The night market's atmosphere had grown quieter as Feng Yan wandered deeper into its shadowy lanes. The faint glow of lanterns and the distant hum of voices were the only things keeping her company as she moved past the crowded stalls. Her mind was still occupied with the rusted dagger she had just acquired. The pull she had felt toward it lingered, as though it held some connection to her past that she had yet to understand.
As she navigated the narrow path between vendors, Feng Yan was startled when an old man suddenly jumped out from the shadows in front of her. He looked disheveled and desolate, his clothes tattered and worn, as though they had been washed by years of use and neglect. His long, white hair was tangled, and his face bore the lines of age and hardship. To anyone else, he would have looked like nothing more than a poor, wandering madman.
Feng Yan instinctively tried to step around him, dismissing him as just another beggar. She had no time for such distractions. But before she could slip away, the old man ran after her, his voice hoarse and breathless as he called out to her. "Miss! Miss!"
Annoyed by his persistence, Feng Yan stopped abruptly and turned to face him, her gaze cold and unwelcoming. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation. She didn't appreciate being stopped by strangers, especially those who seemed to have nothing of value to offer.
The old man, however, smiled at her with a toothy grin, his eyes gleaming with a strange light. "Ah, I knew it! We are blessed to meet each other, Miss. Fate has brought us together," he said in a raspy voice, rubbing his hands together as if in excitement.
Feng Yan frowned. A blessed meeting? This man was clearly out of his mind. She was about to turn away again when he stepped closer, his posture hunched but his gaze sharp.
"I am a diviner," he said, as though that explained everything. "I could not ignore the brilliance of your aura when I saw you passing by. It is rare, so very rare."
Feng Yan's expression remained impassive, though a flicker of curiosity sparked within her. A diviner? She had encountered fortune-tellers and spiritualists before, but most were frauds looking to scam the unsuspecting. Still, there was something in the old man's tone that made her hesitate—just for a moment.
"And what does that have to do with me?" she asked, trying to suppress her irritation. She had no interest in his games, yet she found herself unwilling to leave just yet.
The old man's grin widened as if he had been waiting for her to ask. "When I saw you, I was struck by your star—a reborn star, blazing with potential. Such a sight is not something one can ignore. It is an honor to perform divination for someone as special as you."
Feng Yan's patience was wearing thin. "I'm not interested in riddles or fortune-telling," she said curtly, turning on her heel to walk away.
But before she could take another step, the old man reached out and caught her arm, his grip surprisingly strong for someone so frail-looking. "Wait!" he said urgently. "You may not want to hear what I have to say, but it is important—very important. Your future holds much in store for you, and I see great danger ahead."
Feng Yan's eyes narrowed, her instincts telling her to pull away, but something about the man's words made her pause. His gaze was unwavering, as though he were seeing something far beyond the present moment.
He released her arm and stepped back slightly, his tone shifting from excitement to solemnity. "I will not charge you for this. It is simply something that must be said," he muttered. Then, with a deep breath, he began to speak:
"A star reborn for reaching great heights, with an ancient bloodline that is unique... but beware." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "Unveiling your true identity will bring imminent danger. Enemies, powerful and hidden, will come for you. Whether you overcome them or fall will depend on the choices you make. But..." His eyes softened slightly as he continued, "you will not be alone. You will meet interesting characters, ones who will come to your aid when the time is right. And among them, you will encounter a king for your life—a man who will protect and pamper you, more powerful than you could ever imagine."
Feng Yan stood frozen, her heart pounding as his words echoed in her mind. A star reborn? An ancient bloodline? The old man's cryptic message unsettled her, especially when he mentioned the word "reborn." She had indeed been reborn—given a second chance at life by her great-grandmother after her tragic death in her previous life. But how could he know?
She quickly composed herself, forcing her expression to remain calm. She had always believed in controlling her emotions, especially in front of strangers. The last thing she wanted was to give this strange old man any reason to think he had rattled her. Still, the unease lingered.
"You speak in riddles, old man," Feng Yan said evenly, though her voice was quieter than before. "How do I know you're not just trying to scare me?"
The old man chuckled, a raspy, unsettling sound. "Scare you? No, no, I have no desire for that. I only wish to warn you. Whether you choose to believe me is up to you." He gave her a long, searching look before adding, "But trust me when I say... your choices will determine your path. Be wise."
Feng Yan clenched her fists at her sides, her mind racing. She had encountered many strange people since her rebirth, but this old man was something different. His words seemed to cut too close to the truth, touching on things no one else should know.
She eyed him warily. "And who are you to tell me all this?"
He smiled again, his expression oddly serene. "Just a humble diviner, passing along the message fate has chosen to deliver. I will not trouble you any further." He bowed his head slightly and took a step back, gesturing for her to continue on her way.
Feng Yan hesitated for a long moment, her thoughts swirling with questions. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away from the old man, her footsteps slow and deliberate. Her mind, however, was anything but calm.
The old man watched her leave, his gaze lingering on her retreating form. As she disappeared into the crowd, he muttered softly to himself, "A star reborn... may the heavens protect her."
Feng Yan's heart was still racing as she walked, replaying the diviner's words over and over in her mind. A star reborn... ancient bloodline... enemies... a king who will protect me? She had lived long enough to know that prophecies and riddles were rarely straightforward, but this one felt different. It struck too close to home, especially when the old man mentioned her rebirth.
She continued walking, her eyes focused ahead but her thoughts elsewhere. As the night market bustled around her, Feng Yan couldn't shake the feeling that her journey had only just begun—and that the real challenges were yet to come.