Chapter 0009: A Man at Death's Door

Early the next morning, Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing woke around the same time. Following their usual routine, the two made their way to the living room for breakfast. Jiang Yan was about to ask Butler Zhao to call Zhang Xiao to join them, but noticed that Zhang Xiao was already out in the garden, though no one knew when he had arrived.

Zhang Xiao sat cross-legged facing east, seemingly engaged in breathing exercises.

Seeing this, Jiang Yan gestured for everyone to leave him undisturbed and began breakfast with Jiang Kongqing.

After last night’s events, Jiang Kongqing had hardly slept. She lay awake for hours, gradually finding herself more willing to believe Zhang Xiao’s words. She had lost consciousness while drying her hair, which surely meant something was amiss. According to Zhang Xiao, it must have been that so-called Master up to his tricks again.

Zhang Xiao’s last remark—that Zheng Shaowen had become an imbecile—left her confused. She wasn’t yet ready to share this revelation with Jiang Yan.

As they ate, Zhang Xiao returned from the garden, sat opposite them without ceremony, and began eating.

Jiang Yan smiled and asked, “So, how are you finding it here? Comfortable enough?”

Zhang Xiao nodded. “It’s fine, except last night some stray cats and dogs were making a racket, disturbed my sleep a bit.”

Jiang Yan was surprised; there had never been any stray animals at Cloudwater Villa.

Jiang Kongqing, however, immediately understood the implication and quickly interrupted, “Dad, let’s hurry up and eat. We need to visit the cemetery soon.”

With Jiang Kongqing’s interruption, Jiang Yan forgot about Zhang Xiao’s remark.

After breakfast, Zhang Xiao joined Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing in the car, heading straight to the Jiang family cemetery.

About half an hour later, the car left the city and stopped at the foot of a verdant mountain.

This mountain, called Pearl Mountain, belonged to the Jiang family. Jiang Yan had purchased it after Jiang Kongqing’s mother passed away, intending it as her final resting place.

Stepping out, Zhang Xiao surveyed the terrain and nodded approvingly. “This is truly a feng shui treasure.”

Jiang Yan puffed up with pride. “Sharp eye. I spent a fortune to acquire this mountain.”

Zhang Xiao didn’t waste words and began climbing.

Halfway up, Zhang Xiao found the grave of Jiang Kongqing’s mother.

Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing immediately began tidying the grave, replacing the offerings with fresh fruit and laying down a bouquet of flowers.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiao circled the area repeatedly.

After Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing finished their prayers, Zhang Xiao approached. “I can tell you with certainty: you’ve absolutely been set up.”

Jiang Yan had been prepared for this, and asked, “You’re so sure?”

Zhang Xiao glanced at him. “Believe it or not.”

Jiang Yan gave a sheepish smile. “I believe you. Can you fix it?”

Zhang Xiao nodded. “It’s simple. The mountain’s feng shui is excellent, but the placement of the grave is… appalling. I suspect the feng shui master who advised you to buy the mountain also chose the grave’s location?”

Jiang Yan nodded. “Yes, both the mountain and the grave site were his recommendations.”

Zhang Xiao said, “That explains it. The mountain’s feng shui is called ‘Azure Dragon Holding the Pearl’. If the grave is placed at the dragon’s pearl, it will bless the family and descendants. If placed elsewhere, it’s not detrimental. But he told you to put it at the dragon’s eye.”

Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing listened, baffled but sensing the gist: they’d been duped.

Jiang Yan asked, “Is there something special about the dragon’s eye? Can just a misplaced grave really affect my business?”

Zhang Xiao explained, “As the saying goes, ‘The finishing touch brings the dragon to life.’ Placing the grave at the dragon’s eye activates the mountain’s energy, dispersing its luck, like a dragon soaring away. Does that make sense?”

Jiang Yan was suddenly enlightened. “Then what should I do? Is there a way to resolve this?”

Zhang Xiao thought for a moment. “Yes, just move the grave.”

So simple?

Wasn’t Zhang Xiao supposed to display some grand mastery—formations, altars, dazzling spells?

Seeing their expressions, Zhang Xiao said, “It really is simple. Relocate the grave. I can find you a new feng shui treasure, and you can move the grave on a suitable day.”

Jiang Yan’s mouth twitched, finally squeezing out, “Well… I’ll leave it to you.”

Just then, Butler Zhao hurried over to Jiang Yan and whispered, “Sir, I just received a call. Zheng Shaowen, last night, for some reason, became an imbecile!”

Hearing this, Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing were shocked. Jiang Kongqing looked at Zhang Xiao, finally understanding he had told the truth.

Zhang Xiao winked at Jiang Kongqing, as if to say, “See? I wasn’t lying.”

Jiang Yan was still incredulous. “Are you sure?”

Butler Zhao nodded. “Absolutely. I have a friend at the hospital. The Zheng family brought Zheng Shaowen in last night for emergency treatment. His life was saved, but he’s completely lost his wits.”

Jiang Kongqing spoke. “Dad, since the feng shui problem is found and Zheng Shaowen is like this, can I break off the engagement?”

Jiang Yan nodded. “You’ve suffered, and it’s my fault for trading your happiness for the Zheng family’s help. Now that these problems are resolved, I’ll personally go to the Zheng family to break the engagement.”

Jiang Kongqing finally felt a weight lift from her heart. Since the engagement, she had been tormented daily—just the thought of marrying the loathsome Zheng Shaowen was like a needle in her heart. Now, hearing her father’s promise, her eyes grew moist.

At this moment, Zhang Xiao spoke, “I’ve fulfilled my promise to you. Shall we discuss my matter now?”

Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing looked at him in confusion.

Zhang Xiao said, “The Tear of the Divine Maiden—are you willing to part with it?”

Jiang Yan was immediately troubled. To be honest, Zhang Xiao had become the benefactor of the Jiang family. In the past, he wouldn’t have hesitated to give away even two Tears. But now, the Tear’s value was beyond any price.

He looked at his daughter, waiting for her answer.

Jiang Kongqing took a deep breath and gazed at Zhang Xiao. “You have helped our family repeatedly. We owe you a great debt. But the Tear of the Divine Maiden means a great deal to me personally. To hand it over so easily is difficult. Still, repaying kindness is the Jiang family’s way. Give me a reason—a convincing reason—and I’ll give you the Tear.”

Zhang Xiao looked at her, sighing inwardly. This girl was not easy to deal with.

After a long pause, he spoke. “I’m dying soon.”

His words stunned Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing.

Zhang Xiao looked at them earnestly. “I was born in a pure yang year, month, day, and hour. My constitution is pure yang, with internal energies ten times stronger than ordinary people. Excess yang brings overactive blood and a shortened lifespan. I have only three years left. I need something extremely cold and yin to balance my internal energies to survive. This Tear of the Divine Maiden, which you see as a mere gemstone, is actually a rare treasure of extreme yin and cold. Its importance to me is beyond words. So, is that reason enough?”

Jiang Kongqing’s eyes widened. She could hardly believe the lively Zhang Xiao was a dying man. The terms “pure yang constitution” and “extreme yin and cold” were foreign to her—could such things exist?

The three stood in silence, none speaking.

Jiang Kongqing frowned, weighing her options.

After a long while, she said, “All right. I’ll give you the Tear, but only after you find my mother a new feng shui burial site, and when the Jiang family’s fortunes have changed.”

Zhang Xiao hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly. He replied readily, “Of course. Besides that, I’ll promise you one thing—no matter what, if the Jiang family needs me, I’ll help. That’s my pledge. Trust me, having my promise is no loss for your family.”

Jiang Kongqing nodded. “Deal.”

Jiang Yan smiled. This was perfect: Zhang Xiao’s debt repaid, and now his promise secured. The Jiang family had indeed gained.

Suddenly, Jiang Yan remembered something. “Why not stay at Cloudwater Villa? You still have no place to settle in Tianhe. Staying here would be more convenient.”

Zhang Xiao shook his head. “No need. I have other matters. But since you mention it, I do have a small favor to ask.”

Jiang Yan, though disappointed Zhang Xiao wouldn’t stay, replied generously, “Anything you need, just say so.”

Zhang Xiao said, “I need to borrow some money. I came in a hurry and have little with me. I’ll be in Tianhe for a while and will need funds. I’ll repay you later, along with the wall I broke.”

Jiang Yan grimaced. This man truly had the “eccentric master” style.

Still, Jiang Yan was straightforward. He signaled Butler Zhao to hand Zhang Xiao a bank card. “There’s one hundred thousand in here, password six zeros. Use it as payment for your help.”

Zhang Xiao took the card without fuss, then asked for Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing’s business cards, promising to contact them once he found a suitable burial site. With that, he strode down the mountain.

Suddenly, Jiang Kongqing called after him, “Leave us your contact information!”

From a distance, Zhang Xiao replied, “Came in a hurry, I have no phone.”

This man—he truly was a character unlike any other.