Golden Mask

"Shuttle, is there anything wrong with this golden mask? Any curses or the like?" Xiao Hen asked the Shuttle one last time. He still trusted its AI program—after all, the Shuttle had existed for who knows how many years and had seen countless treasures, so its eye was far beyond his own.

As for this golden mask, it was certainly valuable. Xiao Hen had risked retrieving it to sell for cash. If it wasn't worth much, wouldn't the risk have been for nothing?

But just how much it could sell for needed careful consideration.

"Rest assured, host. After passing through the temporal-spatial barrier, any residual power on this golden mask has been completely purified. It is now just an ordinary golden mask, devoid of any supernatural force," the Shuttle said calmly.

Xiao Hen's heart jolted. If the Shuttle was saying that, didn't it confirm that what he'd seen earlier wasn't an illusion from the Flower of the Other Shore, but something truly eerie happening?

Thank goodness. After the temporal-spatial barrier, those creepy things couldn't reach the Real World.

Xiao Hen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"I wonder how much this Golden Horned Mask is worth?" Xiao Hen picked up the mask and examined it closely. This thing came from the world of Xunlong Jue—a burial mask from a Goddess who died over a thousand years ago. Its value had to be high.

"But selling it is the problem. Hmm? I can find Chen Xinyu!" Xiao Hen's eyes lit up. Among the people he knew, only Chen Xinyu had the clout to help him sell this mask. The Chen family had considerable influence, and as CEO of Chen's Group, her network was far beyond his own.

Xiao Hen pulled out his phone and pressed the power button. As soon as it booted up, he saw a bunch of missed calls—a few from former coworkers, two from Li Wenjuan, and several others from colleagues. He ignored those and looked at the last caller: Chen Xinyu.

Xiao Hen was curious. Why had Chen Xinyu called him? When he'd applied for the job, he'd made it clear his hours were flexible, so she couldn't just boss him around.

But now, because of the golden mask, he needed her help. He tapped Chen Xinyu's number and called back.

Beep... beep...

The phone rang for a bit before someone picked up: "Hello, is this Mr. Xiao?"

"It's me. You called me earlier—what was it about?" Xiao Hen asked calmly, without any of the nervousness an employee might feel toward a boss.

"Oh, right. Mr. Xiao, I had an event to attend yesterday and wanted to hire you as a temporary bodyguard, but your phone was off, so I let it go. The event's over now." Chen Xinyu was very polite, with none of the arrogance of a boss.

"Oh," Xiao Hen said apologetically, "Sorry, I was tied up with something these past two days."

"No problem, Mr. Xiao!" Chen Xinyu said with a slight smile.

"Do you have time, CEO Chen? I need your help with something," Xiao Hen said after a moment's thought.

"I do. What is it? Go ahead." Chen Xinyu grew curious. Xiao Hen actually had a favor to ask her. She had some company matters to handle, but nothing urgent—she could push them aside.

Xiao Hen smiled slightly and said, "Let's talk in person. Tomorrow morning, let's meet at the martial arts school."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Xiao Hen picked up his teacup and took a sip, then lifted the golden mask for a closer look. It was beautiful and exquisite, like a work of art—no, it was a work of art.

"Would it be a shame to sell it?"

Xiao Hen shook his head and set it aside, then found a backpack to store it in.

Lying in bed, Xiao Hen's mind began drifting to the next story world: Warcraft.

He had no idea what in that world could help repair the Shuttle, or why the Shuttle had chosen it. If he had a choice, he'd rather go to a high-tech world than one like this. A time of war was the most dangerous.

Even with his current strength, falling into the hands of Gul'dan or Medivh would mean certain death.

Tossing and turning in bed, Xiao Hen didn't fall asleep until the early hours, then woke up close to noon.

"Damn, I overslept." He quickly got up, washed up, and headed to the city center, arriving at the building that housed Chen's Martial Arts School.

As soon as he entered the school, his sharp eyes spotted Chen Xinyu and Yu Li sitting in the rest area.

"Sorry, CEO Chen, I overslept," Xiao Hen said apologetically as he walked over.

The two women reacted differently. Yu Li's face was cold, while Chen Xinyu wore a natural smile as she stood up. "It's fine, Mr. Xiao. Please, have a seat."

Xiao Hen set his backpack beside him and said, "I've been busy lately and couldn't make it to work. I hope you don't mind."

"The contract says your hours are flexible, and that won't change. I just hope you won't give up on our school," Chen Xinyu said without any anger. Given Xiao Hen's reputation in Jiangcheng, any martial arts school would welcome him. Those schools had sharp ears and already knew the results of the internal Martial Arts School Competition at Chen's Group.

"What did you need my help with today, Mr. Xiao? Please, don't hesitate. If I can do it, I'll do my best," Chen Xinyu said sincerely. What Xiao Hen had done for her before was no small matter—not only had he helped her keep her position as CEO of Chen's Group, but he'd also given her more freedom of choice.

Xiao Hen smiled, didn't waste words, and directly picked up his backpack. He opened it, took out the horned golden mask, and gently placed it in front of Chen Xinyu. "This is an antique from over a thousand years ago, a burial item of an important figure. I'd like you to help me find someone to appraise it and then sell it."

"This..." Chen Xinyu was immediately captivated by the beautiful mask, staring at it for a long moment. "What a gorgeous golden mask. Don't worry, Mr. Xiao. I happen to know a very famous antique appraiser. I'll call him over right now."

Xiao Hen nodded with a smile. Chen Xinyu pulled out her phone, stepped aside, and made a call. After a brief conversation, the other party agreed to come over.

She hung up, walked back, and sat down. "Don't worry, Mr. Xiao. Elder Wu will be here soon. He's a top-tier appraiser in the antique world. I'm sure he can price this treasure!"

Xiao Hen smiled. "Good. Then we'll wait for Elder Wu."

Yu Li's expression flickered. She tugged at Chen Xinyu's sleeve and leaned in to whisper, "CEO Chen, how does this guy have an antique like that? Could it be stolen?"

"Nonsense!" Chen Xinyu's face darkened. "This golden mask must be from Mr. Xiao's personal collection. He's only selling it because he needs cash. Otherwise, why would a martial arts master like him apply to be an instructor at our school?"

Yu Li paused, at a loss for words.

Right. With skills like Xiao Hen's, it was already unbelievable that he'd applied to be an instructor at Chen's Martial Arts School. Now pulling out a precious antique to sell—he must be short on money.

Xiao Hen took a light sip of tea. Yu Li's whisper couldn't escape his sharp hearing. He just smiled faintly and said nothing.

In truth, he was short on money—money to buy weapons, money to buy supplies. In the Real World, he didn't want to expose his power too much. He wanted to act within the bounds of the law. Everything in the Real World required money, and he was no exception. Maybe this golden mask could solve some of those problems.

Before long, an old man with gray-white hair hurried over, carrying a small case.