Chapter Twenty-One: Li Jingxian

Just as the four of them were waiting for their stone-pot fish at the Red Bull Fish House, a man in his early twenties walked in, clutching a metal wheel. His appearance was rather abrupt, as he had simply barged into someone else’s private room.

"Ah, no need to worry. I am merely a seeker of the Dao, passing through by chance," Li Jingxian said softly. "By the way, my name is Li Jingxian. Seeing that we are fated to meet, perhaps I can offer you a free fortune-telling."

"Fortune-telling?" Shen Liangxin asked, curious. Although she had once been a staunch atheist, her knowledge of the existence of the Underworld had piqued her interest in things like Yin-Yang and the Eight Trigrams.

"Yes! As the saying goes, 'My words are iron-clad, your wealth rests in my hands, and your life and death lie with Heaven,'" Li Jingxian said, producing a bamboo slip container from his robes. "I can ensure one’s peace and professional success, but I can only draw lots for one person among you."

"Only one?" Li Fengyin wondered what this Taoist priest—who shared his surname—was up to. Clearly, having to pick one out of the four would create a disparity.

"I don't need it," Shen Liangxin said flatly. Li Fengyin followed suit, adding, "I don't need it either."

Su Yuxian and Pang Wei, however, seemed quite expectant; Pang Wei was even rubbing his hands in anticipation.

"Then, you two, who would like to have their fortune told?" Li Jingxian smiled as he looked toward the table. His eyes flickered toward Li Fengyin for a brief second—a detail Li Fengyin caught, though he remained composed.

Those who have attained the Dao often possess a certain physiognomy that sets them apart from ordinary people; Li Fengyin could easily tell that the man was indeed a genuine Taoist. But what was his true motive?

Li Fengyin’s gaze was drawn to the metal wheel in Li Jingxian’s hand. It was not a Bagua disc, but rather something that looked more like a reversible, two-sided wheel.

"Pang Wei, do you want to do it?" Su Yuxian asked, deferring the priority to him.

"How about we play rock-paper-scissors?" the usually boisterous Pang Wei proposed, making a surprisingly sensible choice.

They played best two-out-of-three:
Round 1: Su Yuxian (Paper), Pang Wei (Rock) – Su Yuxian wins.
Round 2: Su Yuxian (Paper), Pang Wei (Scissors) – Pang Wei wins.
Round 3: Su Yuxian (Paper), Pang Wei (Paper) – Draw.
Round 4: Su Yuxian (Scissors), Pang Wei (Rock) – Pang Wei wins.

"A thrilling match," Li Jingxian said with a smile. "Then, I shall tell the fortune for this handsome gentleman."

Pang Wei felt a bit resigned; he hadn't managed to yield the spot to Su Yuxian, so he decided to just draw the lots himself.

"Do I need to shake them out?"

"No, just draw three sticks." Li Jingxian opened the container. Pang Wei drew three sticks at random, unable to see the characters on the other side.

[Great Fortune]
[Good Fortune]
[Worst Fortune]

Li Jingxian looked surprised. "It seems the matter you inquired about may be prone to great ups and downs—not very stable—but fortunately, the positive omens still hold the advantage."

Su Yuxian breathed a sigh of relief. Li Fengyin immediately asked, "Pang Wei, what exactly was the matter you were inquiring about?"

"Do I have to specify the topic?" Pang Wei looked bewildered. The other three were speechless; one usually stated the purpose before drawing lots, but this guy hadn't been prepared at all.

"Whatever was on your mind at that moment is the topic," Li Jingxian said as he stowed the container. "Well, I wish you all the best in everything. I shall take my leave now!"

Just as Pang Wei was reflecting on what he had been thinking about, Li Jingxian seemed ready to slip away.

"Wait!" Li Fengyin interrupted. "Daoist Li, is there something special about that wheel you’re holding? It doesn’t seem to be an ordinary Bagua disc."

"..." Li Jingxian hadn't expected the most crucial point to be noticed.

"This wheel is called the 'Wheel of Right and Wrong,'" Li Jingxian admitted. "It can judge truth and falsehood. Legend has it that it was a gift from King Yama. I only barged into this room because I had just finished judging a certain cause and effect. If I have disturbed you, I can draw another set of lots for one of you."

Li Fengyin understood the reason and said, "Then why not draw for her?"

Shen Liangxin was surprised but accepted Li Fengyin's kindness. "Alright, draw one for me."

Li Jingxian held the container out to her expressionlessly. The beautiful woman didn't hesitate and said, "Inquire about the trajectory of Li Fengyin's next three years."

[Bad Fortune]
[Worst Fortune]
[Great Fortune]

Li Jingxian looked startled. "This is a sign of 'finding life through the jaws of death.' I fear the next three years must be navigated with extreme caution, or there may be a threat to your life."

"..." Shen Liangxin was speechless. "I shouldn't have asked for you!"

"Is there a solution?" Li Fengyin asked immediately.

Li Jingxian looked awkward. After a couple of dry coughs, he said, "At critical moments, you must correctly judge right from wrong. That is the only way to avoid calamity."

At this, all four of them understood the significance of the Wheel of Right and Wrong.

Li Jingxian suddenly felt a spark of inspiration. "Three hundred yuan. If you need it, I can gift you the Wheel of Right and Wrong!"

"Deal." Li Fengyin took out his phone. Li Jingxian, not one to delay, pulled out a QR code sign. Scan, pay, and done in one fluid motion!

"Then, I shall take my leave!" Li Jingxian was about to turn away, but Li Fengyin stopped him again. "Could you draw one more set of lots?"

Having lost the wheel, Li Jingxian looked troubled, but nodded. "Since you are such a generous benefactor, I would go through fire and water for you!"

[A poor Taoist is a Taoist who practices in poverty.]

The third opportunity for fortune-telling was given to Su Yuxian.

...

After bidding farewell to Li Jingxian and finishing their stone-pot fish, the four walked out of the Red Bull Fish House to find that night had already fallen. In the city, one rarely sees the stars, but the lights are everywhere. They began to wander through the lively pedestrian street.

Outside a dance hall, Li Fengyin greeted someone and led the others inside. It was a place for traditional-style music and dance. On the sign outside hung a poem written by Li Fengyin himself:

*The Pipa Girl*
*Slender fingers lightly pluck the strings, the pipa rings out, drawing the guest's heart.*
*The girl in the brothel sighs, for whom is the gold coin spent?*
*Red silk veils a jade-like face, while nobles drown in wine and wealth.*
*How could they know the coldness here, where nightly songs can never heal the soul?*

"I taught the musicians here. To be precise, I helped them select the instruments." As they entered, Li Fengyin continued, "This is a very respectable place. Many dance students come here to make a living."