“Ah, lean closer?”
“Is something wrong?” Mu Wan did not understand, staring at him intently while tilting his head. From Ning Bumo’s perspective, he looked inexplicably adorable.
Frustrated, Ning Bumo ruffled his own hair but leaned in obediently anyway. “Nothing. Go ahead.”
Mu Wan gave him a strange look before proceeding with the serious matter at hand.
However, with Mu Wan’s warm breath against his ear and their faces so close that Ning Bumo could see the tremble of his long, curled eyelashes, his already struggling focus scattered completely.
When Mu Wan pulled back and saw Ning Bumo’s distracted expression, he crossed his arms, deciding to test him. “What did I just say?”
Ning Bumo had no idea what had been said. He could only remember the snow-white skin and the curled lashes. Overcome with guilt and annoyance, he wanted to slap his own forehead but could only ask awkwardly, “Could you say it one more time?”
Mu Wan had no choice but to sigh and recount his thoughts from moments ago.
By the time Ning Bumo displayed a look of sudden realization, Mu Wan felt slightly more at ease, though he still could not help but mutter to himself. Could the things in this mansion actually affect a person’s intelligence? Why was Ning Bumo’s reaction so slow today?
Meng Song was a wandering occultist. He made a living by reading feng shui and selling prescriptions, living a relatively carefree life.
Of course, that was the generous way to put it. If Meng Song were to be honest, he was nothing more than a fraud.
He lacked genuine ability, but he had mastered the art of glib talk. Even though his actual skills were poor, he could always manage a meal thanks to his tongue.
If he was occasionally caught by someone he had swindled and given a beating, he would simply pack up and run.
He felt he was living a charmed life, never imagining that one day he would be coerced into taking on a bizarre job.
When he was dragged by guards into the Prince of Jing’s estate, the sight of the grand plaque hanging above the gate made Meng Song’s legs turn to jelly.
Even though he was only being led through a side gate, it did not prevent him from feeling that his future was pitch black.
Why would a Prince look for a feng shui master and pass over the incense-filled monasteries to find a wandering charlatan with no skills like him?
The more Meng Song thought about his miserable fate, the more his smile vanished. By the time he was brought before Ning Bumo, his face was fixed in a permanent pout.
“Daoist Meng, has there been any lack of hospitality that has caused you such distress?”
The polite inquiry made Meng Song’s shoulders jump. He forced a smile that looked worse than crying. “Oh, not at all, Your Highness! You joke. How could there be a lack of hospitality in the Prince’s estate? It is just that I feel my cultivation is shallow and I worry I cannot fulfill your requirements.”
“Daoist Meng is too modest. Your reputation has circulated throughout the streets, and I have made sure to learn all about you. If anyone can resolve the matter in my estate, it must be you.”
The flattery did not make Meng Song lose his senses.
He had survived for so many years among the wealthy and powerful precisely because of his self-awareness and caution. What reputation could he possibly have? Was it the time he tried to find a lost cat and was chased by a dog for three blocks, or the time he accidentally stumbled upon a kidnapper’s plot and nearly had his leg broken?
The more the Prince of Jing praised him, the more nervous Meng Song became. To stop Ning Bumo from piling on more praise, he quickly interjected, “Your Highness, those are just exaggerated rumors from others. Whether I can succeed depends entirely on the specific circumstances.”
In short, once Ning Bumo explained the task, he intended to decline it on the grounds of incompetence.
Fortunately, Ning Bumo was not joking. He spoke earnestly, “It is not a major affair. It is just that lately, I have felt uneasy and am constantly haunted by nightmares.”
Meng Song nodded with feigned gravity, though he did not take it seriously. Aren’t nightmares normal? Especially for these big figures, who knows what they go through? A few nightmares are perfectly natural.
If he prescribed a couple of soothing medicinal packets, the reward would be easy money.
Realizing his own greed, Meng Song shook his head to clear it, but he could not stop thinking about the potential reward.
Ning Bumo glanced at his expression, exchanged a look with Mu Wan, who was sitting behind the screen, and continued, “The problem is that, for some reason, a black cat has entered the estate. It is fierce and nearly injured my attendants.”
Meng Song was surprised. “That should not be. A black cat is not an evil creature; it even has the ability to ward off spirits and protect the home. Why would it attack people for no reason?”
As he finished speaking, he realized he had blundered. Ning Bumo’s smile grew wider. “I knew Daoist Meng had true talent. In that case, I will leave the matter of the black cat to you. Someone, bring the deposit!”
“No, I… this…” Meng Song’s refusal died on his lips as he stared at the money on the tray. His tone shifted instantly. “Prince of Jing, do not worry! It is just a cat; I have plenty of experience. I will definitely not let it continue its misdeeds!”
He had agreed in a moment of heat, but only after being led to the guest wing did he realize he had completely lost his mind. What was he going to do now?
Clutching his meager tools, Meng Song felt like crying. He did not know that the news of his arrival at the Prince’s estate had already traveled far.
When the men from the Prince’s estate went to find Meng Song, they did not hide their identity. The sight of a large group surrounding him and respectfully inviting him into the Prince’s estate fell into the ears of those with ulterior motives.
The Empress Dowager, already troubled by the near-disfigurement of Mao Leyou, rubbed her temples upon hearing this and said with dissatisfaction, “What is he trying to do now? He is becoming increasingly reckless, recruiting such street charlatans.”
No one in the Ciyuan Palace dared to speak. Finally, Mao Xinyun sighed and said, “Forget it. Send someone to ask if he needs anything. What a wandering occultist can do, the high monks at Yunyin Temple can do as well. If he agrees, it is better to invite those monks instead.”
The same happened on Ning Yu’s side; he even sent palace eunuchs to inquire, offering to have the National Preceptor’s office send someone if needed.
However, the messengers from both sides were dismissed by Ning Bumo. The Prince of Jing stated bluntly that since he had already promised Daoist Meng, he would not invite other masters. He appreciated the goodwill of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, but no one else needed to come.
When the eunuchs returned with the message, Ning Yu shook his head. “I do not know what my imperial uncle is thinking, believing the words of such a swindler.”
The National Preceptor said nothing, merely arranging the copper coins before him.
Ning Yu stopped lamenting over Ning Bumo and looked at him expectantly. “National Preceptor, what does the divination say? What will be the result of the Commissioner’s expedition?”
“The specific situation requires combining it with celestial signs for further deduction, but generally, the outcome is excellent.” Chai Yi raised his eyes and smiled at the young Emperor. “Your Majesty, this battle will surely be a great victory.”
Upon hearing this, Ning Yu’s tense body relaxed instantly. He smiled, “In that case, I will take the National Preceptor’s kind words and await a good result!”
“I only hope the news of victory arrives faster than the winter snow.”
Ning Bumo was having another nightmare.
The dream continued from the last one.
If he had successfully defended Lingzhou, the Tieshan tribe would naturally have retreated once their supplies ran dry. But this time, they had intercepted the military provisions, leaving Ning Bumo constrained.
Seeking reinforcements was a matter of extreme urgency.
He had planned a secret departure. He could not take too many people; it had to be his elite guard, capable of handling any emergency.
But if he did not command in Lingzhou, and the Tieshan tribe discovered the situation, they would undoubtedly launch a fierce assault.
Coupled with the loss of provisions, Ning Bumo also harbored suspicions about people within Lingzhou.
Thus, on this trip, he told only a few people and even sent a decoy to impersonate himself, trying to buy time.
He had not expected to be discovered regardless.
He did not know how the Tieshan tribe had tracked them, but they launched an ambush at a narrow pass.
Everything felt too coincidental, as if someone had been waiting for Ning Bumo to leave the city.
In the chaos, rocks and arrows rained down upon Ning Bumo and his men. Even though they fought to the death and managed to escape with their lives, Ning Bumo’s legs were injured, and half of the brothers who had left with him were killed.
It was exactly at that moment that the long-delayed reinforcements arrived, heard the commotion, found Ning Bumo and his men, and routed the Tieshan tribe.
But because the news of his departure from Lingzhou had leaked, the Tieshan tribe had no further concerns and launched a full-scale invasion.
Spreading blood stained the dream red. Ning Bumo felt rage, regret, and deep resentment suppressing his heart, creating an intense urge to destroy, trying to annihilate everything around him.
The next moment, the arm he had swung was restrained, and a faint pain accompanied a cool, clear voice by his ear, “Are you awake?”