The Mystery of the Bronze Book

Chapter 2: The Mystery of the Bronze Book

Three nights later, the temperature in Peiping was getting colder and colder. On the streets of the glazed alleys, only a few people hurried to walk, and the air was filled with cold and silence. Cheng Fusheng stood at the door of Sanyizhai, holding a heavy key in his hand, with deep eyes. He knew that tonight would be a journey to change his destiny. Looking at the end of the street, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy - what kind of changes would this meeting with Xiao Zhen bring?

As he pondered, the sound of footsteps gradually approached in the cold wind. He raised his head, and Xiao Zhen arrived as promised. Tonight's Xiao Zhen was no longer the gentle and elegant appearance of the day, but wearing a dark robe, looking more serious and mysterious. Although it was winter, Xiao Zhen's face still looked cold and resolute, but there was an urgent light in his eyes, as if searching for something.

"Shopkeeper Cheng, the time has come." Xiao Zhen's voice was low, with a repressive power.

Cheng Fusheng nodded and silently turned around to lead Xiao Zhen into the store. He knew that this time, all the dangers and unknowns could not be avoided.

"Are you sure you can find that place?" Cheng Fusheng asked softly while sorting things on the counter.

Xiao Zhen didn't answer immediately. He just took out the yellowed map from his arms and spread it out on the table. The symbols and ancient words on the map had already made Cheng Fusheng suspicious.

"I found this map from the relics my father left behind," Xiao Zhen said in a low voice, "Before my father passed away, he mentioned that the truth of the bronze hidden dragon had long been buried under the nine doors. Now, only we can find it."

Cheng Fusheng listened quietly, and his heart moved: "Your father... Xiao Guodong?"

"Yes." Xiao Zhen nodded, his eyes flashing with mixed emotions. "He had a very high status in the family and was the head of the Xiao family. But in his final years, he became more and more silent and even began to hide many things. I tried to understand everything he did, but he always avoided talking about it."

Cheng Fusheng was silent for a while. "What about the Ancient Bronze Records? Did your father mention it?"

"The Ancient Bronze Record..." Xiao Zhen frowned slightly, as if he was lost in memories, "This is an ancient book that records the history of various bronzes in detail. My father once told me that the story of the Bronze Hidden Dragon was hidden in the book, but he never told me more details. I didn't know until he died that the real secret of this book concerns the entire Xiao family."

Cheng Fusheng was slightly surprised: "Your father's death... is it related to this book?"

Xiao Zhen sighed: "I don't know, I never really figured it out. When he died, he didn't leave any clues related to the" Primordial Bronze Records ", only this map."

"So you think that the place where the bronze hidden dragon is buried is closely related to your father's family history?" Cheng Fusheng asked.

"That's right." Xiao Zhen looked at Cheng Fusheng with firm eyes, "And this time, I must find it and find out the truth."

Cheng Fusheng's heart was a little shaken. It could be seen that Xiao Zhen's determination far exceeded that of ordinary people, and his sense of responsibility to the family was deeply engraved in his heart. Cheng Fusheng couldn't help but ask, "So, how do you plan to find this treasure? According to what you know, does the'bronze hidden dragon 'refer to a specific bronze ware?"

Xiao Zhen nodded, "Yes, this bronze is unique and extremely ancient. According to legend, it looks like a dragon, but it is not a real dragon, but a symbol of power and inheritance. The relationship between the Xiao family and it has been forgotten by many generations."

Cheng Fusheng's thoughts became more complicated, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table: "If it is true as you said, this bronze is some kind of symbol of the Xiao family, then it should be a treasure handed down from generation to generation, and it cannot be forgotten so easily."

Xiao Zhen smiled slightly, "It is precisely because of this that this secret has been hidden for so long. The Xiao family has been declining more and more these years, and many people no longer believe in the glory of the past, but I know that this treasure still exists, but no one knows how to find it."

Cheng Fusheng was silent for a moment, and suddenly felt as if he was in a huge vortex, unable to break free. He had always liked antiques, but he never thought that he would be involved in such a complicated family dispute. He was a little uneasy, but also full of curiosity.

"If that's the case, why don't we go?" Cheng Fusheng suddenly said.

Xiao Zhen was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, let's go."

The two left Sanyizhai, and Xiao Zhen led Cheng Fusheng through the streets of Peiping to the suburbs outside the city. The north wind was raging, the streets were empty, and the surrounding scene looked extremely desolate. Cheng Fusheng couldn't help but feel a little nervous. As time went by, he felt more and more the huge risk of this adventure.

After walking for about half an hour, they finally came to the place marked on the map - an abandoned old house, hidden in an open space covered with grass. The outer walls of the house were mottled, and the wooden doors were covered with thick dust, which obviously had not been taken care of for many years. Xiao Zhen looked around and said solemnly, "This is the place my father once mentioned."

Cheng Fusheng took a few steps closer and touched the dust on the wall: "Are you sure no one has discovered this place?"

"No one has been here for ten years," Xiao Zhen replied, looking into the distance through the dark night. "Before entering this house, you must know one thing - this matter is related to the future of the entire Xiao family."

Cheng Fusheng nodded lightly and took a deep breath. Xiao Zhen pushed open the door of the old house, and the door made a heavy sound, as if warning them that there would be no turning back.

"Let's go in." Xiao Zhen's voice was low and his steps were firm.

Cheng Fusheng followed and walked into the dim house, but his heart was very clear - this time, I am afraid it is not just to find an antique.