Becoming a martial arts god starting from the mortician.

Shen Qi put on his cotton robe, followed the instructions given by the guards, carefully tucked his copy of "Yuanming Sui" into his bosom, and then left the courtyard.

Zhao Youtian eagerly saw them to the door, looking at Shen Qi as if he opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He could only watch their figures disappear from the steps.

It's exceptionally cold today. Yesterday's bloody storm left eight out of ten shops along the street closed. Those few who crossed the street kept their hands tucked into their sleeves, necks hunched, hurrying along. The usual throngs of homeless people were nowhere to be seen. Only small groups of patrolling soldiers stood guard at the street corners.

……

About half an incense stick's time later, the main gate of the Imperial Observatory appeared in front of us.

The guard led Shen Qi to the steps of the study in the backyard, cupped his hands in greeting, whispered "We've arrived," and then quietly withdrew.

Shen Qi straightened his clothes, climbed the steps, and gently knocked on the lattice door.

"Come in."

His voice was low and carried a hint of laziness.

Shen Qi pushed open the door and entered.

Two braziers of silver charcoal burned in the study, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A faint scent of pine and ink mingled with the aroma of medicine permeated the space.

After the major case, Jiang Xinyue changed into a loose white casual outfit and was engrossed in flipping through a yellowed booklet.

Shen Qi glanced down subtly, his eyes sweeping over Jiang Xinyue. Jiang Xinyue turned the pages with both hands, her movements natural and fluid, showing no trace of her broken left arm.

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency, Master." Shen Qi lowered his head and bowed respectfully.

Jiang Xinyue casually placed the book she was holding on the table, slightly raised her eyelids, and glanced at him: "Sit down."

Shen Qi sat down on the armchair at the lower end of the chair as instructed, keeping his back straight and his hands on his knees.

Jiang Xinyue picked up the teacup on the table, slowly took a sip, and then spoke:

"Did you bring the book?"

"I brought it." Shen Qi took out the book "Yuanming Sui" from his pocket, stood up, held it up with both hands, and handed it forward.

Jiang Xinyue reached out and took the book, her gaze first sweeping over the cover, then turning it over to look at the back. The yellowed pages had frayed edges, clearly caused by the owner's constant handling and reading.

As Jiang Xinyue turned to the title page, she suddenly paused.

He stared at the small print on the title page for a moment, his lips twitching slightly.

"So this is the version."

Jiang Xinyue laid the book out on the table and gently stroked the spine with her fingers.

"Sixteen years ago, I first came to Chengping County to take up my post." He leaned back in his chair, his gaze passing over the window and landing on the old locust tree in the courtyard, its leaves all gone, his eyes distant.

"Back then, I was young and ambitious. I was transferred here from Shendu, and I was somewhat arrogant. When I took up my post, I didn't bring anything else, but I brought two whole carts full of books. Among them was this copy of 'Yuanming Sui'. However, the copy I brought was an ancient version that I had painstakingly copied from the library of the Shendu Astronomical Bureau. It was written in tiny characters and filled with annotations left by predecessors throughout the ages, which were profound and obscure."

At this point, Jiang Xinyue shook her head self-deprecatingly.

"It's funny to say, but I myself couldn't even read more than a few pages of that ancient book. When I first arrived in Chengping County, the gentry and wealthy people in the city, eager to curry favor with me, inquired about my preferences everywhere. They somehow heard that I often read this book, so they shamelessly came to borrow it, saying they wanted to reprint and read it. At the time, I didn't think much of it, thinking that even if I lent them such a strange book on destiny, they would read it like it was a book from heaven, so I lent it to them without a second thought."

He lowered his head, his gaze returning to the old book with frayed edges.

"Unexpectedly, the manager of Chengwen Bookstore was a shrewd man who secretly kept the manuscript of this ancient edition. After sixteen years of twists and turns, the book just happened to end up in your hands."

Jiang Xinyue sighed softly.

"It is the will of Heaven."

Shen Qi remained seated upright in the armchair, eyes downcast and silent, while Jiang Xinyue sighed to herself.

Jiang Xinyue's fingers twitched slightly, turning to the first page of the text.

The preface was written in neat and clear characters, with powerful and elegant strokes, clearly indicating that a skilled craftsman had been hired at great expense to carve the woodblocks. Jiang Xinyue's gaze lingered on the first line for a long time before she slowly read it aloud.

"Between heaven and earth, one vital energy flows. The changes of the five elements lead to myriad distinctions. The principles of destiny are subtle, profound, and divine."

His voice was gentle and calm, neither too loud nor too soft, yet in this quiet study, every word resonated, revealing a touch of vicissitude.

After reading this sentence, he paused for a moment, his fingertip slowly moving down the paper, and continued reading:

"The Ocean of Destiny seeks its origins, the Comprehensive Treatise explores its variations, and the Dripping Marrow delves into its essence. When these three are complete, the Way of Destiny is fully realized."

"This book explores the hidden brilliance of the stars above, examines the latent energy of mountains and rivers below, and witnesses the joys and sorrows of humankind in the middle. It does not confine itself to the five elements, but observes the spirit and character through its atmosphere; it does not determine the beginning and end based on good or bad fortune, but reveals the overall structure through its flow."

"Therefore it is said that destiny has principles, qi has forms, and spirit has essence."

As she recited the last few words, Jiang Xinyue's voice became barely audible, as if those few words had consumed a great deal of her energy. Silence returned to the study, broken only by the occasional soft crackling of the silver charcoal in the copper basin.

Shen Qi sat opposite her, listening intently. He had read this preface countless times. But hearing it aloud from Jiang Xinyue's mouth now carried a different weight.

Jiang Xinyue slowly closed the book and placed the old book neatly on the large table.

"I have been studying this book for over twenty years."

His tone was indifferent, as if the matter was truly insignificant.

"I thought I had at least entered the door of this mysterious and profound field of fortune telling. I believed I could discern a person's character and predict their fortune, and that I was a bit better than ordinary people."

At this point, Jiang Xinyue's words came to an abrupt halt.

His gaze shifted from the book to Shen Qi's calm face.

"At the end of the preface, Master Xuanwei left three words of wisdom. Since you have read this book thoroughly, you should remember them."

Shen Qi nodded slightly and replied in a low voice, "Use a heart as vast as the ocean to perceive its grandeur, use a discerning eye to observe its minute details, and use a sincerity as deep as the marrow to comprehend its truth."

"Not bad." Jiang Xinyue leaned back in her chair again, her expression unreadable.

"When I first learned this book in my childhood, I boasted that I had already grasped its true meaning."

He was silent for a moment.

"A few days ago, you came to my study, and I asked you to read Chen Wu's fortune. You predicted that he was surrounded by death energy and that his lifespan was coming to an end."

Shen Qi lowered his eyes and remained silent.

"When I saw that his complexion was rosy and his blood was full, I concluded that you were talking nonsense. So I sent you away."

Jiang Xinyue's voice remained flat and indifferent, revealing neither joy nor sorrow.

"Chen Wu died in battle yesterday."

"Observe the subtle details with a discerning eye." Jiang Xinyue slowly repeated this proverb, "Those who think they've been reading books for twenty years are, in the end, just deceiving themselves."

He sighed, picked up the copy of "Yuanming Sui" from the table again, and handed it back.

"Take it back."

Shen Qi stood up and respectfully accepted the book with both hands.

"This is the earliest version I have," Jiang Xinyue said frankly, looking at him. "I don't have any earlier versions here. There are even earlier versions in the library of the capital, but such an important place is beyond the control of a mere exiled director like myself."

He sighed again.

"In the field of fortune telling, you've gone further than I have. I can't teach you anything."

Shen Qi tucked the book back into his robes and bowed, saying, "You are too modest, sir."

Jiang Xinyue remained noncommittal and did not respond to his polite words.

He picked up his teacup and took another small sip.

"I will report this matter truthfully to the Divine Capital Observatory." Jiang Xinyue put down her teacup, her gaze returning to its calm state. "If there is any response from the Divine Capital, I will send someone to inform you."

Shen Qi bowed again: "Thank you, sir."

Jiang Xinyue waved her hand casually.

"Alright. You may leave now."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qi turned and left.

"Oh, right." Jiang Xinyue's voice suddenly rang out again.

Shen Qi stopped and turned around.

"Zhou Wenyuan was injured in yesterday's battle." Jiang Xinyue rested her chin on her hand. "The injury isn't too serious, but he still needs to rest for a few days. Since he recommended you for this position, why don't you take some time to visit him at his residence?"

Shen Qi's heart sank slightly.

"I'll go right away."