Complete Revelation of the Four Great Fortune-Telling Secrets — A’Bao, Yingyao, Junma, Zhafei; Zu Ye Unveils the Mystery of Nayin Fortune-Telling

Once entering the jianghu, worries are like the sea; all causes rise and fall, splendor buried in the wind.

The jianghu trade is hard to eat; jianghu waters are hard to wade through. Among the three hundred and sixty professions, each has its own difficulties, and the experiences of fortune-tellers are even more extreme. Those who do well roll in fame and fortune, gaining both wealth and women; those who do poorly, with a nose full of snot and a mouth of thin porridge, sit by the roadside on a small folding stool in the cold wind, still not forgetting to spread out the yin-yang bagua diagram to demonstrate that they themselves are immortals.

Zu Ye became a fortune-teller at age fifteen, with a long gown, a white paper fan, and an iron abacus. Before clients, the abacus would shake, fingers would strike and flick, and a person’s fate—how heavy or light, fortunate or disastrous—would immediately appear. In the Jianghuai region, he was the only one who used an iron abacus for fortune-telling, and the common people revered him as an immortal.

However, Laozi once said when in the mortal realm: “Misfortune is what fortune depends upon; fortune is where misfortune hides.” Fortune and misfortune are like the yin-yang fish entwined and embracing in the taiji; as great as one’s fortune is, so great is one’s misfortune—born from the same womb, one waxing as the other wanes. Over thirty years, Zu Ye fought demons, fought ghosts, fought great spirits—ups and downs, life and death—until he was exhausted in body and mind, his temples graying. He was old now, and tired, desperately wanting to stop and rest.

But fate’s great hand once again mercilessly pushed him to the forefront. Perhaps those with the character of heroes are born with a certain baleful energy that cannot be severed their entire lives, lingering around them forever.

The Military Statistics Bureau suddenly ordered Zu Ye’s arrest! This time he couldn’t escape.

That day, Zu Ye was alone in contemplation. Er Batou came rushing in from outside the hall.

“Zu Ye, this is bad! Someone has broken in!”

Zu Ye glanced at him, remaining calm and composed.

“Someone has broken in!” Er Batou added again.

“If they’ve come, then receive them,” Zu Ye said coldly.

“They have guns! They’re not here for fortune-telling.”

Before he finished speaking, a loud shout came from outside the door: “Is this the residence of Mr. Tieban?”

Zu Ye strode out with large steps: “Indeed it is my humble abode. What instructions do you esteemed officials have?”

“Trouble the mister to take a trip with us.”

“Where to?”

“You’ll know when you get there!”

Upon hearing this, Zu Ye immediately sensed something was wrong. After Dai Li crashed into the mountain, Zu Ye had been mentally prepared, because he had suggested that Dai Li adopt a name with the earth element in the five elements, and Dai Li had just taken the name “Gao Chongyue” when he crashed into Daishan. But Zu Ye didn’t believe the Military Statistics Bureau could convict him on this point alone—humanity hadn’t become so foolish as to believe a name alone could kill a person.

But Zu Ye didn’t know how great a震動 Dai Li’s death had triggered within the Military Statistics Bureau. The bureau had developed from an initial密查 group of dozens of people to a current force of hundreds of thousands, and Dai Li’s contributions were indispensable. Internal personnel all affectionately called him “Boss Dai,” with a strong master-servant connotation. Moreover, Boss Dai was an extremely superstitious person—he was the only one in the world’s intelligence systems to introduce fortune-telling and physiognomy as teaching materials into spy training. Under his influence, spies large and small had all learned a few tricks, all believing they held heaven and earth in their palms, manipulating yin and yang, to the point that when examining cases they didn’t look at files but directly at the criminal’s physiognomy, using the five elements method to determine a person’s loyalty or treachery.

In the eyes of the spies, Dai Li was not only the embodiment of the Military Statistics Bureau but also a deity.

Now this deity was dead, dead right after taking the name “Gao Chongyue”—this couldn’t help but make the spies’ imaginations run wild. Boss Dai’s eight characters lacked water, and his whole life he had given himself names with the water radical—what evil spirit had bewitched him to go against his nature and take a name with contradictory five elements that caused his demise in the jianghu?

Outside the Military Statistics Bureau, Nationalist Party bigwigs were also secretly speculating. They didn’t think Dai Li died in a simple aviation accident but from murder. As for who murdered him, the waters were too deep to say.

At the same time, the spies responsible for investigating and screening Dai Li’s case had returned. They obtained information: that day, an old farmer herding sheep had seen that Boss Dai’s plane was already billowing thick smoke before it crashed into the mountain. This indicated the plane caught fire before hitting the mountain—either something went wrong in the cabin or someone had planted a bomb.

Amid all the clamor, only one person remained the calmest. He carefully reviewed the thick case files on his desk, sorting through information about Dai Li’s final journey piece by piece: February, Boss Dai secretly arrived in Shanghai, meeting with the first fortune-telling master of Jianghuai, Mr. Tieban; Mr. Tieban was called “Zu Ye” in the jianghu, trained in the Tiebuzi Daoist tradition, and had dealings with the fierce bandit Wang Yaqiao…

“Hehe. This matter is easy to handle now.” This person smiled slightly and shouted toward the door, “Come!”

A spy ran in.

“Send a telegram in the name of the Military Statistics Bureau’s Third Office, notify Feng Siyuan to arrest Jianghuai’s Mr. Tieban.” This person ordered.

“Yes!”

“Wait. You yourself should also take some reliable people and stake it out first.”

“Office Chief, what does this mean?” the little spy didn’t understand.

“How do I know whether this Feng Siyuan, who constantly mingles with spirit mediums, has already defected? What if he deliberately leaks information and then creates a false pretense of coming up empty…”

“Office Chief is brilliant!”

This office chief was none other than Liu Hanshan, a key figure in the Third Office of the Military Statistics Bureau. Liu Hanshan, from Pingyang, Zhejiang, was ruthless and cunning, with kidnapping, assassination, and creating chaos skills second to none, deeply beloved by the bureau’s upper echelons. In his early years he mixed with the Green Gang, later pledging allegiance to Dai Li.

Soon, Feng Siyuan, who was still entangled with Jiang Feiyan, received the telegram from the Military Statistics Bureau. Feng Siyuan had followed Dai Li for many years after all, and his spy career of a thousand changes had long trained him to think thrice before acting.

“Not right, not right…”

“What’s not right?” Jiang Feiyan asked.

“The ‘Huidao Men’ line was one I helped Boss Dai cultivate. In the past, cases related to ‘Huidao Men’ were all handled by me. Liu Hanshan wanted to intervene but Boss Dai fundamentally wouldn’t let him touch it. But now Boss Dai is dead, the entire Military Statistics Bureau knows Liu Hanshan and I don’t get along, Liu Hanshan could completely arrest Zu Ye himself, but he’s taken a roundabout way… Bad! This is bad!”

“You mean he knows our底細?”

“Not certain yet. But at least he suspects!”

“Then what do we do?”

Feng Siyuan didn’t speak, pacing back and forth clutching the telegram, suddenly raising his head: “We must arrest Zu Ye.”

“No!” Jiang Feiyan shouted.

“Sister Yan! Think carefully. If we don’t arrest Zu Ye, we’ll fall right into Liu Hanshan’s trap. When that happens, the secret of the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ will likely be exposed to the world. Never mind one Zu Ye—I’m afraid your several hundred brothers will all suffer! Only by first arresting Zu Ye can we then devise an expedient strategy!”

Jiang Feiyan pondered for a moment, then reluctantly nodded.

Soon the five-hundred-person special action team surrounded “Muzi Lian.” Seeing this formation, Zu Ye could only obediently submit to capture.

On the westward escort route, Feng Siyuan appeared and secretly revealed the truth. After hearing this, Zu Ye felt a wave of melancholy. Humans, as a type of animal, are like other animals in that they have premonitions before death—that indescribable feeling that disturbs the spirit, like well water overflowing before an earthquake, mules and horses becoming agitated, chickens and dogs refusing to enter their pens.

Zu Ye was confident in his premonitions. Over the years, relying on this intuition, he had escaped several major disasters. But this time he felt different, unusually terrified. Vaguely, a murderous energy rushed toward him, penetrating his crown point and pressing directly on his life gate.

Zu Ye’s premonition was correct—Liu Hanshan wanted Zu Ye’s life.

“China’s Gestapo” was dead, and public opinion nationwide was in an uproar. Some pointed fingers at Chiang Kai-shek, some at the Communist Party. Only the little spies of the Military Statistics Bureau chattered and speculated about fate and the eight characters, while the upper echelons remained deadly calm. How to resolve this political crisis before the great Nationalist-Communist war tested the intelligence of the Military Statistics Bureau.

What a clever person Liu Hanshan was. No one wanted to take on investigating Dai Li’s death. Everyone knew that if this matter wasn’t handled well, heads would roll, because whether it was found to be the work of their own people or the Communist army, the Nationalist Party would be the loser. And if some sky-high connection was uncovered, wouldn’t they implicate themselves? Yet Liu Hanshan volunteered—this was precisely his shrewdness and cunning. Capable people often turn crises into opportunities, while incompetent people turn good things into bad.

Liu Hanshan saw this thorny incident as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dai Li was dead, and a major reshuffling was happening within the Military Statistics Bureau. If he could digest this matter beautifully, his weight in the eyes of Nationalist Party bigwigs would rise another level.

Liu Hanshan knew well that Dai Li’s case had to be investigated but couldn’t be investigated deeply. He already had his own wishful thinking—conspiracy theory.

This kind of case could only be handled coldly. The best way to give the public an explanation was to find a scapegoat, hype it up as a massive conspiracy, describe the Military Statistics Bureau side as innocent victims, and gain sympathy from society and various democratic parties.

Undoubtedly, Zu Ye was the most suitable scapegoat. This person manipulated superstition, dabbled in the underworld, had many dealings with the fierce bandit Wang Yaqiao, and Wang Yaqiao’s “Axe Gang” had assassinated Nationalist Party higher-ups multiple times. This incident could be completely hyped as: during the time of peaceful nation-building, jianghu charlatans allied with “Axe Gang” remnants to assassinate the Military Statistics Bureau chief.

This way, the focus would shift. Common people are just a crowd who like to watch excitement—they’d make a fuss for a while then disperse. And the various democratic parties wavering between the Nationalist and Communist parties could use this to see clearly what kind of thing the “Axe Gang,” once recognized and praised by the Communist Party, really was. Before the great Nationalist-Communist war, this was also a beautiful public opinion offensive. As for how Boss Dai actually died, perhaps only the King of Hell knew; previously Dai Li and the Chairman’s conflicts had become public, Old Chiang insisted on dissolving the Military Statistics Bureau, Dai Li fought like a cornered beast… “Cooking the hound once the hare is caught, discarding the bow once the birds are gone” wasn’t impossible either.

Liu Hanshan’s thoughts were so thorough they were unfathomable even to ghosts and spirits. This wasn’t hard to explain why, after Dai Li’s death, Feng Siyuan fell from favor while Liu Hanshan, as one of Dai Li’s direct subordinates, could still sit firmly in the deputy office chief position of the Military Statistics Bureau’s Third Office.

“Zu Ye, you… how do you plan to respond?” Feng Siyuan asked worriedly.

Zu Ye’s brows knitted tightly: “More danger than fortune.”

“Then…”

Zu Ye suddenly raised his head: “Major General, I entrust you with one matter.”

“Please speak, Zu Ye.”

“If I meet with misfortune this time, please quickly notify my ‘Muzi Lian’ brothers to scatter. The ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’s’ great end is not far off… If you don’t covet Military Statistics Bureau fame and fortune, you can take Sister Yan and fly far away!”

Hearing Zu Ye’s last sentence, Feng Siyuan felt a wave of sadness. He didn’t know how to respond. This triangular relationship—Zu Ye had never broken through it, but this time Zu Ye couldn’t hold back.

“Zu Ye, don’t be too pessimistic.”

“Better to prepare for the worst.” Zu Ye said with lowered head.

After two days of bumpy travel, Feng Siyuan finally handed Zu Ye over to Liu Hanshan.

Liu Hanshan put on a face full of smiles: “Please sit, Mister.”

Zu Ye, wearing heavy handcuffs, bent down to sit.

Liu Hanshan carefully examined Zu Ye, then suddenly asked: “Mister knows fortune-telling?”

“Slightly versed,” Zu Ye said.

“Have you calculated whether today is auspicious or inauspicious?”

This scene reminded Zu Ye of the question-and-answer between Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen years ago. Before killing Liu Bowen, Zhu Yuanzhang had also asked him: “Beloved minister, can you divine today’s fortune or misfortune?” No matter how Liu Bowen answered, he couldn’t escape death.

Zu Ye was pondering how to answer when Liu Hanshan added another sentence: “If mister faces great misfortune today, how would you resolve it?”

Two consecutive sentences left Zu Ye completely humiliated. Killing a person while destroying their heart, directly disgusting Zu Ye to his bones. This was clearly mocking Zu Ye: Aren’t you a fortune-teller? Can’t you calculate and predict? You can’t even grasp your own life and death, yet you talk about holding heaven and earth in your palm, creating fortune for the world’s people?

In that moment, Zu Ye was thoroughly defeated, defeated at the hands of someone not as good as Dai Li yet far superior to him. Heroes either cut down others or are cut down by others. When Zu Ye commanded the wind and clouds, looking down on the masses, had he ever imagined today’s embarrassment of “others are the knife and chopping block, I am the fish and meat”?

“Office Chief Liu, speak directly,” Zu Ye didn’t want to play anymore.

“Good! Why did you tamper with Bureau Chief Dai’s name?”

“Office Chief Liu means a name can kill people?”

“The key is that behind the name is a heart that kills!”

“Hehehe.” Zu Ye laughed.

“What are you laughing at?” Liu Hanshan said coldly. “Could it be we’ve wronged you? Bureau Chief Dai’s eight characters lacked water—you and I both know this—yet you suggested he take a name with the earth element in the five elements! Do you hate Bureau Chief Dai that much?”

“Where does the hatred come from?”

“From the fierce bandit Wang Yaqiao!”

“Hahahaha.” Zu Ye laughed wildly. “Office Chief Liu, you’re wrong.”

“Wrong where?”

“Wrong in that you fundamentally don’t understand fate calculation studies, yet you fabricate connections and seek to impose crimes!”

“In that case… I’d like to hear the details.” Liu Hanshan’s face was full of disdain.

Zu Ye suddenly restrained his laughter, fixing his eyes on Liu Hanshan, and asked: “How did General Dai die?”

“Plane crashed into a mountain,” Liu Hanshan answered.

“Why did it crash into a mountain?”

“Heavy rain.”

“Well said! Bureau Chief Dai’s plane crashed into a mountain. It seems the mountain peak caused the disaster, but examining it carefully, this is absolutely not so. Bureau Chief Dai’s plane, because of that day’s rainstorm weather causing very low visibility, with wind and rain交加 causing the plane to lose balance—this is what crashed into Daishan. In other words, the rainstorm was the direct cause of Bureau Chief Dai’s demise. If Bureau Chief Dai’s fate truly lacked water, then that day with wind and rain交加, the rainwater so heavy, it precisely补ed Bureau Chief Dai’s fate’s lack of water. Bureau Chief Dai should have been very auspicious and fortunate!”

With Zu Ye’s sophistry, Liu Hanshan felt there was some logic to it.

But this couldn’t eliminate Liu Hanshan’s intention to kill Zu Ye. Worldly affairs are like a chess game—everyone can be a chess piece. When others need you to sacrifice, whether you deserve to die or not, you can hardly escape death, because that’s how the chess game works. Sacrificing one piece brings life to the entire board—this is the chess player’s original intention. At this moment, your善, your evil, are all irrelevant. Who told you to enter this chess game?

“What fate is Mister?” Liu Hanshan asked again.

Zu Ye knew well that every sentence from Liu Hanshan harbored evil intentions. One careless move would fall into a trap. What fate a person is—this was something fortune-tellers often told clients, like “You are water fate, great ocean water” or “You are wood fate, pomegranate wood.”

What fate a person is wasn’t calculated by fortune-tellers but predetermined by the ancients. This fate calculation technique supposedly came from the Warring States period’s Guiguzi. He incorporated the “Sixty Jiazi” into thirty fates, allocating one fate every two years, completing one cycle in sixty years. For example, 1930 was the “Gengwu Year,” and this “Gengwu” stem-branch combination corresponds to “Roadside Earth,” so people born that year all have “Roadside Earth fate.” Sixty years later, when the stem-branch cycle repeats, people born then also have this fate.

Therefore, as long as a person knows which year they were born, they can easily look up what fate they have, completely unnecessary for fortune-tellers to put on an act and chatter.

Zu Ye pondered for a moment and said: “I don’t believe in this.”

Liu Hanshan was startled: “A fortune-teller doesn’t believe in fate?”

“I advise Office Chief Liu not to believe it either.”

“Why?”

“Office Chief, think carefully. The ‘Sixty Jiazi’ has only thirty kinds of fates total. The world’s people number in the hundreds of millions. Distributing these people into thirty kinds of fates, behind each fate stand tens of millions of people. Could all these people’s fates be the same? This method was already abandoned by先贤 during the Ming Dynasty!”

Only then did Liu Hanshan discover that Zu Ye truly had some skill.

“Then, according to Mister’s theory, which fortune-telling method in today’s world is most efficacious?” Liu Hanshan asked again.

Zu Ye carefully examined Liu Hanshan, then said: “Physiognomy!”

“Why?”

“Physiognomy directly observes a person’s appearance. Fortune and misfortune, poverty and prosperity, premature death and longevity are all written on the face. This is the most direct collection of human body information, requiring no chart arrangement, no need for stems and branches. For example, Office Chief Liu—full heavenly court, broad central正, the five peaks and four渎 without克破—any physiognomist seeing this face would know this is a dragon and phoenix among men, someone who will reach the highest positions!”

“Hahahaha!” Liu Hanshan laughed wildly until tears came out. “Mister, you’re afraid.”

Zu Ye was indeed afraid. He didn’t want to die, at least not at that moment, so he swallowed his pride and打隆千, deliberately turning to physiognomy and praising Liu Hanshan a few times. Actually, Zu Ye knew most clearly in his heart: physiognomy wasn’t reliable either. A person’s physiognomy changes. Buddha said “physiognomy is born from the heart”—physiognomy before age thirty is given by parents, after thirty it’s cultivated by oneself. The善 or evil of the heart can determine whether a person becomes beautiful or ugly.

Unexpectedly, Liu Hanshan didn’t take the bait at all. Instead, he directly struck Zu Ye’s heart. One sentence, “You’re afraid,” shamed Zu Ye beyond measure.

“Liu San’er, let’s stop playing. Make your move,” Zu Ye knew his death期 had arrived. Rather than waste words, better to登 the Yellow Springs early.

“What did you call me?” Mao Renfeng was shocked.

“Liu San’er. Isn’t Office Chief the third child at home?”

“Good.” Liu Hanshan nodded. “This is truly a grandmaster! Someone! Send Mister on his way!”

Several spies rushed in.

Ring ring ring… The phone on the desk suddenly rang.

“Who is it?” Liu Hanshan grabbed the phone.

The other party said only one sentence, and Liu Hanshan immediately softened, his face blooming with a smile: “Oh, Commander Bai. Oh, no no, Minister Bai.”

It was a call from Bai Chongxi, who had just been promoted to “Minister of National Defense,” a Guangxi Clique warlord.

“Understood, understood, understood… Minister, rest assured, will certainly handle it impartially… understood, understood!”

After some rambling, Liu Hanshan put down the phone. He helplessly shook his head, walked to Zu Ye’s side, looked at Zu Ye, and finally patted Zu Ye’s shoulder saying: “Your great disaster is过.”

Zu Ye turned his head: “Then there must be后福?”

“Don’t fall into my hands again.”

“Office Chief Liu, hong福齐天, may you live ten thousand years!”

“You go, you go.” Liu Hanshan’s words carried endless regret.

Zu Ye raised his head and strode out.

Outside, the cold wind raged. Zu Ye tightened his collar, feeling utterly desolate. His eyes heated up, tears nearly falling. No one had ever given him such a blow and humiliation. A seven-foot man, life hanging by a thread, from life to death, from death to life—what self-respect, what道行, what yin-yang bagua, all completely obliterated.

After returning to the hall, Zu Ye wrote heavily in his diary: I didn’t die, not because my fate was great, but because my fate was not meant to end.

Zu Ye owed Jiang Feiyan another favor.

Women are very precious. They’re always crowned with the称 of weakness, but every peak moment in history proves that at the edge of collapse, women’s wisdom and courage far exceed people’s imaginations.

Any hero should thank the woman behind him. Without Lady Sun, Liu Bei couldn’t escape Jiangdong; without Xiaozhuang, Kangxi couldn’t topple Oboi; without Jiang Feiyan, Zu Ye couldn’t escape the Military Statistics Bureau either.

Just when Zu Ye was at his wit’s end and Feng Siyuan was panicking, Jiang Feiyan maintained a calmness. She quickly sorted through her various social relationships, then sorted through the various kinds of people Zu Ye had contacted over the years. Finally, she locked onto Guangxi Clique warlord Bai Chongxi.

Jiang Feiyan, deeply versed in official ways, knew the Guangxi Clique and Central faction had never gotten along, and at this moment with the great Nationalist-Communist war imminent, the Central faction centered on Chiang Kai-shek was trying to unite various faction forces. Appointing Bai Chongxi as “Minister of National Defense” was one manifestation of this. Years ago, Zu Ye had assisted Bai Chongxi in the bloody battle at Kunlun Pass. Bai Chongxi appreciated Zu Ye greatly. If they sought Bai Chongxi’s help now, perhaps Bai Chongxi would help. And Liu Hanshan, to maintain party unity, wouldn’t dare refuse Bai Chongxi’s face either.

With a試試看 attitude, she got through to Bai Chongxi’s phone in Feng Siyuan’s name, under the name of “patriotic scholar caught in political争,” requesting Bai Chongxi主持 justice and restore stability and unity to the national academic數術界.

Upon hearing that the master who had fought alongside him in the War of Resistance had been arrested, Bai Chongxi couldn’t help but feel indignant. Isn’t this slapping me in the face? Mr. Tieban was personally appointed by me as “Deputy Chief of Staff of the Kunlun Pass Defense Command Headquarters.” If he’s a scoundrel, wouldn’t that make me blind?

Bai Chongxi immediately called Liu Hanshan and inquired carefully about the situation. When he learned that the Military Statistics Bureau had no concrete evidence proving Zu Ye was connected to Dai Li’s death case, he used words like “the party-state is about to go to war, stabilizing people’s hearts is paramount, think thrice before acting in all matters” to exonerate Zu Ye.

Zu Ye retrieved his life.

Fortune-Telling for the Green and Red Gang Hall Master

Zu Ye once again turned danger into fortune, and the brothers naturally rejoiced with excitement. But Zu Ye’s condition was far worse than before. He had suffered internal injuries—no one could comprehend the fragility and desolation in his heart. At night, he often locked himself in his room, quietly sorting through decades of honor and disgrace, carefully planning the direction for the renowned Jiang Xiang Sect.

The Jiang Xiang Sect, three hundred years, wind and clouds surging and waves rolling; how much prosperity and glory, how many heroes and good men; the wheel of history rolls on, everything will eventually turn into passing clouds in the vicissitudes of rise and fall. Years later, when prosperity fades and all embellishments are washed away, when people mention the Jiang Xiang Sect again, will there only be ridicule and lamentation? Zu Ye couldn’t bear it.

Zu Ye was immensely melancholic, but the brothers didn’t understand Zu Ye’s heart. Everyone only knew that Zu Ye had returned safely, the War of Resistance had ended, the little Japanese had scurried away, and Shanghai was once again the Jiang Xiang Sect’s domain. Everything was reviving, traffic bustled, marks all over the streets for us to deceive, thousands in income monthly, wine pot in left hand, brothel in right—the bitter days were gone forever.

During that period, everyone was lazy and slack. Da Batou had a pot of wine daily, Er Batou visited a brothel every two days, San Batou fished by the river, Si Batou worried alone, Wu Batou walked the mountains with a compass, and Liu Batou practiced wall-scaling skills regularly. Zu Ye saw all this and it pained his heart.

At night, after closing shop, the Batous often gathered together for idle chatter.

Da Batou often reminisced about his bravery killing Japanese at Kunlun Pass, bragging until his head was covered in sweat: “I did a fierce tiger groin kick back then, directly kicking the Japanese soldier’s testicles into his belly. Then another Japanese came up, I did a divine dragon tail whip, kicking right in his stomach, instantly kicking the shit out of him…”

Er Batou held a woman’s belly band he’d brought from the brothel, pressed it against his chest, swaying with each step, imitating a prostitute’s tone: “Master, come quickly, come quickly! Let me comfort you.”

The two performed in tandem, making everyone laugh heartily.

San Batou and Wu Batou spun their compass and feng shui wheel in their hands, reciting vulgar, lewd self-composed verses: “Telegraph poles ah, railroad tracks ah, whore’s ass bubbling ah; wind through door cracks ah, bow drawn taut ah, prostitute’s pants loose ah; pig-slaughtering knife ah, pig-slaughtering basin ah, maiden’s underpants like burning clouds ah…”

The brothers burst into roaring laughter again.

Finally one day, while everyone was laughing wildly, steward Wu Lao’er walked in: “Zu Ye has commanded—convene the Council Meeting immediately!”

The brothers quickly restrained their laughter and hurried to Zu Ye’s residence.

“A thousand blessings to Zu Ye!” The Batous first paid respects to Zu Ye according to Jiang Xiang Sect rules.

“Brothers, you’ve worked hard!” Zu Ye returned the courtesy. “All sit.”

The brothers took their seats.

Zu Ye looked at each Batou, picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, then said: “Have the brothers been comfortable these past days?”

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what Zu Ye meant.

After a long while, San Batou ventured a response: “Zu Ye’s hall is at its zenith, business is thriving. If Zu Ye is comfortable, the brothers are naturally comfortable.”

“Good! What a zenith! What thriving! With wine and meat, with people serving you, simply blessed beyond measure!” Zu Ye said coldly.

“Hehe.” Er Batou laughed, suddenly noticing none of the brothers were laughing, quickly smacked his lips and stopped laughing too.

Zu Ye glanced at him, stood up, and said word by word: “The bitter days of running east and west, living under others’ roofs—those are past, right? The days of trembling in fear, not having enough to eat—those are forgotten, right? Shanghai has only us now, right? The Western faction’s Qin Baichuan watched us like a tiger when we were in trouble, repeatedly trying to swallow us up—all forgotten, right? While we’re here living extravagantly, lazy and scattered, do you know what Qin Baichuan is doing now? Do you know what the Northern faction’s Qian Yuelin is doing? Big Beard Qin’s forces have already crossed Hubei! Qian Yuelin has already led his disciples and grand-disciples to Sister Yan’s territory! Shanghai’s various Huidao Men have revived from the ashes, the Nationalists and Communists are about to go to war, others are all busy taking sides and winning hearts, yet we’re here complacent, living in drunken dreams! You all are simply…”

“Zu Ye!” With a whoosh, all the Batous knelt down. “We know we were wrong!”

Zu Ye glanced at them and continued: “Next month, the annual Four Great Halls Council Meeting will begin again. With your current state, if I take you there, am I bringing honor or shame to myself?”

“Slap slap!” Each Batou slapped himself twice. “Zu Ye’s admonishment is correct!”

Zu Ye remained impassive, sipped his tea and said: “Qian Yuelin can’t survive in the North anymore. The Communist Party is cracking down on Huidao Men. He broke the Jiang Xiang Sect’s rules and ran south to steal business. More importantly, there’s Qin Baichuan. During the War of Resistance, relying on Chongqing’s stable territory, he threatened Sister Yan and me, intending to unify the Four Great Halls. Situations that have never appeared in the Jiang Xiang Sect have now emerged. The ancestral precept of the Four Great Halls not interfering with each other for hundreds of years has been broken. Do you think the Four Great Halls are all harmonious? Murderous intent lurks everywhere!”

Hearing this, Da Batou raised his head: “Zu Ye, I think we should do this—according to the rotation pattern, this Council Meeting is hosted by our Eastern faction. Why not take the opportunity to eliminate them all on our own territory!”

“I agree with Big Brother’s view!” San Batou said loudly.

“We all agree with Big Brother’s view!” the other Batous echoed.

Zu Ye smiled bitterly, shook his head and said: “It’s not that simple. Do you think if we kill Qin Baichuan and Qian Yuelin, the Western and Northern factions will all come under our management? The Western faction now has several hundred people, the Northern faction also has over a hundred. When they come to your territory for a meeting, they’ll certainly leave people watching the home. If we kill their leaders, first we’ll lose on moral grounds. The Western and Northern factions will unite to attack us. Then the Jiang Xiang Sect will descend into internal chaos. Never mind attracting the Nationalist Party’s attention—even the other Huidao Men around us will take the opportunity to eliminate our entire sect! This method isn’t even a last resort! This is self-destruction! In the future history of the Jiang Xiang Sect, we’ll all be eternal sinners!”

The Batous broke into a sweat after hearing this.

After a long while, Er Batou scratched his head and said: “Can’t kill them, so do we just wait for them to attack us?”

Zu Ye shook his head: “Stand up and speak.”

The Batous didn’t dare stand.

“Stand up,” Zu Ye said again.

Only then did the Batous look at each other and stand.

“All sit.”

The Batous didn’t dare.

“Sit!”

The Batous took their seats one by one.

“Serve tea to the brothers.” Zu Ye shouted toward the door.

Soon, Wu Lao’er brought in the finest Biluochun tea and poured a cup for each Batou.

“We’ll start with the Northern faction,” Zu Ye suddenly said.

The Batous looked at each other in confusion.

“How do we start?” San Batou asked.

“I understand!” Er Batou said cleverly. “Zu Ye means to defeat them one by one, first eliminate that old fox Qian Yuelin!”

Zu Ye helplessly furrowed his brow: “Eliminate what? Don’t always think about eliminating people. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence!”

Er Batou, lacking education, completely failed to understand.

“Attack the heart?” San Batou said.

Zu Ye nodded: “Simply put, it’s winning hearts! Why did Qian Yuelin come south?”

“No business anymore!” Da Batou said.

“And then?”

“Then? Then he couldn’t make money anymore, couldn’t survive anymore.”

Zu Ye nodded: “Qian Yuelin’s group is in the most miserable state now. If we suddenly gift them three thousand silver dollars at the Council Meeting, what would happen?”

“Three thousand dollars?” The brothers’ ears rang.

“What would happen?” Zu Ye pressed.

“What would happen?” Er Batou shook his head. “They’d be so happy they’d die!”

“And after?”

“After would be gratitude,” San Batou said. “Zu Ye, this plan is wonderful! The Eastern faction generously supporting the Northern faction with three thousand silver dollars—Qian Yuelin would be moved to tears of gratitude!”

“Wrong!” Zu Ye said. “What I want isn’t his gratitude, but his subordinate brothers’ gratitude, further making the Western faction’s A’Baos also harbor goodwill toward the Eastern faction.”

“Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!” San Batou shouted three times. “This way, Zu Ye’s unification great enterprise would establish a broad foundation of brotherhood. However, isn’t three thousand dollars too much? Give a few hundred, just show the gesture.”

Zu Ye shook his head repeatedly, then said: “Either don’t do it, or do it genuinely and substantially. Otherwise, they’ll become suspicious.”

“Also…” Zu Ye suddenly lowered his voice. “The Jiang Xiang Sect’s four great secret manuals—the A’Bao Text, the Yingyao Text, the Junma Text, and the Zhafei Text. Back then, the ancestors gave these four manuals to the Qian, Kun, Li, and Kan halls respectively for safekeeping, which formed today’s situation where the Eastern faction excels at Zhafei, the Western faction excels at feng shui formations, the Southern faction excels at Yingyao, and the Northern faction excels at double golden mouth. Over hundreds of years, the four great halls’ skills have gradually merged and blended. The A’Bao Text has been popularized as a common teaching material for A’Baos. The Zhafei Text has been carried forward and expanded by our Eastern faction. The Southern faction, based on absorbing the essence of the Yingyao Text, created heart methods like the Yuehai Tang Feng Xiang Notes. The Western faction formed distinctive feng shui scams based on the A’Bao Text. Only the Junma Text has been held in the Northern faction’s hands. It’s not that I’m greedy—the Northern faction has lost its righteousness, and their ranks are becoming increasingly disreputable. This thing will either be destroyed in their hands or obtained by other sects in the jianghu. Once this situation occurs, the Jiang Xiang Sect’s core formulas will flow into the jianghu, and we’ll no longer have any advantage! Moreover, once it falls into evil hands, the common people will suffer greatly, our ‘acting on heaven’s behalf’ will become empty words, and the Jiang Xiang Sect will become a malignant tumor harming the world!”

The brothers rubbed their heads, finally understanding: Zu Ye wanted to steal the Northern faction’s secret manual.

“The key is how to get our hands on it!” Er Batou said. “This kind of thing must be hidden in an extremely secret place! Either deep in the mountains and forests or three feet underground!”

Zu Ye shook his head: “Not necessarily. Based on my understanding of Qian Yuelin, he’ll most likely carry it on his person.”

“Zu Ye means to use knockout powder to take him down, then…” San Batou said.

“It’s not that easy.”

“Then what does Zu Ye mean?”

Zu Ye blinked and said: “You all go back and rest first. Listen to my arrangements when the time comes.”

“Oh.” The Batous disappointedly patted their bottoms and left.

At night, Zu Ye fell into contemplation again. He had told the Batous lies. His true intentions would only be hidden in his heart.

The next day at the third quarter of the chen hour, San Batou requested an audience.

“Zu Ye, just now while hooking a mark at the hall, a woman walked in, specifically requesting that Zu Ye personally tell her fortune.”

“Who is she?” Zu Ye was puzzled.

“Don’t know the details. But dressed extremely nobly, and her looks… her looks I dare say are among the top in all of Shanghai.”

“Didn’t ask about her background?”

“Couldn’t get it out of her. Seems like a wealthy family’s wife, very tight-lipped. Wouldn’t say what matter she wanted read either, only said she came with admiration to request a divination from Zu Ye. I feel this is a fat mark—only you, old sir, coming out can handle her.”

“You go back and tell her that these days I’m meeting with government officials and it’s inconvenient to receive her. Have her come back in three days.”

“Understood!”

Three days later, that woman came, led by San Batou.

“Greetings, Mister.” The woman performed a wan fu courtesy.

Zu Ye looked and saw this woman was indeed beautiful—a pair of luminous, delicate mandarin duck eyes, two elegant sideburn willow-leaf eyebrows, vermilion cherry wealthy mouth, soft and smooth silk pouch hands, skin fine and white as snow, one smile captivating souls. From a physiognomy perspective, this was the appearance of wealth and elegance. The only flaw was slightly high cheekbones—an appearance that brings misfortune to husbands.

Zu Ye had seen beauties, but had never seen someone this beautiful. He actually froze for a moment. Suddenly realizing his impropriety, he quickly said: “No need for formality, please sit. May I ask Miss’s esteemed name and purpose for coming?”

“This humble woman’s surname is Yun, given name Caiwei.”

“Yun Caiwei.” After hearing this, Zu Ye nodded repeatedly. “The Book of Songs says: Picking osmunda, picking osmunda, the osmunda is also tender. What a fine name.”

Yun Caiwei smiled gently: “Picking osmunda, picking osmunda, my heart is also worried. A bitter fate name—how can it be called good?”

“Hehe. Miss jests.”

“This humble woman came this time wanting to privately consult Mister about some matters…”

Hearing this sentence, Zu Ye raised his eyes and looked at San Batou, meaning: “Why are you still standing here?”

San Batou had been intoxicated by Yun Caiwei’s beauty all along and hadn’t noticed Zu Ye’s gaze at all.

Zu Ye coughed: “Disciple!”

San Batou startled, returning to reality: “Oh, oh, Master, you chat… chat on, I’ll withdraw first.”

“Please speak, Miss.”

Yun Caiwei’s face suddenly filled with worry: “Alas. My husband recently somehow offended people at the Shanghai Police Bureau. The day before yesterday he was arrested. They say during the War of Resistance he collaborated with the enemy and sold out the country. My husband has never done anything against a Chinese person’s conscience… I came this time precisely to have Mister see whether my husband’s fortune is good or bad, whether he can return safely.”

After hearing this, Zu Ye nodded: “May I ask what business your husband conducts?”

“My husband does medicinal herb business. The Yun’ai Medicine Hall on Jing’an Temple Road is our shop.”

“Yun’ai Medicine Hall? Your husband is Fang Jiyu?”

“Correct! How does Mister know my husband’s name?”

“Hehe. Who doesn’t know Mr. Fang’s great name? During the War of Resistance, Mr. Fang united with the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce to donate money, goods, and airplanes to the National Army—such noble character! However… however… Mr. Fang should be nearly sixty years old. As I know it, Mr. Fang’s wife is called Chen Wenmei. The couple’s names were even in the newspapers…”

“Mister need not be suspicious. I am his seventh concubine.”

Before she finished speaking, Xiao Liuzi’s shouts came from outside the courtyard: “Zu Ye! Zu Ye!”

Then came steward Wu Lao’er’s voice: “Sixth Master, don’t go in, Zu Ye is receiving a guest.”

“Aiya, there’s urgent business!” Xiao Liuzi rushed in.

Upon entering, Xiao Liuzi froze: “Sister Caiwei?”

Yun Caiwei also froze: “You are… you’re Xiao Liuzi?”

“Yes! I’m Xiao Liuzi! I’m Xiao Liuzi!”

The two embraced excitedly. Zu Ye watched in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

Xiao Liuzi quickly pointed at Yun Caiwei and said to Zu Ye: “Zu Ye, this is Ninth Master’s adopted daughter!”

“Ninth Master’s adopted daughter?” Zu Ye was deeply surprised.

Xiao Liuzi quickly recounted a piece of history from the past.

When Ninth Master Wang Yaqiao commanded Shanghai, one year the “Central Plains National Martial Arts Circus” from Hebei happened to come to Shanghai for a touring performance. Chinese acrobatics were absolutely world-class during the Republican era. At that time, China had the world’s largest circus. High-difficulty performance acts like “aerial trapeze,” “wheel spinning,” and “fire baton on horseback” were all invented by Chinese people. That year, this circus was going to perform the grand-scale “aerial trapeze” in Shanghai, and Wang Yaqiao personally attended to watch.

Dozens of people carried steel wires, tumbling and rolling in the air, flying back and forth, making the audience’s hearts leap to their throats. Unexpectedly during the performance, a mistake occurred. When a male performer reached out to catch a somersaulting female performer, he missed. The female performer fell directly to the ground and was knocked unconscious on the spot.

More tragically, because this girl broke her leg from the fall, she could never perform this act again. In the end, she was actually abandoned by the circus at the hospital. Public opinion was in an uproar.

When Wang Yaqiao heard about this, he felt deeply pained. He himself came from a poor family and knew well that those in the acrobatics trade were all children from impoverished families. Only families on the verge of starvation would send their children to the circus. If they could make ends meet at all, they absolutely wouldn’t let their children take this path. In that era, acrobatics wasn’t yet an art form but a means of survival.

Wang Yaqiao felt compassion, paid for the subsequent medical expenses, all the way until the girl fully recovered. Later, Wang Yaqiao gave her some travel money and told her to go home to find her parents.

The girl said tearfully: “They’ve already abandoned me. I’ll never go back again.” It turned out the girl’s parents, so the whole family could survive, kept their three-year-old son and sold their five-year-old daughter to the circus. The girl could never forget her heart-wrenching agony back then, never forget her mother’s heartless departing figure.

“Master, let me stay with you. I’ll be an ox or horse, anything.”

Wang Yaqiao softened and finally took her as an adopted daughter. Later, Wang Yaqiao offended the Nationalist Party and was hunted by the Military Statistics Bureau. To avoid the little girl being implicated by the Axe Gang, he left a sum of money and placed her in foster care with a friend’s family.

In a flash, over ten years had passed. That naive little girl fleeing for her life had clearly blossomed into one of Shanghai’s most graceful and noble ladies.

After hearing this, Zu Ye’s eyes moistened. Thinking of Ninth Master’s thousand kindnesses, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply: “Alas!”

“Zu Ye, my informant told me the Police Brigade people seem to be heading for our hall!” Xiao Liuzi remembered the urgent matter.

“Heading for us?”

“Yes, led by Cai Xuezhong.”

“Cai Xuezhong?” Yun Caiwei was shocked. “He’s the one who arrested my husband!”

“Don’t panic.” After some thought, Zu Ye said, “This bastard has committed countless evil deeds!”

“Mister knows him?”

“More than know him!” Zu Ye said. “This person used to be with the Military Statistics Bureau. Later, after the War of Resistance ended, he was dispatched to the Shanghai Police Bureau as First Brigade Captain.”

“Then my husband is saved. Mister can plead on his behalf,” Yun Caiwei said.

Xiao Liuzi quickly blinked and said: “Sister, you misunderstood. Cai Xuezhong isn’t Zu Ye’s old acquaintance—he’s an enemy!”

“Enemy?”

Just as they were speaking, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

“Is Zu Ye home?”

Zu Ye immediately recognized Cai Xuezhong’s duck-like voice.

Zu Ye walked out: “Oh—Captain Cai graces my humble dwelling, I failed to welcome you properly, failed to welcome you properly!”

“We’re old friends already, don’t be so formal,” Cai Xuezhong said in a strange tone.

“What brings Captain here?”

“Arresting Red bandits.”

“Red bandits? Hehe.” Zu Ye looked up and laughed. “Last time Captain Cai also arrested Red bandits, this time it’s Red bandits again. Has my place become a bandit den?”

“Hehe. Whether it’s a bandit den or not isn’t for me to say. Is Yun Caiwei here?”

Zu Ye pretended to ponder: “Just now there was indeed a female bodhisattva who came to request a reading, but whether she’s Yun Caiwei I don’t know.”

“Search!” With Cai Xuezhong’s order, over a dozen people surged into the house.

“Captain! Found her!” The police surrounded Yun Caiwei and Xiao Liuzi.

Xiao Liuzi stood protectively in front of Yun Caiwei, raising his fists with furious eyes.

Cai Xuezhong sneered: “What? Hero saving the beauty? Kung fu? Come, punch me once and let me try. Are you faster than a gun?” He raised his gun and waved it.

“Liuzi! Don’t interfere with Captain Cai’s case handling. Step aside!” Zu Ye said loudly.

“Can’t let them take Sister Caiwei!”

“Oh? Still ‘Sister Caiwei’? Could it be you’re also an accomplice?” Cai Xuezhong said.

“Liuzi!” Zu Ye roared angrily.

Xiao Liuzi reluctantly stepped aside.

Yun Caiwei showed no fear: “I’ll go with you.” She looked silently at Zu Ye and walked straight out.

“Zu Ye, I didn’t come up empty this time, let’s go.” Cai Xuezhong walked out with a sinister smile, suddenly stopped, turned back and said, “Oh right, let me tell you—Boss Dai has passed on to the Western Paradise. Now Office Chief Liu is in charge. The situation is different. You can no longer use Boss Dai to pressure me. Hahahaha.”

Zu Ye watched him leave coldly.

“Zu Ye, what do we do?” Xiao Liuzi was very distressed.

“Let me think.”

A figure suddenly flashed at the doorway. Zu Ye saw it was Er Batou and called out: “Lao’er!”

Er Batou had no choice but to walk out obediently.

“What are you doing here?” Zu Ye asked.

“I… I… I I…” Er Batou mumbled.

“What?”

“I heard from San’er that a great beauty came, so I wanted to take a couple looks. Just now I was hiding outside the door, afraid you’d discover me, didn’t dare come in… How come the beauty was taken away by police?”

Zu Ye didn’t speak and turned to go inside.

“What happened?” Er Batou looked at Xiao Liuzi.

Xiao Liuzi also turned to go inside.

“What happened?” Er Batou rubbed the back of his head and walked away foolishly.

“Zu Ye?” Inside the room, Xiao Liuzi looked anxiously at Zu Ye.

Zu Ye furrowed his brow tightly, then picked up a brush, spread out letter paper, had just written two characters when he put it down again, turned to Xiao Liuzi and said: “Come with me!”

“Where to?”

“Green Gang. Tong Hall.”

“Oh.” Xiao Liuzi followed closely.

About half an hour later, the two arrived at the Green Gang’s Tong Hall.

The gate guard stopped Zu Ye: “Who are you looking for, Mister?”

“Trouble little brother to announce—say Mr. Tieban requests an audience with Old Master Zhong.”

“Wait a moment.”

Shortly after, the guard ran out: “Please come in!”

“Fifth Master Zhong, this little brother pays his respects!” As soon as Zu Ye entered, he cupped his fists in salute.

Green Gang backbone and Tong Hall master Zhong Datong came out with a face full of smiles: “Yixing, come quickly, come quickly!”

Xiao Liuzi heard clearly from behind: Zu Ye hadn’t told them his real name—they’d been addressing him as “Wang Yixing.”

“You,” the corpulent Zhong Datong said, linking arms with Zu Ye, “when you left Shanghai you didn’t say a word. Now that you’re back in Shanghai you’re still silent. Have you prospered and forgotten me, this old big brother?”

“How would I dare, how would I dare. Fifth Master Zhong, you exaggerate. That little brother can have today is entirely thanks to Fifth Master’s support.”

“Alas! That’s not right! Your Daoist methods are profound, you dare to venture and dare to act. Now you’re a patriotic master. In all of Shanghai, who doesn’t know, who hasn’t heard?”

The two talked extensively, reminiscing about the past, while Xiao Liuzi listened quietly.

Zhong Datong was a very important figure in Shanghai’s Green and Red Gangs, his power and status ranking at least in the top ten. Over ten years ago, Zhong Datong’s influence wasn’t yet this great. The wharf he controlled was frequently provoked by other gangs, violent conflicts and bloodshed occurred from time to time, and Zhong Datong’s personal safety was also seriously threatened.

Later, it happened that Zhong Datong’s old mother was celebrating her seventieth birthday. Zhong Datong both wanted to hold his mother’s birthday banquet magnificently and didn’t want family and friends to encounter danger. Thinking it over, he thought of requesting Zu Ye—this fortune-teller who was rising to fame in Shanghai at the time—to divine a divination, to see whether this birthday banquet could be held, and if it could, which day would be more auspicious.

Zu Ye originally didn’t want to take this job. This was a hot potato—if not handled well, it would be a catastrophic disaster. But Zhong Datong had set his sights on Zu Ye and repeatedly requested that Zu Ye take a look.

If Zu Ye insisted on refusing, he would affront this gang boss and make the other party suspect he had no real ability. Finally, Zu Ye shook his iron abacus, clattered it about, employed a technique from the Junma Text, and spouted out a prediction poem shrouded in mystery:

Flowers greet the beautiful sun, blooming high and low,

Fragrance follows the wind, guests fill the hall.

Suddenly hearing a thunderous sound,

Retreat from disaster or perhaps unharmed.

After hearing this, Zhong Datong asked: “What does it mean?”

Zu Ye answered: “This divination is one of unclear fortune and misfortune. Half auspicious, half inauspicious.”

“What if I divine again?” Zhong Datong pressed.

Zu Ye answered: “The Book of Changes says, ‘The first divination tells, the second and third profane, profaning brings no telling.'” Meaning divination can only be done once—repeating it over and over is blasphemy against the spirits, the spirits become angry and won’t reveal any more information to you.

This was the sophistry technique from the Junma Text. When encountering major matters where conclusions couldn’t be drawn, one must never rashly speak of fortune or misfortune, otherwise it’s setting a trap for oneself. Instead, use literary prophecy poems to deflect—appearing profoundly mysterious while actually saying nothing.

Zu Ye’s few lines of judgment—the first two sentences were clearly flattering words, nothing more than saying the birthday banquet day would have guests filling the hall, joyous and jubilant. The last two sentences were full of mystery. “Suddenly hearing a thunderous sound, retreat from disaster or perhaps unharmed.” These two lines could be interpreted as: an incident occurred that day, but everyone was fine; or they could be interpreted as: an incident occurred that day, and everyone suffered. The brilliance lay in the phrase “retreat from disaster or perhaps unharmed”—whether one could “retreat from” disaster depended entirely on human action that day, while “or perhaps unharmed” meant possibly harmed, possibly unharmed.

This way, whether or not something happened that day, Zu Ye’s prediction would be accurate.

Despite this, Zu Ye still felt reluctant. No matter how dark the underworld is, trouble doesn’t extend to wives, children, and elderly parents. Regardless of whether Zhong Datong was righteous or evil, his parents, wife, and children had committed no wrongs and shouldn’t be harmed. Zu Ye wanted to avoid accidents as much as possible. He carefully selected an auspicious day for Zhong Datong and decided to personally attend that day to prevent accidents. Before departing, he even personally consulted Zeng Jingwu about relevant knowledge concerning assassination prevention.

Thus, the old lady’s birthday celebration was staged at the Luwan Grand Hotel.

That day, prominent figures from both the underworld and legitimate society almost all arrived. Zu Ye also attended with Er Batou.

After the celebration began, Zhong Datong knelt to present the longevity peach to his mother.

What a large longevity peach, made from a mixture of japonica and glutinous rice, white with a red tinge, with two lines of words written in cream on top: “Fortune like the East Sea’s flowing water, longevity like the Southern Mountain’s eternal pine.”

Zu Ye sat to one side, looking at this large longevity peach. The more he looked, the more wrong it seemed. He was an old hand at Zhafei—this kind of longevity peach thing was often made for marks. Sometimes to manifest surprise and magic, or to create panic and frighten marks, tricks would be done inside the longevity peach. This required a process: first steam the dough, split it open, stuff in the trick item. At this point the longevity peach is split, then wrap another layer of dough, apply a layer of butter, slowly bake. When the surface becomes glossy and shining, immediately remove from heat. At this point, a lifelike longevity peach with a mechanism inside appears.

But this process requires extremely strict technique. If the heat isn’t controlled properly, problems are easily visible—the longevity peach will either crack or have a pitted surface.

Zu Ye carefully observed this longevity peach and suddenly discovered the lower half seemed to have a seam, only it was concealed by the purple cream writing the character for “water.”

Zu Ye’s heart jumped in alarm. Suddenly he recalled the recent incident where Wang Yaqiao used a bomb placed in a water kettle to kill Yoshinori Shirakawa at a Japanese banquet. Once again guided by intuition, just as Zhong Datong was about to pick up the longevity peach and present it before the old lady, Zu Ye suddenly rushed forward, snatched away the tray, and forcefully hurled it out.

“Get down quick!” Zu Ye shouted loudly.

The plate along with the longevity peach tumbled and rolled, landing at the banquet hall entrance. The startled people all obediently got down on the ground, waiting for that deafening blast.

After a long while, there was no movement at all.

Zhong Datong climbed up, then pulled the trembling old lady out from under the table, pointed at Zu Ye: “Yixing, you… alas…”

Zu Ye felt he’d lost tremendous face, his whole face flushed red with shame. Everyone in the entire venue looked at Zu Ye strangely. Zu Ye wished he could find a mouse hole to crawl into.

Er Batou was still foolishly calling out from the side: “Nothing happened, it didn’t explode.”

“You shut up!” Zu Ye said in a low voice.

Zhong Datong beckoned, and a little brother walked over.

“Quickly clean this up and go to Fushou Workshop to order another longevity peach! Quickly!” Zhong Datong instructed.

That little brother hastily picked up the longevity peach and tray from the ground and quickly ran out.

Zhong Datong turned around to face everyone: “Everyone’s been startled, please sit, please sit…”

With a tremendous “boom,” the little brother’s arm flew back in.

“Ahhh! Ahhh!” Several female guests at the entrance screamed. The crowd instantly descended into chaos!

Zu Ye’s judgment was correct—only the bomb’s explosion time was later than Zu Ye had anticipated. This was precisely: Suddenly hearing a thunderous sound, retreat from disaster or perhaps unharmed!

Afterward, Zhong Datong deeply felt Zu Ye’s profound Daoist prowess and, moreover, had a life-saving debt of gratitude. He prepared three hundred bars of “Lao Fengxiang” thousand-foot gold and came to the door to express thanks.

At that moment, Zu Ye’s hands truly itched, but he better understood the principle of “take with proper means.” Moreover, he knew well that if he accepted these gold bars, this debt of gratitude would be settled. If he didn’t accept, Zhong Datong would forever owe him.

Zu Ye firmly declined and repeatedly insisted: “Fifth Master Zhong and the old lady—fortunate people have their own heavenly protection!”

Zhong Datong understood: This young man is not simple. He’s seeking a relationship.

“Very well,” Zhong Datong finally said. “I acknowledge you as a brother. Hereafter on the Shanghai scene, if you face any life-or-death matters, come find me!”

Yet Zu Ye never sought him out even once, because Zu Ye knew well that the opportunity for a life-saving favor should be reserved for the most difficult moment.

This time, for Yun Caiwei’s sake, Zu Ye was prepared to cash in this debt of gratitude. What is jianghu righteousness? Zu Ye used this one opportunity—he himself would have no more—but he still did it.

After some pleasantries, Zu Ye stated his purpose for coming.

After hearing, Zhong Datong said: “Although the Shanghai Police Bureau nominally falls under the Provincial Civil Affairs Department’s jurisdiction, in reality it’s secretly controlled by the Military Statistics Bureau. The chief is a figurehead. Several deputy chiefs are all Military Statistics Bureau people. Maintaining public order is just a front—searching for Communists is the real purpose. So this isn’t dealing with the Police Bureau—it’s dealing with the Military Statistics Bureau.”

“I understand. That’s why… I’m troubling Fifth Master Zhong to act.”

“Looks like this matter will have to trouble Big Steward Du (Du Yuesheng),” Zhong Datong said.

“Then I’ll trouble Fifth Master Zhong.”

“However… Yixing, these years you haven’t been in Shanghai, there’s much you don’t understand. Now the Green Gang’s relationship with the Military Statistics Bureau isn’t what it used to be. As Big Steward Du says, gangs are the government’s chamber pot—can’t do without it, no place to piss, but use it too long and it won’t do either—smelly and foul, must be quickly thrown away. Yun Caiwei isn’t deeply involved in politics, so rescuing her should be no problem. However, her husband Fang Jiyu is another story. Boss Fang allegedly has connections with the Communist Party. What’s a businessman doing touching politics? Even we avoid it from far away… You understand my meaning, yes?”

Zu Ye nodded repeatedly.

Returning to the hall, Zu Ye anxiously awaited news.

“Zu Ye, it’s time to send the letters,” San Batou walked in.

“Send letters?”

“The invitation letters for the Four Great Halls Council Meeting.”

“Oh, right, right.” Zu Ye said. “I’ll speak, you write.”

“Yes!”

Zu Ye sat in his chair, faced upward in contemplation, then leisurely recited.

Heaven-loyal Earth-righteous Hongmen Great Master Father respectfully opened:

Looking up to Heaven Father Earth Mother Sun Brother Moon Sister-in-law and the Five Ancestors’ Hong grace, Jiang Xiang bloodline transmitted generation by generation forever, the Heavenly Way indestructible, Minister Xiang eternally present! We fix the Jiawu month Gengchen day as this year’s Four Halls Council Meeting day. Meeting location: Riverside garden without walls, flowers on heads don’t plant seedlings, in the Jiawu decade commits the death spirit.

A thousand blessings!

Eastern faction one son

This day

This nearly scripture-like letter format was the mandatory format and writing technique for Jiang Xiang Sect correspondence. One important reason the Jiang Xiang Sect could survive so long was its emphasis on secrecy systems. Especially letter transmission—they greatly feared falling into others’ hands and leaking secrets. If letters were written in plain language, they’d easily be wiped out in one fell swoop by enemies.

To read Jiang Xiang Sect letters, one must have very high character-dismantling intelligence and foundational knowledge of yin-yang and five elements, plus understand Jiang Xiang Sect code language. For ordinary people, this was virtually impossible. For example, this Council Meeting’s location: Riverside garden without walls, flowers on heads don’t plant seedlings, in the Jiawu decade commits void death.

“Riverside,” code language, refers to Shanghai.

“Garden without walls,” character-dismantling method, remove the outer square frame from the character “yuan,” leaving only the character “Yuan.”

“Flowers on heads don’t plant seedlings,” character-dismantling method, remove the grass radical from the top of the character “hua,” leaving only the character “hua.”

“In the Jiawu decade commits the death spirit,” specialized fortune-telling terminology. In eight-character fortune-telling there’s a saying about “death spirit.” Specifically, it refers to dividing the sixty stem-branch combinations into six decades, as follows:

Jiazi decade: Jiazi, Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou (Xu-Hai void)

Jiayin decade: Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai (Zi-Chou void)

Jiachen decade: Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou (Yin-Mao void)

Jiawu decade: Jiawu, Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao (Chen-Si void)

Jiashen decade: Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi (Wu-Wei void)

Jiaxu decade: Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei (Shen-You void)

Each decade uses ten heavenly stems to match twelve earthly branches, so each decade has two earthly branches that can’t be matched—meaning the heavenly stems are used up but two earthly branches remain unpaired. For example, the first decade, from Jiazi to Guiyou, the heavenly stems are exhausted while the earthly branches still have Xu and Hai remaining. These two earthly branches without matching heavenly stems are the death spirits. Superstitious theory holds that if a person’s eight characters contain “death spirit,” they’ll have more defeats than successes in life, drifting without support.

Understanding this principle, the meaning of the phrase “in the Jiawu decade commits the death spirit” becomes clear. Jiawu decade, the death spirits are the two earthly branches “Chen-Si.” Among the twelve months, Chen represents the third month, Si represents the fourth month. Three times four equals twelve. At this point, the location can be decoded: Shanghai City, Yuanhua Road Number 12.

After the letter was confirmed, Zu Ye called for Liu Batou.

“Liuzi, you go deliver the letter to the Northern faction. Additionally, send two brothers with good skills and reliability to the Western and Northern factions to ensure everything is foolproof.”

“Zu Ye, I…”

“Rest assured, I have my own measure regarding Yun Caiwei’s matter. You mustn’t be distracted. Safely delivering the letter to Qian Yuelin’s hands is the primary task! After crossing the Yangtze River, there’s still a long stretch of road. After crossing Henan, send the secret signal. Qian Yuelin’s lair is now in Handan. You must be careful!”

“Yes! Zu Ye!” Xiao Liuzi turned to leave.

“Wait,” Zu Ye called out. “If the road is too difficult, burn the letter and return safely!”

“Yes!”

The day after Xiao Liuzi left, Zhong Datong sent someone over, requesting Zu Ye come to Tong Hall.

Zu Ye quickly tidied up and quietly rushed over.

“Yixing, the matter is more complex than anticipated,” Zhong Datong said upon seeing Zu Ye.

“Fifth Master Zhong has been troubled,” Zu Ye said.

“The Police Bureau says there’s conclusive evidence proving Fang Jiyu is an underground Communist Party member. Both witness and material evidence are present. This time he probably can’t get out. As for Yun Caiwei, there are also reports that she assisted Fang Jiyu in secretly communicating with the Communist bandits. Moreover, the Police Bureau people seem to want to direct the disaster toward you…”

Zu Ye nodded: “Who wants to put the Fang family to death?”

“The Fang family’s sixth concubine.”

“Fang Jiyu’s sixth concubine?” Zu Ye was extremely surprised.

“Mm. Trouble rising from within the household… Fang Jiyu is good in every way, just too lustful as a person. In one breath he married seven concubines. How would he know this sixth concubine is a Military Statistics Bureau informant who thoroughly investigated everything inside and outside the Fang household?”

“The Military Statistics Bureau had been targeting Fang Jiyu all along?” Zu Ye asked.

“Who knows! The Military Statistics Bureau’s claws reach everywhere. Maybe there’s one in my hall too. This sixth concubine was previously a teacher at the Women’s Vocational School. Her real identity is a special agent of the Military Statistics Bureau’s Security Section. I heard this time some teachers from the Women’s Vocational School were also arrested.”

“Then… just now Fifth Master said they want to direct the disaster toward me?”

“Captain Cai’s idea. By the way, how did you offend him?”

Zu Ye smiled and recounted his several conflicts with Cai Xuezhong.

After hearing, Zhong Datong also laughed: “The King of Hell is easy to send off, but little devils are hard to deal with. Fortunately, worthy brother, your fame is too great. For now they haven’t found a suitable pretext to trouble you.”

“Then can Yun Caiwei…”

“Worthy brother, rest assured. For so many years worthy brother never sought me out for matters. Now you suddenly visit for this matter, showing this Yun Caiwei is extremely important to worthy brother. However… however, foolish elder brother wants a truthful answer from worthy brother. What exactly is your relationship with Yun Caiwei? Last time worthy brother said she’s the sister of your subordinate called Xiao Liuzi. But as I know it, Yun Caiwei only has one younger brother, far away in Yanzhao, a farmer…”

Zu Ye’s brain raced rapidly, not knowing whether to reveal the truth. After pondering a long while, Zu Ye steeled his heart and said: “Fifth Master, little brother speaks plainly before an enlightened person. Yun Caiwei is Ninth Master’s adopted daughter. Ninth Master once saved my life. Now his adopted daughter has fallen into trouble—I cannot stand by with folded arms.”

“Ninth Master? Which Ninth Master?” Zhong Datong asked.

“The Ninth Master who shook Jianghuai over ten years ago.”

“Wang Yaqiao!” Zhong Datong shouted loudly.

“But Fifth Master, rest assured, this girl has no connection to the Axe Gang. In early years, Wang Yaqiao, fearing she’d be implicated in jianghu grudges, placed her in foster care with someone else…”

“I remember now.” Zhong Datong slapped his forehead. “Wang Yaqiao indeed took an adopted daughter back then, a circus performer. Later there was no trace of her. So she’s the current Yun Caiwei.”

“Correct.”

“Who else knows about this?” Zhong Datong asked.

“No one knows.”

“Mm.” Zhong Datong nodded. “I told the Police Bureau side that Yun Caiwei is my private mistress. To repay you, old brother, this favor, I don’t even want my old face anymore. A basin of dirty water splashed on myself, hehe.”

“Fifth Master’s great kindness—little brother will never forget for life!”

“Hehe, you exaggerate! However… if Yun Caiwei can get out, worthy brother must promise me three things.”

“Which three?”

“Can’t leave, can’t die, can’t go mad.”

Zu Ye didn’t understand: “Please Fifth Master clarify!”

“To save Yun Caiwei, I must personally stand as guarantor. So once Yun Caiwei gets out, absolutely no accidents can occur. If she leaves Shanghai, the Police Bureau will say this is fleeing in fear of punishment. If she dies, it’s suicide in fear of punishment. If she goes mad, it’s feigning madness and playing dumb. So can’t leave, can’t die, can’t go mad. Otherwise, I, this guarantor, also can’t escape culpability.”

Zu Ye nodded repeatedly: “Fifth Master, rest assured, these situations won’t occur.”

“Also, if subsequently there’s truly ironclad evidence proving Yun Caiwei is Communist Party, then not only can I not protect her, I myself will probably have to lift my butt and leave Shanghai. At that time, worthy brother mustn’t blame me.”

“Not at all, not at all. That Fifth Master can do this much is already kindness as heavy as mountains.”

“Jianghu people, jianghu matters—we conduct affairs emphasizing the character for righteousness. If Yun Caiwei truly can get out, you must watch over her well, absolutely can’t have accidents! Additionally, I advise little brother also not to get too close to any parties or factions. Whether Nationalist Party or Communist Party, we’re all rough folk who can’t provoke them.”

“Little brother understands!” Zu Ye heard until his whole body broke out in cold sweat.

A week later, Yun Caiwei got out. Zhong Datong deliberately instructed people to drive over to pick her up and hosted a banquet to wash away the dust, to prove this was his own mistress.

People around discussed: “This foxy slut, seducing men without end. Boss Fang just went in, and she’s already hooked up with Zhong Datong. Whoever marries her is unlucky—a husband-harming foxy slut!”

At night, Zu Ye quietly brought Yun Caiwei back to the hall.

“Miss Yun has been frightened.” Zu Ye revealed the matter’s ins and outs one by one.

After hearing, Yun Caiwei thanked him repeatedly: “Many thanks to Mister for his life-saving grace. So Mister is my adoptive father’s brother.”

“Shh—” Zu Ye signaled her to lower her voice. “This matter—you know, I know, Xiao Liuzi knows. Don’t speak of it to anyone else again.”

“Then I should call Mister uncle,” Yun Caiwei said.

“Absolutely cannot call me that—it will expose the truth. Additionally, Miss Yun must listen to my arrangements. Otherwise, if problems occur, Fifth Master Zhong will also be implicated.”

“Mister, rest assured, I’m absolutely not an underground Party member. Sixth Concubine wants to frame me—I know.”

“Why?”

“After she sent my husband to prison, she must also send us several concubines along with the old lady in too. Only this way can she be thoroughly clean.”

“Makes sense.”

“Additionally, her illicit affair with Police Captain Cai Xuezhong was discovered by me. I once warned my husband, so the person Sixth Concubine most wants dead is me.”

Zu Ye said: “It’s not an illicit affair. They were in cahoots to begin with. This is coordinating from inside and outside to bring down Boss Fang.”

“Mister, this time I really must trouble you to divine properly—divine whether my husband, the old lady, and the other concubines can safely come out? I know all their eight characters, I’ll tell you…”

Zu Ye smiled bitterly in his heart: People only tell fortunes when driven to desperation, telling fortunes hoping to divine good results. But how can there be so many good results in worldly affairs?

Looking at Yun Caiwei, Zu Ye didn’t know what to say. The woman before him still didn’t know the Jiang Xiang Sect’s layers of inside information. Like countless common people, they revere fortune-tellers as spirits, hoping the spirits can guide them somewhat. Toward Yun Caiwei, if he used the Yingyao method, speaking grandly for a while could temporarily deflect, but once he made her kindle the hope of life, the final blow would be even greater. If he spoke truthfully, Yun Caiwei would probably collapse right now. If by any carelessness she sought a short-cut death, there’d be no way to account to Fifth Master Zhong’s side.

The Origins of the Jianghu Secret Manual “Junma Text”

In utter helplessness, Zu Ye thought again of the Junma Text. Furthermore, the grudges and grievances related to it among the Jiang Xiang Sect’s ancestors also began swirling in his mind.

The Jiang Xiang Sect’s four great secret manuals: A’Bao Text, Yingyao Text, Zhafei Text, Junma Text.

The A’Bao Text was the foundational teaching material for fortune-telling swindlers and also the spiritual program for the entire Jiang Xiang Sect. It opened with the declaration: “The greedy will surely be poor—the gentleman regards this as a great warning. Being an A’Bao, the fault lies not in physiognomy but in greed,” intending to find orthodox basis for the Jiang Xiang Sect’s swindling. This once and for all washed away the A’Baos’ sense of shame and disgrace: This isn’t swindling—it’s punishing the greed, anger, and delusion in human nature, letting those who won’t turn back until hitting the south wall, who won’t repent without being deceived, reap what they sow.

Furthermore, it states: “Corrupt officials are the people’s thieves; dishonest merchants are the people’s moths; local tyrants are the people’s tigers and wolves. Being an A’Bao is heaven’s punishment!” This further aroused the A’Baos’ desire to swindle. Listing corrupt officials, dishonest merchants, and local tyrants as the three major groups to primarily swindle easily secured tremendous popular support. The A’Baos also used this to grandly don the cloak of “acting on heaven’s behalf.” Since ancient times, people most hated three kinds of people—corrupt officials, dishonest merchants, local tyrants—hating them gnashingly yet powerless. The Jiang Xiang Sect’s appearance opened a new method of eliminating the strong and supporting the weak. So when the Hongmen Five Ancestors initially founded the Jiang Xiang Sect, they called out and hundreds responded. All kinds of practitioners swarmed, and the Jiang Xiang Sect immediately gathered all the elite talent among the people at that time.

Having established theoretical foundation and popular foundation, the A’Bao ranks’ own construction appeared especially important. So the A’Bao Text further used “Being an A’Bao, observe broadly but take sparingly, cautious at the start and more cautious at the end” as a warning, requiring A’Baos to always maintain a highly vigilant spiritual state. “Observe broadly but take sparingly” further required A’Baos not to be too greedy. Swindling emphasizes assessing the situation and steady flow. Killing the chicken for eggs and plucking feathers from passing geese would ultimately lead to self-destruction.

Furthermore, it established three rules for A’Baos: Swindle the evil not the good, swindle wealth not lust, don’t separate people’s flesh and blood. Warning A’Baos that immoral deeds mustn’t be done—they’ll incur heavenly retribution.

The entire A’Bao Text was righteously upright, language sharp yet orderly, but it deliberately overlooked two key factors.

First, their own human nature. A’Baos are also human, with greed and desires just like ordinary people. Righteous words are spoken with passionate fervor, but when doing things, the appearance changes. Upon seeing silver, eyes flash green; upon seeing beauties, blood and qi surge. What “observe broadly but take sparingly,” what “cautious and more cautious,” what “swindle wealth not lust”—all have long been cast to the ninth heaven. Throughout history, the Jiang Xiang Sect’s several major upheavals were all due to problems within their own ranks, even nearly suffering clan extermination disasters.

In the third year of Jiaqing (1798 CE), the twelfth-generation ancestor of Muzi Lian, Zhang Xianzhig, violated ancestral rules, leading to internal fratricide within Muzi Lian and nearly complete annihilation.

Zhang Xianzhig, from Jiading, Jiangsu, joined the Jiang Xiang Sect at age twelve, seized Muzi Lian’s power at age thirty-two. This person was supremely intelligent but excessively lustful toward women.

At that time, the famous wealthy man of Qiantang, Qian Dahao, because his mother had died, requested Zhang Xianzhig to perform ritual ceremonies to transcend her soul. Zhang Xianzhig knew well that Qian Dahao’s family wealth was abundant, so he quoted an astronomical price of three hundred taels of patterned silver. Qian Dahao agreed in one breath and added three hundred bolts of silk—truly generous and extremely righteous.

Zhang Xianzhig should have quit while ahead. Unexpectedly, he set his sights on Qian Dahao’s wife, Liu Mengyao. Thinking it over, he discovered that whether in appearance, learning, or family wealth, he couldn’t compare with Qian Dahao. If he wanted to get this beautiful woman, the only option was to “eliminate” him. Zhang Xianzhig, his wits bewitched by beauty, hatched a vicious plot. After completing the ritual ceremony, he quietly said to Qian Dahao and Liu Mengyao: “With elders entering the tomb, the home will be shrouded in yin energy for three years. Forgive my bluntness—I observe that Master Qian and Madam both have darkened印堂. Within the month I fear disaster. Please be very vigilant.”

Soon after, Qian Dahao and Liu Mengyao went to Yuntai Temple to fulfill a vow. On the return journey, they were intercepted by bandits. At this time, Zhang Xianzhig “just happened” to pass by with his disciples, fighting desperately to save Liu Mengyao, while Qian Dahao was stabbed by mountain bandits, the blade entering his heart directly, dying on the spot.

The shocked Liu Mengyao, under Zhang Xianzhig’s escort, returned home. After much weeping, she buried Qian Dahao. Zhang Xianzhig helped with everything inside and out and performed ritual ceremonies for free. Afterward, Liu Mengyao, having survived the disaster and becoming even more superstitious, frequently asked about her fate. Zhang Xianzhig took the opportunity to extensively employ Yingyao and Zhafei methods. Over time, Liu Mengyao completely entrusted her body and heart to Zhang Xianzhig.

Zhang Xianzhig believed this matter was done seamlessly. Unexpectedly, trouble arose from within the household. Muzi Lian’s second-in-command, a person called Zhang Qingyun, couldn’t stand it anymore. He already harbored resentment toward Zhang Xianzhig over the struggle for sect master position. At this moment, he could make use of it, so he quietly told Liu Mengyao the truth.

After hearing, Liu Mengyao suddenly understood. Carefully recounting the various incidents that had occurred over the past half year, she finally knew why all events were so coincidental—it turned out all the fortune-telling predictions came true because Zhang Xianzhig was behind it.

Zhang Qingyun said: “Madam, Zhang Xianzhig harms the loyal and good, his humanity extinguished. Please Madam lend me your assistance to eliminate this person.”

Liu Mengyao said: “How should I assist?”

Zhang Qingyun said: “Zhang Xianzhig is cautious and suspicious by nature, arranging guards to patrol day and night. Acting at home will probably be difficult to succeed. Madam can invite him to the Qiantang River bank to view the moon on the night of the fifteenth of the eighth month. I’ll arrange brothers to pull the rug from under him. At that time, coordinating from inside and outside, we’ll thoroughly annihilate this fellow.”

After hearing, Liu Mengyao silently nodded.

On the night of the fifteenth of the eighth month, at Liu Mengyao’s urging, Zhang Xianzhig brought Liu Mengyao and several dozen A’Baos out to view the moon. Zhang Qingyun united with other Batous to rebel in the lair. After eliminating Zhang Xianzhig’s henchmen, Zhang Qingyun led brothers to kill their way to the riverside.

The two groups confronted each other. Zhang Qingyun stood at the front of the formation, denouncing Zhang Xianzhig’s extravagant debauchery and perverse conduct. Then with a great shout of “Clean house!” he brandished a large blade and charged forward. The two groups instantly plunged into life-and-death combat.

Zhang Xianzhig fought desperately to carve out a bloody path and escaped, running alone for twenty li. Finally, due to excessive blood loss, he stopped in a forest, clutching the blade wound on his chest, breathing irregularly.

Suddenly, the rustling sound of footsteps on fallen leaves came from behind. Zhang Xianzhig whirled around: “Ah! It’s you?”

Liu Mengyao walked over.

Zhang Xianzhig wanted to stand and run but had no strength left. Blood from his chest wound gurgled outward. He raised his blade horizontally before himself in terror, shouting: “Don’t come over! Don’t come over!”

Liu Mengyao smiled: “Master, what’s wrong with you?”

Zhang Xianzhig closed his eyes, threw away the blade, and said despairingly: “I killed your husband. I admit it. Kill me.”

Liu Mengyao bent down and crouched before Zhang Xianzhig, gathering Zhang Xianzhig’s head into her embrace: “Master, you’ve been frightened. I won’t leave you.”

Zhang Xianzhig felt dizzy: “You…”

“Master, listen to me. I was originally a woman from a good family. At sixteen I was forcibly taken and occupied by Qian Dahao. I’d long had the heart to leave him, but helpless, alone and weak, I dared not act rashly. Fortunately Master appeared and helped this slave. Your sect’s affairs, this slave doesn’t concern herself with, but this slave has always been grateful to Master. Now that Master has escaped the sect, it’s also a good thing. You and I as husband and wife might as well fly far away and live that leisurely life.”

Zhang Xianzhig’s tears brimmed: “Madam, I have nothing left!”

“You still have me,” Liu Mengyao said tenderly.

“Madam…” Zhang Xianzhig buried his head deep in Liu Mengyao’s bosom.

Thus, the two concealed their names and began a new life. The next year, Liu Mengyao gave birth to a male infant. Zhang Xianzhig beamed with joy, regaining confidence in life.

One night, Zhang Xianzhig drank heartily, deeply moved: “Madam, meeting you in this life is my fortune. I intend to re-enter the jianghu, fight again across rivers and mountains. Just with my ability, within three to five years, I can certainly gather a group, become a sect leader! At that time, Madam will be the stronghold lady, our son will be the young sect leader! We’ll swindle all the world’s wealth, enjoy all glory and riches!”

“Master has such ambition! This slave admires, admires!”

Unknowingly, Zhang Xianzhig felt his vision blur: “Madam… I’m drunk…” Finishing, his head drooped and he fell down.

When Zhang Xianzhig woke again, he found himself tied to the bed.

He was somewhat dazed, not knowing what had happened, shouting: “Madam? Madam?”

Liu Mengyao walked over.

“Madam? What’s happening?” Zhang Xianzhig didn’t understand.

“Zhang Xianzhig!” Liu Mengyao roared angrily, tears rolling out. “You have this day too!”

Zhang Xianzhig was startled: “What does Madam mean?”

“Hehe.” Liu Mengyao smiled bleakly. “You killed my husband, seized my family’s fields and wealth, occupied my body. These debts can finally be repaid!”

Zhang Xianzhig was shocked: “Didn’t Madam once say she was grateful to me? Haven’t all these matters passed? If Madam hates me so much, why didn’t you kill me in the forest back then?”

“Hehehehe. Back then you were ruined and disgraced, with nothing, only seeking death. If I’d killed you, it would have suited your wish perfectly. Killing you then, you wouldn’t have experienced any pain. That wouldn’t be killing you—it would be helping you find release. Now you have a son, life is comfortable, your whole person revived from ashes, ambitious. Now demanding your death, you’ll truly be afraid! Because now you don’t want to die!” Liu Mengyao said viciously.

“You deceived me?”

“Speaking of deception, you’re the expert.”

Zhang Xianzhig’s whole body trembled: “Madam… Madam, listen to me. Though I deceived you initially, I genuinely like you. Now we have a child. For the child’s sake, Madam spare me!”

“Spare you? Hmph. Let me tell you a story first. Supposedly back when the Yuan Dynasty bloodily ruled us Han people, the Tartars enjoyed priority rights to our Han girls’ first night. Whenever a Han woman was to be married, they would forcibly defile her. Helpless Han people, to preserve the purity of their bloodline, would personally strangle their first child to death. I’m like those Han women forced into helplessness. Ten months of endurance giving birth to your spawn was just to wait for this day.”

Finishing, Liu Mengyao picked up the infant from the swaddling clothes, expressionlessly holding it before Zhang Xianzhig: “Look clearly!”

“No! No!” Zhang Xianzhig struggled and shouted.

Liu Mengyao coldly watched Zhang Xianzhig, applied force with her hands—crack—the child lost its breath.

“Ah! You poisonous woman! Poisonous woman! My son!” Zhang Xianzhig’s tears rolled out.

“Poisonous?” Liu Mengyao silently shed tears. “Am I more poisonous than you? My husband was charitable and kind, the whole family lived and worked in peace. In the blink of an eye, you made us broken and dead. Now you should also taste this flavor!”

“Poisonous woman! Even as a ghost I won’t let you go!”

“Right. You’ll soon become a ghost. But I won’t let you be a whole corpse ghost. I want your soul unable to gather even in the underworld. I want to turn you into piece by piece of minced meat. Your enormous body will only be able to decompose into mosquitoes, flies, maggots in the latrine in the next life.”

Finishing, Liu Mengyao picked up scissors.

Zhang Xianzhig’s heart leaped to his throat: “No! No! Madam! Spare me! Spare me! One day as husband and wife, a hundred days of grace! Show kindness, you’re a living bodhisattva, spare me! Leave me a dog’s life!”

“Hahahaha.” Liu Mengyao laughed loudly. “Right! Right! This is the feeling I want. You’re afraid, you’re finally afraid.”

“I’m afraid! I’m afraid! I’m just a dog, I beg Madam to let me go.”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I’ll cut gently, starting from your toes…”

Amid Zhang Xianzhig’s wails of sorrow, Liu Mengyao cut him into fragments.

As a person, don’t do romantic affairs—most poisonous is a woman’s heart. Zhang Xianzhig’s incident taught the Jiang Xiang Sect a deep lesson. From then on, Jiang Xiang Sect people never dared casually seduce women.

Besides human nature, the A’Bao Text overlooked an even more important principle: the law of cause and effect.

The A’Bao Text throughout promotes “acting on heaven’s behalf”—plainly speaking, this is “controlling evil with evil.” Others are bad, we’re even worse. We swindle all bad people’s wealth—this is called “acting on heaven’s behalf.” But the A’Baos didn’t anticipate that controlling evil with evil only makes evil pile upon evil.

The Jiang Xiang Sect swindled corrupt officials. After spending money, corrupt officials would even more frantically scrape the people’s fat and marrow, thinking of every method to recover it. The Jiang Xiang Sect swindled dishonest merchants. Dishonest merchants would similarly become even more cunning, defrauding people’s wealth. Local tyrants were the same—all money spent would be completely recovered through various means. Spending money was for better earning money. In the transmission of benefits, common people were the final payers. On the chain of cause and effect, the Jiang Xiang Sect played a role of fanning the flames. The karmic retribution overlooked in the A’Bao Text—or rather, not dared to face directly—buried enormous disaster for the Jiang Xiang Sect, destining it to ultimately walk toward destruction amid accumulated sins.

The Yingyao Text and Zhafei Text were technical methods. Under the A’Bao Text’s fabricated “acting on heaven’s behalf” illusory background, the Yingyao Text unleashed psychological manipulation techniques wantonly. “Quick attack slow thousand, first thousand then attack, thousand and flattery together, invincible in all directions.” These mental formulas were like a sharp knife, stabbing directly into hearts, making marks dizzy and confused, without any defensive countermeasures. The Zhafei Text was even more supernatural, using props to perform various demon and ghost spectacles, making marks repeatedly dumbstruck, unable to cope, finally obediently paying money to seek disaster elimination.

As for the Junma Text, it was the most treacherous of treacheries, the king of swindles. It maximally sublimated the essence of Yingyao and Zhafei, making swindling even more secretive and elegant, pushing swindling techniques to an unsurpassable realm. Even more deadly, the Junma Text combined genuine fortune-telling knowledge—this was a technique of mixing truth and falsehood. Pure falsehood is easily seen through, pure truth is also easily seen through. Only truth mixed with falsehood is difficult to fathom, hardest to expose. Because of this, the Junma Text caused the greatest harm and deepest poison to the human world.

The Junma Text opens with the words:

Once entering Junma, ten thousand people killed,

Not even fearing the Emperor himself!

Three armies wave flags with yin-yang commands,

Entering and exiting as ministers, pacifying the realm!

Meaning those who master this ability can stir up great waves—either assisting wise lords to achieve hegemony or raising poles and banners to dominate one region.

The Junma Text came from the hand of Hanlin talent Fang Daocheng. Who was Fang Daocheng? The fourth son of Jiang Xiang Sect founder Fang Zhaoyu. This person deeply understood the five elements method, possessed profound mystical learning foundation. He comprehended the three highest-level predictive arts in the mystical learning field: Qimen Dunjia, Taiyi Shenshu, Liuren Shenshu. These three techniques were far superior to fortune-telling methods that spread through the countryside like eight characters, six lines, physiognomy. If one didn’t know astronomy above, geography below, thoroughly investigate Hetu-Luoshu numbers, extending to weather, human relations, yin-yang twelve palaces, it would be fundamentally impossible to control and operate them.

Possessing peerless genuine ability and a heart devoted unto death to “overthrowing Qing and restoring Ming” enabled Fang Daocheng to have full essence-energy-spirit, freely and grandly writing down the eternal swindling masterpiece—the Junma Text.

To learn the Junma Text, first learn the five elements. Without understanding five elements, Junma is rendered hollow. Junma techniques face court officials. Those cultivating this method must have abilities surpassing those corrupt scholars in the court who observe celestial phenomena, calculate calendars, and divine national fortune. Only this way can they, as otherworldly masters, create great momentum, awaiting court recruitment. After entering the court, infiltrate the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, hide identity, gather factions, sow discord, disrupt court governance, preparing to overthrow Qing and restore Ming.

The Junma Text’s most prominent characteristic is using hazy poetry techniques to develop “blocking both ends” fortune-telling pronouncements to the extreme. The full text of twelve hundred words, neat parallelism, beautiful language, emotions within scenery, leisurely narrating myriad human phenomena in rhyme and meter. After learning the Junma Text, even without fortune-telling, writing ability will significantly improve.

For example, fortune-telling words for emperors:

The Emperor reigns over the realm, must accord with heaven and earth’s way. Dragons soar amid the four seas, grace spreads universal beneficence. Heaven’s mandate returns, nine provinces’ essence and spirit concentrate in the imperial hall; yin and yang harmonize, sun and moon’s darkness cleansed and re-brightened.

Especially the last sentence—Qing emperors upon hearing would all laugh heartily. “Sun-moon darkness”—the characters for sun and moon together form the character “Ming,” clearly saying the great Ming Dynasty was dark and corrupt, common people saw no daylight. The Qing Dynasty replaced it, making sun and moon “cleansed and re-brightened” to see light again.

Another example, fortune-telling pronouncements for ministers:

Exerting strength in position, mountains rivers seas peaks, ministers all share the sage’s grace; four seasons five elements, majestic wind arises, famous scholars don’t covet a square inch of merit. One coin’s expenditure requires remembering heaven’s grace commanding fate; one official position’s advancement or retreat, carefully consider yin-yang virtue. Yin-yang imbalance brings anomaly, benefiting both wealth and office brings disaster.

This clearly warns officials to advance and retreat with moderation, not be too greedy.

If fortune-telling masters use such gorgeous and weighty pronouncements to divine fate, the other party will certainly sigh that this person’s learning is full, unfathomably deep. Hazy and beautiful fortune-telling pronouncements further make people feel heavenly mechanisms are profound, cannot be easily fathomed.

The Junma Text’s excellence destined its fate to be extraordinary. Junma never disturbed the people—ordinary commoners couldn’t understand it either. Its main attack targets were high officials and wealthy merchants. So those cultivating Junma were never ordinary fortune-tellers but conspirators with ulterior motives for “overthrowing Qing and restoring Ming.”

Later, the supremely intelligent Qianlong Emperor, during the movement suppressing overthrowing Qing and restoring Ming, finally glimpsed this clue. In one stroke he executed over a dozen Heaven and Earth Society infiltrators mixed in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and, following clues, captured Fang Daocheng alive.

Emperor Qianlong, holding the “Proclamation Against Barbarians” written by Fang Daocheng, said: “With such talent and learning, not pursuing proper business—alas! Alas!”

Fang Daocheng, knowing his days were numbered, closed his eyes and said: “Kill, dismember, preserve, leave—all at your convenience.”

“Death by lingering slicing!”

“Death by chariot dismemberment!”

“Death by waist-cutting!”

“Boil him!”

“Saw him!”

“Deep-fry him!”

“Need nothing—let this old minister eat him bite by bite!”

The entire court of civil and military officials roared like beasts.

Qianlong stroked his fan, smiling: “Fang Daocheng, I won’t kill you. I’ll let you self-awaken. I bestow upon you one copy of the Diamond Sutra. You may read and study it in your cell. I’ll recite Empress Wu Zetian’s opening words to the Diamond Sutra for you: ‘Supreme, most profound, subtle, wonderful dharma, difficult to encounter in hundreds of thousands of millions of kalpas. I now see, hear, receive, and uphold it, vowing to understand the Tathagata’s true meaning.’ I believe with your wisdom, you’ll eventually awaken.”

Fang Daocheng didn’t expect Qianlong would dispose of him this way. Over ten years later, the great Qing Dynasty ushered in the Qianlong Prosperity—commoners lived and worked in peace, all corners singing and dancing peacefully.

White-haired Fang Daocheng wept uncontrollably: “Your Majesty, this grassroots person knows his crime.”

Qianlong sighed: “Your heart is entirely toward the great Ming Dynasty—I admire your integrity. But have you thought about why the great Ming perished? The Heavenly Way is vast, cause and effect have retribution. The Ming Dynasty replaced the Yuan Dynasty, the great Qing replaced the great Ming—all because previous dynasties were corrupt and incompetent, people’s livelihoods desperate. If you truly comprehend the heavenly mandate method, you’d know that currently every commoner has food to eat, everyone has clothes to wear—this is precisely where heavenly mandate returns. Why must you overthrow Qing and restore Ming? Just to preserve the great Ming’s name? Fang Daocheng, I ask you—if right now I let you return to the incompetent Ming Dynasty, would you be willing? Step out of the prison door and ask all the realm’s commoners whether they’d be willing?”

Fang Daocheng silently shed tears, finally sighing deeply: “I comprehended yin and yang but didn’t comprehend cause and effect.”

Qianlong continued: “I didn’t kill you, letting you sit in prison ten years, precisely to let you self-awaken. I want all the realm’s commoners to know that the great Qing replacing the great Ming was acting in accordance with heaven—the great Qing did nothing wrong. If one day the great Qing walks the wrong path, you needn’t overthrow Qing and restore Ming—naturally a new dynasty will replace the great Qing. Rivers flow and turn, cause and effect cycle—a dynasty’s fate is like a person’s. Whether fortune or misfortune depends entirely on whether the individual is good or evil. This is why since I personally governed, I never promote Daoist methods but exclusively promote Buddhist dharma. I never let Daoist priests or magicians pray for blessings and longevity for me, much less eat so-called immortal elixirs. I know human bodies are all flesh—where there’s life there must be death. I’ve seen those emperors in history who daily indulged in mystical witchcraft—the more they sought longevity, the faster they died. I don’t seek longevity, only that during my lifetime I can benefit all the realm’s commoners—then I’ll die without regret.”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! This criminal has no place to hide his shame. Please Your Majesty grant me death.” Fang Daocheng, ashamed, kowtowed repeatedly.

“Fang Daocheng, I still won’t kill you. I grant you to leave home and become a monk, praying for blessings for my great Qing realm’s multitudes.”

“Your Majesty…” Fang Daocheng’s aged tears streamed down.

From then on, the Heaven and Earth Society’s anti-Qing tide gradually subsided. This was good for the great Qing but disaster for commoners. The Jiang Xiang Sect’s four great halls extended their claws toward ordinary commoners. Junma techniques also began improving and popularizing. From then on, A’Baos walked an evil path of no return.

Since ancient times, sect masters of all four great halls had to learn the four great mental methods, but the secret manuals had to be separately hidden in each hall. Probably the Jiang Xiang Sect ancestors back then feared that keeping them in one hall, if problems occurred, all would be lost at once. Sect masters of each hall orally transmitted the four great mental methods starting from the original Qian, Kun, Kan, Li. Over hundreds of years, due to differences in each generation’s sect master’s IQ, EQ, and breadth of mind, the four mental methods’ transmission gradually became imbalanced, creating today’s situation where each hall specializes in its own method—reaching pinnacles but lacking comprehensiveness.

Back when Old Master Zhang Dancheng was dying, he told Zu Ye: “To become a generation’s Jiang Xiang master, the four great mental methods must be thoroughly integrated. All the Zhafei, Yingyao, A’Bao, Junma formulas I know, I’ve told you. But this isn’t comprehensive, especially Junma. You must maintain good relations with the Northern faction. That old fox Qian Yuelin employs it to perfection, but his intentions are improper. Sooner or later he’ll destroy Junma. Whether ancestral things can walk the righteous path—you decide.”

From that time on, Zu Ye wanted to get his hands on the Junma secret manual. Decades have passed—this time Zu Ye is determined to obtain it. But the original intention has changed—not to develop Junma techniques but for the unspeakable path of redemption in his heart.

At this moment, facing Yun Caiwei, recalling the various grudges and grievances drawn out by the Jiang Xiang Sect secret manuals, Zu Ye’s heart surged with waves. Zu Ye decided to again employ the Junma techniques he knew very little about. But this time it wasn’t to swindle money, because Yun Caiwei wasn’t a “mark.” Never mind swindling her money—she was now penniless, homeless. Not only must he comfort her through fortune-telling, he also had to provide money to support her. Otherwise, even her daily living would be problematic.

“Miss Yun…”

As soon as Zu Ye spoke, Yun Caiwei interrupted him: “Mister, you can just call me Caiwei. We’re family.”

“Still… call you Miss Yun, avoid others’ eyes and ears, safer. Today’s hour isn’t right, unsuitable for divination. Miss should first rest at my humble dwelling. Tomorrow morning we’ll talk in detail.”

“Oh, very well. Very well.” Yun Caiwei showed slight disappointment.

Zu Ye wanted to compose words well at night, striving to stabilize Yun Caiwei in one stroke.

“This little woman came to find Mister for divination precisely wanting to hear the truth. Whether fortune or misfortune, Mister must honestly tell me.” After Yun Caiwei finished speaking, she went to rest.

Zu Ye felt helpless again. People coming for fortune-telling all say this. But once you speak of great misfortune and such, basically all can’t withstand it—complexion and voice both change, life worse than death.

Zu Ye thought all night. The next day at the chen hour, Yun Caiwei came over.

Zu Ye spoke frankly: “Miss Yun, actually when I first saw you, I already saw some fortune and misfortune from your physiognomy. Only last time the incident occurred suddenly—no time to speak.”

“Oh, physiognomy. Mister is formidable! I only heard people say Mister tells fortunes using an iron abacus, called Iron Plate Divine Numbers. Unexpectedly Mister has also researched physiognomy so formidably.”

Zu Ye’s face reddened: “All are interconnected. Looking at Miss’s husband-wife palace on your face, this palace is dull and lusterless—not an auspicious sign.”

“Oh…” Yun Caiwei’s face already showed worry.

Zu Ye began employing the Junma formula of blocking both ends: “Metal and water once meet, official birth beautiful appearance, heaven’s Taiyi star, mortal world comes as screen. Shields wind and blocks rain, carriage and horse travel in river, livelihood greatly occupied, returning to heaven leaves beautiful name. Fortune and misfortune heaven itself determines, mortals shouldn’t庸…”

“What does it mean?” Yun Caiwei was completely confused.

“Miss, listen to my explanation…”

Just as Zu Ye was about to seriously continue Junma techniques, bang—the door was crashed open.

Er Batou ran in shouting: “Zu Ye, major news! This morning the Police Bureau executed twelve Communist bandits by firing squad at Hongkou. The famous Boss Fang Jiyu was also executed!”

Zu Ye’s head buzzed. Looking again at Yun Caiwei, she was already shocked stiff, sitting upright on the stool.

“Miss Yun?”

Yun Caiwei’s head tilted, her entire body collapsed down.

“Who is she?” Er Batou only then realized something was wrong.

“Quickly help carry her into the room!” Zu Ye said harshly.

“Oh, okay, okay!”

The two carried Yun Caiwei onto the bed.

“Steward, go call a doctor.” Zu Ye instructed.

Wu Lao’er quickly ran out.

The rhetoric Zu Ye carefully designed was ruined by Er Batou’s one sentence. Zu Ye pointed at his head, so angry he didn’t know what to say: “You… you… you accomplish nothing but ruin everything.”

Er Batou knew he’d caused trouble again but didn’t know where the error was. Resentfully he said: “Zu Ye, such major intelligence, I ran over at the first moment to tell you… I didn’t know you had a woman here. So beautiful. Who is this?”

“Just the mark Old Three mentioned.”

“Oh, wasn’t she taken away by police that day?”

“Taken away means she can’t come back?”

“Oh, can, can. Why did she faint?”

“You frightened her.”

“Me?”

“Right. Your appearance is fierce, voice like tigers and leopards. This great household lady has never seen this. Now the mark has fainted, we didn’t earn money, and we still have to pay medical expenses. What do you say to do?”

“This…”

“Take it from your share money this month.”

“Ah?”

“Anything else?”

“Nothing.”

“Go back then.”

Er Batou scratched his head and left, muttering in his heart: What’s happening? Do I really look this frightening?

“Second Brother, I was just looking for you.” San Batou walked toward him.

“San’er, do I look very ugly?” Er Batou asked San Batou.

San Batou didn’t know why Er Batou asked this. After thinking for a moment, he said: “Still okay.”

“Oh, still okay…” Er Batou pondered this sentence, suddenly understood, and cursed loudly: “Wipe your snot and go play with your balls!”

“Hehe, Second Brother, don’t be angry. Tomorrow there’s work to do that needs you to act.”

“Catching ghosts again?”

“Right. Just now a mark came to me, saying his ten-year-old son got hysteria. Every day he doesn’t eat or drink. Once night comes, he says a group of white-bearded old men stand at the door. Others can’t see them—only he can see them. Tell me if that’s frightening or not!”

“Hehe.” Er Batou was delighted. “This matter must rely on Second Master me to settle it. Never mind old men—even if another group of old ladies comes, I’ll hold the peachwood sword and slash through. They’ll all fucking piss and shit themselves fleeing!”

“Absolutely, Second Brother goes out, one equals two.”

“What equals two? At least equals ten or eight.”

“Absolutely! However, should we report this matter to Zu Ye?” San Batou said.

“Aiya, San’er, this kind of trivial chicken-feather matter—why trouble the old man to worry? Zu Ye is vexed right now. The mark is sleeping in his bed…”

“What mark?”

“Just that beauty you brought not long ago.”

Upon hearing this, San Batou’s heart trembled: “Zu Ye couldn’t hold back?”

“Go ask him yourself,” Er Batou said with a laugh.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Er Batou “Catches Ghosts”

The next afternoon, Er Batou appeared at the hysteria-afflicted mark’s home with a long beard stuck on.

San Batou told the parents: “This is my senior brother, the most formidable ghost-catching master in the Jianghuai region.”

That person looked at Er Batou, nodded and said: “Truly has Zhong Kui’s appearance.”

After the incense table, lamp candles, yellow paper, and other props were prepared, Er Batou began performing the ritual.

“Immeasurable Celestial Worthy! You demon ghosts and monsters, still not revealing yourselves!” Er Batou waved the peachwood sword back and forth, putting on an act.

Then he drank a mouthful of cinnabar water and forcefully spat it out—poof—all sprayed onto the white cloth beside the incense table.

Soon, the white cloth showed imprints of ghosts and monsters with fangs and claws bared.

The surrounding people cried out in alarm!

Er Batou raised the peachwood sword and stabbed at that white cloth, stabbing over a dozen times consecutively. Chanting: “Be a ghost then be a ghost, what are you doing in the mortal realm! All karmic creditors, I transcend you, I transcend you, quickly depart, quickly depart! Wuya—”

The final “Wuya” came from his dantian, through his throat, directly charging to the ninth heaven, frightening the surrounding people into a shudder. San Batou on the side struggled not to laugh, coughing forcefully twice to disguise himself.

Er Batou withdrew his ritual technique, covered in sweat: “Done, all gone, all gone.”

“Many thanks to the master!” The parent walked over, taking out several legal currency notes. “This bit of money, not a proper gesture, please Mister accept it with a smile.”

Er Batou waved his hand: “Easy to say, easy to say. We Daoist sect people don’t covet mortal worldly objects. Money, this kind of thing, is like waste paper to us.” Finishing, he pulled a packet of medicine from his pocket and handed it to the parent. “This is ‘Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Elixir’ I personally refined. Give it to the child to take, three times daily. Guaranteed no more vengeful ghosts will pester him.”

“Many thanks! Many thanks!” That parent thanked him profusely.

“Junior brothers, let’s go,” Er Batou said to the surrounding A’Baos.

“No, no, this won’t do.” The parent reached out and grabbed Er Batou, saying emotionally: “Master, aren’t you scolding me? Master personally came out, dispelling illness for my humble son, collecting not a cent—this is already great kindness and virtue. How can I also take your elixir for free? This money I must give!”

“Not at all, not at all.” Er Batou shook his head. “My elixir uses Tianshan snow lotus as the medicinal primer, Baotu Spring water for soaking, refined using Daoist methods for seven-times-seven, forty-nine days. This money you cannot afford.”

“If Master doesn’t speak, that’s fine. Now that you’ve spoken, I feel even more guilty. Such a wondrous medicine and rare formula—exactly how much money does it require?”

“Those who recognize this treasure—a thousand gold pieces are hard to obtain. Those who don’t recognize this treasure—it’s worth not a cent,” Er Batou said.

“Master, say no more! I understand!” That parent turned to a girl and said: “Da Ya, go get the jade thumb ring your grandmother left behind!”

The girl turned and entered the house. Soon she came out holding an object.

“Master! This object is my ancestral treasure. The kindness of saving my son—a thousand gold pieces cannot express thanks. This small trinket, please accept it with a smile.”

Er Batou looked and said: “This…”

“Master, please don’t decline. This isn’t money—this is a token of trust. I trust you.”

“In that case… better to obey than be polite. I’ll keep it for you. In the future if you have difficulties, you may come to my dwelling to retrieve it.”

Er Batou and his group finally succeeded. After exchanging pleasantries, they quickly withdrew.

Returning to the hall, Er Batou was overjoyed: “Hahahaha. That fool wanted to send me off with a few legal currency notes. As if it’s that easy.”

San Batou said with a laugh: “This time Zu Ye will definitely be very pleased.”

“Need you say? After this matter completely settles, we’ll send it to Zu Ye. He won’t blame us for acting first and reporting later.”

“Second Brother is brilliant!”

The reason Er Batou and San Batou dared take such a valuable object from the other party was because they were confident they could cure that child with hysteria. Since ancient times, the Jiang Xiang Sect had taken on this kind of work too many times. It wasn’t that the Jiang Xiang Sect had any ghost-expelling techniques, but the Jiang Xiang Sect’s ancestors included many who understood Chinese medicine and had studied hysteria disease deeply. Medicine formulas specifically used to suppress shock, calm nerves, and expel evil in Chinese medicine had long been mastered by them. Pure medicine formulas weren’t worth much money, but after they packaged them and integrated them into Zhafei techniques, the value became vastly different.

Once disease is connected with spirits and ghosts, astronomical prices can be charged. Ghost-catching can’t be measured by the jin or bought by the liang—gold has a price but ghosts are priceless. When Jiang Xiang Sect disciples caught ghosts, often there’d first be a supernatural performance, with the real medicine only brought out at the end. Catching demons was false—the medicine formula was real. Pitiful common people often valued the foreplay too highly, overlooking the mystery afterward.

Two days later, just as Er Batou and San Batou were secretly rejoicing, that parent came again.

Upon seeing him, Er Batou’s heart bloomed with joy: No need to ask—this is follow-up thanks. His son must be better.

“How is it? The white-bearded old men are gone, right?” Er Batou asked confidently.

That person smiled helplessly: “The old men are gone. Now a group of old ladies came, and they’re leading dogs.”

“Oh?” Er Batou was surprised. “According to past experience, this is impossible.”

“Master, did you actually catch that ghost or not?” that person asked worriedly.

“Rest assured about this. According to my over twenty years of ghost-catching experience, there shouldn’t be errors.”

“Then why does my son say another group of old ladies came, all leading dogs, frightening him into shouting at midnight, ‘Wind came, rain came, old ladies leading dogs came!’ Disturbing all four neighbors and eight households so they can’t rest easy.”

Er Batou thought for a moment and said seriously: “Listen to me. This ghost has many types—some have good tempers, some bad tempers, some are impatient, some patient. Your family’s ghost is patient. In life he was the kind of person who would shit his pants rather than run to the latrine…”

San Batou on the side listened with his heart pounding. Yingyao verbal techniques weren’t Er Batou’s specialty—his specialty was Zhafei. San Batou quickly took over the conversation: “My senior brother always likes to explain profound principles in simple terms. What he means is your family’s ghost has too much resentment, clinging to your son refusing to let go. We must perform the ritual once more. Additionally, my senior brother’s immortal elixir—has your son been taking it continuously?”

“Taking it, three times a day.”

“Don’t be afraid. We’ll go again tomorrow.”

“Then… then I’ll trouble the masters.” That person’s form of address for San Batou and Er Batou had already changed from “master” to “shifu.”

After that person left, San Batou said to Er Batou: “This is bad. Should we report to Zu Ye?”

“No need! Can’t I settle this matter? Watch me give him a strong dose tomorrow. Guaranteed to cure his son!”

The next day, at noon hour, Er Batou and San Batou brought a group of A’Baos and made their appearance.

“Heaven spirit, earth spirit, you evil creature still won’t leave! Changing to male, changing to female—I’ll kill you, I’ll chop you! Wuya—” Er Batou held the precious sword chasing around the courtyard, suddenly pointing at the child and shouting: “Possessed! Possessed! It possessed the child’s body!”

The surrounding people were frightened pale.

“Quick, tie up the child for me!”

The parent was startled: “Tie him up?”

Er Batou’s left hand raised the peachwood sword, his right hand made a two-finger meditation gesture: “Tie him up!”

The parent was somewhat reluctant.

“Quickly! The ghost is on his body! Do you still want to save your child or not?”

The parent steeled his heart and said: “Fine.” Several people surged forward and tied up the child.

The child trembled all over in fright, looking at Er Batou in terror, as if looking at a fierce ghost.

Er Batou pointed at the jujube tree in the courtyard: “Hang him up!”

Everyone was startled, then hung the child upside down on the tree, head down and feet up.

The child, blood vessels bulging, screamed hoarsely: “Ghost! Ghost! There’s a ghost!”

“The ghost is on his body—beat him with sticks!” Er Batou commanded.

San Batou grabbed the willow mourning rod and struck at the child’s body—”Crack! Crack! Crack!”

“Ghost! There’s a ghost! Ghost! Ghost!” Blood came from the child’s eyes and mouth. He struggled hideously, shouting. The surrounding people frightfully retreated wave after wave.

Er Batou pointed his sword at the child: “Still won’t come out? Use needles to prick him!”

Xiao Jiao pulled out “demon-expelling silver needles” and fiercely stabbed at the child’s body. Fresh blood seeped out profusely, dyeing the child’s clothing red.

“Ah! Ah! Ghost… you’re a ghost! You’re a ghost!” The child screamed miserably, his body twisting and swaying, shaking the jujube tree rustling. His vicious gaze stared fixedly at Er Batou.

Er Batou instantly lost all face. He couldn’t hold back anymore. Not caring about any ritual ceremony, he threw away the peachwood sword, kicked over the incense table with one foot, snatched the willow mourning rod from San Batou’s hands, swung his arm, and personally struck.

“Crack! Crack!” Two strikes, smashing right on the child’s head. The child instantly lost his voice.

San Batou frightfully retreated two steps, sucking in cold air: This is bad!

“Gone, the ghost is gone,” Er Batou said, throwing away the willow mourning rod, panting heavily.

The surrounding people all looked dumbfounded: Is this fucking a master? Simply a beast.

“My son!” The child’s mother rushed over, collapsing beside the child.

San Batou mustered courage and went over, using his hand to test the child’s breath. He was still breathing. He quickly smoothed things over: “Quickly carry the child into the house. The wandering soul has returned to the body. After quietly resting a few days, everything will be fine.”

People anxiously untied the child from the tree and carried him into the house.

“Good. This time he’s completely gone. You can rest assured,” Er Batou said to the parent.

The parent looked at Er Batou doubtfully: “Oh…”

“Rest assured, old men and old ladies won’t come anymore.”

“The immortal elixir must still be taken as usual,” San Batou added.

After some words, the two Batous and several A’Baos finally extricated themselves.

Returning to the hall, San Batou felt uneasy: “Second Brother, won’t there be trouble?”

At this moment, Er Batou had also sobered up. At the time, because it was too embarrassing, he couldn’t help but act personally. Now thinking about it, he was truly frightened. What if the child died? This kind of beating and pricking technique generally couldn’t be used without reporting to Zu Ye. This time he’d caused trouble again…

“Rest assured, one person does the deed, one person takes responsibility,” Er Batou said.

“Should we tell Zu Ye?”

“Wait a bit more.”

Time no longer allowed Er Batou to wait. The next day, Cai Xuezhong brought the Police Brigade people, and with one command directly surrounded Zu Ye’s residence.

“Zu Ye, this time you’ve provoked big trouble!”

Zu Ye had no idea what had happened and quickly asked: “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Your disciple beat someone into a coma. You don’t know?”

“Beating someone?”

“Very calm. Quickly hand over the person!”

“Which one?”

“Your second disciple! Stop being long-winded! Quickly!”

Zu Ye’s heart beat like a drum: What has this bastard provoked now?

“Steward, go call Second Disciple!” Zu Ye instructed.

Wu Lao’er ran along in small steps. Soon Er Batou came back trembling fearfully.

“What did you do again?” Zu Ye stared at Er Batou and asked.

“Zu Ye, I…”

“Take him away! Take him away!” With Cai Xuezhong’s command, his subordinates bound Er Batou.

“Zu Ye, farewell!” The group took Er Batou away thunderously.

Zu Ye had been vexed about Yun Caiwei’s matter during this period. Now Er Batou came to add chaos. Zu Ye was so angry his brain hurt.

“What exactly happened?” Zu Ye roared angrily.

San Batou, frightened, prostrated on the ground and recounted the matter’s process completely.

After hearing, Zu Ye was so angry his teeth gnashed: “You all…”

“Zu Ye, spare my life!” San Batou prostrated on the ground begging for mercy.

“How is that child now?” Zu Ye maintained a measure of calm.

“The parent carried him over. He’s at our fortune-telling hall entrance. The child’s parents are crying and making a fuss.”

“Quickly arrange people to send the child to the best hospital. Transmit my oral command—say Mr. Tieban will definitely be able to save his son alive. All expenses will be covered by us. First stabilize the child’s parents. Also, contact Wu Junran from the newspaper. Have him keep a close watch these days. Any news related to the hall must absolutely be suppressed.”

“Understood!”

After San Batou left, Zu Ye paced back and forth in the room with hands behind his back.

Wu Lao’er walked over: “Zu Ye, Miss Yun cried again, still not eating. If this continues I fear…”

Since learning her husband was executed by the Nationalist Party, Yun Caiwei had been dispirited, washing her face with tears daily, having no appetite for food or tea. Zu Ye, fearing she’d seek a short-cut death, could only dispatch the steward and several female A’Baos to guard day and night.

“Miss Yun, the dead cannot be revived. Please Miss Yun prioritize the overall situation,” Zu Ye said to Yun Caiwei leaning against the headboard.

“Mister need not console my heart. Caiwei was abandoned by my parents from childhood, entered the acrobatics troupe suffering all hardships. Later, thanks to Ninth Master’s great kindness saving me, I retrieved a life. Later placed in foster care with others—my foster parents’ kindness to me was heavy as mountains. Though the family wasn’t wealthy, they still supported my schooling. Later Ninth Master died, foster parents also died. I felt in this world I had no more relatives. It was my husband who let me regain human dignity. With his departure, I truly feel life has no meaning.”

“Miss Yun, restrain your grief.”

“Did Mister divine my husband’s death early on but never revealed it?” Yun Caiwei asked.

Zu Ye’s heart felt confused. I can’t divine shit. But he nodded: “Yes. According to the eight characters Miss Yun gave me, I can see Mr. Fang is the heaven’s Taibai Star descended. Like Yue Fei, Guan Erye—these great figures all came with missions and karma. Once the mission is complete, they should return to heaven. Mortals all think he died, but to us fortune-tellers, he’s returning to heaven to report on his mission.”

“Truly?”

“Daoist people don’t speak falsehoods. If Miss Yun doesn’t believe, I can employ the mandala method. In the mandala you can see Mr. Fang’s true form…”

“Mandala method?” Yun Caiwei was somewhat doubtful.

“Right. Daoist secret technique. Deceased people, if their achievements are illustrious, will enter the mandala, enjoying human incense offerings. The mandala is above the ninth heaven—that’s where immortals reside.”

“Can I truly see my husband?”

“Certainly.”

That night, at zi hour, Zu Ye’s long-unused “Mandala Blessing Ritual” was staged.

A large incense burner was arranged in the courtyard. Several hundred sandalwood incense sticks inserted in the incense burner. Under the night curtain, sandalwood slowly burned, incense fire dotting, smoke misting.

All around the courtyard hung cinnabar talismans and command flags. Eight female A’Baos dressed as Daoist priests, sitting cross-legged around the courtyard according to the nine palaces and eight trigrams pattern.

Zu Ye chanted words, then took out a roll of yellow paper, ignited it with candle fire. The yellow paper burned intensely, smoke paper whooshing upward.

Yun Caiwei knelt before the incense burner, palms together, praying devoutly.

“Miss Yun, please take out the most vigorously burning incense stick from the incense burner,” Zu Ye commanded.

Yun Caiwei quickly stood. Looking at a glance, several hundred sandalwood sticks bloomed like heavenly maidens scattering flowers. Red incense heads flickered—especially eye-catching in the darkness.

Yun Caiwei observed hard. Her eyes became blurred but she still couldn’t distinguish which incense stick burned most vigorously.

“Mister, I cannot choose.”

Zu Ye nodded: “Close your eyes. Use your heart to seek.”

Yun Caiwei took a deep breath, closed her eyes. Following intuition, she extended her hand. Suddenly an incense stick touched her, burning slightly. She opened her eyes, pulled out this incense stick, clamping it between her palms.

“Mister, I found it.”

“Mm. This incense stick is your husband’s dharma body. Close your eyes—he’ll immediately appear before you.”

Yun Caiwei devoutly closed her eyes, palms joined together, clamping the incense in the middle, silently praying.

“Don’t open your eyes. Use your heart to see. When the heart door opens, you can see everything,” Zu Ye repeated.

Yun Caiwei nodded.

A breeze blew. Trees rustled.

Zu Ye mysteriously said: “He came. Sitting in the mandala incense burner, whole body cloaked in white light. He’s smiling at you. Do you see?”

Yun Caiwei made no sound.

“Do you see?” Zu Ye continued guiding.

“I see…” Yun Caiwei was already crying aloud. “I see!” She had long been sobbing uncontrollably.

Night deepened. The ritual altar was withdrawn.

Yun Caiwei sat quietly. Zu Ye drank tea alone, sorting through various information about the boy Er Batou knocked unconscious that San Batou fed back, preparing countermeasures.

“Thank you, Mister,” Yun Caiwei suddenly said.

“Miss is too polite. I only wanted Miss to understand Mr. Fang’s whereabouts. Knowing he’s originally a heavenly person, you won’t be sad anymore.”

“Person or immortal, spirit or ghost, heaven or human world—longing unbroken,” Yun Caiwei’s tears came again.

“Continuous thought is emotional connection. Emotional connection unresolved, cause and effect unextinguished. In the next life, Miss Yun will still achieve a good match with Mr. Fang,” Zu Ye said.

Yun Caiwei smiled, smiling with tears: “Mister, the dead cannot be revived—you know, I know. Whether seen or not seen, I believe I saw.”

Zu Ye’s face reddened. “Mandala ritual” played on psychology. In darkness, a field of incense fire makes people dizzy. At this moment, if you make someone close their eyes, various scenes and colors will emerge before that person’s eyes—this is a normal physiological phenomenon. The brilliance lies in the ritual performer continuously giving psychological suggestions from the side, constantly reminding you, guiding you, asking whether you see certain scenes. At this moment, this person can’t help but follow the ritual performer’s guidance to integrate their own spiritual patterns. The most hoped-for “scene” also presents in the mind. This is the same principle as hypnosis—both psychological suggestion.

Clearly, Yun Caiwei was an understanding person. She saw through all this.

Yun Caiwei continued: “Standing beside the mandala incense burner that moment, I suddenly felt so ethereal, so relaxed. In this lifetime, not knowing when born, not knowing when dead—human life is inherently impermanent. What can be decided is perhaps only the present. Living well each day is human fundamentals.”

After hearing, Zu Ye sighed in his heart: “Miss Yun has achieved great awakening—respectable and admirable.”

“Mister has worried day and night for me these days. This little woman is very grateful. Just now seeing Mister’s brow continuously furrowed, I don’t know what matter concerns you?” Yun Caiwei asked.

“Oh…” Zu Ye was startled. “It’s my second disciple. A few days ago, performing rituals to expel demons for a child with hysteria, unexpectedly an accident occurred midway, causing this child to fall into deep coma. Now the other party came to the door. The Police Bureau took away my second disciple.”

“Hysteria? That kind of disease where one sees spirits and ghosts?”

“Right. That child, once night comes, says he sees strange and odd things…”

Yun Caiwei wiped tears from her eye corners: “Why didn’t Mister say earlier! I have a formula that might cure this illness.”

Zu Ye’s eyes brightened.

Yun Caiwei said: “My husband—three generations of ancestors practiced medicine. For children’s shock and fear symptoms, there are corresponding medicines. Last year a child in Zhabei had hysteria, climbing into the chicken coop at night to catch chickens, afterward completely unaware. After taking just three doses of my family’s medicine, he recovered completely.”

“Then… please Miss Yun not stint the formula,” Zu Ye cupped his fists.

“Mister is too polite.” Finishing, Yun Caiwei moved her body gracefully, picked up a writing brush, dipped it full of ink. After thinking for a moment, she wrote down the medicine formula on paper in elegant slender-gold calligraphy.

After seeing, Zu Ye praised repeatedly—first praising the formula’s marvel, second praising the calligraphy’s beauty.

At this moment, San Batou also sent the latest news: the child had been revived but still frightfully shouted “ghost.”

Zu Ye’s suspended heart fell. As long as he’s alive, everything can be handled.

Early the next morning, Zu Ye went to the Police Bureau.

After reporting identity and name, Zu Ye saw Cai Xuezhong.

“Zu Ye, this time convicting you all for pretending to be spirits and ghosts, harming lives—no objections, right?” Cai Xuezhong smiled treacherously.

“Captain Cai jests. In Captain Cai’s jurisdiction, all demon ghosts and monsters are completely revealed. Who would dare pretend to be spirits and ghosts!”

“Yo… this doesn’t sound like Zu Ye’s words. A generation master, shaking all China—mustn’t ruin your own reputation.”

“Hehe. Captain Cai, I came this time wanting to see whether Captain Cai could magnanimously raise your noble hand and be accommodating…”

“Accommodating? Human life is paramount. You tell me how to accommodate?”

Zu Ye thought and said: “I guarantee to cure that injured child well. Then compensate the other party a sum of money. As for my second disciple, his learning is imprecise, nearly causing a human life. The nation has national laws. Why not detain him some days, then make a final decision…”

“Hahahaha.” Cai Xuezhong laughed. “That child woke—I know. However, Zu Ye, you must think clearly. His waking is only temporary… Even if he recovers and goes home, who’s to say he won’t suddenly fall ill and die? This kind of situation isn’t uncommon, right?”

Zu Ye knew well the Military Statistics Bureau’s techniques of killing with borrowed knives and framing others. He quickly pulled out a stack of bills from his sleeve, quietly passing them over, saying with a smile: “Prepared for you. So I still must trouble Captain Cai to provide extra protection, protecting my common people’s stability and peace.”

Cai Xuezhong’s eyeballs spun wildly, then he smiled sinisterly: “Hehe. Easy to say, easy to say. Master is indeed master. Isn’t this easy to handle! The Police Bureau handling cases isn’t easy. Several hundred mouths need to eat and drink. Funds aren’t allocated. One moment catching Red bandits, next moment catching thieves. Zhang family’s elders, Li family’s shorts, Wang Er Mazi stole a donkey splint… Chaotic or not? Tell me, right, Zu Ye?”

“Yes, yes. In all Shanghai, who doesn’t know Captain Cai’s laborious achievements? It’s not me flattering Captain—people all say half Shanghai’s sky is propped up by Captain Cai. If your cloud doesn’t rain, common people must dry out…”

“Aiya. I’m not deliberately troubling Zu Ye. People carried the patient to your fortune-telling hall, causing an uproar. Tell me, if I don’t handle this matter, won’t the common people curse us!”

“Correct! Captain Cai is serving the people.”

Cai Xuezhong finally looked at Zu Ye: “Quickly cure the child for the family. Throw some money, block mouths. As for your second disciple, I’ll issue a punishment notice. In a few days, you take him back. Have him keep a low profile.”

“Captain Cai’s great kindness—I’ll never forget for life.”

“We were originally one family! You’re a War of Resistance master, party-state talent. Only this Cai is of humble low position, unable to enter Zu Ye’s regard.”

“How dare I! How dare I! Previously there were many misunderstandings. I hope Captain Cai will be magnanimous.”

“Easy to say, easy to say. Let’s frequently come and go hereafter.”

One phrase “frequently come and go” made Zu Ye’s monthly contribution money double. Until the People’s Liberation Army entered Shanghai, Zu Ye had to pay tribute to Cai Xuezhong monthly.

Yun Caiwei’s medicine formula was truly miraculous. The child’s hysteria gradually improved. Er Batou also returned.

“Did you get beaten inside?” Zu Ye asked Er Batou.

“Got beaten.”

“Comfortable?”

Er Batou’s whole face flushed red: “Zu Ye, I was wrong. Initially I didn’t tell Zu Ye because I felt that day, suddenly barging into Zu Ye’s room, frightening that mark unconscious, I caused Zu Ye trouble. I wanted to secretly establish merit myself, atoning for my error with merit.”

“Merit wasn’t established—instead error piled on error.”

“I let Zu Ye down. This matter certainly smeared Zu Ye’s reputation…”

Zu Ye slowly shook his head, casually picked up the newspaper on the table, and handed it to San Batou: “Lao San, you read it to him…”

San Batou took it and read loudly: “Shanghai boy possessed by ghost, Jianghuai’s first master acts to help. Man-ghost battle over twenty days, boy recovers. People all sigh at Mr. Tieban’s marvel…”

Er Batou listened and couldn’t help raising his head, showing a smile: “This can all be whitewashed? Zu Ye is formidable!”

“It’s whitewashed. Only, Zu Ye sent his most beloved pocket watch to the newspaper firm’s Wu Junran!” San Batou said.

“Alas, I let Zu Ye down,” Er Batou felt self-reproach again.

Zu Ye stood up: “This matter is turned over. Er Batou, listen well. If you dare act on your own initiative again hereafter, I’ll absolutely not forgive you!”

“I’ll never dare again!”

Steward Wu Lao’er came in: “Zu Ye, Sixth Master and others request an audience.”

Xiao Liuzi and the others had returned.