They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 127 The Divination is Inaccurate
Emerging from Huangfeng Cave, Yuan Shoucheng stood much straighter than when he arrived.

Not only did the Yellow Wind Monster personally see them off, but a group of weasel-faced little demons also lined up in front of the cave, peeking out curiously and with a touch of awe as they watched them go.

"Hehe, Scholar Chen, look," Yuan Shoucheng couldn't help but turn back and glance at the monster's cave that was gradually receding into the distance. He rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with a smile, and his low voice carried a triumphant air.

"This is quite a show of force. When we came here, it was a place of malevolent spirits, but now that we've come out, we're quite imposing. I didn't expect that this Yellow Wind Monster, despite his fierce appearance, would actually understand human relationships. Haha!"

Thinking of the feast in the cave, the mountains of delicacies, the glittering gold platters and jade cups, Yuan Shoucheng felt a surge of joy. Compared to the fear he had felt when he first entered the cave, it was like heaven and earth.

Chen Guangrui's steps remained steady, without turning his head, his voice drifting over flatly, "Do you believe me now?"

"Believe in what?" Yuan Shoucheng didn't react for a moment.

"Your divination was inaccurate," Chen Guangrui said calmly. "The divination before we went predicted even greater misfortune. And what happened? Not only did we get in, but we also sat down and drank wine, and were even treated like honored guests by that Yellow Wind Monster. Tell me, where does this ominous sign lie?"

These words were like a needle, piercing Yuan Shoucheng's most proud and sensitive spot. His smug expression instantly froze on his face.

Yes, the divination clearly pointed to great misfortune for this trip, but what happened in reality? Everything was calm and peaceful, and we even benefited.

this.
Yuan Shouchang's face flushed instantly. He wanted to explain himself, but after thinking for a long time, he couldn't come up with anything. In the end, he could only stiffen his neck and raise his voice a few decibels.

"That's not how it works. How can one make wild guesses based on divination? I, an old Taoist priest... I've been in the martial arts world for so many years, and my reputation for accurate predictions is unquestionable..."

At this point, he really couldn't continue. The divination was an ominous sign, so his being out now meant he was fine. His eyes darted around, unable to think of anything else to say.

“That was before.” Chen Guangrui interrupted him, her tone still calm, yet heavy as a stone.

Yuan Shoucheng's facial muscles twitched a few times; he wanted to refute, but couldn't find any compelling words.

Yes, back at Eagle's Sorrow Gorge, Chen Guangrui found the Third Prince of Dragons.
The divination for Huangfengling was completely inaccurate.

And back in Chang'an...

A strong sense of self-doubt welled up inside me. Had I really miscalculated?
But the sensation from the tortoise shell and copper coin was correct. Yuan Shoucheng was filled with anxiety. He subconsciously touched the old tortoise shell in his arms that had been with him for half his life, and his knuckles turned white.

His initial enthusiasm immediately wilted, and he became suspicious, feeling that something was amiss.

The divination indicates an ominous sign, meaning something bad will happen. Everything will be fine in Huangfeng Cave, but perhaps some unexpected event will occur along the way?

At this moment, he began to carefully observe his surroundings. Even the "crunch" sound of a dead leaf under his foot when he walked made his heart tighten, and his little eyes darted around, scanning the dark forest on both sides.

"Is something following us?" he asked Chen Guangrui in a low voice, sounding rather nervous.

"Wind," Chen Guangrui replied with only one word.

Yuan Shoucheng was still uneasy. He took a few steps and then stopped, listening intently. "Listen! There's a sound! It sounds like footsteps!"

"It's still the wind." Chen Guangrui said without looking up.

They walked along the mountain path, filled with suspicion and trepidation, until they were completely far from the Huangfeng Cave area. The only sounds around them were the chirping of insects and their footsteps; there was nothing else unusual.

An ominous sign? Where does the ominousness lie?

Yuan Shoucheng's heart sank deeper and deeper. Even the "dangers on the road" he had anticipated were nowhere to be seen.

His barely held onto confidence was gradually worn away on the quiet mountain road.

Just then, a faint light suddenly appeared at the bend in the mountain road ahead, and a small figure carrying a glittering bottle was running hurriedly towards them; it was none other than the Silver Furnace Boy.

"We've finally found you!" The Silver Furnace Boy, upon seeing them, rushed forward as if seeing saviors, his face full of anxiety as he asked...
"How's it going at Huangfeng Ridge? Have you seen that fierce and evil king? Did you rescue my brother?"

Chen Guangrui stopped and shook his head at the Silver Furnace Boy, "Huangfeng Ridge is fine, and there's no need to help."

The Silver Furnace Boy didn't understand. "No need to do anything?"

Chen Guangrui hummed in agreement, his gaze seemingly glancing at the still distraught Yuan Shoucheng. "As for Bodhisattva Lingji, he'll probably release your brother soon." "Really? That's wonderful!" Upon hearing this, the Silver Furnace Boy's face immediately lit up with joy, and he jumped up, clutching his precious jade bottle.
"Mr. Chen, how did you know? Did you calculate it?" He turned to look at Yuan Shoucheng. "Old Yuan, hurry up and calculate when my brother will be able to get out?"

This question really hit Yuan Shoucheng where it hurt.

Yuan Shoucheng's chubby face instantly fell, like a wilted eggplant. His eyes darted away, not daring to meet the expectant gaze of the Silver Furnace Boy, and he stammered, "No... let's not count it."

"Why not? You're known for your accurate predictions!" Silver Furnace Boy asked, tugging at his sleeve with a puzzled look.

Yuan Shoucheng's heart was filled with bitterness. His lips trembled, and his voice was filled with unprecedented frustration and confusion: "I can't predict it. Just now, there was no ominous sign at Huangfeng Ridge. I must have made a mistake. My fortune-telling tools are probably... probably covered in dust and no longer effective. It's pointless to calculate now. I won't calculate anymore! I won't calculate anymore!"

Silver Furnace Boy blinked his big eyes, completely unable to understand what Yuan Shoucheng was saying about fortune-telling jargon like "dust obscures the divine power." He only knew that the old Taoist priest had suddenly become strange, as if he were very sad.

He looked at Chen Guangrui for help.

Chen Guangrui looked at Yuan Shoucheng, and Yuan Shoucheng said,
"When it comes to fortune telling, if you're right the first time, then every prediction you make is correct. But if you're wrong the first time, then every prediction you make after that is likely to be wrong."

It sounds like nonsense, but you can tell that Yuan Shoucheng seems to be possessed by a demon at this moment.

Yinlu didn't understand, and looked at Chen Guangrui.
Chen Guangrui didn't explain Yuan Shoucheng's inner demons. He looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the deep night, looking southeast. His tone was calm, yet carried a barely perceptible hint of urgency.

"Releasing the people is one thing, but the timing is uncertain. The one from the South China Sea will be arriving soon, and it won't be long. If any variables arise, unexpected complications may arise."

Silver Furnace Boy didn't mention that he had also approached Kui Mulang. In his view, having two people speaking on behalf of Golden Furnace Boy provided an extra layer of security.

He didn't understand who Chen Guangrui was referring to when he said "that person in the South China Sea," but this unexpected turn of events made his heart, which had just settled down, jump again. "What should we do?"

"There's no time to wait for Lingji to release the people slowly." Chen Guangrui withdrew his gaze and said decisively, "We have to take the lead."

"Where to go?"

Chen Guangrui turned around, no longer heading down the original path, but pointing in another direction.
"Go to Gao Village and find Zhu Ganglie."

"Looking for Zhu Ganglie?" Yinlu Tongzi's little face was full of confusion. "What's the point of us going to find that Zhu Ganglie? He's determined to stay in Gao Village and be a live-in son-in-law. He refuses to come with us at all. Last time we went to persuade him, he just made excuses. It was all useless."

He paused, thinking about his experience in Gao Lao Zhuang, and pursed his lips. "Besides, we haven't found any clues about that problematic accountant. Wouldn't it be a waste of time to persuade him? We'd be better off figuring out how to save my brother."

Chen Guangrui gazed at the distant mountains and forests, his tone calm and even, "There's no need to try to persuade them."

"Ah, you're not going to try to persuade him anymore?" Silver Furnace Boy blinked, even more confused. "Then why go find him?"

Chen Guangrui didn't stop walking, only uttering two words, "Goodbye."

"Farewell?" The Silver Furnace Boy nearly jumped up, his voice rising in embarrassment.
"What farewell? Does that mean my job is completely ruined? I didn't rescue my brother, and I didn't bring Zhu Bajie back. How am I supposed to explain this to the patriarch? I'm really going to get a beating!"

He thought about the possible consequences, his little face scrunched up, and he almost cried.

Although Yuan Shoucheng was still frustrated with his divination skills, he was experienced in the ways of the world and understood Chen Guangrui's style of doing things better.

Seeing the Silver Furnace Boy pacing anxiously, he couldn't help but shake his head, gently nudged the boy with his elbow, and lowered his voice.

"Hey, Master Yinlu, when Scholar Chen said goodbye, did you really think it was just a matter of saying farewell and then leaving? Let's go find Pigsy and say goodbye to him..."

Yuan Shoucheng deliberately dragged out his words, keeping everyone in suspense, and winked at the silver furnace boy, "Then, tell him where we're going next?"

"Where are we going? Where are we going next?"

Silver Furnace Boy's small eyes widened suddenly, and his mouth opened into a circle, but he still didn't understand.

Yuan Shoucheng thought to himself, "Although he's a child, he's still hundreds or even thousands of years old. How come his mind hasn't matured at all?"

“When we say goodbye, just tell him we’re going to Wuzhuang Temple. Going to Wuzhuang Temple? That place has lots of good stuff. We’ll run into the accountant there…”

(End of this chapter)