I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 551 - 551 550. Two cups of tea one plate of peanuts_1

Chapter 551: 550. Two cups of tea, one plate of peanuts_1 Chapter 551: 550. Two cups of tea, one plate of peanuts_1 Hearing the other party’s words, Lu Ban took a moment to observe the man.

Neatly groomed hair, sporting a Western-style hat, small sunglasses, wearing a long mandarin coat, and holding a small briefcase—it was an East-meets-West look, somewhat reminiscent of those flamboyant feng shui masters known for their swindling ways.

The moment this impression struck him, Lu Ban immediately identified where he had seen this person before.

Doesn’t he have a great-grandson or a great-great-grandson named He Jiaoyang?

Connecting this to the man’s previous comment about his good eyesight, Lu Ban guessed this must be the current successor of the Yin Yang Eyes in this era.

“Indeed,”

Thus, Lu Ban didn’t hide his identity either, and gave his own name.

“Truthfully, I have absolutely no interest in the position of Mysterious Monarch. My child was just born not long ago, I’m comfortably living at home helping people with feng shui, seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune. There’s no need for me to be here contending with them over this.”

In the teahouse, He Chong ordered a bowl of tea to moisten his throat and also asked for a plate of peanuts, immediately following up with a piece of advice.

We’ve just made each other’s acquaintance and I’d like to offer you some advice—screw being the Mysterious Monarch. In these chaotic times, it’s better to make money honestly at home and tend to your own patch than to get involved in these matters.”

He was quite straightforward and didn’t beat around the bush.

“But the position of Mysterious Monarch seems quite powerful, doesn’t it?”

Lu Ban was curious.

It appeared that these superpowered individuals did not have much interaction on a regular basis, gathering only once every ten years. Possibly, some families had become fully secular, accustomed to the lives of common people, tossing their extraordinary abilities to the back of their minds or using them solely for profit. They were not very clear about the Mysterious Monarch, or this contest.

Lu Ban could conveniently ask away, playing the newbie.

“‘Mysterious’ means something distant and elusive. Originally, anything that doesn’t conform to the common sense of this world is considered ‘mysterious’. The Mysterious Monarch is the ruler of these vain illusions. The emperor just abdicated, how can one sit comfortably as the hidden emperor?”

He Chong took another sip of tea.

“Face and inside?”

Lu Ban felt that this sounded like something out of martial arts novels.

“‘Face’ is what everyone can see—the busy streets, chaotic yet peaceful times,”

He Chong paused as if to create suspense, but quickly spilled the beans.

“Sorry, a bit of professional habit. ‘Inside’, that’s the common folks in the markets, the secrets beneath the alleyways. Even the emperor himself can’t handle those demons and goblins. And the Mysterious Monarch, that’s who reigns over these demons and goblins.”

“Professional habit you say?”

Lu Ban immediately inquired.

“And why aren’t you asking about demons and goblins? Never mind. In our line of feng shui, whether we’re accurate in reading faces or not is beside the point; there are things we simply cannot say carelessly.”

He Chong glanced over at the next table where three people dressed like students sat, seeming to be in discussion about something.

“Even if the other party is truly facing a disaster of bloodshed, his brow blackened, you can’t just tell him to his face. You have to read the room, tell him what he likes to hear. Don’t say everything, don’t conclude the divination prematurely. Otherwise, even if you are truly skilled, your reputation suffers.”

He picked up two peanuts and popped them into his mouth.

“True skills, so you really have the Yin Yang Eyes?”

Lu Ban took up the conversation where the man left off, asking a question.

“So you do know about these things. Sigh, it’s just a minor talent. The He ancestors once studied arts at Wudang and committed a mistake, sentenced to guard the back mountain. They spent their days in the company of goblins and ghouls, and in time, their eyes became Polluted and could see impure beings, hence they were given the title of Yin Yang Eyes.”

He Chong, perhaps because he had recently become a father as well, was in a good mood. Seeing a younger generation like Lu Ban respecting him, he spoke a few extra words.

“You know about the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams, right?”

“I know a little.”

Lu Ban nodded.

“There’s no need to go into detail about the Three Teachings: the Confucians, Buddhists, and Taoists. As for the Nine Streams, there are two interpretations; we adhere to the one about upper, middle, and lower classes. However, that’s just for appearances. In essence, the Nine Streams refer to people like us.”

“The term ‘stream’ implies the flow of water, and that’s why it’s called the Nine Streams. It symbolizes the idea that no matter how mountains and rivers may change, and water divides into channels, the water always remains true to itself. It means that despite the evolution of tradition, there is always something that persists.”

He Chong paused, as if he were about to keep the audience in suspense, but then continued after a brief pause.

“Yin Yang Eyes, storyteller, Paper-cutting Official, Corpse-sewing Craftsman, Star-picking, Mountain-moving Dragon Seeker, and Hundred Miles Walker. These seven schools are what remain today. The rest either fell from grace due to their status during times of dynastic change, or they became hermits, disappearing without a trace. When the Nine Streams dwindled to seven, five, or even fewer, the essence was lost.”

“Are all of these family sects? Do they all have special abilities like you?”

Lu Ban became curious.

He had heard of some of these well-known schools, while others were completely unknown to him. At least in modern times, it seemed these things had either vanished or gone into hiding.

Upon reflection, had he not met He Jiaoyang, he wouldn’t even know that the Yin Yang Eyes existed in this world.

“Pretty much. I inherited the Yin Yang Eyes from my ancestors. As for the storytellers, they teach through classical anecdotes, have silver tongues, and pass down their art from master to disciple. I last saw one ten years ago, and I’m not sure if that old man will come this time.”

“Although the Paper-cutting Official has ‘official’ in the name, they are actually craftsmen. They cut paper exquisitely, as if spirits possessed the objects. Corpse-sewing Craftsmen deal with dead bodies and suppress devils. Star-picking refers to adept thieves who rob the rich to help the poor. Mountain-moving Dragon Seekers, also known as Tomb-Robbing Colonels, are actually tomb raiders. Hundred Miles Walkers operate courier services and can travel a thousand miles in a day.”

He Chong briefly explained these occupations, which all seemed a bit unconventional. Lu Ban felt that they couldn’t just be understood literally. For example, Yin Yang Eyes seemed like the ability to see things from both the yin and yang realms, but in reality, there were no ghosts in this world. The Yin Yang Eyes were a very weakened version of “True Sight,” able to detect the aura of strange entities and respond to “Pollution” from the Foreign Domain.

So, the Paper-cutting Official probably had some special function beyond just cutting paper and window patterns.

It would be great to witness it first-hand.

“By the way, Brother Lu, which stream do you belong to?”

After taking a sip of tea, He Chong asked again.

“Well, I guess I’m an actor, performing for people’s enjoyment.”

Lu Ban casually replied.

“Not one of the old Nine Streams then. Honestly, there’s no need to get involved.”

He Chong advised him once more.

He was probably the first among the Nine Streams to take life easy, and he kept persuading others to do the same.

Lu Ban thought he and Qin Tiantian must have a lot in common.

Suddenly, a wave of applause, cheers, and shouts erupted from below. Looking down, the two saw a car stop at the entrance of the tea house. A man in a suit and top hat, with a slicked-back hair, emerged from the car.

This man was about He Chong’s age but had an air of ease and composure, exuding the confidence of someone who had seen the world. He looked up and caught sight of the two men leaning over the railing from the tea house above.

He took off his hat as a greeting before quickly making his way to the second floor, sitting down at their table as though he was a regular.

“Ah, I can’t help it, I’m just too popular.”

He ordered a cup of tea, chuckling as the waiter hurried back with a nervous air.

“How have you been, Brother He?”

Lu Ban watched the man, feeling he looked somewhat familiar.