Free Web NovelChapter 21: First Meeting with Wang Daoxuan
The scents within the small courtyard were a chaotic mix. There was the faint incense fragrance similar to that of an Earth God shrine, a steady warmth like solid stone, a strange earthy odor, and even a cold yin-like aura akin to the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coin tassel.
Altogether, it felt like a cluttered shop. These scents were all quite faint, suggesting that even if they were items of the mystic path, none were of particularly high quality. But that alone was enough to prove the man was the real deal.
Li Yan’s irritation instantly turned into delight. Seeing that the courtyard gate stood open, he stepped inside. The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was kept impeccably clean. A jujube tree stood to the left, and a stone basin fish tank to the right that was filled with several small red fish happily swimming about.
An Eight Trigram mirror hung in the northwest corner, and in the center sat a stone pedestal.
The entire courtyard exuded a refreshing and tranquil atmosphere. Li Yan only needed a single glance to understand the layout. The jujube tree represented wood, the fish tank water, the Eight Trigram mirror metal, and the central stone pedestal stabilizing the earth, clearly arranged according to the Five Elements.
Only one element was missing: fire.
Li Yan turned his head, a faint smile appearing on his lips. That direction led to the kitchen, where the Kitchen God was worshipped. Wasn’t that fire?
The main hall of the courtyard also stood open. Inside, an altar table was laden with offerings, along with a statue and various ritual items.
The statue depicted a three-eyed Daoist, holding a long sword. His robes were adorned with the sun, moon, and stars, along with the four celestial beasts: the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. It looked somewhat flamboyant.
On the tablet below were the words: “Seat of True Lord Chen, Manifester of Profound Qi.”
Li Yan didn’t recognize the name, but he could smell the incense lingering upon it. It smelled similar to that of the Earth God shrine, though lighter and carrying a greater sense of authority.
Inside, a middle-aged Daoist sat upright at a desk.
That was Wang Daoxuan.
His attire was rather interesting; he wore a simple black robe with a short white outer garment, an embroidered Eight Trigram pattern on the back, a square scholar’s cap on his head, and black cloth shoes embroidered with cloud patterns. The outfit wasn’t cheap. Though faded from washing, it remained neat. What drew the most attention, however, was his appearance.
Lean and sharp-eyed, with a black beard hanging to his chest, his features were upright and refined. His gaze was gentle, though not quite the bearing of an immortal, he naturally inspired trust at first glance.
He held a wolf-hair brush, writing and sketching on a sheet of paper. Across from him sat a young man, clearly a scholar. He had a bitter expression and his brows furrowed with worry.
Li Yan immediately recognized that they were doing character divination. This trade belonged to the divination route among the eight crafts of the jianghu.
It ranked first among the eight crafts, encompassing nine disciplines: fortune-telling, physiognomy, character divination, spirit-writing, clairvoyance, spirit-walking, astrology, ritual masters, and shamanism.
Hence the saying: Nine disciplines, eight paths, seventy two different trades.
It was considered the top ranked craft because its practitioners excelled at reading people and speaking persuasively. Mastering its techniques often gave insight into the workings of the other trades. For example, divination skills could easily be applied to medicine, hence the phrase: Switch from divination to medication, easily done in a morning.
At the same time, it was also the most mixed of trades. It was full of charlatans, even though it occasionally harbored genuine practitioners of the mystic path. Because of the uncertainty, even hardened jianghu figures treated them with a degree of respect. Even bandits had their rules, one of which was to never rob those who practiced divination.
Seeing that Wang Daoxuan was still conducting business, Li Yan stood silently outside. Wang Daoxuan had clearly noticed him, yet paid him no mind. Setting down his brush, he picked up the paper filled with characters and studied it carefully.
Then, under the anxious gaze of the young scholar, he stroked his beard and said, “You gave the character ‘gold.’ Gold is the treasure of the world, yet also the burden of man. Refined over time, it becomes pure. Based on your birth chart, your youth should have been smooth. Yet in recent years, your fate has taken a downturn. Your family fortunes have declined.
“And lately, your financial luck has been poor. There are also petty people interfering with your life.”
“Yes, yes! Daoist, you’re absolutely right!” The young man nodded repeatedly, full of admiration.
Watching him, Li Yan couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Though he had witnessed certain things and grown interested in the mystic path, he remained skeptical about fate reading. Even if such things existed, he doubted ordinary people could truly glimpse the future. Besides, he hadn’t detected any unusual scents.
That was a classic technique his father had once described, called “tying the horse to the stake.” The idea was to first firmly hook the client, then draw them deeper in. The young man before them was clearly weak, his hands lacking calluses, yet his clothes, though worn, were of decent quality. It was obvious he had once lived comfortably but had fallen into hardship.
After all, who would seek divination if life were going well? There was no need to overly analyze the character given to Wang Daoxuan, anyone could tell the man was short on money. As for petty people interfering with his life, who didn’t have a few enemies lurking behind them?
Li Yan saw through it all but said nothing. Firstly, it was jianghu etiquette. Exposing another’s setup was the same as smashing their livelihood. Unless things had gone too far, no one would do it.
Secondly, the method was hardly unique. In his previous life, false marketing slogans, emotional manipulation, profit schemes, and everything in between were just different forms of the same technique.
The jianghu never changed. Human nature remained the same. The only thing that differed was how the games worked. If nothing unexpected happened, Wang Daoxuan would harvest his prey soon.
Sure enough, without needing further prompting, the young man sighed bitterly, “To be honest, I’m from Xingping County. My family once owned a silk shop, but we were deceived and lost everything. My father died from anger, and my mother cried herself blind. I’ve studied, yet achieved nothing. Only now do I realize that a scholar is of no use at all.
“My wife and child suffer with me. Even my classmates mock me. I truly see no way forward. What should I do?”
Li Yan felt speechless. When people were suffering, they often poured everything out. But the young man had practically laid bare his entire background. Any novice could manipulate him at will. It was like a lamb walking straight into a tiger’s den.
Wang Daoxuan, however, remained calm, listening without interruption. After the young man finished, he studied the paper again before speaking thoughtfully. “It’s not without a solution.”
The young man’s eyes lit up. “Please, Daoist, enlighten me.”
Pointing to the character, Wang Daoxuan said, “Look at the ‘gold’ character you have given me. It is topped by the radical description of a human, upright and strong. This means the solution lies with the people you will meet.”
“A benefactor?” The young man mused. “You mean someone will help me?”
Wang Daoxuan nodded slightly. “There is indeed a benefactor, but it is not someone else. It is you.”
“Me? How is that possible?”
“You have this tribulation in life,” Wang Daoxuan said, stroking his beard. “But as the saying goes, gold is never perfectly pure, and no man is without flaws. True gold must be refined by fire. If you endure this trial by fire, your fortunes will turn. You may not become wealthy, but you will live a stable life.
“The character also represents petty people suppressing your fortune. Avoid them, and your misfortune will fade.” Wang Daoxuan finished.
Hope flickered in the young man’s eyes. After hesitating, he asked cautiously, “Daoist, an exorcist recently came to my home and told my mother to worship a yin spirit, claiming it could change our fate!”
“Nonsense!” Wang Daoxuan’s expression hardened. “Even the sages taught, associate with the virtuous and avoid the petty; respect spirits, but keep your distance. It is easy to invite a spirit, but hard to send it away. Bringing such things into your home is no different from welcoming misfortune.”
A frown formed on the young man’s face. “If true gold fears the fire, then what makes it different from worthless rubble?”
“To destroy your own fate, that is beyond saving.” Wang Daoxuan snapped.
The young man immediately looked ashamed. “Daoist, you’re right. I was mistaken.”
He then fumbled in his robe, looking troubled. “About the fee...”
Wang Daoxuan raised three fingers calmly. “Your fortune is obstructed. I dare not charge too much. Three copper coins is all I ask. When you complete your trial, come back and pay me the rest then.”
The young man’s face filled with gratitude. Bowing deeply, he said, “Thank you, Daoist.”
He placed three coins on the table and left. When he stepped outside, his gaze was already resolute. Li Yan stood there, slightly stunned, a trace of respect rising within him.
Ghosts and gods may not change fate, but the human heart can.
He could tell that the young man’s destiny had already begun to shift. What Wang Daoxuan did was true guidance!
Li Yan strode into the room, cupped his fists, and said with a smile. “Daoist Wang, you set the stake, rang the chain, yet let the sheep walk free. Aren’t you smashing your own rice bowl?” freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
His words were jianghu cant, declaring his identity while referencing what had just happened.
Wang Daoxuan laughed. Rising to his feet, he shook his head. “My words may determine life or death, but may also accumulate virtue. I dare not misuse them. Besides, that skinny sheep has little fat. It’s hardly worth taking.”
Li Yan nodded. “Daoist, you are righteous.”
But Wang Daoxuan seemed not to hear the praise. He glanced at the blade at Li Yan’s waist, then out the window, and sighed. “Last night I dreamed of evil spirits entangling me. Today I saw magpies carrying flowers. I knew someone would come, but whether it is fortune or disaster, I cannot tell. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
“A bladesman at my door. Has someone come for my life?”
“Daoist, please don’t misunderstand.” Li Yan quickly cupped his fists and continued, “I have questions I seek answers to. If you can resolve my troubles, I will reward you handsomely.”
At this point, his spiritual sense was spiraling out of control. He had no mind for the Lu family’s matter anymore.
Wang Daoxuan secretly relaxed, smiling as he stroked his beard. “Then, are you here for divination or to try your hand at fortune telling?”
Li Yan’s voice turned serious. “May I ask, what is a Cold Altar Soldier?”
Wang Daoxuan nearly yanked out his beard. His expression changed abruptly. “Who... WHO ARE YOU?!”
