Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 734: 734 tears falling like rain

”I always wanted to help him find his family once he became a bit more lucid, but he kept drifting in and out of clarity, and I couldn’t get a single clue out of him. Moreover, we, the Fang Family, have been lying low here, fearing that the Rong Family might come knocking. We dared not publicize it widely, so the matter was delayed,” Fang Xuemao said helplessly.

Mu Hanyan and the others looked towards Little Linzi, who had just moments before had bright eyes and looked quite mature, but now he stared vacantly at two ants fighting on the ground, his mouth still biting on half a steamed bun, looking utterly foolish and daft.

He seemed to notice that Mu Hanyan and the others were looking at him. He even raised his head and gave them a silly smile before lowering it again, concentrating intently on watching the ants fight.

No one could have imagined that this child, who possessed Innate Divine Strength and was a prodigy, would have this affliction, being clear-headed one moment and foolish the next—indeed, it was as if fate was playing tricks on him.

Seeing him like this made it difficult for Mu Hanyan and the others to say much more.

”By the way Master Qu, did you specifically come here to find your master?” Fang Xuemao asked.

”What?” Qu Shanling looked at Fang Xuemao strangely. He indeed missed his master, but was reluctant to go looking for him, which was why he did not need to travel far and wide asking every acquaintance to break his destined demise, nor would he have signed a twenty-year indenture contract with Mu Hanyan.

Family Head Fang, I haven’t offended you, so why curse me like this? Qu Shanling was thoroughly confused.

”Your master has been gone for half a year; you came too late,” Fang Xuemao continued, unaware of his bafflement.

”What, you’ve seen my master? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Qu Shanling was wide-eyed as he grabbed Fang Xuemao’s arm.

”Twenty years ago I parted from your master, who I respect as a celestial being; how could I possibly be mistaken? Besides, during this recent reunion, we talked about old times; how could there be a mistake?” Fang Xuemao said with a smile.

”It’s impossible, impossible,” Qu Shanling said in disbelief, staring at Fang Xuemao.

His master had died when he was by his side, and it was he who had buried him with his own hands. How could he possibly have come back to life? Suddenly, Qu Shanling’s mind was a whirlwind of confusion.

”What’s impossible? Your master’s thatched cottage that he built behind the village is still there. When he was around, I often had tea with him and chatted about the old times. The cottage is still there, and I often send people to clean it,” Fang Xuemao looked at Qu Shanling strangely, not understanding his agitation.

”Quick, take me to see it, quickly!” Qu Shanling urged anxiously.

”Alright, I’ll take you there now,” Fang Xuemao said, filled with confusion, but still led Qu Shanling towards the back of the village.

Mu Hanyan and the others, aware of Qu Shanling’s matter with his master, were also astonished and followed behind.

Among the shade of the trees, a small stream flowed gently, occasionally emitting a few tinkling sounds of spring. The thatched cottage, built with bamboo walls and thatched roofs next to the spring water, amid the misty air, seemed like a haven from the outside world.

Looking at the cottages, Qu Shanling’s eyes were misty with tears.

”Of course, our life in seclusion in the mountains was also like this, with a cottage and a stream outside,” Qu Shanling reminisced about the past, murmuring.

Coming to the door, Qu Shanling gently pushed open the bamboo door, looking at the bamboo table, bamboo chairs, and a low stool in front of him, his tears fell like rain.

He didn’t need to say much more, for Han Yan and the others could guess that the furnishings inside this room must be exactly like their former home. It seemed Fang Xuemao was right, the one who had lived here was indeed the master of Qu Shanling.

But according to what he had said, wasn’t his master supposed to be dead? And hadn’t he divined his fate right before his death, foretelling his life-threatening trials? Why then would he appear here?

If it had been before, Han Yan would definitely not have believed in resurrection, but now, it no longer seemed so strange. Not to mention Fourth Miss Zhao, she herself had been resurrected. The return of Qu Shanling’s master seemed nothing too extraordinary, merely sparking curiosity.

Seeing Qu Shanling’s tear-streaked face, Fang Xuemao guessed that there was something mysterious going on but didn’t ask further.

”Family Head Fang, did my master say anything before he left?” It took a while for Qu Shanling’s emotions to stabilize. Wiping his reddened eyes, he asked Fang Xuemao.

”Indeed, your master did say a few words before he departed. He said, ’Heaven’s will is hard to defy. If someone attempts to go against heaven, I must act in accordance with it. What can you do to me? Unfortunately, fate is not on our side, and this matter can only be left to those destined.’” Fang Xuemao recounted thoughtfully.

”’Heaven’s will is hard to defy, if someone attempts to go against heaven, I must act in accordance with it, what can you do to me...’” Qu Shanling murmured, his master’s words echoed in his voice, his eyes filled with confusion, his mind even more so.

”Master Qu, the hour is late. I’ll have someone arrange the evening meal; we can talk while we eat,” offered Fang Xuemao.

”There’s no need to be polite, Family Head Fang. We have brought our own dry food. Your family’s youth have sustained serious injuries; go attend to them first. Don’t worry about us; I still have much to think over,” Qu Shanling replied.

”Very well, if you need anything, just come and find me,” Fang Xuemao did not insist. He could see that Qu Shanling’s mental state was greatly disturbed and thus, it wasn’t good to stay and disturb him further.

”Master, why did you deceive me? Do you know how much I have missed you over these years? Since you are not dead, why didn’t you tell me...” As soon as Fang Xuemao left the room, Qu Shanling caressed the furniture, weeping uncontrollably like a child.

Huayue looked at Qu Shanling, her eyes filled with sympathy. Their similar backgrounds made her understand his feelings better than others.

Seeing Qu Shanling’s chest heaving dramatically, Han Yan truly worried that he might become too agitated to breathe.

”Master Qu, if I’m not mistaken, your master faked his death and secluded himself here, certainly out of some unspeakable dilemma,” Han Yan comforted.

”Unspeakable dilemma,” muttered Qu Shanling, lifting his head, his mind clearing slightly.

”You said your master stated that ’Heaven’s will is hard to defy, if someone attempts to go against heaven, I must act in accordance with it, what can you do to me?’ This clearly indicates that he had offended some formidable adversary.

Though he spoke of what they could do to him, he actually lacked confidence and could only flee to avoid calamity. The reason he faked his death was also to protect you,” Han Yan explained.

After hearing Han Yan’s words, Qu Shanling did not respond for a long time. Having bluffed his way through many years to earn the title of Star Divination Master, his mind was certainly sharp. Han Yan’s deduction was something he could have thought of himself, but his emotions were too scattered to focus on it.

”Who exactly wants to harm my master, forcing him to resort to such a desperate measure!” Qu Shanling said through gritted teeth.

”These matters, perhaps we can only know when we find your master in the future,” Han Yan shook her head then continued, ”Right, according to what your master said, it seems he left something here. Since he had to leave, he could only leave it to those who are destined. I think we should start searching for something your master left behind.”

Upon arriving at these cottages, she had sensed the vortex formed by Heaven and Earth Power, centered around these very cottages, quietly converging from all directions.

It was subtle, hence unnoticed by others. If not for her sharp senses, surpassing even those of the Sword Saint, she might not have discovered it.

Han Yan was certain, all this was related to what Qu Shanling’s master had left behind.