Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Director Xu Wenyin, in his sixties, dressed in a deep gray long robe and wearing round gold-rimmed glasses, was bent over a heavy tome at his desk.
Upon seeing the visitors, he removed his glasses, walked around the desk, and shook hands with Captain Lu. "Captain Lu, it's been a long time."
Lu briefly introduced Lin Mingchang and Shen Tong, clarifying their purpose for the visit.
Xu's expression turned cautious. "Regarding Professor Zhou's research..." He paused, seemingly weighing his words. "It indeed involves a very precious batch of newly unearthed Chu Jian, discovered in a mid-Warring States noble tomb in Jiangling. Professor Zhou, along with Professors Wang Licheng and Yang Guangming, is responsible for interpreting the research."
"Director Xu, could we take a look at this batch of Chu Jian?" Lin Mingchang asked directly.
Xu hesitated for a moment. "Generally speaking, unfinished artifacts are not open to the public... but considering the special circumstances, I can give you a brief tour of the artifact restoration room. However, you must not touch the artifacts or take photographs."
"Of course," Lin Mingchang nodded in agreement.
Xu stood up and led the three through several corridors to a spacious room at the back of the Experimental Institute.
The room was softly lit, with several long tables displaying large wooden trays neatly arranged with fragments of ancient bamboo slips. A few staff members in white lab coats were carefully restoring the slips.
"This is the recently unearthed batch of Chu Jian," Director Mo explained. "Preliminary estimates suggest there are over three hundred pieces, covering various topics such as astronomy, calendars, and witchcraft medicine. Professor Zhou is mainly responsible for the cryptographic text portion, known as 'The Whisper of the Yellow Swan.'"
The three leaned in to observe; the bamboo slips were densely inscribed with tiny ancient characters that appeared as incomprehensible script to them.
At that moment, Shen Tong suddenly sensed an unusual presence.
In the corner of the room by a filing cabinet, a young curator was organizing documents but frequently cast glances in their direction.
Shen Tong subtly nudged Lin Mingchang's elbow and gestured with her eyes toward that corner.
Lin Mingchang understood and discreetly glanced at the young curator.
"Who is that?" Lin Mingchang asked casually to Secretary Huang, who was accompanying them on the tour.
Secretary Huang followed his gaze. "Oh, that's Xu Guangyao, our assistant researcher who just transferred here six months ago."
Shen Tong nodded; she was certain something was off about this person but found it difficult to determine what exactly it was or whether it was related to their case.
Captain Lu then expressed his desire to meet the other two professors who had worked with Zhou Zijun on research projects. However, Director Xu's expression grew troubled again.
He glanced at Secretary Huang, who immediately took over to respond. "Well, ever since Professor Zhou's incident, Professors Wang Licheng and Yang Guangming have been on leave at home. It's understandable that they would be heartbroken over the sudden loss of a close friend."
After the tour concluded, Director Xu politely declined Captain Lu's invitation to dinner, stating that he still had work to attend to at the museum.
He sent the three of them to the entrance of the museum, and before parting, he repeatedly urged them to inform him of any progress on the case.
On the way back to the inn, Lin Mingchang looked at the wisps of smoke rising from the river and casually remarked, "It feels like Director Xu is being very secretive about Zhou Zijun's research."
Comment 0 Comment Count