Huang Jiu, seeing that I was concerned about its transformation, chuckled and said, "I've thought it through. I can't keep doing shady things. In the end, it's always the emperor who's not in a rush, but the eunuch is."
I sneered coldly, "Don't flatter yourself. The ancient mirror is locked up in a safe. Your little brother, Big Black, probably couldn't even bite through it if he tried."
I knew all too well the kind of trouble it liked to get itself into. Earlier, it said it would give me three days, but it probably went to scout the place out long before then. It found out that even monsters can't beat high-tech, so it backtracked.
However, after meeting Mr. Jiang, especially after what Lai Youwei did in the end, I became more eager for a reliable partner—someone who would stand by me through life and death.
Huang Jiu might not be the most trustworthy, but after seeing how it handled human nature, I was starting to find it a little more tolerable.
By the time we got home, it was already five in the morning. I didn't want to disturb Xiao Cui, so I just leaned back on the couch and slept for a while.
When the sun came up, I called my second uncle. I told him that the matter with Su Dazhuang's family was resolved. The graveyard was a bit messy, and if Su Dazhuang needed to, he could go check it out. Since the undead heart had been destroyed, the Three Yin Sect wouldn't bother an ordinary person anymore.
As for Su Dazhuang's father's friend, if Su Dazhuang knew anything, the people from the Three Yin Sect would have long since kidnapped him, and there would have been no need to disturb his parents' grave.
Second uncle agreed, and I let it go. After a quick wash, I grabbed my keys and headed out.
I planned to meet with Director Qian in the afternoon to discuss the matter of the bronze mirror. If he refused again, I'd think of another way.
As I opened the door, Huang Jiu slipped out of Huang Xian'er's room and followed me to the shop. Hu Wenhui wasn't there, probably still dealing with that effeminate matter, which was certainly tricky. If it weren't for Huang Jiu's transformation, I would have liked to tag along to see the outcome.
I opened the door to Song Laoqi's shop as well and left my number on it. In the afternoon, when I confirmed Director Qian had time, I took a taxi to meet him.
His office had surveillance, so I arranged to meet him at a nearby café.
After a few days, Director Qian looked a little worn out. Before I could speak, he said, "A colleague of Wei Guo contacted me. They reported that recently, he has been taking the ancient mirror out at midnight, talking to it, and occasionally laughing foolishly."
This was all expected.
Between the realms of the living and the dead, humans and spirits walk separate paths. Even though the ghost of the Republic-era woman in the mirror didn't mean to harm anyone, prolonged exposure to it would cause problems.
I said, "Old Director, the ghost of a Republic-era woman is a minor issue. What I'm worried about is the sealed demon inside."
I had already briefed him about what was necessary, and now that the mirror was acting up, it was up to him to decide if he would change his stance.
Director Qian wasn't exactly stubborn, but he placed too much weight on the institution's affairs. Otherwise, as the museum director, with just one command, I could have taken the mirror long ago.
I didn't particularly like this kind of person, but I genuinely respected him, so I didn't want to use forceful methods.
Besides, Shen Wei Guo was his beloved disciple, and I trusted he wouldn't let the ancient artifact take priority over Shen Wei Guo's life.
After a long silence, Director Qian finally said, "Why don't you come with us to see Wei Guo first?"
I didn't refuse, paid for my coffee, and followed him out.
At the museum, Director Qian led me straight to the staff quarters. "Staff quarters" was really just the work area. For those who worked here, their lives and jobs were basically inseparable.
Director Qian called Shen Wei Guo, but the call didn't go through. After looking around, he asked one of his students.
When the student heard we were looking for Shen Wei Guo, he gave us a strange look but pointed us toward the storage room.
I'd been there once. Their so-called storage room was actually where freshly unearthed artifacts were kept before being cleaned. The items still carried the earth's residual energies, making it the most spiritually charged area in the whole museum.
Once we arrived, Director Qian turned the security lock, only to find the door had been locked from the inside.
Just as he was about to knock, I gestured for him to stay quiet.
After a moment of stillness, a faint woman's voice could be heard from within, singing an old Republic-era tune.
Her singing was sorrowful, almost like crying.
It was chilling, even under the bright daylight.
After the song ended, there was a round of applause, and Shen Wei Guo's voice followed, "Don't worry, I've found someone. In a few days, when Old Director is away, I'll take you out. He'll let you go!"
Hearing this, Director Qian was furious and was about to knock on the door.
I stopped him and whispered, "Old Director, don't get upset. He's just been bewitched by the ghost. But that ancient mirror cannot stay here any longer. You have to give it to me. I'll return it once it's dealt with."
Director Qian seemed torn, remaining silent for a long time. However, after hearing the flirtatious laughter of a man and a ghost inside, he realized the situation couldn't be delayed any further.
He took out his phone and made a few calls, probably discussing things with someone. When he came back, he gritted his teeth and said, "You can take the mirror, but no matter if it's in pieces, you have to return it to me."
Before I could speak, Huang Jiu climbed up onto my shoulder and said, "Old man, don't worry. Even if it's trash, I'll bring it back to you!"
I quickly said, "Old Director, don't listen to this beast. Releasing the demon won't necessarily damage the mirror."
My grandfather once told me that mirrors were very special. They were like double-edged swords—able to repel and deflect evil, but also easily possessed by malevolent spirits.
In ancient times, Yin-Yang Masters would use mirrors to trap demons. But if the demon inside was freed, the mirror would shatter. I didn't want to make promises, but Huang Jiu's words were essentially giving the old man an excuse to back out.
Huang Jiu quickly realized and said, "Right, right, right. It won't break. It's a bronze mirror, not an ordinary one."
It was so excited, I gave it a look to signal it to stop talking.
I said, "Old Director, once we handle Shen Wei Guo's issue, we'll take the mirror with us?"
After a moment of hesitation, Director Qian nodded.
At that moment, the noise from inside suddenly stopped.
It seemed our conversation at the door had alerted the ghost. After all, she wouldn't dare be too bold in broad daylight.
I knocked on the door and called Shen Wei Guo's name a few times.
Inside was dead silent, as though no one had spoken at all.
I whispered, "There's no other exit inside, is there?"
Director Qian replied, "The storage area for tomb relics doesn't even have windows, let alone exits."
That made sense. In a world driven by greed, there were always those who couldn't resist temptation, requiring supervision.
Since there was no other exit, Shen Wei Guo was still inside. I reached for the door handle.
Just as my hand touched it, the heavy door suddenly bulged out, revealing a delicate face.