I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse
Chapter 145 Soul Refining Sect_1

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 Soul Refining Sect_1

"Elder Daoist Ma, I have some knowledge of Qimen Dunjia, Four Pillars and Eight Characters, and Ziwei Numerology. What would you esteemed guests like to divine? Is it marriage, fortune, or health?"

You assessed Elder Daoist Ma from top to bottom and laughed. Just as Zong Wangyue had said, this guy was a downright charlatan!

You noticed some odd and ancient items on Elder Daoist Ma’s table, among them a turtle shell and three copper coins.

You casually picked up the turtle shell, examined it in your hand, and then said to Elder Daoist Ma with a smile, "Master Ma, let’s use the Six Lines."

"Oh? I didn’t expect you to know about the Six Lines. Fine then, what do you want to divine?"

Elder Daoist Ma was shrewd. Although your attire was simple, the simplest among the four, when you had just walked over, the other three clearly followed a step behind you and subtly revolved around you as their center. He immediately judged your status through careful observation.

In fact, there are two types of fortune tellers in the jianghu, those with genuine knowledge—your mother was of the former kind. The latter, well, in modern terms, have a specific term: "social observer" or "sociologist."

A so-called sociologist is someone who can observe meticulously, make a judgment on you first, and figure out your identity.

Take, for example, clothing—that’s the most superficial. When someone goes to have their fortune told, all fortune tellers first look at the person’s attire; of course, attire is the most deceptive.

Next would be demeanor and temperament, as well as the way one speaks.

As for demeanor and temperament, there’s no need to elaborate on those here. Let’s primarily talk about the way one speaks.

People from each social stratum have different ways of speaking. For instance, a company CEO habitually uses a commanding tone and likes to stress the important parts of a conversation with emphasis.

Take Brother Song, for example— "Little Lin, what did Director Zhang say when you accompanied him for drinks last night?"

In this sentence, "Little Lin" is stressed, indicating the CEO starts the conversation expecting Little Lin’s full attention.

Next is "Director Zhang," who is the focal point, and regarding "accompanying him for drinks," haha, that’s part of the job, and the boss is certainly not going to praise you for it.

Lastly, "what did he say" is the crux of the matter.

Three emphases in a single sentence also indicate what information the boss wants, and a savvy employee just needs to report the details.

Beyond the tones, there is also the matter of speaking speed.

In this world, the real higher-ups always speak slowly!

Likewise, a school principal, the moment he opens his mouth to say "Next, I’ll say a few words," it usually takes an hour.

Why an hour? Because he speaks slowly.

Why does he speak slowly? Because only with slow speech can the mind keep up, ensuring that one doesn’t blurt out innermost thoughts, not to mention avoiding slip-ups.

Thus, among classmates and colleagues, if you encounter someone who speaks slowly, never offend them—because this person is either extremely wise or incredibly cunning!

Then, to further understand your identity, fortune tellers will suggest that you have your palm read.

A palm is a person’s second business card. The hand of someone raised in luxury will certainly have no calluses, and even less likely any scars; but the hands of a laborer, well, there’s no need to elaborate, just by showing them, one can tell your social class.

As for the rest, it becomes clear through the fortune teller’s questions and the ensuing exchanges, gradually penetrating until your status is determined.

In actuality, for those branded "sociologists" among fortune tellers, they aren’t really divining fate, but rather deducing a person’s social status.

I digress.

You watched Elder Daoist Ma attentively, picking up the three copper coins from the table and skillfully placing them into the turtle shell, shaking them with a particularly peculiar rhythm.

Interestingly, as you shook the shell, the three copper coins made a very specific clinking sound. When listened to closely, it seemed as if there were a dozen coins clashing together.

Although Elder Daoist Ma was a half-baked charlatan, he was still schooled in spiritual ways. Hearing this sound, his expression immediately changed, looking at you in astonishment.

The turtle shell in your hand stopped shaking and you threw it back onto the table. The result was that a third of each of the three copper coins overlapped with the others, creating an interesting three-petalled plum blossom shape.

"Oh, it’s a plum blossom," you said to Elder Daoist Ma, smiling. "May I ask, Master Ma, is this plum blossom a winter plum, or a Chun Mei?"

"I... I, I don’t want to divine anymore! I’m not divining anymore!"

Elder Daoist Ma turned to leave, while Wei Shuxian and Zong Wangyue quickly held him back.

"What do you think you’re doing? I’ll have you know my back isn’t very sturdy. If I hurt it, I’ll blame it on you for life and make you provide for me forever!"

You didn’t speak, merely patted his shoulder, and many pieces of information flashed through your mind. To your surprise, Elder Daoist Ma had also encountered paper figurines, but it was apparent from what he had seen that he seemed to be very afraid of them.

The final scene was that of a man in a green Taoist robe walking out of the alley where Ma Hong’s house was located, carrying a box in his hand.

You looked intently at Elder Daoist Ma and said solemnly, "Master Ma, we don’t want any trouble, but we hope you can cooperate with us."

"Cooperate, cooperate with what?"

After Wei Shuxian and Zong Wangyue let go of Elder Daoist Ma, you continued, "You know Ma Hong, don’t you?"

"I know him." Elder Daoist Ma nodded. "Though the boy did quite a few bad things, he wasn’t wicked."

Elder Daoist Ma seemed to regret Ma Hong’s death, sighing twice consecutively.

"As you say, Ma Hong, to some extent, shouldn’t be considered a bad person. Moreover, he has taken care of you over these years."

Elder Daoist Ma didn’t deny this and nodded.

"But why, knowing some inside information, didn’t you tell the police?"

"It’s useless. What could those police do? How could they possibly contend with the Soul Refining Sect?"

"Soul Refining Sect?"

The four of you exchanged glances, all appearing somewhat surprised. Obviously, it was the first time any of you had heard of such a faction.

"What is the Soul Refining Sect? A cult?" Zong Wangyue asked.

Elder Daoist Ma clearly didn’t want to discuss it and struggled internally before sighing deeply and saying, "I’ll tell you straight, Ma Hong was killed by the Soul Refining Sect. As for why, I don’t know, but it’s very likely related to Ma Hong’s daughter, Ma Xiaozhu. That’s all I’ll say; don’t come looking for me again."

After that, Elder Daoist Ma quickly packed up his things and left.

"Old Shu, should we follow him?"

Wei Shuxian adjusted his glasses, his eyes flickering with a sharp gleam.

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