After Sheng Jun Chapter 24 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 24 Dreaming of Him (part 1)
A gust of wind blew by, and Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming stood frozen for a moment, with a string of question marks appearing simultaneously above their heads: ???
Zhong Ming frowned, "Can you explain more clearly?"
Wu Jie said, "No, there's a limit to how much of Heaven's secrets I can reveal. You'll have to figure it out yourself."
He finished speaking, then turned around with his hands behind his back and walked away. After descending a few steps, he stopped and looked back to advise, "If my predictions are accurate, remember to spread the word and leave good reviews."
"......"
Even after the ash-gray figure had leisurely disappeared from sight, Jiang Xingzhi remained standing in place, struggling to understand the meaning of those words.
He felt that he was more concerned about Bai Mu's marriage prospects than his own.
"Could it be..." Zhong Ming spoke up, "that he means my destined person is somewhere on this mountain."
He was looking at Jiang Xingzhi as he said this. Jiang Xingzhi moved a small step to the side and cautiously said, "It must have a deeper meaning, not just the obvious interpretation."
"Then what do you think it means?"
"Perhaps it means your eyes have been blinded, and you're mistaking familial affection for romantic love?"
"......" Zhong Ming said gently, "Well said. Don't say it again next time."
While they were speculating with their subjective interpretations, Jiang Langhao poked its head out from inside a sleeve and cleared its throat, "I know~ You can't see your own marriage destiny because you're already in it!"
It was, after all, a well-read brush spirit~
Two gazes fell upon Jiang Langhao, paused for a few breaths, then lightly moved away.
Zhong Ming explained, "Don't listen to its nonsense. I have no marriage destiny. I'm completely unattached."
Jiang Xingzhi coughed lightly, "You don't need to explain to me... it was just talking randomly."
Zhong Ming said, "Mm, it hasn't reached enlightenment yet."
Jiang Langhao: .........
What do you mean not enlightened! That's exactly what it meant! It was about to bristle, it was getting angry!!!
A slender white hand grasped the bristling wolf-hair brush and gathered it back into its compact form. Jiang Xingzhi tucked it back into his sleeve and began walking back to the banquet with Zhong Ming.
"It's nothing, don't overthink it. Perhaps his predictions aren't even accurate?"
Zhong Ming glanced at him, "It seems Wu Jie's prediction for you wasn't satisfactory?"
Jiang Xingzhi brushed it off lightly, "Not at all. Isn't it true that with these things, you only get what you believe in?"
"Mm." Zhong Ming withdrew his gaze. "That's true."
The two returned to the banquet, which had already resumed its lively atmosphere. The earlier incident was quickly forgotten by everyone.
Seeing their return, Chu Yun approached with a cup of wine to apologize, "It was my fault for misjudging character and inviting someone who caused offense."
Jiang Xingzhi clinked cups with him, "It's fine. After all, time reveals a person's true nature. But, Sect Master Chu, where did you find these people?"
"The Haosheng Sect issues a talent recruitment notice every three months, opening our doors to welcome unaffiliated individuals from all directions," Chu Yun explained.
The reason Haosheng Sect had remained standing among the Six Great Upper Sects was not only their dedication to training disciples but also their frequent recruitment of talented individuals, inviting capable and extraordinary people to join and take up positions.
Jiang Xingzhi looked toward the lively gathering, "So these are all unaffiliated cultivators?"
Chu Yun said, "That's right, I—" He caught sight of Zhong Ming standing nearby, quietly watching with eyes as calm as an ancient well. He stopped mid-sentence, "I'll head back now."
He returned to the main seat, showing excellent perception of the situation.
Once he left, Jiang Xingzhi looked at Liu Chuan: this young man had excellent qualities and upright character. He wondered why he hadn't joined any sect yet—perhaps they should try to recruit him?
Zhong Ming observed Jiang Xingzhi's eager expression and followed his gaze to the white-robed young man with a sword below.
Emotions stirred in his chest, and Zhong Ming spoke softly, "Deng Deng." He reached over and caught the edge of Jiang Xingzhi's sleeve, his fingertips rubbing the smooth fabric.
Jiang Xingzhi turned to see his gloomy expression, "Mm?" he responded, "What's wrong?"
And why was he calling him "Deng Deng" again? It didn't reflect his noble divine status at all.
"If you want to recruit someone, I think Wu Jie is a better choice."
"Why?"
Zhong Ming pointed at him, "Those with similar goals can walk together." They were both businessmen with hearts buried in money.
Jiang Xingzhi thought for a moment, "That makes sense." Liu Chuan looked like someone who would roam the world with his sword, while Wu Jie seemed more interested in making money.
But wasn't Bai Mu being a bit too eager this time? It was completely unlike his usual "why should I care" attitude.
—It was as if he had some ulterior motive regarding Wu Jie.
Jiang Xingzhi looked at Zhong Ming several times, "You're not planning to lure Wu Jie back to the sect so you can interrogate him daily about your marriage destiny, are you?"
The word "interrogate" hit the nail on the head.
Zhong Ming's throat moved suspiciously, "Am I that kind of person?"
Jiang Xingzhi thought this wasn't necessarily untrue, but he still gave him a chance to defend himself, "Then why are you so eager to invite him to join the sect?"
"Of course I'm considering our Guixue Sect's interests." Zhong Ming carefully explained to him, "I've figured it all out for you—for every client Wu Jie gets through us, we take a twenty percent commission on his fortune-telling fees. With your bluff….charisma, we could build a palace for Guixue Sect within half a month."
The slip of the tongue was quickly overlooked as Jiang Xingzhi followed Zhong Ming's train of thought and suddenly clapped his hands: Pa!
What an excellent plan!
The crisp sound of his clap was so startling that it made Jiang Langhao, who was sleeping in his sleeve, roll over.
Jiang Xingzhi was delighted, "You have a good business mind. I finally have a worthy successor."
Two slender fingers reached into his sleeve, pulled out the soundly sleeping Jiang Langhao, and placed it in his own pocket. Zhong Ming said magnanimously, "I'll assume that comment was due to possession by your brush spirit. I won't hold it against you."
****
As the banquet drew to a close, guests gradually departed.
Jiang Xingzhi found an opportunity to approach Wu Jie and Liu Chuan, extending his invitation.
Liu Chuan looked surprised, not understanding why an elder of the Haosheng Sect would have his own sect. "Thank you for your kindness, Elder Jiang, but my ambitions lie elsewhere."
Zhong Ming nodded, "You are not meant to be confined in a pond. Fly toward distant horizons."
Jiang Xingzhi gave him a long look......
Liu Chuan was flattered by the praise.
Wu Jie was much more straightforward, "How many people are in your sect?" This would determine the potential client base he would have.
Jiang Xingzhi said, "Besides myself, only three."
Wu Jie raised his hand, "Apologies, this poor Daoist's ambitions also lie elsewhere."
"What about this?" Zhong Ming's finger flicked up Jiang Xingzhi's outer robe, revealing the belt underneath. A row of sect tokens from various prestigious sects hung neatly from it.
Though he was just one person, he had become the equivalent of more than a dozen sects.
Wu Jie clasped his hands together, "We can discuss this further."
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
With three businessmen gathered together, they quickly got to the point.
The conditions proposed by Guixue Sect were simple and clear: they would attract clients for Wu Jie and take a twenty percent "intermediary fee" from each transaction. After some thought, Wu Jie agreed, but with a minimum requirement—ensuring an average of at least ten customers per day.
"Of course," Jiang Xingzhi said, then asked, "But after penetrating so many heavenly secrets, can the master handle it?"
Wu Jie remained composed, "What can I say? This poor Daoist is exceptionally gifted."
Jiang Xingzhi realized: Wu Jie's true talent wasn't fortune-telling, but the ability to do so without suffering heavenly punishment.
…..
With both parties reaching an agreement, Wu Jie officially joined Guixue Sect.
Their return journey included an additional figure, floating like a wisp of cotton.
Jiang Xingzhi brought out a peachwood boat that he had acquired from the Yuhua Sect, carrying the three of them as they flew back to Guixue Sect.
When they reached the mountain, they were surrounded by a large patch of white mist. Wu Jie was startled by the blanket of whiteness, "Is there a demon?"
As Jiang Xingzhi was thinking about how to explain it in simple terms, he heard Zhong Ming say, "It's our Deng Deng's immortal aura."
"......"
Jiang Xingzhi corrected him, "Call me Sect Master." What was with this "Deng Deng"? It stripped away all his dignity!
Zhong Ming smiled and went along with him, "Mm, Sect Master."
Wu Jie floated through the white mist with his sleeves billowing: To me, it looks more like the flattery you're blowing.
The peachwood boat expertly navigated through the mist and landed on the mountaintop. Zhu Yan and Zhu Xu came out when they heard the noise, and were surprised to see Wu Jie, "Sect Master, who is this?"
Since its establishment, this was the first time Guixue Sect had welcomed an outsider.
Jiang Xingzhi introduced Wu Jie to them, "Our new member, the Divine Calculator." Then he asked Zhu Yan to prepare a room for him, "Find a good location that gathers the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."
Wu Jie looked around, "It's quite empty here. Will it take a long time to build?"
Zhu Yan said, "It can be ready immediately."
Wu Jie: ?
After acknowledging this, Zhu Yan immediately turned to build the house. Wu Jie expressed admiration with a "talent" comment, then surveyed the mountaintop.
"Since you have such talent, don't waste it. You can help dig channels and modify the mountain. This poor Daoist will improve the feng shui of this mountaintop."
Jiang Xingzhi appreciated such a practical person and waved his hand, "Make the changes!"
Leaving the others outside to improve the feng shui, Jiang Xingzhi returned to his room to contact various sects and find potential clients for Wu Jie.
Outside in the courtyard, Wu Jie raised two thin fingers, pointing here and there along the mountain ridges and stone forests, explaining the modifications to Zhu Xu who was taking notes beside him.
Zhong Ming didn't leave but stood nearby with his hands behind his back, listening.
When Wu Jie had almost finished his explanation, Zhong Ming suddenly asked, "What changes would benefit marriage destiny?"
Zhu Xu's brush slipped, and Wu Jie smiled slightly, "A hot spring should be excavated on the flat ground among the trees. The Sect Master appears to have weak qi and a cold constitution, and should take better care of his health."
Zhong Ming asked, "That's what feng shui says?"
Wu Jie pressed his lips together, and after a moment, let out two laughs that sounded like bubbles bursting, "Haha!"
"......" A vein bulged on Zhong Ming's forehead. If not for the fact that this person could tell fortunes, Zhong Ming felt he would definitely have taken his sword to him.
Sensing the cold hostility from the latter, Wu Jie spoke to appease him, "Don't be hasty or angry. Having a hot spring is always good. Mountains and waters have spirit—not just marriage destiny, but overall fortune will improve as well."
As he spoke, his lips touched briefly, and Zhu Xu, who was taking notes beside him, paused as his voice suddenly became as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Zhong Ming heard Wu Jie say leisurely, "Your marriage destiny is compatible with water."
****
The feng shui modification plan was quickly completed and submitted to Jiang Xingzhi for review.
Jiang Xingzhi looked it over and found no issues, especially smiling when he saw the hot spring pool. Zhong Ming keenly noticed this, "You like it?"
"This is perfect for me." This salted fish.
"Good."
The plans were taken away, and Zhong Ming reminded him to "sleep early" before turning to walk outside.
Wu Jie's courtyard had already been built by Zhu Yan that evening.
The courtyard was built a little down from the mountaintop, away from the wind, supposedly to prevent dispersing inspiration.
Zhong Ming made his way there and knocked on the newly built door, knock knock.
The door opened to reveal Wu Jie's smooth head and golden eyelids. His eyelids seemed to twitch, "It's not business hours right now."
Zhong Ming took out two spirit stones.
The half-open door swung wide, and Wu Jie stepped aside to welcome him in, "Welcome, welcome, except for internal personnel."
Clank, the spirit stones were placed on the table. Wu Jie invited him to sit down, "What does Protector Bai want to ask about this time?"
"Marriage destiny," Zhong Ming asked, "What does 'compatible with water' mean?"
He harbored a hint of expectation in his heart that occasionally surfaced: Didn't Jiang Xingzhi's name contain water? Not only was it in his name, but also in his mind—truly closely compatible with water.
But looking at this point alone, the range of compatibility seemed too broad.
These speculations repeatedly pulled at him, spreading in his heart, stirring and merging with his blood and meridians. It made his whole body seem to boil, and he had to find Wu Jie to get a clear answer.
Wu Jie sighed, "Ah, this poor Daoist has already said quite a lot."
Zhong Ming said, "The more the better."
Wu Jie's closed eyelids opened a slit to peer at him, "Very well, I'll say a bit more." His finger traced on the table, "The destiny begins with water, is supported by water, transforms with water, and is compatible with water. Seize the opportunity, be bold."
"That's it?"
"That's all there is."
Zhong Ming frowned. It seemed like a lot was said, yet it felt like nothing was said at all. It felt like he had exchanged two spirit stones for a new round of confusion.
"I'll go back and ponder this. Sorry to disturb you." He rose to return to his room, but stopped at the doorway and turned back to Wu Jie, "I'll come see you again."
Wu Jie, "......"
He stroked the smooth spirit stones, "Alright."