Through the paper pasted over the door, they could just make out something glowing warmly as it drifted closer. It was a lantern, carried in someone's hand. A moment later, a young woman's voice sounded from outside. "Greetings, masters. Houye and Madam invite you to join them for a chat."
This had been arranged in advance, so they couldn't refuse. Besides, they were eager to speak with Zhennan Hou and learn more. The woman showed no sign of a slip, even after they probed her repeatedly.
When the door opened, a girl dressed as a maid stood outside. She was very young, probably not yet an adult, with pretty features and a lively air.
"Does Houye want us all to go together, or just the few who didn't meet him this afternoon?" Jiang Cheng asked casually, while watching the girl's reaction.
Apparently embarrassed by Jiang Cheng and the others staring at her, the girl lowered her head and bowed to them. "There's no need for all the masters to come along. Houye has ordered me to ask for your birth dates and times. He wants to choose those who are suitable."
At this, everyone shuddered. The Fatty even shot Jiang Cheng a furtive glance. In the story Jiang Cheng had told them, a group of pitiful fishermen had been seized by government troops dispatched by the Hou residence and taken to Spring God Lake to retrieve treasure. The so-called method of choosing them had been based on their birth dates and times.
From what they had pieced together later, the old fisherman had probably made it back alive because his birth chart didn't match the one the Celestial Master had calculated that night. After all, he was the only one added to the roster after the fact, taking the place