Chapter 1, Destiny
Today, the night falls quickly, and the number of pedestrians in the community gradually decreases, with only the streetlights swaying. However, Chen Zhi has opened the rolling shutter door, as he is waiting for someone to come and find him
"The cost I am referring to is not money..." Chen Zhi replied
Fortune-telling? Ahaha~ I understand now. My mother once said that there are no deities in this world; one's fate is determined by oneself, not by heaven. Those who practice fortune-telling are all deceivers
That was a very ordinary business card-style advertisement, and the slogan on it was:
After the boy entered, he initially appeared somewhat uneasy and restless, constantly rubbing his hands together and anxiously glancing at Chen Zhi
This is a fortune-telling establishment, a place where individuals with mystical powers invite deities to glimpse the secrets of the heavens and assist humanity in divining their destinies, the elderly man replied in a frail voice
"Hush! Don't speak carelessly." The old man immediately covered the child's mouth
What am I to do with you ... ... " Chen Zhi looked down at the corpse beneath his feet with indifferent eyes, his face bearing an expression akin to sympathy.
I am currently ... ... not ... ... ." The boy was somewhat incoherent due to nervousness, his face flushed red, and finally, he took out a card from his pocket
Indeed, when it was completely dark outside, the doorbell rang. Through the transparent glass window, Chen Zhi saw a frail boy shivering like a leaf in the cold wind
"Grandpa, what does this shop sell? Why is it always closed?" A little child pointed at a small shop called Destiny Hall in the residential area of City Z, asking his grandfather
The late autumn in Northeast China is always mixed with cold rain. Chen Zhi sits alone in the hall, as usual. Outside the Destiny Hall, it is always desolate, with not a single guest in sight
This is not important ~ ~ '' Chen Zhi looked at the boy and placed the cigarette in the ashtray
Many people have discovered that despite struggling hard throughout their lives, they are unable to escape the constraints of fate
Fate Hall! It can solve all your problems
In ancient legends, there was once a person who could adjust the aura through spiritual stones, thereby altering the fate of living beings. This person's name was Jiang Ziya
I... I want to become braver... I no longer want to be bullied by others
Chen Zhi is in his twenties this year and is the owner of the "Fate Hall" fortune-telling establishment. This is his hometown, City Z, a small city in Northeast China known for its abundant steel production, where everything in the city exudes the essence of steel
This is an era of rapid technological advancement, where many miracles once unimaginable to ancient people have now largely been realized. Technology has made everything possible, and people no longer believe in the existence of fate.
However, several strings of beads are covered by a thick glass dome, beneath which are inscribed magical symbols. Surrounding it is a transparent barrier emitting a faint blue glow. These beads are very translucent, and except for Chen Zhi, no one else can see them
First, I must tell you that this is a true story
Before this, Chen Zhi had once possessed a glorious past that was unknown to others, a glory that could almost burn everything in this world to ashes. He had fought, he had sacrificed, he had been weak, but he ultimately discovered that one can never escape the shackles of fate, and he would forever be unable to rid himself of the torment of guilt within.
Moreover, you do not need to worry about this now; you only need to tell me what your trouble is now
But just as it is written on that card, I can indeed help you solve some troubles, but you need to pay a small price
I... I am just a student, I don't have much money
Of course, as one lives in this world, one will encounter various problems. This is determined by your aura and is also your destiny. Destiny is innate, but if you need, I can help you make some slight adjustments
The boy, around fourteen or fifteen years old, appeared very thin, with a complexion that was extremely pale, as if he were underdeveloped. His hair was plastered to his face by the rain, and his gaze was melancholic and hollow, as if no sunlight in the world could penetrate the darkness within his heart
... ...
Unlike other fortune-telling establishments, Chen Zhi is a person who truly possesses supernatural powers, which is inconceivable in modern society, and no one would believe it
The boy mumbled with a shy face that turned bright red, not daring to raise his eyes to look at Chen Zhi
At last, those glories gradually faded away, and Chen Zhi returned, living alone in this small city, remaining in this hall of fate, silently reminiscing about the past, soothing the wounds on his soul.
The child laughed heartily without any reservations.
In this dark room, there is nothing but a large sofa. Chen Zhi closed the door, and in the pitch-black space, the young corpse on the floor emitted a phosphorescent glow
Chen Zhi smiled as he looked at him
Chen Zhi understands the value of these beads; they are spirit stones, the most precious things in the world. They can transform an ordinary person into a highly sought-after superstar overnight, or they can cause one to fall into hell in an instant
But when we perceive fate as elusive and insubstantial, it exists in reality, guiding our lives, accompanying every turning point, determining our wealth and honor, as well as our joys and sorrows
I ... ...
The boy stared wide-eyed at Chen Zhi, and after a long hesitation, a mixed expression of shame and inferiority appeared on his thin, yellowish face
"You are here to see me, aren't you? What is it?" Chen Zhi sat on the sofa, holding a cigarette, looking at the anxious boy.
This is ... ... This is what I just found in my backpack, and I do not know who put it in there ~ ~
Phosphorus is a mineral secreted by the human body immediately after death, making the corpse very conspicuous in the dark. The body is drenched, with tightly furrowed brows and a pallid face full of sorrow, as if even in death, it cannot forget the pain inflicted by this world.
His father's original room has been transformed by him into a dark room, and all traces of his father have been erased by Chen Zhiqing
The wind chimes outside the door are constantly swaying, producing a pleasant sound. The Destiny Hall has not opened its doors for more than a month. During this time, Chen Zhi has long since grown accustomed to staying in the darkness. He finds it very quiet in the dark, and many things that he could not understand before have now become clear to him
Upon hearing Chen Zhi's words, the boy immediately became alert; in today's society, even a high school student knows to be wary of scammers
The Destiny Hall is a small duplex converted from a two-story residential building. The first floor features a hall with several display cabinets, while the second floor serves as the bedroom. The display cabinets on the first floor contain various beaded bracelets, vibrant and colorful, appearing no different from those sold at street stalls.
Is it courage
I must tell you, human life is predestined, and one must be cautious in what is said, lest one offends the deities