Chapter 425 - 224: Blind Man Reading Bones

Chapter 425: Chapter 224: Blind Man Reading Bones

Zheng Xiu tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

The door to his room was shut tight.

In the end, Yin Qingqing wasn’t prepared and sent to his chambers, and Feng Bei had been too reserved to come in herself.

Thoughts of the Orange Cat and Ye Weiyang, a chaotic jumble, had plagued Zheng Xiu all night, making Master Zheng toss and turn.

"Sigh... if only there were someone here to talk to."

In the early morning, Pingping, sleeves rolled up, was diligently carrying a basin of fresh water to help her master wash up when she happened to overhear his muttering.

"Master! I can be a good listener! If something is troubling you, you can always talk to me about it."

As Pingping warmed a towel and gently wiped her master’s face, the buttons on her blouse strained, threatening to pop. She puffed out her large chest and declared eagerly.

"How has business been at Heaven on Earth lately?"

Zheng Xiu asked offhandedly.

Pingping was in the middle of washing Zheng Xiu’s face. Hearing his question, she lowered her head and said in a small voice, "The four of us sisters... we haven’t been there for a long time."

"Hm?"

"Recently, Second Lady signed a new girl. She’s an absolute beauty who became the new top courtesan, bringing a lot of business to Heaven on Earth. It was right when you fell gravely ill, Master, so Second Lady had us focus on taking care of you. We haven’t performed at Heaven on Earth since."

"I see."

Zheng Xiu realized what had happened. He’d been a hands-off boss for years, with Zheng Erniang managing most of the businesses for him. The heads of the Zheng Clan’s shops and enterprises all deferred to Zheng Erniang, which saved Zheng Xiu a great deal of trouble in managing his vast family estate.

Pingping’s original name was Dayue’s Aiwen, and she was from Ancient Persia. Possessing the bloodline of a Foreign Princess, Dayue’s Aiwen had a sturdy, childbearing physique and had once been considered by Zheng Erniang as one of the top candidates to become Madam Zheng. Remembering Pingping’s origins, Zheng Xiu casually asked, "Have you ever heard of a General named Arturo?"

"Oh?" Pingping’s face showed her surprise. "How do you know of Arturo, Master? Where I’m from, he’s a famous ’hero’ known to every household!"

"A ’hero’?"

"Yes. Legend says that General Arturo was a ’Buddha Reincarnation’ when he was alive. I didn’t understand it back then, but now I think he was probably like Miss Feng Bei—a born Mystic. Some people said he had Innate Divine Power, others that he could regrow severed limbs. In any case, the books say he fought a war back then, killed countless enemies, and became a hero."

History isn’t always written by the victors; sometimes, everyone just writes their own version of events.

Musing on the absurdity of history, Zheng Xiu made his way to his study after breakfast, a room he hadn’t entered in a long time. The study, filled with the fragrance of books, was spotless. It was clear that in his absence, the household staff had not been neglectful and had continued to clean it meticulously.

In a corner of the study stood the unfinished statue of Feng Bei, a byproduct of his earlier exploits. Zheng Xiu stepped forward and lifted the thick blanket used to cover it from dust. The form of Feng Bei standing with her hands clasped behind her back was already taking shape. Her valiant posture and flowing ponytail reminded Zheng Xiu of the moment he was reunited with her.

The statue’s face had not yet been touched by the knife. Zheng Xiu picked up a small Engraving Knife resting on the table—this was the very one the Knife Seller, Sun Erming, had "lent" him. The handle was engraved with a small character, "Dai," and a hole drilled at the end held a threaded red cord, giving the tool a certain antique charm.

It was an antique.

Pinned beneath the antique Engraving Knife was a contract bearing Sun Erming’s handprint. The contract’s contents stated that he had bought out Sun Erming’s next ten "Divination Sales" in one lump-sum payment. Sun Erming was a born [Knife Seller] Mystic. His current Divination was stalled on Zheng Xiu, and the next ten would be as well. If this current Divination never came to pass, Sun Erming would forever be unable to advance further along his Path.

Remembering the unscrupulous methods he’d used to game the system back then, Zheng Xiu couldn’t help but laugh. But his laughter faded, and his expression grew solemn. "When Zheng Shan kills his dearest friend with his own hands, I will personally come to collect the knife’s payment." Sun Erming’s original "prophetic words" echoed in his ears. Zheng Xiu lowered his head, thinking. ’That’s right. I had him perform the Divination for ’Zheng Shan.’ The prophecy was about Zheng Shan, not me. Right now, only the Monk could be considered Zheng Shan’s ’dearest friend.’ If I had slipped up and killed the Monk on Celestial Yin Mountain, the Divination would have been fulfilled. But in the end, nothing happened...’

’Sun Erming said that what he ’sees’ will definitely happen. If it hasn’t happened, it isn’t because he was ’wrong,’ but because ’the time has not yet come.’ Killing... killing... killing... I’ve seen plenty of movies where characters use clever workarounds to evade a prophecy. I wonder if there will be any loopholes for me to slip through when it’s my turn.’

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door. Without knocking, the person walked straight in. Zheng Xiu didn’t turn around; he could tell from the footfalls alone that it was Feng Bei.

Feng Bei stood by the door, staring, transfixed, at the unfinished statue.

"You’re here."

Zheng Xiu covered the statue with the thick blanket again, then turned to Feng Bei with a slight smile.

"When did you..."

Feng Bei asked doubtfully, pointing at the statue.

"A long time ago." Zheng Xiu thought for a moment before answering truthfully. "Before we entered the Cannibal Painting."

Feng Bei fell silent as a gentle look surfaced in her eyes.

Silence spoke volumes. Without asking anything more, Feng Bei already understood what was in Zheng Xiu’s heart.

So, it was from even earlier than that...

Feng Bei thought to herself.

Zheng Xiu picked up a wood scrap from the floor, and the antique Engraving Knife began to fly across it. In no time at all, the small piece of wood was transformed by Zheng Xiu’s skillful hands into a remarkably lifelike little wooden fish.

Zheng Xiu drilled a small hole through the fish’s mouth and threaded a long red cord through it.

"All done!" Zheng Xiu inspected his handiwork with satisfaction, remarking smugly to Feng Bei, "I think I might even be able to walk the ’Skillful Hands’ Path."

Feng Bei didn’t deny it. In fact, after all the years they had spent together, she had come to believe that Zheng Xiu was truly capable of anything—he was brilliant. She looked curiously at the exquisite little wooden fish and asked in puzzlement, "Are you... going fishing with that?"