After returning to Guangling, I had originally intended to visit Song Bing, but when I called him, he said he would be back in Guangling soon and told me not to bother.
Upon hearing this, I told him over the phone that we could get together when he arrived in Guangling.
There were two Sui Hou Beads, and I felt I had to inform An Ying about this news, but unfortunately, it was very difficult to get in touch with her.
So, I could only contact Yang Hanxue and ask him to tell An Ying to contact me if he saw her, as I had something important to discuss with her.
With nothing else to do, I took out the rubbings Bi Zhengxiang had given me and studied them again.
These rubbings were made by transferring the characters from a stone tablet. Judging by the text and content, they were indeed from the Tang Dynasty. However, the content had absolutely nothing to do with the Sui Hou Beads.
The tablet recorded trivial matters of a family, such as who went where and who returned after a few years, as well as news about new additions to the family.
No matter how I rearranged or pieced together the text, I couldn't find anything special about it.
Unable to discern anything, I took photos of the rubbings with my camera and asked Hong Yunpeng to inquire within the antique collecting circles if anyone had seen anything similar.
I figured if the rubbings yielded nothing, it would be better to find the original object. If I could find the stone tablet from which the rubbings were made, there might be new discoveries.
After returning from my hometown, Bai Hanyan had rarely visited me, which I found somewhat unsettling. When I called her, she said she was busy lately.
I asked her what she was busy with, and she replied, "I'm currently studying linguistics. I want to develop in this field, and if possible, I hope to study abroad for a couple of years."
"Abroad?" I was taken aback.
"It's not decided yet, it's just a nascent idea."
"Why did you become interested in linguistics?"
"Why can't I be interested in linguistics?" she retorted.
For a moment, I didn't know how to answer, so I asked, "Why haven't you come over to my place these past few days?"
"Why would I go to your place? No one called me. It wouldn't be proper for a young lady like me to keep running to your side."
"It's nothing, what's our relationship?"
"What relationship?"
Her question stumped me. I heard her laugh on the phone, "I saw you were quite busy, so I didn't want to disturb you. Have you found anything yet?"
"Not yet, but I've asked Hong Yunpeng to inquire for me, and there should be some news."
"Do you want my help? I can ask my dad to help you inquire?"
I thought about it and refused, "No need. If your dad inquires about this matter, it might lead to complications."
"It's not a big deal. If they know, they know. Aren't you really afraid my dad will go looking for that cursed bead?"
That wasn't what I was worried about. I was actually concerned about the people from the Illuminati. If they found out there was another Sui Hou Bead, they would definitely take action.
Moreover, I wasn't sure if the news left by my father was accurate. If it was entirely unfounded, and everyone got to know about it, it would be a minor issue to cause trouble and waste money. If it drew everyone into it, it would be troublesome.
Wu Tingxiu was still thinking about the Sui Hou Bead, and the Illuminati wouldn't give up. This was only what I knew, and what about what I didn't know?
Just like last time on the Pamir Plateau, so many people wanted to find the Sui Hou Bead, and what was the final outcome?
Some died, some were injured, and no one was found.
So I decided this time, first, I would confirm whether a second Sui Hou Bead existed in the world. Once I figured that out, I would decide on the next course of action.
I was lost in thought when Bai Hanyan's voice from the phone brought me back: "Xiang Fei, why aren't you talking?"
"It's nothing... If you have time, you can come over more often. I'll treat you to tea."
"Who cares about your tea? Treating me to a meal would be better, or going to the movies."
I smiled wryly, "Alright, we'll talk about it when you come."
...
Fatty arrived in Guangling half a month later. As soon as we met, he seemed like a completely different person. He was wearing a white linen jacket, black cloth shoes, and had a bulging belly. His speech had also become refined.
I asked Fatty if he had been possessed.
He replied testily, "Go away, go away! Possessed by what? What do you know? This is called returning to one's roots... Bodhi was originally not a tree, the bright mirror..."
"Stop! Did something stimulate you in Yanjing?" I asked.
Fatty said, "What stimulation could I have received? I've learned a lot from my master during this time..."
"Learned skills? What did the old man teach you? The Blazing Sun Swordplay or the Nine Yang Divine Skill?"
Fatty grinned and said, "Brother Xiang, you won't believe it when I tell you. My master is a truly remarkable person. What he taught me is incredible... Have you heard of Stellar Astronomy?"
"Stellar Astronomy?" I was taken aback.
"Knowing the heavens, you can locate dragons and acupoints from a thousand miles away."
"Locate dragons and acupoints? What is that?"
"It's finding ancient tombs," Fatty said. "By analyzing the positions of the stars, I can find imperial tombs..."
He licked his lips and said, "Brother Xiang, we've been to so many tombs and haven't found anything good. Why don't we take this opportunity to test my Stellar Astronomy while making some extra income?"
"You want to go tomb raiding again? Are you desperate for money, or do you not have enough suffering? If you want to go, you go. I'm not going tomb raiding anymore," I said. "Besides, didn't you get your shares in Anyuantang? And didn't I give you the profits in advance? Are you that short of money?"
"Brother Xiang, this isn't about money, it's about personal pursuit," Fatty said righteously. "It's like some people like painting, some like calligraphy, and I like researching ancient cultures."
"Research? Fatty, you can really spin a tale. What you call research? You call it grave robbing, understand? Grave robbing is illegal."
"How is it grave robbing? I said I'm doing research..."
As we were chatting, Hong Yunpeng walked in: "Xiao Fei, there's news about the rubbings you asked me to inquire about. Someone in Guicheng who collects antiques has seen it, and he even has the original."
I was surprised, stood up, and leaned closer. Hong Yunpeng handed me the photo in his hand.
I took a look and realized that although the photo was a bit old, the stone tablet in the photo was clearly visible. The characters on it were exactly the same as in my rubbings.
However, judging by the angle and lighting of the photo, it must have been taken outdoors. Except for the characters on the stone tablet, the surrounding environment was blurry.
"Give me this person's contact information," I said, taking the photo.