149: Chapter 148: You will encounter a bloody disaster today 149: Chapter 148: You will encounter a bloody disaster today Arriving with a shock, he left at a leisurely pace.
As soon as he exited the shopping mall’s main entrance, he was stopped by a self-proclaimed True Yang Immortal.
“This benefactor,” said the True Yang Immortal with a sweeping gesture, “I observe an air of grandeur about you, an extraordinary presence, a luminous brow, and eyes that sparkle with the talent that spans heaven and earth.
I’ve not divined for others in many years, but it would be your great fortune if I could cast a fortune for you today.”
Song Yun, who had been discussing with Hua Qingcheng how they should spend their money, unexpectedly ran into a swindler carrying a flag that bore the four-character slogan ‘Divining on behalf of Heaven’.
These so-called monks and priests, shamans and pastors were a dime a dozen in Sunan City; their words completely unbelievable.
“Pfft, encountered another con artist,” said Hua Qingcheng with disdain.
“Belief brings results, disbelief brings none.
Why not let this elder calculate a fortune for you?” urged the True Yang Immortal, stroking his goatee with a smile.
“Sorry, but I’m an atheist.
I’d rather you didn’t bother me any further,” Hua Qingcheng said indifferently.
Now that he controlled all fortunetelling business in the city, Song Yun genuinely wondered who gave this old Daoist the courage to try and scam him.
But since the old man offered to cast fortunes, let him cast.
It would be nothing more than, ‘Today you will encounter a violent disaster; tomorrow you will face another disaster; the day after, yet another disaster will come your way.
To break the curse, buy my talisman, burn it, mix it with water, drink it, and you’ll be spared.’ Song Yun didn’t know if he had any violent disasters in his future, but one thing was for sure: if he drank that ash, he was definitely going to get diarrhea.
“Well today, why don’t you calculate a fortune for me?” Song Yun said, soothing Hua Qingcheng’s mood, as she shot him a dissatisfied glance and remained silent.
The True Yang Immortal was efficient with his hands.
Before long, there was an ancient book placed on the table in front of them, titled I Ching.
Beside the I Ching, a stack of yellow paper and a tube of bamboo sticks were laid out.
“Benefactor, let’s look at your palm first,” instructed the True Yang Immortal, extending his hand onto the table.
Song Yun reached out with his left hand, but who knew the old immortal would demand to see both hands?
Cursing silently about this confounded old fool, Song Yun had no choice but to let his hands be prodded and poked.
“Benefactor, shake the sticks and write something,” the True Yang Immortal handed over the bamboo tube, yellow paper, and a writing brush to Song Yun.
“What should I write?” Song Yun turned and asked Hua Qingcheng.
Clearly unimpressed, Hua Qingcheng rolled her eyes at Song Yun and exclaimed, “Write whatever you want, why are you asking me?”
“Oh, then I’ll shake for a stick first.” Song Yun grabbed the bamboo tube and shook it vigorously.
With a snap, a bamboo stick fell out.
The True Yang Immortal picked it up, his expression tinged with a hint of panic.
“Benefactor, your fate…
Well, better left unsaid,” the True Yang Immortal sighed and shook his head.
“Enough of that nonsense.
Now I’m going to write something, and if you can interpret it, great; if not, don’t let me see you in Sunan City again or I’ll beat you every time I do,” Song Yun feigned anger.
Song Yun casually wrote a strange character on the paper.
The True Yang Immortal held the character written by Song Yun and muttered indistinct words, sometimes making calculating gestures with his right hand, putting on a show of arcane mystery.
“The left part resembles a heart symbol, signifying that the benefactor harbors a concern.
With ‘again’ on the top, it predicts an uncertain path ahead.
Moreover, this character also resembles the Vermilion Bird, which stands for trials and destruction.
Benefactor, should you travel south, you shall surely encounter the Vermilion Bird and face unknown life or death challenges.
The lower part is earth.
The ancients said, ‘All things are born from earth, all shall return to it.’ Benefactor, this year you may soar to success or perish in the wilderness.
Am I correct?” the True Yang Immortal said with a smile, stroking his beard.
“Benefactor, I advise you, traveling south this year is inauspicious.”
“Heh, I actually had no plans to head south this year, but Sunan City is also considered the south, isn’t it?
Does that mean I’m destined to die here?” Song Yun wryly watched the True Yang Immortal.
“Master, your fortune doesn’t seem accurate.
I’m not doing too well in Sunan City, but I do have some assets.
Your prediction is off.”
“Heh, only time will tell for you, young friend.
I shall not reveal any more of Heaven’s secrets.
After three years without divination, speaking now breaks divine mysteries, and I’m sure this will incur karma, and my life may soon come to an end,” said the True Yang Immortal, wearing a somber expression.
“Eh, young friend, I see a streak of red light foreboding violence in your brow.”
“Hehe, Master must be joking.
Looks to me like you’re the one facing a violent disaster today,” Song Yun chuckled.
“What do you mean?” the True Yang Immortal asked, puzzled.
Song Yun picked up a brick nearby and smashed it into the True Yang Immortal’s head with the speed of the wind, hitting him squarely.
Blood from the True Yang Immortal’s forehead flowed out like a fountain, unstoppable.
Song Yun tossed the bloody brick aside and shrugged.
“Master, how accurate is the fortune I cast for you?
I said you’d face a violent disaster and you did, no lies.”
“Heh, when did you notice?” Unlike others who would have screamed for help and called an ambulance, the True Yang Immortal was unusually calm, licking the blood streaming down his cheek with a twisted grin.
“I thought my disguise was well-crafted, and I had rehearsed my lines many times.
So, why did you see through it?”
“Because you’re too professional, that’s why!
I’ve been harmed by others so often recently; I’ve become a conspiracy theorist.
Add on a dose of paranoia and it turns into trusting no one.
You truly gave off a professional vibe; if I hadn’t been vigilant, I would have been fooled.
Do you know what your only mistake was?” Song Yun said, sneering at the True Yang Immortal.
“What was it?” the True Yang Immortal was genuinely troubled, having practiced his ruse for a long time and anticipated what Song Yun would do or say.
However, he hadn’t predicted that Song Yun would whack him over the head with a brick, throwing all his plans into disarray.
“It’s because there’s something wrong with your sticks.
A ten-centimeter bamboo stick doesn’t weigh as much as yours did.
I’m guessing there was a needle inside?” said Song Yun, breaking one of the bamboo sticks to reveal a shiny needle.
“Song Yun, let’s finish this quickly,” Hua Qingcheng said, clenching her fists.
“You dare disrupt my plans, you’re a dead man today.”
“Hahaha, clever all my life, but fooled in a moment!
I really didn’t expect you to have such skills.
But what I hate most are those obsessed with details,” the old Daoist ignored Hua Qingcheng’s comment, fixated on speaking to Song Yun instead.