“Besides that, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask for your help with, Mr. Chen.”

Tang Mingjing said, “Shiyuan and the other two…”

Chen Changsheng said, “Having the three of them go pay respects at the City God Temple should make them alright.”

Tang Mingjing paused slightly in surprise, asking, “That’s all it takes?”

But then Chen Changsheng suddenly changed his mind, saying, “Not necessarily.”

“Not necessarily?” Tang Mingjing repeated after a short pause.

Chen Changsheng nodded. “It varies from person to person. For some, offering three joss sticks is enough. But others might need to go worship at the City God Temple every day, lasting several years, before the evil is warded off and the disaster removed.”

Hearing this, Tang Mingjing felt stirred in his heart. Where did this distinction come from?

Well, that could wait. For now, he’d just have Shiyuan and the others offer three joss sticks at the temple.

But he also sensed something unusual in Mr. Chen’s words.

Tang Mingjing clicked his tongue. “Sir, is there truly a City God inside the City God Temple?”

Seeing his curious expression, Chen Changsheng said, “Whether there is or isn’t, it only depends on what you believe.”

Tang Mingjing had never believed before, but he was starting to believe now.

Pulling himself together, he nodded. “Then I’ll have Shiyuan and the others go pay respects at the temple later.”

“Hmm.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Keep that jade pendant safe. Though it took the blow for you and most of its magical power is gone, there’s still a little left. Keeping it on you can still help ward off evil spirits and prevent disasters.”

Tang Mingjing glanced at the jade pendant in his hand, exclaiming in surprise, “I never imagined this thing had such mystical properties.”

He paused briefly, gathering his thoughts before saying, “Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Chen.”

“This isn’t guidance, really.”

Chen Changsheng said, “If you truly wish to ward off evil and prevent disaster, doing good deeds often and making positive connections is the fundamental way.”

Tang Mingjing nodded to show he understood, committing the gentleman’s words to his heart.

They chatted about casual matters for a bit longer. Glancing outside and seeing that it was getting late, Tang Mingjing said goodbye, adding he wouldn’t disturb Mr. Chen’s rest any further, and would visit again tomorrow.

Headman Cao was waiting at the door. When the young master came out, he escorted him all the way back to the manor.

Chen Changsheng, meanwhile, returned to his room, pondering the jade pendant Tang Mingjing had shown him.

He sat down and began divining again.

The result remained: he still couldn’t figure it out.

“Does this thing truly have such an extraordinary origin? That even I can’t divine its secrets?”

He had managed to uncover some things about a formidable figure like Zhao Yuqing, yet when it came to this jade pendant, he got nothing at all.

Anything he couldn’t divine might well be a sign of serious trouble.

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, then called over the inn’s attendant, requesting brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

He picked up the brush, recalled the image of the jade pendant, and began painting every detail with ink.

After a while, Chen Changsheng lifted the paper and carefully studied the patterns on the pendant.

Suddenly, a vague image flashed through his mind.

It was that Lotus Pond!

Chen Changsheng reacted swiftly. “Isn’t this that very Lotus Pond!” He exclaimed.

He was thinking of the scene he had witnessed behind the Stone Gate that one time.

It was almost completely identical to what was depicted on the jade pendant!

There are many views in the world, and Lotus Ponds are naturally plentiful too. Some resemblance was possible, but two views overlapping perfectly? That couldn’t be coincidental.

Chen Changsheng frowned, deep in thought for a moment.

He raised two fingers, summoning forth magical power.

“I invoke the Third Prince Nezha!”

A flash of cyan light, and the figure of the Third Prince Nezha appeared before him.

“Third Prince, greetings, Master.” Nezha saluted respectfully.

Chen Changsheng picked up the drawing and presented it before ‘Nezha’. “Do you recall this jade pendant?” He asked.

The Third Prince took it and examined the pendant thoughtfully.

Nezha paused, then shook his head. “It does not seem familiar.”

Chen Changsheng looked into Nezha’s eyes, pondered for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively.

“You may go.”

With a light wave of his hand, the Nezha before him dissolved into nothingness.

Chen Changsheng sighed softly. The ‘Nezha’ he had summoned wasn’t the one connected to the Lotus Pond. Asking him wouldn’t likely yield any useful information.

“Perhaps I can visit the Tang Manor tomorrow and ask around,” Chen Changsheng muttered to himself.

“Hmm?”

But then Chen Changsheng halted abruptly.

His gaze turned towards the window, and a smile touched his lips. “Perhaps we won’t even need to wait until tomorrow.”

…

Back at the manor, Tang Mingjing immediately went to find his father.

He spoke about that remarkable gentlemen, Mr. Chen.

His father, Tang Shijie, was also astonished upon hearing this. “There are truly extraordinary people like that in this world?”

Tang Mingjing nodded emphatically. “Father, I wouldn’t lie! Everything I saw was true!”

Tang Shijie frowned, pacing the hall deep in thought.

His face was unusually grave.

Tang Mingjing watched silently, not daring to interrupt.

After roughly half an hour passed.

Tang Shijie finally stopped pacing. “He probably isn’t in a rush to leave yet, is he?”

“About that…”

Tang Mingjing hesitated inwardly. “It’s a bit hard to say for sure. Manager Cao said the gentleman might be leaving tomorrow morning.”

“You foolish boy!”

Tang Shijie admonished. “This gentleman’s abilities far surpass ordinary men! Didn’t you even think to ask him to stay longer?”

Tang Mingjing realized his error at once. “I’ll send someone to invite him immediately!”

“Hold on!”

Tang Shijie commanded.

Tang Mingjing froze mid-step and turned back.

“I shall go personally!”

Tang Shijie strode forward, leading Tang Mingjing out of the study together.

The manor servants hurriedly prepared a sedan chair. Under cover of night, they rushed straight towards the inn.

As they travelled, Tang Mingjing brought up the matter of the jade pendant again.

Tang Shijie asked, “Why are you asking about this?”

Tang Mingjing explained, “Mr. Chen said this jade pendant had an unusual origin. I’m also a little curious about how it came to be in our family.”

Tang Shijie took the pendant and recalled memories. “You’d probably have to ask your grandfather. He passed this down to me. After you were born, it came to you.”

Tang Mingjing’s heart skipped a beat. “Does that mean… this pendant has been passed down for several generations already?”

Tang Shijie nodded. “Your grandfather once mentioned it was passed down from his grandfather and came into his hands. It’s been in the Tang family ever since.”

“That’s six generations!” Tang Mingjing was shocked. If that was so, the pendant’s origins might well predate even his great-grandfather.

It could be much, much older!

As they spoke, the sedan chair arrived at the inn’s entrance.

Servants waited outside the door. Tang Shijie, with his son Tang Mingjing, entered the inn.

It was late. The inn manager was tallying the day’s earnings behind the counter.

Looking up and seeing who had arrived, he hurriedly bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Master Tang!”

Tang Shijie waved it off. “Is the gentleman who stayed here during the day still at the inn?”

The manager thought back. “Yes, yes, he just had the waiter take up writing materials earlier. He’s upstairs. Master Tang, this way please.”

Then Tang Shijie headed upstairs.

But they hadn’t even reached the third step when they saw the guest room door open from the inside.

Chen Changsheng stepped out. Gazing at the arrivals, he said calmly, “Let’s go.”

Both father and son were startled.

Tang Shijie recovered first. He stepped forward and clasped his hands. “Tang Shijie greets Mr. Chen.”

“Sir, do you…?” Tang Shijie asked cautiously, “…foresee that we would come?”

Chen Changsheng chuckled, “Master Tang jests. I merely happened to look out the window and see you arrive.”

“Is that so…”

Tang Shijie understood inwardly and said nothing more.

But he thought to himself, This gentleman most certainly knew I was coming long ago!

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