Chapter 168: Tian Jizi Runs Away

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. One after another, people began arriving in Qingling. Among them were both Su Lang’s friends and his enemies. Preparations for Su Lang’s wedding proceeded in an orderly fashion. Cheng Rui, displaying extraordinary means, had taken over a significant portion of Ma Hongsheng’s enterprises.

Though there had been many voices of opposition, under Su Lang’s secret maneuvers, those objections were swiftly silenced. In just a few short days, Cheng Rui had already claimed half of Ma Hongsheng’s industries, and her influence continued to rise. The preparations for the wedding and the reception of the guests invited by Su Lang could not have been managed without Cheng Rui’s involvement.

Because of her participation, she came to learn a great deal of sensitive information. Naturally, all of that information eventually reached Wang Haoran.

In one of Qingling’s marketplaces sat a small street stall. A piece of cloth hung above it, boldly inscribed with the words: “For the fated, not a single coin; for the unfated, one thousand gold for a reading.”

Seated behind the table was a man with an exceedingly ugly face—his appearance so unsettling that common folk steered clear of him. As a result, very few came near his stall for a fortune-telling session. This man was none other than the Ghost-Faced Divine Fortune Teller, Tian Jizi.

He had something akin to an occupational compulsion—if he didn’t do a single reading in a day, he felt restless all over. Having grown bored staying at the hotel arranged by Cheng Rui, he wandered down into the common quarters of the city, hoping to pass time by telling some fortunes. But he’d been sitting there for nearly an hour without a single customer, and yet he didn’t mind at all.

He didn’t care about money—only fate. He enjoyed reading for those who were destined to meet him and had no interest in those without such ties. Those who avoided him were naturally deemed unfated.

The sun shone warmly above, and Tian Jizi sat with his eyes closed, dozing as he waited for someone destined to appear. Before long, he heard footsteps approaching. Opening his eyes, he saw a young man, not yet twenty, with striking features, seated calmly before his stall.

“What would you like to have read, good sir?” Tian Jizi asked.

“I’m not here for a reading. I’d like to ask you something,” the young man replied.

“What is it?”

“Throughout your life as a fortune-teller, have you ever lied during a reading?”

“Not once.”

“You’re absolutely certain? Not even once?”

Tian Jizi’s expression froze. After a brief pause, he waved his hand and said coldly, “If you’re not here for a reading, then leave.”

“I really didn’t come for myself. But I have a friend who very much wants her fortune told by you.”

As his words fell, a beautiful woman stepped forward and came to stand before Tian Jizi. The moment Tian Jizi saw her face, his expression stiffened. In his entire career of fortune-telling, he had lied only once—and that lie had deceived a woman. That woman was now standing right in front of him.

The handsome young man and the beautiful woman were none other than Wang Haoran and Yang Jingwan.

“Sir, please read my friend’s fortune,” Wang Haoran said with a subtle smirk. “Tell us—does her fate truly clash with her parents’?”

Tian Jizi was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond.

“So it really was you, you damn fraud, who deceived my parents?” Yang Jingwan’s fists tightened in anger as she glared at him.

Tian Jizi remained silent.

“Why aren’t you speaking? Say something! What’s your connection to Su Lang? Why did you conspire with him to harm me?” Tears welled in Yang Jingwan’s eyes as her voice trembled.

Tian Jizi let out a long sigh. He had once read the fates of Su Lang and Yang Jingwan and, based on probability, believed they stood a good chance of lifelong happiness. If that had come to pass, then even though he had lied, he would have found some solace in the outcome.

But judging from Yang Jingwan’s current expression, their destiny had clearly gone astray, drifting toward the rare and unfortunate path. He had committed a sin.

“You spend your life telling others their fortunes,” Wang Haoran said with a gentle smile. “Why not read your own today—see if luck is still on your side.”

Tian Jizi met Wang Haoran’s gaze and felt a chill pierce his heart. From the young man’s presence, an overwhelming pressure bore down on him—a feeling he had once experienced from Su Lang, but now many times stronger. Instantly, he realized this seemingly mild-mannered youth was anything but ordinary.

With that thought, he quickly formed hand seals and began calculating his own fortune. Within seconds, his hands froze mid-gesture, and a look of terror seized his face. A dire omen—extreme misfortune!

“Have you finished your reading?” Wang Haoran asked with a smile.

“I’ve repaid all that I owed to Su Lang,” Tian Jizi said solemnly. “From this day forth, our fates are severed. I will depart Qingling immediately, never to return in this lifetime.”

He had foreseen a terrible disaster, but it was not yet inevitable—there was still a way to avoid it.

【Ding, host has successfully instilled fear. Tian Jizi has now severed all ties with protagonist Su Lang. Host gains 500 Villain Points. Su Lang’s Protagonist Halo -20. Host’s Villain Halo +20!】

“As expected of a fortune-teller,” Wang Haoran murmured in admiration.

He had indeed considered killing Tian Jizi, but now that the man had chosen to distance himself from Su Lang, there was no longer a need.

“The debt I owed to Su Lang… back then, I lied to your parents only to repay what I owed him. I truly believed you two were destined, but it seems… I’ve only harmed you,” Tian Jizi said apologetically, looking at Yang Jingwan.

Her doubts cleared, and in their place surged a tide of fury. She grabbed a nearby vendor’s cabbage, eggs, and whatever else she could find and began hurling them at Tian Jizi with all her strength, leaving him in a disgraceful, battered state. Yet he didn’t try to dodge, silently accepting her barrage. Only when she had exhausted herself did he begin hurriedly packing up his things.

Having vented her grief, Yang Jingwan didn’t stop him from leaving. Though this fortune-teller was detestable, the one she truly hated was Su Lang. In that moment, she wished she could slice him into a thousand pieces.

“I’m going to confront Su Lang. I’ll have someone arrest him for marriage fraud!” Yang Jingwan fumed, storming off.

“Marriage fraud? That’s too kind. Leave it to me. I’ll help you get your revenge—but you’ll have to do exactly as I say,” Wang Haoran said, gently stopping her.

“Mm, I’ll do whatever you say,” she replied softly, her emotions settling as she leaned against him, docile and trusting.

—

Night fell.

Su Lang’s most trusted subordinate, Tian Ying, came to report.

“Tian Jizi left without a word. Do we know why?” Su Lang asked, visibly surprised.

“Not yet,” Tian Ying replied, shaking his head.

“Forget it,” Su Lang said with a wave of his hand. “That old fortune-teller always acted unpredictably. Let him go. Have the others made any moves?”

“They’re all laying low, no signs of action yet. Likely waiting for the right moment.”

“Looks like my wedding will be quite the lively affair,” Su Lang sneered. “That’s fine by me—I haven’t had a good fight in ages. If they dare make a move, I’ll make sure none of them leave alive.”

“I look forward to witnessing War God Su in his full, unstoppable glory,” Tian Ying said, his face filled with admiration.