Yun Zhonghe's mind was racing. The moment had arrived where his wisdom would be put to the test.
At this very critical moment, all he could do was make his boldest guesses ever.
What fatal crisis had this centurion of the city guards, Li Tian, who was standing right before him, encountered?
What events might have happened recently? And it had to be something significant.
Thankfully, there was one such event, and it had happened right next to Yun Zhonghe. The chamberlain of the residence of the castellan, Li Tang, had been arrested and imprisoned for embezzlement of public funds.
Li Tang's surname was Li. This Li Tian standing before him also shared the same surname, so was there any relationship between the two?
An even bolder guess would be that Li Tang was Li Tian's backer. Of course, Li Tian would be on tenterhooks and perpetually in a state of anxiety after his backing fell. He did not know what he should do, and so, he had come to get his fortune told.
Yes, yes!
The possibility was very high.
But now the primary question was, what exactly was the word that Li Tian had written in his mind?
It could be said that Yun Zhonghe knew nothing about the man that stood before him. There was simply no way he could make a guess.
But he did memorize information on Li Tang before this. Initially, his grandfather's surname was Lv. But later on, because his family was too poor to raise him, he was adopted by a family named Li. After that, his surname was changed to Li.
Li Tang had always held a grudge over this. The thought of being unable to identify himself as a descendent of his family's ancestors always filled his heart with immense regret.
As mentioned before, Li Tang was someone who liked to mingle with men of knowledge and pretended to be an avid lover of culture. He liked calligraphy and painting. Back then, Yun Zhonghe had studied his calligraphy work so that he could curry favor with Li Tang in the future.
This Lv character was the one that Li Tang had written the most. It was also the character that he wrote best. Obviously, it had long become a devil within his heart.
If Li Tian was Li Tang's nephew, then it was obvious his original surname was also Lv. Then would he also be influenced by Li Tang, and had the Lv character also become a devil within his heart?
Yun Zhonghe said, "Centurion Li, the word that you have written in your mind is one that is related to family heritage."
There was no doubt he had made this remark just to feel out the other party. It was possible that any word could be related to family heritage, so it could not be said that Yun Zhonghe was wrong. But if Li Tian directly admitted the connection, it would be very likely that this word was his original surname, Lv.
Chinese characters were extensive and profound, and they could really allow for extremely far-fetched associations.
After hearing what Yun Zhonghe said, Li Tian was stunned. Then, he nodded.
His reaction was very interesting because of the fact that he had very obviously nodded.
If it had been another vague word, Li Tian would have thought for a while about whether the word had any relation to family heritage.
Since he had nodded so directly, it was highly possible that the word was Lv.
If Li Tian shared the same sentiments as Li Tang, and if he also held a grudge over the fact that he could not identify himself as a descendant of his family's ancestors, then this would have become a devil within his heart as well. So, if he were to think of a word in his heart, he would probably think of the character Lv.
"Lv!" Yun Zhonghe said. "The word you have secretly written in your mind is Lv."
At that same moment, hidden in the shadows not far from them, Xu Antiing was aiming a crossbow at Li Tian. The moment Yun Zhonghe said something wrong and Li Tian made a move, she would immediately shoot him.
Upon hearing Yun Zhonghe say the word, Li Tian was instantly shocked and could not believe his ears.
After a long time, he suddenly thrust his sword back into its sheath, bowed respectfully and said, "Sir, you have a great talent. Sir, you have great talent. You actually read the word that I've secretly written in my mind."
Yun Zhonghe let out a long sigh of relief. He actually got it right.
It had really been thirty percent wisdom and seventy percent luck.
Seeing how Li Tian's attitude had gone from snobby to deferential, Yun Zhonghe sneered coldly and said, "Did Centurion Li intend for me to draw my sword just now?"
"I have eyes, but I fail to see. I must be blind not to have recognized this. Please forgive me, sir." Li Tian said, "Mr. Yun, I've encountered a huge problem and have to make a decision that could mean life or death. I'm of two minds, so…"
"Shut up…" Yun Zhonghe said, "It's all in this word. I just need to look at the word."
Yun Zhonghe wrote the character Lv on the ground.
"The Lv character is made up of two openings. In ancient times, the meaning of this word was very simple. It referred to a house, a house that is used for sacrifice. The opening on top refers to the window in the roof, meaning the skylight. The opening at the bottom is the door on the wall. And now, thousands of years have passed. For what kind of house now has windows in its rooftop? That's a prison. Windows are installed in the ceiling where they're high up to prevent prisoners from breaking out of jail. Prisoners can't reach up there."
Yun Zhonghe looked at Li Tian and said, "Centurion Li, someone who is very important to you is serving a prison sentence."
The moment Yun Zhonghe spoke, Li Tian was rendered wholly shocked. He bowed deferentially and said, "Sir, you're truly a divine being. Sir, you're truly a divine being. Li Tian is totally convinced of it. The one who has been sentenced to prison is my uncle. He is the chamberlain of the residence of the castellan, and also my backer. Now that they have found me, they are asking me to confess to the crime that my uncle has committed, or else they will find me guilty of collective punishment. What should I do? Should I betray my uncle or continue bearing this with clenched teeth? The question is, can my uncle get through this?"
The meaning was very clear now. Centurion Li Tian did not know whether or not Li Tang could pull though this crisis safely, so he did not know whether he should betray his uncle or not.
What if he chose betrayal, but Li Tang eventually got out of this seemingly dangerous situation unscathed? Then would Li Tian not face a shameful death without a family burial?
But if he chose not to betray his uncle, if Li Tang was then truly finished, wouldn't Li Tian end up buried with him?
Centurion Li Tian said, "Mr. Yun, you have opened your third eye. You have such remarkable abilities. Please, help me with divination to determine whether my uncle will be released this time. Should I betray him, or should I confess to his crime?"
Yun Zhonghe closed his eyes and momentarily bent his fingers gracefully into a shape that resembled an orchid.
Then, he opened his eyes and said with indifference, "This uncle of yours, his original surname was Lv, right? He only changed it to Li later on."
Li Tian instantly grew even more shocked. This Mr. Yun really was a divine being. He actually rendered accurate predictions for everything. He really did have a third eye.
Yun Zhonghe pointed to the Lv character on the ground and said, "Your uncle's fate is clearly written in this word. A hundred years ago, it was already preordained that he would relinquish Lv for Li. It can also be interpreted as giving up the Lv surname and changing it to Li. And just now, we've also said that the opening on the top is a skylight while the one at the bottom is a door, which looks just like a prison. The relinquishing of Lv for Li can also be interpreted as someone with the surname Li being freed from prison."
"So, your uncle will make it out of this seemingly dangerous situation, safe and sound. There's no need for you to betray him. Instead, you should stand firmly on his side. This way, even if you suffer some grievances for the time being, in the future, these may turn out to be blessings in disguise."
Centurion Li was repeatedly saying, "Relinquish Lv for Li, relinquish Lv for Li, that's right, that's right! Didn't God tell me very clearly that my uncle will be safe this time? Thank you for your guidance, ancient immortal. Li Tian will never forget it!"
Then, Centurion Li presented a box to Yun Zhonghe with both hands. Inside the box, there were precisely one hundred sycees. This was the number of sycees that Zhang Dahu had given Li Tian as a bribe.
Yun Zhonghe said indifferently, "I've told you before. I won't take your silver. When the matter is finished, you have to personally take this silk pouch and hand it to Master Jing Wubian at the residence of the castellan. That will be considered your payment."
Li Tian said, "If the situation really turns out to be what Sir has foretold, then I, of the surname Li, will deliver your silk pouch to Master Jing Wubian, even if I have to risk losing my head."
Then, Centurion Li left after expressing his profuse gratitude.
Yun Zhonghe breathed a sigh of relief. Whether or not he could successfully enter the residence of the castellan and obtain a high post within a short period of time depended entirely on this silk pouch.
***
After returning home, Centurion Li first hid the silk pouch from Yun Zhonghe well.
Then he laid on the bed and went to sleep, letting out loud snores.
The next day, when Li Tian had just returned to work at the bureau of the city guards, he was arrested immediately.
To make him identify Li Tang as the one who had embezzled the public's money, Black Blood Hall began torturing him right from the start.
Black Blood Hall was comprised of the Embroidered Uniform Guards of Jing Zhongyue, which not only apprehended spies from other countries but also arrested locals who were involved in corruption.
If this had happened earlier, Centurion Li would have already confessed and betrayed Li Tang.
But he had received an immortal's guidance the night before, how could he possibly betray Li Tang now? So, he clenched his teeth tight and remained steadfast.
"Hahaha. It's totally a fool's dream to want me to betray my uncle.
"Uncle has been very kind to me. Could I, Li Tian, be someone so ungrateful and heartless?
"Forget about the torture; even if you kill me, I will never betray my uncle."
Li Tian originally wanted to say that his uncle was innocent, but he simply could not speak those words aloud. Li Tang's greed was infamous. How could he possibly be close to innocent?
The person executing the torture broke a total of three whips. Li Tian was adamant and did not let out a single word of confession, nor did he say anything to betray Li Tang.
***
"Has Li Tian confessed?" A woman asked.
She was the head of Black Blood Hall, Lady Cold Jade. This woman was Jing Zhongyue's foremost confidant, and she was extremely powerful. Having been in control of Black Blood Hall for so many years, just her name alone would make the spies of many countries tremble with fear.
The number of spies from the Order of Black Dragons of the Great Ying Empire who had died by her hands could not even be determined.
"No confession. Li Tian is very adamant and said that even if we were to beat him to death, he would never betray his uncle."
"Oh? I really can't see how this man could actually be so loyal." Cold Jade was surprised.
"My Lady, do you want to torture him? Or throw this Li Tian into prison, strip him of his official title, and sentence him to death?"
The woman said, "No, this is exactly what the City of Torn Gust lacks, loyal men. Stop the torture and interrogation."
"Then what about Li Tang's crime?"
"Old Madam has intervened. Li Tang is Old Madam's confidant, so it is impossible for the castellan to really kill him," the woman said.
"Then are we going to just let it go? Let Li Tang, this huge scumbag, off the hook just like that? Throughout these years as a chamberlain of the residence of the castellan, how much public money has he embezzled?"
The woman said, "His Lord, the castellan, has already made a decision."
Half a day later, Li Tang, the chamberlain of the residence of the castellan, was released. In private, he handed over all the money that he had embezzled, which was as much as thirty thousand sycees. He was also stripped of his duties as chamberlain and returned to his hometown for retirement.
The centurion of the city guards, Li Tian, was acquitted of all charges and also received a summon from His Lord, the castellan.
Of course, Li Tian was not actually summoned by His Lord. Rather, Lady Cold Jade of Black Blood Hall had summoned him in place of the castellan.
Not only that, but she also gave Centurion Li Tian a hearty scolding that lasted a full ten minutes.
After coming out of the residence of the castellan, Li Tian felt as though he was about to explode with joy.
He did not even dare to lift his gaze up to look at Lady Cold Jade, but he was no fool. Although she was scolding him, she was actually appreciating his loyalty and how he would rather be killed than betray his benefactor.
If he had not betrayed Li Tang that day, he would definitely not betray anyone by the name of Jing in the future.
So, Jing Zhongyue had allowed Lady Cold Jade to summon Centurion Li Tian on her behalf and used such scolding as a form of encouragement.
Li Tian was just a mere centurion, while Jing Zhongyue was the queen of this land. With only the motion of a single finger on her hand, she could either send Li Tian up to heaven or down to hell.
Previously, Li Tian had never been noticed by His Lord, the castellan. If this summon had taught him one thing it was that he, Li Tian, was going to become famous.
At this time, there was only one thought in Li Tian's mind. Mr. Yun was divine!
He really had been so accurate.
Li Tang had made it through safe and sound to where he was able to walk out of prison alive.
He, Li Tian, had encountered a troublesome situation that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Yun Zhonghe was actually a hundred percent accurate.
It was simply divine, simply remarkable.
As for the errand that Mr. Yun had sent him on, he had to hurry and get it done now. No delay was permissible.
So, paying no regard to the fact that his body was covered in a mass of bruises and wounds, Li Tian ran home and carefully found the silk pouch that he had hidden earlier on.
It was not that he hadn't thought of opening it to steal a peek at what was inside; he was just not that foolish. This silk pouch concerned Master Jing Wubian, so it was best that he, Li Tian, steered clear of any implications.
With the silk pouch in his arms, Li Tian ran at lightning speed to the residence of the castellan.
***
"Please inform Master Jing Wubian that his humble subject, Li Tian, seeks an audience with him."
Centurion Li might have been quite a figure in the bureau of city guards, but when it came to the residence of the castellan, none of Jing Wubian's lackeys took him seriously, especially when Li Tang had lost his power.
A lackey of Jing Wubian, who was also the latter's confidant, said coldly, "No audience."
He was just a mere centurion, and yet he dared to request an audience with Master Jing Wubian? Who did he think he was?
"I have a silk pouch here and it concerns Master Jing Wubian's life. I must hand it over to him personally," Li Tian said.
The lackey was immediately a little scared. He rushed into the west courtyard of the residence of the castellan and reported the matter to His Lord.
A moment later, that lackey came out with eyes that were filled with profound anger and hatred. There were clear slap marks on his face and a few whip marks on his body.
Obviously, he had been beaten.
"Master grants your request and allows you in," the lackey said.
With a heart filled with unease, Centurion Li Tian walked in, feeling as though he was entering an extremely dangerous place, like a dragon's cave or a tiger's den.
But he did still bear traces of confidence and courage, as he felt that he had Immortal Yun standing behind him.
Upon entering the west courtyard, Li Tian felt as though his two eyes were not enough to capture the full view. This place was simply too splendid and imposing.
But he did not even dare to look. He lowered his eyes and looked at his toes.
Walking into a pavilion, the air was instantly filled with an enchanting fragrance. This was the residence of Master Jing Wubian. It was extremely luxurious.
"Kneel down," a servant stepped forward and ordered coldly.
Li Tian knelt down in front of a screen.
A moment later, the lazy voice of a young man came from inside, saying, "You say you have a silk pouch that you must give to me and that it concerns my life?"
Li Tian said, "Yes. A very powerful and resourceful Mr. Yun has asked me to give it to you personally."
Jing Wubian said, "Then take it out."
Li Tian took out the silk pouch that he held in his arms and presented it with both hands.
A pair of hands appeared to receive the silk pouch, then entered the room and handed it to Jing Wubian.
Jing Wubian opened the silk pouch. There was an envelope inside that was sealed with wax.
He casually removed the seal and pulled out a piece of paper from inside.
There were just two sentences found on the paper inside the silk pouch.
But… Just one look at those sentences and Jing Wubian's entire being looked as though he was about to explode.
He looked that way because the two lines in the silk pouch were written as such:
The first sentence stated: I am a rare talent that you might only see once in every thousand years, and within one year, I can help you destroy Jing Zhongyue and allow you to ascend to the position of castellan.
This sentence was still nothing much on its own. After all, every year many people boasted and bragged as such to Jing Wubian.
The key was the second sentence, which was utterly shocking.
The second sentence read: I, someone with the surname of Yun, have read a divination lot with pinched fingers that says you, Master Jing Wubian, are infertile and sterile.
Jing Wubian immediately roared angrily, "Men, kill this Centurion Li.
"Men, send out warriors to catch this nonsensical Mr. Yun, whoever he is. If he resists, then just kill him on sight. Just kill him if he resists.
"Hurry up. Quickly, get him arrested and brought to my residence!"