Chapter 502: At Eighteen, I Will Save the World and Bring Peace to the People!

Chen Yan, holding the swaddled infant, paused slightly, his brows slightly raised, and unconsciously murmured repeatedly: "In the east appears a five‑colored cloud, shaped like a granary, covering a hundred li?"

"There really is an omen?"

Then, he slowly lifted his head and looked toward the courtyard outside.

At this moment the sky was gradually darkening, a lead‑gray canopy pressed down low, fine snowflakes fluttered down, landing on the lanterns under the corridor, blurring them with a hazy white—where could any trace of a five‑colored auspicious cloud be?

He squinted slightly, his gaze wandering repeatedly across the dim sky.

From the eastern horizon to the courtyard overhead, he examined it over and over, meticulously.

Beyond the swirling snow and the deepening night, not even a hint of afterglow was seen, and his confusion grew.

Ji Songling's mouth curved into a half‑smile, he raised his hand and twirled his beard again, his eyes bearing an unfathomable mystery, and meaningfully uttered two words:

"Indeed!"

In fact, what the old Taoist saw was:

Purple Qi rose from the east, spreading through the courtyard, soaring straight into the heavens!

But with many noisy onlookers, it was better not to speak plainly, lest it bring trouble to the Duke of Wei, so he altered his words.

Pei Xun, holding his granddaughter in his arms, kept his gaze on Ji Songling, seeing his ethereal bearing and his conversation tinged with a certain transcendental ease, and asked: "A Yan, who is this Taoist master…?"

"The old man observed, 'His celestial demeanor is outstanding, his brows carry profound Daoist resonance, he is far from an ordinary cultivator!'"

Ji Songling, hearing this, quickly waved his hands repeatedly, a modest smile appearing on his face, and with a bow to Pei Xun said: "Sir, you overpraise me! I cannot accept such praise!"

Chen Yan, seeing this, smiled and explained to Pei Xun: "Father‑in‑law, let me introduce…"

"This is Taoist Master Ji Songling, the current head of the Louguan Dao!"

"He is a figure like idle clouds and wild cranes!"

On one side of the corridor, Lu Cangfeng stood upright, clutching his sword, ever vigilant.

He had just taken note of this unexpected guest; upon hearing the name now, his brows twitched slightly, and he unconsciously murmured: "Ji Songling?"

"Head of the Louguan Dao?"

The name and title flashed through his mind; his pupils suddenly contracted as if recalling something, and he abruptly looked up at Ji Songling in the courtyard center, exclaiming: "One of the top ten martial heroes of the jianghu, the sole Taoist?!"

Ji Songling, hearing this, lifted his hand to press his beard, his face still bearing that carefree expression, and said casually as if mentioning a trivial matter: "Just a hollow reputation in the jianghu! Not worth mentioning…"

Having said that, he turned, bowed to Chen Yan, a genuine smile flashing in his eyes, and with a tone both carefree and humorous said: "I am merely a drunk!"

"Thanks to the Duke's kindness, sheltering me in Chang'an, not only never looking down on me but also providing enough daily wine money, allowing me to drink heartily; that is far more useful than any jianghu fame!"

When his words finished, he patted his belly, a satisfied smile spreading, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes relaxing.

Pei Xun, listening attentively beside him, thought to himself: "A Yan's subordinates truly include many extraordinary talents!"

He recalled that when dealing with the two Grand Pillars of State, the Iron Palm Flying Dragon and the Night‑wandering Divine Lord had both served under his own son‑in‑law…

Yuwen Ze, listening to everyone's discussion of Ji Songling's identity, remained curious about the 'five‑colored auspicious cloud'.

He couldn't help but look up at the sky again; the snow still fluttered, night deepened, the canopy was as dark as ink—let alone a five‑colored auspicious cloud, even a single ray of light was hard to find.

After looking repeatedly several times, still finding nothing, he withdrew his gaze, a hint of puzzlement and impatience on his face, and asked Ji Songling: "Where is that five‑colored cloud?"

"I, the prince, have been standing here just now, yet saw nothing…"

"Old Taoist, don't try to fool anyone!"

"Could it be that you fabricated this as an excuse to get free wine?"

If he weren't a subordinate of A Xiong, Yuwen Ze would have thought this old fellow was a swindling jianghu con artist…

Ji Songling, hearing this, slowly shook his head, his face showing a Taoist's clarity, his tone calm yet firm: "Prince, you have not cultivated the art of gazing Qi; your eyes only see the ordinary world, so naturally you cannot perceive it!"

His words paused, his gaze slowly shifted to the swaddling cloth in Chen Yan's arms; his eyes instantly became deep and solemn, the earlier carefree humor fading, adding a few notes of reverence: "Indeed, it is the Grand Duke's Lady who gave birth; the omen was brought by the young prince!"

"That five‑colored auspicious cloud, shaped like a granary, is a sign of abundant harvests and a thriving family!"

With those words, the courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Pei Xun, holding his granddaughter, subconsciously cast his gaze toward the infant in Chen Yan's arms, a surge of astonishment rising within, silently exclaiming: "That child was born with an omen…?!"

It must be Heaven foretelling something…

Chen Yan tightened his arm around the child slightly, his smile waning a bit, and murmured: "An omen brought by the little fellow?"

Then, slowly raising his head, his eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp on Ji Songling, his tone carrying a subtle warning, he deep‑voicedly cautioned: "Taoist Ji, you must have drunk a lot in the city today; don't speak nonsense!"

He said, indicating with his eyes.

After all, some words must not be spoken carelessly, lest they invite trouble and disaster…

Ji Songling naturally caught the implication in his words, but merely twirled his beard and smiled lightly, his gaze still steadfast: "Duke, I am not drunk!"

His words finished, he stepped forward half a pace, his gaze again fixed on the swaddling cloth in Chen Yan's arms, his demeanor solemn, each word deliberate and resonant: "I, Ji Songling, dare to vouch with the reputation of the Louguan Dao that this child is no ordinary one, but a born ministerial talent!"

"In the future he will surely assist the enlightened ruler, stabilize the nation, and become a pillar of the state!"

"Oh?" Chen Yan's brows lifted slightly, his tone carrying a hint of surprise and curiosity, and he exhaled a breath of relief.

Ji Songling, seeing this, a trace of expectation flashing in his eyes, quickly said: "Besides practicing the art of gazing Qi, I also have some knowledge of physiognomy…"

"May I, Duke, be allowed to step closer to observe the true visage of the young prince, to verify my words?"

After confirming that the old Taoist would not speak falsely, Chen Yan slowly nodded and said gravely: "Then I shall let you see!"

Ji Songling placed his steps extremely lightly, as if treading on clouds, and slowly approached, his gaze fixed on the boy's face, his eyes full of solemn respect.

He examined the child's brows and eyes in detail, from the full forehead to the rounded jaw, not overlooking even the subtle shape of the brows or the curve of the nose bridge.

His fingertips unconsciously twirled the chin beard, nodding at times, pondering at others, his expression growing ever more solemn as he observed.

The courtyard was unusually quiet, only the soft rustle of falling snow.

Everyone held their breath, their gazes glued to the old Taoist and the swaddling cloth, daring not even a breath, fearing to interrupt his observation.

This silence lasted about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Ji Songling finally straightened up slowly, a swirl of complex emotions in his eyes—astonishment, relief, and a hint of reverence.

"How is it?" Chen Yan was the first to break the silence.

These words were like unlocking everyone's shackles, and all eyes instantly focused on Ji Songling, their gazes brimming with uncontainable curiosity.

Ji Songling slowly stepped back half a pace, gave Chen Yan a deep bow, then straightened up, let out a long sigh, his voice carrying a hint of awe and certainty, resonating through the courtyard: "With the bearing of a qilin and phoenix, a paragon of heaven and sun, a destiny of resilience, and deep blessings, at the age of eighteen he will surely relieve the world and bring peace to the people!"

The old Taoist's wording was extremely subtle and tactful.

But inside, roaring tempestuous waves surged…

He could be certain that this child possessed the aura of an emperor!

And the royal aura was even stronger in the one holding him…

From the very first sight, Ji Songling was absolutely convinced!

Chen Yan listened to this unmistakably familiar verdict, his mouth involuntarily curving slightly, his eyes flashing with expectation and pride, murmuring softly: "Relieve the world and bring peace to the people? Good, very good!"

He paused, then carefully lifted the swaddling cloth in his arms high and slowly, his gaze burning, and solemnly said: "Little fellow, shall we call you Ji'an from now on?"

"Chen Ji'an!"

"In the first year of Baoding, the eleventh month of winter, the Empress Xiaoci Gao gave birth to the Crown Prince and the Great Chang Gongzhu. On the day the emperor was born, an old Taoist passed by his residence, saw purple qi rising from the east, suffusing the courtyard and soaring up to the heavens, and said to the Founding Emperor: 'This child has the bearing of a qilin and phoenix, a paragon of heaven and sun, a nature of steadfastness, and vast blessings. At the age of eighteen, he will surely relieve the world and bring peace to the people!'"

—'Wei History', Taizong Annals】