The Taoist's shout was deafening, shaking the eardrums of everyone in the room and nearly frightening their souls away.
No one knew what kind of technique the old Taoist used, but after that loud shout, a swirl of black mist suddenly burst out from the crown of my head. The old Taoist reached out, grabbed it, and stuffed the dark cloud into a wine gourd.
He shook the gourd, took a sip, and praised it enthusiastically: "The soul of a Four-Yang life mixed in wine—now that's a different taste."
Hanging the gourd at his waist, the Taoist told my family, "Let my disciple rest at home for a few days. In three days, I will come to take him away."
With that, the Taoist drifted away, leaving the family stunned and speechless.
Was that it?
Grandma Liu had been at a loss all day, but the Taoist managed what she couldn't in under a minute...
After he left, Grandma Liu carefully examined me and saw that the livor mortis marks on my body had miraculously vanished, my breathing stabilized, and even my high fever had subsided.
"That old Taoist is a master; his methods are incredible," Grandma Liu exclaimed in shock.
"Little Jie is alright?" Grandpa asked, still incredulous.
Grandma Liu nodded firmly. "Yes, the child is completely fine now. After resting a few days, he'll be as lively as ever. It seems his fate was not meant to end. This misfortune turned into a blessing. Since Little Jie will follow that Taoist's teachings, he won't have to fear future calamities; he's bound to turn misfortune into fortune."
Hearing I was safe, the family breathed a collective sigh of relief.
But as soon as they thought about the Taoist coming in three days to take me away and the fact that they wouldn't see me for ten years, worries returned.
Especially Grandpa, who feared he might not live to see me again when that time came, as he was already in his eighties.
Grandma Liu comforted him, assuring that he would live long and that the Taoist must have great powers. She said that following him would teach me many skills.
Grandma Liu was right—I later learned who my master really was.
My master's name is Li Xuantong, the reigning Feng Shui King. His expertise in Feng Shui is unmatched in the world.
Those other visitors to our home were no less impressive—all were renowned figures in the Feng Shui world.
Today, Feng Shui is divided into four major schools: Bazi House School, Xuan Kong School, Yang Gong School, and Jin Suo Yu Guan (Pass-Through Yin-Yang).
The first visitor, the big monk Jue Ming, was the leader of the Bazi House School, founded by the Tang Dynasty monk Yi Xing. This school specializes in calendar astronomy and bases its core theories on the Eight Trigrams paired with Nine Stars, integrating yearly movements of stars with human destinies divided into East Four and West Four groups. It achieves the perfect unity of heaven, earth, and man and reflects the principles of the Hetu and Luoshu diagrams, profound and mysterious.
The old man Shen Xiuyuan was no ordinary figure either—he was the head of the Xuan Kong School. This school emphasizes taking natural environments and landscape forms as the basis, combining the Three Cycles and Qi theories with unique techniques like dragon placement, flying star charts, and mountain sealing to astonishing effect. Its essence deeply mirrors natural laws in heaven and earth.
Yang Gaoyi, the middle-aged man who brought his daughter, was a top figure in the Yang Gong School, founded by Yang Yunsong of the Tang Dynasty, once the Minister of Imperial Protocol. Yang Gong Feng Shui specializes in finding dragons, observing sand, seeking water, setting directions, and fixing positions. Yang's family is a Feng Shui dynasty and a highly respected authority.
The elegant woman in the cheongsam was Ma Yuanling, the greatest master of the Jin Suo Yu Guan school—also called Pass-Through Yin-Yang. This school is famed for its speed and precision in judgments made just by passing by a place, often making instant accurate assessments, hence the name. It is rare and precious, reflecting great mastery.
These four masters hold immense prestige in Feng Shui, nicknamed the Southern Monk, Northern Shen, Eastern Yang, and Western Ma.
They represent irreplaceable status across modern China.
My master is exceptional. There is a saying in the martial world: Southern Monk, Northern Shen, Eastern Yang, Western Ma—but together, they don't match one Li Xuantong.
My master integrates the strengths of all four schools, is a grandmaster of Feng Shui, and pioneered the Qimen (Mystical Gate) School. His Feng Shui achievements are unparalleled, widely recognized by all.
This was why when those four saw my master, they immediately gave up competing for me as a disciple.
They felt their skills weren't his match and lacked the qualification to contend with him.
Those four had been fiercely competing for me as a disciple, but after over a decade of hiding, Li Xuantong unexpectedly appeared, forcing them to concede.
That same night when the Four-Yang Fate old man Wang first targeted me, Grandma Liu was helpless and I was at death's door. The "yellow-skinned ones" and fox spirits worshipped the red moon, producing strange celestial phenomena. Observers saw the anomaly and knew someone with a special fate had been born—hence they all hurried to my home, triggering the day's dramatic events.
In truth, no matter which master I followed, my future would be bright.
But becoming Li Xuantong's disciple was the very best choice.
The day after the Taoist left, I woke up. Though weak, I was alive.
My family was happy but saddened.
During those days at home, my parents and grandpa treated me exceptionally well, buying all sorts of delicacies. I'd never been treated so lovingly before, and it made me feel spoiled.
Yet, I had no idea what was coming next.
My father even considered hiding me away. Since I was alive, when the Taoist came, he could say I'd gone traveling—leaving the Taoist helpless.
But Grandma Liu insisted otherwise. A true man stands between heaven and earth and must keep his word. Once a promise is made, it must be kept.
Though the family was reluctant to part with me, they had no choice.
Three days later, the Taoist truly returned.