12: Disaster is imminent

“I see a dark omen on your face; within ten days, a great disaster will surely befall you!”

The old man said nonchalantly, then picked his other nostril.

“Sir, are you jesting with this young man?” Lin Yue asked, a little unnaturally.

“Young man, whether this old man is lying to you, you should know.”

“What is your name, sir?”

Lin Yue increasingly felt that the old man in front of him was unfathomable. Could he be a famous historical figure?

In history, there were always some mysterious and elusive scholars, such as Guiguzi, Huang Shigong, and Mr. Shuijing, or famous physiognomists like Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng. He wondered if this one was among them.

“A name is just a designation. You don’t need to inquire about this old man’s name.

This place will soon fall into chaos. After today’s farewell, there will be no possibility of us meeting again.”

The old man waved his hand, seeing through Lin Yue’s little scheme.

“Then, sir, can you find a way for this young man to break free?”

Lin Yue, hearing that this place was about to descend into chaos, became even more convinced of the old man’s identity as an otherworldly expert.

The old man paused, calculated with his fingers, and after a moment of contemplation, pointed east and smiled meaningfully:

“Fifteen li east of the city, there is an old temple. That is your only chance.”

“The Great Dao has fifty, one of which escapes. Your coming here is in accordance with the will of Heaven. The road ahead is long; you must press forward diligently, and you will surely gain something.”

Lin Yue still wanted to ask something, but the old man directly said, “You and I have no fate (fate). What I just told you was already an exception.”

Then he waved his hand, signaling Lin Yue to leave and not disturb him.

Seeing this, Lin Yue could only suppress the questions in his heart, put down all his money, and left with a bow, without any lingering reluctance.

There is no free lunch in the world. If you can talk about money, try not to talk about feelings. With such an otherworldly expert, if the karma is not settled, who knows what he might need you to do in the future.

As for the old man lying to him, Lin Yue felt it was unnecessary.

With the Amiability talent, he wouldn’t say everyone loves him and flowers bloom for him.

But at least in Heye City, he had never seen anyone so arrogant towards him!

This person was either insane or an otherworldly expert. Lin Yue leaned towards the latter.

It also didn’t rule out the possibility of him being a player, but he thought it was unlikely.

Such a strange duo didn’t attract the attention of others, and no one came to check their identity document. Don’t joke around! There were so many soldiers patrolling outside the city, let alone inside the city!

Lin Yue’s confidence grew stronger, and he quickened his pace, heading out of the city.

“Hiss.”

“This child is actually an anomaly.” The old man chuckled.

“How did you figure that out?” The middle-aged man’s fan in his hand never stopped moving from beginning to end.

The old man frowned and said impatiently, “I told you not to call me master.”

“Yes, old master.” The middle-aged man showed no abnormality and was clearly unconcerned by the old man’s scolding.

“An interesting little brat, disturbing the heavenly secrets. I hope you can bring me some surprises.” The old man mused, “How many times have I divined these past few years?”

“Today is exactly the nine hundred ninety-eighth divination.” The middle-aged man replied without hesitation.

“This divination was originally prepared for someone else, but unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, it benefited this little brat.” The old man murmured, looking at a group of foreigners leading horses on the street.

“Never mind. A few days later, you will help him again. These coins will be the brat’s reward for you, and then you can leave.” The old man pointed to the twenty taels of silver scattered on the table.

The middle-aged man finally showed some emotion, opening his mouth but ultimately saying nothing.

On that side of the street, there was bustling noise, while on this side, there was silence.

And the foreigners on the street stood out quite conspicuously in the city.

“Ama, this Heye City is truly prosperous!” A boy of about eleven or twelve years old was curious about everything around him, constantly looking left and right.

“This is just a small border town. Liaodong Commandery City alone is more than a hundred times more prosperous than this. I can’t imagine what the imperial city, Xianyang, must be like!” The sturdy man, who looked like a chieftain, exclaimed.

It wasn’t just the child; although he was a chieftain, what was the difference between him and a savage in the mountains? The north was frozen for thousands of miles, the Huns often harassed him from the west, and the prosperous Great Qin was eyeing him from the south.

But in his heart, Great Qin was far more terrifying than the Huns. He also firmly believed in his judgment, showing utmost respect to Great Qin, even going so far as to avenge his father’s death and act as a filial son and grandson, which was how he gained the opportunity to trade here.

“Hmph, one day I will go to Xianyang City and see it. I will no longer let my tribesmen suffer from cold and hunger; I want them to live in the most prosperous place in this world!”

Boyhood is a time for dreaming of being a hero, and also the most unyielding time.

The boy couldn’t understand why brave tribesmen had to live in the poorest grasslands, enduring winter and hunger, while these weak Qin People could live in prosperous cities!

Hearing this, the chieftain was touched and then overjoyed. His child was not only skilled in both literature and martial arts but also had such ambition!

“Hahahahaha, my son is skilled in both literature and martial arts, with the potential to be a Great Khan!”

The chieftain laughed, stroking the boy’s head, and happened to glimpse the fortune-telling duo by the street. He found it a bit strange that he hadn’t noticed them just now.

This made him curious. Looking at the strange duo and the sign for ‘Divine Calculations,’ he was inexplicably drawn to them.

“Master, would you please tell my son’s fortune?” The chieftain came to the donkey cart, stroking the bald head of the boy beside him with a laugh, clearly doting on his child.

The old man shook his head and said nothing.

“Old man, do you not wish to do business with us foreigners?” The chieftain was clearly used to this; the Qin People were arrogant and often looked down on them.

“This old man has closed his divination for today. You and I have fate but no destiny.”

“You old man! %#...” Boyhood is the most proud and sensitive stage. Now he felt the old man was mocking him, and his anger flared even more. He lifted his leg, intending to kick over the donkey cart.

“Old Eight, stop!”

The chieftain pressed a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

The Qin People were powerful. He had just unified his tribesmen, and his main purpose for coming here today was to purchase supplies. It was better not to cause trouble.

“Sir, are you truly unwilling to tell a fortune?” The chieftain threw down one tael of gold and asked again.

Although the Qin People did not value profit heavily, in this border county town, one tael of gold for a divination was something no one could refuse!

Moreover, he also felt that the old man was not simple. He dealt with wolves, jackals, tigers, and beasts all day long, so his observation skills were extraordinary, yet he hadn’t noticed this strange duo at first, which made him a little apprehensive.

But the old man ignored him, only telling the middle-aged man to pack up the sign and prepare to leave.

“Wait!”

“Old man, wait!”

A man came running, but his steps were steady, and his demeanor was elegant, making one feel an impulse to befriend him at first sight.

Lin Yue stopped, feeling a bit embarrassed, but still bit the bullet and said, “Old man, my brother’s child is about to be born. May I take one back to buy some gifts?”

He only remembered, after walking to a shop, that some of his comrades in the Military Camp were about to have children, and he planned to buy some small trinkets to give them.

However, he realized he had been too caught up after learning about his opportunity, and now he was penniless. That’s why he had returned, hoping to retrieve one.

“Get lost! You’d take money from a fortune-teller? Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning?”

Lin Yue’s face flushed after hearing that, making him even more awkward.

The old man gave Lin Yue a look of disdain, then pursed his lips and gestured, “That one is for you.”

Lin Yue looked at the one tael of gold, then at the foreigner, and couldn’t help but hesitate.

This one tael of gold was a considerable asset for anyone. Lin Yue felt too awkward to ask for it, so he decided to leave.

He’d just go back and borrow from other brothers, and repay them when they went bandit-hunting again.

Lin Yue was thinking when someone interrupted his steps.

“Young master, if you need it, just take it.” The foreign chieftain laughed heartily, showing what he believed to be an amiable smile.

“That’s ours!” the boy shouted. He didn’t know the value of currency, but he had seen with his own eyes that Ama had exchanged ten cows for this one gold ingot!

“It’s fine. I feel a connection with you, young master. May I know your esteemed name?” The chieftain asked with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.

Foreigners? Lin Yue was a bit puzzled. This was the first time he had seen foreigners since coming here!

“My name is Lin Yue. Thank you for your generosity, brother! But I cannot accept a reward without merit. I shall take my leave.”

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling person. Although Lin Yue was a bit puzzled, he also returned the cupped-hand salute.

“Take it. Every peck and every drink is destined.” The old man suddenly spoke.

“Yes, everyone has their difficult times. Young master, please take it.”

Although the chieftain was puzzled, he still nodded in agreement.

He observed that this young man had the gait of a tiger and a dragon, and an extraordinary appearance. He would surely achieve great things in the future. To befriend him now with one tael of gold was an excellent choice.

Lin Yue hesitated repeatedly, and finally picked up the one tael of gold: “Brother, tell me an address. Lin Yue will surely return it another day.”

“No problem, no problem. I’m staying at Four Seas Restaurant for five days.

Brother Lin and I feel a strong connection. How about we have a small drink?” the chieftain said with a smile.

“I apologize, I have some urgent matters. When things are settled, I will definitely come to thank you in person.” Lin Yue smiled and politely declined, then quickly left.

Please, my opportunity is waiting for me!

Moreover, the status of foreigners isn’t necessarily higher than that of anomalies now. Although he didn’t know how they got in, Lin Yue still maintained a respectful but distant attitude.

After returning to the Military Camp, he would get the money and return it to him, Lin Yue thought to himself.

“No worries, I will await Brother Lin at Four Seas Restaurant.”

“Let’s go!” The chieftain smiled as he bid farewell to Lin Yue, then gave the old man a deep look before leading his tribesmen away.