Chapter 51: Someone in Bed

The elder stared at me, and I stared right back at him.

But I didn’t dare to disturb him. This trip to the provincial city had already given me a profound understanding.

In this world of Feng Shui and martial arts, there are always people stronger than you, and heavens beyond heavens.

Perhaps feeling my gaze, the elder seemed a bit embarrassed.

He cleared his throat and spoke to me earnestly:

“Chen Qiyue, I’m about to tell you something important. It concerns the path you must walk from now on.”

“Just listen carefully. I will tell you what needs to be said. Please don’t ask what shouldn’t be asked.”

As he spoke, an invisible aura—imperceptible to ordinary people—suddenly enveloped him.

It was a powerful presence, so strong that even with my own abilities, I couldn’t discern its true form.

After the elder finished speaking, I kept my lips sealed.

When such a master speaks, his words are bound to be crucial.

I dared not slacken for even a moment.

“You were born in a humble mountain village in the northeast. Behind your home mountain lie several perilous ancient tombs—tombs even your grandfather dared not approach.”

“You are a good child, naturally kind and sensible. But in this treacherous world of Feng Shui and martial arts, your kindness can sometimes be your undoing. If it weren’t for your grandfather, a master of the Qingma physiognomy art, you wouldn’t have survived.”

“You emerged into the world at twenty-one, hoping to prove the Qingma art. But once you reached the provincial city, you realized your skills were insufficient to intimidate the Feng Shui masters here. If not for Hu Tieshou’s help, you would have been cast onto the streets by now.”

“Too many people in this Feng Shui underworld are watching you. They don’t want you to become a Feng Shui master. Your very existence is a torment to them—they are itching to kill you.”

“The Corpse Immortal Pavilion is only one such faction. There are many others who wish you harm. Today, I have shielded you from them. Beyond this, who might come after you—I cannot say.”

“Of course, where there are those who want you dead, there are also those who want you alive. For your family’s sake, you must survive this life tribulation. If you do, no one will be able to stop your path in this world—not even me.”

“You know what you must do. How far you go depends entirely on yourself. But there is one person you must watch closely: Liu Qingqing of the old Liu family. Your fates will be deeply entwined, and she will be the greatest variable in your life.”

“Your grandfather indeed has some skill. With your destiny, he could even defy the heavens to alter it. I am not as capable as he.”

At this, the elder glanced to the left front direction—toward the Hundred Tombs Pit where Chen Hongyi had once stayed.

“Alright, Qiyue. That is all I have to tell you. Since you have stepped into this line, the path ahead is yours alone to walk. Take this—it is for you. If you ever find yourself in a desperate, fatal situation, open it. But remember, only when absolutely necessary.”

With that, the elder produced an object wrapped in red cloth from his bosom. Inside was a box, looking very precious.

I took it carefully with both hands, tucking it close to my chest.

“Thank you, Master. May I ask your name? If by fortune I survive, I will come to repay you in person.”

I cupped my fists respectfully toward him.

“Once you have survived this tribulation, I will tell you.”

The elder looked at me, expression still calm.

“I’m leaving now, Qiyue. Remember every word I said, not one can be forgotten.”

He showed no intention of revealing his name, as if he doubted I would survive this ordeal.

I nodded silently, sensing he must have his reasons.

Seeing I said nothing, the elder suddenly stopped and turned to me:

“Chen Qiyue, don’t you have anything you want to ask me? Most ordinary people would lose their composure by now.”

I shook my head and said:

“Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed. You have already risked much to tell me so much. I dare not ask for more.”

“Interesting. Your temperament is exactly like your grandfather Chen Lao Gou. Very well, since I’m in a good mood today, I will allow you to ask one question—the one you want most.”

He stopped walking and sat cross-legged on the grass.

His unexpected gesture left me momentarily at a loss.

I blinked and pondered carefully. So many questions churned in my heart.

Who was he? Why did he come to save me? Everyone wanted to seize my fate—what exactly was my fate?

What secret did I harbor that made them so desperate to kill me?

But perhaps these questions were futile.

He had already said all he could.

“Uncle, have we met somewhere before?”

Finally, I asked. Though today was our first meeting, the aura he emitted felt strangely familiar.

We seemed to have met before, but I couldn’t recall where.

The elder was momentarily stunned by my question, then smiled and replied:

“You little brat, I didn’t expect you to ask that. It’s a surprise. Yes, we have met once.”

With that, he stood and walked away, the nylon bag on his back glaring sharply in the moonlight.

I watched him leave, unsure when we might meet again.

He gave off a gentle feeling, somewhat like my late grandfather.

If my grandfather were still alive, he would have spoken to me like this.

Just as the elder was about to vanish, he suddenly turned and said a strange sentence:

“Chen Qiyue, from now on, you must walk your path on your own. This life tribulation is fierce, but if you seize the right moment, you can pass through it safely. Didn’t your newly gained spirit companion get through it just like that?”

After saying this, the elder disappeared entirely.

I didn’t understand why he said that before leaving.

Had he sensed something amiss?

Was he deliberately warning me?

I couldn’t see through it, nor could I know.

All I could do was hurry back to the Hu family estate and wait until dawn to make further plans.

Tonight’s revelations were overwhelming; I needed time to sort them out.

When I returned, Hu Tieshou had already come back.

I greeted him briefly and withdrew to my room.

Though Hu Tieshou had countless questions, seeing my exhausted face, he suppressed his curiosity and let me rest.

He busied himself repairing the courtyard gate, which Chen Hongyi had smashed, his expression somewhat displeased.

Alone in my room, it was quiet.

Hu Tieshou seemed to understand my mood and kept his noise to a minimum.

This environment was perfect for me to digest the elder’s words.

I turned off the light and focused on his message.

The mountain behind my home, Liu Qingqing, my fate...

All these pieces seemed fractured yet connected in some way. But with my current experience, it was hard to link them together.

Since I couldn’t figure it out, I chose not to force it.

Surely, as I grow and gain more experience, I will understand these matters clearly.

Exhausted, I lay down and quickly fell asleep.

But soon after, I sensed a change in the atmosphere.

A chill brushed my back, filling me with unease and fear.

There was someone in the room!

No—someone was on my bed!