Chapter 51: The Look of a Noble Person

In the theory of Yin and Yang, everything that was moving, outgoing, rising, warm, and bright belonged to Yang. What was relatively still, inward, descending, cold, and dark belonged to Yin.

But too much Yang could make a person too fiery, and too much Yin could make a body weak. Only when Yin and Yang were in harmony could a person be healthy and free from illness and misfortune.

From this principle, the influence of Yin and Yang dwellings on people’s lives was completely valid.

And the earliest use of houses by ancient people also secretly aligned with the way of Yin and Yang.

Thousands of years ago, when ancient people chose a place to live, safety was the top priority. Therefore, they often chose places on higher ground that were not easily threatened by floods or wild beasts. Then, to avoid exposure to wind and rain, they chose sheltered spots facing the sun.

This kind of choice, closely related to daily life, gradually combined with mystical arts like the Yin-Yang and Five Elements and the Eight Trigrams later on, evolving into a profound and specialized field of study.

As for modern people who equate Feng Shui and Physiognomy with feudal superstition as soon as they hear of it, it must be said that it was demonized during a specific historical period.

After pondering the Old Taoist’s words in his mind, Ye Tian steered the topic to what happened in the county town. Pretending to be confused, he said: “Master, the story you told was about Yin dwellings. I don’t even know where the Dai family’s ancestral grave is, how could I go and wreck it?”

“You brat, so you didn’t listen to a word I just said?” The Old Taoist rapped Ye Tian on the head with the bamboo stick he usually used for scratching. “Does it have to be Yin dwelling Feng Shui to cause trouble? That day I took you to the Miao family to see Feng Shui for nothing.”

“Master, I understand the reasoning, but you said before this was a major taboo in the Jianghu. I didn’t dare to do it. Besides, I have no experience. What if something goes wrong and harms others?” It was only now that Ye Tian stated his real purpose for coming. It wasn’t that he was being cunning with the Old Taoist, but mainly because Ye Tian had never altered Feng Shui layouts for anyone before. Without the Old Taoist overseeing things, he didn’t feel secure.

“You kid, trying to invite your Master out of seclusion in such a roundabout way, you really deserve a beating…” The Old Taoist, having lived over a hundred years, could easily see through Ye Tian’s little scheme. He immediately hit him with the bamboo stick again, making Ye Tian grimace in pain and say: “Master, does that mean you agree?”

“Agree to what?”

The Old Taoist shook his head and said: “Ye Tian, do you know that I saw your father would face difficulties on this trip a long time ago? Why do you think I didn’t tell him?”

“I don’t know, Master. You are so wise and prescient, how could I guess?” Ye Tian poured on the flattery freely.

“Glib tongue…”

The Old Taoist ignored Ye Tian and continued on his own: “Although your father will encounter many troubles entering the city this time, his physiognomy subtly shows a red glow. Clearly, he has the help of a noble person. This old Taoist doesn’t need to worry.”

“Help from a noble person? Master, we don’t know anyone in the county town. Where would a noble person come from?” Ye Tian’s mouth fell open in surprise upon hearing this. He racked his brains, but after thinking for a long time, his father seemed to only know those few scrap collectors. Could the noble person be among them?

“Far away at the edge of the sky, yet close right before your eyes…” Upon hearing Ye Tian’s words, the Old Taoist uttered this cryptic phrase.

Ye Tian was startled by the Old Taoist’s words. Pointing a little finger at his own nose, he asked: “M-master, y-you… you mean me?”

“That’s right…”

The Old Taoist nodded and said: “Although I cannot see your future prospects, observing your physiognomy, your cheekbones are broad and well-proportioned, your brow is square and upright, and your eyes are spirited. This is precisely the look of a noble person described in books on physiognomy. A so-called noble person is one who can decide between right and wrong with a single word, pass judgment on life and death with a single word, and throw away millions in gold with a single toss. Although you are still young now and haven’t reached that level, protecting your father from worry shouldn’t be a problem.”

These three “single” instances mentioned by the Old Taoist actually condensed three types of life circumstances. Deciding right and wrong with a single word referred to those who had reached the level of a Master in certain fields. In those fields, their words represented the truth.

Passing judgment on life and death with a single word naturally referred to high-ranking officials and nobles who held great power. Such people often carried an imposing aura accumulated from long-term status, habits of living, and mental state.

As for throwing away millions in gold with a single toss, that described the rich and powerful who had great wealth and influence.

“Master, that noble person sounds too amazing!” Little Ye Tian felt his blood boiling from the Old Taoist’s description. Did that mean he would be this awesome in the future? But immediately, Ye Tian’s face fell into a frown. He said: “Master, nobody listens to me when I talk. Catching a pheasant depends on whether it gives me face. I only have three dollars left in my pocket. What you said has nothing to do with me.”

The Old Taoist glared at Ye Tian and said: “You brat, I didn’t say you’re like that now. But you do have the look of a noble person. Resolving this little difficulty should be no problem.”

“Then… Master, do you mean I should just go back the way I came?” Ye Tian sensed something. So his Master gave him this inexplicable ‘look of a noble person’ just because he didn’t want to get involved himself?

“Mmm, the pupil is teachable. It’s late today. Stay the night here and go down the mountain tomorrow.”

The Old Taoist stroked his beard, putting on the image of a lofty master. It made Ye Tian want to grab the lamp on the table and set his beard on fire.

But before Ye Tian could act on it, the Old Taoist blew out the lamp wick with one puff. “Let’s sleep. We’ll share a room. Early to bed, early to rise, so you can leave early tomorrow…”

“Master, you really won’t help?” Lying on the bamboo bed, Ye Tian asked.

“Your Master is so old now, I can’t handle the trouble anymore.” The Old Taoist’s reply was firm.

“What if I do something that angers heaven and draws the resentment of people? You wouldn’t care then?” Ye Tian started acting shameless.

“If you bring disaster and misfortune upon yourself, what does that have to do with your Master?” All of Ye Tian’s shamelessness was learned from his Master. The Old Taoist’s reply made Ye Tian’s teeth itch.

In this back-and-forth, the Old Taoist’s snores began to sound. He left Ye Tian, eyes wide open, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Ye Tian knew his Master’s temper. If he said “no,” no amount of persuasion could make him change his mind. It seemed this trip was for nothing, except for hearing a story and being given the empty promise of being a “noble person.”

“Even if you don’t go, I can manage on my own…”

Ye Tian finally said stubbornly. He could see Yin-Yang Qi, and he himself was proficient in various forms and theories of Yang Dwelling Feng Shui. Ye Tian believed that with his own skills, he could also stir up trouble for the Dai family.

The next morning, after getting up, a resolved Ye Tian didn’t show a discouraged expression. After eating the thin porridge his Master cooked, he bid farewell to the Old Taoist and went down the mountain. He stayed in the village for a while, then caught a carriage going to the town and returned to the city.

Only, Ye Tian did not know that about an hour after he left, the Old Taoist changed into a clean Taoist robe, locked the gate of the Taoist temple, and also went down the mountain.