Chapter 51: The Old Fortune Teller’s Former Flame
“Oh? So you old devil still harbor such wicked thoughts. Well then, why waste your precious talismans? If you want to watch, I’ll find us a room and dance with you for three days and nights.” Before Zhang Kai could respond, the old fortune teller’s face darkened and he bared his teeth. “Don’t forget, those of us versed in the Incantation Sect can see and hear all—has this old woman been taking pills? Her cultivation speed is actually faster than mine!”
At that moment, Zhang Kai saw an elderly woman walk in. Her hair was half black, half white, suggesting her age, but her face was smooth and delicate, looking no more than forty, dazzling as spring flowers, with the peculiar grace of white hair atop a youthful visage. She dressed in a chic, modern style, exuding a trendy aura.
From her, Zhang Kai sensed traces of true energy—indeed, just a shade more refined than the old fortune teller’s.
“Wang Jiaojiao, you’re not welcome here. Get out,” the old fortune teller said bluntly, showing no courtesy.
But the old woman paid him no mind. She smiled, found herself a seat, and looked Zhang Kai up and down. “Young man, you’re one of us, I see. Truly a handsome youth.”
Zhang Kai replied with a grin, “You have a keen eye, madam.”
“Well, it’s no wonder you can banter so easily with that old devil. What’s your name, young man?” she asked with a laugh.
“Zhang Kai. Just call me Little Kai, madam.”
“Then let’s say Daoist Zhang—on the path of cultivation, age means nothing. Still, let me give you some advice: when making friends, know their true nature, or you may be taken for a ride.” Her tone was meaningful.
Zhang Kai chuckled dryly. “As for knowing someone’s true nature, that’s not quite right for me and Old Zhou. I’ll leave that to you, madam.”
The old woman paused, giving Zhang Kai a long look. “It seems I judged wrong. You two really are birds of a feather.”
The old fortune teller was visibly annoyed. “Wang Jiaojiao, what are you implying? Didn’t you hear me? What do you take this place for?”
She finally turned to him, saying, “What? Now that Master Xianyun has passed, you treat his words as wind? He told you to take care of me.”
The old fortune teller sneered. “Don’t twist things. My master wanted you to come by often for company, not to torment me. Look at all the trouble you’ve caused—and cursing me, too? Is this what centuries of friendship between the Wudang Sect and the Incantation Sect have come to?”
She replied lightly, “It’s perfectly normal for fellow cultivators to exchange techniques and progress together. But you—living atop a wellspring of spiritual energy, yet your cultivation is still half-baked. I only cast a simple laughter curse, and you haven’t broken it in all this time? Is this how you honor the Wudang legacy?”
The old fortune teller was fuming. “What business is it of yours if I’m half-baked? I like it that way.”
“Well then, as Master Xianyun’s representative, I must remind you: Wudang is a leader of the righteous path. If you tarnish its reputation, I won’t have the face to meet our master in the next life.” Her expression was serene, her smile unwavering.
The old fortune teller shook with anger, about to retort.
But before he could, she said, “Enough of the jokes. I’m not here to tease you. I have serious business.”
“Sorry, I’m not interested in your business,” he rejected her flatly.
She remained composed. “Before Master Xianyun passed, he said he owed my father much and wanted you to look after me and help me. Are you going to deny even this?”
He fell silent.
She continued, her tone plaintive, “Besides, that night in the peach blossom grove, I—”
“Just tell me what you want,” he interrupted, glaring at her.
Zhang Kai perked up at this. Peach blossom grove, one night, a man and a woman—outdoors, how thrilling!
But when the old fortune teller cut her off, she simply blushed and said coyly, “So you do still care for me.”
His face darkened to the color of ink, but he said nothing.
“The thing is, with the spiritual energy revival, you know as well as I do that a new era is arriving. Every sect is preparing. My Incantation Sect has its own contingencies, but to acquire them, there’s some risk. I can’t do it alone—I need your help.”
He hesitated, eyeing her suspiciously. “How come I’ve never heard of these contingencies?”
She laughed. “Even Master Xianyun didn’t know. Why would you? Just as your Wudang has the Forbidden Zhou Heaven, so does my Incantation Sect have its hidden legacies. Otherwise, when the world changes and the laws of cultivation return, how could we hope to continue our path?”
The old fortune teller bared his teeth. “So you even know about Wudang’s secrets?”
“What’s there not to know? After all, Master Xianyun always treated me as his future daughter-in-law. Women manage the household, men look outward—how could I not know what treasures are kept at home?” she said, her gaze meaningful.
“Don’t talk nonsense. That could never happen between us,” he retorted sourly.
“Are you still angry? That night, I didn’t mean it. Who knew your trousers would tear so easily…” she said, half teasing.
He hurried to cut her off, his old face tinged red. “Enough! Why bring up such ancient history? Have you no shame?”
“Fine, I’ll stop. But will you help me?” She blinked, her beautiful eyes full of anticipation.
He replied gruffly, “I’ll help, but let’s be clear—after this, stay away from Wudang. Best if we never meet again.”
She smiled. “Agreed. I’ll do as you say.”
“So, what exactly did your Incantation Sect leave behind, and where is it?” he asked.
“In the Celestial-Demonic Grotto,” she answered.
He was speechless.
“What? Why that face? Isn’t it normal? Back then, every sect, just in case, sealed their treasures inside for their descendants to retrieve,” she explained.
His face turned ashen. “Of course I know that. Wudang has plenty stored there too. But do you think we can just enter that place now? Are you ignorant of the dangers?”
She replied, “See, you’re scared. But it’s precisely because everyone thinks it’s dangerous that our opportunity is great. If we get even one or two items out, we’ll leave the other sects in the dust.”
He grumbled, “Women—so long on hair, so short on sense. Do you think the other sects haven’t thought of it? No one goes because everyone knows the real threat isn’t the grotto itself, but the guardian spirits left by the forebears of each sect. If you can’t defeat them, the treasures could be right in front of you and you still wouldn’t get them.”
She shot back, “How would you know if you haven’t tried? A man should never say he’s incapable, you know.”
He gnashed his teeth. This woman was impossible to reason with.
“Excuse me, may I ask—what exactly is the Celestial-Demonic Grotto?” Zhang Kai interjected, curiosity all over his face.
The old woman’s eyes sparkled. “Are you interested?”
The old fortune teller hurriedly warned, “You old temptress, don’t you dare lead him astray. Kid, listen to me—some places are better never set foot in.”