The Celestial Fate Taoist propped himself up with both hands, frantically scooting backward as though trying to escape Meng Qi, this fiendish demon who had overturned all his common sense. His face was filled with terror, unable to believe that anyone could possess five different colored fate signs!
“Master Taoist of Celestial Fate, can’t you tell the truth?” Meng Qi chuckled as he rose to his feet, slowly stepping forward in tandem with the Taoist’s retreat, thoroughly enjoying the wicked amusement of observing how this eccentric Taoist would react.
To be honest, he himself didn’t know why this had happened. Perhaps it was due to his connection with the Master of the Sixfold Samsara, or maybe it stemmed from the karmic ties of A-nan or the Primordial Heaven Venerable. Of course, it was also possible that the Celestial Fate Taoist simply hadn’t mastered his craft well, and became baffled when encountering a slightly complex fate configuration.
The Celestial Fate Taoist alternated his hands like feet, retreating rapidly until his back hit the door. With a creak, he pushed it open and darted inside.
Bang! Just as Meng Qi approached the door, it slammed shut.
“Please wait a moment. Allow me to calm down,” came the panicked voice from within.
Meng Qi clasped his hands behind his back, his green robe gently fluttering, as he smiled and asked, “Master Taoist, how can I, a single person, possess five different fate signs?”
Thankfully, there were only six types in total, not seven colors or nine hues; otherwise, his fate sign would have turned into a kaleidoscope.
“Right, how could this be…” The Taoist’s voice was filled with confusion and disbelief.
Separated by the door and no longer seeing Meng Qi’s fate sign, he seemed to calm himself like someone covering his ears while stealing a bell.
“I’ve heard that certain sects within Taoism also emphasize fortune. However, their concept of fortune isn’t entirely predestined. Accumulating merits, gaining powerful techniques, or acquiring treasures can all improve one’s fortune and change its color. Could that be the reason?” Meng Qi leisurely discussed the topic of fate and fortune with the Taoist, feigning great interest in the subject, without admitting that he was simply enjoying watching the Taoist’s frightened reaction to his fate sign.
I’m just that kind of boring person!
“Nonsense!” The Celestial Fate Taoist sounded as if he had been personally insulted, responding loudly, “From the beginning, from the Primordial, everything has already been predetermined. The conditions set at that time will lead to subsequent predetermined results, which in turn become the conditions for further developments. How could anything ever change?”
“But why does my fate sign have five different colors?” Meng Qi asked calmly.
This struck a nerve, and the Taoist was momentarily at a loss for words.
Suppressing his laughter, Meng Qi said solemnly, “Perhaps from the Primordial, my fate was destined to have five colors?”
The Taoist’s theory of fate was too pessimistic, filled with fatalism and predestination, implying that no matter how hard one struggled, nothing could change one’s destiny. Meng Qi disliked this outlook. In comparison, the Taoist sect’s theory of fortune was relatively more optimistic, at least acknowledging the value of postnatal effort.
“Impossible! How can one possess five different and contradictory fate signs simultaneously?” The Taoist seemed to be stubbornly holding his ground.
“But I really do. Want to take another look?” Meng Qi’s lips curled upward.
The Taoist immediately fell silent again. After a while, he said, “Perhaps my cultivation is indeed insufficient. Esteemed layman, perhaps I should immediately set out to consult my senior and junior masters?”
Such an unusual fate sign filled him with curiosity, as it was something he had studied for many years.
Meng Qi stopped joking and decided to get to the point, clearing his throat, “Master Taoist, since destiny has been predetermined since the birth of heaven and earth, why do you insist that I go see your seniors? After all, if it was destined for you to know, you would know regardless. If it was not meant for you to understand, no matter how hard you try, it would be like drawing water with a bamboo basket.”
“That makes sense…” The Taoist inhaled softly, whispering to himself.
Seizing the moment, Meng Qi quickly pressed on, “Master Taoist, I’m currently looking for a friend’s whereabouts. I heard that more than three years ago, your temple took in a woman?”
Still deep in thought about the previous question, the Taoist answered absentmindedly, “Yes, she was covered in blood and collapsed in a hidden place at the back mountain. A Taoist boy collecting herbs found her.”
“Would it be possible for me to meet her?” Meng Qi seized the opportunity.
“Oh, you want to see Jiesha?” The Taoist seemed to finally come to his senses.
Meng Qi slightly frowned, “Jiesha?”
“That’s her Taoist name, chosen by herself, fated to be so,” the Taoist replied indifferently. “She is splitting firewood at the back to calm her mind. Just have a Taoist boy guide you there.”
Nodding, Meng Qi once again displayed a mischievous smile, “Master Taoist, since you’re uncertain about my fate sign, shouldn’t you return the ten thousand taels of silver? I’ve heard that appearance reflects one’s mind. Perhaps my previous thoughts changed, connecting with heaven or imitating earth? Why don’t you take another look?”
“No need! Just leave quickly!” The Taoist reacted very strongly.
Meng Qi chuckled inwardly, exited, found a Taoist boy, and asked him to guide him to where Jiesha was.
Before entering the back courtyard, the sound of chopping wood crackled through the air, crisp and smooth, like a series of beautiful musical notes.
Not bad at all… Meng Qi mused thoughtfully.
As he entered the courtyard, he saw a tall woman standing among a pile of firewood. She wore a blue Taoist robe, had her hair pinned but not wearing a Taoist crown, a high nose, phoenix eyes, and an icy demeanor. She continuously swung her right axe, splitting the logs in two.
“Sister Jiesha, this layman is here to see you,” the Taoist boy announced.
Jiesha lifted her head, her gaze cold but not malicious, as she asked, “What is it?”
“Master Jiesha, a friend of mine has been missing for many years, and his family has been deeply worried. Recently, I discovered that he last appeared in Wen’an around the time you entered this temple. Therefore, I’ve come to inquire. Have you ever seen a man named Jin Li?” Meng Qi suddenly raised his voice, directly shouting Jin Li’s name, his voice rolling outward like thunder, making the Taoist boy tremble.
He had secretly activated the Heaven-Transforming and Earth-Shaking Method, observing Jiesha’s emotional reaction through this sudden outcry.
If she was indeed the woman entangled with Jin Li in love, hearing the name “Jin Li” would surely cause her emotions to fluctuate.
Jiesha slightly trembled, affected by the thunderous voice, but her expression remained calm as she said indifferently, “I don’t know this person.”
“Perhaps he wasn’t called Jin Li back then. He’s around thirty-four or thirty-five, with high cheekbones and a mole beneath his right eyebrow…” Meng Qi described Jin Li’s appearance.
Jiesha shook her head, “I’ve never seen him.”
After saying this, she ignored Meng Qi and resumed chopping wood, seemingly trying to vent her inner killing intent through this action, not disturbing her tranquility.
Her phoenix eyes and thin lips, her outstanding features and noble demeanor, seemed out of place in the simple Taoist robe and the firewood-filled environment. It was as if this wasn’t her destined life. She should be living in luxury, surrounded by flowers and wine, or wielding a sword across the land. Yet, her focused expression and serene aura made everything seem harmonious, reminding Meng Qi of a lyric: “The sound of prosperity fades into emptiness…”
Her cultivation level was somewhat difficult to gauge. Perhaps in her past, Jiesha had been a renowned martial artist in the martial arts world… Seeing no emotional reaction from Jiesha regarding Jin Li, Meng Qi shook his head and turned to leave.
Such a woman must have a secret behind her, but everyone has their own secrets. It’s not necessary to investigate every mystery one encounters, disturbing others’ lives.
“I should ask about the Shen family’s detailed situation…” Meng Qi thought as he walked away.
“Sectarian, what you said earlier was a bit problematic!” Suddenly, a voice sounded beside Meng Qi, startling him.
Turning his head, he saw a half-black, half-white beard. Meng Qi exhaled in relief, “Master Taoist, you nearly scared me to death by suddenly appearing like that!”
He hadn’t sensed anything at all; the Celestial Fate Taoist’s cultivation was indeed profound.
“You said earlier that since everything is predestined, whether I invite you to meet my seniors or not won’t change the outcome,” the Taoist said seriously, yet his gaze was fixed on his toes, avoiding direct eye contact with Meng Qi, as if afraid of being blinded by the five-colored fate sign. “At first glance, it seems reasonable. But what if fate predetermined that I would invite you?”
So you suddenly appeared just because of this question… Meng Qi’s expression turned awkward. What a strange person.
To avoid being forcibly invited, he quickly changed the subject, “Master Taoist, I’m planning to go to Shen Garden. Do you know anything about the Shen family’s fate signs?”
The Taoist frowned, “The Shen family? Their fate sign is crimson, which doesn’t quite match the current situation, suggesting some hidden aspects. Red fate signs can be categorized into dark red, pale red, crimson, and bright red, quite complex. For example, your red is fiery red, like flowers in full bloom, like oil burning in fire—seemingly lively, yet actually a sign of superficial prosperity. The classifications for green, yellow, and white are similar…”
As long as the topic didn’t turn to the five-colored fate signs, he seemed quite normal.
“But why would someone possess five-colored fate signs simultaneously…” He fell into deep contemplation again.
Master Lu also had a similar theory… Meng Qi nodded thoughtfully, seizing the opportunity to leave the temple.
…
Inside Lü Jian’s study.
“Tonight, the Shen family has a major business deal. Most of the experts inside the garden will be dispatched, making it an excellent opportunity for infiltration and investigation,” Lü Jian explained to the young man in the green robe before him.
Meng Qi nodded slightly, “What kind of major business?”
“The Shen family is also involved in human trafficking. Tonight, a shipload of people will arrive and then be distributed throughout Jiangdong as maids and servants,” Lü Jian explained.
Meng Qi didn’t dwell on the matter but instead asked, “Do you know where the Shen family’s daughter resides?”
“I don’t,” Lü Jian’s face showed frustration. “The Shen family has always been secretive, never hiring local staff. Their servants and maids are either born into the family or selected from the people they’ve sold. It’s difficult for me to learn specific details about the Shen Garden.”
“I see…” Meng Qi murmured, so it was indeed as the Celestial Fate Taoist had said—the Shen family had something to hide?
…
Late at night, when all was quiet, Meng Qi put on a mask and stealthily infiltrated the Shen Garden from a secluded area.
With the Illusory Demon Body Method and Jade Void Steps, ordinary people couldn’t detect his presence.
Inside the garden, everything was quiet. As Meng Qi was about to find a servant or housekeeper to use mental techniques to inquire about the residence of the Shen family’s daughter, a sudden premonition of danger rippled through his spiritual senses. He immediately dove behind a rockery, concealing his presence and peering through the gaps at the scene ahead.
Not far away, a sedan chair was being carried by four strong and imposing men, moving steadily forward. A large group of people approached from the opposite direction, led by a man with a fat, round face whose cheeks visibly jiggled with each step.
Dressed in a robe of fortune and longevity, he smiled so broadly that his eyes nearly disappeared into slits. It was clearly Shen Qinan, the head of the Shen family.
“Wasn’t he supposed to be at the dock to receive the ‘goods’?” Meng Qi was momentarily puzzled. Looking closely, he noticed that most of the Shen family’s experts, as described by Lü Jian, were still present.
The sedan chair stopped, and Shen Qinan hurried forward, opening the curtain like a servant, murmuring something unintelligible.
Meng Qi, too far away, couldn’t hear what he said. He only saw a foot clad in white leather boots step down from the sedan chair, small and delicate.
Then, the person inside stepped out, their back facing the rockery.
It was a woman, dressed in white robes, looking pure and detached, slender and graceful. Her back view gave Meng Qi a vague sense of familiarity.
“It’s not Gu Xiaosang…” Meng Qi frowned in confusion. If it were Gu Xiaosang, he would definitely recognize her. Who was she then?
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