“Is destiny not decided by heaven?” The old man, in turn, offered no reply, tossing the question back to Ye Jingyu…
“What is heaven?” Ye Jingyu completely disregarded the old man’s query, pressing forward with sharp interrogation…
Sensing the shift in the aura emanating from Ye Jingyu, the old man’s brow furrowed slightly. He then very naturally adjusted a stray lock of his beard before offering a faint smile, saying nothing more…
“What? Can you not answer?” Ye Jingyu murmured coolly…
“Heaven is the Heavenly Dao. The so-called Dao is a form of rule; the Heavenly Dao, the Dao of Heaven, is simply a rule of the natural world. All things under heaven must comply with such rules, including you, young man…” The old man spoke just as lightly, though his eyes glittered with an intensely wise light…
“Heh, then what is the rule of nature?” Ye Jingyu offered no rebuttal, but continued his questioning…
“Survival of the fittest…” The aged lips uttered four simple characters…
“A fine Survival of the Fittest, well said, old sir. I actually believe you shouldn't be living in this era…” Upon hearing those four words, a look of surprise crossed Ye Jingyu’s face. He truly had not expected this fortune-telling elder to utter the classic tenet of Darwin…
“Heh, if I shouldn’t be living in this era, then what about you, young man? Do you belong to this era?” The old man chuckled faintly upon hearing Ye Jingyu’s words…
The expression on Ye Jingyu’s face shifted again. He was indeed not a person of this time, which was his deepest secret; no one else knew. But what could the meaning in the old man’s words imply? Had he discerned something? If he truly suspected anything, should he silence him? A killing intent flared in Ye Jingyu’s eyes…
“Young man, violence, while the most direct and simplest method for solving problems, is not the best way…” Seemingly sensing the murderous intent in Ye Jingyu’s heart, the old man smiled faintly, his face serene and utterly devoid of fear…
“Heh, thank you for the guidance, old sir…” Glancing at the lively crowd around them, Ye Jingyu suppressed the flicker of killing intent. Since such a marvelous profession as a Soul Master existed in this world, it was inevitable that there would be exceptional individuals capable of discerning his origins. But even if they saw it, what of it? Who would believe that he was a soul from another world?
“Heh, this hardly counts as guidance. Young man, experience life fully. You will slowly discover that this is not the world you imagine it to be…” The faint smile remained on the old man’s face…
“Oh…” Ye Jingyu frowned, about to inquire further, when he heard footsteps approaching from behind…
“Xiao Yezi, what are you doing here? Esteemed sir, could you explain the meaning of this slip for me?” Luo Ling’er arrived before them, clutching a bamboo fortune stick…
“Certainly no problem…” The old man glanced at Ye Jingyu, took the stick from Luo Ling’er, and his face instantly reverted to that of a charlatan, all trace of his former transcendence gone…
“Sir, what exactly does this mean?” Seeing the old man merely staring at the stick without speaking, Luo Ling’er asked again…
“Heh, young lady, this is the very best fortune—a supreme sign. It means your destined marriage is approaching, though this union will not be smooth sailing…” The old man said with a smile, returning the stick to Luo Ling’er…
“Ah, it’s really coming, hehe. I’m not even prepared yet. But sir, you said it won’t be smooth. What kind of difficulties will there be?” Luo Ling’er’s wide eyes blinked, full of confusion…
“Heaven’s secrets must not be divulged…” The old man assumed a look of constrained silence…
“Ah… What’s so secret about that…” Luo Ling’er showed a look of disappointment…
“Forget it, Ling’er. This old fellow is just a swindling charlatan. With me here, even the most difficult matters will become smooth,” Ye Jingyu, seeing the old man becoming increasingly esoteric, lost patience with him and pulled Luo Ling’er’s small hand as they walked towards the exit…
“But Xiao Yezi, everything he says comes true…” Luo Ling’er remarked as they walked, her eyes still holding a worried expression…
“So what if it comes true? He already said the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed, so he won't say any more. Let’s go; it’s getting late…”
“Oh…” Luo Ling’er murmured softly…
“Young man, this old one has a connection with you. Allow me one last piece of advice: Genius provokes heaven’s jealousy, and beauty invites misfortune. You must be very, very careful…” At that moment, the old man’s voice suddenly boomed directly inside Ye Jingyu’s mind, making him tremble uncontrollably…
Genius provokes heaven’s jealousy, beauty invites misfortune. What did this mean?
Ye Jingyu, who had been walking forward, stopped instantly. He turned back, intending to ask the old man for an explanation, but saw nothing there save for a table and a chair; the old man had vanished without a trace…
“Xiao Yezi, what’s wrong?” Seeing Ye Jingyu’s expression suddenly change, Luo Ling’er asked with great curiosity, her wide eyes fixed intently on him…
“It’s nothing, maybe I’ve just been too tired from practicing martial arts recently. Let’s head back early…” Despite the turmoil of doubt in his heart, Ye Jingyu maintained a calm facade…
“Oh…” Seeing Ye Jingyu unwilling to speak, Luo Ling’er did not press the issue, letting him lead her out. Sometime ago, she had begun to feel a profound sense of warmth and comfort being held by Ye Jingyu…
Just as Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling’er were leaving the Temple of the Matchmaker, the old man who had read their fortunes emerged from a shadowed corner. Following him was a youth about the same age as Ye Jingyu…
“Grandfather, is this the person our Zhuge family has been waiting for?” The youth asked respectfully, gazing at Ye Jingyu’s retreating figure…
“Yishi, remember this: even after billions of years, it will only be the beginning…” The old man ignored the youth’s question, instead uttering this baffling sentence…
Billions of years later, it will only be the beginning. Yishi, Yishi—was this the meaning of his own name?
“He is about to embark on a campaign; accompany him to the Hu Kingdom,” the old man stated calmly once more as Zhuge Yishi remained silent…
“I understand, Grandfather…” The youth replied respectfully, and a similarly wise light flickered in his eyes…
Had the gears of fate begun to turn?