Chapter 3: The Calamity of Reincarnation (1)

At this moment, the charming maid beside the princess rushed forward, kneeling before Jiang Ziya, and tearfully pleaded, "Please, sir, you must save the princess. Heaven is truly unfair! Poor Empress Jiang has just been killed by the demoness Daji... Sir, you must find a way to save our princess!"

Jiang Ziya pondered for a moment, his gaze fixed intently on Princess Youyun, and said: "Since the princess is so gracious, it would be inappropriate for me to refuse. However, everything follows the principle of cause and effect. When the princess stepped into my hall, her left foot entered first, treading three and a half steps forward, two divisions to the left of the threshold at the 'Earth Extreme Renwu Position', and four divisions to the right of the cloud and mist screen at the 'Heavenly Net Bingzi Position'—this precisely aligns with the ominous sign of the 'Heavenly Evil Star' among the nine stars of fate. Alas... it would be better for me to cast a divination for the princess to see if we can turn misfortune into fortune, what do you think?"

Princess Youyun pondered for a moment, then nodded and asked: "Youyun remembers that it was indeed the left foot that first stepped into your esteemed hall, but to attribute the fortunes and misfortunes merely to an unintentional step, do you not think that is somewhat presumptuous?"

Jiang Ziya smiled faintly and extended his hand to refuse, saying: "I, an old man, do not accept rewards without merit; I kindly ask the princess to take it back"

Jiang Ziya pondered for a long time while calculating, occasionally gazing at the princess's face for a long while. His expression changed dramatically, and he shook his head in silence for a long time. Finally, he sighed deeply towards the sky and said: "Although the princess's facial features can be considered exceptionally pure and outstanding, her fate is marked by separation and disarray, with an imbalance in the five elements, thus belonging to the realm of the extraordinary. Observing the decline of the three yang energies between your brows, it is evident that you must have long resided in a cold and desolate place. Moreover, this year coincides with the annual Tai Sui, causing the princess's fortune to be disrupted into a state of three yin and absolute yang... Alas..." He sighed again, "I have never encountered such an unusual fate before, one that is devoid of yin and yang, extinguishing life and death, truly a calamity that obliterates the cycle of reincarnation..."

Princess Youyun, supported by her maid Xiaojiao, was slowly about to step out of the inner chamber when Jiang Ziya had a thought and quickly followed, saying: "Your Highness, please wait!"

Jiang Ziya examined carefully for a moment, then frowned and said: "May I ask if the princess could provide her birth date and time?"

Behind the curtain, Yaoyang saw the beauty in front of him shedding tears, and his heart ached with compassion, causing him to involuntarily shudder. Although Yixian also felt sorrow for the beautiful woman, he did not understand why Yaoyang reacted so strongly, so he gently nudged Yaoyang's shoulder to inquire. Yaoyang merely shook his head slightly, signaling Yixian not to concern himself with him

Princess Youyun nonchalantly mentioned her birthday and casually asked, "Is there anything wrong with that?"

Then the old man respectfully complied with the command! Jiang Ziya no longer pretended to be modest, took his seat in the main position, and extended his hand to offer a salute, saying, "Your Highness, please take a seat"

Princess Youyun pondered for a moment, and finally, under the persuasion of her maid, she slowly lifted the curtain. Instantly, everyone was dazzled, and the entire room was filled with brilliance

The old man in the Daoist robe slowly opened his eyes at this moment, gazing into the void for a moment, then stood up straight, stepped down from his seat, and said in a voice like a great bell: "Princess, please come in!"

Princess Youyun was momentarily taken aback by the words, her expression slightly dimmed. With a soft sigh, she soon returned to her usual demeanor, as if she had not been affected at all. With an unperturbed countenance, she said: "Youyun wishes to borrow a phrase from you, sir: since ancient times, poverty and wealth are destined to be intertwined, and life and death have always been inseparable! Everything has its predetermined course, which cannot be altered by human effort. Therefore, what does it matter whether it is so or not?"

Commoner Jiang Shang respectfully greeted the princess! The elder bowed slightly without being servile or arrogant and said, "Please take your seat"

A young lady named Youyun requests an audience with Mr. Jiang!" A clear and melodious female voice resonated just outside the door curtain

Upon closer inspection, Princess Youyun discovered that it was a finely crafted jade lock adorned with a phoenix head and inscriptions. It fit perfectly in the palm of her hand, warm and gentle, appearing particularly small and exquisite. Moreover, given Jiang Ziya's resolute intention in his words of gifting, she found it inappropriate to decline, so she had no choice but to accept it, saying: "Then Youyun expresses her gratitude to you, sir"

At this moment, the dazzling sun outside the curtain peeked through a slight gap, allowing a complete view of the lady's every move. His eyes widened in astonishment, unable to suppress his excitement. Leaning against the strings, he recalled the sharp gaze he had encountered earlier, still feeling a lingering fear, and dared not peek through the curtain to observe the inner chamber again, fearing that the eminent person before him would see through his intentions.

Upon hearing that heavenly voice once again, Yaoyang's heartstrings were instantly stirred, making it difficult for him to contain his emotions. In the tense and oppressive atmosphere of the moment, experiencing this flutter of the heart was particularly enchanting. He internally exclaimed in desperation, wishing he could rush out immediately to meet the woman. Liyin felt the tremor of excitement from Yaoyang's shoulder and secretly thought it was a disaster. While pinching Yaoyang's arm discreetly, she peered through the gap in the curtains to steal a glance at the elderly man seated at the high table.

Through the gap in the door curtain, one can see a translucent glass screen, ethereal and misty, placed at the entrance. The hall is spacious, bright, clean, and tidy, with the objects arranged in an extremely simple and casual manner. Scattered around are bamboo slips and silk scrolls that have been browsed through. The fragrance of sandalwood wafts through the hall, mingling with a faint aroma of tea, creating a sense of tranquility and clarity of mind.

Jiang Ziya hesitated for a moment, closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, then sighed: "If one wishes to avoid this calamity and maintain a long-lasting fortune, it is not impossible! However... unless..." He seemed to want to say something several times but hesitated, and after a moment of deep contemplation, he continued, "Unless the princess is willing to give up the current worldly splendor and distance herself from this sea of suffering, there may still be a glimmer of hope!"

Princess Youyun sighed softly, seemingly lost in thought, and gracefully rose to say: "What you have said is indeed correct, I thank you for your guidance, sir! Someone—" As she called out, a servant outside responded and lifted the curtain to enter, kneeling as he presented a tray of gold coins before Jiang Ziya.

Since childhood, Yi Xian had been wandering the streets, never having experienced such a serene and secluded stone garden. Therefore, when he found himself in this scene for the first time, he was suddenly struck by a sense of clarity and could not help but want to stop and admire it. However, Yaoyang quickly pulled him behind a rock and whispered in complaint, "Little Yi, we are currently fleeing for our lives, not here to enjoy the scenery. I have heard that the Tianming Yiguan is filled with extraordinary people, and if we are discovered, it would be disastrous..."

Unbeknownst to him, the brothers beside him experience moments of joy and sorrow, while he finds himself trapped in the depths of self-doubt and inner conflict. When he hears Princess Youyun express her ambiguous yet candid thoughts, he cannot help but feel a sense of admiration and a strong desire to meet this Princess Youyun. However, he is also concerned about being discovered by someone of great stature, so he can only force himself to suppress his feelings.

Leaning on the strings and shaking his head to indicate his ignorance, he glanced again at the couplets on either side of the plaque, and his thoughts stirred, causing him to fall silent. Several years ago, during a time of hardship, the two brothers had encountered a kind-hearted old beggar who was fleeing from disaster. They spent some time together and learned some skills in recognizing characters and words from the old beggar, so they naturally recognized the two lines of the couplet.

Yao Yang and Yi Xian surveyed the area for a moment, found a suitable hiding place, and then stealthily crossed the screen, hiding behind the heavy drapery between the inner room and the outer hall. The two of them pressed closely together, shoulder to shoulder, behind the drapery, striving to hold their breath, not daring to make any movement, fearing that they might disturb the old man in his quiet meditation, with potentially dire consequences.

The door curtain rustled, and the sound of light footsteps turned around the screen. The veiled Princess of the Cloud, with only one personal maid accompanying her, walked gracefully into the inner chamber.

Before me appeared an unparalleled beauty, her long hair, as dark as clouds, elegantly styled into a bun, with loose strands softly framing her face, accentuating her extraordinarily beautiful and captivating features. Her petite, delicate nose stood out, complemented by her cherry-like lips and pearly white teeth, paired with her enchanting eyes that resembled the depths of the ocean. Dressed in a gown as white as snow, her skin glistened like jade, devoid of any makeup, exuding a natural and refined elegance.

Jiang Ziya smiled lightly and replied with a serious expression: "Every subtle change in all things is not merely coincidental; it conceals infinite mysteries within the universe! How could an ordinary person comprehend the principles behind it! If the princess trusts this old man, please remove the curtain below, so that I may closely observe the flow and balance of your innate spirit, in order to find a method for the princess to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune!"

Looking at the golden platter of gold coins, Yaoyang couldn't help but let his imagination wander, and he secretly plucked at the strings of his instrument. Yixian naturally understood this fellow's thoughts, and inwardly smiled wryly, thinking that it would be fortunate if they could manage to get out of this situation.

Upon the utterance of these words, everyone in the inner chamber could not help but be taken aback

"There is no need for formalities, just treat me as an ordinary person!" Princess Youyun, with the assistance of her maid, gracefully took her seat at the secondary table

Two individuals pushed and shoved each other as they carefully stepped onto the blue stone path, making their way to the back building of the "Heavenly Destiny Odd Pavilion"

The princess? Yao Yang and Yi Xian were so shocked that their three souls and seven spirits had already lost two souls and six spirits. In a panic, they could only think of escaping. It was only then that they realized there was only one spiral staircase in the building, and the other two halls beside the "Cangdao Pavilion" were locked. Apart from jumping out of the window, they had no place to escape.

Jiang Ziya took out a crystal-clear object from his bosom and handed it to the princess, saying: "How could I, an old man, accept money without reason? Therefore, I present this 'Phoenix Head Crystal Heart Lock' to the princess, hoping it will be of some assistance to you."

"There is no need for you to be polite, sir. This is merely a token of Princess Youyun's sincere intentions, with no other motives! I hope you will not decline!" Princess Youyun gestured, and the attendant placed the entire tray of gold coins on the high seat before respectfully exiting the door

Yao Yang made a gesture to lower his voice and said with a faint smile, "Yes, let's consider it my fault! Now that we are here, we might as well have some fun. At the very least, we cannot tarnish the reputation of our 'Twin Treasures of the World'. Let's go!"

Princess Youyun gracefully replied, "Mr. Ziya need not be overly courteous; I have come with a request, and it is only proper for you to take the seat of honor!"

Jiang Ziya displayed a helpless demeanor and sighed, saying: "The fate of the world is not something that mere mortals like us can influence; it solely depends on the seamless harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity. In fact, as long as wise rulers govern the world, adhering to the royal way and upholding the people's foundation, the great Shang dynasty will naturally endure forever. Why then should we resort to the trivial arts of ghosts and spirits to calculate the so-called long-term destiny?"

Princess Youyun let out a soft sigh, unable to conceal her disappointment, and asked again, "Is it truly impossible for you to reveal some insights about the fate of the world to Youyun?" Her slightly pleading inquiry sounded particularly mournful in Yaoyang's ears, stirring a pang of sorrow in his heart, and he couldn't help but silently curse Jiang Ziya for his lack of sensitivity.

Jiang Ziya's action of holding the cup to drink tea suddenly paused, his eyes shining with divine light. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed leisurely and said: "The princess is filled with filial piety and also cares for the world, which is truly rare! Unfortunately, although I am proud and daring enough to discuss fate and even to speak recklessly of cause and effect, I alone do not dare to go against the great principles of heaven, earth, and humanity; the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed! As for your father, unless I personally go to him, I am afraid I am powerless to help."

The corresponding line is "Life and death have always been intertwined"

Leaning on the strings, Pian Tou saw Yao Yang's tense expression and felt a surge of anger, saying: "How can you still have the face to speak? If it weren't for you being so preoccupied with watching the excitement just now and wasting time, would we have to take such a risk?"

Upon hearing Yi Ren's somewhat sorrowful and somewhat helpless sigh, Yao Yang felt a pang of pain in his heart, secretly cursing Jiang Ziya for being utterly outrageous. Was it just about money? There was no need to speak so harshly! He also thought that if it weren't for his own ineptitude, he would definitely leap out and give him a good beating. With this thought, Yao Yang stole another glance at Princess Youyun, and once again, a wave of melancholy and self-pity surged within him

Yixian was truly frightened, his heart racing. If what Jiang Ziya said was true, then he and Yaoyang must have already been discovered as soon as they entered. However, what puzzled him was why Jiang Ziya did not expose them. Upon hearing Jiang Ziya explain the princess's steps as she entered the hall, he couldn't help but wonder what their own steps were. In contrast, Yaoyang scoffed at this, dismissing such thoughts, firmly believing that Jiang Ziya was merely a con artist, deliberately concocting suspense to deceive that pile of gold coins.

Through the ethereal mist of the glazed screen, one can faintly see that the furnishings of the inner chamber are exceedingly simple, consisting of only a high seat. A small stove at the bottom is vigorously boiling tea, while a square plate with round dumplings serves as the gaming table above. Beside the seat, a copper crane incense burner emits waves of sandalwood fragrance. Amidst the rising and swirling smoke, an elderly man in a Daoist robe, with graying hair and beard, sits cross-legged on the high seat, seemingly oblivious to the two disheveled youths who have entered his dwelling, remaining motionless with closed eyes in meditation.

Yixian leaned against the curtain inside the room, not daring to peek outside, solely listening to the changes within the inner chamber. At this moment, she sensed the unusual movement of Yaoyang and hurriedly pinched him again, causing him to grimace in pain before he finally regained his composure

Jiang Ziya? Yao Yang looked at the inscription on the plaque of the "Hidden Path" above the hall's door, hesitated for a moment, and then, somewhat uncertainly, asked Yixian in a low voice: "Is this the Jiang Shang?"

Jiang Ziya intuitively sensed that the princess had already made up her mind, and he could not help but sigh. He rose to his feet, performed a bow, and said: "I shall not say much more, and will respectfully send off the princess here!"

At that moment, Yaoyang felt a sudden constriction in his breath, as if the entire world had lost its significance, and the only thing that existed was the real yet ethereal beauty before him. If he could win her heart, what more could he desire in this life? His emotions compelled his breathing to become increasingly rapid.

Princess Youyun shuddered slightly and sighed, saying: "How could Youyun not have such thoughts? It is merely that being born into a royal family, one is not in control of one's own fate"

Jiang Ziya escorted the princess and her maid to the door, saying, "Princess, please take care on your journey, and forgive this old man for not seeing you off further"

The "Tianming Yiguan" is a circular building made of solid wood, three stories high. The first floor features a meticulously decorated and elegantly extraordinary "Reception Room," while the second and third floors are divided into various halls of different sizes, each adorned according to the distinct personalities of the residents. Some are bright and refined, others are dark and secluded, some are lavishly decorated, while others are simply and elegantly styled.

Princess Youyun turned around and asked, "Is there anything else, sir?"

Fortunately, the eccentric individuals all prefer tranquility and generally dislike being disturbed. Therefore, apart from the presence of someone guarding the front door of the building, there are few attendants serving tea and water within the premises. This indeed facilitated the two brothers, allowing them to wander around the building twice without being noticed. At this moment, however, a sound of footsteps came from the "Reception Room," startling the brothers, who hurriedly ran up the wooden ladder beside the building, making their way to the front of the "Hidden Path Pavilion" on the third floor.

Destiny's Unusual Pavilion

These two sentences, accompanied by the horizontal inscription "Cang Dao," immediately evoke a sense of profound mystery, as if one were entering the heavens and the earth, with the Dao hidden in the heart. The infinite depth of meaning contained within them leaves the two brothers unable to calm their emotions for a long time. Although they are eager to learn, since parting ways with Grandpa Huazi, they have been preoccupied with worries about basic sustenance and freedom, leaving them with little opportunity for further study. It is rare to encounter such profound knowledge today, and they cannot help but become somewhat entranced by it. Although they are eager to learn, since parting ways with Grandpa Huazi, they have been preoccupied with worries about basic sustenance and freedom, leaving them with little opportunity for further study. It is rare to encounter such profound knowledge today, and they cannot help but become somewhat entranced by it

Yao Yang and Yi Xian caught sight of the four large characters carved on the rockery in the courtyard, and both could not help but stick out their tongues, realizing that they had inadvertently stumbled into the backyard of the "Heavenly Destiny Odd Pavilion"

In stark contrast, at this moment, the heart and mind of Yixuan were greatly shaken, filled with immense shock. This was solely because, although the old man's vacant gaze was fixed straight ahead, the instant his furtive glance swept past, it felt as if he had been electrocuted, as if he had encountered a tangible, radiant light in the old man's eyes, leaving him drenched in sweat, anxious and restless, hastily closing his eyes, not daring to look again

Princess Youyun raised her cup and nodded in gratitude, softly saying: "I have heard that although you have only been in Chaoge for a short period of a few months, you have spoken with the authority of fate and predicted events with remarkable accuracy, earning the admiration of many! I have long admired you, and today I have come here specifically to request that you divine a fortune for my father, the king, and for the great Shang realm!"

Just as the two brothers were silently observing the plaque, a sudden commotion of footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and a respectful voice could be faintly heard saying: "Your Highness, please come this way. Mr. Jiang Shang has just finished his afternoon meditation, and he has kept you waiting for a long time! ... ... The first room to the left upstairs is the master's hidden study!"

Jiang Ziya leisurely picked up the utensils, arranged the cups, and then took the kettle from the stove to pour tea into the cups. He inquired, "May I ask what brings the princess to this humble place?"

Little Jiao... the Princess of Youyun thought of her tragically deceased mother, her heart ached and tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice became even more choked with emotion

Since ancient times, poverty and low status are destined to be linked

At this moment, a deadly trial arrives just in time

Two individuals gently lifted the bamboo curtain in front of the door and swiftly slipped into the hall, one after the other

The rear courtyard of the Yi Pavilion is a delicately arranged stone garden, featuring rugged rocks and neatly arranged flowers and grasses. It is complemented by the Qiongc池 of Jingshan and various pavilions and kiosks. The surface of the pond is connected by a short, winding stone bridge. From a distance, a winding bluestone path meanders between the pavilions, hidden among the pavilions, rocks, and water of the pond. Although the entire garden occupies a small area, it exudes an exceptional tranquility and uniqueness.

Looking down from the railing, the two of them gasped in shock, unable to summon the courage to jump. In a moment of desperation, Yaoyang quickly pulled Yixuan over and pointed to the "Hidden Passage Pavilion" in front of them. They exchanged a glance, and Yixuan naturally understood his intention. This was a last resort, and they had no choice but to give it a try, so he nodded helplessly.

Princess Youyun bent down to help her maid Xiaojiao, slightly inclined her body to pay her respects to Jiang Ziya, and then covered the top curtain again, saying: "I apologize for disturbing you for so long, and I am immensely grateful for your kindness. Princess Youyun will take her leave now"