Chapter 272: A Gentleman Asks About Misfortune, Not Fortune (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 272: The Gentleman Asks About Misfortune, Not Blessings (Seeking Monthly Donations)

The young monk...

Or rather, Bai Da Xian studied Chen Yi as he entered the Pharmacy of Worldly Salvation, his handsome face displaying a spark of interest.

"Interesting."

He naturally recognized Chen Yi as the gifted martial artist who had appeared at the East Market the night before.

He also discerned the young man's disguise and concealment.

So he had sought him out—not only because of their brief encounter the previous evening, but also to offer a few pointers to this martial arts prodigy, and out of curiosity, to see what background and cultivation this fellow possessed.

To his surprise, this young monk showed no inclination to respond.

"Well, well, then."

"Entering the mountains without paying homage to immortals, entering temples without paying homage to Buddhas—if you don't, you're the one who suffers the consequences."

"I... I, the humble one, have long since passed beyond such matters as fate."

Bai Da Xian cleared his throat, lifted his cloth banner, and walked toward the eastern market entrance. He planted the banner to his side and waved his sleeves twice, striking a truly immortal and otherworldly pose.

"Let me foretell what lies ahead—both for you and those around you. Listen, and I will share a few words."

"To divine your life and death, to predict your fortunes and misfortunes, to dispel a thousand obstacles and ensure your path remains safe for ten thousand years."

"This... brother, I see your pulse full and strong—has something joyous recently befallen you?"

A man in coarse hemp robes, wearing a white cloth cap, looked at him with a scowl and muttered, "Get lost—I'm just about to go pay respects to my deceased relative!"

"Yes, yes, yes..."

Chen Yi stood at the doorway, quietly observing the young monk's movements from afar, his expression growing curious.

This must be... Bai Da Xian?

Apart from his imposing appearance, this young monk was otherwise indistinguishable from an ordinary person—his frame frail, his spirit unremarkable, his every movement utterly devoid of the vital energy that marked a cultivator.

His presence bore no resemblance to the "venerable elder" at all.

Had his intelligence not already revealed this, Chen Yi could never have connected the young monk to the legendary Bai Da Xian.

Chen Yi muttered to himself, then discreetly activated his internal energy, employing a scrying technique to observe the young monk.

The moment his gaze settled upon the young monk, a blinding silver-white light erupted, filling his entire vision. A searing heat followed, piercing his eyes.

"Ah!"

Instinctively, Chen Yi shut his eyes, tears involuntarily welling in his corners.

What was that?

He had only glanced once, only seen a faint phantom.

—A headband and tall cap, purple-gold robes, a small jade seal hanging at his waist, a blurred visage.

The purple-gold figure had sensed his gaze, and the seal at his waist exploded into brilliant light.

Following the trajectory of Chen Yi's scrying technique, it had struck his eyes.

Was this truly the aura of the Number One martial artist?

Truly terrifying!

Though Chen Yi was shocked beyond words, he did not act immediately. Instead, he adjusted the energy in his mind palace, channeling his internal power to repair the meridians around his eyes.

Fortunately, he had sensed something amiss and closed his eyes in time.

Otherwise, even this single strike would have left him blind.

"His cultivation must be profound," he mused.

"One level? Or perhaps even higher?"

Chen Yi could not know for certain.

But he was undeniably clear on one fact—his scrying had been detected by Bai Da Xian.

A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

For years, he had used his scrying technique to probe others' auras, judging their cultivation and skill levels.

Who would have thought that today, he would be exposed by it?

"Bai Da Xian... the Number One martial artist in the land of Dali—he does possess such abilities. I suppose I can endure it."

Thinking this, Chen Yi brushed away the tears at his eye corners, slowly opened his eyes, and looked again at Bai Da Xian.

This time, he observed with his own eyes, having learned from his earlier misfortune.

Chen Yi had expected their gazes to meet.

Yet Bai Da Xian seemed utterly unaware, continuing to speak volubly to the man beside him.

Chen Yi relaxed slightly, when suddenly he noticed the figure standing beside Bai Da Xian.

—A man of noble bearing, dressed in splendid official robes, wearing a cap and sash, his countenance...

His countenance...

Not Chen Yunfan—who was this?

Bai Da Xian paid no heed to Chen Yi's probing, continuing to smile as he addressed Chen Yunfan:

"This official brother, I see your pulse full and your bearing distinguished—might I divine a fortune for you?"

Chen Yunfan had been somewhat annoyed, but upon hearing those words, his interest was piqued.

"Look at this face—only a little less refined than mine, so you wouldn't dare fabricate some tale to deceive me, would you?"

"If you would..."

Before Chen Yunfan could finish, a voice with a hint of joy—and shock—echoed from the side: "Brother!"

Chen Yunfan turned his head. "Yi, my son?"

"How unexpected you are here today in the East Market!"

"Oh, I see—you've taken up the reins of the pharmacy at Xiao Family."

Saying this, Chen Yunfan set aside Bai Da Xian and approached his younger brother with a reproachful smile:

"You, what are you doing here? You're a teacher at Gu Yun Academy, a scholar and sage esteemed by the Dali Dynasty—why are you doing business like a merchant, one unworthy of the court?"

Chen Yi nodded stiffly, his eyes flicking to Bai Da Xian, whose own smile was equally rigid.

The elder was scolding, but it would be better to sit quietly with me in the apothecary.

For heaven's sake!

A mere spell of divination could have let the White Immortal prevail.

Thank the heavens he arrived in time, or else a decree of doom would have fallen, and whether Chen Yunfan lived or died mattered little, but it must never involve him.

Not that Chen Yi was superstitious.

But the tales he’d heard of the White Immortal were too downright sinister.

And to top it off, the apparition he’d just witnessed could not be ignored.

Chen Yunfan paused, eyeing him up and down, suspicion creasing his brow. "What, you’ve taken a sudden liking to me?"

"Usually you never gave me the time of day. Why the sudden cordiality?"

Chen Yi said nothing further, tugged him forward toward the apothecary.

Hurrying lest they should cross paths with the broom star,

But two steps into their stride, the White Immortal was already at their heels.

"Good sirs, good sirs—kind souls, pray, do not rush. I am but a humble mortal who, seeing such fine fellows, would be honored to divine a hexagram for you."

Chen Yi frowned inwardly, forcing a smile onto his face. "We thank you, honored one, but we must trouble you no further—we have pressing matters."

No sooner said than he took a step, and the White Immortal loomed before him, seeming to smile without quite smiling.

"Does this young fellow know me?"

"I—surely not, honored one?"

"Not know me?"

"Not know you!"

When the two fell into a game of duck-and-cover, Chen Yunfan cut in:

"Yi, let the elder divine a hexagram—it’s no great matter."

"That one there, with his fine face—he wouldn’t dare speak nonsense. If he does, well, I’ll have him dealt with."

Chen Yi shot him a sharp look. "Brother, it is said, ‘A gentleman inquires about disaster, not fortune.’"

"For one such as you, who prattles on about righteousness—must you add to your own burdens?"

"Then I’ll ask about the disaster—"

"What disaster, exactly?"

"Brother, you hail from an illustrious family, this very year you are the Imperial Examinations’ top scorer. In years to come, your fortunes will rise like a dragon soaring through the sky—wealth, honor, and glory beyond measure."

"Truly, you are a hero of the highest order!"

Chen Yi wouldn’t let Chen Yunfan speak, nor would he grant the White Immortal the chance to issue a decree.

He blurted out a litany of blessings, pressing them upon Chen Yunfan.

Chen Yunfan stared, his voice a whisper. "Yi, you mean it… truly?"

Chen Yi’s tone was certain, nodding once. "Indeed. Farewell."

This time, the White Immortal did not block their path.

But as he watched them enter the apothecary, his brow furrowed in thought.

Then he pinched his fingers, his expression turning thoughtful.

"He… a life cut short in youth."

"Yet now he carries such profound cultivation—who powerful enough to alter his fate?"

In his mind, the faces of those he’d heard of surfaced, only to be dismissed.

"Those wandering cranes—surely they would not sacrifice their longevity or cultivation for such a thankless task."

"Even if they did, could they shift a man’s destiny so utterly?"

"Such a thing… strange, indeed."

The Immortal could not fathom the reason, so he silently noted the event, resolving to investigate another day.

He cast one last glance toward the apothecary, a faint smile touching his lips.

"That young fellow recognized me… he must have some wit."

After decades away from the world, he’d carelessly revealed his presence, and ordinary folk would not have noticed.

To his surprise, upon arriving in Shu, a junior had already spotted him.

Reflecting on this, the White Immortal returned to his former spot, continuing his vigil for the next soul in need.

"Li Wan Zhi was right—when the world produces talent, even I cannot hoard it all my life."

"Like these young ones… their martial prowess must rival that of the other youth we met."

"Hah, this journey has not been in vain. Not in vain."

Just then, two figures approached.

One wore a pink robe, her face cold and elegant; the other, petite and delicate.

It was Liu Zhaoxue and her maid, Ling’er.

The White Immortal studied them, his face brightening with a warm smile.

"Good ladies, would you like me to divine a hexagram for you?"

Before Liu Zhaoxue could speak, Ling’er stepped forward. "Of course we’d like a hexagram."

"But let it be known—if the reading is favorable, we’ll reward you well. If not… well, that old cloth of yours will be burned."

The White Immortal chuckled, shaking his head. "I can offer some insight, but whether it is good or ill… I cannot say."

"Then we’ll take our chances…"

Liu Zhaoxue raised her hand, cutting him off. She bowed. "Please, divine a hexagram for me."

Ling’er glanced at her, a touch annoyed but not defiant, adding, "And for me as well."

The Immortal nodded, then, like the fortune-tellers of old, began his methodical procession.

"Divining your celestial stems and terrestrial branches…"

Liu Zhaoxue did not hesitate, offering a pre-written slip of paper.

Ling’er followed suit.

The White Immortal took both slips, glanced at them, then began his calculations, speaking in measured tones:

"For this young lady, her constitution is jade and gold, with orchid and jade as her heart."

"Her destiny holds one ‘noble’ character, but a hidden ‘concealed’ within. A phoenix perched upon a golden wutia tree."

"The phoenix, king of all birds, is most honored. The golden wutia, its ancestral root, stands firm and unshakable. Yet…"

The Immortal paused, studying Liu Zhaoxue.

"…"

He said nothing further.

"Only the phoenix holds such lofty disdain, not drinking at dawn's dew, not eating at practice's end; thus her vision is profound, prone to solitude's ache."

Liu Zhaoxue listened calmly, weighing the words on a scale within her heart.

"Pray, elder, is there a way to resolve this?"

"Not 'resolve,' but 'dissolve.'"

The venerable White Grandmaster shook his head, pointing skyward. "When a lady's heart clings as tightly as those clouds cling to dissolution, the affliction too shall fade."

Liu Zhaoxue gazed at him, murmuring, "Dissolve..."

Memories of past years surfaced unbidden, her sighs echoing in the quiet.

Easier said than done.

She raised her hand toward her back. "Then let us observe."

Ling'er bowed symbolically, then stepped forward with coins clutched in her hand. "Here I am, here I am!"

The Grandmaster regarded her with a half-smile, neither approving nor disapproving.

Calculating on his fingers, he declared, "This lady is destined for smooth sailing, her parents safe—this is a life blessed by heavenly fortune."

Ling'er blinked, spun around, and pointed at Liu Zhaoxue. "When you gave her that divination just now, you didn’t say it like that!"

"What, must there be some fate to unravel this?"

The Grandmaster smiled faintly. "Your fate is too precious for me to sully your ears with common parlance."

A disciple of the Wudou Sect, her face flushed with bloodlust, yet unaware of her own fury.

Ah, my heart is kind; I dare not speak such harsh words.

Ling'er persisted, unyielding. "Won’t you say something? If not, I won’t let you go so easily..."

Seeing this, Liu Zhaoxue abandoned further waiting, turning to leave.

At the door of Jishi Pharmacy, she paused—Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan stood there, their steps halting.

This time, she offered no greeting, only a bow, and entered the tea house beyond.

She had glimpsed them from afar, prompting her sudden urge to divine.

No time for idle fuss—she meant business.

Besides... she knew well the state of Shu Zhou. All tied to the Xiao family, she kept her distance.

Chen Yi glanced at the White Grandmaster and Ling'er, his brow furrowed.

Two fates had been decreed. One twisted fortune, one wealth and honor.

Did Liu Zhaoxue and Ling'er both face grim ends? Or was there a difference?

While Chen Yi pondered, Chen Yunfan chuckled softly.

"That girl... she’s no good."

Chen Yi turned, spotting Ling'er subtly scattering powder from her sleeve.

He nearly choked on laughter.

The Wudou Sect disciples truly poisoned without hesitation!

Fierce, truly fierce!

Chen Yi stifled his mirth, speaking calmly. "Brother, what did you see?"

Chen Yunfan’s smile vanished instantly. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

My elder brother treats me like a stranger.

So high in martial prowess, yet pretends a timid scholar before me.

Wait and see.

He inhaled sharply, then withdrew a letter from his sleeve, handing it over.

"My father and I corresponded recently."

"This letter is from your father to you."

Chen Yi’s gaze lifted, meeting his brother’s eyes, then the letter in his hand.

"Father?"

(Chapter End)