Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Wondrous Artifact

After leaving the Wu residence, Cui Xiu, who had gleaned some information from Wu Yu, felt a bit more helpless. The timing of the old emperor’s passing and the new monarch’s accession was, for him, rather awkward.

From Wu Yu’s words, he had already learned that the new emperor was entirely different from Emperor Longchang. This sovereign was more radical, inclined to expansion and innovation. Such traits had already shown themselves when he was still crown prince. During Emperor Longchang’s reign, some ministers in the court had worried about this, and now, with the new emperor’s smooth ascension, no one could say what the future might hold for the empire.

Nevertheless, it was certain that the peace and comfort of Emperor Longchang’s era would never return. With his temperament, the new emperor would surely stir things up. As the saying goes, a new official sets three fires; how much more so for an emperor, who must demonstrate his prowess through achievements to prove his wisdom and might.

But when a ruler changes his methods, disturbances in the court are inevitable. Thus, even the imperial examinations would be caught up in the turmoil, which was the source of Cui Xiu’s frustration. He feared that if the changes were too drastic, all his previous experience would be rendered useless and he would have to start anew. Though he was not old yet, he was loath to waste time in vain.

For now, however, the political situation remained unsettled, and it was unclear what changes would come. At least for Cui Xiu and Wu Yu in the small county of Anyuan, the effects of the new emperor’s ascension were not yet visible. True inner workings were beyond their knowledge. So, even if worry troubled their hearts, they had no power to change anything, and could only hope that no great upheavals would occur in the coming years.

Compared to Wu Yu, Cui Xiu ultimately cared less about affairs of the court. Though he sought success in the imperial examinations, it was not his only path. Furthermore, as for the local provincial exams, even if the court’s policies changed, it would take years for significant effects to reach them—unless there were reforms. Thus, if Cui Xiu merely wished to achieve the status of a scholar, he need not worry too much.

For the moment, he set the matter aside. With free time today, besides visiting Wu Yu and seeking advice, he had more important things to attend to.

...

After wandering through the town, Cui Xiu arrived at a shop called Wen Jade Studio, a dealer in antique curios and paintings.

Wen Jade Studio was one of the few renowned shops in Anyuan County specializing in calligraphy, painting, and antiques. Over the past two months, Cui Xiu had visited several times already.

“Ah, Master Cui! Back again to look at paintings? Please, come in!” As soon as he stepped inside, the clerk noticed him and hurried forward to greet him.

“Thank you,” Cui Xiu replied with a slight smile, glancing around. There were no other customers; aside from the clerk, no one else was present. “Qi Ping, where’s Manager Qi?”

“There haven’t been many customers lately. My uncle spoke with you last time, and after hearing your suggestions, he went out to seek business. He probably won’t be back for a few days.”

The clerk was Qi Ping, only fourteen or fifteen years old, a country boy and a relative of the manager, brought in to help and learn the trade. When Cui Xiu asked about the manager, Qi Ping responded respectfully.

Cui Xiu nodded. He had only asked out of courtesy and was not particularly concerned, for he had not come to see the manager but for another purpose. Still, he was surprised the manager had taken his advice and gone out to negotiate business; it seemed Manager Qi was a decisive character.

Without further thought, Cui Xiu smiled and said, “I’ll take a look around by myself. You can go about your work.”

“All right. Just call if you need anything.”

By now, Cui Xiu was a familiar face at Wen Jade Studio, and Qi Ping, accustomed to him, didn’t disturb him further.

Once Qi Ping left, Cui Xiu’s attention turned to the antique curios and paintings displayed on the shelves. Most were ordinary items, but a few were genuine antiques. Though not particularly precious due to their material and condition, they were nevertheless superior to common curios.

Cui Xiu’s purpose in coming was precisely these aged objects. There was good reason for it.

Since his return from Liu Village two months ago, Cui Xiu had sought out Guan Yuan to ask about the short rod. Whether because Cui Xiu had helped out in Liu Village or because Guan Yuan, having heard the old woman’s story and learned the origin of the rod from Cui Xiu, felt obliged, he did not conceal much when answering Cui Xiu’s questions.

Thus, Cui Xiu finally understood what the short rod truly represented. Though Guan Yuan didn’t elaborate in detail, Cui Xiu at least learned what the rod was.

A strange object—that was what Guan Yuan called it.

The blood-red crystal Guan Yuan had seized from a monster was also a strange object. Cui Xiu could grasp the concept, though it sounded somewhat simplistic and abrupt compared to his more elaborate imaginings.

As for the purpose of these strange objects, Guan Yuan explained only that they could aid cultivation, especially for those like him, low-ranking members of the Yangsi.

...

Specifically, since Cui Xiu was not a cultivator, Guan Yuan didn’t elaborate, and Cui Xiu, knowing his limits, did not press the matter.

Yet Cui Xiu managed to extract another piece of information, which was why he was now searching for antiques in Wen Jade Studio.

According to Guan Yuan, strange objects were so named for their extraordinary qualities. Their supernatural nature might be bestowed by heaven and earth, arise by chance, or result from human intervention. Most commonly, certain items underwent transformation through the accumulation of years, becoming strange objects.

Thus, many antiques possessed some characteristics of strange objects, though without much practical use.

Of course, Guan Yuan did not share this information out of friendship with Cui Xiu, but simply because, knowing the location of the secluded valley where the short rod was found, he had his own motives and spoke a little more openly.

In Cui Xiu’s view, Guan Yuan was likely to visit that valley again. But that was of no concern to him. Even if he was curious and tempted to revisit the valley, the old woman still lived, and the risk of encountering her was too great for Cui Xiu to dare it.

Aside from strange objects, Cui Xiu had also inquired about the possibility of joining the Yangsi. Guan Yuan merely smiled and did not answer. Seeing this, Cui Xiu asked no further.

After saying his farewells, Cui Xiu, with some guesses in mind, began frequenting several antique and curio shops in Anyuan County.

Soon enough, reality confirmed Guan Yuan’s words, bringing Cui Xiu joy.

Though Cui Xiu did not know the exact properties of the strange objects, he could sense the presence of source energy in some of the antiques. The amount was slight, but for Cui Xiu, discovering a way to acquire source energy was a pleasant surprise.

It meant he had finally found a method to accumulate it, and no longer needed to worry about its depletion in the future.

Such a discovery naturally filled Cui Xiu with delight.