Suotuo City was lively at night. There were people heading to the Soto Grand Spirit Fighting Arena to watch matches, as well as plenty of old men and women out for a stroll.
Though he rarely set up his stall, it had already become quite famous in Suotuo City. Sure enough, it wasn't long before an old man came over.
"Half-Immortal Ma, what are you doing here?"
Oscar looked up at him and flicked open his folding fan, gently fanning himself.
"Heavenly Eye Fate Reading. I can tell your fortune, career prospects, marriage prospects, and the blessings and misfortunes ahead."
The old man laughed and rolled up his sleeves.
"So you know everything?"
"The Great Way has fifty paths, but Heaven derives forty-nine. One escapes the net. I wouldn't claim I can tell every detail of every life under Heaven, but I can get eight or nine out of ten."
"Then tell my fortune in love. Let's see how capable you are."
"Money on the table, and I'll answer any question."
Oscar turned away and stopped looking at him.
The old man pulled a couple dozen Copper Soul Coins from his pocket and tossed them onto the table.
Oscar glanced at them and said calmly,
"That's enough to tell your fortune. For your marriage prospects... it isn't enough."
"Not enough?"
The old man had only come for a bit of fun. He wasn't a fool, and he reached for his money, ready to leave.
"Husband and wife are birds of the same forest, yet one may take flight before the other."
Oscar's calm voice stopped the old man in his tracks. He stared at Oscar in shock.
"How much do you want?"
"I don't want money. I want what's in your pouch."
Oscar closed his fan and pointed at the pouch hanging from the old man's waist.
The old man hesitated for a long while, but finally gritted his teeth and tossed the pouch to Oscar, his eyes flashing with menace.
"If you dare deceive me, I'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth and mince you into meat, no matter where you run."
Oscar took another folding chair from the bamboo basket and set it on the ground in front of the table, gesturing for the old man to sit.
Then he put six Soul Coins into the turtle shell, closed his eyes, and shook it gently.
Before long, the six Soul Coins fell onto the table, three heads and three tails.
Only then did Oscar look at the old man.
"You're not actually old—you're around fifty. You have a young son. You've hidden your identity to avenge someone, and you arrived in Suotuo City today. Do I need to tell you why you came here?"
The old man had already half believed this Master Ma. Even his family didn't know about the mask he used to conceal his identity, and even a Titled Douluo would have trouble seeing through it.
He could tell that the young man before him had only a little over twenty levels of Soul Power.
The only explanation was that the young man had some incredible means of knowing these things.
"Don't be too pessimistic. What happened to your wife isn't a bad thing. Wildfire can never burn it all away; the spring breeze brings it back to life!"
The old man raised his head, eyes wide, the muscles in his body tensing.
"I understand that Heaven's secrets shouldn't be revealed. You don't need to keep wondering whether this place is safe or suitable for him. Go and do what you need to do."
The old man rose uncertainly and reached out to take back his pouch.
"Your wife's and son's lives are worth more than that."
Oscar blocked the old man's hand with his fan.
"Why should I believe you'll keep this secret? And what did you mean about my son?"
"He has a master who seems to have plans of his own. I suggest you go and see for yourself.
"Poison can be useful, but too much of it harms the body. There's still time if you go now. Wait much longer, and your son may be ruined."
This time, the old man didn't reach for the pouch again. He snorted and hurried off.
The commotion had drawn the attention of the people nearby. Someone shouted,
"Master Ma is out!"
Before long, a crowd had gathered around him!
Men and women, young and old, all had different questions, and Oscar answered them one by one.
It wasn't difficult for him. Even setting aside his fortune-telling skills, if he couldn't see the answer, he could always visit the Inner Scene and ask.
As long as a question didn't involve him personally or the world's central fate, it was ridiculously easy to answer.
"Little Tiger, there are so many people over there. Want to go see what's happening?"
The Triplets' cheeks were flushed, their every expression alluring.
They surrounded a young man, their enticing feminine scent drifting into his nostrils and leaving him a little lightheaded.
The youth was about 1.7 meters tall and looked young—even younger than the three girls beside him. He had broad shoulders and a handsome face with a hint of determination.
His long golden hair fell loose down his back, almost reaching his waist.
His hair wasn't curly; it hung straight down.
The most striking thing about him, though, was his eyes: a pair of sinister double pupils.
"Let's go have a look."
His steps were a little unsteady. He supported the eldest and the third sister as they headed toward Oscar.
Pushing past the crowd of commoners, the young man squeezed his way to the front.
"If you want a reading from me, you have to follow the rules."
Oscar tapped the table with his closed fan.
Only then did the young man realize this wasn't a food stall. Everyone around them was waiting in line.
He might be lecherous, but he wasn't the kind of person who disregarded rules. He turned to leave with the three girls.
"Forget it. Meeting is fate. I'll give you my last reading of the day."
"Will this be enough?"
The young man tossed a pouch onto the table. Gold Soul Coins and Silver Soul Coins spilled out.
"That's all for today. If you're interested, come back tomorrow."
Oscar flicked both arms, and Soul Coins flew toward the surrounding crowd as if they had eyes.
The people who'd been angry but didn't dare complain—or who were just a little dissatisfied—immediately beamed and left with the money.
The young man's eyes lit up. Seeing all that money on the table, he'd assumed Oscar was greedy. He hadn't expected him to be such an interesting fellow.
"What would you like to ask about? Marriage prospects, career prospects, fortune, or misfortune?"
As he spoke, Oscar pointed his folding fan toward the chair in front of him, inviting the young man to sit.
After sitting down, the young man hesitated before speaking.
"Misfortune."
"That's an interesting way to test me. Your career, marriage, fortune, and misfortune—and even your wealth—are all bound together. The most important thing is your fortune and misfortune. Am I right, Third Prince Dai Mubai?"
Dai Mubai's muscles twitched, and he started to rise.
"Hey, don't get worked up. You don't think no one in the Heaven Dou Empire can recognize those eyes of yours, do you?"
Oscar reassured Dai Mubai, gesturing for him to stay calm.
"Running away isn't the best choice. You came here because you wanted to join Shrek Academy and become stronger, right?"
Dai Mubai answered with a quiet "Mm." He knew he wouldn't be able to hide for long, but he hadn't expected to be exposed so soon. He could only hope his pursuers wouldn't find him too quickly.
Oscar seemed to see right through his thoughts and tapped the table.
"Heh, you little tiger, you're so foolish it's almost adorable. Did you really think you could have made it this far on your own strength?
"The people tracking you have already been stopped by those secretly supporting you!"
Dai Mubai was a little annoyed, but didn't know how to argue. What the other man said... was probably true.
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