Tanggu Bridge, Linjiang County.
Zhu Huai'an rode in a carriage, and just upon reaching the bridge, he saw a crowd gathered around a fortune-telling stall at the bridgehead.
Seeing this, he smiled and said, "This Divination Master must be quite accurate; otherwise, why would so many people come to have their fortunes told?"
The old coachman slightly lifted his eyelids and similarly smiled, "Many Divination Masters in the world use deception to trick others; who knows if there are any shills among these people?"
Beside them, another clean-shaven, fair-skinned attendant noticed Zhu Huai'an's intent and cheerfully said, "I don't think so. Look at those seeking fortunes; there are men and women, old and young. Even if there were shills among them, the Divination Master must have some true skills..."
Zhu Huai'an did not wait for the attendant to finish speaking, jumped down from the carriage, and walked directly toward the fortune-telling stall.
The others hurriedly followed him.
Zhu Huai'an, dressed simply, arrived at the fortune-telling stall.
The stall owner was a female fortune-teller, quite plain-looking, appearing ordinary, nothing unusual.
On the table were displayed a turtle shell, three copper coins, and a pair of divination cups.
Beside it stood a wooden sign, inscribed with 'Three divinations per day, no appointments after hours.'
At this moment, a local gentry stood before the stall with a sallow complexion, sighing, "This year's harvest from my fields has halved, and my mother has fallen seriously ill. I dare to ask, Divination Master, what does the future hold?"
Bai Qiuyu pinched his fingers to calculate, observed his aura, read his face, and said, "Your brow is clouded, and you lack accumulated good deeds in your daily life. With many enemies, within three days you will face financial loss and legal troubles."
The gentry, already having a tough year, became angry upon hearing this, "I have always been kind to others, often worship the gods of wealth, and my mother has built a Buddha hall at home, chanting and praying every day. Why say we lack virtue? And why legal calamity?"
Bai Qiuyu did not become angry, and calmly replied, "Your complexion is thin and easily agitated; these are already signs of impending misfortune."
The gentry did not believe it, saw that the divination fee was one to five coins, and angrily threw a copper coin before leaving.
However, just as he reached the bridgehead, a constable in his fifties led a group of constables and blocked him.
The chief constable laughed, "Huang Dayou, I was just about to look for you, yet here you are on your own. Perfect, come with me to the Government Office!"
Huang Dayou, the gentry in question, was shocked and angry, "What have I done? Chief Zhao, how can you arrest me without evidence?"
A Black Clerk constable beside him reprimanded him, "You have encroached on neighboring lands, seized others' properties, and lent money at three times the principal interest, yet you still claim innocence?"
"Today, both witness and evidence are present at the court, and the County Magistrate himself will preside over the trial. If you truly have been wronged, why fear the courts?"
Huang Dayou turned to flee, but Zhao Zhonghe grabbed him, and the group took him to the Government Office.
At the fortune-telling stall, the onlookers who had witnessed the entire scene were astounded.
No wonder there were rumors that the Divination Master at the bridgehead was very accurate. Today, they had seen it with their own eyes.
Beside them, a merchant, upon seeing this, immediately stepped forward to seek divination.
Bai Qiuyu tossed the divination cups, observed quietly, and interpreted the divination, saying:
"In your financial sector, there is obstruction and misfortune; within a month, a traitor from within will cause trouble. Beware of a domestic thief!"
The merchant, shocked, said, "The other day, my wife's brother borrowed money for gambling debts. I refused. Is the traitor my wife's brother?"
Seeing that the Divination Master gave no definitive answer, the merchant suddenly understood.
He repeatedly expressed his gratitude and offered a silver coin, but Bai Qiuyu stopped him, "The rules of the sect dictate that the divination fee may not exceed five coins. If you don't have change, you can go and have it exchanged at the Funeral House."
"I have, I have!"
While praising the Divination Master's principles, the merchant took out five silver coins and placed them on the stall.
Zhu Huai'an, having observed for a while, found it very intriguing and stepped forward, saying, "Master, please divine for me as well."
"What does the gentleman seek to know?"
"Master, aren't you a Divination Master? Why do you need to ask me?"
Zhu Huai'an gave a half-smile.
Bai Qiuyu lifted her eyes to examine him closely, noticing that although the middle-aged man before her was dressed in ordinary clothes he stood with a tall and dignified posture, with an air of nobility, and there seemed to be a purple aura around his brows.
"..."
Wrong!
Bai Qiuyu's scalp tingled, and her hairs stood on end.
This was the appearance of a Monarch. Now, Dayan had only been founded for three years, and the only one who could have such an aura was the founding Monarch of Dayan.
This kind of person, whose aura gathered the entire nation's spirit, was most capable of restraining demons.
Bai Qiuyu vaguely felt the imperial aura around enveloping the area, and if she made any sudden moves, she feared she would be exposed by the national spirit immediately!
What to do, what to do!
At this moment, Bai Qiuyu suddenly remembered she was a member of the Cat Immortal Hall and immersed her mind into the Immortal Hall Dharma Realm, urgently seeking guidance from the temple list, only to receive a calm response.
"If he doesn't trouble you, let it be. If he does, just mention my name."
Bai Qiuyu's heart eased up, and upon hearing the Sect Leader's voice, her tense nerves instantly relaxed.
So, this is the feeling of having someone to rely on...
Bai Qiuyu, being knowledgeable, knew what to say and what not to say. She immediately stood up and pretended to pack up the stall, saying:
"The rules of the sect are to divine only three times a day. Unfortunately, you're too late; I am closing up now."
Zhu Huai'an remained still, only giving a glance, and the three people beside him blocked the Divination Master from leaving.
"May I ask, Master, which is greater: your sect's rules or the laws of Dayan?"
Seeing Bai Qiuyu's expression change, Zhu Huai'an extended a finger, pointing to the table, "Today, I allow you to make an exception for one more divination. This is the word of a gentleman. If your sect holds it against you, they are welcome to find me!"
Bai Qiuyu thought for a moment, and finally stopped her action.
Zhu Huai'an leisurely sat on the stool, not mentioning what he wanted to divine, just waited with a smile for the Divination Master to perform the divination.