Chapter 1: Would You Like Your Fortune Told, Sir?

Bai Qianzhou, dressed in a gray Taoist robe with her hair slightly disheveled, squatted quietly by the roadside, her eyes vacant as she stared toward the end of the street, as if waiting for something. Three days ago, she had been driven down the mountain by a foul old man to wait for a "destined person." Yet, not only had no one appeared, she didn't even have money for a meal. She had planned to set up a stall to tell fortunes, but her bad luck was so overwhelming that three days had passed without a single customer. If not for her foresight in stuffing a few steamed buns into her bag before leaving, she might have starved to death.

Just as she was about to give up, a black sedan sped toward her, heading straight for her. She raised an eyebrow slightly and thought, "Sure enough, bad luck never leaves me, and I can't leave it behind either!"

At the moment the car was about to hit her, Bai Qianzhou moved. Her figure flashed, and with steady hands, she pressed firmly against the car’s hood. Though her touch seemed gentle, she easily halted the vehicle’s advance. The tires screeched harshly against the pavement, and the car trembled violently before coming to a stop. The hood was slightly dented from the impact, steam rising from beneath it.

Inside the car, the driver’s face was pale, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as cold sweat poured down his brow. He looked through the window at the seemingly fragile girl, disbelief written all over his face. The man in the back seat was equally stunned—he hadn’t expected her to stop a speeding car with such ease.

Bai Qianzhou took a deep breath to calm herself, then stepped forward and gently tapped on the car window. The driver, trembling, rolled it down, his voice quivering, “S-sorry, the brakes failed!”

She nodded calmly. “As long as no one is hurt, that’s what matters.”

Her eyes briefly scanned the fierce spirit crouching atop the roof, then shifted to the rear window where the man sat. With a playful smile, she asked, “Sir, would you like a fortune reading? Fair prices, honest to all ages, and very accurate.”

The driver snapped back to reality, frowning at her. “Young lady, although we appreciate your saving us just now, trying to trick us isn’t right.”

“How do you know I’m trying to trick you when I haven’t even done a reading yet?” Bai Qianzhou smiled slyly.

The driver was momentarily speechless.

“Miss, we’re indeed in a hurry. Here’s 500,000 yuan in this card—as a thank-you for what you did earlier,” said the man in the back seat, Pei Hexuan, lowering his window and handing her a bank card.

“Mr. Pei, are you on your way to Mount Donghua to seek out Master Xuan Yu?” Her clear eyes met his directly, as if seeing through everything.

“How do you know my surname is Pei?” Pei Hexuan was startled.

“I also know your wife’s health has been poor. Five years ago, her condition worsened, and despite all treatments and consultations, no cause was found. Half a month ago, she suddenly fell into a coma and hasn’t woken since. The doctors have already advised you to prepare for the worst. You are unwilling to accept this, so you came to Mount Donghua seeking Master Xuan Yu for a sliver of hope.”

Bai Qianzhou’s words were precise, as if she had read the very purpose of Pei Hexuan’s journey.

He was stunned, both surprised and delighted, and eagerly asked, “You’re absolutely right. Do you think I can convince Master Xuan Yu to come down the mountain and save my wife?”

“No, you can’t.” Bai Qianzhou’s face bore a faint look of helplessness as she shook her head.

“Why not?” Pei Hexuan frowned.

“Master Xuan Yu has sealed the mountain gates and won’t come down anymore.” Bai Qianzhou shrugged, her palm opening gently.

“How could that be?” Pei Hexuan’s spirit sank, the weight of despair settling over him. Was he to simply accept fate?

“But even if Master Xuan Yu won’t descend, his disciples can.” A subtle, enigmatic smile curved Bai Qianzhou’s lips.

“Master Xuan Yu’s disciples? Could it be that you are one of them…” Pei Hexuan looked at her beaming face and suddenly sensed a turn of fortune. “Can you save my wife? No matter the cost, I will pay.”