Chapter 1395 - 1391

After being rebuffed, Xie Xuzhi’s usually expressionless face twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth.

However, he didn’t dare to express any dissatisfaction. He even had to humbly act submissive.

After all, if Huaiyi True Master gets upset, he could actually hang Xie Xuzhi up and give him a beating—a feeling he didn’t dare to recall.

It’s often said that everything is a matter of comparison. Gu Yuan initially felt like a minor character in front of Huaiyi True Master.

But now, seeing Huaiyi True Master not even giving Boss Xie face, he inexplicably felt that he was being too sensitive before.

Indeed, people often can’t empathize with their past selves.

"Huaiyi True Master, I have something I’d like to consult with you."

Although the Junior Master wasn’t particularly fond of Xie Xuzhi, he understood Xie Xuzhi’s abilities and cunning better than anyone else.

Unless it was really important, Xie Xuzhi wouldn’t waste time coming here.

"Alright, go ahead. But let’s be clear, I might not be able to help."

Xie Xuzhi is the director of the Special Administration Bureau and the real power in the Xie Family. If even he is seeking help, it’s definitely not a trivial matter.

Thus, it’s better to set expectations upfront to avoid leaving room for criticism if unable to assist later.

Xie Xuzhi: ...

He had to admit, Huaiyi True Master’s precautionary approach resembles Yun Ran’s exactly—like a mold copied—no wonder he raised Yun Ran.

"Of course..."

Xie Xuzhi didn’t immediately reveal what he wanted to ask, but first glanced at Gu Yuan.

The look clearly indicated he wanted him to step aside.

This left Gu Yuan speechless; is the boss keeping secrets from him?

Gu Yuan became increasingly curious. After all, Boss Xie’s trust level in him is quite high, not even the top-secret information of the Special Administration Bureau is kept from him.

Thinking of this, Gu Yuan felt he should try to insist: "Boss, I..."

Gu Yuan wanted to argue that his information reserves are quite extensive, and maybe he could provide some decisive news if he stayed.

But Xie Xuzhi just stared at him definitively, with no intention of negotiating.

Gu Yuan: ...

Alright, Boss Xie really has his own secrets now, sigh, he’s just a small wildflower, being overlooked!

"I was just going to say, I’ll wait outside and return to the Capital City with you later."

Even though neglected, Gu Yuan still tried to maintain his dignity, despite facing Huaiyi True Master.

Gu Yuan withdrew from the courtyard, and only then did Xie Xuzhi step forward and enter the pavilion.

"Speak, what’s so secretive that not even your confidant can know?"

Huaiyi True Master was also teasing, having seen through the exchange of looks between Gu Yuan and Xie Xuzhi, and he pointed it out.

"Sit down, are you just going to stand there making me look up at you?"

Xie Xuzhi knew this would happen. When someone dislikes another, they will seize every opportunity to ridicule them.

Yet, Xie Xuzhi dared not mind at all and had to continue to meet Huaiyi True Master with a smile.

Xie Xuzhi sat directly beside the Junior Master, his expression becoming solemn as he immediately voiced his suspicions.

"Although I am not a Xuan Sect person, I know many of its classic texts by heart, and even know many hidden techniques unknown to others.

Lately, I’ve sensed something amiss. I ordered secret investigations into all items around me.

Moreover, I had the Little Paperman check the remnants of any dormant curses on me, but found nothing amiss.

Eventually, I recalled an ancient fragment I once saw. It mentioned that if one has a special contract, and the contracted party encounters trouble, their Qi Fortune will also diminish..."

Back then, Xie Xuzhi willingly chose to share part of his Qi Fortune—even without considering the benefits proposed by the Junior Master.

If his guess is correct, he would rather have Yun Ran safe than worry about depleted Qi Fortune.

Initially, the Junior Master’s expression was indifferent, as if he wouldn’t be affected regardless of what Xie Xuzhi said.

But upon hearing the inquiry concerned Yun Ran, his gaze instantly sharpened.

"Come over here, let me check!"

Xie Xuzhi’s body quickly leaned toward the Junior Master, with only an arm’s length between their foreheads.

The Junior Master’s fingertip lightly touched Xie Xuzhi’s forehead.

In the next moment, above Xie Xuzhi’s head, a red vortex appeared, symbolizing the conduit of Yun Ran and Xie Xuzhi’s Marriage Contract.

At the vortex’s center, a golden thread gleamed dimly, appearing as if it might vanish at any moment.

The Junior Master’s entire demeanor changed abruptly.

He withdrew his finger from Xie Xuzhi’s forehead and then took out several Copper Coins.

Xie Xuzhi didn’t know what was happening specifically and dared not disturb the Junior Master, so he sat quietly observing.

From the Junior Master’s eye shifts to his aura changes, Xie Xuzhi sensed that the situation might truly be dire.

Yet, he could be of no help—which felt frustrating.

Several Copper Coins, akin to playthings, were tossed consecutively in the Junior Master’s hands, landing on the table showing the same Divination sign each time.

"It’s actually an empty hexagram!"

Upon hearing ’empty hexagram,’ Xie Xuzhi’s body shivered slightly, feeling disbelief mixed with extreme concern.

"Did something happen to Yun Ran and them?"

The Junior Master didn’t answer Xie Xuzhi’s question and continued fortune-telling. He had done three readings for Yun Ran, all showing empty hexagrams, so he couldn’t keep divining Yun Ran.

He had to divine on Dragon Spirit and Xuan Chu, who left with Yun Ran.

When divining Dragon Spirit, the first was a Death Divination, with no room for maneuvering.

Continuously divining several empty hexagrams is extremely taxing.

If not for the Junior Master’s resolute nature, he wouldn’t have been able to continue the fortune-telling.

The great Tao fosters fifty, leaving one chance for man—even with a Death Divination, there always remains a chance to break the pattern!

"You go back first; I need to enter seclusion!"

The Junior Master hadn’t the time to reassure Xie Xuzhi, promptly ushering him away.

Yun Ran’s empty hexagram remains unresolved, but the Junior Master insists on tackling Dragon Spirit’s death divination.

The Junior Master spoke, leaving Xie Xuzhi with no room to implore further. With anyone else, he might insist on staying for the outcome; but not with the Junior Master, who provides no leeway.

Ultimately, he arrived with doubts and left with boundless worry.