TRWSB – Chapter 116 The Fortune-Teller From Back Then

A sharp whistle pierced the air as a Merchant Alliance guard team raced to the scene like a gust of wind.

Seeing the guards arrive, Mu Yue Shan scowled and led his people to retreat.

“Master Qi, we didn’t arrive too late, did we?” asked the captain of the Merchant Alliance guard team as he approached.

Qi Shao Rong waved his hand dismissively. “No, you came at just the right time.”

The captain glanced at Zhuang Hao and remarked, “With Young Master Zhuang’s abilities, I’m sure you two would have been able to retreat safely even without our help.”

Zhuang Hao responded modestly, “Captain, you flatter me.”

The captain turned to Qi Shao Rong and cautioned, “Master Qi, it’s best for you to avoid going out for a while, especially to remote areas. If you must go out, stay in populated places.”

Qi Shao Rong nodded. “Understood.”

Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Shao Rong and asked, “That thief who stole your purse earlier—he seems to have slipped away in the chaos. Just how much money was in that purse?”

“One hundred silver coins,” Qi Shao Rong replied.

“One hundred… silver coins?” Zhuang Hao frowned. If he had known it was such a small amount, he wouldn’t have bothered chasing after the thief.

Qi Shao Rong shot him a look. “What’s with that expression? A hundred silver coins can buy a lot of buns!”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

“Master Qi, let’s head back to the estate,” the guard captain suggested.

Qi Shao Rong nodded. “Alright.”

Mu Family Residence

A physician examined the wound on Mu Yue Shan’s waist with a furrowed brow. “The injury is deep. This lightning-elemental magic also carries traces of other elemental energies, making it hard to cleanse. The wound will have to heal naturally. For the next few days, you should avoid conflict.”

Mu Yue Shan’s face darkened. “The information I received said that Zhuang Hao was a level-seven mage, but he’s clearly level eight.”

“Perhaps he was concealing his strength,” a nearby elder speculated. “The Yuan royal family used to be a noble house, but their decline allowed the Tang family to rise to power. With the Zhuang family flourishing, the Tang emperor is likely wary. Zhuang Hao does stand out.”

Mu Yue Shan clenched his fists. “That Zhuang Hao is indeed formidable.”

Previously, Mu Yue Shan thought Mu Huai’s talent was already impressive. However, after battling Zhuang Hao, he realized there is always a taller mountain. Zhuang Hao’s current strength is overwhelming, and in a few years, even the older generation might struggle against him. Compared to Zhuang Hao, Mu Huai was far inferior. Qi Shao Rong was incredibly fortunate to have such a capable fiancé.

“Father, you’re injured?” Mu Huai entered the room, his face full of concern.

Mu Yue Shan glanced at him. “It’s just a small wound. Nothing serious.”

“I heard you fought with Qi Shao Rong,” Mu Huai said cautiously.

Mu Yue Shan glared. “I didn’t fight him. I merely had a discussion.”

Mu Huai hesitated before suggesting, “Father, perhaps I should apologize to Cousin Ting Xuan. Maybe we can resolve this peacefully.”

Mu Yue Shan’s face turned cold. “You’re not allowed to go.”

“Why not?” Mu Huai asked, confused.

“No reason. Just don’t go,” Mu Yue Shan snapped angrily.

“Father, the Mu family is on the verge of collapse, and you still can’t set aside your pride?” Mu Huai protested.

“Enough! Go back to your room!” Mu Yue Shan roared.

Gritting his teeth, Mu Huai turned and left.

When Qi Shao Rong and Zhuang Hao returned to the estate, Mu Ting Xuan and Yi Fan were absent, but Feng Yuan was there.

“Master Qi, I heard Mu Yue Shan attacked you during your outing. His actions are growing increasingly reckless. At his age, resorting to bullying the young!” Feng Yuan exclaimed.

Qi Shao Rong propped his chin on his hand. “I heard several of his concubines ran away. At his advanced age, with unfulfilled desires and a bad temper, it’s understandable.”

Feng Yuan twitched his lips. “Master Qi, you are truly magnanimous.”

Qi Shao Rong waved his hand nonchalantly. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

Feng Yuan: “…”

Feng Wu glanced at Zhuang Hao, who stood beside Qi Shao Rong, and said, “Heroes often emerge from the young. Young Master Zhuang Hao is truly remarkable.”

Zhuang Hao nodded slightly toward Feng Wu. “You flatter me, Senior.”

“I heard that not only is Young Master Zhuang Hao a beast tamer, but he can also craft spell scrolls. Either one of these skills is enough to guarantee a lifetime of prosperity. Master Qi, you’re very fortunate!” Feng Yuan remarked.

Qi Shao Rong: “Senior, you’re exaggerating. Zhuang Hao’s abilities are just so-so. He fought Mu Yue Shan for so long and still couldn’t take care of that old man…”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Feng Yuan chuckled. “Master Qi, don’t be too demanding. After all, Mu Yue Shan has lived many more years than Zhuang Hao.”

“By the way, Master Qi, where is your attendant?” Feng Yuan asked.

“He’s out,” Qi Shao Rong replied.

Feng Wu nodded. “I see. The outside world has been quite chaotic lately, so it’s better to be cautious.”

“You’re right, Senior. Thank you for your concern,” Qi Shao Rong said politely.

Feng Yuan discussed Yi Fan’s cosmetics business with Qi Shao Rong before taking his leave.

On the way back, Feng Yuan’s servant commented, “Master, isn’t Qi Shao Rong being too reckless? He knows he’s offended the Mu family, yet he still ventures into remote areas. Isn’t that courting disaster?”

Feng Yuan furrowed his brow and replied, “Young people are full of adventurous spirit. If you don’t indulge a little recklessness in youth, when will you? Speaking of which, Zhuang Hao is indeed impressive. I originally thought the rumors about him were exaggerated, but this young man is even more formidable than the stories suggest.”

“You hold Zhuang Hao in high regard, Master,” the servant remarked.

Feng Yuan smiled faintly. “If this boy can safely reach the age of thirty, he’ll undoubtedly achieve saint-level mastery.”

At the estate, Zhuang Hao looked around the empty courtyard and turned to Qi Shao Rong. “Yi Fan and Mu Ting Xuan are both out. Those two—who knows where they’ve gone or when they’ll be back?”

Qi Shao Rong exhaled. “If I’m not mistaken, Ting Xuan has probably gone to see Kuang Yi, that pretentious fraud. I heard that so-called mystic isn’t doing well. He can’t afford to live in the city and has moved to the wilderness.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

In the Forest

Yi Fan followed closely behind Mu Ting Xuan. “Who are you looking for?”

“A person who determined my fate,” Mu Ting Xuan replied.

“The fortune-teller from back then?” Yi Fan asked.

Mu Ting Xuan nodded. “Afan, you catch on quickly. I want to know if my life is truly cursed.”

Yi Fan looked at Mu Ting Xuan and said, “Fate is ever-changing. Who can say for sure? You shouldn’t take that fortune-teller’s words to heart.”

Mu Ting Xuan clenched his fists. “I know, but I just can’t let it go.”

They arrived at a small manor, and a young boy came out to greet them.

“Who are you looking for?” the boy asked.

“I’m here to see the great clairvoyant, Master Kuang Yi,” Mu Ting Xuan said coldly.

The boy frowned. “Master has been retired for many years. He stopped reading fortunes eight years ago. Please leave.”

Mu Ting Xuan sneered. “Stopped reading fortunes? Just like that? Why would he suddenly stop?”

“Master said he’s revealed too many heavenly secrets, which has affected his blessings,” the boy replied.

Mu Ting Xuan smirked. “Is your master worried about revealing secrets or afraid that his fraudulence will be exposed? Or maybe he thinks he’s scammed enough fools and wants to retire while he’s ahead?”

“How dare you!” The boy glared angrily at Mu Ting Xuan.

Mu Ting Xuan shot him a cold look. “Move aside.”

The boy glared but said nothing as Yi Fan stepped forward and kicked the door open.

“Let’s go in,” Yi Fan said, turning to Mu Ting Xuan.

Mu Ting Xuan nodded. “Alright.”

The boy became flustered. “Master is resting! You can’t go in!”

Inside the courtyard, a middle-aged man sat in a wheelchair, staring at a chessboard. Seeing Mu Ting Xuan enter, the man looked up and stared at him.

“Who are you?” Kuang Yi asked.

Mu Ting Xuan fixed his gaze on him. “Senior, you truly forget easily. The moment I was born, you determined my fate. I’ve hated you for more than ten years, yet you don’t even recognize me.”

Kuang Yi studied him carefully. “You’re… Mu Ting Xuan?”

“So you do remember me! Then do you also remember the prophecy you gave when I was born?” Mu Ting Xuan crossed his arms and asked.

Kuang Yi’s expression darkened, and he said nothing.

“Are you here to cause trouble?” Kuang Yi asked bluntly.

Mu Ting Xuan smirked. “Senior, you’re so skilled at divination. You predicted I would bring calamity to my entire family. And sure enough, your prophecy came true. Since your foresight is so sharp, can’t you guess why I’m here today?”

“We fortune-tellers do not read our own destinies,” Kuang Yi sighed.

Mu Ting Xuan stared at him coldly. “I’m not a fortune-teller, but I can tell you this much—you’re reporting to the King of Hell today.”

“Revealing too many heavenly secrets does indeed invite retribution. I foresaw this day coming, but not so soon,” Kuang Yi replied.

“I came here to ask, were those ‘heavenly secrets’ truly destined for me, or did someone instruct you to say so?” Mu Ting Xuan demanded.

Kuang Yi glanced at him. “If I tell you, will you spare my life?”

Mu Ting Xuan replied icily, “If you tell me, I’ll consider making your death a little quicker.”

Yi Fan tilted his head and said, “I’ve heard you have a lovely daughter, Senior. You must be worried about her bearing the consequences of your actions, given how many secrets you’ve revealed.”

Kuang Yi’s eyes shot to Yi Fan. “What do you mean?”

Yi Fan smiled faintly. “I heard that fortune-tellers can’t predict their own fates or those of their loved ones. Before coming here, I had someone read your daughter’s fortune. It turns out she’s destined to become a great villain who will bring about countless deaths. To prevent such a tragedy, perhaps I should take care of her in advance.”

“Ridiculous!” Kuang Yi shouted in anger.

Yi Fan looked at him calmly. “Ridiculous? You’re a fortune-teller. Don’t you believe in fate? The person I consulted is renowned for their accuracy—nine times out of ten.”

“And what about the remaining ten percent?” Kuang Yi retorted.

Yi Fan smiled. “Well, that’s unpredictable. Fate is ever-changing. How many things in this world are truly certain?”

Kuang Yi: “…”