Chapter 25: Old Master Xu Who Happened to Pass By

Su Tan didn't really want to get involved in outside conflicts. For one, it was troublesome; for another, he didn't want to venture out into the world so soon.

...

The next day, the weather remained clear and sunny. Even before Su Tan got out of bed, people were already waiting outside his courtyard.

It was not at all rare for a crowd to gather every day, seeking his fortune-telling. The only surprise was that the Xu Family servant, who had been quite rude to Su Tan the day before, had also shown up. It was the same trio led by Xu Changqing.

"The three of us offended you greatly yesterday. Master Su, as a great man, please forgive our petty faults and don't hold it against us!" Seeing Su Tan open his door to start the day's business, Xu Changqing immediately rushed in.

Perhaps because they had been reprimanded by Miss Nine yesterday, they didn't dare show the slightest hint of negligence today, their words and actions brimming with respect. Su Tan could sense the shift in their attitude. He sat on a chair in the courtyard, his hand feeling for the kettle and cups on the table.

"Master, do you want some water? Let me help you with that!" Xu Changqing flashed an obsequious smile, shamelessly eager to please. He trotted forward, preparing to pour the water.

Su Tan held out a hand to stop him, signaling that no help was needed. "For the Xu Family's sake, let's just drop it."

Though Su Tan claimed it was for the Xu Family's sake, he was actually doing it out of respect for Village Chief Chen. The Xu Family had treated the people of the Chen Family Village well, and there was no need to get furious over a lowly servant. He wasn't that petty. Moreover, the servant had already been punished. The offense from yesterday could be overlooked.

A meaningful gleam flashed through Xu Changqing's eyes. "Just as I expected," he thought. Yesterday, he had accepted his punishment and promised Miss Nine that he would come back today to properly apologize until Su Tan forgave him. However, Xu Changqing hadn't thought it would be difficult at all.

In the vicinity of White Cloud City, who didn't know that the Xu Family was a towering behemoth? Who would dare refuse to give them face? Now that he had lowered himself to come and apologize, Su Tan would surely use the opportunity to step down gracefully. After all... the might of the Xu Family was not to be underestimated. As a mere tenant, who would want to make an enemy of the Xu Family? Wouldn't that be overestimating one's own capabilities?

It had to be said that while Xu Changqing lacked any real skills, his capacity for self-importance was immense. In front of the tenants, he put on more airs than the actual masters of the Xu Family. It was exactly as the old saying went: the King of Hell is easy to appease, but his minor imps are a nightmare.

Little did he know, Su Tan didn't even consider him a threat, nor did he care about the Xu Family. The only reason he wasn't holding a grudge was simply because he couldn't be bothered to waste his time.

"Thank you for your immense magnanimity, Master Su!" Xu Changqing cupped his hands in a salute.

Su Tan had no idea what was going through Xu Changqing's mind.

SPLASH, SPLASH, SPLASH.

He poured himself a glass of water and took a sip. "Is there anything else?"

Su Tan didn't want to chat with them any further. He could sense that these men didn't harbor any genuine respect for him; they were likely forced into speaking so politely. Since they were being hypocritical, why bother interacting with them?

"If there's nothing else, please leave. I have other guests to attend to."

"To be honest with you, Master, we came here to ask for your help with an important matter. We want to invite you to come back with us and read a fortune for Grandmaster Xu."

Naturally, Su Tan refused. He couldn't feel any sincerity from the Xu Family regarding this request. Instead of coming themselves, the Xu Family had sent a servant to invite him. What kind of etiquette was that? It was far too disrespectful. Chances were, they didn't even expect him to accomplish anything real; they were probably just bringing him along to make up the numbers.

Su Tan wasn't one to strictly adhere to conventional rules, but if others didn't believe in him, there was no need for him to warm up to a cold shoulder.

The Xu Family was not the Chen Family, and Grandmaster Xu was not Village Chief Chen. Village Chief Chen had shown Su Tan kindness; even if the Chief didn't believe in him, Su Tan would still gladly offer his help. Grandmaster Xu, on the other hand, was entirely different. He had absolutely no connection to the man.

Besides, Su Tan had his own rules. He had established a strict queuing system for fortune-telling. There was no telling how many people were registered before Xu Changqing, and Su Tan certainly wouldn't break his own rules.

"I already told you the rules here yesterday. Did you forget?" Su Tan said.

"No, no, no... We wouldn't dare forget. If we want a fortune read, we have to register and wait in line. Only when it's our turn can we ask for a reading," Xu Changqing replied. "Please rest assured, Master, we are well aware. I've already spoken with Mrs. Wang just now. She only wanted to ask if she could find her lost chicken. We compensated her with a new one, and she agreed to give her spot in line to us."

As they say, money makes the devil turn the millstone. Xu Changqing had actually given Mrs. Wang more than just a single chicken. Since Mrs. Wang was making a massive profit either way, she was more than happy to give up her spot.

"There's another rule. Because of my physical inconvenience, I don't plan on leaving my home. Therefore... anyone who wants a reading must come to this courtyard personally!" Su Tan stated.

"This..." Xu Changqing and the other two exchanged a glance.

"Master Su, as long as you're willing to go, we are ready to pay a high price. It could be more than what you earn from a whole month of fortune-telling here!" He firmly believed that money could sway Su Tan.

However, he was wrong. Su Tan currently... didn't really need that much money anymore.

"I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Please leave," Su Tan said.

"This...?" Xu Changqing hesitated, caught in a difficult spot. He had confidently sworn to Miss Nine earlier that he would handle this matter perfectly, assuming that Su Tan would definitely be tempted as long as the price was right. Now... things didn't seem to be going as he had expected.

"Master, please reconsider. Don't make things difficult for me," Xu Changqing pleaded.

"I'm truly sorry, but rules are rules!" Su Tan shrugged. He was incredibly resolute. There was no room for negotiation.

What was he supposed to do now? Xu Changqing suddenly realized that Su Tan was very hard to deal with.

"If only Miss Nine were here," someone murmured.

"She might be able to persuade him."

"Miss Nine originally planned to visit Master Su today, but yesterday evening, she heard that an Alchemist was passing through the neighboring town. She hurriedly went to pay her respects to him instead."

"No wonder she didn't show up today and only sent a few servants to invite Master Su."

Su Tan overheard the bystanders gossiping outside.

"Master Su, I'm begging you, please just make a trip with us." Xu Changqing was starting to panic. If he failed to complete the task assigned by the family, he would undoubtedly face punishment. He realized that his absolute confidence when guaranteeing success to Miss Nine yesterday had been slightly overblown.

"Oh? I heard that there's a Half-God Half-Immortal existence in the Chen Family Village whose predictions never fail and who enjoys quite a reputation in the neighboring villages. I have come specifically to pay a visit!" An elderly voice rang out from the distance. Though the voice was old, it was not at all quiet. Infused with Spiritual Qi, the sound boomed like a Thunderbolt.

"Who is it?"

"Who is that?"

"Who's here?"

The crowd revealed expressions of astonishment. To possess such an imposing aura, just who could this person be? In fact, it wasn't just the people present; even Su Tan was quite intrigued.

Everyone turned to look toward the source of the voice. A convoy of carriages and horses slowly approached from the distance. It was a magnificent procession. Tall, majestic steeds marched with an awe-inspiring presence, surrounding a large central carriage. The creature pulling that massive carriage was, surprisingly, an Exotic Beast. It wasn't an ordinary horse, but a Demon Beast that resembled a Qilin.

Upon seeing that massive creature, the people instantly recognized the owner of the carriage.

"Grandmaster Xu! Grandmaster Xu is here!"

"That's Grandmaster Xu's carriage!"

In the vicinity of White Cloud City, who else but Grandmaster Xu possessed such grandeur?

"Heavens, it really is Grandmaster Xu. Why would he suddenly appear here?"

...