“Master, these fellows are clearly stalling for time with their charade!”
Seeing the monks working listlessly, Zhang Ruhui lowered his voice and said.
“Even if they are stalling, how long can they drag it out? Look at this rain, does it show any sign of stopping?”
Although Lin Ling su himself was unsure, at this moment, he did not want his disciples to see any weakness.
“Esteemed Masters, success or failure rests on this one act. If we fail this time, have you all clearly considered the consequences!”
Looking at Lin Ling su, who was watching menacingly from the side, Zhao Huan took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
“Your Highness, rest assured, we will win this battle!”
Monk Daojian sneered and then glanced in the direction of the city walls.
“Are you sure it’s here?”
Looking at the unremarkable small courtyard before him, Han Mo frowned and looked at Zong Ying beside him.
“This is information that cost 3,000 guan to obtain, it shouldn’t be wrong!”
“Since that’s the case, let’s knock on the door!”
After receiving Zong Ying’s confirmation, Han Mo directly signaled to Xu Fengnian in front of him.
However, just as Xu Fengnian was about to knock, the black courtyard gate suddenly swung open.
“My master said that the Great Song’s foremost talent has graced us with his presence. May I know which of you is the great talent Han?”
Before they could speak, a child, about eight or nine years old, cupped his hands towards the three of them and said with a smile.
“Your master knew I was coming?”
This time, Han Mo was truly a little surprised.
“It seems you are indeed the great talent Han. My master says he is not receiving guests recently. Would you trouble the remaining two to wait outside?”
“If that is the case, then I shall not intrude!”
After exchanging a glance with Zong Ying, Han Mo turned his head and followed the young attendant towards the courtyard.
From the outside, this was just an ordinary small courtyard, with nothing particularly noteworthy about it.
However, after passing through several moon gates, the scenery before them immediately changed drastically, appearing as if they had entered another world.
Most absurdly, despite it raining everywhere, and even the Princess’s mansion having puddles at this time, this small courtyard showed no signs of any water accumulation.
“My master said that when this courtyard was built, two thick layers of sand and crushed stones were buried underground, so no matter how heavy the rain, it would drain away!”
“Your master even predicted this?”
This time, Han Mo was truly a little surprised.
“I don’t know about that. I just say what my master tells me to say!”
Hearing this, Han Mo’s curiosity about this mysterious master grew even stronger.
To obtain the whereabouts of those old monks, Han Mo had paid a considerable price.
Fortunately, this was within Bianliang City. If it were any other place, it would likely be impossible to find any clues.
“Great talent Han’s honored presence, I regret not welcoming you sooner!”
Following the young attendant and passing through a long corridor, Han Mo finally met this mysterious person.
“May I know your esteemed name?”
Listening to the pouring rain outside, Han Mo looked directly at the person before him.
“My humble name is not worth mentioning. I know the intention of Master Han’s visit today. However, I have accepted payment from others, and at this moment, I can only claim ignorance of everything!”
“Since I have come this far, can I not even know your name?”
After carefully observing the man, Han Mo asked again.
“We are both wanderers on the same journey, why must we pry into each other’s past? Master Han, why insist on digging for answers? I truly have my concerns. However, after this matter is settled, I shall travel the world. Perhaps you could pretend you never met me?”
“Do you know when this rain will stop?”
“Is that very important?”
Hearing Han Mo’s question, the man instead smiled again.
“I observe that since I entered the courtyard, sir has been omniscient. Otherwise, shall we make a bet?”
Glancing at the plum blossoms outside the window and the furnishings inside the room, Han Mo suddenly spoke.
“Does Master have such confidence?”
Han Mo’s words instead piqued the man’s interest.
“Master, just say whether you dare to bet!”
“What does Master Han wish to bet?”
“I bet that you cannot fathom my destiny!”
As Han Mo spoke, he unceremoniously grabbed a floor cushion and sat down beside the small table in the room.
“You guessed who I am?”
This time, it was the man’s turn to be curious.
“Master has forgotten this!”
Han Mo smiled and pointed at the half-卷 book placed beside them.
“What can this half-卷 book explain?”
“This Huangji Jingshi Shu looks like a manuscript. How could an outsider possibly have this?”
Huangji Jingshi Shu was Shao Yong’s life’s work. Although it was widely circulated after its completion, the problem was that the manuscript had never been circulated outside.
At that time, Han Jiayan had wanted to pay a large sum to acquire this manuscript, but even though he had offered an astronomical price, Shao Bowen, Shao Yong’s son, had still not parted with it.
Seeing this item appear here, Han Mo naturally guessed this person’s identity…
“Hahahaha, Master Han truly has discerning eyes! Shao is impressed! However, I do not believe there is a destiny that I cannot calculate!”
Although Han Mo had guessed his identity, Shao Bowen still did not believe there was a destiny he could not calculate.
“How about this, if Master cannot calculate it, then will you do me a favor?”
“And if you lose?”
“Then I will owe Master a favor!”
“Hahahaha, looking at it this way, doesn’t it seem like I’m at a disadvantage?”
“How could Master be at a disadvantage with my favor?”
Han Mo said with great confidence.
“Interesting! In that case, please extend your left hand, Master Han!”
Shao Bowen said with full confidence.
“Since that is the case, then Master, please proceed!”
As Han Mo spoke, he extended his left hand.
At first, Shao Bowen wore a faint smile on his face, but upon clearly seeing Han Mo’s palm lines, his smile suddenly froze.
“Can Master calculate it? Do you know how long my lifespan will be?”
“This is impossible! This is impossible!”
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Shao Bowen grabbed his hand.
“Judging by your palmistry and destiny, you should have been a premature death, how could you possibly be alive now! Moreover, how could your destiny be one of unparalleled literary talent?”