TEFSCBSS Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Tarot?

“Uh, are you saying you want me to give you a protective charm? And maybe chant a few days of a purification mantra too?”

Wu Fei looked at Su Li, speechless, unsure what kind of antics his boss was up to this time.

But only a fool would turn down a paying customer. He chuckled. “Sure, but you know how this stuff works—it’s all about fate. My chanting for you won’t have much effect.”

Su Li, of course, knew what he meant. Back in her modern days, she’d studied Tarot cards just to try and get back with some jerk. Although the reconciliation failed, she at least managed to score a free milk tea using a basic divination reading.

This kind of mystical, superstitious stuff—if you don’t offer a little something in return, it’s bad luck for both parties.

So, without hesitation, she pulled out three copper coins from her pouch and handed them to Wu Fei.

Wu Fei was even more speechless.

But whatever. A little money is still money. Times were tough, and it wasn’t like he was getting much from begging or alms. A little here and there would add up. One day, he’d be able to help his senior master enjoy a peaceful retirement.

Now that he’d been paid, Wu Fei resigned himself to his fate and chanted the purification mantra over the little coffin. Afterward, he handed her a protective talisman—one that had been blessed by him long ago and carried deep spiritual power.

Su Li was very satisfied. She tucked the talisman close to her body and started thinking about what new gimmick she could develop to make more money.

From what she remembered about the plot, it wouldn’t be long before an envoy group arrived at the imperial city, followed by the appearance of a mysterious man looking for a wise person to divine the whereabouts of his lost family. Somehow, he’d offend Prime Minister Su, get accused of colluding with the envoys and stealing a map, and end up imprisoned and beheaded.

Poor guy.

Following the logic of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” she decided to help this mysterious man ahead of time and help him dodge Prime Minister Su’s wrath.

Maybe Tarot was a good option?

Even if it was a bit mystical and vague, sometimes it could offer real insight.

Take herself, for example. After she mastered the basics, she used to draw a card every morning before leaving home, just to see if she should buy a lottery ticket that day.

And every time, the reading said, “Don’t bother, you’re not winning anything today.”

Eventually, she gave up buying tickets altogether and ended up saving a lot of money.

So, see? Her Tarot wasn’t useless. This time, she was just going to use it to advise the guy to stay far away from Prime Minister Su. It wasn’t exactly a lie—she had seen glimpses of the plot and outcomes, so her advice had some basis.

With her plan forming in her mind, she summoned Zhao Si and gave him some instructions. Soon, a sign reading Western Divination was hung outside one of the quiet rooms on the first floor. Then she went inside, took out her prepared Tarot deck, and waited for customers.

To make it feel more “authentic,” she even put on a long robe and found a big glass crystal ball.

Placing her hands dramatically on the orb, she intoned, “Dreamlike crystal, show me the past, and reveal the future… keh keh keh~”

…

Wang Bokao, after yesterday’s “mock contest,” had managed to convince Grand Tutor Wang that he needed to “learn the inside story” and “participate in talent recruitment for the good of the realm.” In reality, he was just trying to avoid going back to the academy.

So early the next morning, he grabbed Er Tong and headed for the script shop at West Tower, hoping to catch up on the newest scripts and tabletop games.

But the moment he stepped inside, his eyes landed on a sign that read “Western Divination.”

“Western Divination?” he muttered to himself. “What, like from the west? That place the geography books say has a sea in the sky? Where wolves roam wild and people faint just from setting foot there?”

“Isn’t that where the savages live? And they do divination? I thought it was all about astrology over there?”

They say the stars there are so bright you can pluck them with your hand!

Wait—Su Li knows about that place? And she even mastered their divination methods?

Intrigued, Wang Bokao knocked on the door, eager to see what this was all about.

“Come in,” came a mysterious voice from inside.

Su Li was thrilled—her first customer was here!

…Until she saw it was Wang Bokao. Her excitement immediately crashed and burned. Ugh, bad luck.

But of course, he had no idea.

From the moment he stepped into the room, Wang Bokao felt the difference. It was quiet, mysterious, and dimly lit—only a single candle provided faint light.

Black gauze curtains hung around the room, adding to the eerie vibe.

At one side of the room sat a low table, and behind it a robed figure draped in purple.

The hood was deep, hiding the person’s face. Only a sharp, pale chin was visible, giving off a strangely captivating aura in the gloom.

Without even realizing it, Wang Bokao felt a deep sense of belief.

He quickly shooed Er Tong outside and cautiously sat across from the mysterious figure.

Even if this first customer was a bit unlucky, Su Li still had to put on a show. In a hoarse, raspy voice, she asked, “What do you seek?”

The voice, dry and ancient, sent a shiver down Wang Bokao’s spine. A true master!

He hesitated for a moment, then said, “I want to find out about the whereabouts of a certain woman.”

“Is she still alive?”

Su Li blinked in surprise. Wait, is this part of his hidden storyline? Is this tied to the reason he ends up dying far from home?

She suddenly became more serious.

“Very well.”

“I will now shuffle the deck. After that, you will choose three cards. I will interpret them and tell you what the reading reveals.”

As she spoke, Su Li expertly shuffled the Tarot deck using a classic method and spread it out in front of him.

“Now, choose three cards that resonate with you most.”

“Focus. Hold your question in your mind, and when you feel ready, draw three cards.”

Wang Bokao obediently closed his eyes and silently repeated his question:

Where is she? Is she still alive?

He repeated it three times, then took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and carefully drew three cards.

“Place them in front of you,” Su Li instructed.

She gathered the rest of the deck and flipped the three chosen cards.

The Hanged Man (upright), the Queen of Cups (reversed), and Death (upright).

Whoa. Two Major Arcana.

Su Li paused for a moment.

“As you see, these are Tarot cards from the Western tradition. Each card represents a different image and meaning.”

“This simple three-card spread represents: the past, the present, and the future.”

“Keep in mind, Tarot is meant to help you understand the threads of your situation—it gives you an outsider’s view of cause and effect.”

“But the outcome is not absolute. It can change.”

“It’s merely guidance, highlighting what you should pay attention to. The choices you make after hearing this—how you act, what you decide—should come from your own heart.”

“Don’t rely too much on Tarot. And don’t panic if the message isn’t what you hoped.”

“Nothing is set in stone. The path is always beneath your feet.”