Chapter 39: Rumor Has It He Favors Married Women

“Leech off? What do you mean?” Ji Huo asked.

Li Xiu explained, “You can stick close to people who possess great fortune, or attend certain special occasions—just sidle up to them, or even hold on to them if you must. Your luck will rise accordingly. As the saying goes, ‘He who stays near vermilion gets stained red.’ That’s the principle.”

Isn’t this just the metaphysical version of a lucky draw? Ji Huo parted his lips slightly. He had tried this method for sixteen years—drawing lots at sunrise and sunset, even going to the magistrate’s prison for luck—but none of it had worked very well.

At first, he thought this kind of metaphysical luck was unreliable. He never expected to hear such words from the mouth of the Grand Diviner.

For a while, Ji Huo couldn’t tell whether the fault lay with his method or if this so-called Grand Diviner was nothing but a charlatan.

“But people with grand destiny are rare, Young Master Ji,” Li Xiu continued more tactfully. “You’ll have to seek them out slowly. Such people are one in a million, and there is no simple way to detect them—unless you have the Heavenly Eye. But that method is clearly not suitable for you.”

Ji Huo asked, “Grand Diviner, how do you judge my talent? What if I tried learning your arts?”

He had already tested his aptitude before; the techniques of diviners obviously didn’t suit him. Besides, their skills couldn’t be mastered from a single manual—it took dozens of books just to grasp the basics.

Even worse, the theoretical tomes of the diviners weren’t recognized by the system. He couldn’t just spend cultivation points to level up, as he could with martial arts manuals.

“Well…” Li Xiu hesitated, then finally said, “Young Master Ji, you’re better suited for a straightforward path.”

“Hahahaha! I think so too.”

After Ji Huo left, Li Zhi couldn’t help but ask, “Father, why didn’t you tell Young Master Ji how to test his luck? Or at least give him an object?”

Li Xiu spread his hands innocently. “He’s already a man of great fortune. If even his own luck can’t solve his problems, what use would a token of ours be?”

He turned to his son, his tone serious. “Zhi’er, you should spend more time with Ji Huo in the future. If he ever needs anything, do your utmost to help him.”

Li Zhi smiled. “I will, Father. I truly admire Brother Ji for all he’s done for the Great Zhou.”

Li Xiu’s words were laden with meaning. “What I mean is, no matter what he does in the future, whether you think it right or wrong, you must help him.”

Li Zhi’s smile faded. He was well-read, not foolish. He nodded, then asked, “And you, Father?”

“Me?” Li Xiu gazed at the sky and smiled. “The moment I met Ji Huo today, I suddenly had a premonition—my time is almost up.”

“Was it brought by Ji Huo?” Li Zhi pressed.

“Yes—and no. I can’t see clearly. Truly, I cannot.” The Grand Diviner of Great Zhou shook his head, smiling wryly. “All I saw was that, on a future day, he will bring death to my doorstep.”

Li Zhi clenched his fists. “How can you avoid it?”

“If I can’t even see clearly myself, how could I avoid it?” Li Xiu snapped. “The world says we diviners bend fortune to avert disaster, defy fate and change destiny. But that’s all a lie. In truth, we comply with Heaven’s will more than anyone. Zhi’er, remember this: never go against the heavens.”

“Father!” Li Zhi’s eyes reddened instantly, his voice choked. “Why don’t you resign your post? Let’s return home!”

“I am the Grand Diviner of Great Zhou.” Li Xiu straightened his back, his face shining with an indescribable spirit. He spoke each word with conviction—not heavy, not solemn, simply brimming with faith, much like those corporate workers who treat their company as home.

Then he glanced at his son, full of distaste. “Wipe your tears and snot—I’m not dead yet! For all you know, that Ji boy won’t bring me death until he’s seventy or eighty!”

…

Ji Huo strolled lazily down the street. Though he hadn’t gotten what he wanted, it was about what he’d expected.

He hadn’t held out much hope to begin with. He still didn’t know what was going on with his system. If its rules surpassed the heavenly laws of this world, no amount of luck would suffice.

Never mind. All he could do was slowly accumulate cultivation points and steadily improve.

“Young Master Ji!”

A clear voice called from his side.

Ji Huo turned his head and saw the Fourth Prince emerging from a sedan chair, smiling and cupping his fists. “There wasn’t much chance to speak with you at the night banquet. How fortunate we are to meet again.”

Ji Huo returned the gesture. “Greetings, Fourth Prince.”

Truth be told, he didn’t think much of this guy. After all, it was by his orders that Ji Huo had been dragged from his comfortable nest in Sichuan. If only he’d been left to bide his time there, in less than ten years he’d have been invincible, kicking great masters aside at will. Who would dare oppose him?

“Where are you headed, Young Master Ji?” the Fourth Prince asked.

“I had some matters to consult with the Grand Diviner. I’m just returning now.” Ji Huo glanced at the sedan behind the prince, noting the many guards lurking both openly and in secret. Who knew how many more were hidden?

The Fourth Prince shifted slightly to block Ji Huo’s line of sight, his tone wary. “Young Master Ji, what are you looking at?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just curious—where is Your Highness headed?” Ji Huo asked. What’s with that look? Is someone hiding in the sedan, afraid I might see what I shouldn’t?

“Just out for a leisurely stroll, enjoying the sights of the capital,” the Fourth Prince replied.

“In that case, I won’t disturb Your Highness’s pleasure. I’ll take my leave,” Ji Huo said, not bothering to exchange further words, and cupped his hands as he left.

“Young Master Ji, if you ever have free time, you are welcome to visit me!”

The Fourth Prince stood in place until Ji Huo’s figure disappeared from view, then returned to the sedan.

“Husband, who was that?” The voice inside was enchanting, as if laced with a magical charm that sent a rush of heat surging up from one’s core.

“That was Ji Huo, the second son of General Ji.”

“Oh? Is that the same Ji Huo who defeated the Liang envoy at the night banquet and upheld the dignity of our Great Zhou?”

“The very same.”

The voice giggled, intoxicated. “I sensed you were interested in making friends with him. Why didn’t you invite him into the sedan for a chat?”

“Well,” the Fourth Prince hesitated and lowered his voice, “I’ve heard—just rumors, mind you—that Ji Huo has a particular fondness for other men’s wives!”

There was a pause inside the sedan, then the voice rose slightly. “Are you sure, husband?”

“Absolutely! I heard it from the palace chefs.”

“Could they have been mistaken?”

“Impossible! The rumor is all over the capital, with plenty of details. I’ve verified it from many sources.”

“…I really couldn’t tell.”

“Right? I couldn’t either.”

The woman’s laughter rang out, bewitching and full of allure, like an invisible magic that tugged at the heartstrings, stirring the imagination.

“So, husband, you were afraid Ji Huo might take a liking to me, and that’s why you wouldn’t let him into the sedan?”

The Fourth Prince teased softly, “Yu’er, you’re so beautiful—and if Ji Huo has such tastes, shouldn’t I be on guard in case he tries to charm you away?”

“Husband~ I am yours, all yours. No one could ever take me from you… Mmm… husband, not here… not in the sedan… you mustn’t…”