Chapter 628: Old Friend!

Within Xizhou.

Early morning.

The heat has not yet risen; the horizon just tore open a fish‑belly white, and a pale golden sunrise broke through the clouds, lazily hanging above the treetops.

The gentle morning light filtered through layers of foliage, scattering dappled spots that fell onto the forest's Qingshi slab path.

It also fell upon the dozens of people resting beneath the trees.

It is a secluded dense forest, surrounded only by chirping birds and occasional gusts of morning wind that stir a few freshly fallen leaves.

The people resting under the trees are dressed as ordinary folk—some in short brown garments, others in coarse long robes—yet their brows and eyes exude an indescribable competence.

Their packs are bulging, looking as if they contain dry provisions and clothing.

But upon closer inspection, one can notice faint metallic glints at the corners of the packs…

The swords and knives that should have hung at the waist have long been carefully wrapped and hidden deep within the packs.

In the center of the crowd, a young man in his twenties leans against a Lao Huai Shu, feigning sleep.

Dust stains his face, his brows deliberately smudged, and he wears a gray short shirt faded almost white.

At first glance he looks no different from a common traveler, yet the slight pursing of his lips hides a hint of unmistakable sharpness.

Such deliberate attire is still meant, within Zhou State, to conceal his overly striking handsome face.

Gao Changjing slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the closed‑eyes Cui Yizong beside him; his voice was pressed down low as he asked, "Yizong, how far is it from here?"

Cui Yizong heard the voice, opened his eyes, also disguised, his face dusted with plant ash, masking most of his originally clear features.

Upon hearing Gao Changjing's question, he did not hesitate, gave a slight nod, and whispered, "Gongzi, there are still over a hundred li; we can cross the border between the two states and reach our Great Qi territory…"

He paused, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the strap of his waist pack, made a rough estimate, and added, "According to our pace, barring any mishap, we should arrive before sunset."

"Very well." Gao Changjing gave a faint nod, his lingering anxiety easing slightly.

He lifted his gaze, scanning the dispersed people beneath the trees; his voice suddenly rose a few pitches as he declared loudly, "Everyone, rest well, replenish your spirit; in a moment we'll make a swift push back to the capital!"

"Yes!"

Dozens of voices answered in unison, their volume lowered yet exuding a uniform, solemn killing intent.

When the words fell, the crowd moved individually; some pulled water bags from their packs and tipped their heads to gulp a few sips of cool well water.

Others took out hard wheat cakes, chewing them slowly with water.

A few more led the horses tethered by the tree, removed the saddles, and carefully fed the night‑tired steeds with fodder.

Their palms lightly patted the horses' necks, soothing the weary mounts.

For a moment the forest was left only with the sounds of chewing, drinking, and the horses' low whinnies.

At that moment, a figure hurried over to Cui Yizong's side.

The newcomer was also in disguise, a gray cloth covering his face, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.

Shi Ji held two water bags and several wheat biscuits in his hands, lifted his chin toward Cui Yizong, and said familiarly, "Old Cui, have some water and a biscuit!"

As he spoke, he handed over the water bags and biscuits.

Cui Yizong lifted his eyes, glanced at him, and replied, "Mm."

Then, without hesitation, he took the water bag and biscuit, broke off a piece, shoved it into his mouth, and began to chew slowly.

Shi Ji stood nearby, appearing to wait for Cui Yizong to finish, yet his gaze inadvertently darted a quick glance at Gao Changjing.

In that look lay a barely perceptible curiosity that flashed and then returned to calm.

Meanwhile, Gao Changjing slowly turned, his eyes passing over the layered canopy toward the northwest…

That is the direction of Chang'an.

The morning light fell on his face, yet it did not warm his icy eyes at all.

Within his pupils churned an unyielding, fierce malice.

Gao Changjing's hand resting on his knee clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white.

In his heart a series of cold sneers echoed, the voice sounding as if tempered with ice, reverberating in his chest, "Chen Yan, I hope you'll like the great gift this Young Master has left for you…"

"Even if it won't claim your life immediately, it will create an unrepairable rift between you and Yuwen Hu!"

"This rift, as time passes, will eventually burn to its end and explode with a roar; when that happens, it will be your death."

A Dark Hawk‑like curve lifted at Gao Changjing's mouth corner.

The chill in his eyes nearly solidified into substance.

At that moment, a clear, resonant chant drifted along the morning wind, faintly reaching them:

"Dongming's nine‑leaf cover, north‑lit five‑cloud chariot."

"Floating into inverted scenery, appearing and disappearing among misty clouds!"

The song was crisp and ethereal, with a touch of otherworldly grace, shattering the forest's silence.

Xu Langwen, who was guarding Gao Changjing, was the first to become alert.

He had been squinting, feigning sleep; upon hearing the sound, he instantly opened his eyes and looked toward its source.

On the path deep within the dense forest, two figures were slowly approaching.

Xu Langwen's complexion shifted slightly, and he hurried to Gao Changjing, whispering, "Gongzi, two people are coming this way!"

"Looking at their attire, they seem to be Taoist priests…"

Gao Changjing heard the voice, immediately reined in the ferocity in his eyes, and glanced sideways following Xu Langwen's gaze.

The two wore azure Taoist robes, headpieces of Huayang cloth, and boots patterned with clouds.

One appeared not older than twenty, with a handsome face, holding a whisk; the earlier chant had come from his mouth.

The other was slightly older, about thirty, with a lean face, carrying a bundle on his back, his steps unhurried, exuding a calm steadiness.

"They're Taoist priests!" Gao Changjing's gaze deepened as he stared at the two figures and began slowly.

His tone carried a hint of intrigued curiosity.

After all, at present whether Zhou Liang or Da Qi, Buddhism thrives; from the emperor and ministers down to common folk, all revere and worship the Buddha, and temples are everywhere.

Daoism, however, is gradually waning, and Taoist priests have become rare, hard‑to‑find figures.

Gao Changjing watched the two Taoists drawing nearer, a vague smile curling at his mouth, and sighed lightly: "Indeed, it's truly a rare sight!"

The two figures in teal Taoist robes stepped on the forest's morning dew, moving neither fast nor slow, drawing ever closer.

Morning light fell on their Huayang cloths, spreading a faint halo, and also made the young Taoist's smile on his face appear ever clearer.

When they reached close, the young Taoist first bowed to the crowd, and in a clear voice called out: "Boundless Fortune Immortal!"

As the words settled, his black‑and‑white eyes swiftly scanned Gao Changjing's party, a smile at the corner of his mouth, and he asked loudly: "Benefactors, would you like a divination?"

Seeming afraid the crowd would refuse, he quickly added, his tone full of confident certainty: "My divination and physiognomy are extremely accurate; if I'm wrong, I charge nothing!"

Cui Yizong was already on high alert, treating the two Taoists as ordinary jianghu swindlers, fearing that idle talk might cause trouble, and dreading a delay to his departure.

He immediately frowned, waved his hand to drive them away, his tone a touch impatient: "Go, go, go!"

"We're in a hurry, we don't need any charts!"

These words carried a deliberately sharp edge; anyone else would have likely slunk away.

But the young Taoist was not at all annoyed; his smile remained, and his feet did not budge.

His gaze, as if with a hook, landed straight on Gao Changjing's face.

After studying him for a moment, the young Taoist frowned slightly, his tone full of doubt: "I see, Benefactor, your eyebrows and eyes clearly bear the mark of a noble person!"

He said, then reached to twiddle the few sparse hairs under his chin, murmuring puzzlingly: "Such a bone structure should belong to a dignified, lofty figure, how could …"

Gao Changjing felt something stir within.

He prided himself on his flawless disguise; ordinary people could not spot any flaw, and this Taoist's single remark sparked a few sparks of curiosity.

He then raised his hand to stop Cui Yizong, who was about to scold, a half‑smile curling at his lips, and said ambiguously: "Is that so?"

When the young Taoist saw him respond, his eyes suddenly brightened, as if an epiphany, and he patted his own forehead: "I understand now!"

Chittering, he stepped half a pace forward, his tone growing ever more solemn: "Benefactor, you have employed a conceal‑eye method!"

"Only this can reasonably explain the discrepancy between your bone structure and appearance!"

With those words, everyone behind Gao Changjing's group hardened their expressions, their hands instinctively reaching toward their packs.

The swords in the packs seemed to sense the suddenly tense atmosphere, emitting a faint, chilling aura.

Shi Ji, seeing this, was the first to step forward.

He surveyed the two Taoists, his gaze shifting between the young Taoist's dust‑sweeping fan and the elder Taoist's bundle, then looked at the young Taoist and asked in a deep voice: "Taoist, how much silver for a divination?"

The young Taoist heard this, his smile deepening, stroked his beard, and said loudly: "Not expensive, not expensive!"

Fearing the others might not believe, he quickly added, his voice booming enough for everyone present to hear clearly: "One divination, ten taels, guaranteed accurate!"

"Ten taels?!"

Cui Yizong, hearing this price, seemed as if scalded, raised his voice sharply, his eyes bulging, full of incredulous shock, "You call that not expensive?!"

Ten taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live peacefully for more than half a year.

This Taoist demanding ten taels is simply a lion's gaping mouth!

The young Taoist showed no sign of embarrassment, only nodded slowly, his tone calm and even: "Indeed!"

He turned his gaze to Cui Yizong, his expression solemn, speaking at an even pace: "Benefactor, you should know that the art of divination is to glimpse heavenly mechanisms, to reveal cause and effect…"

"Every time I divine, I sacrifice a portion of my yang lifespan."

"At this cost, ten taels is not expensive at all!"

Shi Ji, half‑incredulous, raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking between Gao Changjing and the young Taoist, then pointed at Gao Changjing and said gravely: "Then first give our Gongzi a reading, so we can see your skill!"

If this Taoist dares to speak nonsense or harbors ill intent, there are ways to make him shut up forever…

The young Taoist, hearing this, did not decline.

He gave his dust‑sweeping fan a light flick, his robes fluttered slightly, stepped forward two paces, his gaze landing on Gao Changjing's face, examining it closely.

The forest morning wind blew, lifting the edges of his Taoist robe, truly giving him a hint of celestial elegance.

After a moment, the young Taoist spoke slowly, his tone confident: "Benefactor, you are a person of deep sentiment; for brothers you would willingly thrust knives into your own sides!"

With these words, dozens of people behind Gao Changjing all turned their heads, their looks toward him now carrying a few complex undertones.

They have followed Gao Changjing for years, naturally knowing the Young Master's temperament; the Taoist's blunt remark thus surprised them.

The young Taoist seemed oblivious to the surrounding oddness, still smiling brightly as he continued: "You appear outwardly firm and strong, decisive and ruthless, yet deep inside you hide a touch of fragility, needing comfort and support!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Gao Changjing's tightly pressed lips, and added: "You are also exceedingly filial, but in these chaotic times you often cannot act as you wish."

Having said that, the young Taoist stopped speaking, began pacing back and forth around Gao Changjing, his eyes burning as he scrutinized him, his tone growing ever more assertive: "In my view, now is the low point of your achievements…"

"But you need not worry; the saying 'great vessels mature late, thick accumulation leads to swift rise' is exactly this principle!"

He suddenly halted, pointed a finger at Gao Changjing, his voice full of certainty: "Unless something unexpected occurs, after you turn twenty‑five, your career will soar skyward, soaring ten thousand miles!"

"You possess the ability to span heaven and earth; all you lack is a single opportunity!"

The smile on Gao Changjing's face, at the moment the young Taoist finished speaking, began to shrink inch by inch.

His eyes, previously dulled by dust, suddenly narrowed; beneath the swirling waves of his gaze, a hint of unmistakable surprise flickered.

"How could this man's reading be so accurate?!" he thought subconsciously, his fingertips tightening slightly, the hand hidden in his sleeve already quietly forming a fist.

He still possessed a few tricks!

The thought flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning.

His face remained impassive, but his eyes, like a hawk's, locked onto the young Taoist, as if to see through him completely.

The young Taoist's sharp eyes instantly caught the change in Gao Changjing's expression.

He not only remained unflustered, but smiled even more calmly, stepped half a pace forward, his tone firm: "From your expression, I reckon I have divined correctly…"

"Interesting!"

Gao Changjing let out a low chuckle, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, the surprise in his eyes fading, replaced by a few inquisitive glances.

He fixed his gaze on the young Taoist like a hunter spotting a coveted quarry, already kindling the desire to recruit his talent.

If this Taoist truly possesses such ability, bringing him back to Great Qi and making him one's own could certainly lend a hand to oneself and to Great Qi in the future.

Then, shifting tone, his voice carried a hint of coaxing as he smiled and asked, "Now calculate again—who are we?"

"Where are you heading next?"

"If you get it right, I'll give you a thousand taels of silver!"

At those words, Cui Yizong and his companions' expressions flickered slightly.

A thousand taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live a good life for a generation; if the Taoist is sensible, he should step down the steps.

But before the young Taoist could speak, Xu Langwen could no longer hold back and lunged forward a step.

His eyes widened, a ferocious look on his face, his tone laced with bone‑chilling cold as he barked, "If you miscalculate, I'll chop off your head in one stroke and use it to sacrifice to your Daoist ancestor!"

Xu Langwen, who has long followed Gao Changjing on the run, has shed countless drops of blood; now his murderous aura flared, and even the bright morning light in the forest seemed tinged with gloom.

Yet the young Taoist remained unmoved, casting a faint glance at Xu Langwen, his tone calm and even, as if remarking on a trivial matter: "Benefactor, there's no need for such murderous intent!"

After a pause, the sweeping dust flicked lightly, his robes fluttering, and his voice drifted in a breezy, nonchalant tone: "Too much murderous intent harms Heaven's harmony and affects one's merit…"

"Cut the nonsense!" Xu Langwen couldn't heed any of it, his eyes Red Eyes, he barked, "Stop dithering! Calculate quickly!"

The young Taoist was not irritated; he simply stepped back a few paces, creating some distance from Gao Changjing's party.

He closed his eyes, his fingers flicking rapidly, muttering incantations as if deducing something.

The forest wind lifted his teal Taoist robe, rustling, bearing a hint of unfathomable profundity.

After a moment, he snapped his eyes open, a mocking glint in them, his gaze sweeping over Gao Changjing's group, then he said with a playful tone, "Gentlemen, you are all from the eastern Qi State, lurking as spies within Great Zhou."

At his words, Shi Potian was startled!

Cui Yizong and his companions' faces changed abruptly, their hands already gripping their packs; at Gao Changjing's command, they would instantly draw swords and slay the two Taoists on the spot.

The young Taoist seemed oblivious, his gaze landing precisely on Gao Changjing's face, each word deliberate, he declared firmly, "And you, benefactor, are the son of Emperor Gao Ying of Qi, Gao Changjing!"

"This time, you intend to flee and return to Jinyang!"

"How dare you!" Cui Yizong could no longer restrain himself, shouting harshly, veins bulging on his forehead, "You dare utter Your Majesty's name!"

"Are you bored of living or what?!"

Before the words finished, Gao Changjing seemed struck by a flash of thunder, his whole body jolting violently.

The composure on his face vanished, replaced by sheer terror.

"Wrong!" he realized suddenly, shouting in alarm, feeling a chill surge from his soles straight up to the Heavenly Spirit Cover, his spine chilled, scalp tingling.

The Taoist could reveal his identity in a single sentence; he is far from a mere wandering sorcerer!

Gao Changjing stared fixedly at the young Taoist, the spark in his eyes long gone, only a cold, fierce glare remaining, and he barked, "You are not a Taoist!!"

Gao Changjing stared coldly at the young Taoist, the interest in his eyes long gone, leaving only a cold, fierce look, and he demanded sharply, "You are not a Taoist!!"

The young Taoist heard this and smiled lightly.

He flicked the sleeves of his Taoist robe, meeting Gao Changjing's murderous gaze, and replied loudly:

He flicked the sleeves of his Taoist robe, meeting Gao Changjing's murderous gaze, and replied loudly:

Old friend!