The family of five enjoyed a heartwarming dinner together. Once they had finished their respective tasks and the night had deepened, Ding Songyan set up his wooden box, lit the oil lamp, and prepared to get to work.
Ding Qingyan was very well-behaved today; she did not ask him to tell another story, but simply chatted with him about the future developments of *The Legend of the White Snake* before drifting off to sleep.
Sitting upright on his small wooden box, Ding Songyan did not immediately pick up his brush. Instead, he began to ponder other matters.
Combining the secret technique he had acquired today with Yan Changqing’s earlier performance, he reasonably suspected that this "senior expert" also possessed the side of a seasoned con artist, and that his previous evasiveness was not solely due to life-or-death circumstances.
"As for his background and experiences, it would be a miracle if even half of it were true."
"The initial deception, luring me to North Ward to wait for an 'opportunity,' was clearly intended to pull me into his game. That much is certain."
"But could there be a problem with the opportunity itself? Is Yan Changqing truly skilled in the art of divination?"
"If Ren Youyang weren't a disciple of the True Spirit Sect with a name on the 'New Orchid Ranking,' I would have suspected that his own talk of an 'opportunity' was merely the result of Yan Changqing influencing his thoughts from afar while he visited the Zhen Mansion... Or perhaps he and Yan Changqing are in cahoots. But his behavior doesn't suggest that, unless his lack of guile is an act so perfect that I can't spot a single flaw..."
"Wait. Even though I didn't receive that 'seed' on the first day, was I actually influenced by Yan Changqing in secret, leading me to ignore the greatest hidden danger and go to North Ward to wait for that opportunity?"
"Yes. His implantation of the 'seed' ignores my will. Why wait until the second day? Why not do it on the first? What if I had been a coward and never went to North Ward, never entered his game?"
"Given his caution and his situation, he wouldn't take that gamble. Therefore, the first day was a subtle influence. Once I discovered the Zhen Mansion’s malicious intent, he implanted the 'seed.' This makes his malice seem less severe, lowering my resistance to future cooperation..."
"Yan Changqing seems genuinely skilled in the art of divination. After all, he was able to deduce that I had recently read the *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas*."
"I actually have doubts about this point, too. Why calculate that I had read the *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas*? I hadn't thought about the contents of that book for a long time before this. If he really wanted to scare me or manipulate me, wouldn't it have been better to calculate that I was a soul-transmigrator reborn in another body? I was right in front of him at the time. For him to deduce the corresponding issues from my body and soul would have been far more logical."
Ding Songyan did not believe that Yan Changqing could rely solely on divination to figure out he was a transmigrator. After all, that involved another world. If Yan Changqing could truly pierce through that, he would be comparable to an ancient deity. How could he have failed to calculate his own future, ending up trapped in a prison?
If he were such a great deity, even if he were so severely wounded that only a fingernail’s worth of power remained, Zhen Qianfan would never dare to act so presumptuously!
While lost in thought, the corner of Ding Songyan’s eye caught sight of Xiaoqing.
Today, she wore her hair in a double-bun hairstyle, dressed in a green and white short jacket with a light green pleated skirt, and a green silk ribbon tied around her waist. She looked truly fresh and charming.
"Miss Xiaoqing, are you skilled in the art of divination?" Ding Songyan asked hesitantly.
Xiaoqing walked slowly to the bedside and sat down, looking at him with suspicion as she replied:
"I am not. Why do you ask?"
"Then, do you have any understanding of the art of divination?" Ding Songyan pressed.
Xiaoqing revealed a faint smile:
"I know a little, just a little."
"When performing face-to-face divination, what is the most accurate and easiest thing to deduce?" Ding Songyan tried his best to reconstruct the scene within the limits permitted by the "seed."
Xiaoqing said with amusement:
"Have you been swindled by some fortune teller? Nine out of ten people divining outside Dangkang Temple rely on keen observation and tricks."
"Hmm, in face-to-face divination, it is usually more accurate when looking at your marriage, funeral, family, physical health, or the fortune and misfortune of the coming month."
Ding Songyan frowned slightly:
"Can they calculate which book I have read recently?"
Xiaoqing’s expression turned into one of mirth:
"You really were swindled, weren't you? I have never met a master of divination who could reach that level, and I don't know if that realm is even capable of it. Below that level, at most, they could tell whether you’ve been reading ancient storybooks, legends, or martial arts manuals."
"If it’s a con, it’s simple: he would have inquired about your affairs beforehand, or perhaps that very book was sold to you by his accomplice."
A con... sold to me by his accomplice... Ding Songyan’s heart skipped a beat as a guess formed:
Could that rare edition of the *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas* be related to Yan Changqing?
Precisely because it was related, he was able to deduce it through the art of divination.
If it were truly related to him, it would also mean it was related to the Zhen Mansion... Could this explain the Zhen family’s slight abnormality regarding the *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas*? For instance, why they appeared indifferent, didn't seem to value it, and why there was never any follow-up...
Ding Songyan felt his mind clear up significantly, and he turned his attention back to writing his storybook.
Miss Xiaoqing was still waiting!
Reminded by Xiaoqing’s words, he had almost wanted to say, "Meeting you, Miss Xiaoqing, is truly the greatest blessing I have cultivated over several lifetimes," as she had provided so much useful information and experience.
However, he certainly couldn't say that out loud; it would be tantamount to flirting.
Ding Songyan simply praised:
"Miss Xiaoqing, you truly are a walking encyclopedia of the martial arts world. You know everything."
Xiaoqing could not hide her pride as she laughed:
"Besides legends and romances, I also love listening to martial arts lore, anecdotes, and all sorts of rumors."
"Not only do I listen to storytellers, but I also beg my father, my aunt, my second uncle, my eldest brother, my cousin, my martial uncle, my martial aunt, my martial grandparents, and my senior brothers and sisters to tell me..."
For every source of information she mentioned, she held up a finger. By the end, she almost ran out of fingers and had to group them together.
A childlike heart... quite cute... Ding Songyan shook his head and smiled to himself.
Today, he needed to write the part where Xu Shilin and the Queen of the Daughter Kingdom obtain the Kui Ox treasure bead. To ensure he could finish telling it in one morning, he only arranged three perils. Two were inspired by animated films and blockbuster games he had seen in recent years: the Tiger Vanguard blocking the path, and the Yellow Eyebrow pretending to be the Buddha. The third was a Mirage Dragon illusion specifically set up to deepen the bond between the male and female leads.
Of course, to demonstrate the talent and bravery of the Martial Star, Xu Shilin would never go around begging for help. Together with the Queen of the Daughter Kingdom, he beat the Tiger Vanguard into a "Charcoal Vanguard" and blasted the Yellow Eyebrow into a "Burnt Eyebrow." In the Mirage Dragon illusion, the two realized their past-life karma: one was the Martial Star in the heavens, and the other was the Crimson Grass of the Jade Pool, who had once been tended to and watered by the Martial Star, and had specifically descended to the mortal realm to be reborn and fulfill their marriage.
"Brilliant! A stinking tiger demon actually dared to block the path!" Xiaoqing read page by page, offering her commentary as she went.
When she saw Xu Shilin consume the Kui Ox treasure bead and ascend to the heavens in a single step, she put down the paper with satisfaction. Looking at Ding Songyan, who was sitting sideways, her eyes darted, and she said with a smile:
"Second Young Master Ding, tell me, what do you think the Zhen Mansion is trying to do by dragging this out?"
Uh, there’s an echo. I’m afraid this is something the elders in Miss Xiaoqing’s family want to ask... Ding Songyan did not bother with what he had "forgotten," and only shared what he still remembered:
"Perhaps the Zhen Mansion isn't looking for money, but for assistance at a critical moment. Whoever is willing to help at that time will be the one who achieves their goal."
He placed heavy emphasis on the words "critical moment."
Xiaoqing nodded, seemingly understanding yet not quite, and said with a clear smile:
"Second Young Master Ding, I suddenly realize that you are somewhat, well, hiding your true depth."
"If I don't know martial arts, it’s all for nothing," Ding Songyan replied smoothly.
Whether or not Xiaoqing caught the subtext of his words, she stood up and pointed to the oil-paper-covered window frame:
"I’m heading back."
"I’m going out to enjoy the cool air as well." Ding Songyan quickly packed up his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
"Do you need help?" Xiaoqing stopped and smiled.
"No need, I’ve already told my family." Ding Songyan put away the box, left the west wing, opened the door to the main room, and locked it from the outside.
The courtyard gate was locked as well.
He wasn't worried about how his family would escape if a fire broke out—the door was locked, but it probably wouldn't stop his eldest brother’s punch.
Xiaoqing was already in Chengyu Lane, with her maid standing by her side.
"It’s very cool from your place to Fengshui Bridge," Xiaoqing mentioned again, in the tone of someone sharing a hidden treasure, and led the way.
Could it be cool because wandering spirits often pass by? Ding Songyan looked left and right, but still failed to trigger his Yin Eye.
His main purpose in coming out to "enjoy the cool air" today was actually to find a way to stably utilize his Yin Eye. In his current situation, although he didn't know if the Yin Eye would be useful later, he had to strive for it; every bit of help counted.
The night breeze blew, dispelling the stuffiness and humidity of the day. Ding Songyan and Xiaoqing strolled through the streets, under the shade of trees, and along the flowing water, chatting about various martial arts anecdotes.
Before they knew it, Fengshui Bridge came into view. The night market, which wouldn't disperse until the third watch, was hung with bright lanterns of red, orange, pink, and yellow. Infatuated men and women were releasing boat-shaped lanterns by the water. Although it wasn't a lantern festival, it was still shimmering with light, as bright as day.
Gaze after gaze, some obvious and some subtle, fell upon Xiaoqing. She seemed not to notice, only smiling at Ding Songyan:
"Don't get too close to Ren Youyang."
"Isn't he a pretty good guy?" Ding Songyan asked in confusion.
Are the two factions on bad terms? Hmm, Miss Xiaoqing’s side isn't part of the Great Zhao...
Xiaoqing flicked her hands lightly and said with a smile:
"He is a good guy, but he has a certain reputation."
"He might just tell you at any moment, 'Life is short, who knows when we will die? We should be unrestrained. Second Young Master Ding, let me take you to the pleasure houses to have some fun,' or 'Life is short, who knows when we will die? We should be unrestrained. Second Young Master Ding, let me take you to attend a Non-Obstruction Assembly,' or 'Life is short, who knows when we will die? We should be unrestrained. Second Young Master Ding, why not try some male-favored romance? Or you try me, or I try you'..."
The way this girl mimicked Ren Youyang’s tone was incredibly lifelike.
"Uh..." The corner of Ding Songyan’s mouth twitched. "It’s not that exaggerated, is it?"
"Who knows?" Xiaoqing’s tone rose, her smile bright.
After chatting a bit more, they arrived at the side of Fengshui Bridge. There were neither too many nor too few people at the night market.
"I’m going this way. What about you?" Xiaoqing pointed in one direction.
"I have to head back." Ding Songyan felt there were too many people here, which would affect his ability to open his Yin Eye.
Without waiting for Xiaoqing to say goodbye, he turned and walked up to a peddler, took out fifteen coins, and bought three candied hawthorn skewers.
He handed one to Xiaoqing first and said sincerely:
"Miss Xiaoqing, actually, I have been deliberately fishing for information from you these past few days. This skewer isn't enough to serve as an apology, but I just want you not to feel bad because of it."
Xiaoqing was stunned for a moment, then her smile suddenly bloomed, like thousands of pear trees blossoming at once, leaving Ding Songyan momentarily dazed.
She took the skewer and licked it happily:
"Actually, I wanted to tell you anyway."
Ding Songyan breathed a sigh of relief and handed the other skewer to the maid.
"I get one too?" The little maid was very surprised.
"You’ve worked hard waiting for Miss Xiaoqing outside these past few days," Ding Songyan said gently.
Xiaoqing nodded and said to the maid:
"Go ahead and take it."
Only then did the little maid accept the skewer with a bright smile.
Xiaoqing took her and waved goodbye to Ding Songyan with a beaming smile, heading toward the Tianyang Guild Hall.
Ding Songyan ate his candied hawthorn, turned around, and returned to the other side of Fengshui Bridge, back to the quiet of the night.
He tried again and again, but he still couldn't open his Yin Eye.
"Unstable things simply cannot be factored into my plans..." Ding Songyan thought as he walked.
Suddenly, he thought of a method:
The "seed" given by Yan Changqing can pierce through illusions with the eye. If this were combined with my unstable Yin Eye, would there be a positive change that could help stabilize it?
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