Observing the Stars

With the New Year approaching, the roads were crowded with pedestrians, and there were plenty of opportunities to make money.

Fortunes, marriages, moving into new homes—those were merely the basics. They could also calculate all kinds of auspicious dates, with their fees determined by how their customers were dressed.

This spot was excellent. Neither Xu Cheng nor Yin Song wanted to move again, so they simply sat together.

Two Taoist priests sitting shoulder to shoulder, each running his own stall, was quite a rare sight. Someone passing by asked them, "Are you two together?"

They both shook their heads. "No."

"Then which one of you is better?"

Xu Cheng said nothing, but his face was full of pride. Stroking his beard, he merely smiled without speaking.

Yin Song was gentler, though equally confident. "Choose according to your own first impression, sir. We Taoists believe in fate."

The customer immediately chose Yin Song.

Perhaps the sight was too amusing, or perhaps this location truly was that good. Business kept coming in. Only when the sky gradually darkened, stars glittered one after another at the horizon, and the streets had nearly emptied of pedestrians did the two slowly pack up their things.

By coincidence, their residences were not far apart, so they headed back together.

Xu Cheng looked up at the twinkling stars. Thinking of the doubts that had troubled him lately, and seeing from Yin Song's face-reading and divinations today that he was indeed capable, he thought perhaps he could ask him.

So Xu Cheng cleared his throat. Once Yin Song looked over, he stopped and pointed at the stars overhead. "Lord Yin, have you observed the stars lately?"

Yin Song said, "It is winter now. Winter Official is on duty."

Xu Cheng smiled at that, a trace of mockery flashing