Museum
The sky gradually darkened.
The vehicle followed the side road, slowly exiting the highway.
"...And that's what happened." Chen Ling's voice was neither fast nor slow. "In short, a traitor has appeared among the 【Nine Monarchs】, and Doctor Su is their first target."
Chen Ling had briefly recounted the events regarding the 【Red Star】, the regression of the era, and the internal strife among the 【Nine Monarchs】. This time, even 【Yao Qing】 didn't interrupt with a single word... This hot-blooded materialistic college student's inner beliefs seemed to have been shaken after witnessing Chen Ling single-handedly slaughter his way through the highway.
"But I don't understand... why me?" 【Su Zhiwei】 frowned deeply.
"That part is still unclear."
As his words fell, the car gradually fell silent.
【Su Zhiwei】 seemed to be pondering what was so special about herself. 【Yao Qing】 still seemed to be recovering from the superhuman scene just now. As for 【Yang Xiao】... he had his eyes closed, his thoughts unknown.
The good news was that since he had taken out all the pursuers in one go on the highway, he hadn't noticed anyone tailing them so far. This meant that the net 【Nie Yu】 had cast had been completely torn open by Chen Ling... 【Su Zhiwei】 was temporarily safe.
About an hour or so later, the vehicle slowly pulled into a parking lot.
【Yao Qing】 turned off the engine. After getting out of the car, he pointed to the outline of a building under the night sky:
"We're here."
Chen Ling and the others followed suit and got out. The surroundings seemed to be a quiet suburb. Apart from a brightly lit road, there were very few pedestrians... The only thing that caught the eye was the quaint-looking museum, which still emanated a faint sense of vitality.
From the outside, it was a wooden museum that looked very much like a courtyard house. Several thick, sturdy pillars stood at the entrance, with a plaque hanging above them. Under the warm glow of the 【Lantern】s hanging around it, the elegant and grand calligraphy read:
—Xiao Clan 【Su Embroidery】 Art Museum.
Chen Ling and the other three stood before the museum. A look of surprise appeared on 【Yang Xiao】's face.
"This museum takes up a huge area... Does your family own all of it?"
"Yeah." 【Yao Qing】 nodded. "This museum used to be in the city center too, but it was very small and couldn't display many pieces. Later, after my grandmother discussed it with the government officials, they moved the location here... Although it's a bit out of the way, the space is much larger.
"According to my grandmother, 【Embroidery Diagram】s have their own 【Spirituality】, and those who truly have an affinity with them will be drawn to them. Moreover, embroidery requires a tranquil mind, so being far away from the bustling city is also a good thing."
【Yao Qing】 paused, then quickly added:
"Of course, don't let how quiet it is now fool you, there are still plenty of people during holidays!"
As he spoke, 【Yao Qing】 stepped forward and opened the main doors for everyone, letting out a faint creaking sound.
Behind the doors was a massive 【Folding Screen】. Perched upon the dark brown tree branches were numerous incredibly lifelike birds. Some were flapping their wings, ready to take flight, while others had their heads lowered, preening their feathers. It was as if there truly was a warm, spring-filled tree right inside the entrance. Under the illumination of the lights, it even gave off a faint luster...
As everyone drew closer, they finally saw clearly that it was an 【Embroidery Diagram】. Unbelievably fine silk threads were woven together like satin, displaying the details, light, and shadow with absolute perfection.
In the corner of this 【Embroidery Diagram】, a clear inscription could be seen:
—【Xiao Chunping】.
"This piece is..."
"My grandmother embroidered it when she was young," 【Yao Qing】 said proudly. "Back then, someone offered seven million to buy this 【Folding Screen】, but she didn't sell it... Not only that, but a quarter of the works in this museum are my grandmother's. The rest are either famous embroideries from a much older era, or lost treasures my grandmother bought back from overseas with her own money."
Chen Ling walked around the 【Folding Screen】. Behind it was a vast collection of works strictly preserved under 【Glass】 cases. Some were displayed in the center of the room, while others hung on the walls. The corridors connecting to the left and right led to other themed embroidery exhibitions. A rough estimate put the number at no less than a hundred pieces.
Chen Ling's gaze fell on one of the walls. He even spotted a few pieces embroidered by this kid 【Yao Qing】. They were just placed in a relatively remote location, but it was enough to prove that he truly possessed skill.
Although 【Yang Xiao】 didn't understand art, he was quite respectful. He silently looked at them one by one, though who knew what he saw.
"How is Teacher Xiao's health recently?" 【Su Zhiwei】 stopped in front of a few 【Embroidery Diagram】s for a moment, then turned and asked.
"Pretty good, just some old ailments." 【Yao Qing】 checked the time. "At this hour, she should still be in the 【Embroidery Room】... Come, I'll take you to see her."
【Yao Qing】 led the group down the left corridor, heading straight for the back area of the museum.
It was already late at night, and the museum had long since closed to the public. Apart from the four of them, there wasn't a single soul in the massive museum. Only the spotlights shining on the 【Embroidery Diagram】s on both sides illuminated the path. The dazzling array of subjects and patterns made it feel as if they were walking through a world of silk embroidery.
A few minutes later, 【Yao Qing】 stopped in front of a door.
The door wasn't tightly shut, but left slightly ajar. Light spilled out from the crack, casting a warm glow on the dim floor tiles, and the occasional flicker of a shadow could be seen.
"【Grandmother】, look who I brought back!" 【Yao Qing】 called out, then pushed the door open.
As the door swung open, a small room of a few dozen square meters was revealed. The room was clean and tidy. The vast majority of the space was taken up by cabinets or boxes. In the center stood a wooden embroidery frame holding an 【Embroidery Diagram】. A white-haired old woman stood in front of the 【Embroidery Diagram】, wearing reading glasses. Upon hearing 【Yao Qing】's voice, the hand holding the needle and thread paused slightly.
She turned her head, squinted her eyes, and pushed up her reading glasses. A kind smile appeared on her wrinkled face.
"My good grandson, why are you back so late today... Hmm?"
【Xiao Chunping】's gaze swept past 【Yao Qing】 and landed on 【Su Zhiwei】 beside him. A hint of doubt seemed to flash across her face. Then, she took a step closer, squinting hard to see more clearly...
"Is this... Zhiwei?"
"Teacher Xiao, it's been a long time. How has your health been recently?" 【Su Zhiwei】 gave a polite, slight bow.
"Good, hahaha... very good." 【Xiao Chunping】 took 【Su Zhiwei】's hand, patting it gently, seemingly overjoyed. "Our Zhiwei has grown up too, and she's so beautiful..."
"Thank you, Teacher Xiao."
【Xiao Chunping】 held 【Su Zhiwei】's hand, chuckling happily and chatting for a long time like an elder who hadn't seen a junior in ages. Only then did she look toward the two people behind them...
【Yang Xiao】 was clearly a bit tense. He stood at the very edge of the group, giving an awkward smile when 【Xiao Chunping】's gaze swept over him. Chen Ling stood behind 【Su Zhiwei】 and 【Yao Qing】, a polite smile also on his face.
【Xiao Chunping】's gaze fell on Chen Ling's face. She suddenly froze, and then her brow unconsciously furrowed...
The smile at the corners of her mouth gradually faded.