At the Yin-Yang boundary on a moonless night, a desolate courtyard materialized where a young woman named Chang Ming played chess with two paper figures, Golden Boy and Jade Girl. She ran the Artifact Spirit Pawnshop, a mysterious establishment that pawned relics and fulfilled wishes for ghosts, spirits, and the living. A young scholar in mourning clothes, Yun Yichu, arrived by following an ancient ritual, seeking help to exorcise evil and avoid disaster for his wealthy Yun Family. Chang Ming toyed with him, disguising as a ghost, then revealed herself as a stunning beauty. She learned he was the eldest grandson of the Yun Family, which had prospered after his grandfather picked up a Six-Character Copper Coin that could speak human language and predict the future, leading them to a gold vein. However, chaos erupted when rumors claimed the family’s fortune came from the copper coin, causing father and son to turn against each other. Yun Yichu wanted Chang Ming to burn the copper coin in front of the clan to expose the lie and restore peace. He offered ten years of his lifespan as payment. Chang Ming agreed, making him sign a spirit contract. She then gave him a century-old snow ginseng to cure his grandfather, but demanded half of the gold vein in return. Yun Yichu accepted. They played a game of chess, and she sensed his burden: he had been groomed as the sole heir, devoid of childhood and friendship, yet he loved his grandfather dearly and did not hate him. Before leaving, she warned him to turn back while there was still time.Chang Ming packed her belongings, including a Soul Summoning Umbrella, suspecting Yun Yichu might die soon. She sensed the Six-Character Copper Coin was a supreme treasure of a great demon from the underworld that had interfered with mortal destiny. On the way to the human realm, she encountered two ghost messengers about to devour a wandering soul. She bribed them but when they still attacked, she annihilated them. The soul was Yun Yichu’s grandfather, Yun Ruosheng, who insisted he was just lost and not dead. Chang Ming explained he was dead and that she was his grandson’s helper. As they approached the human realm, Yun Ruosheng revealed that his eldest son had killed his own younger brother, and he died of anger, though he could not remember his own death. Chang Ming brought him to the Yun Manor gate, but the servant refused entry multiple times. Finally, Yun Yichu appeared and personally welcomed her after the servant claimed the young master did not consort with seductive women. Chang Ming entered the manor, which was draped in white funeral decorations with a coffin in the main hall. She bowed and offered incense to Yun Ruosheng. Yun Yichu explained his grandfather had three sons; he alone wore mourning clothes because his eldest uncle was drowning in grief and drinking, and his second uncle had gone missing after searching for medicine. Chang Ming learned from a servant that the second uncle had a dissolute reputation. She was then introduced to the eldest aunt, Chun Lu, who would attend to her needs. Chang Ming felt a faint unease upon seeing Chun Lu. The story set the stage for Chang Ming to fulfill her contract with Yun Yichu by confronting the Six-Character Copper Coin and the unraveling family secrets.
