Chapter 71: A Dragon Lies Hidden, Do Not Use; Great Talent Emerges Late

"A dragon lies hidden, do not use?"

Li Rui never expected Jiang Yan had the ability to see through another’s destiny pattern.

It’s the Destiny Eye!

He quickly recalled a special innate eye described in a book.

Like his Spiritual Eye, the Destiny Eye was an extremely rare variant, its power allowing one to see others’ destiny patterns.

Precisely because of this ability, the Destiny Eye was often called the Dragon-Supporting Eye, regarded by certain self-proclaimed Dragon-Supporters as the supreme bodily endowment.

Yet Li Rui did not understand why his own destiny pattern was “A dragon lies hidden, do not use,” so he asked:

“What does this mean?”

Jiang Yan gazed at Li Rui with a complex expression.

Not everyone in the world has a destiny pattern, and not all destiny patterns are favorable.

Favorable destiny patterns are one in a hundred.

She had once heard of a Heavenly Malevolent Star pattern, its malevolent aura piercing the nine heavens—born to kill its mother, at three years old it killed its father, at ten the entire village was slaughtered by mountain bandits, all life extinguished, one survivor alone.

It eventually became a mighty demon sect overlord.

“Line Nine, initial: A dragon lies hidden, do not use.”

Li Rui slightly furrowed his brows.

He had read hundreds of scriptures by now, so he clearly understood the meaning of Line Nine, initial.

“The Daoist scriptures say a person’s life is divided into six stages.”

“Line Nine, initial: A dragon lies hidden, do not use. Line Nine, second: The dragon appears in the field, favorable to meet the great man. Line Nine, third: Throughout the day, one is diligent. Line Nine, fourth: Perhaps leaping from the abyss. Line Nine, fifth: The dragon flies in the sky. Line Nine, top: The arrogant dragon has regret.”

“A dragon lies hidden, do not use” is the first stage of life.

It means concealing one’s brilliance, accumulating strength quietly before unleashing it.

Jiang Yan was certain: Li Rui’s destiny pattern was indeed “A dragon lies hidden, do not use.”

This destiny pattern was not particularly special—eight or nine out of ten children and youths had it—but this man before her was already seventy years old.

At seventy, still “A dragon lies hidden, do not use.”

If he kept hiding much longer, he’d be in the grave.

Such a unique destiny pattern was what drew Jiang Yan’s curiosity.

“In ancient times, sages and worthies took office at seventy, aiding the holy emperor to claim the realm, enfeoffing the gods, establishing an eternal divine dynasty.”

“To remain ‘A dragon lies hidden, do not use’ until seventy—that is great talent emerging late!”

Jiang Yan’s gaze burned brightly.

Her intuition told her this old man might not be ordinary.

Yet she simply could not fathom what a septuagenarian could possibly accomplish.

Could he truly emulate the ancient sages?

Impossible.

Jiang Yan’s chest rose slightly as she bowed gracefully.

“Master, I apologize—I lack skill and intruded upon you. I will never speak of your destiny pattern to others, and I will never disturb you again.”

Li Rui relaxed:

“Since the misunderstanding is cleared, I won’t trouble you further. Farewell.”

Saying this, he turned and walked away in large strides.

The long-standing cloud of doubt had finally lifted.

As long as it wasn’t Martial Bone, it was fine.

As for the “A dragon lies hidden, do not use” destiny pattern, it must be due to the Golden Finger—after all, according to the system, he was only seven years old, so wasn’t he precisely in the phase of hiding and gathering strength?

Now that he had clarified things with Jiang Yan, both sides could avoid many misunderstandings.

After all, Li Rui had no idea what the Divine Weapon Talisman truly was, and he had no confidence he could kill Jiang Yan before it activated.

This was perfect.

Outside the city, on the official road.

A middle-aged man, resembling a Confucian scholar, rode a horse along the road, followed by several young men and women.

Merchants passing by noticed the cloud patterns on their sleeves.

They all showed expressions of fear.

They hurriedly moved away a full zhang.

“Master, we’ve arrived.”

Said a simple-minded youth.

“Hmm,” the middle-aged scholar nodded: “Zhou Hu, did you notify the Qinghe County Office in advance?”

The simple-minded youth was Zhou Hu, a disciple of Huaqing Sect who had previously come to Qinghe.

This was a return visit.

Zhou Hu blushed and scratched his head: “I’ve already written to Brother Han, they should be waiting outside the city.”

The middle-aged scholar frowned slightly, his tone sharpening: “I asked about the County Office.”

Huaqing Sect was a major sect.

Its rules were numerous; upon entering Qinghe territory, as guests, they were obligated to inform the Qinghe County Office.

That was proper etiquette.

Zhou Hu inwardly groaned.

Master Song Zhenyun was the most rigid, holding rules in the highest regard.

But he was just an ordinary Huaqing Sect disciple—where could he possibly know anyone in the Qinghe County Office?

Last time, Zhu Yue handled everything; he didn’t even know the people.

“I—I—”

Just as Zhou Hu stammered helplessly, a clear voice rang out: “Master Song, you’ve finally arrived.”

Zhou Hu saw the newcomer like a savior:

“Brother Han.”

He then called out: “Brother Zhu, Sister Jiang.”

Han Qin stepped forward with a bright smile, bowing in disciple’s salute: “Disciple Han Qin, greetings to Master Song.”

Zhu Yue and Jiang Yan also bowed.

“I’ve already informed Master Dian, the Jail Warden of Qinghe County, and he has relayed your arrival to the County Magistrate.”

“Good.”

Song Zhenyun’s lips curled slightly as he stroked his goatee with satisfaction.

“Brother Han, you handle affairs with admirable prudence.”

“Master, you flatter me. It was thanks to Brother Zhou’s reminder, and the help of Brother Zhu and Sister Jiang, or I could not have thought so thoroughly.”

Han Qin did not take credit.

Song Zhenyun turned to Jiang Yan: “Has your father, Elder Jiang, come to Qinghe?”

Jiang Yan nodded.

“With Elder Jiang’s intervention, success is all but assured.”

Song Zhenyun smiled warmly, like an elder pleased with a promising junior.

Given Jiang Lin’s status in Huaqing Sect, courting him was no disgrace.

Song Zhenyun dismounted, taking the reins: “Let’s go. Tell me about the Ghost Ming Sect’s demons in Qinghe.”

“Yes.”

Han Qin bowed his head and followed one step behind Song Zhenyun.

Seeing this,

Zhou Hu finally exhaled in relief, as if freed from prison, gazing at Han Qin with admiration as he chatted easily with Song Zhenyun.

“Brother Han is truly capable.”

Zhu Yue glanced at Zhou Hu.

Disdain flashed in his eyes as he quickened his pace.

The hour of Shen had passed.

Li Rui did not go to the black market; he returned directly to Tianyi Hall.

When he arrived at the gates of the Heaven and Earth Alliance,

he saw two familiar figures crouched on the street opposite the gate.

“Xiao Zhao, Old Yang?”

Li Rui walked over, surprised.

Wang Zhao and Yang Yong spotted Li Rui and ran over cheerfully.

“What are you doing here? Did something happen at the Zhu household?”

Wang Zhao shook his head vigorously, grinning:

“No, no. Master Zhu took pity on us and sent us to serve you. If you don’t want us serving you, just grant us our freedom.”

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

Zhu Ping knows how to handle people well.

Exchanging servants was perfectly normal among wealthy households, and given his current status, he could certainly afford to hire several servants; otherwise, such a large estate would be occupied by only him, with the back courtyards long abandoned.

“You’ve got quite the network.”

Zhu Ping, though merely a merchant, must have heard whispers of the Heaven and Earth Alliance and realized Li Rui’s status had risen sharply, hence his attempt to curry favor.

Since he came to us willingly, there was no reason to refuse.

“Go, first to the government office to remove your slave status.”

(End of chapter)