After receiving the clock, Senior Shu took out a magnifying glass and observed the item thoroughly. He then shook his head and said in a regretful voice, “This is a foreign chiming clock from the Jiaqing period of the Qing dynasty. At that time, locust tree wood was very popular. This clock was made exquisitely with excellent craftsmanship, and it’s a rare treasure due to its old age. Unfortunately…” He held his magnifying glass above the character ‘一’ carved at the top of the clock. “This carved character is too obvious. Such an excellent treasure was damaged because of this.”

He put the clock on his bed. Then, with a strange expression, he said, “Kid, I’ve been working in this business for my whole life, but I have never accepted the clock category of otherworldly items. Do you know why?”

“Why is that?” I asked. 

“They’re tricky and very difficult to solve, definitely not worth the effort. If you get it done,...