Why is my anime art style so weird?

"That's simple. All you need to do is perform a ritual to help the soul in the painting pass on to the afterlife."

Kato Megumi answered.

Since the problem with the painting could be solved, and the magical artifact was so dangerous, Xu Ming decided not to get involved.

"Okay, I guess I'll just... not care about that paintbrush."

"Ming, are you... really determined to get involved in this case?"

Kato Megumi's tone revealed a hint of worry; she seemed pessimistic about Xu Ming's ability to resolve the matter smoothly.

"It's alright, you can leave this to me. I'll take care of the intelligence gathering."

Xu Ming said with great confidence.

"Alright, I will personally urge the intelligence department to do so. Also, if this relic can be sealed, the association's bounty is 2 billion yen."

"I will definitely find a way to resolve this incident satisfactorily!"

Upon hearing the reward amount, Xu Ming immediately became highly motivated.

"By the way, do you have some time now? Could you please come over to my place?"

Kato Megumi suddenly said.

"Have."

Given that gathering intelligence would take some time, Xu Ming thought for a moment before replying.

"I'll send someone to pick you up. See you later."

"Ok."

After saying that, Xu Ming hung up the phone.

Looking at the empty corridor, Xu Ming rubbed his temples and muttered to himself:

"They really don't want me to rest at all."

He casually opened the system panel, and saw that a new task information had appeared.

—A strange event has been discovered: 'Soul-Binding Brush (3-star)'! Accept the quest (Yes/No)?

Xu Ming was hoping to accumulate enough Weird Points as soon as possible so he could sign a contract with his older sister.

So, he changed his mind almost without hesitation and accepted the task.

Now, with the exorcist association offering a high bounty, they can't afford to let this opportunity slip by.

Xu Ming casually closed the system panel and returned to Shiina Mashiro's bedroom.

Aoyama Nanami immediately said to him in a hurry:

“Xu Mingjun, Mrs. Nakajima said that the painting was her son’s work, and she has disposed of all the belongings related to her son.”

"Was there a paintbrush among those relics?! That paintbrush is an antique; it should be worth a lot of money!"

Xu Ming immediately pressed for an answer.

Aoyama Nanami was taken aback, but seeing Xu Ming's anxious expression, she immediately understood.

"I'll call again right away and ask!"

Soon, Aoyama Nanami obtained the information Xu Ming wanted from Mrs. Nakajima.

"Yes, Mrs. Nakajima's son once had a paintbrush that had been passed down for hundreds of years. It was said to be the relic of a certain master painter. She has sold the paintbrush to an antique shop called 'Drunken Mountain Residence'."

"Drunken Mountain Retreat?"

Xu Ming immediately opened his phone and started searching on Google Maps. He quickly found the exact location: Tokyo, Minato Ward, Hagyumachi, 3-chome, 2-13.

He then searched for information about 'Zuishanju' and found that it was a large antique auction house that not only bought and sold various antiques, but also held auctions from time to time. It was a very powerful antique house.

Seeing this, Xu Ming stroked his chin. The other party was a large trading company with a powerful background. If he went there rashly, they might not cooperate with his investigation.

'Looks like I'll have to ask Kato Megumi for help, to find a convincing excuse...'

Xu Ming thought.

Then he looked at Aoyama Nanami.

"Miss Nanami, I have to go out now."

"What about this painting...?"

Aoyama Nanami glanced at the portrait on the wall, her eyes still filled with panic and fear, clearly still shaken by last night's experience.

Xu Ming hesitated for a moment before speaking:

“If Ms. Nanami doesn’t mind, you and Ms. Shiina can stay at my house for a while. I’ll come back after I’ve cleaned this place up.”

"This...this isn't quite right."

Aoyama Nanami immediately blushed and shyly lowered her head to play with her fingers.

Xu Ming touched his nose. It was indeed possible for a single man to invite a girl to stay at his home temporarily, which could lead to misunderstandings.

He thought for a moment, then suggested:

"Or you two could stay at a nearby hotel for the time being."

"Well... okay."

Aoyama Nanami hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Now is definitely not the time to save money.

Just then, Xu Ming's phone rang. When he opened it, he saw that it was an unfamiliar number.

Xu Ming pressed the call button with some doubt.

A soft female voice immediately came from the other end of the phone.

"Hello, are you Xu Mingsang?"

"Yes, that's me. And who are you?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Xu Ming's eyes.

"His Highness the Divine Prince sent me to pick you up. I am already downstairs."

They arrived so quickly!

Xu Ming quickly checked the time on his phone and realized that less than twenty minutes had passed since he met Kato Megumi.

Since the other party was so polite, Xu Ming naturally wouldn't put on airs, so he quickly said:

"Please wait a moment, I'll be right down!"

After hanging up the phone, Xu Ming was about to leave when a hand grabbed the hem of his clothes.

Xu Ming turned around with some confusion and found that the person he had grabbed was actually Shiina Mashiro.

"Mashiro?"

Aoyama Nanami looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Shiina looked directly into Xu Ming's eyes and said softly:

"Take me with you."

Xu Ming couldn't help but frown.

"No, that's dangerous."

"Yes, it's really white. This will cause trouble for Xu Mingjun. Let's go to the hotel and wait for news from Xu Mingjun."

Aoyama Nanami also quickly offered his advice.

"Take me with you."

Shiina Mashiro repeated the sentence without any change in expression, her eyes remaining completely unwavering.

Give me a reason.

Xu Ming frowned.

“I can see.”

Shiina Mashiro, however, met Xu Ming's gaze without backing down.

Aoyama Nanami looked at Xu Ming and then at Shiina Mashiro, feeling somewhat at a loss.

For a moment, the three of them were locked in a stalemate.

Chapter 145 Kato Megumi's Gift

After a while, Xu Ming sighed.

"I can take you with me, but you have to be obedient."

Shiina Mashiro nodded obediently.

"Then, what about me?"

Aoyama Nanami pointed pitifully at herself.

Xu Ming said apologetically:

"Miss Nanami, I'll have to ask you to stay here alone for the time being."

"Eh! How could this happen?!"

Aoyama Nanami immediately cried out in despair.

"By the way, do you still have the amulet I gave you last time?"

Xu Ming suddenly realized something and immediately asked.

"Yes! It's here!"

Aoyama Nanami quickly pulled the amulet out of her collar.

Xu Ming nodded, and solemnly instructed:

"Please make sure you keep this amulet safe! It will protect you."

"I understand, I won't take it off even when I sleep!"