Chaos Spirit Field

The Taoist Zhunti now suddenly realized that Buddhism had long fallen into Zhao Zilong's calculations, but now the matter of the Journey to the West has been reported to the Heavenly Dao, and he had no choice but to continue even if it meant cutting off his flesh and blood to give to the Chan Sect.

Time flies, and before long, the young monk Xuanzang of Jinshan Temple has reached eighteen. Meanwhile, a fortune-telling stall has quietly appeared at the gates of Haojing. The stall owner is an elderly man, white-haired, but his eyes are sharp and his spirit is vigorous, a look of wisdom and experience. On a banner beside him are inscribed the words: "I can tell you everything in the world. If it doesn't work, I won't charge you." The handwriting is vigorous and powerful, exuding a sense of confidence and dominance.

This fortune teller's background is quite remarkable. Ten thousand years ago, he presided over the Conferred Gods War. Back then, he set up a stall in Chaoge City and identified the three demons from Xuanyuan Tomb. Later, he traveled to Xiqi, where King Wen, Jichang, held him in high esteem, even personally carrying his sedan chair. Later, he became the adopted father of King Wu, Jifa, earning him immense respect. This man, Jiang Ziya, the instigator of the "Jiang Taigong fishing, catching whoever takes the bait," had come to Haojing to set up a fortune-telling stall.

At this moment, a handsome and imposing young man came to the fortune-telling stall and said to him, "Fortune-teller, tell me your fortune. If you are wrong, I will smash your stall."

Jiang Ziya jokingly said, "Little Junior Brother, you shouldn't bully me like this. You can smash this stall if you want, since you paid for it anyway."

The person who came was Zhao Shanhe. He said, "Brother Jiang, the Buddhist sect's efficiency is too low. It's just a formality. Is it necessary to take it so seriously?"

"Who said it wasn't? Junior Brother, if you're alright, go ahead. The Dragon King of Jing River is here."

Zhao Shanhe replied, "Brother Jiang, go ahead and do your thing. I'll just watch from the side. I don't know what wish the Buddhists made for this foolish dragon that he was so willing to die."

While the two were talking, the middle-aged man transformed by the Dragon King of the Jing River came over and said, "Old man, you are so arrogant that you can calculate everything in the world. Please calculate it for me."

Jiang Ziya said, "Pay first and then I'll tell you the fortune. Ten cents is a good deal. Both Great Zhou currency and RMB are acceptable."

The Great Zhou Coin is the currency issued by the Great Zhou Dynasty, while the RMB is the currency issued by the Zhao Trading Company and can be used in most human countries.

The Dragon King of the Jing River took out ten coins of the Great Zhou Dynasty and placed them on the table in front of Jiang Ziya. He said, "Here is the hexagram. Please calculate my origins first."

Jiang Ziya counted on his fingers in a serious manner and said, "This guest is in a terrible state. He got lost in the river and crawled to the shore. His forehead is black and shiny. I don't think he will live long."

The Dragon King of Jinghe River said angrily, "You liar, you actually cursed me, you are really asking for a beating."

Jiang Ziya sighed and said, "Alas, I didn't listen to the old man's advice, and now I suffer the consequences. I bought one and got two free, but I still don't appreciate it. It's hard to be a good person these days."

The Dragon King of the Jing River took out another ten coins and slapped them on Jiang Ziya's desk. He said, "Old man, calculate the weather in Haojing City tomorrow. If you're wrong, I'll smash your stall."

Jiang Ziya took out a book with the title "Journey to the West" written on the cover. He looked through it carefully and said slowly, "Sir, it will rain tomorrow."

The Dragon King of the Jing River asked, "When will it rain?"

Jiang Ziya remained silent, pointing to the banner with the ten coins written on it for each hexagram. The Dragon King of the Jing River pulled another ten coins from his pocket, this time in RMB, and shouted, "Now you can tell me."

Jiang Ziya put away the twenty coins and said, "Sir, if you have such hard currency, why don't you take it out earlier? Tomorrow at Chen hour, clouds will fall, at Si hour, thunder will sound, at Wu hour, it will rain, and at Wei hour, it will rain heavily. The total amount of water on the ground will be three feet, three inches and forty-eight points."

The Dragon King of Jinghe River showed a sly smile on his face and said, "This is what you said. If it rains tomorrow and the time and number match what you said, I will give you another fifty coins. But if you make any mistake, I will smash your stall, tear down your sign, and drive you out of Haojing City." After saying that, he turned and left, leaving only his back to everyone.

Zhao Shanhe looked at Jiang Ziya and teased, "Brother Jiang, you're being too perfunctory! According to Journey to the West, can this really work?"

Jiang Ziya smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with confidence. He said, "Junior Brother, divination is a waste of virtue. I can't make much from it, so any savings are good. It's just a formality, why bother with it?"

Zhao Shanhe couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He teased, "Brother Jiang, you've really miscalculated this time! Tomorrow is my birthday, and it won't rain in Haojing City no matter what. It looks like your business might be ruined."

Jiang Ziya teased, "Junior brother, this stall should be yours."

Meanwhile, the Dragon King of the Jing River returned to the Jing River Dragon Palace, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the priests to convey his wishes, but they never showed up. He couldn't help but wonder, "Why is this completely different from what the book says? Will it rain tomorrow?"

In the Heavenly Palace, the Emperor of Heaven sat on his throne in the High Heaven Palace, his brow furrowed, his heart filled with gloom. He had merely issued a decree for rain, yet the Four Emperors had unexpectedly opposed it. The reason they gave was bizarre: simply because Zhao Zilong was celebrating his birthday in Gaojing the next day.

The next day at noon, the Dragon King of the Jing River arrived at Haojing. He reached the city gate and found the fortune-telling stall still there. Strangely, the fortune-teller had disappeared. Without a word, he smashed the stall to pieces.

Just as he was feeling elated, a group of guards suddenly appeared and quickly surrounded him. The leading guard said sternly, "You've destroyed other people's property. You'll be fined fifty coins!" The Jinghe Dragon King's eyes widened in disbelief, and he retorted, "I made a bet with him, and he lost. What's wrong with me destroying his stall?"

The head guard replied impatiently, "This stall belongs to the Zhao Company. If it weren't for Mr. Zhao's birthday today, you would have been sent to jail to learn your lesson. Pay the fine and get out of here."

The Dragon King of Jinghe River was furious. He was the governor of the eight rivers and was a guest of honor wherever he went. When had he ever suffered such injustice? He was pointed at and scolded by a group of mortals and was fooled by a liar. He could not help but be furious. So he showed up in his dragon form in broad daylight in Haojing City, determined to tear these mortals into pieces.

The leading guard looked at the ferocious Jinghe Dragon King without the slightest fear and said bluntly, "What a foolish monster! You've run wild in Haojing. You really don't know how to live or die. Ma Liu, quickly get a large basin. This dragon blood is a good thing. I heard it has the effect of nourishing yin and strengthening yang."