"My last name is Xia," Xia Liang answered truthfully.

"I've heard that you're an excellent fortune-teller, Master," Boss Wan said as he plopped down on the stool. "I wonder if you could take a look at my recent financial luck?"

"I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Wan Fada, and I'm the owner of the Yangtian Transportation Company. I mainly deal in the sand and soil business."

Boss Wan's face was creased with a broad grin. It was no wonder, as he worked in the sand and soil business. Only local tyrants with influence in both the legitimate world and the underworld could monopolize that trade. After all, the sand and soil business was hugely profitable, and many people were eyeing this lucrative prize. Without some solid connections, one simply couldn't get into this line of work.

"Boss Wan, I'm afraid I can't read your fortune," Xia Liang said flatly. He could see a few streaks of gray qi around Wan Fada's "heavenly gate," a sign that this man surely had several deaths on his hands.

"Tsk. Mister Xia, just name your price. I can afford it," Wan Fada said boldly, slapping his thigh. Blondie had told him about Xia Liang, and he'd rushed right over. He was a firm believer in fortune-telling and physiognomy.

"This isn't a matter of money," Xia Liang said, shaking his head. "It's just that you're surrounded by a malevolent aura, Boss Wan. I cannot read it."

"Our Boss Wan is a legitimate businessman! How could he have a malevolent aura? If anything, it's an aura of wealth," Blondie interjected from the side, looking displeased.

"Shut up," Wan Fada barked. "Mister Xia, if my money isn't good enough for you, then I can offer my services. Whatever you need in the future, just come find me. I guarantee I can take care of it for you. Of course, that's on the condition that you read my fortune today." His tone carried an unmistakable threat.

"How can he be so domineering?" someone in the crowd muttered. Others had recognized Wan Fada and knew he was not someone to be trifled with in the Imperial Capital.

"Fine, I'll read your fortune," Xia Liang said, a smile spreading across his face.

Threatening me? Good grief. He must be tired of living.

"Haha! My thanks, Master Xia," Wan Fada laughed boisterously.

Xia Liang leaned back in his chair, toying with a copper coin in his hand as a gleam flashed in his eyes. Wan Fada's fortune was rather complex. A wisp of purple qi lingered intermittently around his "official star," implying he had a close relative who was a high-ranking official. A thick globe of golden wealth-qi enveloped his forehead, indicating he was set to make a huge fortune soon. The source of this wealth-qi was strange, however. According to physiognomy, this Wan Fada was only suited for small, continuous gains; he was not destined for great riches.

This wealth-qi… it's as if someone forcibly pulled it into place, the thought crossed Xia Liang's mind. Wait, could this be a "Fatal Wealth" created by another physiognomist? He gripped the coin tighter.

This "Fatal Wealth," as the name implied, meant acquiring riches that exceeded one's own destiny. The method for altering fate was crude, and if it backfired, death for the recipient was certain.

"Master Xia, what have you discerned?" Wan Fada asked eagerly.

"Your financial luck is flourishing. You're about to come into a large sum of money," Xia Liang said with a smile, though it held a certain coldness. Upon hearing this, Wan Fada's face lit up with joy, as if he had expected Xia Liang to say exactly that.

"Pardon my asking, Boss Wan, but which master altered your fortune?" Xia Liang asked suddenly.

"Mister Xia, you have an exceptional eye," Wan Fada said with a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration. Some time ago, he had met a blind fortune-teller who claimed he could help him make a great fortune. Believing the man had real abilities, he paid a hefty price to have him alter his fate. The blind man told him that his destiny had been changed and that all he had to do was wait for the riches to roll in. Wan Fada hadn't been sure whether to believe the blind man, so he'd decided to get a second opinion. When Xia Liang confirmed he was about to come into a great fortune, he finally felt at ease.

"Mister Xia, if you need anything in the future, just mention my name, Wan Fada. I have some clout here in Qingyun City," he said, thumping his chest.

"Heh, I doubt I'll need it. This one's on the house," Xia Liang scoffed. This crude method of changing one's fate was no different from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. He reckoned Wan Fada didn't have many days left to prance around.

"What do you mean?" Wan Fada asked, sensing a hidden meaning in Xia Liang's words.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

"What? The Shangtong project is being handed over to me!" Wan Fada's eyes widened. "Hahaha, great! I'll be right there!" The corners of his mouth nearly reached his ears.

Hanging up, Wan Fada bowed to Xia Liang and said, "Master, you are truly a divine seer. I have to leave now, but next time, it's my treat. I'll make sure to arrange a proper meal for you."

Xia Liang watched Wan Fada's retreating back with a cold gaze. Just moments ago, he had slightly shifted Wan Fada's destiny. Normally, it wouldn't have a significant impact. But Wan Fada was currently shouldering a "Fatal Wealth." This subtle alteration caused the man's fortune to collapse completely. The side effects of the "Fatal Wealth" erupted instantly.

In Xia Liang's eyes, Wan Fada's face was now shrouded in black, a clear death omen.

Seeing Wan Fada leave, the crowd grew restless once more.

"Master, please read my fortune!"

"I want mine read, too!"

"I'll pay one point for a reading from the Master!"

"That's all for today," Xia Liang said, standing up. He gathered the blue satin cloth from the ground and left with Little Liu Lian.

He clasped his hands behind his back, and the crowd automatically parted to let him pass. He walked through the path with confidence.

"What is fated to be will be; what is not, one must not force," Xia Liang murmured, seemingly to himself.

The crowd heard him and was confused. Was this master philosophizing to himself?

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