The audition went more smoothly than Xu Qian had imagined; his lines and acting were both good, except for one thing…

“…However, your appearance is too outstanding, it doesn’t meet my expectations, I need to consider it,” said Director Fei, whose hair was so short it looked like a buzz cut.

this……

Xu Qian had no choice but to agree in disappointment.

Zhao Wenkang didn't expect to encounter such a thing. However, Director Fei was not like other easy-going directors. At least in terms of casting, his style was completely 'dictatorial'. If he said no, then no.

When they finally left, Xu Qian comforted Zhao Wenkang, saying that he was already grateful for the audition opportunity, and whether he succeeded or not was up to him, so how could he blame others?

Zhao Wenkang sighed and said, "Alright then, but since you've come all the way to Beijing today, why don't you come to my house for dinner tonight? Your sister-in-law is an excellent cook, you must try her."

Xu Qian initially wanted to decline, but Zhao Wenkang's tone was very sincere, and it had been a while since the last dressing change, so he agreed after taking a look at his wound.

Zhao Wenkang lives in a residential area outside the Third Ring Road in Beijing. Although it has been around for a few years, the security and facilities seem to be quite good.

Besides the two people, there was also Zhao Wenkang's son, Zhao Yan, whom he had just picked up from his tutoring class. Zhao Yan was a young man who had just started high school. He was of medium height and had more delicate features than his father, Zhao Wenkang. He was fair-skinned and clean-cut.

Zhao Yan was very interested in his father's friend who was much older than him. Of course, more importantly, the friend's appearance was indeed... extraordinary. He might not have looked anything special in the photos, but his appearance in person was truly striking.

Actually, there are just too many good-looking people in the entertainment industry, especially when you're surrounded by people in it. It's dazzling to look at them all. But in terms of charisma, this young man is absolutely stunning. It would be a real shame if he didn't pursue this career.

There's just one odd thing about him; he speaks in a somewhat 'old-fashioned' way.

He looks quite young, but when he talks, he sounds exactly like his dad! How come their conversation is completely like a middle-aged man sharing his flower-growing experiences?!

No one knew what Zhao Yan was thinking, but thankfully this 'torture' ended quickly because they got home.

Little did he know that this was just the beginning.

...

Xu Qian was very satisfied. With Zhao Wenkang's help, the two of them rearranged the Zhao family's small garden, adding several plots of land planted with vegetables. Looking up, it was full of lush greenery and vitality.

"Come, have some tea." Zhao Wenkang invited Xu Qian to sit down in the living room. He was from Liancheng, where tea was a local specialty, so tea was an essential item wherever he went.

Xu Qian still misses tea, especially in the past when it was very expensive in town, and he could only rely on his thirteenth senior brother's money whenever he went down the mountain...

Ah, Thirteenth Senior Brother...

"What's wrong? Doesn't it suit your taste?" Zhao Wenkang thought that he didn't like tea when he suddenly stopped.

Xu Qian quickly shook his head, "No, it tastes great."

While the two were talking, Zhao Wenkang's wife returned from grocery shopping.

After a flurry of activity, a table full of dishes was served.

Before the formal meal, Xu Qian took a picture and posted it on Weibo without any caption, just saying "Dinner's ready."

***

The next morning, Xu Qian did not let Zhao Wenkang take him to the airport, but instead made an excuse that he had to go to other places to take care of some things.

Once there was no one around and no surveillance, Xu Qian used his teleportation ability to travel to Pei City. He first borrowed the Azure Light Token from Anda, then switched to the Qi Pure armor and headed to Lu City, which Monk Neil had mentioned.

As for the matter entrusted to him by the monk, Xiaoqing had already told him about it on the way there.

The incident occurred at the Lucheng Museum. Six months ago, an archaeological team discovered a Northern Dynasties tomb in Guanglan County, Lucheng. After three months of surveying, it was confirmed that the tomb belonged to Duan Tinglan, a general of the Northern Dynasties. A large number of gold and jade artifacts were unearthed from the tomb, among which the most eye-catching was the black gold mask excavated from the main coffin.

The mask is 17.8 cm wide, 12 cm high, and 0.05 cm thick, weighing 55 grams. It has a round face and is finely crafted. It is the largest and best-preserved black and gold mask discovered to date.

Nearly six months after the excavation began, the processed artifacts were sent to the Lucheng Museum, but strange things happened at that time.

The staff who took over this batch of cultural relics—or rather, the staff who received this mask—all experienced speech loss. Their brains seemed to shut down; they couldn't remember their own names, let alone recognize the people around them. They became confused and disoriented, and even after going to the hospital for a long time, they couldn't get a definitive diagnosis.

Then, through some connections, they found Neil the monk.

...

After learning everything, Xu Qian could only think of one word—"soulless."

Xiaoqing nodded and said, "That's what the monk said too."

Xu Qian then stopped and looked at him with a strange expression, asking, "Can't you call back the Breeze Bell?"

“He tried,” Xiaoqing said, shaking her head.

"This is really strange..."

Soon, the two arrived at the Lucheng Museum.

As a popular tourist destination in Lucheng, the museum's visitor volume on Saturdays and weekends is considerable. Fortunately, the Northern Dynasties artifacts have not yet been officially collected, and related information has been kept under wraps, so the public is unaware of them.

Walking towards us was Monk Neil. This time, he was wearing a faded white monk's robe, and a slight smile was on his handsome face. With the gentle summer breeze blowing, hmm... he had the right vibe!

“Benefactor.” Neil nodded to him.

Xu Qian also politely returned the greeting.

Without exchanging many words, Neil took Xu Qian directly to the temporary storage room for cultural relics, and on the way, he also added some of his discoveries over the past few days, especially regarding the black and gold mask.

"...I've seen the people at the hospital. One of the three lights went out, and the accidents all happened after they came into contact with the masks. I've already had the temporary storage room sealed off."

The monk spoke very softly, so softly that only Xu Qian, who was standing next to him, could hear him.

"Also, there's something on that mask."

The monk lowered his voice even further, and his words became heavy.

Xu Qian turned his head and glanced at him. Although he didn't know what the thing was, judging from the monk's expression, it shouldn't be anything simple. Sure enough, this money wasn't easy to earn.

Author's Note: There will be another update tonight. See you tonight!