Chapter 39: Master, Did You Foresee Today?

After the filming of "A Letter to Dad" wrapped up, Liu Jing returned to Jiangcheng. He had classes to attend; if he didn't go back to school, the winter break would be upon him before he knew it. He spent half a month diligently attending classes before following Zhang Min to Hong Kong.

It was an invitation that felt rather odd—a meal that didn't quite feel like a meal. Out of trust for Zhang Min, Liu Jing didn't ask a single question. As it turned out, it wasn't a dinner gathering at all, but a tea ceremony.

The Master carried himself with the true air of a sage; one look was enough to tell he was a man of profound wisdom. When the two arrived, the room was filled with the faint scent of incense and the curling aroma of tea. The Master was busy explaining mystical secrets to the Heung brothers: "A grand cycle lasts one hundred and eighty years, divided into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Periods. Each period spans sixty years—one full sexagenary cycle—and is further split into three eras of twenty years each. The Upper Period contains the first, second, and third eras; the Middle Period, the fourth, fifth, and sixth; and the Lower Period, the seventh, eighth, and ninth. This is the system of the Three Periods and Nine Eras."

The Master nodded to Zhang Min and Liu Jing, gesturing for them to sit. The Heung brothers glanced at them, their expressions solemn, remaining silent.

Seeing the grave and reverent atmosphere, Liu Jing instinctively sat up straight, though he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "The Master is a Buddhist monk, yet he’s lecturing on the Three Periods and Nine Eras. That doesn’t seem to be his field of expertise."

The Master continued his explanation: "This so-called Three Periods and Nine Eras system actually has a scientific basis. Among the nine planets of the solar system, Saturn and Jupiter align every twenty years. Every sixty years, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury align. And every one hundred and eighty years, the nine planets gather on the same side of the sun, distributed within a small arc, creating the celestial phenomenon of the 'Nine Stars in a Row'."

"So that is how it is," Boss Heung said, suddenly enlightened, his expression growing even more solemn.

Liu Jing was also trying to look solemn, sitting cross-legged, but his mind was racing again: "A moment ago he was a fortune teller, and now he’s bringing up astronomy? What exactly is this Master’s specialty?"

"The first era is Kan Water; the second, Kun Earth; the third, Zhen Wood; the fourth, Xun Wood; the fifth, the Central Palace Earth; the sixth, Qian Metal. These six eras have already passed, so there is no need to dwell on them. The ninth era corresponds to the Nine Stars and their nine colors. The Seventh Red Dui Metal era, governed by the Po Jun star—a star of great misfortune—lasted from 1984 to 2003. The Eighth White Gen Earth era, governed by the You Fu star—a star of great fortune—lasted from 2004 to 2023. The Ninth Purple Li Fire era, governed by the You Bi star—a star of fortune—runs from 2024 to 2043." The Master took a gentle sip of tea and glanced at Liu Jing.

The little fellow had teary eyes, though it was unclear if it was from the smoke or if he was genuinely moved.

Liu Jing wasn't paying attention to the Master; he was silently complaining to his System, which was acting even more like a fortune teller than the monk.

[Note: Understanding celestial phenomena is not as good as understanding Feng Shui, and understanding Feng Shui is not as good as understanding the human heart.]

"I understand your nonsense," Liu Jing thought, eyes lowered, preparing to be a quiet listener.

Unfortunately, the Master wouldn't let him off the hook, offering a kindly smile. "You must be Liu Jing. I have heard much about you. Seeing you now, so full of spiritual energy, you truly possess great fortune."

"Likewise, likewise, a pleasure to meet you," Liu Jing nodded, acknowledging the greeting.

"Master, I would like to take this boy as my godson. What do you think?" Boss Heung’s eyes lit up. This was the third master to say such things about Liu Jing.

Liu Jing felt a tremor in his gut. *No, thank you. We are employer and employee; I don't want any further entanglement with you. When the contract expires, I’ll fly away and you can go your own way. Let us stay out of each other's business.*

Before the Master could respond, Liu Jing spoke up. "That would be inappropriate."

Boss Heung was displeased, his face darkening as he waited for an explanation. Liu Jing was also annoyed. *Why does everyone want to be my godfather? Zhou Xingxing, Li Lianjie, Fat Wang... I’m not some fragile girl; I don't have a penchant for seeking godfathers. Just because you're the boss doesn't mean you're better than those three.*

"Sister Min is like my own sister; we shouldn't disrupt the natural order of human relationships. If the order is lost, one's fortune becomes chaotic. It is inappropriate, truly inappropriate," Liu Jing said, bobbing his head like a young scholar.

The Master pursed his lips, seemingly suppressing a smile. "Hmm! The young donor has keen insight. The logic holds, but..."

"Master, there is no rank among donors and no status among pilgrims. You have become attached to appearances," Liu Jing interrupted. If he let the man continue, he could turn black into white, and Liu Jing would end up offending the boss.

"Amitabha," the Master stopped. *This kid has some tricks up his sleeve; better to hold back a little.*

The Master stopped, but Zhang Min didn't. She asked directly, "Master, what does the future hold for... well, for Liu Jing?"

"A person's fate is, in fact, predetermined. If one indulges excessively without restraint, it will quickly dissipate. If one does not perform good deeds or cultivate virtue, one will find their luck failing them. Liu Jing is a person of great fortune, but to be so unrestrained at such a young age will eventually lead to the tragedy of 'The Scar of Zhongyong'," the Master said bluntly.

Zhang Min looked anxious. "Master, what should he do?"

"Observe widely and refine your focus; only then will your fortune be long-lasting. Accumulate depth before seeking breadth; only then can your influence be far-reaching," the Master said softly.

"Master, listening to you is better than reading books for ten years. According to what you said, we are currently in the Seventh Red era. Is there any secret to it?" The boss frowned, wanting to move away from the topic of Liu Jing.

As he asked, everyone's attention shifted, their eyes fixed intently on the Master.

"With the Po Jun star rising, the Seventh Era is defined by severity and turmoil. At this time, the dark..." The Master spoke at length, and the others were mesmerized. As they reflected on reality, the more they listened, the more it seemed to make sense.

"This is the true reflection of Hong Kong," Zhang Min murmured.

The Master changed his tone. "However, within the Seventh Era, the years 1996 to 2003 are special. The inherent energy of the Eighth Era begins in 1996. During this period, the fortunes overlap. After 1995, the Gen Earth energy begins to enter, and the old trends fade. One era is about to end, while another..."

The boss’s expression was solemn. "Master, what should I do?"

"Great fortune cannot overcome the tide of history; naturally, one must flow with the current..."

Without eating a single bite of food and finishing a cup of tea, Liu Jing had heard a great deal. He felt as if he understood the secrets of heaven, yet also as if he had understood nothing at all.

Just as he was scratching his head in confusion, the situation changed.

*Bang...*

It wasn't a knock at the door, but a gunshot, followed by a group of men bursting in.

The Heung brothers were quick-witted, and their bodyguards moved in to protect them. The tea room descended into chaos. The Master, Zhang Min, and Liu Jing hid behind a table, all of them tense and frightened. This was a real shootout, not a movie set.

"Master, are you scared?" Liu Jing asked, lying next to Zhang Min.

The Master didn't respond, his forehead beaded with sweat.

"Master, the Seventh Era is losing its energy; when will these gang leaders be wiped out?"

"Master, the next era is the Eighth Gen Earth. Mining, construction, finance, medicine, real estate, agriculture—all these are related to Gen Earth. Which industry will be the best?"

"Master, it’s a 180-year cycle. Was there rampant gang activity 180 years ago, too?"

"Master, aren't you a monk? How come you know so much about Feng Shui?"

"Master, do you believe in ghosts?"

"Kid, why do you have so much to say? There is a gunfight outside!" the Master finally couldn't help but snap.

Outside were pistols, and nearby were machine guns. Never had he hated the term "Master" more than at this moment.

"Master, what we say now might be our last words," Liu Jing reminded him kindly. He wasn't bothered by the gunfire outside. He had experienced scenes of being pierced by thousands of arrows; this was nothing. Besides, the gunshots had stopped after a few rounds, leaving only the sound of clashing blades and fists hitting flesh.

"Pfft..." Zhang Min was no longer nervous; she felt that this hail of bullets was nothing special.

*Splat!*

A knife fell from above and lodged into a thigh.

*Ugh!*

The Master was a tough man and didn't scream.

*Ah!*

Liu Jing pulled the knife out of the Master's leg. There were too many enemies, and they had already noticed their position.

"What are you doing?" the Master hissed.

"Master, did you foresee today? A sign of great misfortune," Liu Jing said with a stern expression. He had remained a bystander until now, but he could no longer stay out of it. Fortunately, the gunshots had died down, so there was no immediate danger.

"Wood, what do we do?" Zhang Min’s voice trembled.

Liu Jing patted Zhang Min's hip. "Woman, stay hidden and don't move."

"You..." Zhang Min was embarrassed and angry; the brat was getting more and more out of line. Her annoyance slowly turned into shock, and her mouth fell open, forgetting to close it.

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PS: You're right, I'll change it. I can't keep messing around like this.