A gentleman remained diligent throughout the day, vigilant as if facing danger in the evening, and thus avoided blame. The third line of the Qian hexagram was, overall, auspicious.
"Remaining diligent throughout the day" emphasized maintaining an unceasing spirit of self-improvement and working tirelessly during the day.
"Being vigilant as if facing danger in the evening" required one to remain alert at night, reflect on one's actions, and avoid danger brought about by negligence.
"Avoiding blame" meant that through persistent effort and caution, calamity could be avoided.
After listening to Sheng Bai's interpretation of the line, Vincent did not react much.
He took a sip of tea and surveyed the tea house once more.
"Mr. Bai, I like this place very much."
Sheng Bai frowned, a trace of confusion in his eyes. His fingers lightly tapped the tea table. "Mr. Wayne, many years ago, I once cast a hexagram for you."
Vincent withdrew his gaze and met his eyes directly. "What was the result?"
"The first line: Hidden dragon, do not act." Sheng Bai abruptly stopped tapping. "In just seven years, you have gone through both the stages of building strength in obscurity and rising to prominence. Western prophecy truly has its own unique merits."
Every hexagram had its own cycle. Depending on what was being calculated, it could last only a few days or as long as several decades.
What Sheng Bai had calculated was a major event capable of affecting the future. Even counting the extra time afforded by the Time-Turner, only seven years had passed. Vincent's growth had simply been far too rapid.
"Mr. Bai, you seem to be worried about something?"
Sheng Bai gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Mr. Wayne, your fate is exceptionally unusual. I can calculate your future, but I cannot calculate your past."
If he could calculate matters from Vincent's previous life, then he truly would be divine.
Vincent's lips curled slightly. "Mr. Bai, I can roughly guess what you are worried about. By Eastern standards, I am merely an inexperienced young man. It is perfectly normal for you not to trust me."
Having his thoughts seen through did not embarrass Sheng Bai in the slightest. A flash of approval crossed his puzzled gaze. "Mr. Wayne, you now possess the power to influence the future. I have no choice but to be extremely cautious."
His seat faced north, which belonged to water and symbolized wisdom and wealth. In the Eight Trigrams, it corresponded to the Kan hexagram, signifying hidden depths and pressing forward amid danger.
Logically speaking, water and fire were incompatible, and this conversation should have ended on bad terms.
Yet that had not happened in reality, at least not so far. It made Sheng Bai recall Vincent's conduct in Dragon Fort City.
From doubt to approval, trust had already taken root deep within him. It was not much, but it was enough to become a variable.
Once Sheng Bai had poured the second infusion of Da Hong Pao, Vincent's gaze suddenly sharpened.
"Mr. Bai, whether or not I have your help, my plan will remain unchanged. I am confident that I can achieve my goal."
Sheng Bai quietly watched the steaming orange-red tea in the black porcelain cup. "Mr. Wayne, is the Succession Society's philosophy not too far ahead of its time?"
Vincent was not surprised that he had learned of it in advance. Being able to deduce the future was essentially the same as being half a prophet. "Mr. Bai, then do you believe it is right for the Wizarding World to hide in dark alleys and stagnate for centuries?"
Sheng Bai raised his head to meet Vincent's azure eyes, but said nothing.
"I think it is wrong. The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy has trapped wizards in the past, while Muggles have continuously advanced their technology over these centuries. In some fields, they are practically more magical than magic itself in wizards' eyes."
Before the Magical Communicator was created, wizards relied on owls for ordinary communication. Instant communication devices made by Alchemists had never become widespread because of their cost.
Then there was spaceflight. Apollo 11 had successfully landed humans on the moon twenty-six years earlier. In extraterrestrial exploration, wizards could only be described as primitives.
There was also the first nuclear bomb from half a century ago. Its successful detonation had filled wizards with fear.
There was no need to mention finance. Gringotts Wizarding Bank was woefully inefficient: customers had to visit the counter in person to conduct business, and interbank transfers were impossible. If the goblins suddenly wanted to do something exciting, such as freezing wizards' assets and vaults, the entire Wizarding World would descend into chaos.
This was only the 1990s. The Muggle world would see more and more technological advances in the future. If wizards continued arrogantly believing that Muggle technology was nothing more than "moving toys" and refused to confront the gap between their societies, then sooner or later, they would pay the price.
Sheng Bai was silent for a long time. The words reached his lips countless times, only to be swallowed back.
His gaze dimmed, and he finally spoke softly. "Mr. Wayne, you are making an enemy of the entire Wizarding World. The challenge you face is greater than the one Mr. Grindelwald faced back then. If you fail..."
Vincent knew the consequences, but his eyes remained resolute. "I will face greater challenges. Accordingly, the opportunities will be greater as well."
He leaned forward slightly, his determined gaze clear as water and utterly free of impurity. "The prejudice and hostility between wizards and Muggles exist because there is no bridge of communication. I have already brought technology into the Wizarding World. Next, I will bring magic into the Muggle world."
Magic would bring revolutionary progress to areas vital to everyday life, such as medicine, energy, and environmental protection. His partnership with Hunter to establish a special unit dedicated to handling magical affairs was an excellent opportunity.
Sheng Bai lightly tapped the tea table with his fingers.
Hexagrams were not fixed; they changed with the passage of time and the development of events.
To him, joining the Succession Society was a huge gamble. Before making his decision, he needed to test whether Vincent was qualified.
The result spoke for itself. Whether in character or temperament, Vincent was worthy of his gamble.
A world where wizards stepped out of the dark alleys and peacefully coexisted with Muggles was truly stirring.
Sheng Bai stopped tapping and extended his hand to Vincent. "Mr. Wayne, the Asian branch's strength may be small, but I sincerely hope it can become an aid to you."
Vincent smiled and shook his hand. "It certainly will, Mr. Bai."
With the serious business concluded, the two began discussing personal matters.
Sheng Bai had already been very curious about Vincent, and after meeting him face-to-face, he became even more curious.
He was so mature and steady at such a young age. Even if their talks had truly broken down today, Sheng Bai would still have greatly admired the young man before him.
Vincent was also very curious about Hong Kong's Wizarding World—or, more precisely, the mysterious Wizarding World of the mainland.
"The mainland..." Sheng Bai's eyes were full of nostalgia. "How should I put it? The Wizarding World there is actually everywhere. There are many names for wizards there, such as fangshi, Daoists, sorcerers, and so on. Every province and city has at least one small gathering place."
Because the land was vast, and because dietary customs and lifestyles varied by region, the Wizarding World of the mainland was scattered throughout the country. Many wizards even lived in seclusion within major Muggle cities.
The old man exercising in the park downstairs every morning might be a wizard, and the middle-aged woman haggling over a few cents at the market might also be a wizard. On the contrary, most self-proclaimed masters who claimed to slay demons and vanquish monsters were Muggle frauds posing as such.
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