PS: Today's third update, asking everyone for lots of support and monthly passes.------------ Wang Guan hesitated for a moment. "Are you, sir, a physiognomist?"

"More or less. You could certainly call me that," the old man admitted frankly. "However, I don't read people; I read the land. People generally refer to me as a Master of the Earth."

"Hah, telling you this is probably pointless."

At this moment, the old man shook his head. "Young people nowadays dismiss this as feudal superstition and scoff at it. I just don't understand. If both of us help people solve their problems, why are psychologists respected while we are seen as charlatans?"

That seemed somewhat reasonable... Wang Guan paused, then offered a comforting word. "Elder Duan, you are being a bit one-sided. The country actually places great importance on this kind of scholarship; at least in environmental science and architecture, knowledge from this field is applied."

"That is true," Elder Duan nodded. "The essence of Feng Shui is, in fact, environmental and architectural science. It’s just that some people, blinded by greed, use it as a guise to cheat others, which ruins the reputation of the entire discipline, leading to popular prejudice."

"Exactly." Wang Guan readily agreed, naturally drawing a parallel to the unscrupulous counterfeiters and dishonest merchants in the antique trade. It was they who caused the entire industry to become mixed and its credibility to plummet.

Rarely finding a young man who agreed, Elder Duan—regardless of whether Wang Guan's agreement was genuine or merely polite—spilled out his thoughts ceaselessly. "I can't blame people for being wary and cautious. After all, for every ten Feng Shui masters, at least nine are mediocre hacks. Whether intentionally or not, their skills are shallow, forcing them to rely on lies to fool as many people as they can."

"In that situation, it’s only natural that people don't trust us."

As he spoke, Elder Duan sighed. "That much I can accept, but the problem is that very few young people today are willing to learn these crafts. The industry's future looks bleak."

"Elder Duan, you worry too much," Wang Guan said with a smile. "Forgive my bluntness, but please don't take offense..."

"Go on," Elder Duan said, curiosity mingling with self-deprecation. "I've heard every manner of harsh word over the years; I'm long accustomed to it. No matter how unpleasant the words, they enter one ear and leave the other; I filter them out automatically."

"Rest assured, Elder Duan, these are not harsh words." Wang Guan smiled slightly. "I only mean that with the rapid pace of socio-economic development, there are more wealthy people than ever, yet they feel increasingly empty and lonely. Moreover, due to intense societal competition, the pressure is naturally greater."

"Whether it’s searching for spiritual solace or relieving stress, many people believe in the metaphysical arts now. When there is potential profit to be made, this industry is bound to flourish... Don't worry, Elder, I know most of those people are frauds."

Wang Guan chuckled. "But you can't deny that it is precisely because of these frauds that the industry has become more prosperous. Even if it’s a false prosperity, in the process of sifting through the great waves, a few grains of gold will always remain. From ancient times till now, haven't all the famous masters of Feng Shui and metaphysics been born this way?"

"It’s mainly about the atmosphere, then the mediocre sink while the capable rise. It’s survival of the fittest, natural selection. Gold will always shine, and an awl will always pierce the cloth bag. As long as one possesses real skill, why worry about not standing out?"

This was Wang Guan's sincere belief. Whether in the Feng Shui industry, the collecting world, or any profession—despite numerous issues—the mediocre were always full of complaints, but the capable were always prepared, knowing that one day they would seize their opportunity and soar.

So, the key issue was capability. If one lacked the substance, even if opportunity knocked, you couldn't grasp it. Who could you blame then?

"You do have a point there."

Elder Duan pondered for a moment, then immediately laughed. "Not many young people possess such insight."

"You flatter me, Elder," Wang Guan smiled, not claiming credit. "This isn't my original thought; it comes from spending so much time around my elder, who often lamented these things. I overheard him, understanding the effect without fully grasping the cause."

"That's already quite..."

Elder Duan was about to offer more praise when the landline in the shop suddenly rang.

"Who's calling?"

Hearing the sound, Elder Duan looked surprised. After subtly nodding to Wang Guan, he picked up the receiver.

"...Ah, Old Yan."

Upon answering, Elder Duan was greatly surprised. "What a coincidence! Someone has come to visit you by appointment... A young man, entrusted by someone else to check on you... A friend from the capital, surnamed Qian, do you know him?"

"...Good that you know him. He’s here now. When will you be back... What? You want me to come over?"

Elder Duan looked bewildered. "Why, all of a sudden, do you want me to come?"

"...Really... Alright, I’ll be right there."

Whatever Elder Yan said on the phone, Elder Duan hung up in high spirits and started to leave, only to quickly realize he still had a guest.

However, Wang Guan also wisely stood up, taking the opportunity to excuse himself. "Elder Duan, you seem busy. I won't impose any longer."

"...Wait."

Elder Duan hesitated, then suddenly raised a hand to stop him. "Old Yan doesn't like to be disturbed when he's painting, which is why I didn't tell you where he was. Now that he’s stopped, would you like to come with me to see him?"

"...That would be fine, thank you for the trouble, Elder Duan." Wang Guan thought it over and didn't refuse. He was free now, and it was better to complete Elder Qian’s request first; otherwise, in a couple of days, once he got busy, he might not have the time.

"Then let’s go." Elder Duan gathered his things, locked the shop door, and was about to hail a taxi.

"Elder Duan, no need for the trouble, I drove."

Given Wang Guan's current standing, a mere word to Curator Wu would procure not just a car but also a driver. However, since he considered this a private errand, he chose not to bring the driver and simply drove himself.

"That’s excellent timing." Elder Duan made no ceremony, directly asking Wang Guan to lead the way. After getting into the car in a nearby parking lot, it was Elder Duan's turn to direct. As a Master of the Earth, if he was lacking in other areas, his knowledge of geography would be impeccable; he was certainly familiar with the terrain.

Under Elder Duan's guidance, Wang Guan drove out of the suburbs, heading south—or perhaps slightly off-south. He even left the national highway for a winding country lane. After a long, long journey, they finally reached their destination.

Well, to be precise, they reached the mountain village just before the destination.

Elder Duan was extremely familiar with this mountain village, and likewise, the villagers were familiar with him. Seeing Elder Duan arrive, several villagers, men and women, young and old, came out to greet him warmly.

Due to the local dialect, Wang Guan couldn't understand what they were saying, but from their smiling faces, he could tell that Elder Duan was very popular here, possessing an aura of high prestige and virtue.

He signaled Wang Guan to park the Feng Kai in front of one of the houses and asked a villager to keep an eye on it. Elder Duan didn't delay, summoning two half-grown boys, about fifteen or sixteen, to lead the way as they headed directly up the mountain.

"Old Yan is painting up on the mountain," Elder Duan explained at that moment. "He ran into a little trouble, so he asked me to come and take a look."

"What kind of trouble?" Wang Guan naturally asked with curiosity.

"Good trouble," Elder Duan chuckled, making no further explanation, focusing only on climbing. Despite his age, his legs were surprisingly spry, and he ascended the mountain as if on flat ground, looking quite relaxed. Truly worthy of being a Master of the Earth, often frequenting the mountains, he had built up his stamina. In contrast, although Wang Guan seldom climbed, his youth and vigor kept his physical condition up, so he didn't lag behind.

Thus, they slowly trekked over hill after hill. After crossing more than a dozen peaks, Elder Duan paused for breath, a slight smile on his face. "We're here."

Wang Guan looked around. The nearby peaks were tranquil, the vegetation lush, and a trickling stream flowed past. It was indeed a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, perfectly suited for sketching and painting. Wang Guan mentally calculated that it took at least two to three hours to drive from the provincial capital to here; it was exhausting.

"Come on, one more push," Elder Duan called out. "Past this ridge, halfway down the opposite slope, there's a pool where the stream collects. Old Yan is painting next to the pool; you’ll see him when we get there."

Elder Duan hadn't lied. After climbing to the summit, Wang Guan looked out over the expanse, and a natural sense of exhilaration filled him. The mountain wind blew, carrying a fine mist of moisture that felt wonderfully fresh and invigorating. Looking down, he saw the winding stream winding around halfway down the slope, pooling into a clear pond. Green mountains and clear waters—magnificent.

Most importantly, on a relatively flat patch near the pool, there was indeed a figure wielding a brush and ink. It was too far to see clearly, but it was certain that it had to be Elder Yan.

"Old Yan!"

At that moment, Elder Duan called out from a distance and slowly began walking down the slope.

Going up is easy, coming down is hard—this saying held a certain truth. Especially in the wilderness where no established paths existed, one had to be cautious to avoid slipping and tumbling down like a log.

"Brother Duan."

Hearing the call, Elder Yan below responded.

A few minutes later, everyone gathered beside the small pool, and Wang Guan finally got a clear look at Elder Yan’s appearance. He wore rather traditional elderly attire; his hair was somewhat sparse, but his long, grizzled beard was thick, giving him an air of profound scholarship.

"Here," Elder Duan introduced. "This young man came to visit you. Since you’re not painting anymore, I brought him along to meet you."

"Hello, Elder Yan. I am Wang Guan," Wang Guan quickly offered greetings. "Elder Qian asked me to visit and send his regards."

"Good..." Elder Yan was slightly surprised but also pleased. "It was a long journey; you’ve worked hard. Is your boy, Xi, doing well?"

"Everything is fine!" Wang Guan laughed. "I hope you’ll visit him in the capital when you have time."

Just as Elder Yan was about to speak, Elder Duan interjected first: "You two can catch up later. Old Yan, where is the item you mentioned?"