Lanterns bright as day

The family of five enjoyed a cheerful dinner together, then went about their own affairs until nightfall. Ding Songyan set up his wooden box again, lit the oil lamp, and prepared to work.

Ding Qingyan was very well-behaved that day. She did not ask him to tell another story, only chatted with him about what would happen next in the Legend of the White Snake before drifting off to sleep.

Sitting upright on the little wooden box, Ding Songyan did not immediately put brush to paper. Instead, he considered another question.

Taking the Secret Art he had acquired that day together with Yan Changqing's earlier behavior, he had reasonable grounds to suspect that this "powerful elder" was also an old swindler. His elaborate evasions might not have been solely because his life was at stake.

If even half of his background and experiences are true, that would be pretty good.

At the start, he tricked me into going to Beili Ward to wait for an opportunity because he wanted to draw me into the game. There's no doubt about that.

Could there be something wrong with the opportunity itself? Is Yan Changqing really skilled in the Art of Numerology?

If Ren Youyang weren't a disciple of the True Spirit Sect with a place on the Orchid Honor Roll, I'd suspect Yan Changqing had influenced his thoughts from afar when he visited the Zhen Estate, which was why he mentioned an "opportunity"... He could also be in league with Yan Changqing, though his behavior doesn't suggest it. Unless his guilelessness is all an act, so flawless I can't spot a single crack...

Wait. Although I didn't receive that Seed on the first day, could Yan Changqing have secretly influenced me, making me overlook the greatest danger and stake out Beili Ward for that opportunity?

Right, he planted the Seed regardless of my will. Why did he have to wait until the second day instead of doing it on the first? What if I'd been as timid as a mouse and never gone to Beili Ward, never entered the game?

Given his caution and predicament, he shouldn't have gambled on that. So he secretly influenced me on the first day, then waited until I discovered the Zhen Estate's evil intentions before planting the Seed. That would make his malice seem a little less severe and reduce my resistance to cooperating afterward...

It seems Yan Changqing really is skilled in the Art of Numerology. After all, he could deduce that I'd recently read the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Actually, I have doubts about that too. Why did he divine that I'd read the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas? Before then, I hadn't thought about that book's contents for a long time. If he really wanted to frighten me and get me under his thumb, wouldn't it have been better to divine that I'd taken over a body and been reborn? I was right in front of him. Deducing something relevant from my body and soul would clearly have made more sense.

Ding Songyan did not believe Yan Changqing could divine that he was a transmigrator through the Art of Numerology alone. After all, that involved another world. If Yan Changqing could truly expose that, he would rival the great gods of antiquity. How could he then have failed to foresee his own future and ended up imprisoned?

Even if such a mighty god had been grievously wounded until only a fingernail remained, Zhen Qianfan would not have dared take liberties with him!

As he pondered, Ding Songyan caught sight of Miss Xiaoqing out of the corner of his eye.

Her hair was arranged in two spiral buns that day. She wore a short green-and-white jacket with a front opening, a pale green pleated skirt, and a green silk sash around her waist. She looked fresh and charming indeed.

"Miss Xiaoqing, are you skilled in the Art of Numerology?" Ding Songyan asked hesitantly.

Xiaoqing walked slowly to the bedside and sat down, answering with puzzlement in her eyes:

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Then do you know anything about the Art of Numerology?" Ding Songyan pressed.

A faint smile appeared on Xiaoqing's face.

"A little, a little."

"When divining for someone face-to-face, what does the Art of Numerology deduce more accurately and easily?" Ding Songyan did his utmost to recreate the situation within the limits the Seed allowed.

Xiaoqing said in amusement:

"Don't tell me some fortune-teller swindled you? Nine out of ten of the diviners outside Dangkang Temple rely on sharp eyes and tricks.

"Hmm, in a face-to-face divination, predictions about marriages and funerals, your physical condition, and your fortunes over the coming month tend to be more accurate."

Ding Songyan frowned slightly.

"Could they work out which book I'd recently read?"

Xiaoqing's face instantly lit up with smiles.

"You really were swindled? I've never met a Perfected Person skilled in the Art of Numerology, so I don't know whether someone at that level could do it. Below that, at the very most, they could work out whether you'd recently read a storytelling book, a historical romance, a tale of marvels, or a martial arts manual.

"If it was a swindle, that would be simple. He'd asked about you beforehand, or perhaps his accomplice was the one who sold you the book."

A swindle... His accomplice sold it to me... Something suddenly stirred in Ding Songyan's mind, and a suspicion formed.

Could that rare edition of the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas have some connection to Yan Changqing?

Precisely because there's a connection, he could deduce it through the Art of Numerology.

If it really does have some connection to him, that also means it has some connection to the Zhen Estate... Could that explain the Zhen Family's slightly unusual behavior regarding the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas? For instance, how they seem unconcerned, attach little importance to it, and never follow up...

Ding Songyan felt his mind had cleared considerably, and turned his attention back to writing his story.

Miss Xiaoqing was still waiting!

Her remark had enlightened him so much that he had almost said, "Meeting you, Miss Xiaoqing, must be a blessing I cultivated over several lifetimes." She had provided so much useful information and experience.

But he certainly could not say something like that aloud. It would border on flirting.

Ding Songyan merely praised her:

"Miss Xiaoqing, you really are the all-knowing scholar of the martial world. You know everything."

Unable to hide her satisfaction, Xiaoqing smiled.

"It's just that, besides historical romances and tales of marvels, I also love hearing martial lore, stories from the martial world, and all sorts of rumors.

"I don't just listen to storytellers. I also beg my father, my aunt, my Second Uncle, my eldest brother, my cousin, my younger martial uncle, my senior martial uncle, my grandmaster and his wife, and my senior martial brothers and sisters to tell me stories..."

She counted off a finger for each source of information she named. Toward the end, she nearly ran out of fingers and had to group them in pairs.

Such a child at heart... Rather adorable, too... Ding Songyan shook his head, inwardly amused.

That day, he needed to write the part where Xu Shilin and the ruler of the Maiden Kingdom obtained the Kui Ox Orb. To ensure he could finish telling it in a single morning, he included only three trials. Two came from animated films he had watched and blockbuster games he had played over the past few years: Tiger Vanguard blocking their way, and Yellowbrow posing as the Buddha. The third was the Mirage Dragon Illusion, which he had specifically devised to deepen the bond between the male and female leads.

Naturally, to demonstrate the Wuqu Star's talent and valor, Xu Shilin would not run around seeking reinforcements and help. He and the ruler of the Maiden Kingdom joined forces, beating Tiger Vanguard into Charcoal Vanguard and blasting Yellowbrow into Scorchedbrow. Within the Mirage Dragon Illusion, the two understood the karma of their past lives: one had been the heavenly Wuqu Star, the other Jade Pool Crimson Grass, once tended and watered by the Wuqu Star, who had deliberately descended to be reborn in the mortal world so they could become husband and wife.

"Wonderful! How dare a stinking tiger demon block their way!" Xiaoqing read page by page, offering comments on each one.

When she reached the part where Xu Shilin swallowed the Kui Ox Orb and ascended to heaven in a single step, she set down the papers in satisfaction. Looking at Ding Songyan, who sat turned sideways, she rolled her eyes thoughtfully and said with a smile:

"Second Brother Ding, what do you think the Zhen Estate is trying to do by dragging things out?"

Oh, a response. This is probably something one of Miss Xiaoqing's elders wants to ask... Ding Songyan did not dwell on what he had "forgotten," and only spoke of what he still remembered:

"Perhaps what the Zhen Estate wants in exchange isn't money, but help at a critical moment. Whoever is willing to help then will be able to achieve their goal."

He stressed the words "critical moment."

Xiaoqing nodded as though only half understanding, then said with a pronounced smile:

"Second Brother Ding, I've suddenly realized that you're a little... hmm, someone who hides his depths."

"Without martial arts, it's all for nothing." Ding Songyan took the opportunity to reply.

Whether Xiaoqing heard the meaning beneath his words was unclear. She stood and pointed at the window frame covered with oiled paper.

"I'm heading back."

"I'll go outside to enjoy the cool air too." Ding Songyan quickly packed away his brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and other things.

"Do you need help?" Xiaoqing stopped with a smile.

"No, I've already told my family." Ding Songyan put away the box, left the west wing, opened the door to the main room, and locked it from outside.

He did the same with the courtyard gate.

He was not worried about how his family would escape if a fire happened to break out-the door was locked, but it probably could not withstand a single punch from his eldest brother.

Xiaoqing was already in Chengyu Lane, her maid waiting at her side.

"It's lovely and cool all the way from your place to Fengshui Bridge." Xiaoqing mentioned it again in the tone of someone sharing a treasured discovery, then led the way.

Could it be cool because wandering ghosts often pass through? Ding Songyan looked left and right, but still did not trigger his Yin Eye.

His main reason for coming out to "enjoy the cool air" that day was actually to find a way to use his Yin Eye reliably. In his current predicament, although he did not know whether it would prove useful later, he still had to try. Every little bit of help counted.

The night breeze dispelled the daytime heaviness and humid heat. Ding Songyan and Xiaoqing strolled through streets and lanes, beneath shady trees and beside flowing water, chatting about all manner of martial-world anecdotes.

Before they knew it, Fengshui Bridge came into view. Its night market would not disperse until the third watch. Bright lanterns in red, orange, pink, and yellow hung everywhere, while lovesick men and wistful women floated colorful boat-shaped lanterns by the water. Though it was not the Lantern Festival, shimmering colors filled the scene, bright as day.

Gazes both obvious and discreet turned toward Xiaoqing. She seemed not to notice, merely smiling at Ding Songyan.

"Don't get too close to Ren Youyang."

"Isn't he a pretty good person?" Ding Songyan asked in puzzlement.

Are the two factions on bad terms? Hmm, Miss Xiaoqing's side isn't even from Great Zhao...

Xiaoqing lightly swung her hands and said with a cheerful smile:

"He is. It's just that he has quite a reputation.

"At any moment, he might tell you, 'Life is short, and we never know when we'll die, so we should indulge ourselves. Second Brother Ding, let me take you to Qin Tower for some fun,' or 'Life is short, and we never know when we'll die, so we should indulge ourselves. Second Brother Ding, let me take you to an Unveiled Assembly,' or 'Life is short, and we never know when we'll die, so we should indulge ourselves. Second Brother Ding, why not try being with a man? Why not give me a try? Or let me give you a try'..."

The young woman imitated Ren Youyang's tone with uncanny precision.

"Uh..." Ding Songyan's mouth twitched slightly. "Surely he's not that outrageous?"

"Who knows?" Xiaoqing's voice rose playfully, her smile radiant.

After chatting a little longer, they reached this end of Fengshui Bridge. The night market was neither crowded nor deserted.

"I'm going this way. What about you?" Xiaoqing pointed in one direction.

"I need to head back." Ding Songyan felt there were too many people here, which interfered with his attempts to activate his Yin Eye.

Before Xiaoqing could say goodbye, he turned toward a peddler, took out fifteen copper coins, and bought three skewers of candied hawthorn.

He first handed one to Xiaoqing and said sincerely:

"Miss Xiaoqing, the truth is, I've deliberately drawn you out these past few days to gather information. I wouldn't presume to call this skewer of candied hawthorn an apology gift. I just don't want you to feel hurt by it."

Xiaoqing froze for a moment, then her smile suddenly blossomed like thousands upon thousands of pear trees bursting into bloom. Even Ding Songyan lost himself in the sight for an instant.

She took the candied hawthorn and happily licked it.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you those things myself."

Ding Songyan let out a relieved breath and offered another skewer to the maid.

"There's one for me too?" The little maid was very surprised.

"Thank you for all the time you've spent waiting outside for Miss Xiaoqing these past few days," Ding Songyan said gently.

Xiaoqing nodded and told the maid:

"Go ahead and take it."

Only then did the little maid accept the candied hawthorn, an unmistakable smile on her face.

With her maid in tow, Xiaoqing waved goodbye to Ding Songyan, beaming as she headed toward the Tianyang Guildhall.

Eating his candied hawthorn, Ding Songyan turned around and returned to the other side of Fengshui Bridge, back to where the late night was quiet and deserted.

He tried again and again, but still could not activate his Yin Eye.

"Something unreliable can't be factored into my plans at all..." Ding Songyan pondered as he walked.

Suddenly, he thought of a possible solution:

The Seed Yan Changqing gave me can pierce illusions when placed in the eyes. If I combine it with my unreliable Yin Eye, could that bring a change for the better and make the Yin Eye stable?