Chapter 22: Chen Yan’s Caution
Chen Yan pondered for a moment before asking, “President Fang, have you encountered any peculiar individuals lately? Or perhaps come into contact with some unusual artifact?”
President Fang furrowed his brows in deep thought. “Not that I recall… Actually, before this, another master—ah, that would be Uncle Qing of Falling Cloud Retreat—you’ve probably met him before. I asked him to take a look, and he asked me the same thing you just did. I racked my brains back then and found nothing suspicious.”
[Uncle Qing? That fraudster…]
Chen Yan chuckled inwardly but kept his thoughts to himself. He remembered the words of the Old Madam from his childhood, when she would chat idly about the rules of their craft: In this world of mysticism, there are bound to be charlatans. But the rule is—if you see through them, you don’t expose them.
First, because many strange occurrences defied ordinary comprehension. Just because someone couldn’t resolve an issue didn’t mean they were a fraud—perhaps their cultivation was lacking, or their methods simply weren’t suited to the task.
Second, and more practically, calling someone out would ruin their livelihood and breed enmity.
“Then, President Fang,” Chen Yan continued, “where do you usually spend your time?”
“If we go too far back, I can’t say for sure. But recently, I’ve mostly stayed at my office, occasionally returning home,” President Fang replied, rubbing his chin. “Due to some family matters, I’ve been going home less frequently. Just before the incident, I had already spent two full days in my office.”
Chen Yan nodded. “Then let’s check your company first. If I don’t find anything, we’ll head to your residence. Will that be convenient?”
“Of course! Absolutely!” President Fang agreed eagerly. “I’ll have Assistant Yan accompany you to my office. If you need to check my home, he’ll take you there as well.”
With that, President Fang raised his voice and called out, “Xiao Yan!”
The door opened almost instantly, and Assistant Yan stepped in, holding a cup of steaming tea. He had clearly been waiting outside, anticipating his boss’s needs. With practiced ease, he handed the tea to Chen Yan.
“Xiao Yan, escort Master Chen to our company.”
“Understood!”
Chen Yan placed the teacup down. “No need to delay. Let’s leave now.”
“Ah?” President Fang hesitated, momentarily unsettled by Chen Yan’s decisiveness. “Master Chen…”
“Is there something else, President Fang?”
President Fang hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh. “To be honest… I’m truly frightened. I don’t know how long you’ll be gone or how long this will take to resolve. But in the meantime… what if something else happens to me?”
Chen Yan’s eyes sharpened slightly. “And what are you suggesting?”
“That protective jade token you gave Assistant Yan…” President Fang hesitated, then pressed on, “Could I… also have one?”
That jade token… President Fang had witnessed its power firsthand.
A massive chandelier had come crashing down, yet Assistant Yan—standing right in the middle of it all—emerged unscathed, not even a hair out of place!
Another jade token?
Chen Yan was more than willing to provide one—but the problem was, he didn’t have any left!
He had originally bought only two for experimentation. One had cracked during an infusion of Vital Qi, and the remaining one was merely a practice piece, inscribed with runes for warding off calamity. Its efficacy likely stemmed from the Vital Qi he had imbued into it.
Now, however, President Fang wanted one… and Chen Yan had none to give.
Besides, from what he had seen through his Qi-Observing Technique, President Fang no longer needed any such protection. The ominous dark aura around him had already dissipated and was continuing to fade. Clearly, its source did not reside within him. As long as President Fang remained in the hospital and avoided whatever had caused the misfortune in the first place, he would be safe.
Chen Yan shook his head. “I came in a hurry and didn’t bring anything with me.”
“Master Chen, I implore you! Even though I’m lying safe in this hospital, I can’t shake the fear! I need something for protection. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep! Please, Master Chen—if you grant me a talisman, I will not take it for free! I’ll pay… ten thousand!”
Ten thousand?
Chen Yan’s thoughts stirred. Weighing his options, his eyes suddenly landed on the compass in his hand.
Ah—there it is!
“Very well!” Chen Yan sighed deeply, feigning reluctance. “President Fang, you are sincere, and fate has clearly brought us together. It would be unkind of me to turn you away.”
With a solemn expression, he gently patted the compass and murmured wistfully, “This artifact has accompanied me since the very first day I began my training in geomancy. It has never once left my side. Over time, it has undoubtedly absorbed some of my spiritual essence. Perhaps it may serve as a worthy keepsake for you.”
President Fang’s eyes lit up instantly.
Since his very first day of training? Never once left his side?
This could not possibly be an ordinary object!
President Fang had dealt with many practitioners before. He knew that items carried by such experts were carefully chosen, refined through years of use, and brimming with spiritual energy.
If this young Master Chen could casually gift Assistant Yan a mere jade token that turned out to be incredibly effective, then surely his personal compass must be on an entirely different level!
“I… I am deeply grateful, Master Chen!” President Fang was ecstatic. “Xiao Yan, hurry! Transfer ten thousand to Master Chen’s account!”
Chen Yan sighed, pretending to be resigned—but inwardly, he was beaming with delight.
I haven’t spoken a single lie!
This compass truly had been with him since his first day learning geomancy!
…It was just that no one had asked him how long he had been training.
After all, was it really necessary to mention that he had been studying for barely twenty days?
Upon leaving the hospital, Chen Yan settled into the backseat of Assistant Yan’s luxury sedan.
He resisted the urge to pull out his phone and check the bank notification.
After all, if one was to act as a master, one must maintain some degree of depth and restraint.
Still, he couldn’t help but glance at the compass one last time.
Bought for just a hundred and eighty yuan on Some Treasure…
And now, it had been sold for ten thousand.
If the compass had a spirit of its own, it would surely never have imagined that one day, it would become so valuable…
Stepping into President Fang’s company, the time had already passed mid-morning.
This business building, though somewhat aged, still stood tall under the morning light, much like an old general who, despite his faded glory, still retained a sense of authority.
At this moment, the company was eerily silent, empty of its usual occupants. Earlier, due to an unexpected collapse of the ceiling in President Fang’s office, Assistant Yan had swiftly ordered a company-wide day off, citing the need for property management to repair the damage. But was this collapse truly as simple as it seemed?
Chen Yan moved forward with an unhurried pace, his expression calm. From the moment he stepped inside, he had discreetly activated his Heavenly Eye Qi-Observing Technique, his gaze sharp as he traced the invisible flow of energy. Passing through the outer office area, he noticed nothing out of the ordinary. But as soon as he stepped into President Fang’s office, his brows slightly lifted.
A faint wisp of dark aura lingered in the air.
This ominous energy, though subtle, was undeniably present, curling and twisting like an unseen current, dissipating at times yet constantly regenerating, never ceasing.
Chen Yan wrinkled his nose, catching an unusual scent before sneezing lightly. Knowing this dark aura was no trivial matter, he quickly circulated his Vital Energy Circulation Method, letting his energy flow through his body in defense. Though his mastery was still shallow, and his knowledge of spells limited, this self-protective technique was among the most basic and reliable methods.
Regaining composure, he strode deeper into the room.
The wreckage from the ceiling still lay strewn across the floor, resembling remnants of a battlefield, making it difficult to find a clear foothold. Carefully, he navigated through the debris until he reached President Fang’s desk, where he turned his gaze to Assistant Yan and asked, “Can you open these drawers?”
“Yes, I have the key,” Assistant Yan replied promptly.
“Then open them. Let me have a look.”
The drawers contained nothing of significant value—just two boxes of cigarettes, a few personal seals, and some documents, all mundane objects. Chen Yan skimmed over them briefly before shifting his focus elsewhere.
His hand, however, suddenly paused.
At the bottom of a drawer, he retrieved an item that caused a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
A cylindrical paper tube, no thicker than a thumb, adorned with ancient patterns and swirling cloud motifs. Opening its lid, he found a set of incense sticks, neatly arranged, though some had clearly been used.
His mind pieced things together as he feigned casualness, smiling at Assistant Yan as he remarked, “Incense? Your boss has refined tastes.”
“Yes,” Assistant Yan chuckled nervously, “The boss is quite fond of mysticism. He believes incense has a calming effect, so he often lights one while enjoying his tea.”
As he spoke, Assistant Yan gestured toward a cabinet. Following his direction, Chen Yan spotted a small incense burner resting atop it.
“Hm.”
Chen Yan said nothing further, setting the incense tube down before pretending to inspect other items on the desk—a paperweight, a golden toad figurine… each one he picked up, scrutinized, and set down with an air of indifference.
After a moment, he cleared his throat and asked, “I’m feeling a bit thirsty. Is there any water here?”
“There is,” Assistant Yan nodded quickly. “But since the ceiling collapsed, I had the electricity shut off, so I can’t boil water for tea. However, there’s bottled mineral water if that works for you?”
Chen Yan hesitated deliberately before asking, “Do you have cola?”
“Uh?” Assistant Yan blinked, slightly taken aback. Most esteemed practitioners he had encountered before preferred fine teas—black tea, green tea, aged tea, always choosing the most exquisite varieties. But this young master? He liked cola.
“There’s a vending machine downstairs,” Assistant Yan said hastily. “I’ll go grab one for you.”
Chen Yan gave a polite refusal, but Assistant Yan had already hurried off.
The moment he was alone, Chen Yan’s smile faded.
He retrieved the incense tube once more, carefully pulling out a stick and bringing it close to his nose.
At first whiff, it seemed like nothing more than ordinary sandalwood incense.
But deep within…
Chen Yan’s sharpened senses, attuned by his Qi cultivation, detected a faint, unsettling presence.
—A trace of resentment.
His thoughts turning, he moved to the outer office area, pulling two sheets of A4 paper from a nearby printer before returning to the office. He wrapped one incense stick in a sheet and tucked it away in his robes.
Next, he approached the incense burner, lifting it in his hands. It was brass, heavy and solid, bearing no apparent abnormalities. However, inside, remnants of ash lingered. He pinched a small portion between his fingers, carefully feeling its texture before placing it onto the other sheet of A4 paper, wrapping it securely before slipping it into his pocket.
With these preparations complete, Chen Yan cast a final glance around the room, ensuring he had left no traces before stepping back into the main office area.
A few minutes later, Assistant Yan returned, cola in hand.
Chen Yan accepted it with a relaxed demeanor, twisted the cap open, and took a few sips before smiling lightly. “Nothing much to see here. Let’s go.”
Assistant Yan, still harboring doubts, hesitated before asking, “Did you… notice anything unusual?”
Chen Yan smiled faintly, shaking his head. “Not yet. I need to analyze things further.”
Assistant Yan hesitated before suggesting, “Would you like to visit President Fang’s residence for a closer look?”
Glancing at his phone, Chen Yan feigned reluctance. “Not today. It’s already noon, and I have training in the afternoon. The technique I practice requires daily cultivation at a fixed hour—can’t afford to miss it. As for the residence…”
He chuckled, his tone lighthearted. “Didn’t I sell my compass to your boss? If I’m to assess the Feng Shui of his home, I’d need proper instruments. Let me get a new compass artifact first—then I’ll pay him a visit.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation