My scheme for Madam Dong was a momentary lapse into greed. The yin feng shui array, evolved from Maoshan's spirit - gathering technique, would bring trouble—but that's for later...
Shortly after Madam Dong left, a middle - aged man hovered outside, hesitant to enter. Though Zhao Na didn't charge rent, I couldn't idle. Earning 7,500 yuan from Madam Dong put me in high spirits, so I approached him. "Sir, need a fortune - telling?"
Studying him: pale cheeks, green between the brows, dark clouds on his forehead. Crow's - feet told me he'd wept recently—death in the family, the himself in danger.
"Is this a feng shui dojo?" he asked uncertainly.
"Yes. Fortune - telling or curse - breaking?"
"Curse - breaking!" He eyed me. "An old man on the street said he couldn't help me, that a master opened a dojo here. Seeing that woman leave, I wanted to enter, but feared I couldn't afford it."
I realized Old Wang had referred him, passing the case he couldn't handle. Yi Zhai's luxurious decor signaled a high - end feng shui venue, yet this man dressed plainly, mud on his shoes—rare in Shenyang, suggesting he was a suburban vegetable farmer.
Smiling, I ushered him in. "Since you're here, come in and talk."
Seated across from me on rosewood chairs, he asked, "Is the master here today?"
Suppressing a sigh, I smiled. "I am the master."
"You? But you're so young!" He gaped, clearly distrustful. Fair enough—who'd trust a young "master" in cheap sportswear? Zhao Na had urged me to dress better, but I relied on skill, not appearance.
"Nope, you're right." I stayed patient. First meetings often bred doubt.
"Sorry, sorry!" He apologized. "In my village, spirit mediums are all old. Never seen anyone like you."
I knew he meant rural chu ma xian (spirit mediums channeling animal spirits like foxes, snakes, weasels). These "horse - riding" mediums, led by the Four Great Clans (Fox, Weasel, Python, Snake), had faded since the Cultural Revolution.
"No problem. Tell me your trouble and see if I can help." I meant it.
But he stalled, smiling. "First, let me test your skills with a reading."
Ah, he wanted to challenge me. Back on the street, I'd dared write "1,000 Gold Coins per Reading." Normally, I'd ignore such skepticism, but business was business. "Fine, but my fee is steep—1,000 yuan if accurate, free if not. Curse - breaking requires an onsite visit."
"So expensive!" He hesitated. Seeing his death qi overwhelming life qi, I softened.
Sighing, mindful of my recent karma, I said, "Tell you what. I'll read your fortune for free, no answers included."