𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞
Jiang Chu couldn’t help but glance at the tree.
Is this really a wild cat?
Not a cat raised by this old man himself?
Jiang Chu had come to this stall twice, and both times this little wild cat was there. It seemed like it was always accompanying the old man, which was interesting.
“How was the weather the day before yesterday?”
Jiang Chu also greeted him with a bow, then sat down on the small wooden stool opposite him.
“Miss, you outplayed me at chess. That day, a strong wind indeed arose, and I lost,” the old man said calmly, then pulled out five teals of silver from his robe, “This is my divination fee.”
Jiang Chu was somewhat surprised, “You are really straightforward.”
The old man stroked his beard, smiling without a word.
Jiang Chu examined the old man.
Although he was not young, his eyes were not dull, still very clear. He was dressed in a loose white robe, acting with elegance, and had the appearance of a sage.
Looking at his appearance, he certainly could fool people.
“Why are you interested in divination, and why would you go out and deceive people after only learning the basics?” Jiang Chu asked, puzzled.
“Miss, I help people clear their doubts and worries. How can that be called deception?” The old man countered, “Divination is good, but knowing only the result has little meaning. For ordinary people, perhaps comfort and encouragement are the best methods.”
Jiang Chu was stunned.
How could this person speak such twisted words with such confidence?
“You mean to say, you deceive people, and you have a reason for it?” Jiang Chu laughed.
After she spoke, the old man shook his head, “I didn’t just learn the basics. I am the chief disciple of Tiangua Mountain and have studied divination for over thirty years.”
“Tiangua Mountain?”
Jiang Chu frowned, as she hadn’t heard of it in the original host’s memory.
The name sounded prestigious. If it were a significant sect, she should have heard of it.
“It has declined now. More than a decade ago, after the death of my master, the head of the sect, my fellow disciples scattered, each seeking their livelihood,” the old man explained, sighing at her expression.
“Why did it come to this?” Jiang Chu did not understand, “How could a well-established sect fall to such a state? You are not fooling me, are you?”
The original host was more knowledgeable about martial arts and not other “side paths.” She did not want to understand and only knew the basics.
“Why would I deceive you?” the old man asked.
“You are wrong. If you really studied divination for thirty years, how could you not even predict the weather?” Jiang Chu said.
The old man’s face showed embarrassment, “I have only inferior talent. My master once said that my spiritual sense opening made no difference. I didn’t believe it initially, so I practiced day and night, only to find. . . . . .”
Jiang Chu: . . . . . .
She gave him a sympathetic look.
Her body already had the lowest talent, and this old man might be even worse.
Jiang Chu’s accurate predictions had nothing to do with talent but were related to power. Unfortunately, the old man’s divination wasn’t profound, so no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t make significant progress.
“With such talent, you could still become the chief disciple?” Jiang Chu curiously asked.
“…All twenty-eight disciples of Tiangua Mountain were not much different from me in talent,” the old man gave a dry smile.
Jiang Chu: . . . . . .
Fine, it was a sect of mediocrities. No wonder it declined.
“Since you’re not cut out for this, why not consider switching to something else?” Jiang Chu said helplessly.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life. What else can I do now that I’m old?” The old man poured himself a cup of tea, sipping it slowly, his eyes drifting away. “Although I may not be good at divination, I can still say a few things about it based on my knowledge. I might as well set up a stall. Whoever wants to come can come. I’m just making a little money, and I don’t think I’m being greedy.”
“The path of divination is of great importance. Although it only predicts the result and ignores the process, if your prediction is wrong, it may lead the seeker on a completely different path in life, or even cause them to lose their life,” Jiang Chu disagreed. “Take the other day, for example. What if I had asked you to predict good or bad luck instead of the weather? If the sign was bad but you said it was good, what would be the result of the seeker’s excitement? Your one word might cost a life!”
For the diviner, it may just be a matter of right or wrong, but for the seeker, it may be a matter of life and death.
In her previous life, Jiang Chu had no proper master. What she learned was miscellaneous. Initially, a wandering Divination Master introduced her to the practice. This person’s knowledge was broad but not deep, providing a foundation for Jiang Chu. Afterward, she filled in the gaps by self-study.
But it was that wandering Divination Master who taught her many rules about divination, including one like this:
When you encounter an uncertain sign, tell the seeker that you are unsure and cannot speak. Do not talk nonsense; otherwise, your words may lead to someone’s ruin.
He also told a personal story. After starting in this line of work, he was excited every time he saw a prediction come true. When it didn’t come true, he didn’t take it seriously, since the impact was minor.
Until one time, someone sought a prediction before a long journey. He told them the sign was a bit vague but seemed to be favorable. So, they left.
Unbeknownst to him, they became embroiled in a vendetta, dying and causing the death of their family. Even their three-month-old twin daughters were killed.
After that, the Divination Master was devastated and never spoke of unclear signs again.
This is also why Jiang Chu despised swindlers who deceive in the name of divination. If a genuine practitioner could make mistakes, what about those who spew nonsense? How great their sin must be!
They earn blood money!
“There are many uncertainties in the world. You may think my words caused his death, but if he hadn’t asked for my prediction, would he definitely not have gone? Fate is mysterious and difficult to predict entirely. Even the highest-level Divination Master might make a mistake and hurt someone,” the old man argued. “Besides, I only guide people to do good and follow the right path. I never harm lives.”
“High-level Divination Masters harming people is accidental, but for swindlers, it may be inevitable.”
Jiang Chu leaned on the table and stood up, looking at the old man expressionlessly, “I won’t say more, but I hope you can stop in time and avoid karmic entanglements.”
“Thank you, Miss Jiang, for your kindness.”
The old man just nodded.
Jiang Chu sighed silently and turned to leave.
From her perspective, she didn’t want anyone to harm others in the name of a Divination Master, but from the old man’s point of view, he might just want to make a living and did not intend to harm others, so he did not think it was wrong.
When nothing goes wrong, everyone sticks to their own argument. Only when something happens do they realize the severity of the consequences.
But if possible, Jiang Chu hopes that nothing will ever go wrong.
(End of Chapter)
