An Rugu gave Old Master Wang a cold look, creating an awkward atmosphere in the air.

Master Zhang stroked his snow-white beard, a smile playing on his lips, and tried to smooth things over. “You old rascal, you’re so old, instead of going home to hold your grandchildren, you’re thinking about taking on disciples. You must be bored.”

They’ve been good friends for many years, and their friendship hasn’t faded with time. Instead, like fine wine, it’s become richer and more flavorful with the magic of time.

When they’re alone, they could talk about anything and everything. They were very approachable and didn’t put on airs.

Old Master Wang then took the opportunity to back down, saying, “What you said makes sense.”

Celestial Master Zhang smiled, as if he had thought of something, and said meaningfully, “Hey, don’t you have a phobia of germs and never like shaking hands with others?”

Old Master Wang once told him that he hated handshakes as a way of greeting. But when he was in a meeting, he would inevitably run into some leaders who shook his hand, and he couldn’t very well refuse.

Therefore, he always carried a handkerchief in his pocket. After shaking hands, he could secretly wipe his hands clean.

Old Master Wang paused, his smile freezing on his face, his expression somewhat unnatural. “I’m getting old, I don’t care about these things anymore.”

“…I see.” Master Zhang looked as if he had just realized something. “I’ve heard that even the worst obsession with cleanliness can be cured after taking care of children. Have you stopped being so fastidious after changing your grandson’s diapers so often?”

Old Master Wang’s eyes lit up slightly upon hearing this, but a hint of complaint crossed his face. “Oh yes, my little grandson is really annoying. He’s so dirty, I can’t stand him anymore.”

Master Zhang stroked his beard, turned to the side, looked back at Old Master Wang, and comforted him, “You’re so pitiful. Come on, come on, I recently acquired a fine piece of jade. Can you appraise it for me?”

“Okay.”

Old Master Wang followed closely behind, his gaze seemingly casually glancing at An Rugu.

Before he could speak, Celestial Master Zhang said, “Young friend, come along too. That piece of jade is very beautiful; you must take a good look at it.”

“Okay.” An Rugu nodded in agreement.

At this moment, Lin Chuji and Wei Mingyan heard the commotion and came over.

Upon learning his family’s secret, Wei Mingyan was incredibly excited and eager to talk to this insider again, so he was very attentive. “Celestial Master, may I take a look at that jade?”

Lin Chuji spoke up for him, saying, “His uncle likes to collect jade, and he’s been exposed to it for a while, so he knows a bit about it.”

Celestial Master Zhang glanced at him and did not refuse. “Let’s go.”

The group followed Celestial Master Zhang into the room next door.

Old Master Wang lagged half a step behind An Rugu, walking at the very back. An Rugu’s black hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering slightly like fine satin.

Old Master Wang reached into his pocket with his right hand and stroked the red, silk threads wrapped in a handkerchief.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze dark and unfathomable.

The methods of administering gu poison were food and clothing.

The worm-bird heart gu was even more perverse than ordinary gu grubs. It only needed to stick to clothing and it could pierce the skin in a few seconds, giving people almost no time to react.

There was no better opportunity than now.

Once inside the room, she would be looked after by Celestial Master Zhang, which would only make things even more complicated.

So, as they reached the corner, which was also when people were most relaxed, he quietly took out his handkerchief, lifted a corner, and the red, silk threads crawled out, getting closer and closer to her hair.

The reaching worms were only inches away from the long hair.

They’re almost there!

However, at that moment, a golden flying sword shot towards him, making a sharp whistling sound as it pierced the air, heading straight for his hand.

“Ah!”

Old Master Wang’s finger was cut open, and blood gushed out immediately. His handkerchief lost its support and fell limply to the ground with a soft thud.

Numerous red, silk threads fell to the ground and slithered around like snakes.

A red light flashed in Old Master Wang’s eyes as he looked at his bloodied and mangled fingers, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The movement was so fast that he only saw a flash of golden light and couldn’t tell who did it.

Could it be Celestial Master Zhang? Has he already seen through my identity?

Hearing the commotion, Wei Mingyan was shocked and rushed over, “Old Master Wang, are you alright?”

He was filled with panic and fear. The Celestial Master’s Mansion was supposed to be heavily guarded, but today the poison gu incident had occurred, and now Old Master Wang was attacked.

Who on earth dared to be so bold!

He hurriedly begged the all-powerful Celestial Master Zhang for help, “Celestial Master, you must find this madman and give Old Master Wang an explanation.”

Old Master Wang was not only his benefactor, but also the benefactor of his entire clan.

However, the next second, the ‘madman’ didn’t require anyone to find her; she jumped out on her own.

Ten golden flying swords appeared behind An Rugu. With a wave of her right hand, the golden flying swords flew away instantly, piercing through the clothes worn by Old Master Wang.

‘Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang’.

Before Old Master Wang could react, he had been nailed to the wall.

He was surrounded by flying swords at intervals, pinned down so firmly that he couldn’t move at all.

Everyone: “???”

Wei Mingyan was shocked. Why would An Rugu attack his benefactor?

That’s going too far.

He stared at the dazzling golden light, knowing he couldn’t defeat this opponent, and could only look at the Celestial Master with pleading eyes. “Celestial Master, what exactly is going on?”

However, Celestial Master Zhang seemed to care more about the carved wooden wall than Old Master Wang, and painfully pulled out a few strands of his beard in distress. “My 300-year-old huanghuali wall!”

Liang Weiping: “…”

I Livestream Divination to the World translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

---

T/N: Huanghuali is a type of wood that’s a deep rose color. It was popular as furniture during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is much sought after as an antique. It is now considered Vulnerable status due to over-exploitation.

Shameless plug: if you want to learn more about Chinese culture and its antiques, check out my other translation work, Pearls and Jade Beside Me in the 80’s. That’s where I originally used this photo and info 😂