Mu Gesheng’s casual remark was nothing short of a bombshell.
Both Chai Puti and Chai Yanyan fell into deep thought. The look in Chai Yanyan’s eyes shifted completely; her previously charming, smiling gaze turned steady and decisive, flashing with a hint of sharp brilliance. After a moment of deliberation, she spoke. "Since this is the arrangement of the Tiansuan-zi and my Great-Uncle, the Yao family has no reason not to comply."
Chai Puti, however, appeared somewhat hesitant. "This is a matter of great importance. I must return and discuss it with the board before making a final decision."
Wu Biyou scoffed. "You can’t make a single decision on your own? What’s the point of being the head of the family, old lady?"
Chai Puti replied leisurely, "The Yao Corporation is not like Yanyan’s side; it is not a one-man show."
"The head of the family is the head of the family. Are you implying that the rest of us Sages are merely autocrats?"
"The Wuchang-zi makes an interesting point," Chai Puti smiled. "I presume you don't have the final say in everything within the Yin-Yang family either, do you?" As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Cui Ziyu.
Wu Biyou was on the verge of exploding again, but Chai Yanyan was quick to press him down. An Ping let out a sharp gasp of pain. Chai Yanyan shot him a look and whispered, "What’s wrong with you now?"
An Ping’s face contorted as he managed to squeeze out, "My lady... you’re stepping on my foot."
Chai Yanyan: "..."
Wu Biyou gave a cold huff and fell silent.
"In that case, we shall set a three-day deadline. I ask that Miss Chai make her decision as soon as possible." Mu Gesheng smiled faintly. "Once the Pangeng Oracle Bone resurfaces, I shall ask to borrow it for a time."
"That way, re-calculating the divination from back then will be no difficult task." Mu Gesheng looked at Cui Ziyu with a half-smile. "And Judge Cui will be able to report back to Fengdu."
Cui Ziyu bowed deeply, his voice trailing in a long, formal drawl. "My humblest thanks to the Tiansuan-zi—"
"Wait," Zhu Baizhi frowned. "Tiansuan-zi, have you truly thought this through? Do you really intend to calculate the national destiny again?"
Lin Juansheng also disapproved, saying in a low voice, "Back then, it was a move born of absolute desperation. Things are different now. If you are unwilling, there is no need to go this far."
Mu Gesheng patted Lin Juansheng’s shoulder and looked toward Zhu Baizhi. "Regarding the matter of re-calculating the national destiny: the Yin-Yang family and the Yao Corporation agree. Add to that myself, the Tiansuan-zi, and the Rakshasa-zi, and we barely make four houses."
With four houses in agreement, there was room for formal deliberation.
At this, even Zhu Baizhi and Lin Juansheng could say no more.
An Ping was utterly floored. Mu Gesheng’s words and actions today were a series of interlocking traps, leading everyone around by the nose. Whether they meant well for him or were plotting against him, they had all fallen into his scheme.
With a brain like that, why didn't he go into business? He deserved to be broke.
By this point, no one was in the mood to play cards anymore, and the gathering soon dispersed.
An Ping cleared the mahjong table. When he returned to the backyard, he found someone standing under the corridor. "Changsheng-zi."
The man turned around; it was indeed Lin Juansheng. "Would you like a game of Go?"
An Ping blinked, then nodded quickly.
Lin Juansheng placed a stone. "Your skills have improved."
An Ping looked a bit embarrassed. "I usually play against the Half-Immortal, but I’ve never won."
"In the past, when I played against Gesheng, I also lost more than I won." Lin Juansheng gave a helpless, bitter smile. "I thought I might have a chance to play a round with him today, but he dodged me again."
"The Half-Immortal cares about you a great deal," An Ping said earnestly.
"I know." Lin Juansheng sighed. "Regarding the events of that year... from an outsider's perspective, I truly acted heartlessly."
An Ping was slightly stunned, quickly realizing what the other was referring to.
He was somewhat surprised. Lin Juansheng always seemed like a man of clear wind and bright moon, a person beyond the mortal world. It was hard to imagine him brooding over events from so many years ago.
"I don't think the Half-Immortal ever blamed anyone. After all, it was his own decision," An Ping said after a moment’s thought. "Besides, that was a very, very long time ago."
"I know he doesn't blame me," Lin Juansheng said. "But sometimes, it is precisely because things have changed and people have passed that the heart is filled with such mixed emotions."
An Ping remained silent. He was still young and often couldn't grasp the profound weight of passing years. Even though he had seen those events in his dreams, at his current age, even Mu Gesheng had been reckless and wild back then. When the Ginkgo Study was filled with golden leaves, who could have predicted the tragic end that followed?
Fortune makes fools of us all.
Back then, Lin Juansheng was merely a young man not yet thirty. He had sacrificed his own junior disciple for the sake of the Seven Houses. Now, a century later, with his old friends having passed away one by one, with what kind of heart did he look back on that past?
Only the one who drinks the water knows if it is cold or warm.
Perhaps it was precisely because Mu Gesheng didn't blame him at all that it felt even harder to let go.
After all, this was the junior brother he had watched grow up with his own eyes.
Perhaps everyone in the Seven Houses faced such dilemmas. Just like Wu Zixu back then—he was the Wuchang-zi, burdened with the responsibility of the Yin-Yang family, yet he was also Mu Gesheng’s classmate of many years, bound by deep friendship. When the world pressed in, everyone was forced to make a choice.
Among those at the Ginkgo Study, Wu Zixu chose Mu Gesheng, Song Wentong chose Mu Gesheng, and Chai Shuxin also chose Mu Gesheng. Only Lin Juansheng had walked the opposite path from everyone else.
But as Zhu Yinxiao had said, perhaps this was exactly what the Master of the Ginkgo Study had intended. Amidst such intense passion and character, someone had to look at the big picture.
He was the Eldest Senior Brother; he had to be the one to provide a safety net for his younger brothers' impulses.
Though An Ping’s Go skills had improved, they were worlds apart from Lin Juansheng’s. It wasn't long before he conceded.
Lin Juansheng reached out and brushed the stones into disarray. "The days ahead are long. With Gesheng teaching you, you will surely make rapid progress."
An Ping gave a hollow laugh, thinking to himself: *Given Mu Gesheng’s personality, I’m lucky if he doesn't prank me. If he has that much free time, he’d better let Chai Shuxin teach me a few more math problems.*
Lin Juansheng seemed to recall Mu Gesheng’s usual conduct as well and shook his head helplessly. He handed An Ping a jade tablet. "Though you may not necessarily need it, this is a token of Penglai. Holding this, you may enter and leave as you please. If you have the chance, come to Penglai. The Danxiao flowers at the Jade Terrace are in bloom."
An Ping hesitated. "Isn't this too valuable?"
"It is merely an entry token, much like a student ID at your school." Lin Juansheng found his reaction amusing. "You are now considered one of the Seven Houses; holding this is not overstepping."
Only then did An Ping accept it. "Thank you, Changsheng-zi."
"There is no need for thanks. Once my junior brother formally initiates you, you might even have to call me 'Uncle'." Lin Juansheng gave a carefree smile and drifted away.
With Chai Shuxin absent, there was no food at the City God Temple. Mu Gesheng was upstairs taking a nap, so An Ping, having nothing to do, pulled out his "5-3" workbooks and started on his homework.
There were only a few days left before school started, but looking at the current situation, with one event following another, he might end up skipping class along with Mu Gesheng.
An Ping reflected on everything that had happened. In just a few short months, his life seemed peaceful on the surface, but in reality, it had undergone a world-shaking transformation. He didn't even quite understand how he had been drawn so deep into it without realizing. Mu Gesheng was truly a master of deception, quietly tricking people onto his pirate ship.
Now, it was impossible to remain uninvolved. But as An Ping thought about it, he realized he had no desire to withdraw.
Ultimately, he was only in his teens; this was far more interesting than sitting through boring classes. And while he looked like a teenager, he had experienced a century of life within those dreams.
The world is unpredictable. An Ping shook his head and refocused his attention on the problems.
After an unknown amount of time, someone patted his shoulder. "What are you studying so hard for, man?"
From the tone, it was clearly Zhu Yinxiao. An Ping was busy with calculations and didn't look up. "Chemistry. Stay back."
"Chemistry? That stuff isn't scientific." Zhu Yinxiao swayed his head. "I can breathe fire. Do you know the chemical equation for the Vermilion Bird’s Samadhi True Fire?"
An Ping: "...I told you to stay away from me."
"My brother isn't home today. Let's go to Yeshui Zhuhua tonight and live off the fat of the land." Zhu Yinxiao sat down beside him. "Stop studying. You've spent all day using your brain; take a break."
The day had indeed been exhausting. An Ping’s hand paused as he suddenly remembered something. "By the way, why wasn't the Lingchu-zi here today?"
"My brother doesn't like Lin Juansheng." Zhu Yinxiao looked mysterious and whispered, "But he can't beat him."
An Ping was genuinely shocked. He could understand Chai Shuxin disliking Lin Juansheng, but was there actually someone in this world the Rakshasa-zi couldn't defeat?
"What’s so strange about that? The Seven Houses balance each other. The Rakshasa-zi is fierce, certainly, but he isn't the sole power." Zhu Yinxiao looked at him with interest. "I’ve noticed you always call my brother 'Lingchu-zi'."
An Ping choked. "I didn't know he had stepped down before. I thought the Sages could, you know, moon-light or something."
Zhu Yinxiao burst out laughing. "That’s an interesting way to put it. But you still haven't said why you call him that?"
An Ping scratched his head. "I witnessed some of what happened back then. Nowadays, it seems no one calls him that anymore... I feel like someone needs to remember it all."
He thought for a moment and added, "No matter what, it must have been unforgettable, right? To have it all vanish into thin air without a trace... it feels a bit like a regret."
Zhu Yinxiao clicked his tongue in wonder. "It’s good to be young." Then he added, "It’s fine. Call him that if you want. My brother hasn't objected anyway. You can change it once Yanyan formally takes over as the Lingchu-zi."
An Ping was curious. "You’re so sure Miss Chai will be the next Lingchu-zi?"
"Just because she’s Sister Chai’s granddaughter, my brother will definitely favor her," Zhu Yinxiao said. "It was hard on Old Four to go through such a huge ordeal today. Didn't you see the long game he was playing?"
An Ping had indeed seen that. To put it bluntly, the reason Mu Gesheng and Chai Shuxin had agreed to the gathering of the Seven Houses was to use Fengdu’s desire to re-calculate the national destiny as an excuse. They used the momentum to bring the Pangeng Oracle Bone to the table, thereby finalizing the next successor for the Lingchu-zi.
"Chai Puti will most likely agree to the Mirage Tower competition. After all, it’s the Yao Corporation’s only chance," Zhu Yinxiao said. "But they’ll definitely prepare some dirty tricks. When the time comes, it’ll be every man for himself, seeing who can out-scheme whom."
"Are you sure?" Zhu Yinxiao was being so blunt that An Ping found it hard to believe. "This is a competition sanctioned by the Seven Houses. Is it really going to be that underhanded?"
"That girl Yanyan might look frivolous, but she truly inherited the medical arts. My brother personally taught her the basics back then." Zhu Yinxiao shrugged. "Forget the Yao Corporation; even if you searched through every member of the Yao family right now, no one besides my brother could necessarily best her. Chai Puti is good at business, but if she wants to win through medicine, she has to play dirty."
Well, that wasn't their concern. An Ping wasn't worried at all. With Mu Gesheng around, it was hard to imagine anyone out-scheming him.
Looking at it that way, Chai Yanyan’s succession as the Lingchu-zi was practically a sure thing.
Alright, even though Mu Gesheng was an old rogue, he had truly put a lot of effort into this.
"There’s one more thing I don't understand," An Ping said. "The Half-Immortal went through all this trouble just to pick the next Lingchu-zi. Couldn't he have just appointed her directly?" Chai Shuxin was the Rakshasa-zi; surely he had that much of a say?
"My brother isn't technically a member of the Yao family anymore. Intervening forcefully would only make the situation messier. The Yao family is already fractured; a sudden upheaval could even cause the entire Seven Houses to collapse." Zhu Yinxiao sighed. "Do you know that my brother left the Yao family back then specifically to help Old Four?"
An Ping knew this; he had seen the scene in Mu Gesheng’s memories. However, he had also wondered: Chai Shuxin had clearly kept his departure from the Yao family a secret from Mu Gesheng back then, so how did Mu Gesheng find out? Did Chai Shuxin tell him later?
He thought about Chai Shuxin’s taciturn nature and felt the man wasn't the type to do that.
"The Yao Corporation was actually the one who leaked it to Old Four. Back then, Chai Puti’s father was in charge. My brother had carried out a massive, ruthless reorganization that nearly wiped the Yao Corporation out. In the end, they were desperate and decided to target Old Four."
Zhu Yinxiao looked like he was recalling a nightmare. "Old Four has always been someone who speaks his mind, but my brother is the exact opposite. That’s why this old mess was left unresolved for so many years. When Old Four found out, the way those two fought... I thought we were back at the Ginkgo Study. They nearly took the roof off."
An Ping found it hard to believe. Mu Gesheng didn't seem like someone to bicker over trifles, and it was even harder to imagine Chai Shuxin arguing with anyone. "So the Yao Corporation got their way?"
"Not exactly. Otherwise, why do you think Chai Puti is the one in charge now?" Zhu Yinxiao’s voice carried a hint of mockery. "Old Four directly calculated the remaining lifespan and every major event of her father’s life. He wrote it all down and sent it straight to the Yao Corporation. Having your next few decades spoiled like that—who could take it? Old Master Chai passed away within days. Wu Biyou personally escorted him to the path of reincarnation."
...That was truly vicious.
"After that, my brother was wary of causing more trouble. He’s had plenty of bouts of madness over the decades, a mountain of dark history, and he’s a coward—he doesn't dare let Old Four know. To put it simply, the Seven Houses each hold leverage over one another, but at least they maintained a balance of power between the Yao family and the Yao Corporation. They’ve managed to scrape by for a few years like that."
An Ping clicked his tongue. "Your circle is truly messy."
"Don't 'your circle' me; you’re part of it now too." Zhu Yinxiao studied him, then suddenly smiled. "Man, you might not look like much, but your brain is actually quite sharp. You have a bit of Old Four’s style from back then, but you’re not as flamboyant as him. You’ll suffer a lot less."
He gave An Ping a wink. "I’m starting to understand why Old Four chose you."
An Ping didn't react for a moment. "Wait, what do you mean?" Had this guy thought he was just a beautiful mistake until now?
Zhu Yinxiao smiled with the air of a sage. "Some things are better left unsaid."
An Ping had originally intended to go to Yeshui Zhuhua with Zhu Yinxiao, but in the evening, he received a call from his mother. "You brat, where have you run off to? It’s still the New Year period and you’re not even home?"
An Ping thought to himself: *Mom, the first lunar month is almost over. What New Year? You fly all over the globe every day; what time zone are you even on?*
The An couple was busy with business all year round, and the family rarely gathered. An Ping was still very happy his parents were home. He immediately ditched his group of rowdy friends and rushed home excitedly.
As soon as he entered, he smelled a burnt scent filling the house. His mother came out carrying a scorched stainless steel pot. "Old An, go boil the dumplings. I guess the kitchen and I just aren't meant to be this year."
"I told you not to mess around." Mr. An put down the remote. "You spendthrift woman."
"Are you looking for a fight? Did your company’s performance beat mine this year?" Mrs. An’s beautiful eyes widened as she stood with hands on her hips. "I haven't even complained about you being a kept man, and yet you’re putting on airs?"
Mr. An immediately diverted the fire. "Your son is back."
An Ping had grown up watching his parents bicker and was used to playing the peacemaker. Standing at the door, he called out, "Mom, I’m back. I’m hungry, when’s dinner?"
"My son is back! Come here, let Mom look at you!" Mrs. An beamed and immediately ordered Mr. An, "Alright, enough talk. Go cook!"
Mr. An successfully made his escape, surreptitiously giving An Ping a thumbs-up.
"Come, come, let Mom see." Mrs. An pulled An Ping to her, put on her glasses, and scrutinized him carefully. "How’s your health? Your grades haven't dropped, have they? How are you getting along with your classmates? I had Little Liu deliver the New Year gifts for your teachers. If anyone dares bully you, tell Mom. Do you have enough money?"
Mrs. An was a whirlwind of a beauty, capable and a bit fiery. When An Ping was little, he once went to the company to find her and saw her in high heels and a black suit, dominating the negotiation table. He had been scared to tears—he thought his mom looked like a witch who ate children.
Later, as the An family business grew, Mrs. An had less time for him. They rarely saw each other, and she would just ask whatever came to mind, often missing the point. Seeing An Ping remain silent, she thought for a moment and said, "Is my boy in love?"
An Ping laughed. "Mom, have you been watching those 8 PM soap operas again?"
"Don't even get me started. Flying all the way back from Australia, my back is nearly broken," Mrs. An complained. "If your dad hadn't downloaded some campus romance drama to pass the time, I think my face would have swollen from sleeping so much."
She curled her lip. "Your dad is a real smooth-talker, saying I should watch youth dramas to understand modern campus life. That female lead wasn't even as good-looking as my son. I wouldn't want her as a daughter-in-law." She then instructed An Ping, "Our family has money. When you pick a girlfriend, remember to choose a pretty one. At the very least, she shouldn't be worse than your mother."
An Ping couldn't help but say, "That might be a bit difficult."
Mrs. An rolled her eyes. "Stop being cheeky."
Perhaps because she hadn't seen her son in so long, Mrs. An kept An Ping talking for a long time. The two of them stood right by the sofa, she neither sat down nor let him go get a drink of water. An Ping didn't know whether to laugh or cry, feeling that his mother had developed a serious misunderstanding of modern high school life after being abroad for so long. "Mom, I can barely finish my homework most days. Where would I find the time to date?"
Mrs. An reconsidered. "True, you can't neglect your studies."
However, she still wasn't at ease. "If you really do start dating, don't hide it from me. I’m not some remnant of feudal thinking. Your happiness is what matters most. As parents, we can give you some advice as people who’ve been through it."
"What advice?" An Ping stifled a laugh. "Advice on how to burn a pot?"
"Get out of here. You’re just like your father, learning all the wrong things." Mrs. An gave An Ping a light swat, stepped back a few paces, looked him up and down, and said softly, "You’ve gotten thinner. And taller."
She smiled. "Such a handsome young man. If I saw you on the street, I might not even recognize you."
An Ping stepped forward and gave his mother a gentle hug. "Mom, I missed you."
Mr. An finished boiling the dumplings, and the family sat in the dining room to eat. Within a few sentences, the conversation turned to An Ping’s education.
"You’re graduating soon. Do you have any plans?" Mr. An said calmly. "If you’re interested in the family business, it’s best to go abroad right after high school."
"We’re eating, we’re eating." Mrs. An put a dumpling in An Ping’s bowl. "Every other sentence is about business. Is money more important or your son?"
Mr. An also gave Mrs. An a dumpling. "Your favorite, celery and beef filling. Eat more."
"But speaking of which, I’ll probably be very busy this time back," Mrs. An put down her chopsticks, looking apologetic. "I originally wanted to come back and accompany you through your final exams, but I didn't expect the business to be so demanding..."
Mr. An: "You told me not to talk about it, yet here you are."
Mrs. An glared. "Do you have an opinion?"
Mr. Mr. An: "Please continue, Boss."
"It’s fine, Mom. If you have things to do, go ahead. I can take care of myself," An Ping said while chewing a dumpling. "My studies are fine, you don't need to worry."
Mr. An said, "He’s a grown man; of course he can take care of himself. When I was his age, I was already abroad working part-time to pay for my tuition."
"You’re always saying one thing and meaning another. Didn't you earn all that money so your son could enjoy some comfort?" Mrs. An sighed. "The family is planning to expand into the pharmaceutical sector recently. The partner is quite a big deal; we have to stay on our toes."
"Pharmaceuticals?" An Ping was stunned for a moment and immediately asked, "Mom, who is the partner?"
"Oh? Since when did you care so much about the family business? Didn't you say you only wanted to focus on academics in college?" Mrs. An teased him before saying, "Have you heard of the Yao Corporation?"
...No way. No freaking way.
An Ping was lost in a whirlwind of confusion. Could there really be such a coincidence?
***
