After the Public Security officer finished questioning them, the crowd that had gathered to watch slowly dispersed.
"Arden, can a peach-blossom talisman really improve someone's romantic fortune?"
Yixuan looked genuinely puzzled. As the Sect Master, she had never even heard of a so-called "peach-blossom talisman,' much less made one.
"Peach-blossom talisman… does that even exist?"
Ju Fufu began to doubt herself, wondering if—two months ago—she had been bewitched by one. Maybe the reason she boarded Arden's pirate ship and inexplicably agreed to let him build a harem… was the effect of that talisman.
"Of course not!"
But Arden shook his head decisively.
In reality, Ju Fufu was overthinking. Back when they got together, Arden hadn't even learned Talisman Arts yet.
"Even if such a talisman existed, there's no way I could draw it with my current skill… That was just an ordinary tracking talisman. I only made the color look nice."
"Oh."
Ju Fufu let out a breath of relief, but Yixuan only looked more confused. "Then three days from now…"
"Yeah, that's right!" Ju Fufu realized it too.
"You two want to know?"
Seeing the curiosity—and slight worry—on both their faces, Arden's lips curved faintly.
"Mm-hmm."
"Say it already! Don't stall!"
They both leaned in.
"Then come closer…"
Yixuan's cool, refined face and Ju Fufu's adorable little head moved beside Arden, both ears perked.
"Hehe, it's a secret for now. You'll find out when the time comes. Huuu—"
As his sentence ended, Arden blew lightly into both their ears, then turned stylishly, leaving like some wandering hero who had just performed a good deed.
"Hmph! So mysterious!"
Ju Fufu muttered. But seeing Yixuan's face shift strangely, she added, "Don't worry, Sect Master—tonight I'll interrogate him thoroughly… Make him stop speaking in riddles!"
And Yixuan's expression grew even stranger.
Interrogate… what kind of interrogation?
With her limited worldly knowledge, Yixuan was completely lost.
…
In the little garden behind Suibian Temple, after making sure no one was around, Arden took out his phone, opened KnockKnock, and tapped on the avatar labeled "Cunning Hares Representative."
Having lived in New Eridu for years, Arden naturally knew many like-minded… similarly motivated friends.
He typed and sent: [Got a job. Taking it?]
[Taking it! Absolutely!]
A reply came in less than a second.
[I need you to investigate something for me…]
After sending the details, Arden put away his phone, a subtle smile forming unconsciously.
If Ju Fufu were here, she would know instantly—Arden was scheming. Someone was about to be very unlucky.
…
Regardless of what came next, the outcome of the conflict between Arden and the yellow-haired punk would only be decided on the third day.
Until then, Arden and Ju Fufu stayed behind to help Yixuan keep Suibian Temple running.
Ju Fufu handed out flyers, promoting how Sect Master Yixuan herself was offering divination services—and with special discounts, too.
Arden went out to scout the "enemy."
According to Yixuan, even before A-Shuo was hospitalized, business at Suibian Temple was already declining. The reason? A newly opened fortune-telling shop in the Porcelume Market nearby had been stealing customers.
"Sir, are you here for a reading, face-fortune, or… one-on-one fortune-boosting consultation?'
Arden had barely stepped inside when a flamboyantly dressed Fox Thiren courtesan greeted him enthusiastically.
"…"
Arden narrowed his eyes. Just the service alone already surpassed Suibian Temple. "Then please introduce everything to me—especially the… one-on-one?"
"Heehee, that's the one-on-one fortune-boosting consultation!"
The fox-Thiren smiled and guided him inside.
"…"
As soon as he entered, Arden's eyes lit up.
Impressive. No wonder they stole all the business.
Unlike Suibian Temple's traditional style, this place was fully Western-themed. The fortune-teller was dressed as a witch, and the divination tool was a massive crystal ball.
"Start by reading my future luck… in romance."
Arden sat down opposite the "witch." Since Yunkui Summit was reimbursing him, he saw no reason not to spend a few dennies.
…
"Brother Arden, how was it?"
"Arden!"
Ju Fufu and Yixuan hurried over as he returned from his scouting mission.
Arden looked grave—which didn't match the lipstick mark on his cheek at all.
"They're not easy to deal with."
Indeed, the fortune-telling shop was extremely business-savvy and primarily targeted male customers. Clearly, they were aiming squarely at Sect Master Yixuan.
A witch-cosplay fortune-teller, plus staff in schhol uniforms, mature-lady styles, young-wife types… Even if their divination accuracy was questionable, they definitely catered to men's preferences.
Various types of girls, older sisters, and elegant women—none could individually compare to Yixuan, but the shop had the advantage in numbers and variety… and that infamous "one-on-one fortune-boosting consultation."
"…"
Arden wiped the lipstick mark from his face.
Too hard to resist!
Even for someone with strong self-control like Arden, faced with the choice… he might've chosen the fortune-telling shop.
My apologies, Sect Master Yixuan!
"Behave yourself!"
Slash—!
"Ow!"
Ju Fufu smacked him with a tiger claw, snapping him back to reality.
"Ahem… Fufu, Sect Master—don't worry. I already have a plan."
"Oh?"
"What plan?"
Ju Fufu leaned close to his mouth again—Yixuan did not, afraid he'd blow into her ear again.
"Very simple. We go for… a differentiated competition."
If he brought all the senior sisters and junior sisters down from Yunkui Summit, they could easily outshine the fortune-telling shop—but doing so would give the sect a bad reputation.
So instead—we go for a differentiated competition. If the shop targeted male customers, Suibian Temple would attract female ones.
There was another thing Arden had noticed.
Though the fortune-telling shop stole customers from Suibian Temple, its staff all looked expensive to hire. Meaning, despite all this effort, the shop might not be earning much profit at all.
Pouring in that much cost just to target Yunkui Summit… Arden felt certain there was more going on. It was like an unseen hand was pushing things from behind the scenes.
But he would need further investigation.
…
The next day.
Suibian Temple launched new specialized divination services—romance, marriage, family, and checking whether one's husband was cheating or had a mistress. The diviner was switched from Yixuan to Arden, who was far more suited to handling female customers.
And the results? Not bad at all.
Before noon, Suibian Temple was already packed with young women and housewives—praying, seeking divination, or buying talismans.