Chapter 499: The Museum

The sky was growing dark.

The car followed the access road and slowly exited the highway.

"...That is how it happened." Chen Ling’s voice was steady and unhurried. "In short, there is a traitor among the Nine Lords, and Dr. Su is their first target."

Chen Ling had already briefly recounted the matters regarding the Red Star, the regression of the era, and the internal strife of the Nine Lords. This time, even Yao Qing didn't interrupt a single word... This hot-blooded, materialistic college student seemed to have his convictions shaken after witnessing Chen Ling tear through the highway.

"But I don't understand... why me?" Su Zhiwei frowned deeply.

"That, I don't know."

As his voice fell, the car grew quiet.

Su Zhiwei seemed to be pondering what made her special, Yao Qing hadn't yet recovered from the supernatural scene he’d just witnessed, and as for Yang Xiao... he kept his eyes closed, lost in his own thoughts.

The sun sank below the horizon, and the fiery clouds were gradually swallowed by the gloom. The light faded, but Chen Ling’s eyes remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings.

The good news was that since he had wiped out all the pursuers on the highway in one go, he hadn't detected anyone tailing them so far. This meant that the net Nie Yu had cast had been thoroughly torn open by Chen Ling... Su Zhiwei was safe, for now.

About an hour later, the car pulled slowly into a parking lot.

Yao Qing turned off the engine, stepped out, and pointed to the silhouette of a building in the night:

"We're here."

Chen Ling and the others got out. The surroundings seemed to be a quiet suburb; aside from a brightly lit road, there were few pedestrians to be seen... Everywhere they looked, only that antique-style museum held a hint of vitality.

From the outside, it was a wooden museum resembling a traditional courtyard house. Several thick, massive pillars stood at the entrance, with a plaque hanging above. Under the glow of the lanterns hanging nearby, the calligraphy was elegant and grand:

—Xiao Family Su Embroidery Art Museum.

The four of them stood before the museum, and a look of surprise appeared on Yang Xiao’s face.

"This museum covers such a large area... does it all belong to your family?"

"Yeah." Yao Qing nodded. "This museum used to be in the city center, but it was very small and couldn't display many works. Later, after my grandmother discussed it with the government, they moved the location here... Although it’s a bit remote, the space is much larger.

As my grandmother says, embroidery has its own spirit; those truly fated to see them will be drawn to each other. Besides, embroidery requires a calm heart, so being away from the bustling city is a good thing."

Yao Qing paused, then added:

"Of course, don't let the quiet fool you—there are plenty of people here during the holidays!"

As he spoke, Yao Qing stepped forward and opened the main gate for everyone, which creaked slightly.

Behind the door stood a massive screen. On the dark brown branches, numerous lifelike birds were perched; some seemed ready to take flight, others were bowing their heads to preen their feathers, as if a tree full of spring vitality truly stood at the entrance, even shimmering faintly under the lights...

As they drew closer, they realized it was an embroidery piece. The incredibly fine silk threads were woven together like satin, bringing out the details and light to perfection.

And in the corner of this embroidery, a signature was clearly visible:

—Xiao Chunping.

"This is..."

"Something my grandmother embroidered when she was young." Yao Qing said proudly. "Someone once offered seven million to buy this screen, but she wouldn't sell it... Not only that, a quarter of the works in this museum are my grandmother’s. The others are either famous, ancient embroideries or lost treasures she bought back from overseas with her own money."

Chen Ling walked around the screen. Behind it was a collection of works preserved tightly under glass; some were placed in the center of the room, others hung on the walls. The corridors to the left and right led to other thematic embroidery exhibits, with at least a hundred pieces by a rough estimate.

Chen Ling’s gaze fell on one of the walls, where he even saw a few pieces embroidered by Yao Qing himself, though they were placed in relatively secluded spots. Still, this was enough to prove he truly had talent.

Although Yang Xiao didn't understand art, he was quite respectful, silently looking at each piece one by one, though it was unclear what he saw.

"How is Teacher Xiao’s health lately?" Su Zhiwei paused before a few embroidery pieces and turned to ask.

"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 them through the left corridor, heading straight toward the back of the museum.

It was late at night, and the museum had long since stopped admitting visitors. Aside from the four of them, there was no one else in the vast museum. Only beams of spotlights shone on the embroidery pieces on both sides, with a dazzling array of themes and patterns, as if they were walking through a world of silk.

A few minutes later, Yao Qing stopped in front of a door.

The door wasn't fully closed but left slightly ajar. Light spilled from the gap onto the dim floor tiles, and occasionally, shadows could be seen flickering.

"Grandma, look who I brought back!" Yao Qing called out and pushed the door open.

As the door opened, a small room of several dozen square meters was revealed. The room was clean and tidy, mostly filled with cabinets and boxes. In the center stood a wooden frame supporting an embroidery piece. An elderly woman with graying hair was standing before it, wearing reading glasses. Hearing Yao Qing’s voice, her hand holding the needle paused slightly.

She turned her head, squinted, and pushed up her glasses. A kind smile appeared on her wrinkled face.

"My dear grandson, why are you back so late today... Oh?"

Xiao Chunping’s gaze swept over Yao Qing and landed on Su Zhiwei beside him. A look of confusion seemed to flash across her face, and then she stepped closer, squinting hard to identify her...

"Is this... Zhiwei?"

"Teacher Xiao, long time no see. How have you been lately?" Su Zhiwei bowed politely.

"I'm well, hahaha... very well." Xiao Chunping took Su Zhiwei’s hand and patted it gently, looking quite pleasantly surprised. "Our Zhiwei has grown up, you’ve grown so beautiful..."

"Thank you, Teacher Xiao."

Xiao Chunping held Su Zhiwei’s hand like an elder who hadn't seen her in a long time, chatting happily for a while before finally turning her gaze to the two people behind them...

Yang Xiao was clearly a bit awkward. He stood at the edge of the group and gave an embarrassed smile when he saw Xiao Chunping’s gaze sweep over. Chen Ling stood behind Su Zhiwei and Yao Qing, a polite smile also appearing on his face.

Xiao Chunping’s gaze landed on Chen Ling’s face, and she suddenly froze. Then, her brows furrowed involuntarily...

The smile at the corners of her mouth gradually faded.