Chapter 109: The Wish to Return the Book

The more they studied the mysterious book, the more astonishing it seemed. Neither Liu Buwen nor Xiao Zhi doubted the book’s magical power, yet each harbored their own calculations in their hearts.

Xiao Zhi continued flipping through the pages until he found one with a torn corner. On the remaining half, the illustration showed half a face, a dragon coiling in the sky, the earth splitting beneath people trapped within, and relatives weeping on both sides. There was an annotation: “The flood dragon does not enter the pass; selling one’s child to buy clothes and grain.”

“Look at this page—half of it is missing, and there’s a dragon too. But no matter how you interpret these signs, they’re all tragic; there’s not a single good omen.”

Liu Buwen seemed to notice this as well. Each image and prophecy was different, but there was always suffering among the common folk.

“You’re right, Brother Xiao Zhi. No matter what the omen is, it seems the ones who suffer are always the common people.”

“Exactly! We haven’t yet figured out how to break these prophecies, but I believe that if time runs out and the events come to pass, no matter how accurate these omens are, they’ll be hindsight at best!” Xiao Zhi said confidently, staring intently at Liu Buwen.

While Liu Buwen pondered the meaning behind Xiao Zhi’s words, Xiao Zhi’s thoughts had already soared into the sky. In this era, simply mastering a craft could only fill one’s belly. But people are strange beings. When Xiao Zhi, Han Chong, and Bamboo Zhang first became outlaws on the mountain, they never thought much beyond hoping each day would pass without fear, that the three of them could stay safe, robbing the rich to aid the poor without committing despicable acts.

Everything good and bad stemmed from Luo Gan. If they hadn’t encountered Luo Gan and Er Hu that day, Han Chong wouldn’t have been injured, nor would he have settled in Anping County. Han Chong wouldn’t have become a courier official, nor hoped for a peaceful life. More importantly, Bamboo Zhang, who had been a lazy talker, transformed into a master chef after going to Tiger’s Nest Pavilion. This greatly changed Xiao Zhi’s mindset. Both elder brothers had made progress, while he was still stuck fiddling with useless wood carvings.

Of course, this too was thanks to Luo Gan. Xiao Zhi had never known what kind of life he truly wanted until meeting Luo Gan, who showed him the dazzling, intoxicating world of pleasure and wealth. Though the beauty was fleeting, once tasted, he was intoxicated and unwilling to stop. Xiao Zhi had experienced the brothel once, living carefree and proud, gazing upon Chang’an’s blossoms and the city’s splendor, deeply captivated. Suddenly, the desire to live and thrive in this city blossomed within him. Yet after that night, he realized the harsh reality: even someone as wealthy as Bai Jin was nothing special in Chang’an; everything had to be rebuilt from scratch.

Thus, Xiao Zhi saw a business opportunity in the “Tui Bei Tu,” a chance to turn his fortunes around. He mulled over how to use these omens to draw people’s attention.

“Buwen, tell me, you’re not interested in making money, right?” Xiao Zhi probed, knowing Liu Buwen well.

“Money can never be fully earned. Why should one’s body and soul be immersed in desire?” Liu Buwen’s gaze was clear, as if naturally occupying the moral high ground, looking down on those driven by selfish motives.

Xiao Zhi slapped his thigh. “Then what if it’s for the people of the world, something that can earn eternal fame? Would you do it?”

Liu Buwen hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Of course. Isn’t winning fame the dream of every scholar? To be remembered by history—that’s the ultimate goal.”

Xiao Zhi said, “In that case, it’s easy. We can plan around this ‘Tui Bei Tu.’ You get fame, I get profit, and no one’s left behind. At the same time, we can use these omens well.”

Liu Buwen asked, “How? Such a big matter—should we discuss it with Brother Luo?”

Xiao Zhi was annoyed by scholars’ endless formalities and polished talk that never led anywhere.

“We’ll definitely tell Brother Luo, but leave it to me. You just prepare.”

Liu Buwen’s lips curled into a sly smile, surprising Xiao Zhi. Previously, the scholar had been reserved, rarely showing such calculating expressions. Xiao Zhi’s heart fluttered.

“Alright, I’ll wait for your good news. I’ll return to the bookstore and fulfill my vow. I hope we both get what we want.”

“No problem—almost guaranteed,” Xiao Zhi replied.

Liu Buwen left, while Xiao Zhi sat inside, focusing intently on every page of the omens, already fantasizing about the good life after selling them.

The bustling market street was crowded. By afternoon, Liu Buwen relied on his memory to find the bookstore from before. He searched the shelves where the “Tui Bei Tu” was sold. Inside, about ten people had gathered, seemingly arguing.

“Shopkeeper, I heard you sell Master Li Chunfeng’s book of omens, but I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find it. Are you scamming us?” a burly man shouted furiously.

The shopkeeper responded calmly and confidently, “There was one before, but you arrived too late. It’s already been taken by a destined person.”

Through the crowd, Liu Buwen saw the shopkeeper smile knowingly without revealing that Liu Buwen was the buyer. Liu Buwen was grateful; had the shopkeeper confessed it was him, it would have caused a bloody scene.

“What? A destined person! Bring them out now, or we’ll tear this place apart!” The burly man signaled his men to surround the shopkeeper.

Liu Buwen realized stepping forward would be useless, and if he didn’t, the shopkeeper might label him a traitor, and the trouble would inevitably come to him.

The shopkeeper slammed the table and shouted angrily, “How dare you! Do you know where you are? This is the most prestigious bookstore in all Chang’an, visited by princes and ministers. Just a few days ago, Lord Zheng Wei Zheng was here! Cause trouble here and you’ll be nothing but bones!”

His roar made them hesitate. “Is that right? Brother over there, do you remember Lord Zheng who stood beside you a few days ago?”

Liu Buwen, nervous, saw all eyes on him and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, it was Lord Zheng standing next to me.”

The burly man grunted, sensing trouble, and led his men away. Once they left, the shopkeeper sighed in relief.

“These are turbulent times.”

Liu Buwen nodded but was only interested in one thing.

“Did you say that the Lord Zheng Wei Zheng really stood beside me a few days ago?”

The shopkeeper replied without hesitation, “Indeed, that was him.”

This news shocked Liu Buwen deeply. Long after, he turned and bowed silently toward the bookshelf where he had bought the book, quietly fulfilling his vow.