Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 197 - 198: Two Rules

Chapter 197: Chapter 198: Two Rules

After the court meeting concluded, the Jade Emperor returned to the Fragrance Spreading Hall.

Though it seemed the Jade Emperor was indifferent to the departure of the person who initiated the Journey to the West, once he was back in the Fragrance Spreading Hall, he lost interest in watching the Female Immortals dance. Instead, his expression turned rather solemn.

"Summon the Haotian Mirror!"

After a moment of silence, the Jade Emperor commanded loudly.

To those of the Daoist Sect, the Calamity of Measurement that came with the Journey to the West bore no relation to them. However, for the Jade Emperor, it was of the utmost importance.

Only by ensuring the Calamity of Measurement began as scheduled could he hope to seize a chance.

It was essential to find the individual who had initiated it.

Soon, the Haotian Mirror was brought forth.

As a supreme treasure of Ancient Times and a gift bestowed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, how could the Haotian Mirror fail to locate a mere mortal?

"Your Majesty, the Haotian Mirror is here!"

The two celestial strongmen, shouldering the Haotian Mirror, spoke respectfully as they approached.

The Jade Emperor nodded slowly, and with a wave of his hand, a Magical Law was cast. Within an instant, ripples appeared on the Haotian Mirror, and as they spread out,

a series of images emerged, yet strangely, it seemed as if they were shrouded in mist.

"What is going on?"

Seeing that the person he wished to see did not appear in the Haotian Mirror, the Jade Emperor frowned,

and he couldn’t help but feel tense.

The Haotian Mirror, a treasure that could survey the Three Realms, should have made finding a mortal as easy as turning one’s hand.

But now it could not locate him?

With that thought, the Jade Emperor felt an increasing sense of gravity in his heart, even venturing a somewhat bold speculation.

Could it be the work of a Saint?

However, that seemed unlikely. After all, why would a Saint obstruct this matter?

The Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West might not be of great concern to the Daoist Sect, but they would not prevent it either.

The matter was growing more puzzling in the Jade Emperor’s mind.

At that moment, in the Earth Immortal Realm.

Within a mountain of exceptional spirits, a wooden house nestled quietly.

An old Daoist with a crane-like, hunched body and skin like chicken flesh lived there, enjoying his twilight years.

Not far from him, a middle-aged man bore an expression of reluctance.

Ever since he encountered this old Daoist a few years ago, he was astonished, as if

he had met a celestial being wandering the Human World.

He was insistent that the old Daoist should teach him some Mystical and Wondrous Techniques.

And indeed, like an Immortal, the old Daoist imparted some strange methods which allowed the man to predict when rain would fall.

He became known in the area as a Demi Immortal.

Today, however, the old Daoist mentioned he would be leaving,

which made the middle-aged man quite reluctant to part ways.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man stopped in his tracks, turned his head to the old Daoist, and said, "Master, your disciple is foolish and has yet to become accomplished. Moreover, you’re already of advanced years, Master. Why not let your disciple stay by your side to attend to you, and in this way, fulfill his filial duties!"

The middle-aged man spoke with reluctance, for after many years of companionship, he had developed strong affection for the old Daoist and found it hard to let go.

"There is no need for further words. This is the will of the heavens. Our predestined encounter is complete. You should leave early and seek a great enterprise for yourself!"

The old Daoist waved his hand, showing no signs of attachment.

This old Daoist was Wang Yang. After many years of journeying and following the trajectory of the Golden Cicada, he had arrived near the Great Tang.

And this disciple was someone he had taken in along the way to find Golden Cicada, a man of fairly good talent, to whom he had casually taught some Daoist Techniques.

This middle-aged man did not disappoint his expectations and learned quickly, showing a natural aptitude for Mystical and Wondrous Methods.

"Teacher, if it is your will, your disciple dares not disobey. However, today your disciple has had a premonition that misfortune is imminent. I hope Teacher can help divine whether my future holds good or ill fortune to ease my heart before I leave!"

Upon hearing his teacher’s resolute words, the middle-aged man sighed and knew he had no other choice.

He expressed his concerns with the hope that resolving them might allow him to leave in peace.

Of course, if his teacher predicted any significant peril, he might use this opportunity to stay by his side.

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing the middle-aged man’s words, Wang Yang’s heart shook. Indeed, the man was shrewd and exceptionally talented; he was already capable of predicting good and bad luck.

"Well then, since you seek advice now, I cannot refuse. State your worldly name and your time of birth, and I shall divine it for you!"

Seeing that the middle-aged man was unwilling to leave and was asking for this, Wang Yang found it difficult to decline.

It was only at this point, though they had known each other for quite some time, that Wang Yang realized he didn’t even know the other’s name.

After all, Wang Yang had only taught him casually, having met by chance, without intending to create any karma.

And the middle-aged man understood as well that, in the practice of Dao, worldly names didn’t matter.

Taking a deep breath, the middle-aged man finally looked at Wang Yang and slowly said, "Master, my common name is Yuan Shoucheng..."

Afterward, the middle-aged man recited his birth date and time.

Wang Yang could help him divine future fortunes and misfortunes, and he was overjoyed.

With the teacher’s level of skill, it wasn’t something he could even come close to.

"What? You’re called..."

As the man spoke, Wang Yang’s heart skipped a beat, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He had never expected that the person he was teaching was this individual.

When he had first encountered this person, he had already felt the presence of natural anomalies, a hint of involvement with Mystical and Wondrous Techniques. He had originally thought he had met some kind of prodigy, only to find that it was such a character.

Yuan Shoucheng was none other than the person who would initiate the Calamity of Measurement in the Journey to the West. Thinking of this, Wang Yang couldn’t help but feel that he truly had a connection with the Calamity of Measurement in the Journey to the West.

He had intended to go looking for Golden Cicada, yet he had encountered Yuan Shoucheng unexpectedly.

Seeing Wang Yang’s current expression, Yuan Shoucheng was also taken aback.

"Old teacher, I..."

He couldn’t help but wonder if he had done something wrong to upset Wang Yang.

"Hmm, never mind!"

Wang Yang quickly recovered, waved his hand, and indicated that he was fine.

"Just wait, I will divine for you right away!"

Seeing Yuan Shoucheng’s expression, Wang Yang also realized that his own expression was a bit too much and quickly changed the subject.

In order to avoid arousing Yuan Shoucheng’s suspicions, he decided to start divining immediately.

According to the original story, Yuan Shoucheng was just an ordinary person, but he was an extraordinary one indeed.

He could be said to have a genius that reached the heavens and graced the earth.

If placed in Ancient Times, he would be a very formidable character.

However, because his ability to divine was too powerful, often revealing celestial secrets, he incited much discontent within the celestial Court.

And it was precisely the time when the Calamity of Measurement in the Journey to the West began, that Yuan Shoucheng was manipulated by the celestial Court into betting with the Jing River Dragon King.

It was a case of killing two birds with one stone, as the bet officially kicked off the Journey to the West on the part of the celestial Court and the Western Direction.

After losing the bet, Yuan Shoucheng promised not to engage in divination anymore, thereby no longer able to reveal celestial secrets.

Yuan Shoucheng could be said to possess the skill to divine, but in the end, due to the schemes of the celestial Court, he was no longer able to use it.

For someone with such talent, not being able to divine would be a huge tragedy, like having high aspirations but being unable to carry them out.

Fortunately, he had a nephew named Yuan Tiangang, who did inherit his mantle, ensuring that his art of divination did not die out.

"Sigh!"

Thinking about Yuan Shoucheng’s tragic life, Wang Yang couldn’t help but feel a sense of lament.

Everything was inescapable in becoming a pawn.

Yuan Shoucheng’s mistake was being too conspicuous, not realizing the importance of keeping a low profile.

He had wanted to fight against the heavens with his own skill, but this ultimately led to his current predicament.

If he had been as cautious and careful as Wang Yang, he might not have attracted the attention of the celestial Court or been made a scapegoat.

Seeing Yuan Shoucheng, who looked up to him with admiration, Wang Yang couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him.

He was just an ordinary person, yet he had to be schemed against by the celestial Court.

Such treatment was probably unique to him alone.

Hearing Wang Yang’s sigh, Yuan Shoucheng also began to feel nervous and tentatively asked, "Old teacher, have you divined something that...?"

Although Yuan Shoucheng was worried, he took this opportunity to choose to stay here.

"This time when you leave the mountain, you need to remember two things!"

"First, a person should only receive a divination once, and second, you must not make any bets. If you can remember these two points, you might be able to keep yourself safe, otherwise..."

Wang Yang said, shaking his head.

While he empathized with Yuan Shoucheng’s somewhat unfair life, he could only reveal so much, as he couldn’t disclose everything to completely change the Journey to the West, or he might get implicated as well.

So, he could only do his utmost to help Yuan Shoucheng avoid this crisis. Whether he could evade the Calamity was up to his own fortune.

Telling him that he could only help with one divination was also a way to prevent the other party from getting greedy for more benefits and constantly coming back for more divinations.

Of course, in the original story, it was precisely Yuan Shoucheng’s frequent divinations for fishermen, telling them where to find big fish, that brought down misfortune upon him.

Making bets was even worse.

Gambling harms people. As long as Yuan Shoucheng didn’t bet, he naturally wouldn’t end up depressed from losing.

If he didn’t bet with the Jing River Dragon King, the vast world couldn’t contain him.

"Disciple will heed the teacher’s commands!"

Hearing Wang Yang’s words, Yuan Shoucheng’s face showed relief.

He knew these were his old teacher’s sincere advisements, but he was then struck by curiosity.

"But old teacher, this disciple is dull and does not understand why you have set these two rules for me?"

Yuan Shoucheng was naturally willing to follow Wang Yang’s instructions, having already begun divining for the villagers nearby during his study with the old teacher.

However, he was puzzled by these two rules from his teacher.

So he asked for an explanation.