Chapter 19: Heavenly Mechanism

However, Xu Xian also understood that this Yu Xuanji must know some illusion techniques. But he could completely understand, such beauty in this bustling marketplace would surely cause no end of trouble, truly a case of beauty causing disaster, capable of toppling kingdoms.

Pan Yu once again took over the conversation to explain their purpose. Xu Xian thought to himself: These social matters should be left to this guy with maxed-out charm attributes. Meanwhile, Xu Xian leisurely sipped the tea on the table while observing the furnishings in the hall. The tea tables and chairs didn’t seem particularly remarkable, but they were arranged in an orderly manner, indeed possessing a unique elegance.

The most eye-catching thing in the hall was a large character for “Dao(道)” on the wall. Normally, Daoist temples would enshrine the Three Pure Ones or the Four Sovereigns in this position, but now there was only this single character “Dao,” its meaning unclear.

The conversation between Pan Yu and Yu Xuanji continued, having long departed from the original topic, ranging far and wide across all subjects, from Daoist classics to antiques and calligraphy. For the first time in Pan Yu’s life, she felt there was someone who could match her scholarship.

She involuntarily glanced at Xu Xian beside her, perhaps only this strange fellow! Though he seemed just an ordinary scholar, he could always come up with strange and wonderful ideas she had never heard before.

And he still owed her a story!

Yu Xuanji noticed Pan Yu’s glance but remained unmoved, taking a light sip of tea. As she lowered her head, she revealed a swan-like, fair neck, displaying the epitome of gentle elegance.

Xu Xian watched the two disaster-level “beauties” conversing, smiling faintly, complimenting each other. Anyone who didn’t know better might think they were lovers. Yet Xu Xian felt a hint of unnaturalness, as if behind every smile was a battle of wits. He shook his head, dismissing it as his own misconception.

Pan Yu had been using various topics to probe and guide the female Daoist, something she was extremely skilled at. The techniques from Guiguzi were fully displayed in her hands. Sometimes she would praise to increase goodwill, sometimes criticize to shake the other’s resolve, sometimes discuss profound and serious Daoist doctrines, sometimes casual talk of flowers, birds, fish, and insects.

But Pan Yu was disappointed to find it had no effect. The other’s eyes remained clear, her breath steady, clearly not someone who could be moved by words.

So she finally composed herself and came back to her senses, only to see that Xu Xian had already eaten half the snacks on the table and drunk half a pot of tea.

She smiled inwardly, he too was not someone who could be moved by words! Moreover, his frankness and directness made people instinctively put aside all schemes and interact with him with the same sincerity.

Yu Xuanji smiled and said, “It seems Young Master Xu really likes my tea snacks?” In her speech, she referred to herself as “I,” rather than using the term “poor Daoist” as most Daoists would.

Xu Xian quickly swallowed the snack in his mouth and praised, “Very delicious! Whoever marries you will be blessed.” At noon, he had been too busy chatting with Li Siming to eat properly, and now he was hungry. The snacks on the table were fragrant without being greasy, quite to his taste, and paired with the light, elegant chrysanthemum tea, his appetite had opened up without him realizing it.

But this compliment, though very common in modern times, was highly inappropriate when addressed to an ancient person, especially one who had renounced secular life. Xu Xian realized his mistake as soon as he spoke, but fortunately, Yu Xuanji didn’t seem angry. Instead, she said, “That’s good. If you like it, you can come and sit for a while more often.”

Pan Yu frowned inwardly. The woman before them seemed profound and unfathomable, but she appeared to favor Xu Xian greatly. Even meeting them both in her true form seemed to be because of Xu Xian’s words. But if one were to say Yu Xuanji had developed worldly feelings, Pan Yu would be the first to disbelieve it. As for the exact reason, she couldn’t figure it out.

Could it be that Xu Xian truly had an affinity with Daoists? This thought suddenly popped into Pan Yu’s mind, but she quickly dismissed it with a smile. How could she believe something so absurd?

“Daoist, it’s getting late, so we won’t intrude any longer. About the First Snow Festival?” Pan Yu stood up to take her leave while mentioning the purpose of their visit.

Yu Xuanji took a letter from her sleeve and said, “The date is in the letter.”

Pan Yu took the envelope and added, “Daoist, your divine insight is unfathomable. Could you perhaps read our fortunes?” She deliberately forgot the rule of three readings per day.

Yu Xuanji also seemed to forget her own rule and cheerfully said, “Why not! You have the signs of great wealth and nobility, but your yin energy is too strong, I fear your fate holds many tribulations. You still need to be careful.”

Such talk of great fortune with tribulations was something any fortune-teller would say, but the phrase “yin energy too strong” gave Pan Yu a shock. She smiled while intently watching Yu Xuanji.

Under her clothes, her body tensed slightly. If the Daoist showed any sign of seeing through her true nature, she would kill her on the spot. But Pan Yu couldn’t discern anything from that calmly smiling face. She could only quietly relax her body, thinking she was being too nervous.

Xu Xian joined in and asked, “What about mine?”

Unlike before, Yu Xuanji concentrated and looked into Xu Xian’s eyes, as if trying to see through them into his soul, making Xu Xian nervous as well.

After a long while.

“I can’t tell.”

Yu Xuanji said bluntly, leaving them both speechless. So all that staring was for nothing.

Yu Xuanji then smiled and said, “I’ve exhausted my power today. You can come back tomorrow for another look.”

Pan Yu blinked, raised the corner of her lips, and smiled, “Hanwen, you should come back tomorrow!”

Pan Yu and Yu Xuanji exchanged smiles, seemingly sharing some tacit understanding.

Xu Xian felt a chill. What was this eerie atmosphere? What was this hostility about? Was it his imagination? Not eating enough at noon really does cause hallucinations. Damn you, Li Siming, this is all your fault.

As they were leaving, Xu Xian suddenly asked curiously, “Um, Daoist Yu, can I ask you a question?”

“Oh, what question?”

“Is the child really that old man’s?” After asking, Xu Xian felt a bit embarrassed about his own gossipy nature. It would be perfectly reasonable to refuse such a question involving personal privacy. Weren’t doctors and lawyers in his previous life like that?

“Of course not!” Yu Xuanji replied matter-of-factly, with no intention of hiding anything.

Xu Xian was speechless. What kind of professional ethics was this? And don’t overturn your own fortune-telling results so quickly!

Xu Xian stammered, “That, that…”

“I was just deceiving him!”

Too direct, and without the slightest trace of guilt on her face, as if deceiving people was the most natural thing in the world.

Yu Xuanji continued, “Those who seek truth get truth, those who seek illusion get illusion. I’m sure Young Master Pan understands?”

Pan Yu smiled and shook her head, indicating she didn’t understand. In this small Daoist temple, before the beautiful Daoist, she smiled more than usual.

Xu Xian was also speechless. If the old gentleman were told the truth, it would surely be a tragedy! The unborn child would certainly never have a chance to be born, the concubine might be beaten to death, and even the old gentleman himself might have an unpredictable outcome in his anger. Happiness brought by lies versus unhappiness brought by truth, which is more precious?

Following the path they had come by, through the same bamboo grove, Xu Xian was surprised to find there was no bamboo grove at all, just several clumps of bamboo scattered around the courtyard. The staggered arrangement created an illusion of endlessness. This time, they walked only a short while, rounded a rockery, and reached the main gate, exiting the temple. Looking back, it was indeed just a small Daoist temple.

Inside the temple, Pan Yu gazed at the curling smoke from the incense burner, lost in thought.

“Master, that Xu Xian was suddenly so scary, and that Pan Yu is so beautiful! But not as beautiful as you.” The little girl patted her chest, seemingly still frightened. In the bamboo grove earlier, a sudden surge of scorching energy had almost made her lose control and reveal her true form.

Yu Xuanji gently patted the little girl’s head and smiled, “So young, yet already learning to flatter. Have you finished today’s lessons? And how many times have I told you, I’m not your master. Our sect’s methods can only be practiced by those with great fortune. I’m just your temporary guide.”

Sun’er shook her head and said, “Sun’er doesn’t want to practice any methods. Sun’er just wants to call you master! Besides, Sun’er is already several hundred years old, how can you say I’m young?” She knew in her heart that this brilliant master, who could calculate all heavenly mechanisms, had one major flaw, she loved to teach. Of course, the disciples she valued were very few.

Yu Xuanji simply smiled and let it go, instead cautioning, “These two are not ordinary people. Don’t provoke them lightly. Pan Yu’s fate pattern is extremely unusual, but there seems to be some treasure concealing it. I can only discern one or two tenths of it. As for that Xu Xian…” She paused, showing a thoughtful expression. “If I’m not mistaken, he should be your martial uncle.”

“Ah!” Sun’er covered her mouth. “Is he the one with great fortune you mentioned?”

“I can’t be certain,” Yu Xuanji shook her head lightly.

Sun’er had followed her for many years but had never seen her with such a puzzled expression. She couldn’t help asking, “Even you can’t be certain, master?”