chapter 4

Chen Li tried again and again, all night on the white stone to no avail, ending up listless as she rested her head on the stone, drifting to sleep . A squeaking sound announced the opening of the courtyard door, awaking Chen Li who followed the noise to the front yard . There, she saw Xing Yun about to go out, particularly without basket nor bag . Chen Li asked, confused . “Today, you aren’t selling ginseng?”

“The ginseng is still drying in the sun . ” Xing Yun patted Chen Li’s head, “I am going out to buy something nice, stay home and watch the house . ”

“Ah wait, I’m going too!” Chen Li quickly twisted around and ran into the backyard and grabbed the stone she was practicing on earlier .

She quickly grabbed it into her mouth and ran back to Xing Yun, muffled as she said “Go already!” She decided, since the moonlight doesn’t work, why not try day light? If she succeed in Midas Gold, it’s just as well to buy some nice stuff back .

Xing Yun stared at the stone in her mouth before freezing for a moment, then deciding to not ask any questions, he simply smiled and said, “Oh? Are you sure you wish to go out? You know the market people, if we get separated, the next time we see each other will be you as a pot of soup . That isn’t good . How about we set a leash around your neck as we go?”

Chen Li widened her eyes, furious, “Cocky!” She spread her wings, saying loudly, “I was about to accompany you to the market with good will and gratitude, yet you say… . Come, lift me up, lift!

When Xing Yun say Chen Li’s out stretched wings, he hesitated before making a sudden smile . He even went as far as to bend over Chen Li, holding her up in his arms and allowing her to shift for a comfortable position as she told Xing Yun, “Lets go carefully, don’t be clumsy!”

Xing Yun just chuckled, “Yes, yes, obeying the chicken . ”

On the way, Chen Li repeatedly casted Midas Gold on the rock, yielding no success .

Xing Yun doesn’t care about Chen Li’s business, simply walking the path into the forest . The butcher shouted current price of today’s meat . Xing Yun ponders, the price for the meat has gotten higher, the a

mount he has now cannot afford the 2 teals of meat… . 1 ounce is surely not enough to satisfy the chicken’s stomach, which will result into groans and Chen Li will complain even more . Xing Yun suddenly heard a voice shouting behind him .

Oh? Who is this? Xing Yun turned around and heard, “10 copper coins for your fortune!”

Xing Yun saw a 30-year-old man, holding a banner as he examined a man’s hand saying, “From the vein’s crossing downwards, I can tell that your son is blessed with good fortune…”

Xing Yun was silent for a while before approaching the man and grabbed his palm and said proudly “Today, at noon, your house will catch on fire . If you do not go home now, in the future, you will feel regret . ”

Once the words were spoken, everyone descended into confused silence . Even Chen Li popped her head out from Xing Yun’s sleeves as she cocked her head . How could Xing Yun know? In the end, the fortune teller reacted first, shouting angrily, “Ha! F*ck, how could that happen! Stop trying to ruin my business, scram!”

Other young men saw the commotion, seeing how confident and assured Xing Yun is, many of them started to believe him, rather than the fortune teller . He himself hesitated for a while, before finally taking his hand back and walked quickly into the direction of his home . Chen Li poked his arm gently, “Why did you lie to him?”

“Don’t struggle . ” Xing Yun touched her head . “It’s for the 2 ounces of meat . ”

Xing Yun hardly finished saying his words before the man turned around angrily . “I say! I did nothing to offend you, yet you are robbing my business!”

Facing each other, Xing Yun was calm . “It isn’t robbing your business, what I said is the truth . If you truly do not believe, then in 24 hours later, if my words become true… . Then you must be willing to give me all your money . “

“Hah! Between the two of us, obviously I am obviously right in my fortune telling! How favourable for me!” The fortune teller swore . “I, Wang Banxian have been in this business for so long, why would I believe you? Therefore, let us make a deal in front of everybody- If this kid does not come back, or what you said wasn’t accurate, than you…” He looked straight at Xing Yun . “You must give me the broiler chicken!”

Chen Li exploded with anger, her wings opening up powerfully, yet Xing Yun only quietly pressed them down .

“

Relax . I’m here . No one is taking you away . ”

She didn’t know what kind of strange power his words had but she, who was always going ahead and confronting everything herself, was actually comforted by his words . In this rare circumstance she chose to believe him . Such a weak mortal being protecting her…

It really feels amazing!

Time went by slowly, after noon, the young man still hadn’t come back . Wang Banxian gradually became pink as he felt more and more prideful . Yet Xing Yun still wasn’t the least bit fazed, only occasionally glancing at the meat shop, listening carefully as the prices got yelled .

After an hour, the fortune teller Wang Banxian laughed . “Ha! This guy has still not come . Give the broiler chicken to me!”

“Why should I give the chicken to you?” Xing Yun lightly replied . “Is he not over there, on his way back?”

Wang Banxian looked at the alleyway . “Nonsense! Where is the man and son?” At that second, 2 figures appeared at the end of the alleyway, and upon a closer look, it was the father and son! They quickly approached Xing Yun together before bowing deeply . “Many thanks, brother! Ah, if you hadn’t convinced me to go back, I’m afraid my children would’ve been long burned to death in the wood shed!

“Thank you, thank you, uncle!” The child bit his fingers, a dazed look in his eyes .

The young man laughed, and quickly said “ I’m sorry, I have nothing more but this . My wife has been curing this piece of meat for 2 years, look, you see?” Chen Li eyed the piece of bacon disdainfully, before shining at Xing Yun with a light in her eyes . Xing Yun shook his head decisively at the young man in reply, saying,

“ I am a gentleman . ”

The father son pair headed home happily . Wang Banxian looked at them bitterly before turning to look slowly at Xing Yun who had his hand outstretched . “10 copper pieces . ”

Wang Banxian slapped his forehead and said, “Hah, really a gentleman . Not at all scary, this can easily be ended as compensation . ” He took out a bag with 10 coppers and slammed it into Xing Yun’s hand . He then left, only saying, “ Hmth, count it yourself””

Xing Yun only smiled provokingly, “ Soon, in the near future, all your good fortune shall rot and your family will face internal destruction .

Wang Banxian shivered, and quickly ran home down the street .

A few days later, news of Wang Banxian was quickly heard and gossiped about around the market . Apparently that day he came back home with no money . Thus, his wife took a shoe and ferociously slapped him on the face, screaming and asking why he made not one penny!? Since then, his face has been scarred red and bloody, and hasn’t made another penny since .

Why did Chen Li know of such boring news? Because ever since that happened, the whole town suddenly knew of the real fortune teller . Far and wide, even the neighboring towns had heard of a real miracle fortune teller that could actually see one’s future!

Seeing this piece of news, Chen Li looked up at Xing Yun . “Why it seems that you actually do know real fortunetelling . ”

Xing Yun shrugged . “Just a bit . ”

Chen Li was silent for a long while before finally speaking again . “Revealing the future, the gods will not accept this . ”

“I know . That is why, on most days, I am selling medicine . ” Xing Yun’s voice was calm and solemn, but when he saw Chen Li staring at him intently, his face broke out into a smile . “ It is heaven’s nature . To prevent suffering for another, they themselves must suffer in their stead . Everything must be balanced . “

Chen Li, who was not entirely clear on the matter suddenly felt awakened . His life is already destined to be short lived, so as such it did not matter if it was to be shortened anymore anyways . Chen Li was surprised that a mortal could glimpse into the truth, and yet, with heaven being so secretive… . . You can imagine that if he had a healthy body, his power and knowledge would most likely be enough to even be able to bite back at the heavens!

Xing Yun… . Each time she digs at his identity, the truth only seems more bewildering .

In the outside, the rumors have only been exaggerated to no ends . However, it did not at all affect Xing Yun’s day to day life . He is simply still taking care of his day clinic, the sun is still rising, and the fish are still swimming .

One day, Chen Li was bathing in the sun by the lake, bored and asked Xing Yun, “Why not make a living out of fortune telling? You are so talented in that aspect . ”

Seeing as how his fate is already so short, with power simaler to the gods, what’s the harm of taking the high road and tell others their fortune? With his fame, even if he only worked for a day, his life would still be several times better than it is right now . However, Xing Yun had always been too indifferent- Except for the time when he won the bacon and copper, Chen Li never saw him use it .

“That is not a good art . ” Xing Yun simply said lightly, “My life is well and stable . That practice is all on self interest and not well looked or relied upon . “

Chen Li raised an eyebrow- Why there are actually mortals with good moral character! Seeing as how since Xing Yun already knew of the truths, she chose to change the subject instead . “Xing Yun, when you are cooking, do you add any medicine or elixirs to the food? If you do, let me see!”

Xing Yun only smiled while turning to look at her and said, “Hah? Do you really think that I can afford those??”

Chen Li fell silent, after all, ah… . He is a guy not even able to afford meat, how could he spare for tonics to add to the mantou? However, her self-recovery is far faster these days . As she healed more and more, she gradually grew more interested into the secret . Perhaps even in the next few days, she could even her spirit power… .

Tu, tu, tu, tu, tu!!

As the two talked in the courtyard, a series of rapid knocks descended on the door . Xing Yun let out a small cry of shock before slowly heading to open the door .

Chen Li felt a little upset, but more surprised . As she stayed in Xing Yun’s home, she had come to an understanding that he rarely had visitors . Other than the peasant girl, she had never seen anyone take the initiative to visit Xing Yun . Curious, she quickly ran to the door with him . But when the door opened, Chen Li felt an unmistakable dangerous atmosphere . Her breathing felt stifled and harsh as she looked around the room warily . She was shocked to see a withered hand suddenly whip out and grab Xing Yun tightly by the arm .

The power of the arm seemed to be quite great, forcing Xing Yun to stumble back 2 steps, almost trampling Chen Li to death!

The door opened and Chen Li saw that the owner of the hand was actually a women! Excitement poured from the old women when she saw Xing Yun, almost in a trance like state as she stared, repeatedly mummering,

“Immortal, Immortal…… . . ” Her husky voice called out, “Immortal… They say you know magic, know events no one else does, and see the future… Immortal! Please help!”

Chen Li looked up at Xing Yun, who was about to speak, making everyone draw a breath in anticipation .

“Well… . You see, I’m really far to busy to help… . ” Xing Yun said, “Soo…”

Xing Yun barely spoke before at the other end of the street, a man yelled loudly, “Sister in Law!” before quickly rushing over to the door and grabbing the middle aged women’s arm tightly, “ Sis in Law! Stop it, hurry, let’s go back . ”

The man looked as if he was only in his 40s, but the women already had a crouched back, her face reflecting the years of old age, looking like she is tortured just from living life alone . She did not bother with the man, only staring at Xing Yun, a hopeful light reflected in her eyes . “Sir Immortal, sir immortal! I beg of you, please help me! My husband has been missing for 15 years, please help me find him! Please, sir immortal!”

“Oh! Sister in law… . You actually went to one of those faker’s places… . It’s been so many years, yet you are still asking, even to those people . ” The sentence said by the man seemed to touch a painful spot on the women’s heart, making her yell, “No matter how long, I must ask! Even if he has left for many years, he is still, after all, my husband! If I ask and search will all my might, I will surely find him one day! If I search, day by day, no matter how long, I’m sure I can find him!”

Ah… Chen Li looked down, a somber mood spreading outwards from her . It is actually a soldier’s wife… . Chen Li, of all people, were especially clear on those who died during service . No matter how long their loved ones search, amidst all the corpses, you won’t even be able to find the body…

Xing Yun gently pulled her hand away, and smiled lightly at the old lady, saying, “Madame, I apologize . I truly cannot find your husband, you should go home and get some rest . ”

The old women did not leave, instead staying rooted to the spot and glaring, “Ha! You aren’t an immortal, you’r just a fake, that’s why you can’t help me find my husband! Even if you can’t, I want you to at least tell me of his life and death, ai!”

Xing Yun hurriedly sent the middle aged man a smile . “I’ve troubled you” He quickly made a gesture to stop talking as Xing Yun said, “I need to cook . ”

The old man hesitated before hurriedly nodding his head as he half dragged, half talked the old women away . Xing Yun only closed the door indifferently as he walked to the kitchen to cook per normal . Chen Li quickly followed at his feet, asking curiously, “You can see what happened to him, right? Why not tell the women? Did you see her husband die?”

“No . ” Xing Yun only said lightly, “I did not see anything at all . ”

Chen Li stared at Xing Yun, shocked . “B-But… . ” Chen Li kept repeating that word for a long time, not knowing what to say . Xing Yun, having the power to oppose the heavens, yet not interfering with the laws of nature… Earlier, she had seen that as praiseworthy . But now… even knowing it’s wrong, Chen Li couldn’t help but want to help the 2 . She knew that if her own soldiers were killed, she would never let the families and loved ones of the deceased be waiting .

Chen Li quietly looked up at Xing Yun- For the two ounces of meat, he saved a child, yet he also watched the old women cry indifferently… .

The way he lives… . It seems like he is trapped by something, lonely and dim… .

~~~

It was night, silent . Out of habit, Xing Yun never locks the door, making it easy for Chen Li to quickly sneak out . With a little push, she was off and ran into the darkness

From inside the building, there was a sigh . “This chicken really is too nosy . ”