"I believe you already know the reason I summoned you."
"...As a lowly wretch like myself, the only modest skill I can boast of to others is this little talent for fortune-telling. If you tell me what you desire, I can try putting it to use... but since this also involves reading the heavens' secrets, just in case..."
"You're saying that because it counts as a leakage of heavenly secrets, I should keep in mind that it might not actually come to pass?"
"...My apologies."
It couldn't be helped.
This applied not just to me, but to any other Daoist or spirit creature out there.
Unless they were an immortal who had already ascended, accurate foresight that didn't stray from the mortal realm was simply impossible.
In truth, I'd botched it plenty of times myself. But because it always hit the mark on the truly critical matters, rumors spread that I was uncannily gifted.
"No need to worry so much. I never planned to take your words as gospel anyway. I was just curious after hearing all the talk lately about a master fortune-teller in the martial world."
"...You flatter me."
I wanted to cry.
If I'd known it would come to this, I would've stuck to reading daily horoscopes or love fortunes and called it a day. Why did I have to wander around everywhere, spreading these damn rumors?
"Then... what exactly should I divine for you? Shall I look into the future of the Divine Cult?"
"That will do."
"...Understood."
.
.
.
"The results are in..."
I spoke as I gathered up the eight wooden plaques spread out on the floor.
Explaining the principles of divination or the Eight Trigrams would be a hassle and tire my mouth, so I glossed over it.
"How did it turn out?"
"I see no particular dangers. At least, the plans currently in motion look like they'll resolve without major issues."
"...Is that all?"
The Heavenly Demon's brow furrowed.
This was always tricky.
You tell their fortune as asked, only to say, 'No big problems here. You can keep living just like this,' and they complain there's nothing more to it.
Of course, with all the experience I'd racked up surviving this long, I wasn't about to let it slide.
"If you're sending a large group somewhere, just add twenty more men to it."
In this land of blood and iron, surviving without raw power meant working your mouth just right.
I had no idea what that advice actually meant, in truth.
That's right. It was all smooth talk.
Worried it'll backfire?
No need. Not even fellow fortune-tellers could see through it.
-Gulp.
'Don't shake, don't shake, don't shake, don't shake.'
I held my breath, watching the Heavenly Demon's reaction.
No way she'd spot it, not even as the Heavenly Demon herself.
As long as I didn't give it away.
"Somewhere... Could you be a bit more specific?"
"The more I speak, the greater the leakage of heavenly secrets. I'll say only this much: it's a place where much blood will be shed. Speaking further would render my words meaningless, so I beg your understanding on that, O Heaven of the Divine Cult."
"Hmm..."
The Heavenly Demon tapped her arm with a finger.
My heart was pounding inside, but the cloak shrouding my whole body should have hidden any tells.
This wasn't some ordinary cloak, after all.
The problem was, I had no guarantee it'd fool even the Heavenly Demon.
"Very well. I'll keep it in mind."
'Phew.'
Good. She'd bought it... no, been convinced.
"Well done. You've come a long way, so I've instructed them to prepare generous compensation."
"Oh, no, that's too much. I haven't done much; accepting too much would invite heavenly punishment."
"Nonsense. If you've received something, you must return the favor. No need to refuse."
...Maybe she was a better person than I'd thought.
I've dealt with my share of types who haggled over the price of a simple reading, or insisted true justice meant no payment required.
"...Refusing too vehemently would be rude, so I'll humbly accept."
I clasped my hands in a fist and offered my sincere thanks.
Truth be told, I'd suffered plenty just getting here, and I'd been sweating bullets over whether the Demonic Cult would send me packing empty-handed.
"That said, if it's not too much trouble for you, might I ask one more favor?"
"...Anything you wish."
A customer paying top coin was king.
What could I say no to for the king?
"I have a hobby of enjoying the Way of Wine. If you're amenable, I'd like to share a cup with you."
"...Wine, you say?"
"Word is you're quite the drinker in the Central Plains... or am I mistaken?"
Wine. Of course I loved it.
Expensive wine even more so.
In this world without the internet, it was one of the few pleasures I had.
'The Heavenly Demon's wine...?'
This was wine offered by the Heavenly Demon herself.
No way it was the cheap swill from roadside inns.
-Gulp.
I remembered once, at the Murim Alliance, getting a lucky taste of liquor that cost hundreds of taels in gold per bottle. After that, I couldn't touch the usual inn rot for months.
'Ugh...'
I was torn.
The wine tempted me sorely, but she was the Heavenly Demon. One wrong word while drinking, and I might end up dragged to some dungeon.
Asking for the wine to go would reveal too much greed...
"Our cult has liquors you couldn't find in the Central Plains aplenty. Have you ever tried Western Region wine?"
"Western Region wine...?"
'No way... wine wine?'
After getting into drink in the jianghu, I'd hunted for real wine but given up—it wasn't easy.
And now the Demonic Cult had wine?
"I came by it through chance connections. But the elders took one sip and spat it out, saying it wasn't to their taste. What's the point of rare liquor if no one can appreciate it? To the uncultured palate, even the finest brew is worse than plain water."
"Well said."
Don't snatch it away out of curiosity, grimace through every swallow, then force it down. Just drink water if that's how it is.
I agreed a hundred times over.
"Looks like you're interested in Western wine."
"Long ago, I once tasted some from my master. I loved it, but I had no way to procure more myself..."
"Perfect timing, then."
For the record, my master never gave me wine, of course.
She was Central Plains born and bred—where would she get wine?
I was just bullshitting from memories of my old life.
"As the old saying goes, nothing breaks down walls between people like a drink. Shall we share some drunken truths?"
"An honor, O Heaven of the Divine Cult."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hey now, where do you think you're going, pouring your own cup? Put that bottle down."
"The wine's so good, I got carried away. Forgive my rudeness."
"Hmph. I'll let it slide this time—don't let it happen again."
My head was spinning.
Man, we'd drunk a ton.
The only side dishes were a few meat dumplings, but the wine was that good.
"Puha-!"
"Oho, quite the hearty drinker. You can still down it in one go. And without any martial arts, from what I hear."
"Heh heh, looks can be deceiving—I've beaten peak masters in drinking contests."
"Peak masters, eh?"
"..."
"Just teasing."
My eyelids were growing heavy.
I had real confidence in my drinking, but true martial artists were on another level.
She'd matched me drink for drink—double what I'd had—and the only sign was a slight flush on her cheeks.
That was probably deliberate; if she wanted, she could sober up in an instant.
"That Bloodstained Cloak of yours is quite the marvel. No matter how you slouch, it hides your face completely. Truly supernatural."
To me, martial arts and this cloak were both beyond mortal ken, but Central Plains folk saw it differently.
They took martial arts and formations for granted, but marveled at something like this.
"Think of it as a type of formation."
"Hmm... a formation that fools even my eyes..."
"...Please don't be angry. It was hard-won."
"Well, you have your secrets. I won't pry."
"Thank you..."
"But why go to such lengths to hide your true face? Some circumstance?"
How many times had I fielded that one?
These days, I had to think carefully before answering.
"My face is hideous."
"...?"
"They say it looks like a bean paste block dropped off a roof. Ugly enough that my parents allegedly tossed me out for it."
"...I see."
"Well, this is how the heavens made me. What matters the looks? I eat well, earn well, spend well. If that's not a life without regrets, what is?"
"Quite the optimist. Must be a bitter memory."
It wasn't a lie. I'd heard it before.
"O Heaven of the Divine Cult, fortune-tellers like me live for the moment. We can see others' futures but not our own, so we don't fret over the distant horizon—we savor the now."
"Hm?"
"Take this: I read a man's fortune at a tavern, saving him from a poisoned cup. I jingle the coins he paid me, smile contentedly, and order my own drink. Whether that one's poisoned? No clue."
"You can save others' lives but not your own."
"Exactly. Obsess over the future, and every moment's a death trap. Is there poison in my meal? Will that passing martial artist slit my throat? Might that kid suddenly stab my gut?"
"...A harsh way to live."
"That's why we seize the present. Fools to others, maybe, but it's our way. No savings either—who knows if some blade takes my purse tomorrow? I blow it all that night on booze and gambling."
"..."
"...That's what my master taught me. But I'm still clinging to life, so I hedge my bets a little."
"Pft!"
The Heavenly Demon burst out laughing.
Not her usual subtle smile—this was a full belly laugh at the sudden twist.
"Enjoyed that?"
"Ahaha... You bare your human side so abruptly after serious talk, and it comes off as endearing."
"What else would I be? A demon?"
Heavy talk had no place at the table.
Life was too short for anything but enjoyment.
I hated the rest.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The drinking session was winding down, time to prepare my departure.
Whether I could make it back safely in this state was another question, but overnight at the Demonic Cult? No thanks.
We'd bonded over drinks, sure, but my fear hadn't vanished.
"Heading out already?"
"Yes. I've got another summons waiting tomorrow."
"A pity. I thought I'd found a fine drinking companion for once."
I felt a twinge of regret too.
Customers who paid well, shared fine wine, and kept good company didn't come often.
"Since I'm sorry to go, how about a freebie?"
"A freebie...?"
"Ah, you know—like a bonus to earn another call next time."
"Ho. Another fortune?"
"A popular one back in the Central Plains. I wager even the Heaven of the Divine Cult will approve."
"Aren't you curious about your fated partner?"