Stepping up to the young man as the old monk is about to speak. Zhi thrust his staff into the compacted dirt on the ground, it slid into the earth with no effort at all. The rings around the top chime out, causing everyone to turn and look at Zhi. He is surprised by the ease of it, but he conceals his reaction with a smile towards the people now looking at him. The old monk’s eyes narrow slightly as a slight frown plays across his face before disappearing a moment later. The young man who stepped up first for the first reading looks shocked, his eyes are wide and he keeps shooting glances at the old monk.
Releasing his staff and clasping both hands together while bowing slightly to both people. “This simple monk heard your offer of divining peoples fates, and wishes to help senior with his task.”
As the old monk is about to reply, Zhi raises his hand and says “I do this for free, senior, there is no need to thank me.”
He turns to the young man, his eyes are back to normal. But the edges of his mouth are frowning slightly. Zhi reaches out, “Young master, can I borrow your hand for a moment?”
He glances at the old monk for a brief second then extends his hand to Zhi, after the monk nod’s to him. Taking his hand and flipping it over, he began looking at the boy's palm. While looking over the boys [Fate] his thumb rubs slightly over the boy's palm lines. “Mmmm, I see.”
-------------------------------
Name: Hai Zhao
Age: 14
Karma: Neutral
Cultivation: Xiantian 2/9
Occupation: Conman in training
Mood: surprised
Talent: Perfect taste
-------------------------------
“Yes this looks promising, you see this line here and these two over here Hai Zhao? They tell me your future path is that of a cook.” His eyes widen comically, while his jaw drops open, when his name is said. The monk's eyes also widened slightly, at the mention of the boy's name. But are instantly back to normal.
He tries to yank his hand away from Zhi, but with Zhi’s strength it goes nowhere. Only causing the boy to accidentally pull himself closer to Zhi. “Shocking, I know little Zhao. Tell me, have you ever cooked before little Zhao?”
“I… I…. I have not! Coo cooking has always been done by my aunt. How did you know my name?” He stammers out while sweat is starting to form on his brow.
A smile plays across Zhi’s face, before he replies. “When you divine someone's fate, you also see many things about them. You are currently 14 years old and at the 2nd level of xiantian cultivation, correct?”
“Y YE YES!” His head is bobbing up and down furiously, his hand going limp in Zhi’s grasp. The people around them are beginning to murmur about what is going on. Some sound surprised at the boy's cultivation, others think this is some kinda show being put on. Zhi releases Hai Zhao’s hand while speaking. “ Little Zhao, do you know what makes a great cook?”
Zhao shakes his head no, then looks at Zhi waiting for a reply. A few other people are looking at Zhi, awaiting his answer. “I will give you time to think of an answer while I finish divining the fates of these people.”
Zhi turns to the old monk “Senior, if you would point me to who is next. I will gladly continue.”
He looks at Zhi blankly for a second, before a smile crosses his face and he points to the stocky young man who was hesitating before. Turning towards the young man, Zhi stretches out with his hand. “I believe the senior said 1 iron coin for divining your fate.”
He looks at the outstretched hand. Then pulls out a coin and places it in Zhi’s palm. Zhi makes it look like he slid the coin into his belt, but stored it in his inventory. After he reaches out for the young man's hand, flipping it over, palm up. He begins to trace some lines with his fingers, while humming to himself.
-------------------------------
Name: Mu Zang
Age: 16
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Karma: Good
Cultivation: Xiantian 4/9
Occupation: Dock worker
Mood: curious
Talent: Deal finder
-------------------------------
“You are a dock worker Mu Zang? How do you like your job?”
There is shock on his face, but he doesn’t pull away like Hai Zhao. His response is slow, almost a minute passes as he decides how to answer. “The pay is good, but I find the work unfulfilling.”
Zhi nods his head sagely to his reply and says “How is your reading and writing Zang? What about math? Are you proficient?”
“I can read and write fine. As for math, I have learned simple multiplication and division.”
“Excellent, you should quit your job, and find a store owner to apprentice under. Your destiny lies in the trade of goods.” Zhi releases his hand, “Go now, Mu Zang and find your true calling.”
He looks a little lost at what was said, but still walks away towards the docks.
Zhi looks at the next person and extends his hand out waiting for payment. The man hesitates for a moment then puts a coin in his hand. Zhi began the process again. He goes through the original group of 6 people, by the time he is finished. More people that stopped to listen in, decided they also wanted to have their future divined for them.
It takes almost 5 hours, but Zhi has 39 iron coins on him now. He looks at the crowd of people and spots the next person. He waves to the young women as he speaks to the crowd, “Sorry friends, this young lady will be the last one for today. This lowly monk has used up too much of my power for the day. If you would like my guidance, just find me in this area in the next few days.”
Some of the surrounding people look a little upset, but no one complains. Most of them start to leave. But a few stay to watch the show. Zhi looks at the young woman, she is slender with bright magenta eyes. He raises his hand and takes payment, again hiding it in his inventory. Taking her slender hand and running his fingers over her palm lines. He glances over her [Fate].
-------------------------------
Name: Huang Xiulan
Age: 16
Karma: Good
Cultivation: Xiantian 2/9
Occupation: Restaurant Hostess
Mood: curious
Talent: Singing
-------------------------------
“If it is not too imposing, what restaurant do you work at, Huang Xiulan?”
She is just as surprised as the first two people, but recovers instantly. Her voice is soft and melodious as she replies, “I’m a hostess for the Blue Jewel, down four streets to the west then take a right and walk one street south. You can’t miss it, it is painted bright blue and has a giant glass gem above the door.”
“Thank you.” Zhi closes his eyes for a moment, nods his head a few times. Then releases her hand while asking, “Tell me Miss. Huang, do you know any songs?”
“I know a few my mother would sing to me when I was younger, why do you ask?”
“If it is not much would you please sing part of one for me, to sate my curiosity?”
Her face flushes a little as she looks at Zhi. She closes her eyes steeling her nerves, then begins to sing softly. Her voice is barely audible over the surrounding noise of the still bustling street.
Zhi’s voice causes her to stop, “I need to hear you sing Miss. Huang. If you would please start again but louder this time.”
She looks at him, then nods lightly. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath. When she opens her mouth a soft, bewitching voice can be heard over the din of the surrounding street as she begins to sing.
“You say if you could fly, you’d never come back down”
“You only have eyes for that blue, blue sky”
“You’ve yet to learn what sadness is”
“And are just now grasping what pain is like”
The longer she is singing, the more confident and louder she becomes. Her voice is harmonious, carrying the song along even without any accompanying instruments playing along.
“Even the feeling I have for you”
“Must be expressed with words”
“As you awaken from a dream into an unknown world”
“Spread your wings and take flight”
A crowd has started to form around them as people passing by stop to listen to her singing.
“You say if you could fly, you’d never come back down”
“You aimed for those white, white clouds”
“You know if you can just make it through, you’ll find what you seek”
Her voice increases in volume as she reaches the end of the song.
“So keep trying to break free, to that blue, blue sky”
“That blue, blue sky”
“That blue, blue sky”
She finishes the last line, exhales a breath and then opens her eyes to look at Zhi. But her eyes go wide as she sees everyone around her. Zhi begins to clap and it is like a dam has just broken as applause erupts around them. Smiling at Xiulan, Zhi says “Miss. Huang, you are destined to be a singer.”