Chen Changsheng then asked, “I recall you were guarding the White Pagoda before?”

The scholar replied, “This humble one now serves as an advisor at the Prince’s Mansion, working for His Highness.”

Chen Changsheng paused slightly at this. He hesitated, then couldn’t help but take another look at the scholar.

This scholar was acting so boldly, unafraid of Karma. It seemed he had some powerful backing.

As for what exactly that backing was, Chen Changsheng didn’t pursue it.

Instead, he changed the subject. “Speaking of which, I actually met him briefly in the Imperial Palace back in the day. It’s been years. How is he now?”

The scholar replied, “His Highness is doing very well. That he has what he has today… he must thank you for the Karma you left behind.”

“It was a moment of carelessness on my part.”

Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. Back then, Xian Yue sacrificed herself to save Yan Ruchu. If not for that, Yan Ruchu should have died in that great fire.

But even without Yan Ruchu, the Righteous Army would still have risen eventually.

Chen Changsheng said, “Truth be told, I rather admire your Master. To have even predicted something like this…”

The scholar shook his head frankly. “To tell you the truth, Immortal Elder, my Master actually did not predict His Highness would survive.”

Chen Changsheng asked, “Then why was entry to the Scroll Painting in the Manor of Prince Yu restricted only to those of the Yan bloodline?”

“My Master indeed foresaw that Great Jing would face a great calamity.”

The scholar set down his teacup. “But within that great calamity, he also perceived some variables. Yet those variables seemed obscured by the Heavenly Secrets. Hence, all subsequent divinations ultimately became blurred and indistinct.”

“My Master cherished this Mortal World deeply. So before he left, he left behind paintings here. If Great Jing truly perished, and there were no heirs left… then I was to take the paintings and depart.”

“So that’s how it was…”

Chen Changsheng understood the gist. It should be like this. If Cultivators could truly calculate events spanning an entire sexagenary cycle, what need would there be for the Heavenly Dao?

The scholar looked at Chen Changsheng. “It wasn’t until His Highness entered Qingshan City, and I heard his firsthand account, that I finally learned what truly happened back then.”

“I suppose you, Immortal Elder, must be the variable even my Master couldn’t foresee?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “What makes you think so?”

The scholar explained, “After my Master departed, I cast three divinations on Great Jing’s fate.”

“The first was before Beixiang raised its army. I sought Great Jing’s National Fortune. The result was a sign of great auspiciousness.”

“Then Beixiang raised its army, and the Frontier Pass fell. I cast a second divination. This time, the result was a mixture of auspicious and inauspicious signs.”

“Later, Beixiang broke through the passes and advanced. I cast the final divination. The signs changed again. Great Jing’s tide had turned; only great inauspiciousness remained!”

The scholar gazed at the Chen Changsheng before him. “To be candid, Immortal Elder, since I began learning the Art of Divination from my Master, I have never witnessed such strange phenomena.”

“Divination signs are the Mandate of Heaven. A dynasty’s fate is no trivial matter!”

“Yet the results of those signs were as changeable as a man’s expression! The rise and fall of a nation seemed to hang on a single thought!”

Seeing the scholar’s intent look fixed on him, Chen Changsheng chuckled. “You can’t possibly believe I possess such power?”

The scholar said, “I simply cannot comprehend it.”

Chen Changsheng stated, “In my journey to Shangjing City, I merely met a few people. I did nothing else.”

The scholar fell silent for a moment.

He did not dare overstep before Chen Changsheng.

What truly happened in Shangjing City that year… he could not divine it himself. He could only glean fragments from Yan Ruchu’s account.

Among the many people described by Yan Ruchu, this Green-Robed Gentleman remained the most enigmatic!

The scholar could only suspect it was him.

After a long silence, the scholar ventured, “This humble one presumes greatly, but… could I borrow a personal object from you, Immortal Elder?”

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng simply shook his head without explanation.

Seeing this, the scholar did not press the matter.

He truly desired to know the origins of this person, or whether he truly was that variable.

Chen Changsheng glanced at the sky. “Unfortunately, it’s time for the noon meal at home. I shan’t trouble you further.”

The scholar did not press him to stay. “I shall see you out, Immortal Elder.”

“No need for the trouble.”

After leaving the Teahouse, Chen Changsheng hurried home.

As it happened, Yan Huanglou had steamed some buns today. Each one was packed full of meat.

The money for the meat and flour had, naturally, come from Chen Changsheng.

The reason he was rushing back was the fear Yan Huanglou might have eaten them all.

Above, in the Teahouse, the scholar watched as the figure in the green robe gradually faded into the distance.

His brows remained tightly furrowed. He couldn’t shake the sense of profound strangeness.

This man…

He was surely not merely a Cultivator of considerable attainment.

If that person claimed the divination signs had nothing to do with him, the scholar would never believe it.

The City God stood nearby and spoke. “Master Zhu, he has gone far now.”

“Hmm.” The scholar snapped out of his thoughts and acknowledged it. “Remember on no account to disturb this gentleman.”

“Master Zhu, this humble deity wouldn’t dare!”

The City God shook his head helplessly. His little bit of incense offerings probably wasn’t even worthy of eliciting a glance.

…

Chen Changsheng returned to the courtyard. As soon as he entered, he smelled the savory aroma of meat.

He followed the scent straight into the kitchen.

Just in time to see Yan Huanglou carefully setting a basket of steamed buns on the table.

“Hoo… hoo… hoo…”

Yan Huanglou blew on his fingers, then heard movement behind him.

“I arrived just in time, it seems.”

Yan Huanglou saw him and quipped, “You followed the scent here.”

“I suspected you might sneak a bite, so I came back specifically to check.”

“Am I such a person?”

Yan Huanglou huffed twice, then motioned for Chen Changsheng to sit down.

There were twelve buns in the basket.

Not caring if they were hot, Yan Huanglou grabbed one. “I won’t wait for you!”

“Eat then.” Chen Changsheng said. “How long has it been since you’ve had meat?”

Yan Huanglou didn’t reply, just focused on stuffing the bun into his mouth. The first bite burned his tongue. “Hoo… hoo… hoo…” he panted.

It took him a good while to swallow that bite.

“Delicious!!”

His eyes lit up, and he began wolfing down the bun.

Chen Changsheng shook his head. He took a bite. The flavor was indeed good.

“You know, tomorrow you might as well sell buns instead. Forget about selling tea.”

“No can do.”

Yan Huanglou said, “You’ve no idea how bad it is in Qingshan City these days. Trying to sell food on the streets in broad daylight, you just get robbed! Too many desperate people went hungry!”

“Plus, those Government Soldiers come around all the time looking for free meals! You wouldn’t dare ask them for money! Selling tea at least earns me a few measly coins.”

Chen Changsheng raised an eyebrow. “Is it really that bad?”

“Yes!”

Yan Huanglou said gravely. “Wang Sanniang’s husband, living in the next yard, used to sell Baked Pancakes.”

“He gave out free food for several days in a row. Finally couldn’t take it anymore, chased after the soldiers to demand payment…”

“Didn’t get his money. Got beaten instead. Went to the magistrate at noon to file a complaint. Came back… was beaten to death that very night. Left Wang Sanniang a widow.”

Chen Changsheng frowned upon hearing this. “These people… behave so lawlessly?”

Yan Huanglou sighed, shaking his head. “There’s too much of it. Besides, the magistrate doesn’t dare confront those soldiers.”

“Even if someone complains, it just goes through the ranks. They all turn a blind eye.”

“After all, very few of their own hands and feet are clean.”