nostalgia in his eyes.

The one most deeply affected was likely him.

The doctor could not fathom what it felt like to live alone in this world for over two thousand years—watching one’s family and friends die one by one, leaving only oneself to wander aimlessly through the ages...

Suddenly, the doctor understood why the Boss dealt in antiques. Only those ancient artifacts, like him, had endured the long passage of time, accumulating the weight of history, witnessing generations come and go, with everything changing except them...The mist came and went, revealing one scene after another—sometimes fleeting, sometimes lingering. The Doctor felt as though he were watching someone’s memories.

Most likely the Boss’s, he thought.

In the scenes emerging from the mist, the figure of Qin Shi Huang appeared more and more frequently. The Doctor couldn’t quite grasp the semi-classical dialogue and found the political discussions tedious, so he stopped asking the Boss for translations. Just then, the scene shifted to the legendary, perilous moment—Jing Ke’s assassination attempt on the King of Qin.

Jing Ke knelt calmly before the Emperor, deferentially presenting the map. As the scroll unfurled inch by inch, the dagger was finally revealed. Jing Ke swiftly grabbed the Emperor’s sleeve with one hand while the other thrust a gleaming dagger through the air—a fierce strike aimed directly at Qin Shi Huang. The Emperor tore his sleeve free and dodged the blow.

Jing Ke’s strike missed. He had come resolved to die, determined not to leave without killing the King of Qin. The King drew his sword and counterattacked, wounding Jing Ke. Blood splattered as Jing Ke hurled the dagger at the King, but it missed again. He was struck once more by the King’s sword and collapsed, injured.

Watching Jing Ke struggle and roar curses against the King’s tyranny, the Doctor couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, do you think Qin Shi Huang was a tyrant?”

The Boss glanced at him and replied indifferently, “Crown Prince Dan sent Jing Ke to assassinate the First Emperor, who nearly lost his life. Yet when Qin conquered Yan, they didn’t even harm the lives of Yan’s nobility. After unifying the Central Plains and conquering the six states, the First Emperor ordered no massacres and no slaughter of the nobles—who later became the main force behind the rebellion against Qin. If the First Emperor were truly a tyrant, how could Liu Bang, a native of Chu, become an official? How could Xiang Yu, a descendant of Chu’s nobility, grow up unharmed?”

The Doctor was taken aback by the Boss’s argument, especially as Jing Ke was slain by swarming Qin soldiers right before his eyes. Splatters of blood seemed to flow almost to his feet. Though separated by over two thousand years, the Doctor could almost smell the overwhelming metallic scent. “You’re saying the rebellion against Qin was led by the nobles of the six states? But I recall the first uprising was by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang from Daze Village—they were commoners, forced to rebel by Qin Shi Huang’s harsh corvée labor.”

The Boss snorted coldly. “Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty claimed Chen Sheng and Wu Guang revolted because they faced execution for delayed corvée service. But recently unearthed Qin bamboo slips indicate that delays under five days only warranted verbal reprimands, and beyond five days, a fine. Everyone says Qin’s laws were severe, yet the opposite is true: Qin’s legal code included protections for criminals that wouldn’t appear in the West for another two thousand years. The Records of the Grand Historian also documents multiple cases assigned by Qin Shi Huang that went unsolved—unthinkable in later eras. Under brutal torture, even without finding the real criminal, a scapegoat could always be produced. This shows Qin had no forced confessions through torture. Compared to the countless wrongful convictions in later dynasties, Qin was relatively enlightened.”

The Doctor had no rebuttal. Though speechless, he found it intriguing. “So, are you saying Qin Shi Huang was a brilliant and flawless emperor? Were all those accusations fabricated?”"What crimes? Tell me." The Boss smiled slightly. He had been holding in his anger for two thousand years regarding people's prejudice against Qin Shi Huang. If he had said such things to anyone else, they would likely have considered him insane. He turned to examine the Doctor carefully. Standing here now, he could see scenes from over two thousand years ago. Fate had twisted and turned for millennia, yet at this moment, it felt like returning to the beginning—just like back then, when he and she stood on smooth blue bricks, discussing court affairs and debating state matters. There was no crown prince, no study companion, only shared ideals and aspirations—to establish a Great Qin that would last for generations!

Although he hadn't yet recovered his memories from his past life, this feeling of engaging in spirited debate with someone was something he hadn't experienced in a very, very long time...

The Doctor didn't notice the Boss's dazed expression and racked his brains to recall Qin Shi Huang's tyrannical crimes, starting with the lighter ones: "He killed innocent people recklessly!"

"Hmph, Emperor Qin Shi Huang reigned for 37 years and never executed a single general or minister. In later dynasties, without exception, they would eradicate the previous ruling house root and branch. Some even went so far as to annihilate their own people. Han Gaozu Liu Bang nearly killed all his comrades who rebelled with him, without exception, executing their entire families. Did anyone in later generations call Liu Bang a tyrant? No. Because those who hated him were completely eradicated. Even Sima Qian, in his 'Records of the Grand Historian,' didn't dare speak carelessly, or else Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, would easily burn his years of hard work to ashes." A look of disdain appeared on the Boss's face.

"Then didn't Qin Shi Huang also burn books and bury scholars alive? Isn't that also eradicating those who criticized him?" the Doctor retorted indignantly.

The Boss didn't refute immediately but waited quietly for the surrounding mist to clear. The scene now showed a spring-filled imperial garden. Qin Shi Huang, seated in a lounge chair, didn't look imposing but was affectionately playing with a child in his arms. Fusu and Gan Luo stood in the distance, and Fusu, already an adult, couldn't hide his envy.

"Who is that child?" The Doctor forgot the debate, equally surprised by Qin Shi Huang's rare display of tenderness.

The Boss closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "That is Huhai."

The Doctor gasped. This was the truly tyrannical and wasteful Qin Er Shi, Huhai? Although he knew Qin Shi Huang might have committed various crimes, after all, he was the emperor who unified the Central Plains. Yet the empire he built with his own hands didn't last for generations as he had hoped but was lost under Qin Er Shi's rule. Looking at the innocent child, the Doctor couldn't imagine how he could grow up to be so cruel and heartless.

"Do you remember the jade material I mentioned for the Longevity Lock? It was at this time, after Qin Shi Huang unified the Central Plains, that he polished the Heirloom Seal of the Realm into the Imperial Jade Seal. The two remaining pieces of jade were given to his eldest son, Fusu, and his youngest son, Huhai." The Boss spoke calmly. The scene now showed Fusu receiving the crystal-clear jade material, not daring to carve it arbitrarily but simply threading it with a red cord to wear close to his body.

"This... I recall that during the Warring States period, there didn't seem to be a fixed rule about appointing the eldest or the legitimate heir as the successor, right?" The Doctor grasped the deeper meaning in the Boss's words."Yes, so although Fusu's right to succession is officially first in line, anyone with eyes can see Emperor Qin Shi Huang's favoritism towards Huhai." The Boss watched the shifting scenes of Qin Shi Huang berating Fusu harshly and sighed softly. "Actually, the First Emperor was strict with Prince Fusu because he wanted to entrust this empire to him. He doted on Huhai because this youngest son wouldn't have to inherit this vast nation. Ah... In truth, Prince Fusu never cared for political schemes and power struggles—what he loved most was reading medical texts..." The Boss uttered this last sentence very quietly, yet couldn't help glancing toward the Doctor beside him.

The Doctor didn't catch the Boss's last words, his mind filled with internal commentary. If Qin Shi Huang hadn't given Huhai misguided perceptions and had treated all his children equally, perhaps the subsequent events wouldn't have occurred. But then again, if an emperor didn't even have the freedom to choose whom to favor, wouldn't that be utterly tragic?

Due to this interlude, the two didn't continue their debate, and the atmosphere returned to harmony. The Boss watched the ever-shifting misty scenes, occasionally pointing out various figures and events to the Doctor. The Doctor listened with great interest, as if watching a real 3D-projected television series.

"Ah, right! Qin Shi Huang has another major crime: his massive construction projects! The Great Wall, the Epang Palace, the Lishan Mausoleum—which of these wasn't a colossal undertaking?" The Doctor recalled their earlier discussion upon seeing the scene of Qin Shi Huang studying the map for the Great Wall's construction.

The Boss curled his lips slightly and sighed softly. "After the Qin dynasty conquered the six warring states, what should be done with the remaining soldiers? Demobilize them to farm? That wasn't a solution. Prolonged peace inevitably leads to chaos; if not through continued external expansion, then through massive construction projects. Every dynasty in history followed this pattern without exception. Later, Emperor Wu of Han repeatedly launched campaigns against the Xiongnu, and the Sui, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties all did the same. Even the Qing dynasty's Kangxi Emperor personally led expeditions during peacetime. It's a method to resolve internal conflicts."

Hearing this, the Doctor felt suddenly enlightened. This approach has indeed been used from ancient times to the present, not to mention in modern society where a certain major power started some war to divert attention from domestic economic crises!

Seeing that the Doctor didn't refute him, the Boss continued, "Setting aside later generations' mixed opinions about the Great Wall, the fact that every dynasty after Qin continued to build it surely demonstrates its importance. The First Emperor refrained from external expansion out of consideration for the people's livelihood. You might not believe me if I just say this, but the unearthed 'Shuihudi Qin Bamboo Slips' clearly record that Qin dynasty corvée laborers received wages, were provided meals, and even issued clothing. Do you think common people would prefer going to war or working on construction projects?"

The Doctor was completely speechless, his mind swirling with the Boss's arguments like a tangled mess.

"Here lies the truth behind the 'Burning of Books and Burying of Scholars'," the Boss suddenly stated. The Doctor immediately widened his eyes. Worried that the Doctor might not understand from just a few scenes, the Boss patiently explained: "The catalyst for the Burning of Books and Burying of Scholars was Qin Shi Huang's pursuit of immortality. Fearful of being poisoned, he required alchemists presenting him with pills to make two identical pills each time. Specially designated attendants would test the pills first. Only after a month without adverse effects would he consume the pill. Then one day, one of these testing attendants suddenly died."

On the screen, Qin Shi Huang was in a furious rage while his subordinates stood terrified and silent. The Doctor frowned and said, "Modern research has proven that substances like mercury and alum found in ancient alchemy are heavy metals highly toxic to humans. Accumulated to a certain level, they inevitably cause side effects. In fact, several emperors in history died from consuming elixirs—Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, is said to have died this way. Pursuing immortality..." The Doctor suddenly stopped speaking, realizing he was standing next to someone who seemed to be immortal himself.The boss nodded nonchalantly and said, "Yes, but at that time, no one knew the elixirs were fundamentally toxic. There was no way to verify which alchemist's elixir caused the death of the test attendant. Coupled with the exposure of Hou Sheng, Lu Sheng, and others for embezzlement, squandering funds, and absconding with the money, the First Emperor decided to execute the involved alchemists. In modern terms, it was a case of misappropriating research funds. Four hundred and sixty-three individuals were found guilty with solid evidence, all deserving death, and they were beheaded one by one. This was the only instance of 'burying scholars'—more accurately, it should be called 'burying alchemists.' In the 'Records of the Grand Historian,' Sima Qian also referred to it as burying alchemists. Later generations distorted the story, adding exaggerations until it became the burial of countless scholars. As for the burning of books, the recently unearthed Qin bamboo slips still exist. If books were truly burned, how could so many bamboo slips have been excavated? What Qin Shi Huang burned were merely the books of the nobility from the six states, aiming to erase their history and prevent rebellions. However, he didn't expect that such a lenient act of burning books alone could not stop people's desire to revolt."

By this point, the doctor had completely given up on arguing with the boss and immersed himself earnestly in this historical panorama. The subsequent narrative also subverted his understanding in many ways. Qin Shi Huang centralized power and involved himself in every matter. As time passed, he realized that only his presence could sustain the empire's operation, so he began making frequent inspection tours across the country, leaving Prince Fusu to govern the court. However, Prince Fusu was benevolent and virtuous, holding governance principles entirely opposite to those of Qin Shi Huang. After repeated conflicts, Qin Shi Huang sent him to the frontier to serve in the military, intending to temper him over several years and mold Fusu into a resolute and decisive leader. Gan Luo, who was the boss at the time, accompanied Prince Fusu as his study companion.

The scenes that followed rarely featured Qin Shi Huang, mostly depicting the monotonous life of military campaigns. The battles beyond the frontier indeed transformed Fusu from a noble prince into an outstanding general. After several years passed, an imperial decree suddenly arrived from Qin Shi Huang. The edict, delivered to Shangjun, rebuked Fusu for incompetence and ordered him and General Meng Tian to commit suicide.

The doctor stared in disbelief. He knew full well that this decree was actually forged by Huhai and Zhao Gao—Qin Shi Huang had already passed away during his eastern tour. Unlike the historical account depicting Fusu as weak-willed and taking his own life, Fusu intended to join forces with General Meng Tian to lead troops back to Xianyang and seek the truth. However, Huhai and Zhao Gao's men were well-prepared. They mercilessly killed Fusu when he showed signs of resistance in his tent.

Despite the passage of over two thousand years, the doctor couldn't help but cry out in horror when he saw the soldiers thrusting their swords toward Fusu.

To his astonishment, he noticed the boss, who had been standing beside him, rushing forward and recklessly shielding Fusu.

The doctor watched helplessly as the gleaming sword passed through the boss's ethereal form and pierced Fusu's chest.

The boss turned around, standing there in a daze.

"This isn't your fault..." the doctor murmured, knowing that the boss hadn't been present back then. If he had, he would likely have acted just as he did now. For a moment, the doctor felt a surge of relief that the boss hadn't been there.

Yet, as he gazed at Fusu's lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, eyes wide open in death, a chill ran down the doctor's spine.In Fusu's embrace, the jade material bestowed by Qin Shi Huang fell to the ground. The Doctor watched as the jade was soaked in warm blood, sending a chill throughout his entire body.

"Actually, it's not that justice triumphs over evil, but that history can only be written by the victorious side. In this world, the winning side is always the just one." The Boss's ethereal voice drifted over, but the Doctor had no time to ponder it deeply before sinking back into darkness.

The Doctor surfaced as if emerging from the depths of the sea, struggling to open his eyes. The familiar dim flickering lights of the Dumb Shop danced before him.

He sat up from the chair and rubbed his slightly aching temples. As he raised his hand, he froze—clutched in his palm was the Longevity Lock, now broken into two halves. After staring blankly for a moment, he suddenly asked, "The memories I just saw... were they Fusu's?"

The Boss poured him a cup of tea and nodded in response. "Yes. After Fusu's tragic death, I helped Liu Bang overthrow the Qin dynasty to avenge him, and have been searching for Fusu's reincarnation ever since."

"You helped Liu Bang overthrow Qin?" The Doctor picked up the teacup and drained it in one gulp. The scalding tea slid down his throat, making him gasp.

"Mm. I originally chose Xiang Yu, but unexpectedly, he destroyed Xianyang, burned the Epang Palace, and slaughtered all the Qin imperial family and ministers." The Boss paused here, as if recalling the scene. His hand gripping the teapot even stiffened slightly before he continued after a long moment, "So I turned to Liu Bang instead."

The Doctor let out a dry chuckle. "You're not going to tell me you're Han Xin, are you?" He had meant it as a joke, but to his surprise, the Boss calmly nodded. The Doctor was rendered completely speechless, and could only snatch the teapot from the Boss's hands to pour himself another cup of tea. Since the person before him had lived for over two thousand years, what couldn't be believed? Who knew what other roles he had played throughout history...

After drinking several more cups of tea to calm his nerves, he replaced the lid and said quietly, "I found him, but for some unknown reason, Fusu's reincarnations always died young—at most, they lived to twelve. Because the time was too brief, I often couldn't locate them in time, exhausting myself with constant travel. It took me extremely long years to discover that only by having Fusu's reincarnation wear the jade material he had kept close for years could his life be extended. So I had Lu Zigang carve this Longevity Lock. Yet even so, it could only allow Fusu's reincarnation to live for twenty-four years."

Although the Doctor had already guessed some of this, when the Boss finished speaking and looked directly at him, he still shivered violently. Forcing a stiff smile, he said awkwardly, "Aren't you mistaken? I'm already past twenty-four, and I'm still alive and well, aren't I?"

The Boss shook his head at him. "No, I'm not mistaken. Do you remember that Aquamarine jade crucifix from before?""Remember? How could I forget? I was the one who saved that person! Why?" The Doctor certainly remembered that bizarre incident. Because of that Aquamarine jade crucifix, the originally murdered Ning Qiqi had taken over the body of bestselling mystery novelist Xiao Ji, while Xiao Ji's soul had been absorbed by the Aquamarine jade crucifix he wore. Just as the Doctor was about to say more, he watched as the Boss took out a small box from behind the counter, inside which lay the Aquamarine jade crucifix.

"Ning Qiqi gave this crucifix to me. I had the Curator authenticate it - while the craftsmanship is recent, the jade material dates back over two thousand years." The Boss, fearing it might be hard to understand immediately, added, "It's from the same blue jade material that the First Emperor bestowed upon Huhai, originating from the same Heirloom Seal of the Realm as the Longevity Lock in your possession."

The Doctor was rendered speechless. Having already endured too many shocks today, he decided to remain silent and just listen to the conclusions.

"I've only recently discovered that Prince Fusu's fragment of soul was sealed within this jade material before his death. Fusu, with an incomplete soul, naturally met an early demise in his reincarnations. Today, when the Longevity Lock shattered, that fragment of Fusu's soul was finally released. Everything we just witnessed were the residual memories of Prince Fusu preserved within this Longevity Lock." The Boss spoke slowly, so slowly it seemed each word was forced through his teeth.

The Doctor felt dizzy, but he was good at extracting comprehensible information. After pondering for a moment, he blinked and pointed at himself: "So you mean, the great calamity in my life has passed smoothly? From now on, I can live without any worries?"

The Doctor had no interest in whether he was Fusu's reincarnation. He regarded the scenes he had just witnessed as nothing more than a 3D holographic drama, feeling little emotional connection. After all, these were events from over two thousand years ago - what use was there in dwelling on them? When day broke, he would still go to work, put on his white coat, and heal the sick. Whether his previous incarnation was a hero or a coward made no difference to his current life.

Hearing this, the Boss revealed a smile and slowly nodded: "Yes, there are no more problems. Not only in this life, but in all your future reincarnations, you'll be under fate's control like ordinary people. There will be no more premature deaths."

The Doctor inexplicably found the Boss's words somewhat sorrowful, though he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. Just as his agitated self was about to ask, he stared in horror as blood began streaming from the corners of the Boss's mouth, while that smile remained fixed on his pale face.

"Yes, you can finally live properly... my mission is finally complete... I... should rest now..."

(End of Chapter)