Is Xiao Jiu about to die?
Ye Qiu was startled.
He suddenly recalled that on the way to rescue Xiao Jiu, Ye Wudi had said something similar.
However, Ye Wudi had only heard it from Master Longbrow.
“Old man, Xiao Jiu is perfectly fine. How could he be dying?” Ye Qiu asked.
Master Longbrow smiled and said, “I cast a divination, and it shows Xiao Jiu’s days are numbered.”
Hearing this, Ye Qiu curled his lip and said, “Old man, let’s be honest, how many times have your predictions been accurate?”
Master Longbrow’s smile faded as he said, “Xiao Jiu is truly about to die.”
“If it weren’t for you this time, Xiao Jiu would surely have died in the neighbouring country.”
“Because of your intervention, his fate has been altered, but I can say with certainty that he will still die.”
“At most, he has one year left. If things go poorly, he might be gone within six months!”
Seeing the serious expression on Master Longbrow’s face, which didn’t seem like a jest, Ye Qiu asked, “What’s really going on?”
Master Longbrow explained, “I’ve closely observed Xiao Jiu’s physiognomy before. The aura between his brows carries a strong regal presence, exuding wealth and nobility.”
“In ancient times, someone with his features would surely have been enfeoffed as a king or appointed as a prime minister.”
“Of course, he’s doing quite well now, having been titled Champion Marquis and commanding a million troops. In ancient times, he’d be considered a great general.”
“By all accounts, someone like him shouldn’t have a short life.”
“So, I specifically cast a divination for Xiao Jiu, and the hexagram revealed that his lifespan should be seventy-six years.”
Ye Qiu grew even more puzzled. “Didn’t you just say Xiao Jiu was about to die? Now you’re saying he has seventy-six years. Isn’t that a contradiction?”
Master Longbrow chuckled, “Don’t be impatient. Let me explain slowly.”
“Xiao Jiu was originally destined to live to seventy-six, but he did things that shortened his life, causing Heaven to deduct forty years from his lifespan.”
“The first incident was the Battle of Beigu Pavilion.”
“Xiao Jiu gained fame throughout the army because of that battle, but during it, besides killing enemy soldiers from the neighbouring country, he also killed seven ordinary civilians.”
“Those seven civilians lived near Beigu Pavilion. After the gunfire ceased, they intended to come to Xiao Jiu’s aid.”
“But Xiao Jiu, in a frenzy, mistook them for enemies and killed them.”
“Because of this, ten years were taken from his lifespan.”
Ye Qiu asked, “Why have I never heard of this before?”
“You’d be surprised if you had,” Master Longbrow said. “Xiao Jiu was the sole survivor of the Battle of Beigu Pavilion. He killed countless enemies and was a model for the entire army to emulate. If word got out that he killed civilians, how could he still be a hero?”
Ye Qiu remained unconvinced. “That’s just your side of the story. I don’t believe it.”
At that moment, Ye Wudi spoke up, “Master Longbrow isn’t lying. This is true.”
“After the Battle of Beigu Pavilion, a top-secret report was submitted from the Northern Territory.”
“Only three people saw that report: Elder Tang, the God of War, and my father. I happened to be home at the time and overheard my father mention it.”
“My father said that Hua Nation needed heroes, and Xiao Jiu’s actions were heroic. Though he killed a few civilians, it was excusable under the circumstances.”
Master Longbrow continued, “The second matter is Xiao Jiu’s appointment as Champion Marquis.”
“The title of Champion Marquis is too prestigious, and one’s fortune must be substantial to bear it.”
“In ancient times, those who were named Champion Marquis were all men of remarkable achievements, but none of them met a good end.”
“Though Xiao Jiu is destined for wealth and honour, his fortune is still insufficient, so another ten years were deducted from his lifespan.”
Master Longbrow went on, “The third matter is Xiao Jiu’s ingratitude.”
“Xiao Jiu’s parents died early, and his family was poor. He and his brothers were raised by a one-armed elderly neighbour.”
“The old man had no heirs, so he adopted Xiao Jiu as his godson, sent the brothers to school, and raised them to adulthood.”
“Xiao Jiu once swore that when he grew up, he would care for his godfather in his old age and see to his funeral.”
“But he failed to do so.”
“When his godfather was on his deathbed, he had someone call Xiao Jiu, hoping to see him one last time. At that time, Xiao Jiu had just been named Champion Marquis and was in the capital for the ceremony, so he didn’t return.”
“His godfather passed away with regret, unable to rest in peace.”
“A week later, Xiao Jiu planned to return to see his godfather, but on the way, he learned of his death. Coincidentally, an urgent mission arose, so he returned to the Northern Territory.”
“This act of ingratitude cost him another ten years of life.”
Ye Qiu was astonished, never expecting Xiao Jiu to have such a story.
Master Longbrow added, “As for the fourth matter, it concerns Xiao Jiu’s unfilial conduct.”
“As I mentioned, Xiao Jiu’s parents died early, causing him to suffer greatly in his childhood. Because of this, he harboured resentment towards his late parents.”
“All these years, he has never paid respects to them.”
“Our body and being are gifts from our parents. Without them, how could Xiao Jiu exist in this world?”
“By failing to honour their memory, Xiao Jiu committed a grave act of unfiliality, costing him another ten years of life.”
After hearing this, Ye Qiu’s emotions were complex.
In his mind, Xiao Jiu was a hero through and through, yet he had so many flaws.
But soon, Ye Qiu came to terms with it.
No gold is pure, and no man is perfect.
Who in this world is without faults?
Master Longbrow sighed, “In life, one must never be disloyal, unfilial, unkind, or unjust.”
“Because of these forty years deducted from his lifespan, Xiao Jiu can live only to thirty-six.”
“He was born on the first day of the first lunar month.”
“Next year, on the first day of the first lunar month, Xiao Jiu will turn thirty-six.”
Ye Qiu asked curiously, “Old man, how do you know all these things?”
Master Longbrow laughed heartily, “The mysteries of Heaven must not be revealed.”
Ye Qiu cursed, “Playing the mystic, eh?”
“Little rascal, I’ll tell you one more thing,” Master Longbrow said mysteriously. “Today, I cast another divination, and the hexagram indicates that Xiao Jiu will die by your hand.”
Ye Qiu didn’t believe it at all. “Old man, you’re just spouting nonsense! Xiao Jiu isn’t my enemy. How could he die by my hand?”
Master Longbrow looked helpless. “That’s what the hexagram says.”
“Stop trying to fool me. I don’t buy your nonsense,” Ye Qiu said, leaving Master Longbrow’s room.
Ye Wudi followed him out.
Once outside, Ye Qiu asked quietly, “Third Uncle, do you believe what the old man said?”
Ye Wudi replied, “Better to believe it might be true than to dismiss it entirely.”
Ye Qiu nodded slightly, sharing the same thought, and said, “Third Uncle, if Xiao Jiu is really about to die, you should make preparations in the Northern Territory to prevent any unrest.”
Ye Wudi smiled, “Whether the Northern Territory faces unrest is for Elder Tang and the God of War to worry about, not me.”
Ye Qiu immediately countered, “How can you say it’s not your concern? When the fate of the nation is at stake, every man has a responsibility.”
“Third Uncle, you should plan ahead.”
“Who knows, you might become the next War God of the Northern Territory!”
