Chapter 5: Visiting Elder Xu

Seeing that the six-clawed golden toad jade pendants in our hands had actually been collected in such a manner, the three of us exchanged glances. I swallowed hard and said, "Isn't our luck just a bit too good?"

Xu Tian and Li Kun both nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the luck is extraordinary. Since our return, this can be considered the very first item we've acquired, and we never expected to complete the set of jade pendants just like that."

Li Kun remarked, "I suppose this is what they call being blessed with overwhelming fortune."

I nodded. "Perhaps it truly has something to do with our destiny."

With that, I turned my gaze toward Xu Tian and said, "Old Xu, let's set off today and ask your grandfather what kind of background this jade pendant actually has. Maybe we can genuinely find the whereabouts of the Cold Elixir through it."

Xu Tian nodded. "Since we have nothing pressing right now, let's depart immediately after my cousin arrives."

Once we finished speaking, the few of us began studying the six-clawed golden toad jade pendants in our hands. Not long after, Xu Xiuxiu arrived upstairs, accompanied by Hu Yue'er, Gao Feng, and Tian Tian.

Upon their arrival, the three of us greeted the young women. I said, "You came just in time. The three of us are taking a trip to Xu Tian's family home. Please keep an eye on the shop for me here, and we'll be back as soon as we finish our business."

Hu Yue'er waved her hand dismissively, gesturing for us to do as we pleased. Gao Feng stepped forward, her large eyes fixed intently on me as she asked, "Will there be any danger in this trip?"

I reassured her, "Don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we're done. When we return, we'll take you out for roast meat."

After exchanging a few more words with Gao Feng, the four girls stayed behind at the Drifting Clouds Shop, while the three of us turned into hands-off managers, getting into the car and driving straight toward Xu Tian's ancestral home.

Along the way, the three of us kept discussing the origin of the six-clawed golden toad, but it turned out that we truly couldn't make heads or tails of it. Not only did we fail to figure out the six-clawed golden toad on the front of the jade, but we also had no idea what the massive black dragon carved on the back actually represented.

When we arrived at Xu Tian's home, we headed straight for Old Master Xu's single-story brick house.

Standing before the door, Xu Tian raised his hand and knocked. After a few moments, Old Master Xu's voice came from inside, "Why have you three little rascals run back here?"

Xu Tian hurriedly steadied Old Master Xu's arm as he entered and said, "Grandfather, we've come this time because there's something we need to ask you."

Old Master Xu let out a puzzled "Oh?" and asked, "Oh? Even you couldn't figure it out?"

Xu Tian scratched his head. "It's just that your grandson hasn't studied enough; I genuinely couldn't make sense of this one."

Old Master Xu nodded. "If even you don't know what it is, I doubt old man I would be able to figure it out either. Come on, let's go inside and talk; it's quite cold outside."

We nodded and followed Old Master Xu into the house.

The indoor temperature was pleasantly warm. Once inside, Old Master Xu sat down on the edge of the heated brick kang, which was thoroughly warmed up. He pulled a blanket from the side, placed it beneath himself, and then said to us, "Alright, speak. What is it you want to ask about this time?"

The three of us also sat down on the kang. I took out the six-clawed golden toad jade pendant, handed it to Old Master Xu, and asked, "Senior, do you know what kind of background this jade has?"

Old Master Xu reached out, took the jade pendant, and examined it closely in his hand. Then, he picked up a magnifying glass from the windowsill and began observing it meticulously.

After a long while, Old Master Xu drew in a sharp breath. "Hiss, this item is worth a fortune. Little Liu, where did you manage to get this jade pendant?"

I didn't keep anything from Old Master Xu and recounted the entire story of how we acquired the jade pendant from beginning to end.

After hearing me out, Old Master Xu nodded, a look of puzzlement lingering in his eyes as he said, "I never imagined such a thing could happen."

Xu Tian asked, "Grandfather, do you know what origins this pendant might have?"

To our astonishment, the deeply knowledgeable Old Master Xu actually shook his head. "I have no idea what background this jade pendant has either. The six-clawed golden toad and the black dragon carved on it are things I am seeing for the very first time."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but offer a wry smile. If even Old Master Xu didn't know the background of this object, how on earth could we ever hope to discover the mystery hidden within it?

Just as I was letting my mind wander with random guesses, Old Master Xu let out an exclamation while staring at the pendant in his hand, "Huh? Could these carvings possibly be the divine totems of some ancient tribes?"

At these words, we all turned our heads in unison to look at Old Master Xu. He raised his gaze to meet mine and said, "Little Liu, if the carvings on this jade pendant are indeed the divine totems of ancient tribes, I happen to know a person who might just know its origins."

Li Kun turned to me and whispered, "Old Liu, what is a divine totem?"

I whispered back, "It's just a totem."

With that, Li Kun nodded. I turned back to Old Master Xu and said, "Senior, could you introduce us to this person you mentioned?"

Old Master Xu nodded. "That shouldn't be too difficult. This man's surname is Gai, and his given name is Wancheng. He stayed by my side for nearly thirty years. We were together when we were young, though we haven't kept in touch much in recent years. That old fellow struck it rich and then turned his back on old ties."

Hearing this, the few of us could only offer wry smiles. It seemed Old Master Xu held quite a strong prejudice against this Gai Wancheng.

Old Master Xu continued, "That old fellow specializes in researching ancient divine totems. If the six-clawed golden toad and the black dragon on this jade pendant are indeed divine totems, a glance from his eyes will reveal what kind of background this pendant has."

Hearing this, Xu Tian couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, you said he... researches them?"

Old Master Xu curled his lip in disdain and said, "After washing his hands of the old life, this guy actually managed to get himself some kind of archaeology certificate. Now, under the guise of archaeology, he specializes in investigating various major ancient tombs. I heard his specific direction of research is ancient tribal totems. Heaven knows what got into this old fellow's head to make him fond of such things."

As he spoke, Old Master Xu even spat on the floor in contempt. Seeing his reaction, we exchanged glances; it was evident that Old Master Xu's dissatisfaction with Gai Wancheng was profound indeed.

Xu Tian said, "Grandfather, then can you find a time for us to meet him?"

Old Master Xu nodded. "That shouldn't be difficult. He still has to listen to what I say, or else I'll go over there myself and skin him alive."

Xu Tian gave a wry smile and said, "You should calm your anger. Why don't you make a phone call right now and ask Senior Gai when he has time so we can go pay him a visit?"

Old Master Xu nodded, pulled his phone out of his pocket, and dialed a number after a brief moment.

He spoke into the receiver, "Gai, you brat, it's me."

Instantly, an elderly voice came through the other end, shouting, "Old Xu, holy cow!"

Upon hearing this voice, the three of us—Xu Tian, Li Kun, and myself—couldn't help but sweat slightly. No matter what, this Gai Wancheng was an archaeological expert; how could he react in such a flustered manner just upon hearing Old Master Xu's voice?

Old Master Xu, however, laughed and said, "Gai, you brat, what, you didn't expect it to be me?"

Gai Wancheng exclaimed, "Old Xu, it really is you! After all these years, why is it only now that you're calling me? You truly didn't treat me like a brother. Back then, we went through life and death together so many times, yet you've only just contacted me now. What on earth is wrong with you?"

At this point, we noticed Old Master Xu's expression grow somewhat desolate. He sighed softly and said, "Sigh... let's not bring up the past anymore. I have a matter I need your help with. Didn't you specialize in studying ancient divine totems? Where are you right now?"

Gai Wancheng replied, "I'm currently in Yangshu Town in Liaoning Province. What? It's not that you're calling because you missed me; you only remembered me because you have a question, didn't you?"

Old Master Xu said, "Alright, we can discuss these things later. When you have time, come over to my place, and the two of us brothers can have a proper get-together..."

After finishing the call, Old Master Xu hung up, turned to us, and said, "Alright, that old fellow is in Yangshu Town, Liaoning Province. You should set off in the next couple of days, because in a few days he's planning to head to Tibet. Who knows when he'll be back once he leaves."

I nodded and said, "Thank many thanks, Senior. We'll head back, pack our things, and then set off for Liaoning."

Old Master Xu nodded, waved his hand at us, and said, "Mm, packing and heading out today would be best. That fellow is utterly unpredictable, so you'd better get over there sooner rather than later."

The three of us nodded, stood up to express our gratitude to Old Master Xu once more, and then walked out of the house.

Xu Tian said, "Then let's go pack our things and bring the essentials. If we're going over there, we'll have to take the train, which will take at least a day and a half to arrive."

Li Kun and I nodded in agreement. The three of us walked down to the foothills, got into the car, and drove straight back to the Drifting Clouds Shop.

Over the past few days, we had been staying at the shop. My grandfather was aware that I had opened an antique store here, but he didn't have any objections—as long as I could make enough money to support myself and my future wife, he didn't care about anything else.

Upon returning to the shop, the young women were sitting on the sofa watching color television, cracking melon seeds and engrossed in the show.

Seeing the three of us return, the girls gathered around. I said to them, "The three of us have some business to attend to in Liaoning Province. Would any of you like to come along?"

Gao Feng and Tian Tian both shook their heads. Gao Feng said, "The two of us start work tomorrow and still have a lot of things to take care of; today is our only day off."

I nodded. "No problem. What about you, Miss Yue'er?"

Hu Yue'er nodded readily. "I have nothing to do here anyway, so I might as well tag along and see what it's all about."