Chapter 56: A Strange Request

A few days passed without incident.

The Spirit Power of the green boat fluctuated, rising and falling, but overall it saw a slight increase.

Grandmother always said she had exchanged words with him in private a few times, stating that Zhao Haojiang had become exceptionally cautious, so there were no subsequent arrangements.

The sunlight today was uncharacteristically warm.

Chen Shu arrived at the History Department.

The History Department had a dedicated research building on campus for storing artifacts and for professors to conduct their research.

Life and study at Yujing Academy were busier than Chen Shu had imagined, primarily life itself: he had to stay busy provoking Qingqing, playing games, scrolling through short videos, chatting in groups, and earning money. Chen Shu had originally intended to work for Professor Shi long-term; aside from credits, he could earn a bit of money.

Now, he couldn't keep up with it all.

The wages from Professor Shi certainly weren't enough for his needs.

He could only come to join in the excitement occasionally; on one hand, to earn some credits, and on the other, to learn the latest information about his fellow countryman.

Professor Shi felt very Joy at this—

Free labor is just delightful.

Recently, the historians at Yujing Academy had all been studying the ink-jade bamboo slips discovered in the Square Body, which they had named the Daxia Bamboo Books. These were not official historical records of the Xia Dynasty, but they still contained many stories related to the history of the Xia Dynasty and famous figures.

According to Professor Shi, many "Surprise" contents had been discovered within them.

This was the main reason Chen Shu chose to come at this time.

"Knock, knock."

He knocked lightly and went inside.

Soon, someone opened the door from the inside; it was a male teacher.

Chen Shu bowed slightly and nodded very politely, saying, "Hello, Teacher. I am Chen Shu. Professor Shi asked me to come and do some odd jobs."

"Ah, you must be Chen Shu!"

"That is me."

"The young man looks quite spirited!"

"He is quite handsome."

"Oh? Haha, come, come, come inside."

Chen Shu followed him inside and saw many artifacts unearthed from the Yuanzhou Fangti, among which most people were gathered in front of a pile of ink-white bamboo slips, discussing them animatedly.

"Chen Shu is here?"

Professor Shi hurriedly greeted him: "Come and take a look."

"Long time no see."

"Don't be formal, come quickly."

"Alright."

Chen Shu squeezed into the crowd and looked at these bamboo slips.

This was a type of bamboo that was black throughout, crystalline and warm like jade, but the interior was grayish-white; if characters were carved into it, it would produce a black-background, white-text effect. But its main advantage was that once treated with oil, it could remain undecayed for a thousand years even when placed in the outside world, making it more economical than specially made paper or animal hide.

Professor Shi enthusiastically introduced their findings to him: "We discovered in this scroll of bamboo books that the Shengzu had once adopted an orphan during his early campaigns, and later another scroll mentioned this prince adopted by the Shengzu, but he was never mentioned again afterward."

"Hmm?"

Chen Shu keenly sensed something.

In this world, many people speculated that the bloodline of the Great Xia Imperial Family might have had issues, because the talent of the later Great Xia Imperial Family was truly quite poor.

But Chen Shu had his own reasoning in his heart, because he knew that the Shengzu was a transmigrator; he felt that the Shengzu might have been like him, possessing exceptional talent only because of the transmigration, while his own genes were not actually that strong, thus leading to this result.

"And there's more!"

Professor Shi picked up another scroll of bamboo books and said to him: "Look, look at this passage, it was just discovered; guess what this term means."

Chen Shu bent down and leaned in to look.

Very beautiful Song-style characters.

The line Professor Shi was pointing at read: "The Left Chancellor sighed after getting drunk: 'His Majesty has always been a Broken Goose Lonely Swan, the whole country is worried...'" The Right Chancellor hurriedly rebuked him..."

Professor Shi stared intently at Chen Shu and asked: "Broken Goose Lonely Swan, what do you guess this term means? We all guess it means unmarried, but we aren't sure. If it is truly confirmed that the Shengzu was a celibate, the debate over the Great Xia Imperial Family's bloodline might be resolved."

"I haven't seen this term before."

Chen Shu answered honestly, his eyes flickering.

Others couldn't be sure what this term meant, but he could be certain; this term referred to an unmarried celibate, generally used to refer to a man.

I didn't realize you had this tendency, fellow countryman?

What? The female Cultivators of this other world didn't suit your tastes?

After a brief pause, Chen Shu said: "But looking at the literal meaning, it is very likely that this is the meaning: Broken Goose, Lonely Swan. We can only ask the ancient language scholars; perhaps some ancient book has had this term before, but we haven't noticed it."

"We've asked, they are also checking."

"When was this scroll written?"

"It was already the two hundred and thirty-sixth year of the Great Xia Dynasty; not much longer to wait, and the Shengzu would abdicate."

"I see..."

At this point in time, it could basically be confirmed.

The later Great Xia Imperial Family was likely not the bloodline of his fellow countryman; of course, it could also be an illegitimate child, but that probability was very, very low, and could basically be ignored.

History is truly mysterious and magical.

Chen Shu couldn't help but want to start exploring; endless fun was hidden within the dust of time.

He didn't leave until evening.

He came again the next day.

The monotonous work was unexpectedly addictive. In the following days, although it was no longer the weekend, if he had time, Chen Shu would still go to Professor Shi's place to join in the excitement. Often, at mealtime, he could even mooch a stir-fry from the second floor of the cafeteria, or they would order takeout, and the food was decent enough.

He also took on a commission task in between.

Earning money, credits, and pursuing interests, all without missing a beat.

A few days later.

Chen Shu had just walked out of the Artifact Building, and as he looked at the message from Manager Wang of the agency, he fell into deep thought—

Wang Yang: There's a very easy commission with very, very high pay. The client specifically asked me to find students currently enrolled at Yujing Academy and Ling'an Academy. It's related to the Saint Ancestor Cube. Let me ask, do you know any History Department students who can access, might be able to access in the future, or have previously accessed the Saint Ancestor Cube and the artifacts inside?

Wang Yang: 50,000 just for providing a lead.

Wang Yang: If it's you, 500,000.

Wang Yang: It's very generous.

Chen Shu looked at this message, turned his head to glance back at the building, then scanned his surroundings, put away his Mobile Phone, and set off toward the Dormitory.

He pondered as he walked.

He didn't take out his Mobile Phone until he reached the Dormitory.

Chen Shu: What does the other party want to do?

Wang Yang: They are quite interested in artifacts related to the Saint Ancestor and want to purchase relevant information.

Chen Shu: What artifacts? What information?

Wang Yang: The other party said they want to talk in person.

Chen Shu: I don't know about that.

Wang Yang: Then why are you asking so much?

Chen Shu: Just curious, this commission is weird.

Wang Yang: It is quite weird. If you can't do it, I'll ask around some more, and then I'll reply to them.

Chen Shu: Okay.

Chen Shu: If you have other good tasks, remember to find me. I'll send you some lewd pictures.

Wang Yang: /wiping sweat

He turned off his Mobile Phone and tucked it back into his pocket.

This matter was truly strange.

First of all, being so interested in Saint Ancestor artifacts and being willing to spend money on them was very strange—if they were an ordinary history buff, most artifacts would be on display eventually. And if they were more obsessed and crazier than an ordinary history buff, well, those are Saint Ancestor artifacts; could you really move them home to collect?

Secondly, going through an agency was also very strange.

May Agency was indeed not small, but how much of a connection could an agency have with Saint Ancestor artifacts?

He just felt like the other party was looking for him.

"Click!"

Meng Chunqiu's door opened. He was wearing a traditional hunting outfit, looking very much like a woman dressed as a man, and holding a book, he said to Chen Shu, "Brother Chen, that thing you made a few days ago, the Boiled Beef, is that a specialty dish from your Yuanzhou? How do you make it? I couldn't find it anywhere in Yujing."

"Just threw it together."

"It was spicy and quite delicious."

"I'll make it for you again tomorrow."

"That's great!"

Meng Chunqiu was not at all as reserved as Jiang Lai, saying it happily, then suddenly leaned in and glanced at Chen Shu: "Brother Chen, what are you sitting here thinking about? Ah, right, Brother Chen, you've been leaving early and returning late these past few days, not in the Dormitory, and even when you don't have class, you aren't here. I'm afraid you've gone off to date someone."

"I've been helping out at the History Department these past few days to organize artifacts from the Yuanzhou Fangti," Chen Shu replied casually to brush it off, "I was greatly shocked, so I'm mentally exhausted."

"Ah?"

"That's just how it is."

"Why did you go to the History Department??"

"Don't be so stunned."

"Aren't you from the Ancient Cultivation Department?" Meng Chunqiu stared at him blankly. In Meng Chunqiu's heart, his two roommates were both barbarians; one was just crude brute force, and the other had simply switched to a more advanced method of pursuing savage power.

"It's like this, my father is a professor in the History Department, and then during the summer break, the Yuanzhou Fangti was opened, so I followed along to do some odd jobs and got to know Professor Shi from the History Department..."

"That Professor Shi who wrote the Great Sheng Lectures?"

"Yes."

"So you're that assistant mentioned in the news?"

"I suppose so..."

"So you're well-versed in history?"

"Yeah."

"Hiss!"

Meng Chunqiu took a deep breath and stared at him with wide eyes—

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

I am the most cultured person in this Dormitory!

"This..."

"What's wrong?"

"Pretty good, pretty good..."

"By the way, Brother Meng, you tell me, is it possible for things like Saint Ancestor artifacts to be smuggled out?" Chen Shu asked, then added, "Just suddenly thought of this question."

"Smuggled out..."

Meng Chunqiu paused for a moment before saying, "That depends on how you put it. If it's a Fangti unearthed in our Dayi, or places like Lanya or Dongzhou, then it's definitely impossible for artifacts to be smuggled out. But a Fangti could also appear in some small country, and then it's hard to say."

"Ah..."

Chen Shu realized it all at once.

Why didn't I think of this point just now? My brain suddenly jammed.

Not long after—

Wang Yang: Chen Shu, good news, that client specifically requested to invite you to take on a commission. I have already sent your contact information to him, but let me warn you first: if you conduct a transaction with him privately, it not only violates the contract but also carries great risk. Do not do such a thing.

It really is like this.

Chen Shu felt a bit helpless.

Chen Shu: Thank you, Supervisor Wang.

Chen Shu: 【QR Code】

Chen Shu: This is a set of lewd pictures, please accept them.

Wang Yang: /wiping sweat

Almost the next second, a call came in.

Chen Shu walked back to his room before pressing answer. On the other end was a very gentle and mature female voice: "Is this Mr. Chen Shu?"

"Yes."

"I would like to have a collaboration with you."

"About the Square Body?"

"Yes." The mature, gentle female voice was very pleasant to the senses. "Our boss is a crazy fan of Shengzu history and is very interested in the cultural relics inside the Square Body. If you agree, you only need to provide some rough, insignificant information. We understand that you likely have a need for money in the short term. I wonder if you have any interest in satisfying our boss's thirst for knowledge and helping each other out?"

"No interest."

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. We state in advance that we absolutely do not need you to disclose any sensitive information, nor do we need you to do anything; it's just a matter of a few words."

"I don't even know what you want to do. What if it's something or other, right?" Chen Shu answered honestly. "It's very easy to be labeled a traitor on the internet."

"You are very cautious. This kind of worry is only human nature..."

"Right?"

"Yes, it is."

The other party remained gentle and polite, pausing for a moment: "Then let's be direct. We are very interested in an item inside the Square Body; it should be a mirror. We only need you to help us check if you have seen a similar item inside the Yuanzhou Fangti. If you agree, we will provide a more specific description. To be honest, revealing some insignificant internal information is not uncommon in any industry, and all we need is 'yes' or 'no'; nothing else is required."

"What do you want to do?"

"If it appears in the Square Body of Yiguo, then we will give up. If not, we will focus our energy on other Square Bodies. For this, we can offer one million."

"What does it do?"

"Cannot disclose."

"Why not look for other scholars?"

"It's not very convenient."

"It's really valuable."

"Two million."

"I only do some odd jobs."

"Five million."

"It's really tempting; I even want to make something up to fool you." Chen Shu was still very honest, not even saying the word "no." "Anyway, so many strange things are unearthed in the Square Body, even hairpins and combs; it wouldn't be strange to have a similar mirror, but I really haven't noticed one."

"Actually, you only need to say 'no' when the time comes, and you can get this money."

"I'm afraid it really does exist."

"The current Square Body cultural relics are all stored in three locations: the Baishi Cultural Relic Research Institute, the Yujing Academy cultural relic building, and the Ling'an Academy Ancient Research Building. Your status is special, and you can very easily and conveniently conduct checks in these three places." That voice continued, "We can pay more."

"Heh~~ I'm a bit sleepy."

"Then you should consider it tonight."

"Good night."

"I wish you sweet dreams."

Chen Shu hung up the phone, frowning, his gaze burning.

He wasn't very surprised by how these people found him, but why did they specifically look for him instead of those teachers who are currently researching the cultural relics?

Are these people's identities sensitive?

Do the teachers know what they want to do?

Do the teachers know what that mirror is for?

Keep these guesses in mind.

Mirror...

Chen Shu pondered, taking about half a minute to retrieve the relevant content from his mind.

Heavenly Human Mirror: Can know the past and future.

It's a bit like the ability of the Secret Sect.

It is said that this mirror came from the hands of Shengzu and was crafted by Shengzu himself. Chen Shu, who was only fifteen or sixteen at the time, felt very curious: when did his fellow countryman become a craftsman? In other records, he didn't seem as dexterous as himself, did he?

There is a rumor that a Ninth-Tier Cultivator of the Heavenly Human was used when crafting this mirror. This is just a rumor, but the academic community believes it is highly likely.

One is that this ability is indeed very similar to the Secret Sect.

The Secret Sect was born out of the Heavenly Human System.

The second is that Shengzu is indeed closely related to the Heavenly Human. There are no documents recording it, but there is factual evidence.

For example, it is said that his disciples founded the Daoist and Buddhist Sects. Setting aside religious concepts and speaking only of the core cultivation system, it is almost a revised version of the early Heavenly Human System. Or rather, it was a transformation of the early Heavenly Human System to make it suitable for Wise Human cultivation.

In this process, due to technical difficulties, some abilities were inevitably split into two, placed respectively into the two cultivation systems of the Daoist and Buddhist Sects.

Some abilities were inevitably lost, but new ones were added to supplement them.

This formed two important cultivation systems that possess some characteristics of the Heavenly Human System but are not weaker than the Heavenly Human System as a whole.

The Secret Sect is like an advanced version of the ancient Heavenly Human System.

The Daoist sect knows the past.

The Buddhist Sect knows the future.

The Secret Sect can know the past and future, can know the affairs of the world, can know fortune and misfortune, and can kill without a trace.

I feel sorry for that Ninth Stage Heavenly Human big shot.