Chapter 47

Mu Gesheng’s casual words were nothing short of earth-shattering.

Both Chai Putai and Chai Yanyan were clearly deep in thought. Chai Yanyan’s eyes changed completely; the playful sparkle in her gaze turned steady and resolute, with a faint edge of sharpness. After a moment of consideration, she spoke, “Since this is the arrangement of Tiansuanzi and Uncle, the Yao family has no reason to disobey.”

Chai Putai, however, seemed somewhat hesitant. “This is a matter of great importance. I need to return and discuss it before making a final decision.”

Wubi clicked his tongue, "If you don't make any decisions, Auntie, what's the point of being the head of the family?"

Chai Puti replied leisurely, "The Yao Group isn't like the Yan family; it's not a one-man show."

"The head of the family is the head of the family. Are you suggesting that all the sons act arbitrarily and independently?"

"Those are interesting words, Wuchangzi." Chai Puti smiled, "You don't make all the decisions in the Yin-Yang family either, do you?" She then looked at Cui Ziyu, her gaze full of meaning.

Wubi almost exploded but was quickly held down by Chai Yanyan’s swift hands. Anping gasped sharply, and Chai Yanyan gave him a look, whispering, “What’s wrong with you now?”

Anping’s face twisted painfully as he finally managed to squeeze out, “Grandma, you stepped on my foot.”

Chai Yanyan: “……”

Wubi snorted coldly and fell silent.

“In that case, let’s set a deadline of three days. Miss Chai, please make your decision as soon as possible.” Mu Gesheng smiled faintly, “When the Pan Geng oracle bones reappear, please lend them for use.”

“With that, calculating the fortune from back then won’t be difficult.” Mu Gesheng looked at Cui Ziyu, a half-smile playing on his lips, “Judge Cui can also report back to Fengdu.”

Cui Ziyu kowtowed deeply, drawing out his words, “Thank you, Heavenly Calculator—”

“Wait.” Zhu Baizhi frowned, “Heavenly Calculator, have you really thought this through? Are you sure you want to calculate the fate of the nation again?”

Lin Juansheng also did not agree, speaking softly, "Back then, it was a move made out of utter helplessness. Times have changed. If you are unwilling, there is no need to go through with it."

Mu Gesheng patted Lin Juansheng on the shoulder and looked at Zhu Baizhi. "Regarding recalculating the nation's fortune, the Yin-Yang School and the Yao Group have agreed, and with me, the Heavenly Calculator, and Luochazi, that barely makes four parties."

With four parties in agreement, there was room for negotiation.

Now even Zhu Baizhi and Lin Juansheng had nothing more to say.

Anping was truly impressed. Muge Sheng’s words and actions today were a perfect chain, leading everyone in circles—whether they meant well for him or had ulterior motives, all were caught in his scheme.

With a mind like that, why didn’t he go into business? He deserved to be a pauper.

At this point, no one felt like playing cards anymore, and everyone dispersed in different directions.

Anping cleared the mahjong table and, upon returning to the backyard, found someone standing under the corridor. “Changshengzi.”

The other person turned around, and it was Lin Juansheng. "Want to play another game of chess?"

An Ping was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded.

Lin Juansheng made a move, "Your chess skills have improved."

An Ping looked a bit embarrassed, "I usually play chess with Banxian'er, and I've never won."

“In the past, when I played chess with Gesheng, I lost more than I won,” Lin Juansheng said with a helpless smile. “I was hoping to have a game with him today, but he dodged it again.”

“Banxian’er cares about you a lot,” An Ping said earnestly.

“I know,” Lin Juansheng sighed. “Looking back at those events from an outsider’s perspective, I really was heartless.”

An Ping was momentarily taken aback, then realized what he was talking about.

He was somewhat surprised. Lin Juansheng, who always appeared as a clear breeze and bright moon, a person detached from the world, was hard to imagine harboring lingering resentment over old matters.

“I don’t think Ban Xian’er ever blamed anyone. After all, it was his own decision,” An Ping pondered and said, “Besides, that was a very long time ago.”

“I know, he doesn’t blame me,” Lin Juansheng said. “But sometimes, it’s precisely because things have changed and people have changed that the feelings become so bittersweet.”

An Ping was silent. He was still young and often couldn’t grasp the depth of passing years. Even though he had seen all of that in his dreams, at his current age—even Mu Gesheng was still reckless, and the Ginkgo Study was filled with golden leaves—who could have predicted the tragic scenes to come?

Fate plays tricks on people.

Back then, Lin Juansheng was just a young man not yet in his thirties. He sacrificed his fellow disciples for the sake of the seven families. Now, a hundred years later, with old friends passing one after another, what kind of feelings does he carry as he looks back on those days?

Like drinking water, only the drinker knows its warmth or coldness.

Perhaps it is precisely because Mu Gesheng holds no grudge against him that it makes one feel even more guilty.

After all, he was a junior disciple he had watched grow up with his own eyes.

Perhaps everyone among the Seven Masters faced such a dilemma—just like Wu Zixu back then. He was both a disciple of the Impermanence Sect, bearing the responsibilities of the Yin-Yang school, and a longtime classmate of Mu Gesheng, sharing a deep bond. Yet, when the world fell into chaos, everyone had to make a choice.

Among the people in the Ginkgo Study, Wu Zixu chose Mu Gesheng, Song Wentong chose Mu Gesheng, Chai Shuxin also chose Mu Gesheng, and only Lin Juansheng went against everyone else.

But Zhu Yinxiao also said that perhaps this was precisely the arrangement of the Ginkgo Study’s master. Beneath all the deep feelings and nature, someone had to look after the bigger picture.

He was the eldest senior brother, always responsible for covering the impulsiveness of his juniors.

Although An Ping’s chess skills had improved, compared to Lin Juansheng it was like night and day, and before long he conceded defeat.

Lin Juansheng raised his hand, scattering the pieces on the board. “There’s plenty of time ahead. With Ge Sheng to teach you, your progress will surely be rapid.”

An Ping laughed outwardly, but inwardly he couldn’t help but grumble: Given Mu Ge Sheng’s nature, it’s a miracle he bothers to tease him at all. If he has that much free time, it’d be better spent having Chai Shuxin teach him a few more lessons.

Lin Juansheng seemed to recall Mu Gesheng’s usual demeanor, and helplessly shook his head as he handed him a jade token. “It might not necessarily be useful, but this is a token from Penglai. With it, you can come and go freely. If you have the chance to visit Penglai, the Danxiao flowers on the Jade Terrace have already bloomed.”

An Ping hesitated a little. “Isn’t this too valuable?”

“It’s just a token for entry and exit, like your school’s student ID card.” Lin Juansheng chuckled at his words. “You’re now considered one of the Seven Families of the Scholars; carrying this isn’t out of place.”

Only then did An Ping accept it. “Thank you, Changshengzi.”

"No need to thank me. Once my junior brother formally accepts you as his disciple, you might even have to call me 'Uncle Master'." Lin Juansheng smiled lightly and drifted away.

With Chai Suxin gone, the City God Temple had no meals to offer. Mu Gesheng was upstairs taking a nap, and An Ping, with nothing better to do, pulled out his homework from May 3rd to work on.

The start of school was just a few days away, but judging by the current situation, one thing after another was bound to happen. It was quite possible he would end up skipping class alongside Mu Gesheng.

An Ping reflected on everything that had happened before. In just a few short months, his life seemed outwardly calm, yet had undergone earth-shattering changes—he didn’t even quite understand how he had unknowingly become so deeply involved. Mu Gesheng was indeed a master at persuasion, quietly leading people onto a sinking ship without them realizing it.

Now, wanting to stay uninvolved was impossible. But after careful thought, An Ping felt he had no intention of pulling out either.

After all, he was only in his teens, which was much more interesting than honestly attending class. Though he appeared to be a teenager, he had lived through a century of life in his dreams.

Life is unpredictable. An Ping shook his head and refocused his attention on the problem.

After an unknown amount of time, someone tapped him on the shoulder. "What are you studying, man? So serious?"

Judging by the tone, it was Zhu Yinxiao. An Ping was busy calculating and didn’t even look up. "Chemistry. Don’t come over here."

"Chemistry? That stuff isn’t scientific." Zhu Yinxiao shook his head, swaying. "I can even breathe fire. Do you know the formula for the Vermilion Bird’s True Fire?"

An Ping: "...I told you to stay away from me."

"Today my brother’s not home, so let’s go to Yeshui Zhuhua tonight to catch some autumn breeze." Zhu Yinxiao sat down beside him. "Stop studying. You’ve been straining your brain all day; take a break."

It had indeed been an exhausting day. An Ping paused, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, why wasn’t Lingsuzi here today?"

"My brother doesn't like Lin Juansheng," Zhu Yinxiao said mysteriously, whispering, "But he can't beat him."

Anping was genuinely shocked. He could understand that Chai Suxin didn't like Lin Juansheng, but was there really someone even Luochazi couldn't defeat?

"What's so surprising about that? The Seven Masters keep each other in check. Luochazi may be fierce, but he's not the sole powerhouse," Zhu Yinxiao said with interest, looking at him. "I've noticed you've been calling my brother 'Lingshuzi.'"

Anping choked on his words. "I didn't know he had stepped down before. I thought the Masters could, you know, moonlight or something."

Zhu Yinxiao laughed and spat out, "That's an interesting way to put it, but you haven't told me why you call him that?"

An Ping scratched his head, "I've witnessed some of what happened back then, and it seems like no one calls him that anymore... I feel like someone needs to remember all of it."

He thought for a moment, then added, "No matter what, it's always unforgettable, right? To just vanish without a trace feels a bit regrettable."

Zhu Yinxiao clicked his tongue in amazement, "Youth is truly wonderful." Then he said, "It's fine, call him whatever you want. My brother doesn't mind anyway. Once Yan Yan officially takes over as Ling Shuzi, we can change it then."

An Ping was amazed. "Are you really so sure that Miss Chai will be the next Ling Shuzi?"

"Just because she's Sister Chai's granddaughter, my brother will definitely side with her," Zhu Yinxiao said. "It was hard work for Fourth Brother to make such a big detour today. Didn't you notice?"

An Ping did notice—in plain terms, the reason Mu Gesheng and Chai Shuxin agreed to the gathering of the seven families was simply to use Fengdu as an excuse to recalculate the nation's fortune, seizing the opportunity to bring the Pan Geng oracle bones into the spotlight and thereby decide the next Ling Shuzi.

"Chai Puti will most likely agree to the Mirage contest; after all, this is the only chance for the Yao Group," Zhu Yinxiao said. "But they will definitely prepare some dirty tricks. When the time comes, it will be like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their own magic, seeing who can outwit whom."

“Are you sure?” Zhu Yinxiao spoke too bluntly, and An Ping found it hard to believe: “This is a competition decided by the Seven Masters of the various schools, and it’s going to be this unworthy?”

“That girl Yan Yan looks frivolous, but her medical skills are truly authentic. My brother personally mentored her back then.” Zhu Yinxiao shrugged, “Not to mention the Yao Group, even if you searched through every Yao family member now, few could surpass her except my brother. Chai Putisheng’s business is thriving, but if he wants to win through medical skill, he’d have to play dirty.”

That’s not something they needed to worry about. An Ping remained completely calm; with Mu Gesheng around, it was hard to imagine anyone outsmarting him.

Looking at it this way, Chai Yanyan inheriting Ling Shuzi’s legacy was indeed a sure bet.

Alright, although Mu Gesheng was usually frivolous, he truly put a lot of effort into this matter.

“I still don’t understand one thing,” An Ping said. “Half-immortals go through such a long detour, all for the next successor of the Ling Shuzi. Why can’t they just appoint someone directly?” Chai Suxin is a Rakshasa; he should at least have some say, right?

“My brother is no longer part of the Yao family, and forcefully intervening would only make things more chaotic. The Yao family is already fragmented, and sudden changes could even cause the collapse of the entire Seven Families of the Sons,” Zhu Yinxiao sighed. “Do you know that my brother left the Yao family back then to help the Fourth Brother?”

An Ping knew this; he had seen this scene in Mu Gesheng’s memories—but he also wondered, when Chai Suxin left the Yao family, he clearly kept it from Mu Gesheng, so how did Mu Gesheng find out? Could it be that Chai Suxin told him later?

He thought about Chai Shuxin’s taciturn nature and felt that he really didn’t seem like that kind of person.

“This whole thing was actually a mess caused by the Yao Group to Fourth Brother. Back then, when Chai Puti’s father was in charge, my brother made a bold and sweeping reform that almost ruined the Yao Group. In the end, they had no choice but to set their sights on Fourth Brother.”

Zhu Yinxiao looked back with a face full of regret. “Fourth Brother has always been straightforward, but my brother was the exact opposite. That’s why this old mess was left unresolved for so many years. When Fourth Brother found out, the two of them argued so fiercely, I thought we were back in the days of the Ginkgo Study, the roof might have been blown off.”

An Ping found it hard to believe. Mu Gesheng shouldn’t be the type to fuss over trivial matters, and it was even harder to imagine who Chai Shuxin would quarrel with—“So the Yao Group just got their way like that?”

"Not really, otherwise why do you think the one in charge now is Chai Putai?" Zhu Yin Xiao said teasingly, "The Fourth Brother directly calculated the remaining lifespan and major life events of her father, wrote it all down, and sent it straight to the Yao Group. Spoiling decades of future events—who could stand that? Old Master Chai passed away within days; Ubi personally escorted him onto the path of reincarnation."

...That’s really ruthless.

"After that, my brother was cautious about stirring up trouble. Over these decades, he’s had countless breakdowns and a mountain of dark secrets, but he was too scared to let the Fourth Brother find out. To put it bluntly, each of the seven families of the Zhi clan held their own leverage, but at least it maintained a balance of power between the Yao family and the Yao Group. That’s how they barely got through those years."

An Ping clicked his tongue, "Your circle is really messy."

"Don’t act like an outsider anymore; you’re one of us now." Zhu Yinxiao sized him up, then suddenly smiled. "You might not look like much, but you’re pretty sharp—kind of like Lao Si used to be, though not as flamboyant. That means you’ll have an easier time."

He winked at him. "I’m starting to understand why Lao Si chose you."

An Ping was momentarily taken aback. "Wait, what do you mean? Did this guy really think I was just a beautiful mistake before?"

Zhu Yinxiao grinned knowingly. "I see through it, but I won’t say a word."

An Ping was originally going to go with Zhu Yinxiao to Yeshui Zhuhua to beg for leftovers, but in the evening he received a call from his mother, "Where the hell has that brat run off to? It's the New Year and he's not even home?"

An Ping thought to himself, Mom, it's almost the end of the first lunar month, still celebrating New Year? You’re flying all over the world every day, which country's time are you living in?

The An couple were busy with business all year round, and the family rarely gathered. An Ping was very happy when his parents came home. He immediately dropped his group of scoundrel friends and happily went home.

As soon as he entered the door, he smelled the whole house filled with a burnt odor. His mother came out holding a charred stainless steel pot, "Old An, you go make the dumplings. Looks like this year, the kitchen and I just aren’t meant to be."

“I told you not to mess around.” Father An put down the remote. “Such a spendthrift woman.”

“Are you trying to start a fight or what? Has your company’s performance this year been better than mine?” Mother An’s beautiful eyes widened, hands on her hips as she snapped, “I haven’t even accused you of living off me, and yet you’re already acting all high and mighty?”

Father An quickly shifted the battleground. “Your son’s back.”

An Ping, having grown up accustomed to his parents’ bickering and often playing peacemaker, stood at the door and called out, “Mom, I’m home. I’m hungry—when’s dinner?”

"My son is back, come here and let mom have a look!" Mother An beamed with joy and immediately ordered Father An, "Enough talking, go cook the meal!"

Father An smoothly made his escape, secretly giving An Ping a thumbs-up.

"Come, come, let mom see." Mother An pulled An Ping in front of her, put on her glasses, and examined him carefully. "How's your health? No setbacks in your studies, right? How are you getting along with your classmates? I already sent the New Year's gift for your teachers through Xiao Liu. If anyone dares to bully you, tell mom. Is the money enough for you?"

Mother An was a lively beauty, capable and a bit feisty. When An Ping was little, he once went to her company and saw his mom in sky-high heels and a black suit dominating the negotiation table. He was so scared he cried on the spot—he thought his mom looked just like a child-eating witch.

Later, the An family business grew bigger and bigger, and An’s mother didn’t have time to manage him. They rarely saw each other, and whenever she remembered something, she would ask about it, but never quite got to the point. Seeing An Ping silent, she thought for a moment and said, “Are you dating someone, boy?”

An Ping laughed out loud, “Mom, have you been watching those 8 o’clock soap operas again?”

“Don’t even mention it. Flying all the way back from Australia, my back almost broke,” An’s mother complained. “If it weren’t for that silly campus romance drama your dad made me watch to pass the time, I probably would’ve woken up with a swollen face.”

She pursed her lips and said, “Your dad’s full of tricks, saying it’s to understand modern campus life through youth dramas. The female lead isn’t even as pretty as my son. If she were my daughter-in-law, I wouldn’t want her.” Then she reminded An Ping, “Our family’s rich. When you’re chasing a girlfriend, remember to pick someone good-looking—at the very least, not worse than your mother.”

An Ping couldn't help but say, "That might be a bit difficult."

An's mother shot him a look. "Cut the nonsense."

Perhaps it had been too long since she last saw her son. An's mother pulled An Ping aside and talked for a long time. The two of them stood awkwardly by the sofa, neither sitting down nor letting him take a sip of water. An Ping listened, both amused and exasperated, feeling that his mother, having been abroad for so long, had developed a serious misunderstanding of modern high school life. "Mom, I usually can't even finish my homework, how would I have time for a relationship?"

An's mother reconsidered. "True, you can't let your studies suffer."

Still feeling uneasy, she said, "If you really start dating, don’t keep it from Mom. I’m not some outdated traditionalist; your happiness is what matters most. As your parents, we can also offer some advice from experience."

“What advice?” An Ping stifled a laugh and said, “Advice on how to burn the pot, maybe?”

“Get out of here, always following your dad’s bad example.” An’s mother lightly tapped An Ping, then stepped back a few paces, looking him up and down before softly saying, “You’ve lost weight, and you’ve grown taller.”

She smiled as she spoke, “Such a handsome young man now—if you were walking down the street, I might not even recognize you.”

Anping stepped forward and gently embraced his mother. "Mom, I miss you so much."

Anping's father had finished cooking the dumplings, and the family sat down to eat in the dining room. Before long, the conversation turned to Anping's studies.

"You're about to graduate. Do you have any plans?" Anping's father asked calmly. "If you're interested in the family business, it's best to go abroad right after high school."

"Eat, eat," Anping's mother said, placing a dumpling into Anping's bowl. "Always talking about business, huh? What's more important, money or your son?"

Father An also served Mother An a dumpling. "Your favorite celery and beef filling, eat more."

"But speaking of which, Mom will probably be very busy this time she’s back." Mother An put down her chopsticks, a bit apologetic. "I originally planned to come back to support you during your exam prep, but I didn’t expect the business to be nonstop..."

Father An: "You don’t let me speak, yet you say it yourself."

Mother An glared: "What’s your problem?"

Father An: "Please, leader, say a few words."

"It's nothing, Mom. If you have things to do, go ahead and take care of them. I can look after myself," An Ping said, chewing on a dumpling. "My studies are fine, you don't need to worry."

Father An said, "He's already grown up, yet still can't take care of himself. When I was his age, I was already abroad, working odd jobs to pay for my tuition."

"You’re always saying one thing and meaning another. Earning so much money is just so your son can have a better life, isn’t it?" Mother An sighed. "The family is planning to expand into pharmaceuticals soon. The partners involved are quite influential, so we have to stay vigilant at all times."

"Pharmaceuticals?" Anping was momentarily stunned, then quickly asked, "Mom, who is the partner?"

"Oh, when did you become so interested in the family business? Didn’t you say you just wanted to focus on academics in college?" Anping’s mother teased lightly, "Have you heard of the Yao Group?"

...No way, no way.

Anping was utterly bewildered, caught in a whirlwind of confusion—could it really be such a coincidence?