Chapter 201: 200: Mere Commoner Presents You with Two Lines

Words : 1400 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 201: Chapter 200: Mere Commoner Presents You with Two Lines “...Face Reading is merely a practice of inferring a person’s fortune, misfortune, prosperity, poverty, or lifespan from their facial features and bone structure. Whether the reading is accurate depends on the details, just like those street God Sticks—how could they gain the trust of those ladies by spouting a few words? Their biggest skill is actually observing the minutiae. Take that scholar, for instance, the clothes he wears are patched, which shows his family isn’t well-off. There’s also a scent of medicine on his person. If he’s not ill, then it must be someone in his family. However, his movements are unrestrained, he speaks with full breath and vigor; without sickness himself, it can only be a family member.” Qin Liuxi paused, then continued, “Combine these observations with his facial features, and once you break it down and reassess his complexion, you’ll be nearly spot on.” Yu Changkong recalled Lin An’s complexion at the time; indeed, it was so. Such a young scholar surely hadn’t yet achieved the cultivation necessary to stand unflinched with Mount Tai collapsing before him. Moreover, when such personal and family fortunes were at stake, it was natural for him to panic upon hearing unfavorable news, and in panic, flaws are exposed. He said with a light smile, “It seems face reading is also a profound knowledge. It’s not just about the reading, but also about observing minutely, combining both aspects.” “That’s right,” Qin Liuxi nodded and chuckled, “However, Face Reading is just a reference; there are many uncertainties in facial features. Whether or not one can change their destiny, and how it transforms, also depends on oneself. Hence, there’s the saying that one’s fate lies in their own hands, depending on how they interpret it.” “My fate is not determined by the heavens,” Yu Changkong muttered under his breath. Qin Liuxi heard it and deeply agreed. Yu Changkong continued, “Just now, I saw a mass of greyish-black Qi hovering above Lin An’s head—is that also because his luck is waning?” Qin Liuxi glanced in that direction and said, “I forgot that you now possess the acquired Heavenly Eye and can see people’s aura. You also aren’t incorrect; when luck is poor, a person’s fate and fortune naturally suffer, and his aura is surely devoid of auspicious signs.” Yu Changkong seemed to have gained some insight, sweeping his gaze across the room, he squinted towards the second floor by the window, where four scholars sat, each with a different aura, yet only one had a faint red aura, while the other two were greyish-white, and one among them was as dark as ink. He couldn’t help but feel a chill. “Does that person’s dark aura signal impending misfortune?” Qin Liuxi looked in that direction and nodded, “His Yintang is darkened, his duplicitous ‘trickster’s gate’ is dark and spotted, there’s a black mole on the root of his nose, and his eyes show promiscuity; this person is a philanderer, and he will soon face imprisonment.” With just one glance, she shifted her gaze, finding such facial characteristics somewhat distasteful. Yu Changkong intended to look closer but felt a slight pain in his eyes, and upon closing them, tears streamed out. He couldn’t help but let out a soft grunt. Seeing this, Qin Liuxi said, “Your Heavenly Eye is acquired and not born out of cultivation. As someone who doesn’t practice cultivation, don’t intentionally use it for Qi Observation. After all, doing so is prying into the Heavenly Secret. If overused, even non-cultivators must suffer the Five Disadvantages and Three Deficiencies, and there’s not much benefit for you.” Yu Changkong was somewhat startled, and with a gesture of his hands, he acknowledged the advice with gratitude. He then looked around again, “This place is quite clean.” By ‘clean,’ he meant that there were no wandering ghosts around. Qin Liuxi replied with a smile, “Bookstores are under the protection of Wenquxing, thus, they possess a righteous energy. Ordinary Wandering Ghosts dare not enter such a place. Books like ‘The Analects’ and ‘The Spring and Autumn Annals’ carry their own righteousness and can perform Exorcism.” Yu Changkong said, “But I’ve also read in unofficial histories and mixed texts that some scholars have been seduced by female ghosts... cough cough.” He momentarily forgot whom he was talking to; mentioning this seemed a bit inappropriate. Just as he thought to amend his words, Qin Liuxi chuckled and said, “That depends on luck. It’s not that scholars inherently have an aura of righteousness that repels all evils; those with low luck may encounter ghosts, and those whose hearts are not steadfast are even more likely to be ensnared.” So, it still depends on one’s own character. As the two quietly discussed Face Reading and supernatural matters, the few scholars over there seemed to have noticed them and spoke amongst themselves, eventually heading their way. In the presence of outsiders, Yu Changkong’s amiable expression vanished, and with one hand behind his back, his demeanor became distant and icy, assuming the airs of an unapproachable noble son, which made him seem all the more formidable. Such a stark contrast in temperament prompted Qin Liuxi to give him another look, his brows faintly stirring. The leader was the young man whom Qin Liuxi had predicted would face imprisonment. He approached and greeted them with clasped hands: “Fellow classmates, my respects. Judging by your bearings, are you scholars preparing for next year’s examination? May I inquire about your esteemed names? Oh, right, my surname is Du, and these fellow scholars—Mr. He, Brother Lu—we are all preparing for next year’s grace examination.” Yu Changkong gave a brief reply: “Yun.” Qin Liuxi smiled faintly: “My surname is Qin.” “Mr. Yun, Mr. Qin,” Scholar Du saluted with another clasped hands gesture: “Shall we move to the third floor to discuss scholarly matters?” His eyes roamed over Qin Liuxi and lingered on Yu Changkong’s face for a moment, his gaze growing more fascinated and sticky when resting on him. Yu Changkong, recalling Qin Liuxi’s words and noticing the lecherous hint in the other’s gaze, suddenly felt goosebumps on his arm and his aura turned icy cold. “There’s no need; we are not scholars, nor are we going to the examination,” he dropped the line and looked towards Qin Liuxi: “Shall we leave?” “Alright.” Scholar Du, hearing his statement of not being a scholar, appeared surprised. Judging by their demeanor and attire, they did not seem like individuals without titles, yet they claimed not to be scholars. Could it be that they were from a rich and noble family that had no need for scholarly titles? A flicker of jealousy and resentment crossed Scholar Du’s eyes, and he reached out to stop them: “Hey, don’t go...” Yu Changkong’s face darkened, glancing over with a cold and sharp stare. Scholar Du’s hand froze mid-air, and he felt intimidated. His family had some wealth, and he had been exposed to society through his mentor, knowing some people didn’t need to say a word; their mere posture could signify they should not be trifled with. Right now, Yu Changkong was that person. Feeling aggrieved, Scholar Du said: “Mr. Yun, we merely wished to sincerely make your acquaintance.” “Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together,” Yu Changkong replied coldly, gently tugging on Qin Liuxi’s sleeve and walking away. Scholar Du could not maintain his composure, his lips tightening as he noticed a glimmer of schadenfreude in the eyes of his peers, and blurted out irritably: “What’s so great about being a mere commoner.” Qin Liuxi chuckled, turned back, and looked at him: “A mere commoner indeed isn’t much, but let me give you some advice: big trouble is coming your way, cherish these days when you’re not a commoner, else I fear you won’t be able to turn things around later!” Scholar Du’s complexion changed. Qin Liuxi then addressed the other scholars named Nian: “There’s no need for pointless socializing, better to devote yourself to your studies, that’s the proper way. I wish you success in next year’s examination!” Upon hearing this, their faces displayed a variety of colorful expressions.

Chapter 201: 200: Mere Commoner Presents You with Two Lines

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