I attained immortality in the real world.

Chapter 19 Fortune Telling
The Wuxiang Secret Manual taught by Li Banxian is a wordless book.

Chen Jing's book on physiognomy, from establishing the theory of the three aspects of body, qi, and spirit, to collecting data with faceless puppets and performing magic, was all completed independently.

Although modern technology and artificial intelligence were used to assist, it was equivalent to retracing the path of the patriarch of physiognomy, and his understanding of physiognomy was definitely among the top in the realm of physiognomy.

However, the sons of princes and nobles were already practicing physiognomy at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Indeed, those who are more talented than you work even harder.

Chen Jing paused for a moment and replied, "Physiognomy is an extremely sophisticated observational art. The principle is actually very simple: use physiognomy to observe a person's body, aura, and spirit, and discover hidden clues that ordinary people overlook, and then make use of these clues."

Simple?!

Qu Jing has only been studying physiognomy for the past few days.

Having grown accustomed to the profound and complex nature of physiognomy, and the need for gradual practice, this was the first time I'd heard someone say that physiognomy was simple.

He pressed on, "Please sit down, sir. Since you say physiognomy is just an observational discipline, how can one use physiognomy to tell fortunes?"

Chen Jing didn't stand on ceremony and sat down at the end of the round table. He replied bluntly, "Information gaps, for example, even though I didn't see you eat a piece of crystal pork knuckle, I could guess that you ate it if I saw a piece missing from the plate, saw meat shreds between your teeth, or could smell the aroma of crystal pork knuckle."

"If we compare ordinary people's perception to seeing, then physiognomy is like smelling. When the young master picked his teeth and left the restaurant, they didn't know that he had eaten the crystal pork knuckle, but the taste of the crystal pork knuckle still lingered."

"Mastering the keen observation skills of a physiognomist is like having an extra information channel that ordinary people do not have. Knowing what the other party knows, but which one should not know in theory, can naturally amaze people and make them think that the physiognomist can predict the future."

Upon hearing the down-to-earth analogy of "crystal pork knuckle," the fortune teller's brow relaxed instantly: "Well said. Physiognomy is about knowing what people don't know, and fortune telling is just one application of physiognomy."

Qu Jing's confused eyes cleared in an instant, and he clapped his hands and said, "I understand!! Although face reading and fortune telling are not fraudulent, fortune tellers do not actually know the future. The future will evolve in many directions. They just know more information than others, so they can give more reasonable predictions."

Chen Jing nodded: "Young Master, you are indeed exceptionally intelligent, able to draw inferences from one instance to another."

Qu Jing recalled the physiognomy theories taught by the fortune teller and found that the core meaning was similar, but the former had a more elaborate packaging, making it many times more difficult to interpret. He needed to listen to Chen Jing's explanation first in order to fully understand its meaning.

However, another question immediately came to mind, and he continued to ask, "According to Mr. Zhu, fortune telling is based on making reasonable inferences based on known information. The fortune teller said that things without certainty cannot be predicted, so there should be no problem, right?"

"Definite number?"

Chen Jing looked puzzled.

Qu Jing recounted the story of the fortune teller and the beggar.

The story has a simple structure. On the surface, it satirizes the arrogance of two fortune tellers, but in reality, it implies that fortune tellers have limited abilities and that their ability to observe people and appearances is not to see the laws governing the universe.

After hearing the story, Chen Jing couldn't help but examine himself. Was he being too arrogant, considering himself a prophet? However, he quickly dismissed the thought. Even in the real world, he would take the gamble. He couldn't possibly waste several years just to be safe, since he wasn't the protagonist in an immortality story.

Chen Jing gathered his thoughts and explained, "The 'uncertainty' you mentioned can be broken down into two meanings: first, the matter being sought is too big or too small; second, the matter being sought is so small that it can be changed without any burden."

"The more detailed the matter sought, the more complete the information needed. Not to mention the limited computing power of the human brain, there is also an upper limit to the information that physiognomy can glean. Therefore, the more detailed the calculation, the greater the error."

"Calculating the big picture is like throwing a stone. A person who is proficient in numerology can accurately predict where the stone will land. Calculating small things is like throwing a feather. The key to calculating the landing point is no longer the calculation itself, but the control of the wind."

"Since you knew all this, young master, why did you knowingly do the impossible and predict good or bad fortune for ten days?" the fortune teller asked. "To gain fame!!"

“Using physiognomy to tell fortunes for ordinary people, at most it will affect three to five people at a time.”

"Although most people lack their own opinions and tend to follow the crowd, they are more willing to believe in authority and follow the powerful in making the same choices. So as long as the powerful do not believe in me, then the majority of people will not believe in me either."

"In the eyes of the powerful and wealthy, physiognomy has lost its mystique. Only by turning the impossible into the possible can we conquer them," Chen Jing frankly stated.

To gain fame, to turn the impossible into the possible, and to conquer a city with physiognomy.

Is this the kind of outstanding person who wants to be listed on the Tai Sui List? Just hearing about it makes it seem like it won't be easy. Not born into a prominent family, and not born with a particularly auspicious appearance. Difficult, difficult, difficult.

Qu Jing wisely refrained from pressing further. Knowing Chen Jing's identity as a scholar, it was easy to guess his purpose in seeking fame. In the Tai Sui Ranking, reputation was an important reference standard. If one could gain the trust of the people of a city, even without the appearance of an official, one could govern a city well while wearing a mask.

But this is a paradox: a person without good looks can at most have some talent or a less-than-stellar reputation, and it is almost impossible for them to gain a truly convincing and widespread fame.

"........."

Let's skip the topic of calculating the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of ten days.

Qu Jing and Chen Jing continued to exchange ideas on physiognomy. He didn't need to practice physiognomy; as long as he mastered it and couldn't be deceived, that was enough.

Therefore, the exchanges remained at the theoretical level, with Chen Jing providing most of the answers, explaining a problem using down-to-earth analogies, and revealing a part of the core principles of the Wuxiang Secret Manual.

The fortune teller also discovered that although Chen Jing spoke bluntly, his physiognomy skills were not low. He gradually lowered his guard and occasionally chimed in, allowing Chen Jing to make some progress in applying physiognomy.

Dusk.

Chen Jing left Wanjia Restaurant.

Qu Jing, having gained a clear understanding of physiognomy, said, "I finally understand what it means to have a single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study. The young gentleman's explanation of physiognomy is truly excellent. If he were my teacher in physiognomy, I believe I would quickly achieve great success in the field."

The fortune teller shook his head: "His appearance is quite ordinary, not qualified to be the young master's teacher. However, if he can truly turn the impossible into the possible, I might as well recommend him."

Upon hearing this, Qu Jing couldn't help but feel deflated, saying, "That Zhou Qing clearly provoked trouble on purpose. Even if the young master was right, he'll probably deny it."

The fortune teller laughed and said, "If the fortune teller's prediction is auspicious or neutral, there is indeed no hope of winning. But if the prediction is inauspicious or extremely inauspicious, there is still a glimmer of hope. If a great calamity really comes, can Zhou Qing's will change the outcome?"

Qu Jing still held no hope and instructed the guard at the door, "Xu San, send someone to keep an eye on this matter and report the results to me in a timely manner."

"If the young master unfortunately loses, then use your token to protect him, as a way of repaying the kindness of guidance today."

"However, he can only save his teeth, but his reputation will be ruined, and he will never be able to get on the Tai Sui List again. Young master, you took such a risky move to get on the Tai Sui List. I'm afraid that after this blow, there's not much point in living..."

(End of this chapter)