Chapter 4: The Little Sorcerer

What is the matter? These magical artifacts were passed down by our ancestral master! They are treasures! We do not use these items for ordinary guests. Only when we encounter those distinguished guests who can afford to pay a high price do we burn incense to pay respect to the ancestral master, and only then can we utilize these treasures.

Xiao Lei's face was glowing with joy as he smiled and tucked the one thousand yuan into his sleeve, secretly exclaiming: "Goodness, this is incredible; just by casually reading a palm, I've earned one thousand yuan. Indeed, this is a plump sheep beyond measure..."

Indeed, that nouveau riche burst into laughter, grasped Xiao Lei's hand, and exclaimed excitedly: "Exactly, exactly! It is indeed accurate! I have indeed been troubled by some matters recently!"

The other party appeared momentarily melancholic, likely moved by the phrase "free gift." Finally, they sat down and extended their left hand.

Xiao Lei sat behind the table, holding a copy of the "Zhuge Liang's Book of Divination" in his hands. That is indeed a secret manual of this school.

Naturally, distinguished guests do not prefer to mingle with ordinary people. By designating a separate area to host these esteemed guests, it creates a sense of being valued and also facilitates better extraction of funds from their pockets

Xiao Lei forced a smile and tentatively asked, "Are you gentlemen here for fortune-telling or to consult on feng shui?"

Hmm, looking at your features, sigh... there seems to be ominous signs and malevolent energy surrounding your fate. I presume that you have encountered quite a few misfortunes recently..." After saying this, I cautiously glanced at the other party.

The third guest is a middle-aged man from https://www.hetushu.com, of short stature, stout and plump, with a ruddy complexion. He wears a solid gold chain around his neck, about the thickness of a finger, and on his large hands, he has four or five solid gold rings.

A black bullet-shaped business vehicle sped over and came to a sudden stop at the shop entrance. In a flurry, three to five burly men jumped out of the car

The second guest to arrive was a young man inquiring about marriage, who appeared to be only slightly older than Xiao Lei.

The most persuasive argument finally managed to deceive this poor woman

In this day and age, even when it comes to deception, one must pay attention to the presentation

As for that room inside, heh heh, it is quite something; all dining relies on it, as it is a VIP room specifically designed for slaughtering fat sheep, commonly referred to as the VIP area

Blessings that descend from the heavens often come hand in hand with unforeseen calamities

The newly wealthy individual immediately felt a surge of confidence towards Xiao Lei, who also exerted all his efforts, speaking so passionately that the other party became dizzy. In the end, he left behind 10,000 yuan before letting this fat sheep go.

These individuals are dressed in impeccably tailored black suits, each one tall and robust, exuding a strong physique. Moreover, each of them is wearing black sunglasses, truly reminiscent of the presidential bodyguards seen in movies

Xiao Lei's eyes were fixed on the book in his hands, yet his mind was calculating how to find a way to recover the lost 2,000 yuan

Of course, it is a family secret! I have also learned seventy percent of my uncle's skills! Little Lei patted his chest, his eyes twinkling, and said with a smile: "How about this? If you don't believe me, I will first give you a free palm reading, and then offer you a few words of advice. This is complimentary. If I am accurate, we can discuss other matters; if I am not, you can leave immediately without a word. What do you think?"

Hmph, of course it's not bad! ... Just look at your round face and big ears, your body full of filth, adorned with gold and silver, you look just like a nouveau riche, naturally you haven't been wealthy for long ... uh ... of course! More importantly, those gold rings are in very new condition, it seems you haven't worn them for long. Indeed, you've struck it rich only a few days ago! ... Nouveau riche, nouveau riche, hehe ...

In just a short morning, Xiao Lei had already made over 10,000 yuan. It seems that in this day and age, charlatans still live quite well. As these thoughts swirled in his mind, he noticed that the sun was directly overhead, indicating it was already noon. Just as he was about to close the door to have lunch, he heard a creaking sound.

Hmm? Xiao Lei was momentarily taken aback and quickly glanced at the arrangements on the table. There are no VIP appointments scheduled for today

Feigning contemplation with a nod and a shake of the head, Xiao Lei lightly cleared his throat and said earnestly: "It seems that your financial fortune has been quite good recently, and you have indeed gained some small wealth. Uh... am I correct in saying this?"

You? The other party's eyes were filled with distrust: "You, a young lad, can also calculate?"

After having breakfast worth 2,000 yuan prepared by Lin Shanshan, Xiao Lei, biting into half a sesame cake, ran downstairs to open the shop in a very displeased manner

Therefore, this price cannot be low. Although we, as practitioners, should be compassionate and dedicated to helping the world, the artifacts left by our ancestors are not ordinary. If the price is set too low, would that not be a sign of disrespect to our ancestors

Xiao Lei maintained a composed expression, still appearing dignified and solemn, yet his stomach was nearly in pain from laughter

The small shop is merely twenty square meters, yet it is oddly divided into two rooms, inside and outside. In the words of that charlatan Uncle Wu Daozi, the outside is meant for receiving ordinary guests, such as the neighborly aunties and the vegetable-selling ladies.

Xiao Lei had him draw a fortune stick, which read: "Intending to trust in the future amidst leisure, an old friend wanders a thousand miles; the wild geese at the horizon convey news, a hint of plum blossoms brings back the colors of spring." The meaning is: all expectations are attainable, but one must wait a little longer.

... ...

Hmm... hmm..." Xiao Lei squinted his eyes, pretending to look a few times, but in his heart, he joyfully exclaimed: "Great, great, what a pair of sturdy hands! The ring on those fingers is probably made of 24K gold, and together they must weigh around three to five ounces, right? Indeed, what a big fat sheep this is!"

He suddenly revealed an exceptionally gentle smile: "This hero, today I am risking great damage to my cultivation to expose the heavenly secrets... Let me show you a full-body portrait!"

Well, Uncle Wu, the fortune-telling shop that deceives people without any accountability, is right downstairs in a storefront on the street. On a nearly half-fallen rotten wooden board above, it reads "Copper-Mouthed, Iron-Toothed Fortune Teller," followed by a diagram of the Tai Chi and the Eight Trigrams.

The first is a thirty-year-old woman, said to be concerned about her offspring. Alas, a thirty-year-old woman has not yet been able to bear children; the pressure at home must be quite significant. However, if you cannot conceive, why not go to the hospital for an examination? Are our sect's revered Zhuge Xiansheng and the Bodhisattva of Childbirth from the same department?

As for the third one, it indeed caused Xiao Lei quite a bit of thought

As these individuals charged into Xiao Lei's shop with an air of menace, it was as if they were about to explode the small space of merely a few square feet.

Moreover, the VIP room is also meticulously arranged. The couplet on the wall, which Wu Daozi himself claims is the work of Nalan Xingde from the Qing Dynasty—however, based on Xiao Lei's speculation, it is likely that it was purchased for just a few dollars from a second-hand market.

Ah, my uncle is a person of great wisdom and has gone on a long journey. Whatever you wish to inquire about, it is the same to seek me out.

What nonsense, of course you have something troubling you; otherwise, if everything were fine, what would bring you here to seek my counsel

I am deeply remorseful. O revered Master Zhuge, I have once again strayed from the right path.

In a surge of emotions, the nouveau riche pulled out 1,000 yuan and slapped it down on the table, exclaiming, "I humbly request the young master to teach me!"

This morning, he received three guests at m.hetushu.com.

The most eloquent excuses managed to deceive this young man, whose heart was fluttering with springtime feelings

Ah? A wealthy person! A fat sheep is delivered to your door

"Sir, are you seeking a romantic relationship or inquiring about your financial fortune?" Xiao Lei perked up, putting on a smile filled with utmost sincerity.

There is also a feng shui compass placed on the cabinet, a string of vajra bells used for summoning spirits, and a peach wood sword used for exorcism. That makes it even more remarkable! On the incense altar above is the tablet of the ancestral master.

The other party seemed somewhat doubtful, hesitatingly glancing at the young Lei: "May I ask if Master Wu Daozi is not at home?"

Xiao Lei had her draw a fortune stick, which read: "Intending to trust in the future amidst leisure, old friends wander a thousand miles, the wild geese at the horizon convey messages, a hint of plum blossoms brings back the colors of spring." The meaning is: all expectations are attainable, but one must wait a little longer.

Alas, at such a young age, instead of striving for a career, you are in such a hurry to inquire about marriage. What is the rush? Could it be that you have watched too many adult films at home, leading to excessive passion? ... Hmm, if that is the case, we are indeed kindred spirits, but I wonder whether he prefers the route of a devoted woman or the style of innocence

The chubby man immediately displayed a bit more trust on his face and hurriedly said: "Not bad, not bad!"

Anyway, that old charlatan Wu Daozi keeps claiming to be a disciple of Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming, the Master of the Crouching Dragon, and a successor of Zhuge's divine calculations. Regardless, in this day and age, if one wants to deceive, one must raise a grand banner to gain momentum, which is what is known as the brand effect