Chapter Nine, The Pianist

Ye Hai said, "I am not quite sure, but I can help you look into it." Shu Yi replied, "Then I would trouble you, Miss Ye Hai. Please remember to keep it confidential." Ye Hai smiled and said, "Rest assured, if such a person really exists, I will definitely be able to help you find them."

Shu Yi said lightly, "It seems that the Coconut Sea girl is still unwilling to clarify our identities." Coconut Sea smiled without answering. Shu Yi gave a glance to Ye Qinghan, who took out her identification from her body and handed it to Coconut Sea. Coconut Sea opened it, took a look, and was startled. It was from the Ninth Division of the Fifth Bureau of the National Security Ministry of Huaxia. Although she did not know what the Ninth Division was, she was aware of the National Security Bureau. She returned the identification to Ye Qinghan, and Shu Yi asked, "Do you still want to see ours?"

Yehai had just left when Shiqing stepped forward and asked, "Sir, how did you know there was such a qin player?" Shuyi replied, "I only suspect; I cannot be certain yet. Look at these strings; although they appear to be ice strings, they lack a certain antiquity." Shiqing picked up the qin and examined it. Ximen Wuwang inquired, "What is special about these strings?" Shuyi explained, "Ancient artisans made ice strings from silkworm silk, which contained a high protein content in the adhesive, making them smooth to the touch, though their luster and transparency are somewhat inferior."

Shu Yi led Xi Men Wu Wang and Shi Qin to survey the small grove again, but they found nothing. Xi Men felt somewhat dejected, while Shu Yi appeared very relaxed, seemingly indifferent, and even seemed a bit happy. Xi Men Wu Wang asked in confusion, "Shu, we haven't found any clues at all, yet you seem quite pleased?" Shu Yi smiled and replied, "Who said there are no clues? At least we have learned that our opponent is very careful and meticulous. Having such an opponent is naturally something to be happy about."

Xi Qing gently said: "Suppress the oppressive and murderous atmosphere." Shu Yi nodded and replied: "Yes, what he needs to suppress is the killing intent"

The question was asked: "The instrument is the guqin, but what about the strings?" Shu Yi replied with a bitter smile: "The strings seem to be ancient strings, called ice strings. This is why the place where the guqin is played is not far from us, and although the mountains and forests are quiet, the sound of the guqin we hear is faint and elusive." Ye Qinghan felt a great shock in his heart, looking at Shu Yi with a complex expression, as if Shu Yi possessed eyes that could see through people and things. Ximen Wuwang asked: "What are ice strings?" Looking at Shu Yi with a complex expression, as if Shu Yi possessed eyes that could see through people and things. Ximen Wuwang asked: "What are ice strings?"

Ye Hai smiled, her charming smile accentuated by two dimples, and she softly said: "This won't do. I have already received the payment, and naturally, I will complete my work. Therefore, for the entire day today, I will still be by your side, serving as your guide."

Shu Yi set down the magnifying glass and gently said, "This can indeed be considered a glass qin, but it should be a replica from the Two Jin period. It is difficult to draw this conclusion solely based on the craftsmanship of the glass, but we can examine the bronze casting technique of this qin. Its patterns and decorations are both intricate and simple. The Spring and Autumn period was the peak of bronze ware, characterized by elaborate and luxurious designs. After the Spring and Autumn period, during the Qin and Han dynasties, with the promotion of iron tools, bronze wares gradually decreased, leading to simpler decorations and a lighter body."

Shu Yi glanced at Xiao Sheng, signaling him to close the door. The moment the door closed, Shu Yi sensed the unease and discomfort of Ye Hai. Shu Yi gently asked, "Miss Ye Hai, this question should be posed by us to you. Who exactly are you? Why are you deliberately approaching us?" Ye Hai replied, "What are you saying? I don't understand."

Ye Qinghan smiled and said, "I didn't expect that a single guqin would have so many intricacies." Shu Yi replied, "All matters in the world are a study; human emotions are a form of literature. The ancients understood this principle long ago." Shi Qing remarked, "Could it be that the one who plays the guqin is also the one who makes the strings?"

Shu Yi said: "Think about it, you, a girl, are with several strangers whom you have only just met, yet your father is not at all worried about your safety. This can be said to reflect his pure-hearted nature, as he does not think ill of others. But could it not also indicate that he trusts you too much, believing that you will not encounter any trouble? Where does his confidence come from? There is only one explanation: your profession. Moreover, if I am not mistaken, you should be over twenty years old; it is just that your doll-like face indeed helps you conceal your true age." His confidence comes from where? There is only one explanation: your profession. Moreover, if I am not mistaken, you should be over twenty years old; it is just that your doll-like face indeed helps you conceal your true age.

By the Jin Dynasty, bronze ware gradually shifted from practicality to ornamental value. The patterns and designs of bronze ware during this period became more elaborate, no longer as simple as those in the Qin and Han Dynasties, yet still incomparable to the intricate styles of the pre-Spring and Autumn period, specifically during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties. Therefore, the patterns and designs of Jin Dynasty bronze ware can be seen as products of a transitional phase from complexity to simplicity. It is for this reason that I conclude this guqin must be from the Two Jin periods" said Shu Yi. It is for this reason that I conclude this guqin must be from the Two Jin periods" said Shu Yi.

Shu Yi said, "However, I do have something I would like to ask for your assistance with." Ye Hai replied, "Mr. Shu, please give your instructions." Shu Yi continued, "I would like to know if there are any somewhat renowned musicians in the area."

This guqin measures 60 centimeters in length and 14 centimeters in width, and it is indeed made of glass, albeit with some bronze infiltration. It is crafted using the typical lost-wax casting technique. If it were not for the rust spots of the bronze obscuring its beauty, it could be considered a masterpiece of flowing clouds and exquisite colors. The body of the guqin is intricately engraved with a phoenix, appearing at ease and vividly lifelike, as if in flight.

Shu Yi gently plucked the strings and continued, "Although this string is also made of silk and its craftsmanship resembles that of ice strings, the texture feels somewhat coarse, indicating that its adhesive is not predominantly protein-based. As for what type of adhesive it is, that remains unclear. However, its luster and transparency are significantly higher compared to ancient ice strings, resembling modern craftsmanship. Of course, the reason I hesitate to be certain is that anything is possible; who can guarantee that such craftsmanship did not exist in ancient times?"

Xiao Sheng asked, "Even with modern techniques, how can you be certain that the person who made the strings is also a qin master, and that he is right here in Xi Ming?" Shu Yi replied, "Do you think that restringing a guqin is such an easy task? Especially with this kind of silk, which is very prone to breaking. Only someone who is deeply knowledgeable about the quality of these strings can properly install them. Once installed, it requires tuning and testing to ensure the pitch is accurate. Since the qin has appeared in Xi Ming, the string maker cannot be too far away."

Shu Yi shook his head: "This is not necessarily the case. I believe that the person who makes the strings, strings them, and tunes the instrument is the same person, while the one playing the piano is someone else." Shi Qing asked: "Why?" Shu Yi replied: "Although the sound of the piano we hear can be considered authentic Brahma and elegant music, it lacks a sense of vicissitude and tranquility. This indicates that the player is relatively young, probably not over thirty years old, and at such an age, it is impossible to create such remarkably similar ice strings."

Shu Yi said: "I suspect that the musician may have met with misfortune, unless, of course, he is an insider from their organization. Miss Ye Hai, please keep an eye on the police station and see if there have been any recent homicides."

In ancient times, the strings of musical instruments were often made from silkworm silk, with the ice strings being the finest among them. These strings, made from silkworm silk, had an auxiliary gelatinous substance added, rendering them subtly transparent, resembling ice silk. However, it is said that the craft of making ice strings has long been lost, which is why the gentleman referred to these strings as ancient strings

Ye Hai shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "Are you reassured now?" Shu Yi replied, "Don't worry, we won't kill you to silence you. However, you really cannot make this matter public. You are a police officer, so you should be well aware of what can and cannot be said.

Upon returning to the inn, Ye Hai had already come back. She informed Shu Yi that she had not found the so-called musician, a result that Shu Yi had anticipated. He let out a soft sigh: "I hope he is still alive." Ye Hai asked, "What do you mean by that?" Everyone else also fixed their gaze on Shu Yi.

Shu Yi said lightly, "It seems that someone has already set their sights on us, and they are quite generous; this guqin is indeed valuable, yet they have easily given it to us." Ye Hai did not understand what Shu Yi and the others were talking about, so she asked, "Who exactly are you? What is going on?"

Ye Qinghan said, "Shu Chu, how can you be so certain that the person who sent us the zither is an enemy rather than a friend?" Shu Yi replied indifferently, "It is still because of that zither's sound. Given the quality of the strings, it should possess a resonant and powerful tone, yet what we hear is somewhat dull. That indicates suppression. Little monk, you are also a master of rhythm; think back and tell me, what is he suppressing?"

Ye Hai nodded and Shu Yi said, "Are you still going to be this guide?" Ye Hai straightened his chest and replied, "Of course, why wouldn't I?"

Shu Yi stood up and said, "I want to go back to the grove we just visited, Xi Men, please accompany me." Ye Qinghan asked, "What about us?" Shu Yi replied, "You and Xiao Sheng stay here, keep an eye on the qin, and wait for news from Ye Hai. Little Monk, you come with me as well."

Shu Yi sensed the hostility emanating from Ye Hai and smiled, saying, "Do not be agitated; in fact, we mean you no harm. I just want to tell you that you have invested too much time and energy on us, and you have chosen the wrong target. We are not the people you are looking for." Upon hearing this, Ye Hai relaxed slightly, saying, "It seems that you are not tourists." Shu Yi replied, "Who we are is not important to you. We have our own matters to attend to, so from now on, you are dismissed by me. Please go attend to your own affairs."

Shu Yi smiled slightly: "Is that so? Coconut Sea girl, you are actually not a student, but a police officer, right?" Although everyone had heard Shu Yi mention that Coconut Sea often handled firearms, they were still somewhat puzzled by Shu Yi's confident assertion that she was a police officer. Coconut Sea was even more surprised, momentarily taken aback: "How did you know?"

Shu Yi's words were filled with excitement, and a sharp glint akin to that of a wolf spotting its prey shone in his eyes

"What kind of lute master?" Ye Hai asked in confusion. Shu Yi replied: "I believe he must be of a certain age, skilled in lute making, particularly adept at crafting strings. Of course, we can narrow it down a bit; he is not a local, but he has spent a considerable amount of time in Xi Ming, at least over ten years.