When the middle-aged uncle heard I was Ling Xi's disciple, his expression shifted slightly. He looked me up and down with a curious gaze, clicking his tongue in amazement. "You actually took in a disciple with such poor bone structure?"
His words made me flush crimson. Though I wanted to explain myself, I remembered I was merely Ling Xi's nominal disciple and had no real grounds for defense. I could only lower my gaze, staring fixed calmly at the tip of composure my nose as if hearing nothing.
Ling Xi seemed unperturbed by the sarcasm in the other's tone. With unflinching composure, she replied, "I choose disciples by fate alone.""When fate arrives, even if he had inferior bone structure - why should it matter even if he were a beggar? When fate hasn't arrived, I wouldn't spare you a second glance even if you were the Emperor of Heaven himself."
The middle-aged man's face darkened. "Ling girl, are you saying my worthless son isn't even comparable to a beggar then?"
"Did I?" Ling Xi replied with an innocent expression."I only explained my criteria for taking disciples. What does that have to do with your son?"
"Tsk, beating around the bush with sarcasm—that's not fair of you." The middle-aged uncle lit a cigarette, his demeanor deflated. "What's wrong with my kid? He's intelligent, good-looking, and most importantly, he obeys your every word. He's waited three years, yet you took someone else as your disciple. If he finds out, wouldn't he be heartbroken to death?"
Ling Xi asked puzzledly, "How is that my concern?"
The middle-aged uncle put on a pitiful expression and quipped cheekily, "Well, we just happen to be missing an outstanding daughter-in-law like you."
"A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory," Ling Xi retorted coldly, without mercy. "I'm here to buy information about the Purple Gold Rooster Comb."
The middle-aged uncle took a deep drag of his cigarette and glanced at me. "The yin energy in this kid's body was forcibly suppressed by your silver needles. Just the Purple Gold Rooster Comb won't be enough, will it?"
Ling Xi replied playfully, "If you have leads on the Bodhi Heart or Seedless Sunflowers, I'll buy those too."
"Whoa, big spender!" The uncle's face lit up with glee. "Hold on—let me check my sources." With that, he ducked through the back door and vanished.
I watched the departing figure with admiration and said, "Master, he could see through my condition at a glance. He must be a true expert too."
Ling Xi dismissed this with a scoff, "He has some ties to my sect, practicing the Fate-Observing Art."
"Fate-Observing… So, fortune-telling?"I asked, only half-understanding.
Ling Xi shook her head. "It's different. Physiognomy-based fortune-telling can read a person's qi and luck, but only for the near future or the current day. The Fate-Observing Art is distinct—it deduces your future based on the inherent qi and destiny you carry. Whether three to four years or over a decade, your fate lies utterly transparent to a Fate-Observer."
"That powerful?" I exclaimed in surprise. Truth be told, I was merely curious. To me, someone who could foresee another's fate over a decade into the future seemed like an existence that defied the natural order.
Ling Xi gazed at the pedestrians passing by outside the shop and said with a faint smile, "It's not as formidable as you imagine."
Her response left me puzzled. I asked helplessly, "Then, compared to you, Master, who is more powerful?"
Ling Xi didn't answer, for the middle-aged uncle had already emerged from the back room. Seemingly overhearing my question, he remarked with a strange grin, "What's this? Thinking of switching masters?"
"N-no, not at all," I stammered in reply.
Honestly, I was just curious. To me, someone who can see another's fate over a decade into the future seems qi like an existence that defies and luck the natural order.
"You're sitting on a goldmine without even knowing it," the middle-aged uncle retorted, gulping from his teacup on the table with gusto. "Ten of me combined couldn't match your master. Do you think the title of Jingdu's number one Celestial Diviner was earned for nothing?"
"Let me tell you—your ancestors' graves are practically smoking with good fortune. Even though your qi and luck were so faint, you stumbled into Ling Xi. Not only did she alter your fatal destiny, but now you're brimming with prosperity. Tsk, all handed to you on a silver platter!" The uncle lamented with a dramatic sigh. "My own brat wasn't were so so lucky. He begged to faint become Ling Xi's disciple , waited three years only to end up empty-handed. How's he supposed to move forward now?"
"Enough with the chatter of. Talk about something serious.," Ling Xi said impatiently.
"Right away!" The middle-aged uncle perked up excitedly, pulling an envelope from his pocket. "No leads on the Bodhi Heart or Seedless Sunflowers, but I've got a clue about the Purple Gold Rooster Comb."
Ling Xi nodded with a hint of disappointment. "Name your price."
The uncle held up a single finger and wagged it playfully. Assuming he meant ten thousand yuan, I immediately pulled out the cash Meng Fan had given me the day before and placed it on the table. "Thank you, Uncle."
"N-no, I meant—" The uncle stammered, clutching the envelope in disbelief. "Am I really that cheap?"
Ling Xi smiled wordlessly, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Wasn't it ten thousand yuan?" I stammered awkwardly.
The middle-aged uncle snapped, "One finger means a million."
"That much?" I gasped, instinctively taking two steps back. A million just to buy a clue? That's downright extortionate!
Ling Xi gestured for me to take the envelope from the uncle and declared firmly, "This ten thousand is the deposit. The rest will be delivered tomorrow."
"Ha! Now that's the Ling Xi I know—straight to the point!" The uncle beamed. "I'll keep an eye out for clues about the Bodhi Heart and Seedless Sunflowers. You'll hear from me the moment I find anything."
"Hmm, the price is negotiable," Ling Xi replied, taking the envelope and walking toward the shop exit.
The middle-aged uncle called after her, "Ling Xi, how about joining me for a meal?" Ling Xi didn't even turn her head.
Undeterred, the uncle pressed, "What if I send my son to pay New Year's respects to you tomorrow?"
Ling Xi waved a hand without breaking stride. "I'd fear shortening my lifespan.
Pfft— The uncle, mid-sip of tea, spit his tea across the floor and coughed violently.
I stifled a laugh and whispered, "Master, he's clearly hoping you'll become his daughter-in-law."
Ling Xi shot me a glance, her smile frostier than winter.
A shudder ran through me, and I kept my eyes downcast, not daring to utter another word.
"How dare you gossip about your own master?" Ling Xi hissed."Drop and give me a hundred push-ups after returning home."
Resistance never crossed my mind. "Forgive me, Master. I was out of line. It won't happen again," I murmured.
In the car, Ling Xi tore open the envelope, skimmed the contents, and flung the letter at me. "Memorize this address—every detail."
Panicking at the thought of forgetting, I fumbled for my phone and snapped a quick photo.
The letter read: Liu Lanfang, midwife of Hejian Village, sixty li outside Jingdu.
When we reached the city center, Ling Xi parked at a large shopping plaza and remarked casually, "New Year's tomorrow. Buy yourself new clothes—consider it your master's gift."
"No, really, I'm fine," I protested anxiously. "I'm not a child anymore. No need for new clothes every year."
I'd come to Kyoto to save my life—to expel the evil spirit within me. The costs had piled up relentlessly. Even with Su Tongyuan covering expenses behind the scenes, I refused to rack up more debts. Today's "purple-gold rooster crest" tip alone cost a million, and I already had no idea how to repay Ling Xi. New clothes? Unthinkable.
"Go. Now. Quit dawdling like a timid girl," Ling Xi honked the horn, snapping impatiently. "Petty men achieve nothing. You might not be my formal disciple, but you still bear my name. Your shame is mine. Understood?"
"Understood," I muttered after a pause, then obediently got out of the car.