Chapter 101: The Abbot is Also a Master of Fortune-Telling

Huo Yuanzhen and Yi Chen arrived at the foot of the mountain, where a crowd had already gathered around a fortune-telling stall.

When they saw Abbot Yi Jie arriving, people initially thought they should let him go first. Many even moved aside to give him space. However, Huo Yuanzhen gestured with his hand to signal that it was fine and encouraged everyone to continue, as he was just there to watch.

The Taoist priest also saw Huo Yuanzhen but did not speak to him, only smiling faintly, his thoughts unknown.

At that moment, a woman walked up and sat down on a chair.

"Daoist, my husband went to the capital to take the imperial examination and should be returning today. Last night, I had a dream. I dreamed of a few things, and I believe they may be related to my husband. Please help me interpret it."

"What did you dream about?"

"I dreamed my husband was planting cabbage on a wall, then it started raining. He was wearing a bamboo hat and holding an umbrella. Finally, I dreamed we were sitting back to back after his return, but I don't know what that means."

The old Taoist thought for a moment and said to the woman, "This dream is not auspicious. Planting cabbage on a wall signifies wasted effort. Rain with a bamboo hat and an umbrella shows unnecessary actions. As for sitting back to back, it probably means separation."

Upon hearing this, the woman became distraught, and tears streamed down her face as she cried loudly, "Oh, this scoundrel! Failing the exam and thinking about abandoning me! When he returns, I'll tear his skin off!"

After the Taoist finished his interpretation, he said, "Dream interpretation is not free; it requires thirty coins."

Though the woman was upset, she had already paid for the fortune-telling and had no choice but to give the coins.

Just as she was about to pay, Huo Yuanzhen suddenly spoke up from the side, "Madam, please allow me to offer my interpretation."

"Abbot, what is it?" the woman asked, confused.

Huo Yuanzhen replied, "I have some understanding of the I Ching and dream interpretation. How about I try interpreting your dream instead?"

"Thank you, Abbot."

The woman, hearing that Abbot Yi Jie would do the interpretation, hesitated to pay the Taoist. After all, Abbot Yi Jie had great renown among the people. While the Taoist had indeed made accurate predictions, his status couldn't compare to the Abbot's.

"Hey, monk! What are you doing here? Do you know how to read fortunes?" the Taoist said, annoyed. Although they were at the entrance of Shaolin Temple, once outside the gates, it was no longer under their jurisdiction. He didn't care much for a Shaolin monk causing trouble.

"Whether I can or not, you'll know after I try," Huo Yuanzhen replied without addressing the Taoist directly, but instead turning to the woman. "From what you've said, I have a different interpretation. Planting cabbage on the wall is actually a sign of success."

The woman's eyes lit up, "Abbot, are you saying my husband will succeed?"

"This news should come soon, and the rain and the umbrella indicate that your husband was prepared, so he will certainly pass the exam. You should await good news."

The woman was overjoyed, nodding enthusiastically. "What about the final part, where we sat back to back?"

Huo Yuanzhen asked, "In your household, who holds more authority, you or your husband?"

The woman hesitated, then replied, "He makes the big decisions, and I handle the small ones."

"Haha," Huo Yuanzhen chuckled. "Has there been no major event in your family?"

The woman nodded, and the people around her laughed.

"In that case, the final part of your dream may not be good. Sitting back to back signifies a reversal of fortunes. It seems your husband will soon take the lead in the family. You should be prepared, as your status in the household may no longer be what it was."

Huo Yuanzhen finished, and the woman joyfully said, "As long as he passes, I'll listen to him."

Before anyone could say more, the Taoist, growing irritated, confronted Huo Yuanzhen. "Hey, monk! You've been talking for so long, but how do you know if he will actually pass? What if he fails? Who will pay for this fortune?"

Huo Yuanzhen looked at the Taoist and calmly responded, "There's no need to rush, Daoist. Keep going with your fortune-telling. If her husband has not sent word within an hour, I will pay for your fortune-telling."

"Fine, monk. This is what you said, so don't blame me if it makes you look foolish."

The Taoist then asked, "Is anyone else here for a reading?"

At that moment, a middle-aged farmer walked up and asked, "Daoist, it's autumn, and I've been drying my grain outside. I'm worried it will rain. Could you help me predict if it will rain soon?"

The Taoist waved his hand dismissively, "What time is it? No rain will come. You can safely dry your grain."

Just as the farmer was about to thank him and leave, Huo Yuanzhen suddenly spoke up. "This man should hurry and bring in your grain. It will rain within the next hour."

The farmer hadn't said a word yet when the Taoist burst into laughter. "The sky is clear. Where will the rain come from? You're just spouting nonsense, monk! If it doesn't rain, what will you say?"

Ignoring the Taoist, Huo Yuanzhen turned to the farmer. "Hurry, there's still time. Otherwise, you'll suffer a loss."

The farmer hesitated for a moment, then decided to trust the Abbot. He quickly ran home, and several others who had been drying grain also left with him.

Yet, many remained to see what would happen, curious to see if the Abbot's prediction was as accurate as usual, or if the Taoist priest would prove more accurate.

The Taoist asked a few more times, but no one else came for a reading.

At that point, Huo Yuanzhen spoke again, "Daoist, would you like me to read your fortune?"

The Taoist looked at him dismissively. "You don't have that skill."

"Whether I have it or not, you'll find out soon," Huo Yuanzhen responded. "Your forehead is dark, indicating your journey ahead will not go smoothly. Your gaze is vacant, suggesting you will soon face a beating. You speak incoherently, indicating you will suffer humiliation. I advise you, Daoist, not to reveal your sect's name, or else you will become a laughingstock in the future."

The Taoist burst into laughter. "Little monk, you're too arrogant. I've been reading fortunes here and have earned the respect of everyone. Just because you say a few words doesn't mean it will come true."

Huo Yuanzhen glanced behind the Taoist. "Daoist, I'm thirsty. Could you cut open one of your watermelons and let me drink?"

"That's a small thing."

The Taoist had three watermelons behind him, bought from a nearby melon field. He brought one out and placed it on the table.

Just as he was about to cut it, Huo Yuanzhen waved his hand. "This watermelon doesn't seem right. Could you exchange it for another?"

The Taoist was momentarily startled, then his expression turned wary, but he still grabbed another watermelon.

Huo Yuanzhen shook his head. "I think the last watermelon looks fine. I'll take that one."

"Little monk, you're too picky. I'm giving you a watermelon; it's not enough?" The Taoist barked, but his tone carried a hint of nervousness.

At that moment, several fast horses appeared, with one rider calling out from a distance, "Wife! Are you here?"

The woman from earlier instantly recognized the voice and called out, "I'm here!"

The crowd watched as the woman's husband arrived on horseback, surprising everyone. The once ordinary scholar was now dressed in a red robe, adorned with a crown, and looking every bit the newly appointed top scholar.

The man approached the woman but didn't immediately dismount. With a joyful expression, he called out, "Wife, I've passed the imperial exam and been appointed as a Jinshi. The emperor has sent for me to serve in Jiangnan. Let's go!"

The woman, overjoyed but also slightly dissatisfied, said, "You fool! You've become a top scholar, and yet you sit on your horse talking to me? Get down now!"

The man snorted coldly. "Xiao Yu, don't be ungrateful. If you want to come with me to Jiangnan, hurry up. Otherwise, I'm leaving without you."

The woman immediately fell silent, realizing her husband was no longer the man he used to be. She quickly followed him, meekly.

As they left, the woman called back to Huo Yuanzhen, "Abbot, you truly are amazing. My husband has really turned his fortunes around."

People congratulated the new top scholar, and once he left, they turned their gazes to Huo Yuanzhen, thinking to themselves that the Abbot really was remarkable. His predictions never missed.

The Taoist priest stood stunned for a long while before suddenly shouting, "No! This can't be right! There's no way it's this coincidental. How could you predict this person's success and his return? You must have arranged this beforehand!"

Some in the crowd agreed with him. After all, it was suspicious that Huo Yuanzhen had predicted the scholar's return and success, especially since the scholar was still twenty miles away when Huo Yuanzhen made the prediction.

"Amitabha, a monk does not speak falsehoods. Even if I had arranged this, wasn't it still wrong on your part?" Huo Yuanzhen said.

"That's not certain. Maybe this top scholar is fake!" the Taoist retorted.

One villager spoke up, "No, I know him. He really went to the capital for the exam."

"Hmph! I won't believe your words. This monk must have arranged it all. I didn't make a mistake in my prediction!" the Taoist said vehemently.

While the Taoist was arguing, a drop of water fell onto his face.

"Who! Who spat on my face?" the Taoist yelled.

Suddenly, he froze, as if he remembered something, and slowly looked up at the sky.

Somewhere along the way, dark clouds had gathered, and a gust of wind blew. A few drops of water began to fall from the sky. Though it wasn't a heavy rain, it was undoubtedly rain!