Chapter 4: The Calamity of Reincarnation (2)

Yaoyang and Yixian were both taken aback, not understanding the meaning behind his words

Yao Yang and Yi Xian organized everything and stood side by side behind Jiang Ziya, intently watching the curtain in front of the screen, eager to see who the visitor was. It seemed that this person held great power, as they could make a group of usually arrogant and domineering servants so obedient.

Upon hearing this, Yaoyang and Yixian were already so frightened that their faces turned pale, their minds blank, and they were at a loss for what to do

Hey! Old man, what nonsense are you talking about... Yao Yang had never heard such a vicious curse before, and upon hearing it, he was filled with rage. If it were not for his fear of Jiang Ziya's mysterious spells, he would have surely resorted to violence long ago

The two brothers, at this moment, were so startled and flustered that they had no mind to retrieve those yellow and white items, and they walked out of the "Cangdao Pavilion" with their heads bowed in silence

However, they are aggressive and are unlikely to give up until they have secured the presence of the gentleman today The voice of the messenger outside trembles with unease, revealing a concern born from excessive fright

Although the two brothers are between the ages of seventeen and eighteen, their figures appear somewhat slender when dressed in loose-fitting robes, they have already begun to take on adult physiques, each displaying their own charm

Destiny and celestial mechanisms, the strange door of mutual relations, I, an old man, can only ask myself how I can help when, even with the intention to assist, given the current situation, I can hardly ensure my own safety! You may take as many gold coins from the table as you wish. Remember my words, now go! Everything is up to you!

Gazing at their motionless figures as they departed, Jiang Ziya compassionately pondered: "Today is the seventh day of the seventh month. There are still seven days until the lunar eclipse of the nine stars on the yin day and yin hour. If you brothers can avoid this calamity, perhaps there will truly be a day when the dragon leaps over the clouds and the phoenix sings at dawn! However, in the Daoist principles of fate, only 'Nine Yin and Nine Yang, the extreme must reverse' possesses the unique power to defy fate and change destiny...

Upon hearing this, Yaoyang was taken aback and looked at his brother beside him in confusion. Yixian also found it rather strange and responded, "Please, sir, go ahead"

Suddenly recalling this, Jiang Ziya's Dao heart, which had been quietly cultivated for three lifetimes and a hundred years, trembled greatly, as if it had touched upon some obscure and mysterious truths. Startled, he abruptly rose to his feet, pondered and calculated for a long time, and then sat down again in despair, his expression becoming exceptionally grave, murmuring to himself:

Yao Yang scratched his head, adopting an expression that conveyed both ignorance and indifference.

Let me do it! Leaning on the strings, I picked up a cloth from the table and slowly poured water into the teacup beside Jiang Ziya, despite it being my first time serving tea. My attitude was earnest and my movements careful, with a certain tacit understanding between my hands and steps, steadily pouring the water into the cup without a single drop spilling over

As he watched the princess and her entourage depart, Jiang Ziya could not help but feel a deep sense of emotion. He shook his head and sighed deeply before finally entering the room. He remained seated at the high table, lifted his teacup, and took a sip, then began to engage in a game of self-confrontation against the remnants of the chessboard on the table.

Yao Yang wore a respectful smile and bowed to Jiang Ziya, saying: "You, sir, are a transcendent master, so you have nothing to fear! However, we brothers are but humble lives, and we are quite afraid... How about we take our leave first!" With that, he pulled Yi Xian and headed towards the door.

Is Mr. Jiang Shang available

Upon hearing the sound, Yaoyang and Yixian were immediately alert, recalling the perilous situation they had just encountered. Unconsciously, both were drenched in cold sweat. Although the woman's voice was indeed somewhat captivating, stirring the hearts of men and igniting their imaginations, they still wished to find something soft to plug their ears, unwilling to hear that soul-stirring voice again

Yao Yang and Yi Xian were inexplicably shocked, standing frozen in place, dazed.

Yixian was taken aback for a moment, hurriedly stopping Yaoyang from taking any further action, and asked in confusion, "Sir, what does this mean? I hope you can elaborate..."

Yao Yang looked outside the silent door with a face full of panic, thinking about the thousand-year-old female demon mentioned by Jiang Ziya. Unable to suppress a shiver, he asked, "What should we do if she comes in with her followers?" Although Yi Xian did not speak, he could not help but have the same thought in his heart, while simultaneously looking at Jiang Ziya, who seemed to be in deep contemplation.

Just now, you both entered the old man's hall one after the other, and remarkably, you stepped precisely on the 'Heavenly Evil Star Position' of the 'Extreme Star Array' without any deviation. The position where Princess Youyun later stepped was also exactly the same! At that time, the old man was utterly perplexed; how could there be such a coincidence in the world? You two actually stepped simultaneously onto the unique position of the calamity star among thousands, which is why I did not expose your actions.

At this moment, a hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the door. One could hear the visitor arriving at the door, and in a flustered voice that was somewhat stammering, he said: "Mr. Jiang... the palace has sent someone to say... the newly entered Pipa Concubine wishes... to invite you to the palace for divination..."

A voice of extreme softness mingled with an enchanting, soul-stirring magical energy wafted in from outside the door. The insufficiently composed Yaoyang and Yixian felt an inexplicable disturbance by their ears, as if the hypnotic sound came from the heavens. The gentle and delicate stimulation stirred their minds, rendering them unable to control themselves, drowsy and completely forgetting where they were.

Yao Yang took a few steps back to the inner room while leaning on the harp, picked up the kettle, and respectfully poured tea for Jiang Ziya. He cautiously said, "I suddenly feel that watching those sycophants being taught a lesson by you, sir, should be quite an interesting affair..." Before he could finish his flattery, he was interrupted by Yi Xian from the side.

Yixian felt a surge of frustration and shook his head, sighing, "What more can be said? We can only wait! I hope that Mr. Jiang can return safely after vanquishing the demons!" At this point, he was struck by a thought and couldn't help but ask, "Since this so-called Pipa Guifei's sister is a demon, does that mean the palace is filled with demons?"

Jiang Ziya paid no attention to Yaoyang's rudeness, stood up, paced back and forth a few steps, looked up at the sky outside the back window, and sighed: "In my lifetime, I have interpreted divination and fate, traveled the world for more than half a century, yet I have never encountered such an extraordinary celestial phenomenon as today!"

Could it really be the will of heaven? But between them... how could this be possible...

Yao Yang and Yi Xian exchanged a glance, feeling utterly perplexed, yet dared not to ask, and could only temporarily hold back their curiosity

Jiang Ziya let out a cold snort and said lightly: "If they are unwilling to listen or have any grievances, let them come to me directly!"

The vast horizon outside the window has dimmed considerably, and dusk has finally arrived

Yao Yang was obedient and adaptable, and with a forced smile, he stepped forward to check the kettle in preparation for pouring tea. However, in his flustered state, he did not realize that the porcelain kettle on the stove had already boiled over. Upon seeing this, Yi Xian hurriedly tried to stop him, but it was too late. With a cry of "Ouch," Yao Yang covered his burned finger, wincing in pain.

Jiang Ziya calmly fixed his gaze on the faint silhouette of a woman projected onto the screen by the door curtain, and without any hesitation, asked: "Who is outside the door?"

The woman outside the door clearly tested his prowess and no longer dared to recklessly employ her enchanting voice. With a sound like silver bells, she gently said: "I, a humble servant, am pleased to meet Mr. Jiang Shang. Today, my sister, the pipa player, has been honored with the title of noble consort, and I wish for you to enter the palace to divine blessings for my sister. I kindly ask that you do not decline this request."

Jiang Ziya remained calm and, with a faint smile, gestured to the side, saying: "You all go over there to clean your faces and change your clothes first"

Before the brothers of the Unequal Leaning String could react, the figure of Jiang Ziya, seated on the high seat, shifted slightly. The mysterious technique was deployed, summoning a gentle breeze that brushed against their faces, and the large figure unexpectedly vanished into thin air.

A mystical array has been set up between the door curtain and the screen, ensuring that no such malevolent creatures can approach within three feet! Just as they were conversing, Jiang Ziya felt a surge in his heart, suddenly opening his eyes wide, with terrifying electric light flashing in them. He was filled with rage and exclaimed, "You wicked nine-headed chicken demon, how dare you set fire to the building!"

Jiang Ziya pondered for a moment and replied: "Today, the three divinations are complete! Please ask them to come again another day"

"This matter has nothing to do with you; it is better for you to know less about it!" Jiang Ziya furrowed his brows and remained silent, took the tea and drank it all in one go, then gazed at the two brothers in front of him for a long time before slowly saying: "I wonder if you brothers would be willing to heed an old man's advice?"

Although the mark of the character "Fei" still remains on his face, one can still see the strong and unrestrained demeanor reflected in his bright eyes and thick eyebrows, which exude a certain masculine toughness. In contrast, the pair of exceptionally lively eyes, combined with a broad forehead and a sunny smile, gives an impression of clarity and elegance akin to a refreshing breeze.

Jiang Ziya did not intervene, continuing to sit alone at the high seat, pouring and drinking for himself

Yao Yang quickly regained his composure, pulling Yi Xian as they ran towards the door, murmuring, "We brothers should take this opportunity to leave quickly!"

Jiang Ziya was certain that they would not accept this fact for a while, yet he could not bear to deceive these two unfortunate brothers. He elaborated on the matter, saying: "When I saw the expressions on your faces after you had washed them clean, my suspicions grew even stronger. Alas... Although you are born with the features of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, possessing an extraordinary appearance that surely does not belong to the ordinary, it is unfortunate that your fated spirits are aligned with the 'Nye Wu' in the second palace of the mysterious nine palaces, destined to be separated from your parents since childhood, and to live a life of destitution and wandering. In fact, this is not a matter of life and death, but who would have known that this year, the stars of the nine palaces align in a rare celestial conjunction—just at the time of the once-in-a-century Heavenly Broken Tai Sui, where fates clash, leading to the severance of three yangs and the end of three yins, a calamity that extinguishes the cycle of reincarnation... Although you are born with the features of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, possessing an extraordinary appearance that surely does not belong to the ordinary, it is unfortunate that your fated spirits are aligned with the 'Nye Wu' in the second palace of the mysterious nine palaces, destined to be separated from your parents since childhood, and to live a life of destitution and wandering. In fact, this is not a matter of life and death, but who would have known that this year, the stars of the nine palaces align in a rare celestial conjunction—just at the time of the once-in-a-century Heavenly Broken Tai Sui, where fates clash, leading to the severance of three yangs and the end of three yins, a calamity that extinguishes the cycle of reincarnation..."

Jiang Ziya remained unperturbed and calmly replied: "I did not expect Your Excellency to have quite a temper. Considering your nearly thousand years of Taoist cultivation, it has not been easy. If you promptly return to seek a place for re-cultivation, you may hope to achieve the right results; however, if you do not heed my advice, it will surely be difficult for you to preserve this physical form that has undergone the transformation of the Six Paths today"

With a sense of urgency, Yixian quickly grabbed Yaoyang and reminded him, "How many lives do you have? The ones outside might very well be the minions of that demon. They are trying every possible way to get in, yet they cannot. If we charge out now, we will surely be treated as targets by them."

Jiang Ziya smiled faintly and said: "Fame, wealth, and power are merely external possessions. All beings in the three realms, the six paths of life and death, are equal! So, what is there to fear from anyone?"

The woman clearly could not tolerate the pressure, her tone suddenly turned cold as she snorted and scolded: "You, surnamed Jiang, don't take my kindness for granted! If you provoke me, I will set fire to your turtle's lair! If you have the guts, come out!"

Jiang Ziya closed his eyes lightly, his five fingers forming the mystical seal of the Xuanmen in his palm, concentrating his spirit and energy, and said: "Unfortunately, I have already completed three divinations today. If I were to forcefully conduct another divination at the altar, it would intentionally delay the heavenly secrets and sacred calculations. I fear that not only would there be omissions in the divination, but it would also invite divine retribution! Therefore, I kindly request that you seek the wisdom of another expert instead!"

Yixian and Yaoyang looked at Jiang Ziya, eager to know his strategy for dealing with the situation

Yao Yang stuck out his tongue and grinned, then imitated Jiang Ziya by picking up a cup and pouring tea, pretentiously tasting it. After that, he casually asked as if it were a serious matter: "I wonder what insights the young strategist Yi has on this matter?"

Just as the two were secretly rejoicing at their escape, they suddenly heard a commotion and the hurried sound of footsteps in the hallway. Without needing to step outside to check, Yaoyang and Yixian had already guessed that it must be the palace officials coming to settle accounts with Jiang Ziya. The two then halted in their tracks, no longer daring to venture out and invite misfortune.

Just as he was leaning on the strings and gazing around in confusion, he suddenly heard the sound of boiling water coming from the stove. Jiang Ziya placed his chess piece and said leisurely, "The water is already boiling; do you two young brothers expect me to personally pour tea for you?"

What a pity... what a pity! Jiang Ziya sensed the unusual changes in the expressions of the two individuals, and his own expression suddenly became unpredictable, fluctuating between joy and sorrow. Unable to help himself, he sighed softly once more, shaking his head in silence

Upon hearing those words, Yaoyang and Yixian felt their hearts sink, and their facial expressions revealed a mix of disbelief and fear.

This remark caused Yaoyang to abruptly halt his body, astonished to the point of sticking out his tongue. He finally lost all motivation to escape, and thus, lazily drooping his head, he sat on the high seat and began to play with the entire plate of gold coins placed on the mat.

Yao Yang and Yi Xian stared in astonishment as they followed the direction of the pointing finger. They were surprised to find that, unbeknownst to them, a basin and other washing supplies, along with some clothing, had appeared in front of the curtain where they had previously hidden.

After Jiang Ziya finished speaking, he sat quietly on the high seat and closed his eyes in contemplation

Yao Yang and Yi Xian were taken aback, exchanging glances as they stepped out side by side from behind the curtain of the room

The messenger should promptly retreat downstairs.

"Sir, please take your leave!" Princess Youyun said, and then hurried downstairs with her maid Xiaojiao, leading several attendants.

Not bad! A familiar voice came from outside the door, and the two could not help but be taken aback. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Jiang Ziya stepping into the room. He immediately expressed his deep feelings, saying, "You have guessed correctly! The court is now in chaos with demons dancing everywhere, and the state of affairs is deteriorating. It is foreseeable that the day of great turmoil in the world is not far off!"

Jiang Ziya solemnly said: "Considering the bond between you and me, I advise you to leave Chaoge immediately and head west, as far as you can go, without looking back! If you remain safe for seven consecutive days, perhaps you may still achieve a good end in this life! Otherwise, you may die a violent death in the streets or be left to rot in the wilderness, making it difficult to find peace in the Three Realms and Six Paths!"

Jiang Ziya's expression remained unchanged, as he gently tapped the teacup in his hand against the copper kettle, producing a soft sound of "ding..." This clear and untainted resonance spread like ripples on the surface of water, reverberating throughout the entire hall, instantly washing away the enchanting and bewitching sounds.

Yao Yang felt uneasy in his heart and couldn't help but ask, "Are you really not afraid of them, sir?"

Yixian could no longer tolerate Yaoyang's seemingly indifferent expression, and exclaimed, "Boss, what time is it now? Can't you just calm down and think of a way to get out of this situation?"

While the two were busy washing their faces and changing their clothes, quite a few people had already arrived outside the hall door. Strangely, although they were noisy and clamorous, none dared to rush in. After a moment, all the sounds outside suddenly ceased, followed by a series of soft and light footsteps that sounded at just the right moment

At this moment, Yaoyang was still immersed in the sorrow of the beloved's departure, unable to regain his composure. However, Yixian already sensed that the situation was dire. Just a moment ago, taking advantage of Jiang Ziya's departure to see off a guest, he had looked around. Aside from the main entrance and the back window, there were no other escape routes in the hall. As for the back window on the third-floor loft, they could only gaze at it with a sigh.

Upon seeing Jiang Ziya, Yaoyang hurriedly stood up respectfully to allow him to sit alone at the high seat. Leaning on the string, he filled the tea and presented it before Jiang Ziya, bowing and saying: "Sir, you have worked hard, please enjoy the tea"

Yao Yang stepped forward and asked, "Surely, you have subdued that demon, sir?"

Jiang Ziya had already sensed the immense magical energy approaching from outside the door. Just as he was concentrating to resist it, he was taken aback by the sight of his two brothers, whose faces had been cleansed, and his Xuanling Dao heart couldn't help but tremble in shock.

Listening intently, Yi Xian felt a surge of interest in his heart. Just as he was about to delve deeper into the inquiry, he was tugged by Yao Yang, leaving him looking at him in confusion, feeling somewhat perplexed.

As soon as these words were spoken, an immediate silence fell outside the door.

Jiang Ziya looked at Yixuan with admiration, nodding repeatedly and saying, "I didn't expect that at such a young age, you not only have a keen mind but also great patience, truly rare!" In his words, a look of regret appeared on his face as he sighed, "Alas! What a pity, what a pity..."