Chapter 128: Is the Black Widow Actually the Ghost Hand?

The storefront was unremarkable, bordering on dilapidated, yet the three characters "Yu Ping Pavilion" inscribed on the plaque above the door were written with such bold, sweeping strokes that they exuded an indescribable aura of authority.

"This is one of my properties, Mr. Qin. You need not worry about any leaks."

The Black Widow opened the door, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafted out, dispelling the chill of the night. Inside, the lighting was dim, yet it could not mask the dazzling array of treasures filling the room. The shelves were packed with an assortment of antiques—from porcelain and jade to calligraphy, paintings, and bronzeware—making the place feel like a private museum.

Qin Feng looked around, secretly astonished. This woman, the Black Widow, was truly formidable; any single piece among this collection was worth a fortune.

"Mr. Qin, please." The Black Widow gestured for him to proceed, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and tension.

Qin Feng nodded and stepped toward the shelves, beginning to examine each item with meticulous care. His fingers brushed lightly over the artifacts, sensing the breath of history and the marks left by time. She was right; the collection was indeed invaluable, remarkably diverse, and ancient. There were bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, jades from the Han, porcelain from the Tang and Song, and even a few imperial treasures from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

However, Qin Feng also noticed that several clever forgeries had been mixed in. These fakes were crafted with such exquisite skill that they could easily pass for the real thing; had it not been for his "Divine Eye for Antiquities," he might have been fooled himself. He quietly separated the genuine articles from the fakes, his curiosity about the Black Widow’s background and motives growing deeper. Who exactly was this woman? And why had she gone to such lengths to acquire this collection?

The Black Widow watched his every move from the sidelines. When she saw him accurately sort the authentic pieces from the replicas, a flicker of admiration—and a subtle, elusive hint of cunning—crossed her eyes.

"So, Mr. Qin, does this haul meet your standards?" she asked, stepping to his side with a probing tone.

"You have quite the connections, miss. I fear the origins of this collection are somewhat..." Qin Feng did not answer her question directly, instead shifting his focus and fixing a sharp gaze upon her.

The Black Widow laughed, her eyes dancing with a seductive, multifaceted charm. "Mr. Qin, you jest. I am but a weak woman; what connections could I possibly have? These are merely items left here for consignment by some friends."

"Consignment? Do you take me for a child? These antiques—every single one of them—are illicit goods, aren't they?"

The smile on her face stiffened slightly. She hadn't expected Qin Feng to be so blunt. Her eyes darted briefly before she resumed her charming smile, her voice turning sweet and coquettish: "Oh, Mr. Qin, you truly have eyes like burning torches; nothing escapes you. But I am merely acting on behalf of others; I have no choice in the matter."

"Oh? Acting on behalf of others?" Qin Feng raised an eyebrow. He walked over to a yellow rosewood table, picked up an inkstone, and inspected it closely. "Tell me, who had you acquire these items? And what is the purpose?"

Seeing that her ruse had been pierced, the Black Widow dropped the act. She sat down opposite him, poured herself a glass of wine, and took a small sip before saying softly, "Mr. Qin, you don't understand. This collection was unearthed from a grand ancient tomb..."

"A grand tomb?" Qin Feng felt a jolt of surprise; the inkstone nearly slipped from his fingers. He had heard of grave robbing, but hearing it confirmed in person still sent a shiver down his spine.

"That's right. A major tomb from the Warring States period." She set down her glass, a glimmer of greed appearing in her eyes. "It is said to be filled with countless rare treasures of immense value. The boss behind me is targeting exactly those riches."

"Then why have me verify their authenticity?" Qin Feng set the inkstone down and stared intensely at her.

The Black Widow chuckled, leaning forward slightly. A faint, intoxicating fragrance drifted toward him. She leaned in close to his ear, her breath like an orchid. "Because my boss said that only the genuine pieces are to be kept. As for the fakes..." She didn't finish, but the flash of ruthlessness in her eyes made Qin Feng shudder.

"So, Mr. Qin, you must help me." She straightened up, her eyes filled with allure. "If you help me with this, once it is done, I will provide you with a generous reward, in addition to that stone Buddha."

Qin Feng remained outwardly calm, but internally, a storm was brewing. The power behind the Black Widow was bold enough to plunder a Warring States tomb; their audacity was staggering. He realized that by having him verify the items, she wasn't just weeding out fakes—she was looking to "launder" these illicit goods and bring them into the legitimate market.

He realized he had been unwittingly pulled into a massive conspiracy. Yet, confident in his own abilities, he did not retreat. Instead, he felt a surge of excitement and the thrill of a challenge.

"Very well, I agree." Qin Feng nodded, a playful smile curling his lips. "However, I have one condition."

The Black Widow was overjoyed. "What is it? Name it. Anything I can do, I will not refuse."

"I want to meet the boss behind you." A sharp light flashed in Qin Feng's eyes, his tone brooks no argument.

The smile on her face froze instantly. She hadn't expected such a request. She remained silent for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, before finally nodding. "Very well. I agree. But you must promise me that you will not act recklessly."

"Rest assured, I know my limits." Qin Feng smiled faintly, a glimmer of cunning in his eyes. He wanted to see exactly what kind of entity this mastermind was—the one who dared to loot a Warring States tomb and try to play him for a fool.

The Black Widow led Qin Feng away from Yu Ping Pavilion. After several twists and turns, they arrived before a private club. The establishment was luxuriously appointed yet remarkably low-profile. There was no sign at the entrance, only two red lanterns swaying gently in the night breeze, exuding an air of mystery.

"This is it," she said, stopping and turning to face him. "Boss Long is waiting for you inside."

Qin Feng looked at her deeply, said nothing, and walked straight inside. The interior was even more opulent, gilded and magnificent, resembling the palace of an ancient emperor. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, refreshing the spirit.

Following a waiter through a long corridor, Qin Feng arrived at a wooden door intricately carved with elegant patterns. The waiter knocked gently, then respectfully retreated to the side.

"Come in." A low voice emanated from the room.

Qin Feng took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft glow of an antique desk lamp.