I Am Your Natural Enemy

Wen Yan made a phone call to Feng Wei and casually called a car to leave the city.

Entering the Nether Path from the desolate tomb, he traveled all the way to Haidong Prefecture.

Looking for a Temple of the Mazu Empress was incredibly easy for Wen Yan; he effortlessly found the nearest temple.

Early in the morning, the place was already crowded, and people came intermittently.

Especially the fishermen and crew going to sea, it’s customary here to come and pray for a safe return.

Wen Yan followed the crowd into the temple, where everyone could take three sticks of incense for free.

Those who came here were well-behaved; each person only took three sticks, no more.

Here, not to mention anything else, sincerity towards the Mazu Empress is unquestionable.

Even some local criminals, who are dishonest when giving testimony and bragging wildly, would not repeat their claims in front of Mazu.

Wen Yan used his own Yang Energy to light the three sticks of incense and then extinguished them with a wave of his hand. He held the incense in both hands, bowing before the main hall, then held the incense in his right hand while making a gesture similar to a Tao Finger with his left.

He took one stick, placed it in the middle of the incense burner, cleared his mind of distractions, placed another stick on the right side of the center stick, and the third on the left side.

He held his hands in a Tao Finger gesture, bowed deeply, and approached the statue, speaking softly.

”Fuyu Wen Yan, paying respects to the Mazu Empress.

Today, having business, I specifically come to make my report.”

Wen Yan quietly recounted the matter when he encountered someone protected by the Mazu Empress while investigating a case.

He made it clear that he hadn’t done anything, and upon knowing this, he first came to consult with the Mazu Empress.

If the Mazu Empress agreed, he would continue to investigate; if not, he would leave it be.

He had said all the nice things and was courteous where it was due.

After speaking, he took a divination cup, holding it in his palm, and pondered for a while. Once he confirmed his mind was calm, not interfering with the divination, he threw the cup.

Laughing cup.

Laughing cup.

Laughing cup.

Three times in a row, the result was a laughing cup.

Just as Wen Yan was about to continue throwing, a person who looked like a Temple Keeper came out.

”That’s enough.”

The Temple Keeper gestured for Wen Yan to come aside.

Wen Yan set down the divination cup and followed him aside, asking.

”Isn’t it said that if it isn’t three times the Holy Grail, it’s not valid?”

”That’s for others, but it’s different for a cultivator like you.”

”What does this mean?”

”That is for you to understand on your own.”

”What era are we in, stop being so mysterious.”

The Temple Keeper laughed bitterly and provided an answer.

”Because what others say can’t be taken as accurate...”

Wen Yan pointed to the others.

”I saw you just explained the meaning to someone else.”

”What they seek is merely peace of mind. Over long periods, it has become a habit.

Before going to sea, if they don’t visit, their spirits will be uneasy throughout the journey, making them more prone to accidents.

I am essentially a psychologist helping them find peace.

Ultimately, the outcome depends on human effort.

If they focus and their conviction is strong, their chances of success naturally increase.

They seek only this.

But for you, you are a person who imparts teaching.

You’re genuinely asking, asking the Empress for guidance.

I wouldn’t dare to give you an answer. I wouldn’t dare to mislead you.”

”...”

Wen Yan smacked his lips, stymied by the Temple Keeper’s sincerity.

He glanced at the back of his right hand, where the Calamity Protector Water Official Talisman mysteriously appeared.

So, what does the Mazu Empress giving three laughing cups mean?

Is it, ”What did you say? Say it again? I didn’t understand,” or ”Handle it yourself, why ask me.”

”Cultivator, the Empress has already given you an answer, why are you still troubled? Your intentions are sincere, as long as you’re not doing anything wrong, the Empress surely won’t blame you.”

The Temple Keeper, noticing Wen Yan’s confusion, kindly reminded him.

”Thank you for enlightening me.” Wen Yan clasped his hands and expressed his gratitude.

”Cultivator, you misunderstood, I’m not enlightening you, I’m just advising you to do more good deeds.” The Temple Keeper earnestly refused to admit he was interpreting the meaning of the three laughing cups.

Wen Yan chuckled softly and did not continue the debate.

As he walked out the door, he thought about being thankful for something else but didn’t dare randomly bestow blessings; ultimately, he settled on an infallible choice by giving a little incense money.

Meanwhile.

Su Mu boarded the high-speed train to Nanwu County, already on the way.

Zhang Xuewen was just checking tickets and entering the station.

Elsewhere, at the Ye Clan Village in Xiao Xiang County, an elderly man with graying hair was being assisted by a little girl with braided hair, visiting families one by one.

”Your meat isn’t good, too perfunctory.”

”Yours isn’t good either, looks too bad.”

The elderly man wandered the village for over two hours, finally selecting some of the best cured meat and a hairy ham.

The elderly man repeatedly instructed Ye Heishan.

”We must learn to be grateful. Our village doesn’t have much to express thanks.

I saw that young fellow that day truly enjoying his meal, and he likes our village’s cured meat very much.

These are personally selected by me, all the best. You must personally deliver them to him.”

Brother Ye initially considered the convenience of mail services, suggesting they just send them.

But seeing the elder’s serious attitude, he dared not utter a word in opposition.

”Alright, I’ll personally bring them over someday.”

”Treat it as a top priority, keep that in mind.”

The villagers sang and laughed, everyone’s spirit seemed to be blooming.

The curse plaguing them for two thousand years had dissolved overnight; celebrating for three days seemed impossible to stop.

Previously, they didn’t dare to migrate, fearing severing their roots, the complete loss of the village’s bloodline, and worried about descendants enduring their current hardships.

But now, it’s all over, and they’re ready to start anew.