Chapter 49: Why Use Blades and Spears to Kill?

As for the saying that those who practice Feng Shui and Physiognomy could not marry and have children, it was not absolute. Li Chunfeng, who once collaborated with Yuan Tiangang on the Tui Bei Tu during the Tang Dynasty, had both wives and concubines, and his family was full of children and grandchildren. He never faced Heavenly Retribution for revealing Heaven’s Secrets.

If even the ancients were like this, in the modern age of advanced technology where Heaven’s Secrets were obscured, such claims were even less regarded. At least Li Shanyuan knew that during the Republic of China era, many of his peers also had wives and concubines and lived fulfilling lives.

Given Ye Tian’s talent in Feng Shui and Physiognomy, as long as he continued to practice the Qi-Guiding Technique taught by his Master, honing his senses to become sharp and perceptive, even if he encountered problems in the future, he could resolve them himself.

Thinking this, the Old Taoist’s worries vanished. He looked at Ye Tian with great interest and said, “Little Yezi, you didn’t come up the mountain today just to keep your Master company, did you? Speak up. Did your father’s business run into trouble?”

Although Li Shanyuan had not experienced the same opportunities as Ye Tian and was no longer as accomplished as his disciple in Feng Shui and Physiognomy, his nearly century of experience was something Ye Tian could not match.

Back when Ye Dongping and Feng Kuang went to the County Town, the Old Taoist had already noticed. Although these two had prosperous financial luck, their glabella appeared dim, indicating they were destined to encounter villains in their fate. Without help from noble people, they would likely face turbulence in their careers.

Seeing that the Old Taoist had guessed his purpose for coming, Ye Tian lowered his voice and said, “Master, it’s not just the Recycling Station that has a problem… even your calligraphy and painting are gone.”

“Wh-what? My calligraphy and painting are gone?”

Even though the Old Taoist had cultivated for a hundred years and could remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before his eyes, he still gasped in shock upon hearing that his cherished calligraphy and painting, collected over half a century, had all been stolen.

At his age and state of mind, the Old Taoist had long ceased to care about wealth and glory. But those works of calligraphy and painting carried the sentiments of old friends. They were his way of reminiscing about his own life and his companions. This sentiment was far beyond anything money could measure.

Ye Tian hung his head and whispered, “Master, I’m sorry. That day, no one was at the Recycling Station, and someone took advantage…”

“Wait, what Recycling Station? Didn’t you and your father open an Antique Shop?”

The Old Taoist’s attention had been entirely on his calligraphy and painting earlier. Now, hearing Ye Tian mention the Recycling Station for the second time, he interrupted to ask for clarification.

“Master, it seems the country doesn’t allow it. Brother Fengzi could only open a scrap collection station…”

When Feng Kuang and Ye Dongping discussed this issue, Ye Tian hadn’t paid much attention, so he could only roughly explain the situation now.

“What a mess. Back in the 1920s and 30s, Shanghai was full of Antique Shops, and no one said they couldn’t be opened…”

Upon hearing this, the Old Taoist shook his head, looking entirely unconvinced. “But how were the things stolen? Didn’t you try to deduce who took them?”

The Old Taoist was well aware of Ye Tian’s terrifying ability to calculate and deduce. Even he himself felt inferior. He didn’t believe Ye Tian couldn’t figure it out—at the very least, he should have been able to deduce the direction where the items went after being stolen.

“Master, I know who stole them, but that person is in the County Town…”

This matter had to be explained from the beginning. Ye Tian recounted everything: how Feng Kuang had a conflict with Dai Xiaohua at the Cinema, how Feng Kuang was later beaten up and he and his father went to the Hospital to visit, leading to the theft of the calligraphy and painting, and also explained Dai Xiaohua’s background.

“Master, my dad reported it to the police, but I cast a divination. Without external intervention, this case would never be solved. It’s just… just that my dad wouldn’t listen…”

Ye Tian had said this to his father before, but Ye Dongping had scolded him at the time. He hadn’t brought it up again since. Now, in front of the Old Taoist, Ye Tian mentioned it for the second time.

The Old Taoist understood human affairs far better than Ye Dongping. Upon hearing about Dai Xiaohua’s background, he had already deduced the whole story. He shook his head and said, “Your father has knowledge and ability, but he’s a bit too bookish. As the saying goes, wicked people need wicked people to deal with them. Trying to resolve this through official channels will likely take forever…”

“Master, then what should we do? My dad and Brother Fengzi are at a loss.”

Ye Tian looked up at the Old Taoist. If asked whom he admired most in his life so far, the person before him ranked first. As for fathers, whom boys typically worshipped most, his own father came after.

“Stinky kid, what do you plan to do? You didn’t come to your Master just to cry, did you?” The Old Taoist smiled at Ye Tian, seemingly no longer bothered at all by the loss of the calligraphy and painting.

“I… I…” Ye Tian clenched his small fists, looking as if he wanted to say something but didn’t dare.

“You what? Have you even lost the courage to speak?”

Seeing Ye Tian’s expression, the Old Taoist’s face suddenly turned cold. “We are Cultivators, but we are also martial artists. When a man is enraged, he should kill! One must have the blood and courage of a warrior! Ye Tian, remember: eliminating evil is doing good. Don’t hesitate and look back and forth when doing things. That way, you’ll never achieve greatness…”

If Ye Dongping were here to hear the Old Taoist’s words, he would likely forget about respecting elders and caring for the young and directly try to fight the Old Taoist. These words completely contradicted what he usually taught Ye Tian about being kind to others.

Even Ye Tian was quite frightened by the Old Taoist’s words. He didn’t know why his once kind and amiable Master had suddenly transformed into a warlike deity, talking about fighting and killing.

“But… but Master, I… I can’t beat them either. How can I uphold justice?”

Ye Tian stammered. Although he had been mischievous since childhood, often bullying classmates, he had enough self-awareness to know he couldn’t compete with adults.

Although Ye Tian had already made up his mind, heaven was his witness—he had never intended to get into a physical fight with anyone. Even after practicing martial arts for years, his thin arms and legs were no match for the sturdy arms and broad waists of adults.

Hearing this, the Old Taoist stood up, flicked his sleeve, and looked at Ye Tian with a half-smile. “Stinky kid, do you really think your Master has gone senile? Why would a Diviner need to use blades and spears to kill?”

The Old Taoist was no saintly believer. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the number of Japanese soldiers who died by his hand was at least eighty if not a hundred. As he spoke these words, even the room seemed to carry a hint of Killing Intent.

It must be known that although the Old Taoist wore Daoist robes, he inherited the Hemp Robe Lineage. It had absolutely nothing to do with the Daoist philosophy of “tranquility, non-action, and magnanimity.”

“Master, are you talking about cutting off his energy channels, ruining his Feng Shui?”

Ye Tian’s eyes lit up. In the path of Feng Shui, it wasn’t just Yin dwelling Feng Shui that could kill. If Yang dwellings were mishandled, the disaster could be equally severe. Just like the Miao brothers, who merely built a Fish Pond and ended up with deaths and financial loss.