After the family of five enjoyed a harmonious dinner together and went about their own business into the evening, Ding Songyan once again arranged his wooden chests, lit the oil lamp, and prepared to work.

Qingyan was very well-behaved today. She did not ask him to narrate another installment, only chatted with him about the future direction of The Legend of the White Snake before drifting off to sleep.

Seated on the small wooden chest, Ding Songyan did not pick up the brush immediately. Instead, he turned his thoughts to other matters.

Combining today’s secret art with Yan Changqing’s earlier behavior, he reasonably suspected this "senior powerhouse" also had the face of a veteran con artist, and that his many concealments were not solely due to life-or-death stakes.

His origins and story—I’ll be impressed if half of it is true.

Tricking me into going to the North Lane pleasure quarter to await my fortuitous opportunity was meant to draw me in. No question about that.

But could the fortuitous opportunity itself also be problematic? Is Yan Changqing truly skilled in numerology?

If Ren Youyang weren’t a confirmed True Spirit Sect disciple listed on the Orchid Fresh List, I would suspect he’d had his thoughts influenced by Yan Changqing from a distance during his visit to the Zhen estate, and that’s how the ’fortuitous opportunity’ came about... Or he might be working with Yan Changqing. Though his behavior doesn’t suggest it—unless his lack of guile is a performance so perfect I can’t find a single flaw...

Wait. On the first day, I hadn’t yet received the ’seed,’ but was I already being subtly influenced by Yan Changqing, which is why I overlooked the biggest risks and went to the pleasure quarter?

Yes. He planted the ’seed’ without regard for my consent. So why wait until the second day? Why not do it on the first? What if I’d been too cowardly and chose not to go to the pleasure quarter. I wouldn’t be thrown into the game.

Given his caution and his situation, he shouldn’t have gambled on that. Therefore, the first day involved covert influence. Once I discovered the Zhen household’s malicious intent, he planted the ’seed.’ This makes his own malice seem slightly less severe, reducing my resistance to cooperating later...

Yan Changqing does seem genuinely skilled in numerology, given that he could deduce I’d recently read the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas.

But I have doubts about this too. Why did he divine specifically that I’d read the Secret Classic? I hadn’t been thinking about that book’s contents for quite some time before that. If he truly wanted to frighten me and gain leverage, divining that I’m a soul who has seized another’s body would have been far more effective. I was right in front of him. Deducing something from my body and soul would obviously make more sense.

Ding Songyan did not believe Yan Changqing could determine he was a transmigrator through numerology alone. That would involve an entirely different world. If Yan Changqing could truly perceive that, he would rival the ancient gods. How could he possibly fail to divine his own future and end up imprisoned?

A being of that magnitude—even if reduced to nothing but a fingernail—would make Zhen Qianfan too afraid to even think about betrayal.

Mid-thought, Ding Songyan caught Xiao Qing’s figure in the corner of his eye.

She had tied her hair into double spiral buns today, wearing a green-and-white front-buttoning jacket above and a pale green pleated skirt below. A green silk sash was wrapped around her waist, giving her a fresh and charming look.

"Miss Xiao Qing, are you skilled in numerology?" Ding Songyan asked hesitantly.

Xiao Qing walked slowly to the bed and sat down, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Do you know anything about it?" Ding Songyan pressed.

Xiao Qing revealed a faint smile.

"A little."

"When divining face-to-face, what can numerology deduce most accurately and easily?" Ding Songyan tried to reconstruct the scene within the limits of what the "seed" would allow.

Xiao Qing laughed.

"Don’t tell me you were duped by some fortune teller? Nine out of ten of those outside Dangkang Temple rely on sharp eyes and tricks.

"Hm, face-to-face divination is most accurate for things like marriages, funerals, physical condition, and fortune within the month."

Ding Songyan frowned slightly.

"Could it deduce which book I’ve recently read?"

Xiao Qing’s expression turned amused.

"You really were tricked, weren’t you? I’ve never met a Sage skilled in numerology, so I don’t know if that level can achieve such a thing. Below that level, they could at best tell whether you’ve been reading historical scripts, heroic sagas, or martial manuals.

"If it’s a con, then it’s simple. They investigated you beforehand. Their accomplice might even have been the one who sold you the book."

A con... sold to me by an accomplice... Ding Songyan’s heart stirred with a sudden guess.

Could that rare version of the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas have some connection to Yan Changqing?

Because of that connection, he could deduce through numerology that I had read it.

If it truly is connected to him, then it’s also connected to the Zhen household... Does that explain some of the Zhen family’s mildly abnormal behavior regarding the Secret Classic? Like how they seemed not to care much, showed little urgency, and never followed up...

Ding Songyan felt his mind clearing considerably. He turned his attention back to writing.

Miss Xiao Qing was still waiting!

Having been enlightened by her observation, he had nearly said "Meeting you, Miss Xiao Qing, is a fortune I’d accumulated over several lifetimes" She had provided so much useful information and experience.

But such words absolutely could not be spoken aloud. That would border on flirtation.

Ding Songyan only praised, "Miss Xiao Qing, you’re a true walking encyclopedia of the jianghu. You know everything."

Xiao Qing smiled with obvious satisfaction.

"Apart from legends and sagas, I also love jianghu anecdotes, martial world stories, and all sorts of rumors.

"And I don’t just listen to storytellers. I pester my father, my aunt, my second uncle, my eldest brother, my cousin, my martial uncle, my grand-martial uncles, my grand-master and grand-mistress, my senior brothers and sisters..."

For each source she named, she bent a finger. Near the end she almost ran out and had to double up.

A child at heart... Rather endearing, actually... Ding Songyan shook his head with an inward chuckle.

Today he needed to write the section where Xu Shilin and the Queen of the Kingdom of Women obtained the Kui Ox pearl. To fit everything into one morning’s telling, he arranged only three trials. Two came from animated films he had watched and video games he had played in recent years—Tiger Vanguard blocking the road, and Yellow Brow posing as a false Buddha. The third was a mirage-dragon illusion specifically designed to deepen the romantic leads’ bond.

Of course, to showcase the Wenqu Star’s talent and bravery, Xu Shilin would not be running to others for help at every turn. He and the Queen fought together, beating Tiger Vanguard into Charcoal Vanguard and blasting Yellow Brow into Scorched Brow. And within the mirage-dragon illusion, the two awakened to their past-life connection. He was the Wenqu Star above, she was a scarlet grass by the Jade Pool that had once received his care. She had deliberately descended to the mortal world to fulfill their destined bond.

"Brilliant! How dare a stinking tiger-yao block the way!" Xiao Qing read page by page, commenting as she went.

When she reached Xu Shilin consuming the Kui Ox pearl, achieving greatness in a single step, she set down the paper with satisfaction. She looked at Ding Songyan, who sat turned to the side, her eyes turning with a smile.

"Ding Songyan, tell me. What is the Zhen household actually trying to do? It’s been stalling all this time."

A response at last. This is probably what Xiao Qing’s elders want to ask... Ding Songyan did not bother with what he had "forgotten." He shared only what he still remembered.

"Perhaps what the Zhen household wants isn’t silver, but assistance at a critical moment. Whoever is willing to help at that time will achieve their goal."

He stressed the words "critical moment."

Xiao Qing nodded half-knowingly and smiled.

"Ding Songyan, I’ve suddenly realized that you’re a bit... hm, there’s more to you than meets the eye."

"Without martial arts, it’s all for nothing." Ding Songyan responded with this line, slipping in his meaning.

Whether Xiao Qing caught the undertone or not, she stood and pointed at the oiled-paper window frame.

"I’m heading back."

"I’ll go outside to cool off too." Ding Songyan quickly gathered his brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.

"Need help?" Xiao Qing paused with a smile.

"No need. I’ve told my family about it." Ding Songyan put away the chests, left the west wing, opened the main room’s door, and locked it from the outside.

It was the same for the courtyard door.

He was not worried about his family being trapped in a fire if the door was locked—it probably could not withstand a single punch from Bull.

Xiao Qing was already in Chengyu Lane, her maidservant standing beside her.

"The stretch from here to Fengshui Bridge is very cool and pleasant." Xiao Qing mentioned this again in the tone of someone sharing a treasured secret, leading the way.

It’s not cool because wandering spirits pass through regularly, is it? Ding Songyan looked left and right but still could not trigger his yin eyes.

His real purpose in coming out to "cool off" tonight was to find a way to reliably activate his yin eyes. In his current predicament, he did not know whether the yin eyes would prove useful later, but he had to try. Every bit of help counted.

The night breeze swept away the day’s stuffiness and humidity. Ding Songyan and Xiao Qing strolled through lanes and streets, beneath tree shade and along flowing water, chatting about various jianghu tales.

Before they knew it, Fengshui Bridge came into view. There was the night market that did not disperse until the third watch, with red, orange, pink, and yellow lanterns hanging bright. Lovesick men and women released boat-shaped colored lanterns onto the water. Though there was no lantern festival, the scene was radiant and splendid, as though it were still daylight.

Gazes, some obvious, some discreet, turned toward Xiao Qing. She seemed not to notice, only smiling at Ding Songyan.

"Don’t get too close to Ren Youyang."

"Isn’t he a good person?" Ding Songyan asked, puzzled.

Are their two factions on bad terms? Well, Xiao Qing’s group isn’t even from Great Zhao...

Xiao Qing swung her hands lightly, smiling.

"He is quite nice. It’s just that his reputation precedes him.

"He might say to you at any moment: Life is short. Who knows when death will come? One should live with abandon. Ding Songyan, let me take you to a pleasure house for a good time, or Life is short. Who knows when death will come? One should live with abandon. Ding Songyan, let me take you to a no-clothes gathering, or Life is short. Who knows when death will come? One should live with abandon. Ding Songyan, how about trying out how men feel? How about you try me? How about I try you?..."

Her imitation of Ren Youyang’s manner was uncannily accurate.

"Uh..." The corner of Ding Songyan’s mouth twitched. "Surely it’s not that extreme?"

"Who knows?" Xiao Qing’s tone lifted, her smile radiant.

After a few more exchanges, they reached the other end of Fengshui Bridge. The night market was neither too crowded nor too sparse.

"I’m going this way. You?" Xiao Qing pointed in a direction.

"I need to head back." Ding Songyan felt there were too many people here for him to attempt to activate his yin eyes.

Before Xiao Qing could say farewell, he turned and walked to a peddler’s stall, took out fifteen coins, and bought three sticks of candied hawthorn.

He offered one to Xiao Qing and said sincerely, "Miss Xiao Qing, the truth is, I’ve been deliberately drawing out information from you these past few days. I wouldn’t dare claim this candied hawthorn as an apology, but I just don’t want you to feel upset about it."

Xiao Qing blinked, then her smile suddenly blossomed, like a thousand pear trees bursting into flower. Even Ding Songyan lost himself for a moment.

She took the candied hawthorn and licked it happily.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you all those things too."

Ding Songyan exhaled with relief and handed the second stick to the maidservant.

"I get one too?" The little maidservant was quite surprised.

"You’ve been waiting outside for Miss Xiao Qing every night. It must have been tough on you too," Ding Songyan said gently.

Xiao Qing nodded and said to her maidservant, "Just take it."

Only then did the little maidservant accept the candied hawthorn with a visible smile.

Beaming, Xiao Qing waved farewell to Ding Songyan and headed toward Tianyang Hall with her maidservant in tow.

Ding Songyan ate his candied hawthorn, turned around, and returned to the other side of Fengshui Bridge, back to where the night was deep and still.

He tried again and again, but still could not activate his yin eyes.

Something this unstable can’t be factored into any plan... Ding Songyan walked and thought.

He suddenly thought of a solution.

The "seed" that Yan Changqing gave me can pierce illusions when directed to the eyes. If that were combined with my unstable yin eyes, might something change for the better? Might it stabilize them?