Chapter 404 – Relocation to Chenzhou (10)
“Old monk here doesn’t mind Zhang Ping’s doubts,” Master Liaochen continued, “I am a hermit, perfectly positioned outside the mundane world, and shouldn’t interfere with worldly matters. However, because of the demon’s chaos, usurping the nation’s luck, calamities have multiplied, culminating in this earthquake. The common people are suffering from the demon’s greed, and they don’t even know how many have lost their lives. The demon steals not just the fortune of the nation but also the luck of the common folk. Little friend, having learned some mystical arts, you should understand.”
Wei Ci had been startled several times by Master Liaochen and was now a bit clearer-headed.
“So, who is this demon?”
Master Liaochen shook his head, saying, “I don’t know. This demon is incredibly cunning, and its true form remains unknown.”
Wei Ci was aghast. “The demon actually dares to do this…”
Having studied mystical arts, he knew a thing or two about underhanded methods; stealing and transferring luck were evil sorceries, and hardly anyone ended well.
Just a bit of stolen luck could lead to a whole family’s destruction, but…
Wei Ci closed his eyes, carefully recalling the calamities that had befallen Dongqing in recent years, compared to the previous life, there were at least thirty percent more. With the scale of this massive earthquake, he couldn’t even bear to imagine just how much of Dongqing’s luck had been stolen, and how much of the common people’s luck had been taken.
To steal this much and still be alive and kicking was simply incredible.
Indeed, the fortunes of Dongqing were nearly exhausted, but they could still drag on for another seven or eight years. However, given the current situation, it seemed they wouldn’t last even two or three years.
Only a great being could assess a nation’s fortune.
This old monk before him was likely a true master.
“In fact,” Master Liaochen continued, “I noticed signs of this more than a decade ago. At that time, the decline of Dongqing’s luck sped up, and their fortune grew increasingly thin.”
A nation facing ruin would perish today or tomorrow, and Master Liaochen really didn’t care about that.
Individuals from outside the world usually dislike meddling in worldly affairs, as it would draw them into karmic debts.
Yet this usurping demon had malicious intent; when Master Liaochen finally made up his mind to capture it, he found the demon’s movements too erratic to trace. The demon had ravaged through Dongqing, leaving only a mess behind for the innocent populace to bear the consequences.
“Even someone of the Master’s caliber can’t catch that demon?”
Wei Ci furrowed his brows, a sense of worry creeping in.
“There’s nothing I can do,” Master Liaochen said helplessly, “However, this earthquake has unexpectedly led me to some clues. The luck of the next Ziwei Emperor Star has also been slightly pilfered, yet everything the Emperor Star does should align with heaven’s will and should inherently grow…”
Wei Ci’s face suddenly went pale as he realized who the Ziwei Emperor Star was.
By his words, could it be that the demon had set its sights on her?
Though the luck of the Ziwei Emperor was a highly abstract concept, Wei Ci knew that lacking it at crucial times could indeed be fatal.
For example, having the advantages of geography and manpower but lacking that critical “timing” — now that’s a frustrating feeling!
Luck, at times, is part of one’s strength.
Wei Ci understood that while someone could have the ability, virtues, and tactics, if they faltered due to weak luck, it would be a bitter defeat.
“The Master’s implication is… that the demon is now lurking by Lan Ting’s side?”
“Yes, I realized this point and hastened my journey north to warn Young Master Liu to be cautious. However…” Master Liaochen suddenly chuckled bitterly, “That Young Master is filled with auras of death; let alone demons, even ghostly reapers would probably turn and flee.”
Master Liaochen observed that Jiang Pengji’s imperial aura had inexplicably diminished before steadiness returned after a while.
He exerted considerable effort to calculate and found that her fate was actually several times more disastrous than that of the previous dynasty’s Prime Minister Huangfu.
If that demon really had its eyes on her, trouble was surely brewing.
Come to think of it… this young man’s fate seemingly mirrored that of the Prime Minister.
No wonder these two were entangled in the affairs of the world.
Using disaster against disaster, making a pair.
Harming each other while saving the common folk.
Amitabha!
Well done, well done!
Master Liaochen silently recited a Buddhist chant, his exterior displaying an aura of compassion, as if a halo were radiating from behind him.
“Thus, the old monk plans to return.”
If nothing was wrong with the people, why should he bother wandering through the earthquake-stricken area?
Wei Ci was rendered speechless.
“Passing through here, I found a phoenix on the verge of falling, barely alive, and knew it was young friend here, hence I came to visit.”
Having said this, Master Liaochen looked at Wei Ci in silence.
If this person were to perish, the true dragon would be left without a soul, capable of founding a dynasty but with no heirs, essentially snuffing out a dynasty.
Resolving this young man’s inner turmoil was akin to saving his life, indirectly linking him with the fortunes of a nation while avoiding karmic consequences.
What a delightful deal!
For a transcendent individual like Master Liaochen, nothing was more enticing than the notion of merit.
Wei Ci, who was naturally reserved, felt his cheeks flush under Master Liaochen’s words. He was not blushing from fever but from embarrassment.
At this moment, he truly felt grateful for his severe illness; otherwise, he would have no face to meet anyone.
Master Liaochen said, “The Ziwei Emperor Star is safe, young friend should focus on recuperating, don’t overthink.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted, Wei Ci felt much lighter.
Seeing him still fatigued, Master Liaochen pretended to take his leave, and Zhang Ping stood to see him off, his expression fraught with confusion.
After thanking the farmer for the two flatbreads and a full water pouch, Master Liaochen accepted the conical hat and wooden staff that Little Shami handed him.
“Farewell, benefactor.” Master Liaochen was about to leave.
“Wait, Master—” Zhang Ping called out, stammering as he asked, “Is Zixiao… the Phoenix fate?”
Since ancient times, how could a man be a consort?
Master Liaochen replied, “The phoenix is a male bird.”
So, the phoenix fate can’t be wrong!
Zhang Ping’s expression grew even more conflicted, but he didn’t pursue it further and instead returned to tend to the sick with a troubled heart.
Once Zhang Ping had walked far away, Little Shami looked up curiously and asked, “Abbot, why does that benefactor’s face look troubled?”
Master Liaochen said with utmost seriousness, “It’s merely because of the rare and unusual sight.”
Little Shami appeared to understand somewhat.
Master Liaochen added, “Once you travel far and wide and witness the sufferings of the world, you will naturally become accustomed to it.”
Zhang Ping felt like his worldview had been completely reshaped, and days later, as Wei Ci began to recover, he found himself mired in new dilemmas.
On another note, Jiang Pengji led the common people to Xiangyang, encountering numerous rioters along the way. However, how could unorganized and undisciplined mobs compare to the well-equipped Imperial Guards and the robust, battle-hardened troops?
With nearly twenty thousand common folk, their pace was naturally slow. Jiang Pengji didn’t rush, moving by day, resting for meals punctually, and camping overnight under the stars. Even the elderly and children could easily keep up, with no wounded person left behind.
After another night spent camping out, the troop sent ahead to Xiangyang returned in disarray.
Upon hearing the news, Jiang Pengji quickly had someone report back.
At the news, she nearly erupted.
“What?!” Jiang Pengji’s voice spiked, “Which little rascal has occupied my Xiangyang?”
Faced with Jiang Pengji’s fury, the troop replied tremulously, “It’s… it’s a Green Garment Army! They’ve gathered nearly ten thousand rioters!”
