The Fool, The World

With immense surprise and anticipation, someone blurted out their question, "Master, how can I make money fast?"

Klein was contemplating how to swindle the person opposite him when they suddenly heard this question. He nearly choked on his own saliva, thinking, If I knew that, would I still need to be doing fortune-telling for you?

"Cough, cough, cough, guest, your question is too offensive. Money and wealth are the domains of Goddess Waukeen, and we fortune tellers pursue the smile of Goddess Tyche."

"Oh, is that so." The person's expression immediately turned cold, as if performing a Sichuan Opera face-changing act, which was quite magical.

Since he was already here, Zhang Yuan decided to ask something anyway. "Hey, you there, can you tell my fortune?"

Even with Klein's extensive experience, he was barely not angered to death. This person was too realistic – a master if they had money, and just some nobody if they didn't.

Staring at the other person, the fortune teller said word by word, "That will be one silver coin."

Zhang Yuan was unhappy. "Can't you make it cheaper?"

Seeing that Klein had closed his eyes, he still reluctantly took out a silver coin and handed it over.

Snatching the silver coin, Klein's face showed a slight smile. However, Zhang Yuan felt it had a rather ill-intentioned look to it.

"Then in what form would you like to receive your divination?"

"There are different forms? Can I choose multiple? Can I get a combo meal?" the person asked shamelessly.

Klein wished he could use the crystal ball beside him as a meteor hammer. But then again, this crystal ball was worth more than one silver coin, and what if this guy extorted him for medical fees?

With great effort, he suppressed the impulse in his heart and calmly said, "Every divination method leaves a trace on the river of fate. If it is interfered with by multiple divination methods simultaneously, no one can guarantee whether fate will deviate from its original course."

Hearing what the other person said, although he didn't quite understand, it sounded very reasonable, so he dropped it. "Then what divination methods are you skilled at?"

Speaking of this, Klein's spirits rose. "You should ask me what I'm not skilled at. Whether it's pendulum divination, tarot cards, coin divination, or magic mirror divination, they are all divination methods I commonly use."

"Then tarot cards," the person said, unwilling to admit he thought of a certain pyramid scheme organization from his previous life.

"Please draw a card that you believe represents yourself. Note that this is closely related to your fate," Klein said solemnly.

Without even thinking, Zhang Yuan directly drew The Fool card and slapped it onto the table. "This one, The Fool!"

The fortune teller's expression was calm as he glanced at The Fool card. "Your fate is rather peculiar. If you wish for me to tell you the true interpretation, you must not get angry."

Afraid it's going to be that "I see a dark aura around your forehead" routine again, Zhang Yuan thought.

"Alright, I grant you impunity," the person said grandly.

Hearing this, Klein's nostrils flared. "Then listen carefully. The meaning of The Fool is that you are an idiot, beyond saving?"

"??? 'Oh? This card was chosen by me for you, are you sure?'"

"For me? Wait, cough, cough, The Fool is the beginning and the end of all tarot cards, representing infinite possibilities," the fortune teller began to explain earnestly. "It also carries meanings such as being unique, lucky, yearning for freedom, and having an artistic temperament."

As he spoke, he felt something was wrong. "This card was drawn by you, how did it become representative of me? How can you draw a card for someone else?"

"You were the one talking nonsense first, how about giving me back my silver coin?" Zhang Yuan also refused to back down.

"Fine, draw another one, and I promise I won't joke around anymore."

"This one, The World," the person continued to play the role of a pyramid scheme leader.

This time, Klein seriously picked up the card and explained, "The World card, this is a card symbolizing permanent and continuous success. You are already at the threshold of success, and as long as you persist patiently, you will be able to embrace the joy of that success."

Then the tone shifted. "However, it is also very possible that due to great obstacles on your path or your own lack of preparation, you will end up in failure."

I knew it, Zhang Yuan thought to himself. Just as expected, it's the 'suppress first, then uplift' tactic again. He deliberately pretended to be awestruck. "Then, Master, do you have a way to reverse such fortune?"

Seeing the other person's respectful demeanor, Master Klein felt a sense of triumph. However, things were not that easily resolved. "Interfering with mortal fate is not an easy task. Even for someone like me who can glimpse the river of fate, I must rely on the assistance of a fortune-turning ritual."

Zhang Yuan found it increasingly familiar. "Then, Master, can you perform this ritual for me?"

"A fortune-turning ritual isn't that simple. The sacrifices alone are extremely rare and expensive," the Master began to set his trap. "For example, one ritual requires capturing a deep-sea diving squid to offer to heaven."

"A squid offering to heaven, how cruel. Are there other types of rituals?"

With interest piqued, Klein spoke enthusiastically, "Do you know that there are four mainstream methods for fortune-turning rituals?"

"How much money can you scam with this ritual?" Zhang Yuan asked abruptly.

"Only seven or eight gold... no, I didn't scam you." The Master, having misspoke, tried to recover.

Klein's face turned red, veins popping on his forehead as he argued, "How can turning one's fortune be called scamming? This is the price that must be paid for interfering with fate."

"Heh heh." Zhang Yuan got up and left, too lazy to even get his silver coin back.

Emerging from the tent, Zhang Yuan felt a bit dejected. It wasn't because of the wasted silver coin, but rather, with such a large market, if all the "masters" were like this, how would he ever find that prophet?

Still not giving up, he continued to frequent the tents with fortune-telling signs, visiting "masters" with varied appearances, genders, prices, divination styles, tools, and even scamming routines. He experienced countless non-mainstream performance arts involving drawing cards, tossing coins, and even shamanic dances.

However, these masters were all basically aiming for one target – his wallet.

Disappointment, and then more disappointment. Perhaps it was five years too early, and the prophet hadn't moved to Baldur's Gate yet?

Looking at an ordinary-looking tent before him, Zhang Yuan still stepped inside. Since he was here, after all.

As soon as he entered, he heard a voice, "Please come back tomorrow. I've already used up my divination spells for today."

Surprise always comes when you least expect it. Zhang Yuan, who had no hope, knew upon hearing this that he had probably found the right person.

That prophet in the game had a rule: he only performed one divination for others each day.

With his mind made up, Zhang Yuan didn't pester. He directly inquired, "Then, Master, may I occupy your divination quota for tomorrow?"

The other party didn't refuse, only saying, "One gold per prophecy, five silver as a deposit."

Dutifully handing over the money, the person who was left with less than four gold felt a pang in their heart.

"Come early tomorrow, so I can rest early too." This was the sentence they got for five silver coins.

Leaving the fortune teller's tent, Zhang Yuan stared hard at its location, memorizing it.

By now, the sky outside had darkened. Famished, Zhang Yuan hurried towards the team's encampment. He'd eat dinner at the mess hall; every little bit saved was a bit saved.

Ahem, a new month has arrived, dear readers. Could I humbly request your investment~

Thanks to Ben Qiu Ka Bi for the tip!