Chapter Seventy-One: A Serpent's Heart Behind a Monk's Smile

After hearing this, Lei Yuetian suddenly understood. He glanced back at the grid on the table, then looked up, excitement lighting his face.

"Yan Hui, this is a good thing! If Wei Yong truly is some great figure, I don't see any downside. From tonight's dinner, I thought Wei Yong was quite decent—refined, approachable, with no airs at all. If we could forge a connection with someone like him, wouldn't that be far more reliable than relying on Zhao Yuanqiao?"

I heaved a heavy sigh, my expression grave as I shook my head.

"Brother Lei, it’s precisely because Wei Yong is no ordinary man that I’m worried. Your fate might end up entirely in his hands!"

"What? But I’ve neither wronged nor crossed Wei Yong. Why would he want to harm me?" Lei Yuetian asked in shock.

"Wei Yong’s fate is that of the Blade astride the Seven Killings. His day stem is strong, and with the Blade present in his pillars, he welcomes the Seven Killings. This kind of Seven Killings cannot be controlled; it’s called the Blade astride the Seven Killings—a sign of military power and high status." I spoke with deep concern, lowering my head. "Wei Yong’s Seven Killings are too heavy. Those born with the Blade astride the Seven Killings are invariably bloodthirsty by nature. For one general’s success, thousands of bones lie beneath him. I fear, Brother Lei, you will one day become one of those bones beneath his feet."

"You’re saying Wei Yong is cruel and cold-blooded? But… he seemed quite amiable to me. I didn’t notice anything amiss," Lei Yuetian mused, somewhat puzzled.

"The Seven Killings is also called the God of Death. Death means loss, disaster in the absolute phase of the Five Elements. The God of Death and Seven Killings together spell grave misfortune. Should one’s schemes fail, one loses sons, causes harm to wives, and has no family legacy. Even officials may find only empty words to their name." I muttered pensively. "Wei Yong’s murderous aura is excessive and his temperament unpredictable. That is not a good sign."

"But wait, didn’t you just say Wei Yong is destined for immense wealth and power? How is he now a God of Death?" Lei Yuetian asked, confused.

"That’s just it—Wei Yong’s appearance is extraordinary. By rights, he should be beset by calamities, but his God of Death is in the position of officialdom, making it auspicious. When the God of Death is favorable, he is stern and commanding, shrewd and calculating, able to anticipate the future, adept at subterfuge and strategy, and thus, vitality and fortune come hand in hand," I replied calmly.

"If that’s the case, who cares whether Wei Yong bears the God of Death? So long as it’s auspicious for him, there’s nothing but benefit in making ties with him," Lei Yuetian concluded.

I shook my head, a lingering fear in my heart as I sighed.

"Brother Lei, fate marked by the God of Death—such a person speaks like a Buddha but harbors a serpent’s heart!"

"Yan Hui is right," Huo Qian nodded from the side. "If the God of Death appears together with Calamity, it’s the sign of the Broken Army—a person who is all honeyed words and hidden malice."

"Brother Lei, you may find Wei Yong approachable, modest, and gentle, but you only see the surface. With someone as reserved as him, you’ll never truly discern his intentions." I poured Lei Yuetian a cup of tea and spoke calmly. "Tonight he deliberately concealed his identity—he must have a reason. Whatever it is, I believe you are at the center of it."

"You mentioned impending disaster earlier, but I didn’t pay attention. Now, after all this, are you saying tonight’s dinner wasn’t simply about forging ties with me, but about something else?" Lei Yuetian asked, his expression turning anxious.

"The Ming Fourteen Tombs! Anyone who hears of this secret would be moved. But when I mentioned it, didn’t you notice that Zhao Yuanqiao and the others showed not the slightest surprise?" I asked seriously, tilting my head.

"That’s right! I just remembered—even if they’re well-versed in the world, the Ming Fourteen Tombs are a treasure of immense value. How could they show no reaction at all?" Huo Qian nodded in realization.

"This can only mean they’ve known about the Ming Fourteen Tombs all along," I said coolly, glancing at Lei Yuetian. "Think about it—previously, you tried to meet with them, but they never took you seriously. They’re high-ranking officials with power and influence, so why would they risk associating with someone from the underworld? If word got out, their careers would be ruined. You think they’d risk everything for some petty gain? Are they truly that foolish?"

"Damn it! I thought they finally respected me, but it turns out I was just flattering myself." Lei Yuetian slammed the table in frustration. "Yan Hui, then why did they suddenly want to meet me?"

"It means you hold something they care about, Brother Lei. Think carefully—what could you possibly have that’s worth their attention?" I smiled as I reversed the question.

"I… what could interest them… The Ming Fourteen Tombs!"

"No wonder Yan Hui mentioned the Ming Tombs right away. That way, the initiative stayed in our hands. Good thing you were here, Yan Hui. If you hadn’t read the room and acted preemptively, we’d be completely in their hands by now," Huo Qian said, suddenly enlightened.

I nodded and smiled, continuing, "Last time, because of a misunderstanding, I ended up at the police station. Fang Yanan brought up the matter of Yuan Chonghuan’s altar. I expect their people have found clues after surveying the site. Besides, secrets never stay hidden for long—everyone in the underworld knows you have the lead on the Ming Fourteen Tombs, Brother Lei. With all the government’s resources, how could they not know as well?"

"Damn it, they were trying to rattle me! These officials are too cunning," Lei Yuetian said darkly. "This really complicates things. Now that they know I have the clues, it’s like they’re holding evidence against me. If they want to deal with me, it’s only a matter of time."

"You don’t need to worry about that—at least not yet. If they really wanted to take you down over the Ming Tombs, there’d be no need for all this formality. You’d already be in custody," I replied with a cool, faint smile.

"Then why did they bother coming tonight?" Lei Yuetian asked, still annoyed.

"That, I haven’t figured out. But it’s definitely connected to Wei Yong. Tonight’s meeting wasn’t because they wanted to come—it was Wei Yong who insisted. As for his motives, I can’t guess for now," I said, shaking my head.

Huo Qian thought for a moment, then suggested, "You’re skilled in divination. Why not cast a hexagram and see if our fortunes are good or ill?"

"I already did when you were seeing them out. The hexagram shows three days of uncertainty. The signs are ambiguous—good or ill is impossible to predict. This means we can’t control anything; all outcomes are in others’ hands. Everything will be decided within these three days. Once that’s past, all will be well."

"Three days!" Lei Yuetian held up three fingers, the tension in his face clear.

I knew very well that the one holding sway over our fate was surely Wei Yong. Tonight’s banquet felt as if Wei Yong had come to prove something. Whether he found the answer he sought, I couldn’t say. But one thing was certain: fortune and disaster alike hung on Wei Yong’s whim.

By all rights, Wei Yong’s fortune was beyond compare. Yet what intrigued me even more was that reading faces and destinies was second nature to me—I could always tell someone’s fate and fortune. But tonight, no matter what method I tried, I simply couldn’t see through Wei Yong’s fate. It was as if he could control his own destiny, holding it tightly in his grasp, impenetrable to anyone else. All I could glean was a hint from his features; everything else was a mystery.

I didn’t sleep the entire night, the questions churning in my mind. I sat in the garden until dawn, only coming to my senses when Qianling draped a coat over my shoulders.

"I’ve never seen my father this worried before. You’ve been sitting here all night, not saying a word. What on earth happened?"

I gave a soft laugh. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry—Brother Lei will be fine."

"But that night at the casino, when Shen Xiang tried to kill you, you weren’t this troubled. Don’t tell me nothing’s wrong—you think I’m a child?" Qianling pouted anxiously.

"Brother, what’s going on? You came back from a meal looking like a different person. I’ve never seen you so worried, no matter how big the problem," Xiao Lianshan said, standing behind Qianling.

I was about to explain when I saw a car drive in. The plates marked it as a government vehicle. I stood up and hurried over.

Lei Yuetian came out of the house, looking grave. After a moment’s thought, he spoke to me with unusual seriousness.

"Yan Hui, I have nothing left to regret. Qianling has been spoiled by me since she was little—her temper isn’t great. Please look after her for me from now on. I leave my daughter in your care. If I don’t come back, I’ve already told Huo Qian what to do. From that point on, you’ll act for me in all matters."

Listening to him, it felt as if Lei Yuetian were making his last arrangements. I shook my head and gave a bitter smile.

"Brother Lei, you’re overthinking it. Look—it’s just one car. If there was really trouble, it wouldn’t look like this."

Lei Yuetian realized I was right, steeled himself, and headed for the car—only to be stopped.

"Only Qin Yanhui is invited!"

"Me?" I looked at the man holding the car door, surprised, but quickly understood. If Wei Yong wanted a conversation, I was the more suitable counterpart, not Lei Yuetian.

"I’ll go with you," Xiao Lianshan said, stepping forward.

"You stay and protect Brother Lei and the others. There’s no use in you coming with me—your presence is needed more here. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine." I smiled, patting Xiao Lianshan on the shoulder.