Three Fires Upon the Shoulder: Fortune, Rank, and Longevity

Tonight, Qiu Yan first crippled Song Nu's cultivation, then sent Biying away. Immediately afterward, taking advantage of stabilizing Heroic Soul, he captured three Life Cultivation experts in one fell swoop, shocking and frightening away two Living Soul.

Establish authority!

With so many things having happened, it is now late at night, the moon is high in the sky, and ordinary families have long since gone to bed.

But Zhang Zhen happened to arrive at this time. Judging from his appearance, he was in a hurry and his clothes were disheveled. It was obvious that as soon as he heard the news of Qiu Yan's return, he put aside other things and rushed over immediately.

From these details, Qiu Yan could tell how anxious and hurried Zhang Zhen was this time, and thus realized that the other party must have encountered considerable trouble and needed his help.

With many thoughts running through his mind, Qiu Yan said, "Speak slowly."

"This is too urgent. I've been staying in Qingchang County for the past two weeks, just waiting for you to return so I could come over..." At this point, Zhang Zhen realized he had indeed been a bit presumptuous. Qiu Yan had just returned from a long journey and hadn't even had a chance to rest. His arrival in the middle of the night was rather disturbing. "Look at me, I was so anxious that I didn't notice the time. Please don't blame me, brother."

He apologized, and Qiu Yan took the opportunity to inquire further.

Zhang Zhen then revealed the reason. "In the past month, things have been very strange in Yuanning City. First, several houses collapsed for no reason, causing many deaths and injuries. Then, a plague broke out. Fortunately, the prefect handled it well, controlled the epidemic, opened the Beneficence Granary and Ever-Normal Granary, and mobilized wealthy households, which helped us get through the crisis. Who would have thought that as soon as the epidemic was over, the prefect and the wealthy households who did good deeds all fell ill!"

Qiu Yan listened thoughtfully and said, "I suppose your father is one of these wealthy families."

Zhang Zhen nodded and said, "That's right. My Zhang Family does business on a regular basis, and although we have some shady dealings, we still understand right and wrong. We never hesitate to spend money when it's necessary, otherwise we'll lose face. If we live a carefree life in this one, we'll be free in the next."

He spoke of his family's troubles with a worried expression, "This time, something strange happened. All the officials and merchants involved fell ill, and despite seeking medical help, their condition didn't improve. People in the neighborhood say it's because they've offended the gods. So, I invited a Daoist priest to perform a ritual, but before he could even begin, he fell ill and lost consciousness. That's when we realized how serious it was!"

Hearing this, Qiu Yan knew that things were far from simple. Thinking of the void left by Yin Xiao'e's departure and the resulting lack of Divine Path in Yuanning Prefecture, he couldn't help but say, "Since even the Daoist priests performing rituals have been affected, this is indeed no ordinary matter. However, perhaps it's due to feng shui. Why not take Uncle away from the prefectural city and find another place to recuperate? Perhaps a different location can dispel the Evil Qi."

Zhang Zhen sighed and shook his head, "It's not like no one has thought of this method. Two families took their patients out of the city, but as soon as they left the city, the patients suddenly died!"

At this point, he suddenly bent over and began to cough violently!

The servant who was following him quickly stepped forward. He patted his back and pressed his shoulders, and began to knead him. As the servant moved, his bones cracked, clearly indicating that he had a certain level of martial arts skill.

Upon seeing this, Qiu Yan's heart stirred. Although he stood still, his Living Soul quietly Spirit Projection. As soon as the Living Soul emerged, the Heavenly Soul mist within it spread and enveloped Zhang Zhen in an instant.

Suddenly, three sparks appeared on Zhang Zhen's shoulder.

Fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

Humans have Three Souls, each different and connected to their Fortune. Ordinary people, without cultivation, cannot sense them. However, Qiu Yan has condensed his Heavenly Soul and can know fortune and misfortune. Although he has not studied this method in detail and his application is not yet proficient, after Spirit Projection, the smoke of his Heavenly Soul covers a certain area, allowing him to see the fortune and longevity of others and remotely sense their gains and losses.

Upon closer inspection, Qiu Yan immediately noticed something amiss.

The Three Shoulder Flames Zhang Zhen's shoulders flickered erratically. The Fortune Flame of his official position was dim and showed signs of going out. The other two flames also appeared to be floating, as if shrouded in mist. This was a sign that his foundation was unstable.

"It seems someone is eyeing the Zhang Family's wealth."

The greatest truths are the simplest. Sometimes, things that seem complicated can be dealt with once the key is found, the priorities can be distinguished, the details can be clarified, and the solution can be found.

With a change of heart, Qiu Yan gathered the Heavenly Soul Mist, and his Living Soul returned to his body.

Just then, Zhang Zhen also stopped coughing, but his face was flushed red, and he looked like he was struggling to catch his breath.

But disregarding everything else, Zhang Zhen was about to speak when Qiu Yan stopped him.

"Brother Zhang has explained the general course of events. Rushing things won't solve the problem right now. Why don't you calm down, organize your thoughts, and then recount the whole story in detail so that nothing is missed? This way, you might even notice any areas you Original Edition overlooked."

As soon as Qiu Yan finished speaking, a "whooshing" sound suddenly came from the kitchen.

"The water I boiled has come to a boil. Brother Zhang, please go to the study and sit down. Your illness Innocence's no need for medicine, you're likely to be well."

Sometimes, if you don't overthink your illness, it can heal itself without medication.

Qiu Yan's words carried a calming power. Although Zhang Zhen was anxious, he gradually calmed down after hearing these words and was helped into the study by his servants.

Qiu Yan then went into the kitchen.

The Stove Fire was burning, but there was no water boiling. However, Qiu Yan picked up the cooking utensils, drew water from the air, and placed it on the fire to steam. In just a moment, the water boiled.

"Zhang Zhen and I have a close relationship. He is currently in a state of mental turmoil. If he doesn't settle down soon, even if he overcomes the current crisis, he will suffer long-term consequences that will affect his lifespan."

After a slight pause, Qiu Yan's Spirit Projection Ascending Life, releasing the Classics Section Bookshelf. It spun in mid-air, its calming aura dissipating and landing in the teacup.

After doing all that, he poured water to make tea, found a tray, and carried it into the study.

This scene was witnessed by the longsword and Ancient Seal Script in the corner of the courtyard, which sent a chill down the spines of the two extraordinary spirits.

"Qiu Yan just captured several Three Souls experts, and now he's acting like nothing happened, drinking tea and chatting with others." The longsword's senses extended to the straw not far away, feeling the fluctuations of Qi and Blood beneath the straw, and a chill ran down his spine.

"See? This is the effect of Nature Cultivation. Even if Mount Tai collapses before you, your expression will not change!" Although the Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription were equally shocked, they would not let go of the opportunity to strike the longsword.

"What a joke!" the longsword retorted with a clang. "Don't forget how Qiu Yan subdued those three! That was genuine Life Cultivation skill! Besides, those two Nature Cultivation didn't even dare to make a move; they were scared away immediately!"

"You're too shallow," the Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription shook slightly, "You haven't seen any trace of Nature Cultivation in Qiu Yan's words and actions. Nature Cultivation doesn't just refer to physical cultivation; it also has the meaning of Cultivating Prestige and accumulating power..."

"I think you're just making excuses!"

Once the debate about longswords and Ancient Seal Script began, everything else was forgotten.

Meanwhile, in the study, after drinking tea, Zhang Zhen's emotions became calmer, and his complexion returned to normal.

"My father was seriously ill and beyond medical help. Unexpectedly, Sun Xingming, who was also ill, suddenly recovered. I went to inquire about it myself and learned that it was all because of one of your calligraphy works!"

"My handwriting?" Qiu Yan squinted.

Zhang Zhen's eyes lit up. "Indeed, Sun Xingming is a lover of calligraphy. Since seeing your calligraphy, he has visited twice, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unable to obtain it. So he asked me for two pieces. This time, he was seriously ill and thought he was incurable, so he gave up on seeking medical treatment and instead spent his days appreciating calligraphy and paintings. Unexpectedly, after seeing your calligraphy one day, his condition improved! My father followed the same method, and indeed, he recovered!"

At this point, he became excited.

"I've often heard that the ancients' calligraphy possessed a certain rhythm that could ward off evil and bring good fortune, and I thought it was just a fabrication. Now I know it's absolutely true! I suppose it's because when you write, the Way of the Sages flows from your heart through your brush that it has such an effect!"

He spoke too quickly, and before he could catch his breath, he started coughing again.

Qiu Yan shook his head inwardly; he knew his own situation best.

The characters on Zhang Zhen's hand were written by Qiu Yan when he practiced calligraphy. When he practiced calligraphy, he not only practiced calligraphy but also incorporated the Soul Dao, which can be regarded as a kind of Cultivation Method.

With each stroke of the pen, one must draw upon the memories of the text within one's soul, thus enhancing the spirit. Therefore, even if the practiced writing does not yet possess divine charm, it still contains Literary Qi. Even if it cannot mobilize the Force of Order, it can still barely achieve the purpose of protecting the gate and securing the home. However, over time, the spirit of the writing dissipates, and it will eventually become ordinary, unlike the timeless Sage and paintings of sages and Grand Confucian.

Sure enough, Zhang Zhen calmed his cough and continued, "After the incident with Sun Xingming, and with your reputation spreading throughout the Wuxin Literary Assembly, many patients, knowing I have your calligraphy, have been asking for it. Several officials have also sent people over, and out of politeness, I had to distribute all those pieces. Unexpectedly, after a few days, the remaining few pieces gradually withered and yellowed, and my father fell ill again..."

He sighed as he said this.

Qiu Yan thought for a moment before saying, "I'm not entirely sure of the reasons behind this, but from Brother Zhang's description, those words can at most only delay the onset of the illness, but they don't address the root cause and will ultimately be difficult to eradicate."

"How could I not know that? But there's no other way! I heard that you've Great Cheng calligraphy, brother, perhaps..." Zhang Zhen shook his head, his face ashen, his spirits gradually waning.

Seeing this, Qiu Yan frowned and said, "How about this, Brother Zhang, stay in Qingchang for the night. Tomorrow, I'll pack my bags and go to the prefectural city with you. If those few ink marks are really useful, we can write a few more then..."

"How can that be! You've just returned, and besides, Yuanning Prefecture is shrouded in Evil Qi these days. What if you go there and get tainted by the Evil Qi ..." Zhang Zhen shook his head repeatedly.

"If I didn't know, that would be fine. But now that I do know, how can I be so timid? Brother Zhang helped me back then, and the prefect also values him highly. It's only right and proper that I have to go."

"Sigh..." Zhang Zhen wanted to refuse, but thinking of his Bedridden father, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Seeing that he looked tired, Qiu Yan got up to see him off.

As Zhang Zhen and the others were leaving, a Sleep Bugs flew out of Qiu Yan's sleeve and stuck to Zhang Zhen.

"Yuanning Prefecture has indeed undergone a major change."

After closing the courtyard gate, Qiu Yan did not return to his study. Instead, he went straight to the corner of the yard, looked at the pile of straw, and said, "Now that you're all awake, stop pretending. Did you intend to ambush us and catch us off guard?"

P. S.: Thank you to "My Favorite Hatsune Miku" for the monthly vote and for all your continued support!