Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In the bustling corner of the capital's Drunken Immortal Tavern, a ragged young man was shaking his head and muttering to himself. He appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a tattered long robe, yet he had a paper fan tucked into his waist. Despite his disheveled appearance, his eyes shone with an extraordinary brightness.
The neighbors all knew this "madman," who spent his days selling fortunes at the corner of the Drunken Immortal Tavern. Some said he was a fallen scholar, while others claimed he was a wandering sorcerer. However, most people regarded him as a pitiful lunatic, occasionally tossing him a coin to appease him.
"Xu the Madman, what nonsense are you spouting today?" The owner of the Tea House asked casually as she passed by with a tray of tea.
The man known as Xu the Madman grinned widely, waving his paper fan. "What you don’t know, dear lady, is that the stars in the sky can talk! They tell me that this year in the capital, there will be a Serendipitous Encounter!"
"Enough of that," the owner teased. "With your madness, you think you can converse with stars? I wonder where you heard those words from recently."
"Ah, that's quite unjust!" Xu the Madman replied earnestly, shaking his hand. "Tian Ji must not be revealed; it must not be revealed!" After saying this, he resumed his absent-minded muttering.
The owner shook her head and sighed as she turned to leave. Little did she know that at that very moment, the "madman's" gaze sharpened suddenly as he looked far off toward the Qintian Observatory.
At that moment, a commotion arose at the street corner. A group of children rushed over, clamoring together, "Mr. Xu! Mr. Xu! Tell us a story!"
Xu Yuan—this young man known as Xu the Madman—returned to his usual dreamy demeanor and cheerfully pulled out some candies to share with the children. "What story do you want to hear today?"
"Tell us about the stars in the sky!"
"No, no! Tell us about generals fighting battles!"
"I want to hear about immortals!"
Xu Yuan waved his paper fan and suddenly lowered his voice. "Since none of you can guess it, I’ll share a secret with you. Do you know why Venus appeared during the day recently?"
The children fell silent, their eyes wide with anticipation.
"Because..." Xu Yuan said mysteriously, "it is waiting for someone."
"Waiting for whom?" The children asked eagerly.
"Waiting for someone who can understand the thoughts of the stars," Xu Yuan replied as he gazed up at the sky. "Waiting for someone who can unravel Tian Ji."
Just then, a gust of wind blew by, lifting the hem of his tattered robe. It revealed an ancient-looking incense pouch hanging at his waist alongside the paper fan. The pouch bore an indistinct pattern that seemed vaguely similar to the celestial map of the Qintian Observatory.
"Xu the Madman! You’re corrupting these children again!" came a few scoldings from afar as several adults approached to send the kids home.
Xu Yuan smiled without speaking. As he watched the children being called away, he returned to his eccentric self, mumbling again, "Tai Bai shines brightly; Zi Wei loses its glow..."
Yet those bright eyes continued to glance toward the Qintian Observatory as if waiting for something or guarding something.
In the Tea House across the street, the owner watched this scene unfold and couldn't help but murmur to herself, "This madman has become even stranger lately. Previously he spoke of anomalies at Qintian Observatory; now he's babbling about Venus. Could it be...?"
Before she could finish her words, Xu the Madman suddenly stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and walked deeper into the Drunken Immortal Tavern, waving a paper fan. His figure appeared remarkably slender and upright under the sunlight.
Comment 0 Comment Count