94: A Reason

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Xiaodong has been harmed.

Looking at the Children Palace, which reflects the condition of one’s offspring, Zhao Gen’s Children Palace had long since turned black.

In physiognomy, black always signifies misfortune. When the Children Palace turns black, it means Xiaodong has either been harmed or, more precisely, his body has been replaced.

I instinctively glanced toward the grave of Zhao Bayi. The hole that had been sealed at some unknown time told me we were too late. Most likely, Zhao Bayi’s body had already been returned to the tomb.

The items nurtured beneath the tomb by the Feng Shui array had long ago been transferred to Xiaodong’s body by the Dark Gate sect using secret methods.

Xu Buhuo came down from the mountain. Seeing his grim expression, I knew the Feng Shui array around must have changed, further confirming Xiaodong was in trouble.

I hadn’t expected the Dark Gate to act so swiftly—as if they knew we would come to stop them. From Xiaodong’s disappearance until now, only five or six hours had passed, yet everything was already done.

“We’re too late,” Xu Buhuo said helplessly.

Zhao Gen beside me didn’t understand and eagerly asked what had happened.

What was destined to come had come. At this point, I could only tell Zhao Gen the truth. After hearing my account, Zhao Gen’s body wobbled and collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

In the face of all this, I had nothing to say.

I asked Xu Buhuo if we should open the tomb to look inside. He shook his head, saying it would be a waste of effort— the secret method had ended, and anything done now would be futile.

That made sense. The Dark Gate had spent many years setting this up. Now that their plan succeeded, they left without a trace. Even if we wanted to resolve this, there was no way.

After a long while, Zhao Gen came to his senses and clung to my feet, begging me to save Xiaodong and bring him back.

One cannot go against fate.

At that moment, facing Zhao Gen’s painful pleas, I finally understood why my grandmother always sighed.

Countless sufferings exist in this world, and many people need help. But not everyone receives the help they deserve, for some things are truly predestined.

Even if luck temporarily changes things, other troubles arise in the end, and everything returns to its original state.

Zhao Gen’s family were all good people. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help him; I simply didn’t know how.

The Dark Gate’s strength far exceeded what someone like me, who had been studying the occult for less than a year, could confront.

Seeing Zhao Gen so unable to accept this, I could only tell him that Xiaodong’s body was indeed still there, but his consciousness might no longer be his. He could report it to the police and try searching.

As for whether Xiaodong’s original consciousness could be awakened, I gave no definite answer, only suggesting it might be possible.

In truth, in my heart, I knew the chance was slim, and finding Xiaodong was even less likely.

On the way back, thinking about this, I realized it had been a futile effort. I also wondered if that missing woman had already seen through everything and, unwilling to waste effort, had sent me here just to make me work in vain.

With the secret method completed, the Dark Gate vanished without a trace. Xu Buhuo called the head of the Sixth Division, asking them to come and investigate what the Dark Gate had been scheming here based on the remaining clues.

The mysterious woman was nowhere to be found, so I didn’t linger at Zhao Gen’s home. Seeing how he instantly aged ten years and became dazed pained me deeply, so I chose to look away.

As my grandmother said: In this world, everyone has their own sorrows and miseries. We must learn to accept and acknowledge them. Simply being alive is the greatest blessing.

After resting a day at the place where I had recovered, Xu Buhuo and I returned home.

On the journey, I gazed out the window at the rushing scenery. Suddenly, Xu Buhuo asked, “What are your plans when we get back?”

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That question immediately stumped me.

Yes, what could I do when I returned?

Continue helping others? Or start a new path?

I was lost, unsure what to do next. After all, I had originally chosen this path mainly to find Xu Buhuo. Now that he was back, as if one task was done, I suddenly didn’t know what came next.

“What about you? Any plans?” I asked in return.

“I’ve already submitted my resignation to the Sixth Division.”

“Quitting?”

I couldn’t help but be surprised. I hadn’t expected Xu Buhuo to choose this. He shook his head and said, “I’m done, tired. I’ve been busy and fighting all my life. I only have a couple of years left. It’s time to enjoy some peace.”

That made sense. He was practically dead already, kept alive only by secret techniques. There are so many people in the world who need help, but even with the will to help, one cannot continue forever.

Just as my grandmother often reminded me: one must learn to be selfish, especially with oneself.

Thinking of this, an idea suddenly came to me. I asked Xu Buhuo with some hope, “Are you interested in fortune-telling?”

“What? You want to open a shop?” Xu Buhuo smiled at me.

I nodded and said, “I’m thinking of opening a small shop in town, doing fortune-telling and maybe some other things.”

“Forget it,” Xu Buhuo shook his head. “You’re still young. There’s a whole big world out there with many wonders you haven’t seen. Staying cooped up in a small town is too much of a waste. You should get out and see more.”

As if sensing what was on my mind, Xu Buhuo continued, “Your grandmother didn’t force you to swear to follow this path to the end, did she?”

I nodded. When I first followed my grandmother, she didn’t expect me to be like Xu Buhuo or herself, fighting demons, guarding the way, and saving the suffering.

Skills never go to waste.

She taught me because she owed Xu Buhuo and knew I wanted to find him again. Also, she didn’t want these skills to vanish.

Moreover, she knew my kind heart and how cruel the world can be, so mastering these would help me and those around me avoid misfortune.

For the rest of the journey, I sat quietly, pondering whether to continue down this path.

Remembering the dangers I’d faced, I hesitated. I knew I couldn’t walk this road alone. Even if I called on Xu Buhuo, who had retired, to walk with me, what would be the point?

Everyone has their fate.

Fate is ordained by heaven.

Too many entanglements end badly.

My grandmother and Xu Buhuo’s generation were forced onto this path by life.

Times have changed. This path is no longer a way to make a living.

When I got off the car, I made a decision in my heart: this path ends here.

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Because I knew, given my character, I was truly unsuited to continue. Otherwise, my grandmother would have started teaching me these things when I was very young.

Returning home, although I had only been away a short time, I felt a long-lost familiarity.

The last time I left, I believed I might never return. But fate is unpredictable—I came back so soon and made a decision that would change my future. One can only sigh that fate is truly hard to predict.

At dinner, I told my mother I planned to find work outside. She was very happy and even ate an extra bowl of rice. That showed me my decision was right.

The next day, I found Shitou and Fatty and told them I was going out to work. Though they wanted to come, family matters kept them home, so they told me to go ahead and they would join later.

After resting two days at home, I went to Xishan Village to visit Xu Buhuo. We drank tea for two hours, and then I returned home to pack and embark on a new journey.

At the bus station in town, I met Hao Jianguo.

He looked surprised to see me and seemed troubled. When I asked, he said it was because of Old Sun.

“Old Sun’s son didn’t make it?” I asked.

Hao Jianguo nodded and recounted that on the day the time limit reached, at first Old Sun’s son was normal. It lasted until nearly midnight, when, at the last moment, his body suddenly trembled and he collapsed, passing away soon after.

Fate is difficult to change.

I had already prepared myself for this outcome but didn’t want Old Sun to be disappointed, so I hadn’t spoken.

The only pity was that Old Sun wasted so much of his own life.

Hao Jianguo knew my abilities. Hearing I was going out to work, he asked if I wanted to join the police station, where my skills could help solve cases. I politely declined.

Once I decided to leave that path, I told myself that unless absolutely necessary, I would pretend to know nothing to avoid trouble.

I took a transfer at the county seat and then headed to the city.

Where to next?

That was my dilemma. Feeling troubled, I went to an internet café.

After a long time offline, a message popped up from a friend I had chatted with often, a fellow Chongqing native also surnamed Chen.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Getting ready to find a job.”

“Why not come to Chongqing? Development here is pretty good.”

“Sure, I’ll be waiting.”

After typing those words, I left the internet café, bought a ticket to Chongqing, and set off.

Sometimes, all it takes is a reason.

What tomorrow holds is always unknown. Like me, I never imagined I’d leave Yunnan and head to Chongqing, to a distant place.

(The entire book is done. Once it’s ready, I will upload it.)

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