Chapter 26: Xu Xiuwu

It was a bronze war chariot, mottled with verdigris and covered in the marks of time, as if it had driven straight out of the ancient era. Legend had it that this carriage was a Treasure Artifact that Old Master Xu had found in a Secret Realm, later modifying it into his personal travel Magical Artifact with formidable offensive and defensive capabilities.

The Demon Beast pulling it resembled a Qilin. Its ferocious appearance was breathtakingly intimidating. Why would Grandmaster Xu appear here?

The villagers of Chen Family Village were stunned. Although this man's name thundered like a legend around White Cloud City, no one had ever seen his true face. He had always been an elusive figure. Why would he show up here today?

"Did he come specifically to visit Su Tan?" someone murmured.

No, that was definitely not it! As soon as the words were spoken, many people immediately shot the idea down. Su Tan indeed had the capability, but his reputation was only known in the few villages and towns around Chen Family Village. It was highly likely that no one in White Cloud City even knew a person named Su Tan existed. How could Old Master Xu make a special trip just to visit him? It was absolutely impossible.

Then why was he here?

"He's probably just passing by," someone analyzed. "I heard that an exceptionally skilled Alchemist emerged in this area, and yesterday Miss Nine was also hurriedly searching for traces of that Alchemist. I think Miss Nine must have found something, which is why Grandmaster Xu came in person. As for why he ended up at Su Tan's place... he must have been passing by, heard that there was a Mr. Su here with a foolproof ability for fortune-telling, and decided to come see for himself!"

Who knew where they heard all of this from. Perhaps it was the villagers' most special ability: the art of supreme gossip.

However, they actually guessed right. The situation was exactly as they said. Grandmaster Xu was indeed just passing by, and he was indeed here to visit that Alchemist. Coming here was just a side trip to see if Su Tan was truly as miraculous as the rumors claimed.

Su Tan immediately sensed the drastic change in the atmosphere. The onlookers, who had been noisy and chatting freely, now fell dead silent. A heavy sense of oppression hung in the air, stemming entirely from that carriage. Fewer people spoke, and those who did lowered their voices to whispers, causing Su Tan to only catch snippets of the conversation.

The newcomer was a major figure.

CLACK CLACK CLACK.

CLIP CLOP.

The continuous sound of hooves was mixed with the rolling of wheels, the clatter of the carriage's metal, and the clinking of armor. To Su Tan's ears, it sounded as if an entire army was approaching.

HUFF.

The beast snorted heavy breaths. It was wild and bloodthirsty, giving it a truly imposing aura.

The procession arrived at Su Tan's courtyard gate and stopped. The moment Xu Changqing and the other household servants saw the convoy, they dropped to their knees by the entrance to welcome it.

That was the Old Master, the person with the absolute highest status in the Xu Family, bar none! They could strut around and act tyrannical in front of the tenants, but before an existence like the Old Master, they were worthless. If the Old Master wanted them dead, it would be no different from slaughtering a chicken, and no one would dare to cry out for justice or seek revenge on their behalf.

Su Tan could not see the majestic sight of the procession, but from the sounds and the atmosphere of the scene, he could feel the oppressive presence brought by Grandmaster Xu.

"A big shot traveling is indeed extraordinary!" Su Tan sighed in admiration. It certainly had a lot of swagger.

SNORT.

The little puppy in his arms, however, couldn't care less. It didn't even look directly at the Xu Family's convoy; its gaze merely shifted for a quick sideways glance before retracting. It continued to lie quietly in Su Tan's embrace.

CLATTER.

The metal curtains of the carriage were pulled back. Four or five people emerged, surrounding an elderly man with sparse, withered white hair. Among them was Miss Nine, who had visited the day before.

The current Patriarch of the Xu Family and Miss Nine were both prominent figures of the Xu Family. They were tagging along to care for and protect Grandmaster Xu.

"Mr. Su, Xu Xiuwu has come specifically to visit you. Please forgive the intrusion!" Before even entering the courtyard or stepping down from the carriage, Grandmaster Xu cupped his hands in greeting while still standing on the vehicle.

Sometimes, a person was polite not because you were truly remarkable or because they genuinely respected you, but simply because they were well-bred and highly cultured. No one believed that Su Tan truly deserved a bow from Grandmaster Xu. They merely felt that Grandmaster Xu was remarkably refined.

"It's no matter. It's not an intrusion," Su Tan said. "I am currently open for business to tell fortunes. Whether the other party is a destitute beggar or a high-ranking noble, as long as they follow the rules, I welcome them all!"

He could sense the man's extraordinary aura and knew his status was anything but low. If it had been anyone else, they might have stood up to welcome him, running to the gate to bow and scrape in currying favor. But Su Tan would not. There was no need for that. Besides, he felt that the Xu Family arriving with such grandeur was like a deliberate show of dominance. Su Tan could not allow his own momentum to weaken. Therefore, he remained seated upright at his desk, calm and composed, with no intention of getting up to greet them.

Seeing the breezy, unbothered expression on Su Tan's face, completely unfazed by the Xu Family's carriage, Grandmaster Xu indeed found him somewhat interesting.

"Mister, your bearing is indeed extraordinary. I hope you can be of assistance to me!" Xu Xiuwu said. Afterwards, with the help of the Xu Family members, he stepped down from the carriage. They pushed open the courtyard gate and supported him inside.

Miss Nine supported Grandmaster Xu as they walked over. She came to a halt and asked, "Jiu would like to request a fortune-telling session for my grandfather, and in passing, inquire if you can resolve the affliction affecting him. If you can truly help, the Xu Family will reward you handsomely. Not only will we exempt Chen Family Village from taxes for three years, but we have also prepared a generous gift for you, Mister!"

"The elderly gentleman is physically inconvenienced. Please have a seat first," Su Tan said. Respecting the old and caring for the young was a virtue, after all.

"Thank you!" The Xu Family members helped the Old Master to the seat opposite Su Tan.

Su Tan and Grandmaster Xu sat face to face. The work began.

According to what Xu Changqing and the other two had just said, the Xu Family currently held a valid opportunity, so it wasn't considered breaking the rules.

"Xu Changqing just mentioned that they obtained Mrs. Wang's consent to take her spot," Su Tan said. "So, if you want a fortune reading or medical advice, that's perfectly fine. It doesn't break the rules."

"Then, when can you cast a reading for me, Mister?" Xu Xiuwu asked.

"Anytime," Su Tan replied. He did not need any preparation to tell fortunes.

He was just a bit puzzled. This man, Xu Xiuwu... whether seeking a fortune or medical help, was verbally respectful, but his words were laced with other emotions. Was it doubt? No, it was more apt to call it an assessment or a probe. Was this man asking for a fortune reading purely for his own amusement? Did he simply not expect Su Tan to be of any real help?

Su Tan could sense these subtle emotional fluctuations, but he didn't mind. Xu Xiuwu's problem was surely not a small one, and he must have sought help everywhere to no avail. If he believed Su Tan could help him right from the very first glance, that would be truly bizarre. Even Su Tan wouldn't easily believe it if he were in the man's shoes. It was like approaching a roadside fortune-teller when backed into a corner; did one really believe they could offer substantial help? It was highly unrealistic.

Regardless of what the other party thought, since they had obtained a legitimate fortune-telling opportunity, why not give him a reading?

Su Tan reached his hand out toward the center of Xu Xiuwu's brow. Xu Xiuwu instinctively wanted to dodge, but seeing that Su Tan was not attacking, he froze and let it happen. In truth, it wasn't just him; the rest of the Xu Family was also startled by the sudden action.

"What, are you afraid?" Su Tan asked calmly.

"Of course not," Jiu replied with a smile, breaking the awkward silence. "The Mister's fortune-telling has always been done this way!"

Hearing this, Su Tan said no more and began to probe into what Xu Xiuwu would encounter over the next three days.