Chapter 360: Great Misfortune Hexagram

Chen Yan turned his head toward Gao Bing, gave a calm smile, and said, "Lord Gao, your achievements this time are outstanding; this supervisory meeting will petition for your merit before the Grand Tomb Governor!"

"At your service, Supervisor!"

Gao Bing slightly nodded, first clasped his fists toward the direction of Tian Guan Fu, then faced Chen Yan, raised his hands, and said loudly, "All thanks to the blessing of the Grand Tomb Governor and the light of the Supervisor…"

"Only Lord Gao can lend this meager effort!"

Chen Yan's gaze lingered among the crowd on the young man in embroidered envoy attire, paused a moment, raised his hand and pointed, saying, "Young Master Ling is a talent; I wish to recruit him as a staff member. What do you think, Lord Gao?"

The look he cast toward Gao Jiong was full of admiration and approval.

This youngster's acting is first‑rate…

Every encounter etches his contempt for Supervisor Chen with striking depth!

Anyone who sees it would think it's a rivalry as opposed as water and fire, with no trace of any deliberate element.

What a talent!

"I could not ask for more!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Bing did not hesitate; a smile involuntarily lifted his mouth corner, and he blurted out.

He paused briefly, then grabbed Gao Jiong and continued, "My son being able to learn by the Supervisor's side is a blessing cultivated over ten lifetimes!"

With such an opportunity to be closely bound to the renowned figure before the Grand Tomb Governor, the all‑round Chen, Supervisor, does Gao Bing have any reason to refuse?

Of course, it must be seized!

Being a staff member indeed has a low ceiling, but one must decide whose staff to be!

Otherwise, would Chen Lao Zhuguo, the State Duke, or Hou Mo send their own legitimate grandson or son into the Supervisor's residence?

Looking to the future, as the legitimate eldest son and heir of the Gao family, his prospects will never be lacking!

"I am willing to serve the Supervisor with the toil of a dog and horse!"

Gao Jiong's eyes blazed with an uncontainable heat; he immediately Dankui Guidi, saluted Chen Yan, and said loudly.

How could Gao Jiong not know the benefits within this?

Joining Supervisor Chen's circle not only lets one mingle with the top‑tier aristocratic youths, but also makes it easier to gain the Grand Tomb Governor's favor!

With this platform, accumulating more connections becomes easy…

And it allows one to lift up one's benefactor!

"Very well, then it is settled!"

【6】 Chen Yan's mouth corner lifted slightly as he helped Gao Jiong to his feet, smiling at Gao Bing.

Chen Yan's mouth corner lifted slightly, helped Gao Jiong up, and smiled at Gao Bing.

"Settled!"

Gao Bing gave a heavy nod and replied loudly.

Having said that.

The two exchanged a glance and burst into an unspoken hearty laugh.

"Hahaha!"

Both sides took what they needed.

Chen also once again gained a powerful allied family…

The trump card in his hand increased by one.

"You Xian!" Chen Yan restrained his smile and called.

"Here." You Xian replied.

"The Duke of Chu's mansion is already under control; you will finish it off…" Chen Yan, with one hand behind his back, instructed.

"Lord, rest assured; Shuyi will handle it properly!" You Xian bowed, clasped fists, glanced around, and declared solemnly.

He was already eager to try.

Having followed his own Lord to raid so many powerful noble families, this was his first time raiding a State Duke's mansion…

Just thinking about it is exciting!

"Everything will be handled according to protocol…"

Assigning the task to You Xian, Chen Yan felt at ease, then seemed to recall something and reminded, "Hmm, give Xing Jian a one percent!"

"Thank you, Supervisor!"

Zhao Xingjian, who had been expressionless at the side, was first startled, then his body trembled, his eyes flashing with excitement, and he thanked.

One percent is plenty.

And it's an unexpected joy!

After all, without Supervisor Chen, without tonight's events, Zhao Xingjian wouldn't even get a one percent; he might not get even a one‑tenth of a percent, let alone a thousandth…

Supervisor Chen's benevolence!

Loyalty!

Moreover, having inherited a title and an official post, leaning on the big tree of the Supervisor, he can gradually reap…

Chen Yan smiled calmly, raised his hand to lightly pat Zhao Xingjian's shoulder, and said to You Xian, "Remember to send a portion to Lord Gao!"

"As you command." You Xian replied.

It is still that Supervisor Chen gets things done… Gao Bing, upon hearing this, couldn't help but sigh inwardly, clasped fists to Chen Yan and said, "Then I, Lord Gao, shall obey rather than merely show respect!"

Truly thorough in every aspect!

Cared for everyone…

No wonder Supervisor Chen can accomplish things; so many aristocratic powers are willing…

Who wouldn't want to befriend such a person?

Chen Yan pursed his lips, smiled lightly, helped Gao Bing's hand, and called, "Li Tan."

"Here." Li Tan responded.

"Give the Yan family to you, give the Yang family to Yin Shizhi!" Chen Yan said with a calm smile, arranging.

Favoring some while neglecting others harms the team's unity.

If the outsiders are taken care of, naturally we can't lack our own people…

"Understood!"

Li Tan's eyes burned fiercely; he was already rubbing his fists together.

Another tantalizing plundering‑for‑wealth segment.

"Then let's get it done!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, raised his hand and gave a light wave, indicating they could each go their own way.

Everyone inside the house dispersed.

Just after stepping outside, Li Tan hooked You Xian's shoulder, lowered his voice and laughed, "I heard Zhao Lao Zhuguo has a pair of fine granddaughters!"

"Born, they're truly as beautiful as flowers… Lao You?"

Speaking that, he couldn't help licking his lips.

His words were full of insinuation.

Obviously, Li also wanted to sample the double pairing!

"Easy enough!"

You Xian smiled knowingly, answered eagerly, "In a moment we'll send the person to Li Mirror Keeper's residence!"

Chen Yan walked slowly out of the room; the wind in the corridor swept night dew onto his face, causing the hem of his dark robe to flutter slightly.

Zhu Yi and Hongye followed on either side.

He halted, tilted his head slightly upward, gazing at the horizon.

The ink‑blue night sky was dotted with sparse stars; the moon was largely hidden by heavy clouds, letting only a few cold rays through.

Chen Yan stood there, his silhouette elongated in the shadow cast by the corridor pillars, his fingertips absentmindedly rubbing the jade pendant at his waist. Suddenly he spoke softly, his voice light enough to melt into the wind, "Calculate the hour; Lao Song's side should be about the same now…"

The strange hue at the corner of his eye flickered faintly in the hazy moonlight, his pupil depth unfathomable.

The night was as deep as spilled ink.

Weiguo Gong Fu.

Feather‑light snow fell tirelessly, bending the ice ridges on the window lintels and laying a thick white blanket over the courtyard outside the Shufang.

Even the wind carried a biting chill, whistling as it beat against the window paper.

Dugu Zhao sat gaunt behind the Rosewood Desk in the Shufang, wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, yet still unable to block the cold seeping from his bones.

He had just recovered from a high fever; his complexion was almost translucent, his lips lacking any color.

Only his eyes, under the flickering candle flame, showed a hint of muddied fatigue.

A half‑rolled military treatise lay on the desk, its ink long dried, yet he could not read a single character.

His fingers absentmindedly brushed the cold inkstone.

For some reason, his heart tonight felt suspended in midair, beating fast and erratic, his eyelids twitching repeatedly.

"Father, have some hot ginseng soup to warm yourself…"

Dugu Zhang entered carrying a black lacquer tray; on it a bowl of ginseng soup steamed, its vapor forming a thin white mist in the cold air.

He then walked lightly to the desk, placed the soup steadily on it, and said, "The night is deep; you should rest early!"

Speaking, he lifted the spoon, gave the soup a gentle stir, and handed the bowl to his father.

His words were full of concern.

Dugu Zhang was very worried about his father's health, after all the previous serious illness hadn't healed…

Dugu Zhao did not take the spoon; he simply stared at the swirling steam, shook his head lightly, his voice hoarse from illness, weak, and said, "Father cannot sleep…"

He turned his face, looked at his son, his cloudy eyes filled with lingering bewilderment, "My mind is restless; I always feel something big is about to happen!"

Having said that, a faint cough rose again.

He covered his chest and coughed softly a few times, his breath growing more unstable.

After decades of storms, this was still the first time such a condition appeared…

Dugu Zhang was unfazed, nudged the soup toward his father again, a soothing smile on his lips, and said, "The night is deep and quiet; what big event could there be?"

He paused, then continued, "The restlessness is mostly caused by your illness…"

"Your health is still the priority!"

"We should return…"

But Dugu Zhang's comforting words were cut off as Dugu Zhao raised his hand.

His gaunt finger struck the desk heavily, producing a muffled "thud".

"Go fetch the turtle shell and beast bone over there!"

"I will cast a divination!"

Dugu Zhao's voice rose sharply, hoarse from illness yet laced with undeniable stubbornness, his gaze sweeping over Xi Bilu standing in the Shufang corner, he ordered.

His breath trembled slightly from the haste,

Now his heart raced wildly; he had to consult the omens…

"Sir, the items are ready!"

Xi Bilu nodded, walked straight to a nearby bookshelf, lifted a heavy Zitan Wood Box with both hands, hurried to the desk and placed the box carefully.

He opened the lid.

Dugu Zhao steadied himself on the edge, rose slowly, inhaled deeply, and gently gathered the turtle shell and beast armor into his palm.

His hand trembled violently; the weakness from his illness made even this simple act arduous.

The cuff of his fox fur brushed the desk, scattering fine wood shavings.

The candlelight fell on his face, as pale as paper.

It reflected the scorching heat hidden within the ravine‑like wrinkles.

"Puff—!" Dugu Zhao exhaled gently toward the turtle shell, as if to pour his whole life's breath into the cold bone fragment.

He then closed his eyes tightly, his withered, thin fingers interlacing the turtle shell and beast armor, pressing them to his chest, murmuring words in his throat.

His voice was hoarse and low, almost inaudible, as if conversing with a hidden force.

Dugu Zhang stood nearby, watching his father's hunched silhouette; an inexplicable tension tightened in his heart, and even his breathing grew lighter.

"Please, Great Heavens and Deities, show us!"

A moment later, Dugu Zhao suddenly opened his eyes, flicked his wrist, and threw all the bone fragments in his hand onto the desk.

"Tap, tap—"

The turtle shell and beast bones collided as they fell.

But they did not scatter as ordinary divination pieces usually do.

Instead, they tangled together in a bizarre formation.

Dugu Zhao's pupils suddenly contracted, staring intently at the hexagram, his lips trembling, unable to speak.

The largest turtle shell stood askew, its northern‑dipper pattern at the tip pointing directly west, the direction symbolizing "ominous disaster."

Three beast bones were stacked into a "Fu" shape; the cracks at the edges aligned perfectly with the turtle shell's markings, forming the outline of a broken "Si" (death) character.

The smallest beast bone at the outer edge was driven straight into the desk's seam, its tip pointing upward.

The Shufang suddenly fell into a death‑like silence......

"Father, Mr. Xi, what hexagram is this?"

Dugu Zhang, seeing the two remain silent, his expression extremely solemn, couldn't help but ask.

"Great... great disaster!"

Dugu Zhao's breathing suddenly quickened, his chest heaving violently, a sweet‑sour taste rising in his throat, a mouthful of blood choking his throat, which he forced back down.

An abnormal flush rose on his pallid face, then faded quickly, leaving only a death‑gray despair.

Dugu Zhao had seen countless oracle‑bone divinations, yet had never witnessed such a ferocious great‑disaster omen—

The upright turtle shell signifies "overturning," a sign of authority falling and a household collapsing!

The stacked beast bones signify "extinction of lineage," a sign of bloodline severed with no heirs!

And that western‑pointing northern‑dipper pattern aligns perfectly with the direction of the Tian Guan Fu in the Capital.

"Father, perhaps this is inaccurate....."

Dugu Zhang's complexion changed abruptly, stepping forward quickly: "Shall we cast another......"

But before he could finish, a mocking yet Dark Hawk voice pierced the wind and snow, striking the window paper with a bone‑chilling cold: "Dugu Lao Zhuguo, the hexagram you divined is truly accurate!"

The trailing syllable lingered, hissing like a poisonous snake spitting venom.

——

PS: Thanks to the great endorsement from Ming0216 and gifts from other seniors; today is another 6,600‑word double‑chapter update. Love you all ヾ(*＞? ＜*)(?? ｀●)?