Chapter 57: Taking Leave Part 4

“Alright,” said Xie Yun. “You three chat. Mother knows you must leave home tomorrow—no need for another formal farewell. With Yingqiu and the others here, you don’t need to worry about me.”

Xiang Xian’s expression darkened, and he wanted to say something more, but Xie Yun had already risen with a smile and left. She knew full well that her presence made it inconvenient for the three to discuss business.

Once Xie Yun left, Xiang Xian scooted over to lean against Xiao Kun. Xiao Kun said, “Can’t you sit properly?”

“I’m tired,” Xiang Xian whined.

“Your father hasn’t gone far yet,” Xiao Kun chided. “Want to speak a bit louder?”

Xiang Xian could only chuckle and shift to another spot.

Zhen Yue calmly sipped his tea. A moment later, he said, “Not long ago, I heard there was a prophecy from the ‘God of Time’ in Kaifeng. Our family head is very concerned about it. Might I ask Lord Xiao and Lord Xiang if there’s any truth to it?”

“There is,” Xiao Kun thought for a moment and explained to Zhen Yue. “It’s been quite some time now, so it’s probably spread widely, but I suspect it differs somewhat from what you’ve heard.”

The Zhen Family was located in Jiangnan, which had been Southern Tang territory two hundred years prior. During the reign of its last emperor, Li Yu, the Hangzhou Exorcism Department had even claimed to inherit the orthodox legacy, calling itself the Great Tang Exorcism Department at the time. But after Taizu unified the realm and established the Great Song Exorcism Division in Bianjing, the Hangzhou branch abandoned its claim to legitimacy and submitted to Kaifeng’s authority. Now, all demon and ghost disturbances in Jiangnan fell under its jurisdiction.

Ancient legends spoke of a Dragon-Suppressing Pagoda in Hangzhou, which imprisoned jiao and dragons that wrought havoc on humanity. Three hundred years ago, the Zhen Family had been disciples of the Qiu Clan, the original guardians of the pagoda.

As the saying goes, all towers eventually fall. One year, the Dragon-Suppressing Pagoda collapsed, freeing the Zhen Family from their heavy duty—at least they no longer had to worry about it toppling again. Generations later, the Zhen Clan had quietly become the leaders of Jiangnan’s exorcists.

Zhen Yue was the most capable young member of this generation. Though his fame did not yet match Xiang Xian’s, his innate aptitude was excellent, his knowledge vast, and he commanded great respect locally as a standout among the youth.

Xiao Kun observed his physique—it didn’t seem like that of a martial artist—and couldn’t discern the origins of the treasure shackle on his wrist, so he asked no further. After explaining Shuhu’s prophecy to Zhen Yue, the latter fell into thoughtful silence.

“Not only will the Great Song fall,” Zhen Yue nodded, “but the Heavenly Demon will reincarnate as well.”

“Mm.” Xiang Xian nodded solemnly. At last, he had met someone who didn’t gape in shock or cry out in alarm.

“What did the third prophecy say?” Zhen Yue asked next.

“It’s private,” Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun said in unison.

The words hung in the air, plunging them into silence.

Zhen Yue tactfully did not press. Xiang Xian quickly added, “It might not even be accurate—we’re still verifying it.”

“When did you encounter Shuhu?” Zhen Yue asked.

Xiang Xian had already forgotten, but Xiao Kun said, “The day we first met—October 27th.”

Xiang Xian nodded and asked, “What did the Zhen Family send you out for?”

“It’s like this,” said Zhen Yue.

In ancient times, jiao wreaked havoc on humanity. After Emperor Yu tamed the floods, he established a prison at an earth vein nexus in the eastern Shenzhou lands of the Dongyi region, using the magic treasure Qingyu Golden Chalice. It was called the Dragon-Suppressing Pagoda, and it held the Jiao Clan along with some members of the Dragon Race. For a millennium afterward, all was peaceful. Then, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, Hangzhou Prefecture was established. Centuries later, the pagoda collapsed, and the treasure’s whereabouts became unknown. Though the tower was gone, the earth vein nexus at its foundation still pulsed with power.

As successors to the pagoda’s guardians, the Zhen Family suddenly found themselves towerless yet continued to watch over the Earth Vein Well. Earth Veins were the planet’s blood vessels, linking various energy surges across the world. Changes in Shenzhou—including the influence of demonic qi—manifested within them.

A year ago, the current family head observed clear anomalies in the earth veins. Combining them with celestial patterns and divination/numerology, he suspected that several other nodes in Shenzhou’s earth veins had been affected by demons.

“It’s complicated to explain,” said Zhen Yue. “The earth veins exhibit the pattern of Nine Palaces Flying Stars, corresponding to the heavenly stars in the Heavenly Veins. Under stable conditions, the Earth Vein Well shouldn’t show strong fluctuations.”

“How did you detect it?” asked Xiao Kun.

“Divination/numerology,” said Zhen Yue. “The earth is a precisely arranged Nine Palaces formation—one change affects the whole. Take the shift in Hangzhou’s Earth Vein Well from a year ago as an example.”

With that, without taking anything out, counting rods flew before the table and began arranging themselves in the hall, soon filling the entire space densely. Zhen Yue continued, “The first change occurred in the Northern Regions, where the number ‘fourteen’ shifted to ‘twenty-seven.’”

“The Heavenly Veins resonated next.” Zhen Yue flicked his sleeve again, scattering a handful of white go stones that rose into the air, forming a star chart that mirrored the changes on the ground.

The rods and stones rustled and surged like ocean waves. Xiang Xian had learned a little divination/numerology from Shen Kuo and could follow at first, but soon his head swam. Xiao Kun had studied astrology, but expertise in one field was like another world—he could only piece together their knowledge to grasp the gist.

“Stop,” said Xiao Kun, already lost in the fog. “Just the conclusion.”

“You two truly have remarkable talents—you listened through a full quarter-hour,” said Zhen Yue.

Xiang Xian laughed wryly. “Is that a compliment?!”