Volume Six: Blue and White Porcelain Chapter One: The Appraisal Gathering

“Wow, Sister Phoenix’s home is huge. She lives here alone? Doesn’t it feel empty?” Huo Mingkun stood in the private garden of Yaoguang’s estate, gazing at the six-story standalone villa before him, marveling aloud for quite some time, repeating the same few phrases: “Sister Phoenix, this isn’t a house—it’s a palace.”

“Come on, you sound like a country bumpkin coming to the city. Can you calm down?” Xie Xuancheng looked at Huo Mingkun’s envious face with a hint of exasperation. “What’s there to marvel at? No matter how much you admire it, it’s not yours.” Xuancheng didn’t miss the chance to tease him.

“Pfft, Captain Xie, you just love putting me down. I can’t live here, but can’t I at least admire it?” Huo Mingkun pouted.

“Master’s place is really nice, the air is especially fresh,” Jiang Yun said, glancing around the garden.

“If it’s your master, everything is wonderful,” Chu Tianyou teased the little girl, who seemed obsessed with her teacher.

“It is wonderful! If you think otherwise, show me something better,” Jiang Yun retorted.

“Alright, I can’t win with you,” Chu Tianyou conceded.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Miss will be down shortly. Please come to the hall for tea,” Yitian, dressed in a black tailcoat, emerged from the villa’s entrance, guiding the four into the hall.

“Wow, what a beautiful house! That crystal chandelier is stunning,” Huo Mingkun exclaimed once again.

“Please enjoy the tea,” Yitian poured tea for the four before heading upstairs.

“This tea is quite good,” Xuancheng said, settling onto the sofa and taking a sip.

“Mmm, so fragrant!” Huo Mingkun’s foolish voice rang out again.

“Hey, Akun, when we get to the appreciation event, don’t act like this. At least pretend to fit in for my sake,” Chu Tianyou patted his shoulder.

“What did I even do?” Huo Mingkun protested. He was just a small-town guy and a junior police officer—asking him to act like a rich person was impossible. Even if he tried, who would believe it?

“Miss,” Yitian’s voice called from the end of the stairs. Everyone looked up to the second-floor landing. Yitian had his left hand placed at his abdomen, his right hand extended outward in a fist, bowing slightly. Then a slender arm reached out, taking Yitian’s offered hand, and a tall figure gracefully turned into view. The group gasped in surprise. Yaoguang descended the stairs in a pale gold floor-length evening gown paired with matching heels, her hair styled in a high chignon at the back of her head. A pearl necklace and earrings complemented her fair skin with a gentle glow. Her makeup was glamorous yet elegant, her left hand resting on Yitian’s arm, her right holding a delicate clutch as she walked down.

“She’s a goddess,” Huo Mingkun’s eyes nearly popped out.

“Master, you look far too beautiful,” Jiang Yun said with envy.

“Careful, Akun, you’re drooling,” Yaoguang said, settling onto the sofa. Huo Mingkun quickly shut his mouth.

“Ahem,” Xuancheng feigned a cough to break the awkwardness. “Phoenix, why did Director Zheng specifically ask you to attend this appreciation event? And why bring us along?”

“Director Zheng didn’t ask me to attend the event—he wants us to investigate a case.” Yaoguang picked up her teacup and took a sip.

“Investigate? What kind of case?” Xuancheng was puzzled.

“Here’s the situation: the host of the appreciation event is an antiques collector. He recently acquired a blue-and-white porcelain vase. Director Zheng says that since he got the vase, he’s been acting oddly. They’re lifelong friends, and Director Zheng is concerned, so he asked me to look into it,” Yaoguang set down her teacup.

“Why bring us, then? Unless…” Xuancheng’s suspicion seemed to trigger a thought.

“Akun, use your spirit sight on this invitation,” Yaoguang handed the invitation to Huo Mingkun. He took it, closed his eyes, and activated his spiritual vision. “Sister Phoenix, there’s evidence of spiritual energy fluctuation on this invitation, but I can’t tell what it is.” He opened his eyes and handed the invitation back.

“Spiritual fluctuation, but you can’t tell what?” Chu Tianyou eyed the invitation, as if understanding something.

“You’ve grasped the crux of it. When I received the invitation from Director Zheng, I noticed it carried spiritual energy, but I couldn’t identify it—not ghostly, not spiritual, not evil. Isn’t that odd? And Director Zheng said the collector started acting strange after getting the vase, suggesting he’s been affected by something,” Yaoguang explained.

“So what’s affecting him?” Xuancheng asked.

“I can’t say for sure yet, but whatever it is, it’s not easy to deal with. Normally, invitations are written by assistants or family, but the energy remains on the card. That suggests either the energy permeates his entire environment, or it’s already influencing those around him. A spirit capable of this must be highly cultivated,” Yaoguang said.

“So we’re facing another big problem,” Xuancheng remarked.

“This trouble won’t be minor—whether it’s a disaster or man-made, whether it’s here for vengeance or something else, we can’t know yet. We’ll have to see in person. Ha, the wind rises before the storm. Let’s go, it’s getting late,” Yaoguang stood and headed outside.

Several cars were already parked at the entrance. Yaoguang looked at the vehicles, then at the bewildered Jiang Yun, and touched her forehead in exasperation. “Is my car manager an idiot? Every time, it’s like this. I have decision anxiety!”

The others were too busy admiring the luxury cars to notice her words.

“Honk honk.” Two beeps sounded and a Rolls-Royce stopped in front of Yaoguang. Yitian stepped out, opened the door for her, and said, “Miss, please.”

“You’re always thoughtful,” Yaoguang sighed with relief, taking Yitian’s arm as she got in the car.

The car sped along the suburban road toward the address provided by Director Zheng.

“Sister Phoenix, your Lamborghini is really nice,” Huo Mingkun said.

“If you like it, I’ll give it to you when you ascend to immortality,” Yaoguang replied.

“Really? Then I’ll work hard for it!” Huo Mingkun said excitedly, then pouted. “But you’re teasing me—I don’t have that kind of luck. Sister Phoenix, when I looked at the invitation, I felt the energy seemed like a ‘Mei’ spirit.”

“Mei? What’s that?” Jiang Yun asked curiously.

“Yes, Mei! Why didn’t I think of that?” Yaoguang slapped her forehead. “A Mei is a type of ghost, but different from ordinary spirits. We know ghosts are former humans, but Mei are different—they’re derivative entities, born from heaven and earth’s spiritual energy, and some Mei attach themselves to objects—like word spirits, since written characters have inherent spirituality and can easily give rise to Mei, or spirits in paintings. If this is a Mei, it explains the spiritual fluctuation on the invitation. But as for what the Mei is attached to, we’ll only know once we see it. Akun, you’ve really improved,” Yaoguang praised.

“Master, do you think the Mei could be born from the blue-and-white vase?” Jiang Yun asked.

“I can’t say yet. We’ll have to wait and see.” Yaoguang shook her head. As they spoke, the car stopped at a private club. Yitian presented the invitation, but the guard refused to open the gate.

“Miss, the guard says our car doesn’t have a permit, so we can’t enter,” Yitian reported.

“Oh, come on,” Yaoguang rolled her eyes, took out her phone, and dialed. “Leader, you asked me to come check things out. I’m here, but the guard says our car doesn’t have a permit. If that’s the case, we’ll just go home.” Before the person on the other end could respond, she hung up.

“Hahaha, only you dare mess with those old men. They’ve finally met their match with you,” Xuancheng laughed so hard he nearly cramped up.

Yaoguang looked smug.

“Who’s the fool? I invited the experts and they dare block their car? They must not want this job!” As everyone laughed, a furious voice sounded. The gates swung open, and Director Zheng and a man in his fifties, dressed in a sharp black suit, strode out. The man was dignified, with regular features, clad in a tailored Zhongshan suit, with Director Zheng beside him in navy blue.

Director Zheng spotted Yaoguang in the car and said with a straight face to the man in the Zhongshan suit, “Old Zhou, you didn’t tell me cars needed permits. I brought the expert, and you’re blocking her car?”

“Oh dear, how careless. Let them through, or you’ll regret offending the expert I invited!” Mr. Zhou thundered, and the guard hurriedly allowed entry.

The club was a European-style architectural garden, clearly a sizable private establishment. First, a fountain greeted the eye, then a garden activity area, and further in stood a seven-story building. Many distinguished guests were already gathered in the garden. Yaoguang and her party were personally invited inside by Mr. Zhou. The hall was crowded with people chatting. The exterior was European, but the hall’s décor was classical Chinese. Stepping inside, Yaoguang felt as though she’d entered a Han dynasty palace.

“The host has some unique tastes,” Yaoguang observed.

“Miss, I found out that Mr. Zhou’s full name is Zhou Junbo, fifty-six years old, a renowned local collector and professor of archaeology. This club is like a small museum, with artifacts from every era. Zhou Junbo is highly respected for his expertise in antique authentication,” Yitian whispered at Yaoguang’s side.

Yaoguang nodded. Just as she was about to speak, Zhou Junbo and Director Zheng approached, wine glasses in hand.

“Old Zhou, here’s Phoenix, the expert I invited,” Director Zheng said, opening the conversation.

“Miss Phoenix, it’s an honor to meet you,” Zhou Junbo greeted politely. “Old Zheng says you’re very skilled in metaphysical matters.”

“You flatter me. I only know a little,” Yaoguang replied humbly, though she understood women in metaphysics often faced skepticism.

“Too modest! Old Zheng speaks very highly of you,” Zhou Junbo laughed. “Miss Phoenix, you and your friends are welcome to enjoy yourselves. The appreciation event will begin soon; after it’s finished, we can chat more. If there’s any lack in hospitality, please forgive me. I have some preparations to make, so I’ll excuse myself.”

“Please, don’t mind us. We’ll look around,” Yaoguang responded courteously.

“Enjoy yourselves,” he said, leaving with Director Zheng.

“Ayao, there’s a trace of spiritual fluctuation here, but it’s faint,” the male immortal’s voice sounded behind Yaoguang.

“I feel it too. I’m inclined to think it’s a Mei, but I also sense something else in this club,” Yaoguang whispered.

“Yes, more than one type of spiritual force, though none are clear yet,” the male immortal replied.

“After the appreciation event, let’s talk to the host and learn what’s happened before drawing conclusions,” Yaoguang said.

“That’s all we can do. I’ll wander around; be careful,” the male immortal said, drifting away.

“Phoenix, did you find anything?” Xuancheng approached, wine glass in hand.

“Hard to say. More than one spiritual fluctuation,” Yaoguang replied.

“Master, Akun says the energy field here is particularly odd, like several fields intertwined and repelling each other, but he can’t see exactly what they are,” Jiang Yun said, bringing Huo Mingkun along.

“Let’s not get bogged down yet. We can discuss after the event,” Yaoguang said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending my appreciation event. I am fortunate to have acquired a blue-and-white porcelain vase and invite you all to admire it,” Zhou Junbo announced as the event began. Four guards wheeled out a glass case from the back, stopping beside Zhou. They removed the red cloth covering the case, revealing a tall sandalwood stand holding the vase—a blue-and-white beauty. Carefully, the guards lifted the glass cover, exposing the vase to all.

Yaoguang stepped forward to examine the vase. Its texture was warm and its glaze vivid, but the pattern was unusual—not the typical floral motifs, but a portrait of a lady, which was rare. The craftsmanship suggested it was from an official kiln, and the style matched Ming dynasty Xuande blue-and-white porcelain. Yaoguang leaned in to study the depiction—the lady was rendered exquisitely, evidence of a masterful hand.

The crowd marveled at the vase’s artistry and preservation, seemingly unaware of the oddity in its pattern. When no one was watching, Yaoguang discreetly raised her hand, injecting a silent stream of spiritual energy into the vase.

“Hm?” Yaoguang was startled. There were several different energy fields on the vase, each restraining and blending with the others. Very odd. What could this mean?

Yaoguang retreated from the crowd, perplexed.

“What did you find?” Xuancheng asked, seeing her withdraw.

“Let’s speak outside,” Yaoguang said, heading for the garden. Seeing them leave, Jiang Yun called Chu Tianyou and Huo Mingkun to join.

“Master, what’s going on?” Jiang Yun asked.

“It’s complicated,” Yaoguang replied. “This blue-and-white vase is grave loot—and freshly unearthed.”

“What?” Huo Mingkun was bewildered. “What do you mean?”

“‘Grave loot’ means it was taken from a tomb as a burial object. ‘Fresh’ means it was traded shortly after being unearthed. You should read more books,” Chu Tianyou said dryly. “Should we check the provenance of the vase?”

“No need. If we check now, we won’t find much. If I’m right, this is a direct sale from a ‘grave looter’s distribution line’—in other words, it was taken from a tomb and sold directly. As for how Professor Zhou got it, we can just ask him. I’m not concerned about that—let the criminal investigation team handle it. What worries me is the energy attached to the vase. I found several different energy fields on it; one is the yin energy from the tomb, and two others I can’t identify. However, the vase itself shows no sign of a spirit attached. I’m trying to determine the source of these energy fields—where is the spirit emitting them? Did it come from the tomb, from the vase, or was it formed later? These questions remain. Xuancheng, we’re dealing with something very strange this time.” Yaoguang sat in the pavilion, troubled. “Also, Director Zheng said Professor Zhou became odd after obtaining the vase, but when I shook his hand earlier, I sensed nothing possessing him. He spoke and acted normally, with no abnormal signs.”

“So what does that mean?” Xuancheng mused. “By your logic, either the entity hasn’t possessed him, or it’s hiding very deeply. Either scenario is tricky. If it hasn’t possessed him, where is it and how do we find it? If it’s hiding deep, it must be very powerful and difficult to deal with. Either way, this won’t be simple.”

“You’re right. That’s what gives me a headache—so many clues, but none I can grasp. The male immortal has been wandering the garden for ages and is just as confused as us,” Yaoguang lit a cigarette and rubbed her forehead, at a loss.

“Let’s wait until the event ends. The root of the issue must lie with Professor Zhou himself; he should be able to provide clues,” Chu Tianyou said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Since they were already here, they decided to make the best of it and strolled around the garden, appreciating the scenery while they waited for the appreciation event to conclude.