Chapter 485: A Place Where Feng Shui and Fate Converge

The elder held his tea, sighing repeatedly. Xu Qiuyue sat below, feeling somewhat awkward and uneasy.

Meanwhile, Song You and his young attendant sat together, each with a cup of snow pear[1] tea in hand. The two of them sipped their tea in near-perfect synchrony, as if one had deliberately copied the other.

Finally, the elder raised his head, his voice weak.

"Your name is...?"

"Oh!" Xu Qiuyue quickly lifted his head and answered respectfully, "My name is Xu Qiuyue[2]. These demons understand this well—

"Which is why they use illusionary arts to exploit it and harm others. You must be able to see through it."

"I’ll remember your teachings, immortal master..."

Xu Qiuyue trailed off for a moment. Then, his expression turned peculiar as he shook his head and admitted, "It was just as you said. Once I went down with the staff, I naturally understood how to make them talk."

"And what did you learn?"

"At first, they refused to answer. So I raised the staff to strike. When I hit two of them, their forms shattered—they turned into scorpions and snakes, writhing on the ground. The others were terrified, and only then did they finally speak."

Xu Qiuyue took a breath before continuing, "According to them, they originally lived in the grand courtyards of the Chen Dynasty palace and also within a well. They were both serpents and scorpions within the well that had cultivated into demons and palace maids who had drowned themselves, transforming after death.

"When they first gained consciousness, it was already the late Chen Dynasty. Later, they committed many wicked deeds within the palace. Though the world was in chaos at the time, the Chen Dynasty court still sought the help of a skilled master to seal them away. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, the well was filled in, and they escaped into the mortal realm."

Xu Qiuyue licked his lips, his throat dry. The elder gestured for him to drink his tea.

Understanding the silent cue, Xu Qiuyue took the cup and drank with proper etiquette, his every move precise and respectful.

Then, his expression suddenly changed.

"According to them... The next time they woke up was at the end of the previous dynasty. By then, without the imperial palace well to restrain them, their cultivation had grown stronger. They could now move freely between the wells of the mortal realm, though relocating still required some effort.

"No one could suppress them at that time, and they likely caused great harm. But then, chaos ended. The first emperor of Great Yan unified the world, ushering in a new dynasty.

"In an era of prosperity, they had neither the courage nor the strength to create more chaos. They drifted into an endless sleep.

"And now, now..."

Xu Qiuyue hesitated before finishing in a low voice, "Now, somehow... they have awakened once more."

The elder, who had been sitting at the seat of honor[3] of the room, visibly stiffened upon hearing this.

His gaze immediately swept around the room, making sure no unrelated servants were present before he finally relaxed slightly.

If word of this got out, the consequences would be disastrous.

"But... this is still an era of peace," the elder muttered.

"That was my thought as well."

The elder and the scholar simultaneously turned toward Song You.

The Daoist, however, turned to watch his young attendant half-drink, half-play with her cup of snow pear tea. He made no move to answer.

Seeing this, the elder quickly called for a servant from outside and instructed them to bring another cup of tea—a convenient excuse to send them away. Once the room was clear, he lowered his voice and asked, "Then why did these demons come specifically to the Xu family?"

"I asked as well," Xu Qiuyue replied, also lowering his voice. His choice of words became vague and careful. "They said that after waking, they found their old dwelling unsuitable and decided to move. In their hazy state, they sensed something unusual about this place...

"So, little by little, they made their way to Fuyao County. Then, upon reaching the city, they found this location to be the most unusual of all—and so, they settled here."

"This..." The elder froze in place.

The first thing that came to his mind was the strange influx of demons, ghosts and spirits that had been appearing one after another at the Xu family residence since the beginning of the year.

Could all of them have come for the same reason?

"How unusual..."

As he considered the possibility of impending chaos, his many years of experience and knowledge brought to mind various legends and stories—ones he had heard among the people and read in ancient texts and historical records—all surfacing in his mind one after another.

Whether in folk legends or official historical records, there are accounts of those extraordinary figures—be it legendary generals of the ages, virtuous ministers throughout history, sages who founded entire schools of thought, or even just an ordinary top scholar or prime minister. Both folklore and ancient texts often record the remarkable qualities of these individuals.

If they were not extraordinary by birth, then their place of birth itself was extraordinary.

It seemed almost like an omen, or perhaps a manifestation of destiny. And it wasn’t just renowned ministers and generals...

But beyond that—he dared not speak further.

The elder sat in stunned silence, his scalp tingling with unease. For the first time, he felt truly at a loss.

No matter how glorious the Xu family had once been, at its peak, it had only ever reached the rank of a second-grade official in the imperial court. A thousand years later, it was unlikely that even the name of that ancestor would be remembered. Now, the family had declined; no matter how prominent they were in Fuyou, they were merely considered a prestigious family within this county and commandery.

Such matters were far beyond his reach.

In his bewilderment and uncertainty, the old man instinctively turned to look at the Daoist beside him, seeking reassurance from the person he trusted most at this moment.

"Patriarch, please remain calm. It may simply be that your esteemed residence happens to occupy a place of great geomantic fortune," Song You said thoughtfully to the old man. "However, whether it is a site of auspicious feng shui or a convergence of destiny, the future will likely bring no shortage of supernatural disturbances.

"Even if your household is to benefit from the feng shui and inherit this fortune, you must first be able to remain here."

The elder's eyes flickered, deep in thought. Gradually, his mind cleared.

That made sense. A place where feng shui and fate converged naturally produced extraordinary individuals...

But such places attracted not only men of greatness. They also drew demons, ghosts, and evil creatures alike.

Calming himself, the elder turned his gaze upon his own sons.

Though he usually felt that his sons were quite decent—at the very least, they had been strictly raised, with no spoiled or frivolous heirs in the family—most of them were diligent in their studies and had some knowledge in their minds.

Even if some of them failed to maintain their composure when faced with the supernatural, they could hardly be blamed. They had already surpassed the vast majority of people, even most descendants of prestigious families.

But if the standard were to be raised to that level...

Let alone generals and ministers, even the talent of a top scholar was something the younger generation of the Xu family could not hope to reach.

And now, in less than half a year, the gathering of demons and spirits had already thrown the entire Xu household into utter chaos. If this continued, there was no telling what other strange occurrences might unfold in the future.

A servant entered, carrying a cup of snow pear tea. The elder instructed him to offer it to the young girl, then dismissed him before turning back to Song You. "Mr. Song, please advise us..."

"I have nothing more to advise. Whatever I needed to tell you, I have already said over the past two days." Song You paused briefly before continuing, "Since ancient times—without even mentioning other places—within my own sect, many elders have held differing views on the concepts of feng shui and destiny.

"Some believe that a land rich in geomantic fortune and destiny nurtures extraordinary individuals. Others argue that it is the birth of remarkable individuals that imbues a place with spiritual essence. Yet others believe that the two are interconnected, with no fixed distinction between cause and effect, or that their roles often interchange.

"Patriarch, follow your heart. You may strive for it, but you must not force it."

"You may strive for it, but you must not force it..."

Hearing this, the elder understood. Song You, too, acknowledged that this place was no ordinary land.

This was destined to be a difficult decision.

The elder pondered, his eyes dry with exhaustion.

"Then let’s discuss this tomorrow." He turned to Xu Qiuyue beside him. "Your parents are gone, but you are of the Xu family. From today onward, the Xu family is your home.

"Go back and gather your things. Move into the estate. Here, you’ll be freed from farm work and be closer to the ancestral residence. We also have a study hall—you can focus on your books. When you come of age, or if you pass your examinations, I will personally arrange your marriage for you."

"I’d be glad to..." Xu Qiuyue immediately accepted.

Whether for the sake of studying and seeking wisdom or for the sake of changing his fate, this was an opportunity beyond measure—one he would never dare to refuse.

"And Mr. Song..." The elder turned toward him again.

"It is late," Song You said, leaning on his bamboo staff as he rose. "You are of advanced age, Mr. Xu. You should rest early. I, too, should retire for the night."

"Allow me to escort you back to your room."

"There is no need."

"A few steps won’t trouble me."

Song You began walking, the young girl at his side still holding her teacup, as if it had fused with her face, following closely behind.

The elder, leaning on his staff, insisted on accompanying them. As they walked, he subtly tried to probe for more information.

But Song You was not Daoist Tiansuan, nor was this his area of expertise. He had nothing more to reveal.

"From what I see, the Xu family’s fear of demons and spirits has already diminished greatly. If you wish to keep your ancestral home and live here daily, you must never fear these beings, nor should you ever bow to them. Instead, you must have the courage and ruthlessness to fight against them. The Xu family already has this mindset."

Song You continued, "If you do not wish to leave and have the will to stand against these creatures, then I can offer some assistance."

The elder sighed and admitted, "To be honest, before you arrived, I had already considered moving. But the Xu family is large with too many people. Finding a suitable estate is no easy task, and moving would be a great hassle.

"Besides, I cannot bear to part with our ancestral home, passed down through generations. I cannot bear to abandon the honor of our forefathers. That is why I have delayed until now."

"You must understand—demons and spirits are not so difficult to deal with. An ordinary person, if they have courage and a sharp mind, can often exterminate them even without immortal tools."

"And the assistance you mentioned...?"

"Tomorrow, prepare some yellow paper. I can inscribe a few talismans that repel ghosts and ward off evil. Those who carry them will be protected from demonic harm."

Song You paused before adding, "However, from this day forward, your estate will not be free of disturbances. If you wish to drive out these creatures and reclaim your household’s peace, you must find your own ways to handle them."

"Mr. Song, you’re right..." The elder nodded solemnly.

Song You glanced at the sky. "Tomorrow is the fifteenth. That old woman will return."

Having reached the guest courtyard, he stopped at the doorway, lifted his head, and looked at the moon.

"I will prepare the talismans for what you will face during the day. As for the night, that will be out of my hands. You should consider how to keep her here. Think of it as one last trial for your household before we depart."

"Thank you, immortal master!" The elder bowed deeply in gratitude.

"You may go now."

"Rest well, immortal master."

With slow, measured steps, the elder leaned on his staff and made his way back.

Song You remained where he was, sometimes gazing up at the bright moon, sometimes lowering his eyes to look upon the Xu family residence.

Under the moonlight, the courtyards lay in cold, eerie stillness. Apart from the distant, muffled sound of weeping, all was silent.

Song You indeed did not possess the abilities of the Grandmaster Tiansuan, nor was he particularly skilled in this field. However, as his cultivation deepened and his connection with the Heavenly Dao grew, he had developed a faint sense of intuition.

This place was indeed extraordinary. And that scholar surnamed Xu was no ordinary man. Yet, he was still far from reaching that level.

What the future held remained unknown.

1. This is the edible fruit from the snow pear tree and this fruit is juicy, has high water content, slightly sweet, very crunchy, and has a light, lively flavour to it. They grow round, like soft balls, and have a very hard, rough exterior and an even crunchier interior. You’ll find this type of tree or fruit in cooler climates. Snow pears tend to be more cooling, or helps relieve heat from the body. You can find this ingredient both in a dried and fresh version for soups and Chinese desserts. ☜

2. [/ref]."

"A girl’s name..."

"So I’ve been told."

"What did you see down there? What did you encounter? Tell us everything." The elder set his tea down, his voice still frail. "I want to know exactly what kind of ‘earthly paradise’ could have lured my Xu family’s men to the point where they were willing to throw their lives away."

"This..."

For a moment, Xu Qiuyue was at a loss for words.

He glanced at the Daoist beside him, pondered for a moment, and then lowered his gaze before speaking honestly, "Perhaps it was the immortal master's artifact—its divine aura must have repelled the demons and dispelled their bewitching magic. As I descended with the staff in hand, I did see many women of unparalleled beauty. I heard them sing and play instruments, and watched them dance gracefully.

"They were... they were like nothing I had ever seen in my lifetime. But even so, it was not worth throwing one’s life away for."

"Describe it in detail."

"Inside, it was like a grand tavern. It had carved railings, painted pillars, and silk curtains. Jade cups brimming with wine, amber light glowing in the air. Candles flickered with a hazy glow, and women with barely covered bodies weaved through the hall while dancing, their fragrance intoxicating.

"I remembered the teachings of the immortal master and the young immortal attendant. Even when I lost my footing and fell, I clutched the bamboo staff tightly. As I lost my footing and fell, I clutched my bamboo staff tightly. It felt as though I was plunging into a deep abyss, yet when I landed, there was no pain.

"The moment they saw me, they immediately gathered around."

As Xu Qiuyue spoke, he recalled the surreal scene, his face reflecting a mixture of awe and unease at the mysterious scene in his memory.

The little girl beside Song You cupped her tea with both hands. Though she drank incredibly slowly, her lips never left the rim of the cup. Half of her face was practically buried in it.

Upon hearing Xu Qiuyue mention her, she lifted her long lashes and gave him a brief glance before lowering her gaze again, staring into the tea.

The dim room cast faint shadows, and in the reflection of the snow pear tea, her face was faintly visible.

The tea was sweet. She only sipped the smallest amount each time, keeping a tiny trace of sweetness lingering on her tongue. If the sweetness faded, she would take another tiny sip.

To Lady Calico, this was a very fun game.

Xu Qiuyue continued, "If I hadn’t known beforehand that they were demons, I fear... I might not have been able to resist either.

"But knowing they were wicked creatures, combined with the immortal master's staff protecting me, I was not swayed.

"And they did not dare come near me. The closest ones almost pressed against me, but the moment I moved, they darted away, afraid to make contact. I can only assume it was due to the staff’s power.

"Then they tried every trick—they lied, persuaded, coaxed, and threatened. They were incredibly eloquent. They wanted me to let go of the bamboo staff. It seems that only when I let go of my bamboo staff will they be able to enchant me."

"At first, I was afraid. But as I began to understand the nature of the place, my fear faded. I then started searching for my cousins.

"And then, I found them..."

Xu Qiuyue spoke in just a few short sentences, glossing over the dangers he faced below and giving all credit to Song You’s bamboo staff.

He downplayed the peril to the point that most listeners couldn’t even detect it.

Such deceitful demons and spirits were often extremely cunning. If he had let his guard down for even a moment—if his grip on the staff had loosened even slightly—he might never have returned at all.

"When they saw that I was unaffected by their charms and that I had found my cousins and intended to take them away, they must have realized their end was near.

"At first, they tried to speak kindly, pleading with me, attempting to win my sympathy. Each one of them appeared pitiful, weaving all sorts of tragic stories about their past.

"But when they saw I still refused to listen, they suddenly rushed at me."

Xu Qiuyue continued, "Luckily, I had the immortal master's bamboo staff, which protected me completely."

Song You smiled slightly, setting down his tea. He simply asked, "Did you remember to ask what I requested of you?"

"I would not dare forget!"

Xu Qiuyue immediately turned from facing the elder to facing Song You, looking somewhat embarrassed. "The demons in the well were truly beautiful. Each and every one is a stunning beauty, radiating charm and grace. When I first entered, I saw them playing the

qin

, painting, composing poetry—

"They were as talented as they were beautiful. If not for their true nature being revealed in the end, I... I would have felt guilty even questioning them."

"A love for beauty is natural. Feeling pity for beauty is also human nature," Song You remarked. Then, after a slight pause, he added, "All beauty will eventually fade, turning to bones and ashes in the end.[ref]The Chinese raw says 红颜枯骨, which is a Buddhist admonition. It literally translates to “beauty to bones.” ☜

3. There is a specific seating order to every formal dinner, based on seniority and organizational hierarchy. The seat of honor, reserved for the host or the oldest person, is usually the position in the center facing east or facing the entrance to the room. ☜