Extra Chapter 19
Outside the British Museum, countless people lined up in long queues, turning the entrance into a bustling scene.
A massive banner was unfurled, bearing the words: "The Golden Serpent Bracelet of Nefertari Exhibited Today."
The Pharaoh’s curse was world-renowned, so many were eager to witness it for themselves.
Legend had it that after the serpent bracelet was donated to the museum, strange occurrences ensued. The museum had to invite several renowned sorcerers to exorcise it, which delayed its public display until now.
At this moment, the museum was packed to capacity, with throngs gathered around the display case, admiring the exquisite artifact.
Under the lights, the golden bracelet shimmered brilliantly; every scale of the serpent was vividly detailed, and its ruby eyes seemed almost sentient, making one suspect it might come to life at any moment.
A chorus of awe resonated, as everyone was captivated by its beauty.
It was hard to imagine the splendor its owner must have possessed while wearing it.
After viewing the serpent bracelet, visitors moved on to other sections.
A bronze Indian statue stood poised on one tiptoe in a dance pose, its posture elegant and graceful.
A Greek marble sculpture, missing a hand and a foot, sat on a stone pedestal, its muscular lines exquisitely rendered.
...
Artifacts from every nation were on display, a dazzling array.
When the closing announcement sounded, all visitors left contentedly.
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As the sun set, the museum fell into silence; all artifacts remained encased behind glass, like a silent chronicle of history.
Gradually, night descended. As moonlight spilled over the exhibits, the Indian dancer balanced on one foot slowly lowered her raised leg.
After millennia, the artifact came to life.
Her surface was covered in verdigris, yet it did nothing to diminish her beauty.
She spoke to the Greek statue, “I envy you. You get to sit every day.”
The damaged Greek statue sighed, “Even if I wanted to stand, I couldn’t. They broke me during transport!”
The Indian dancer replied, “Is that so? Everyone praises how beautiful your broken form is. I thought you were meant to look like that.”
The Greek statue could only smile wryly.
The museum grew livelier; the cat goddess Bastet leapt down from her case, birds from a mural took flight, and a clay figure began playing a flute...
One by one, the relics came alive, as if the once frozen river of history began to flow again.
Suddenly, an angry voice thundered: “Where is this place? Insolent thieves dared to drag me from the temple and imprison me here!”
A sphinx statue jumped down from its pedestal, brandishing powerful claws, threatening the other exhibits from various nations: “Is it you? You? Or you! Return me at once, or the armies of Egypt shall raze this place to the ground!”
The artifacts exchanged knowing looks.
“Must be new here.”
“This is the British Museum—we’re all exhibits here.”
The sphinx grew even angrier: “Exhibits? Ridiculous! I belong to Egypt!”
“Yes, but ancient Egypt fell in 30 BC. Modern Egypt no longer holds that glory, which is why you reside here, just like us.”
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The sphinx was incredulous: “What? Fallen?”
It glanced at the museum’s information plaque and finally accepted the truth.
Once dominant over the entire Asian plains, builders of miraculous pyramids, masters of astronomy and calendars—ancient Egypt had perished.
Time passed, seas changed places; no matter how great a civilization, it must eventually fade.
The sphinx fell silent for a moment, then declared firmly, “I do not belong here. I must return to Egypt!”
An Indian Buddha statue replied, “None of us truly belong here, yet we cannot return.”
A Syrian bronze figure said, “Our homeland lies across the sea. To go back, we must cross vast oceans.”
A Chinese jade vase with entwined patterns added, “It is the Golden Serpent Bracelet that gives us life, but its power works only at night.”
The sphinx was deeply disheartened, forced to remain in the museum.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn spilled into the museum, the guards awoke.
None admitted to having neglected their duties or having slept through the night.
Thus, half a year passed, and no one uncovered the museum’s secret.
Since interest in Egypt had waned, the museum planned a new theme to attract visitors.
After deliberation, they decided on Zheng He’s voyages to the West, displaying Chinese artifacts.
Among all nations, artifacts lost abroad from China were the fewest, mostly sunken in the sea. Recently, a research vessel named Zheng He had salvaged treasures from the Old Summer Palace, making this theme sure to draw crowds.
The museum procured a statue of Zheng He, constructed a replica Ming dynasty ship, and acquired numerous Chinese relics from various sources.
Once everything was arranged, they announced it online, and indeed, many booked visits.
As night fell, Zheng He, clad in a dragon robe, surveyed the artifacts from around the world before him, bowing respectfully: “I am Zheng He. Greetings to you all.”
An Indian stone stele engraved with “Ten Thousand Miles to China” exclaimed excitedly, “Admiral Zheng!”
“Admiral Zheng!” “Admiral Zheng, you’ve come!”
Countless voices echoed, all from nations Zheng He had visited on his voyages.
They had witnessed China’s glorious era and forged connections.
China brought friendship and exchange; wherever it went, it was warmly welcomed.
Zheng He asked, “How did you all come to be here?”
The artifacts explained their stories.
Zheng He said, “I have a ship. I can take you all home!”
The artifacts were overjoyed: “Really? Wonderful!”
Zheng He smiled gently.
He had sailed to the Western Seas seven times; crossing oceans was effortless for him.
The artifacts cautioned, “But the Golden Serpent Bracelet only releases its power at night. What about daytime?”
Zheng He then examined the serpent bracelet.
As the saying goes, solitary yin cannot survive, solitary yang cannot last; there must be a way to activate the bracelet’s power during the day as well.
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After some research, Zheng He uncovered the secret of the Golden Serpent Bracelet.
With this final obstacle removed, the artifacts were elated at the thought of returning home.
Only the Syrian artifact said, “Congratulations, but I have nowhere to go.”
A hush fell among the others.
At that moment, Zheng He said, “You can stay in China temporarily. Once your homeland rises from the flames of war, we will send you back.”
The Indian stele responded, “Exactly. We trust Admiral Zheng!”
The artifacts all agreed.
They believed China to be a trustworthy nation.
Amidst widespread praise, the Syrian artifact decided to go to China.
The next day, as the sun rose, a large number of foreign artifacts vanished from the museum, sparking global shock and being dubbed the greatest heist of the century.
At the same time, a Ming dynasty ship set sail from England, heading across the sea.
After six centuries, Zheng He embarked once more.
This time, he carried all the artifacts home.
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One month later, staff at the Indian Museum awoke to find many new artifacts had appeared overnight.
Everyone was stunned, unable to believe their eyes.
Investigations revealed these were the very artifacts that had been lost in the British Museum.
Similar events unfolded in countless countries, igniting lively discussions online.
The British Museum declared it an international theft and called for cooperation in investigations.
Internet users, however, hailed it as a chivalrous act and posted messages of support.
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After delivering the last batch of artifacts, Zheng He once again helmed his ship, setting course for the Western Seas.
The sea breeze gently blew, lifting his spirits with boundless joy.
He had come to keep an appointment, though six centuries late.
Gradually, the ship entered familiar waters, the bright red Ming flag fluttering in the wind.
After a while, a voice like celestial music rang out, welcoming his arrival.
That voice traversed the long years, unchanged as ever.
Looking toward the figure on the reef, the stone statue smiled: “I have brought you fireworks.”
The hardened visage bore a gentle smile—like him, yet not him.
The real Zheng He had long vanished into the river of history, but the statue, bearing his name, fulfilled the promise in his stead.