Chapter 39: Ghost Fortune and River Divers

"Ziyu, QianWinter, are you going to Fisherman's Wharf to see the river lanterns tonight?" Zhao Xing asked his two younger brothers as they sat under the pavilion.

"Not going," QianWinter shook his head. "The river lantern festival is really not that interesting. There aren't many young girls, and it's quite eerie. What's there to see? It's not as fun as the Grass Festival or the Spring Society."

"All you think about is looking at girls," Zhao Xing laughed, patting him on the shoulder before turning to Chen Ziyu. "What about you?"

"I'll go, but I might not be able to join you," Chen Ziyu replied. "I have to go with my father to sell lotus lanterns."

The river lanterns, also known as lotus lanterns, are crafted from lotus leaves, clay, water powder, cloth, and painted paper. After being made, the names of deceased relatives are written on the outer layer, with a candle placed in the center. Of course, some lanterns are also used to pray for the living, not just to honor the dead.

Although the festival attracts many people, the atmosphere is rather solemn and rustic. There's not much fun to be had, mostly just eating and sightseeing.

Seeing that neither of them wanted to go, Zhao Xing didn't insist, as he wasn't going there for fun either. He was hoping to make a bit of 'ghost fortune.'

In the Qi Yun Wang Dynasty, the Five Elements Qi Yun theory was popular, with professions like astrologers, diviners, and feng shui masters. However, after the Great Ancestor of the Great Zhou 'unified the world's fate,' the state strengthened its control over the Dao of Fate, cutting these professions down and incorporating them into the 'Temple' system, where Yin gods would manage the fate, increasing blessings and fortune.

In the previous generation, these professions had fallen to the status of 'side jobs' in Zhao Xing's eyes, as the Great Ancestor's reforms had cut into the 'Great Artery.'

In the Qi Yun Dynasty Edition, these three professions belonged to the obscure undercurrent, reduced to 'river and lake tricksters,' barely surviving until the Qi Yun Wang Dynasty collapsed, allowing them to rise again.

But this didn't stop Zhao Xing from trying to make a small fortune.

"The Heavenly Stem shows Seven Killings, but the Na Yin shows wealth," he mused. "If Ding Mao Na Yin Fire, the true Five Elements of the Heavenly Stem belong to wood. Among the Four Stems, seeing Yi Gan is the dry head Gold Ghost. Ding Mao Na Yin Fire can control Yi Geng Metal, hence the name Ghost Fortune."

"Engaging in Ghost Fortune, although it might not yield great benefits, there's no real loss either. Because this is the prosperous time of the Zhou Dynasty, no wandering spirits or wild ghosts can cause trouble," Zhao Xing thought as he glanced at the Evil Dispelling Almanac, then leisurely headed towards Fisherman's Wharf.

He first arrived at a guest pavilion outside Fisherman's Wharf, where many stalls were set up, with vendors selling lotus lanterns and incense.

Zhao Xing casually bought a lantern, just an ordinary item, and then walked towards a group of people squatting nearby.

This group of people, three to five in number, were sitting together drinking tea, with hooks and knives placed beside them. They were a group of 'river divers.'

What are river divers? They are people with excellent swimming skills who specialize in diving underwater to retrieve treasures, usually former fishermen.

The Thirteen Channels of Pinghu connect to the CangLan River, and the East Lake accumulates Yuan Qi over the years. The river currents can give birth to many underwater treasures. First and second-level water treasures are not uncommon, and finding one can feed a person for half a year. If they find a third-level treasure? They could buy a house and become a landlord!

With the constant flow of passenger ships, it's common for tourists or merchant ships to lose valuable items, prompting people to hire divers, thus creating this group of 'river divers.'

Don't be fooled by their rough appearance; they earn much more than Zhao Xing, a small landowner.

Zhao Xing approached the group, cupping his hands and saying, "Gentlemen, are you available for hire?"

A middle-aged strong man, who seemed to be the leader, nodded and said, "We don't take on corpse retrievals, only treasure hunts. If you want to try your luck, we offer long dives, short dives, and one-time buy-and-sell options."

Experienced river divers don't take on corpse or bone retrievals, as they don't want to earn money from such inauspicious tasks.

Zhao Xing nodded, stating his requirements directly: "I need a skilled short diver, starting at dusk and ending before midnight; about three hours, no limit on the number of dives; I'll pay two hundred and fifty coins, including tea and night expenses. However, any findings belong to me, with no profit sharing."

Three hours should be enough. After these three hours, if the Ghost Fortune doesn't manifest, it's unlikely to gain anything. In reality, the only possible time to find treasure is during the 'Ding Mao Hour' within those three hours.

The leader, seeing Zhao Xing's clear intentions and generous offer, nodded and called out, "Xu Lao Ba."

"Hey! Coming!" A robust man not far away, chatting with a few women and showing off his muscles, immediately responded, patting his hands and running over.

"Boss," he greeted.

"This young master wants to try his luck with a short dive, three hours, two hundred and fifty coins including personnel. Any issues?" the leader asked.

"No problem," Xu Lao Ba grinned, patting his chest in front of Zhao Xing. "Young Master, just by looking at me, you can tell I, Xu Lao Ba, will definitely bring you good luck!"

Zhao Xing observed him with the Five Elements Observation, noting his strong lung capacity, much greater than those around him, confirming he was indeed skilled. He nodded, "He'll do."

The leader took out a bamboo slip with carved characters, saying, "The payment needs to be made in advance, and an additional deposit is required. If he returns safely, the deposit will be refunded with this slip. If he meets with an accident, you bear no responsibility, and the deposit will be considered a charitable donation."

"Very reasonable," Zhao Xing nodded, proceeding with the transaction.

With the receipt in hand, Xu Lao Ba joined Zhao Xing, following him closely.

"Young Master, do you also want to rent a boat? I know someone who can give you a ten percent discount. If you have friends, five people can get a twenty percent discount," Xu Lao Ba offered.

Zhao Xing replied, "Just me, renting a small boat will do, no need for a larger one."

Xu Lao Ba wasn't disappointed, as he could still earn a small introduction fee from the small boat.

"Then, Young Master, which lake district do you want to go to? Or perhaps one of the thirteen bay areas? Yesterday, a luminous pearl was found in the West Lake District. I think you might try your luck there," Xu Lao Ba suggested.

Zhao Xing chuckled, "No rush, let's just wander around for now."

Seeing his demeanor, Xu Lao Ba didn't press further, sensing that this master had a plan in mind. He even hoped Zhao Xing would wander more, as fewer dives would be easier on him.

The summer night fell late, and it wasn't until dusk that it was completely dark.

Standing at a high point at Fisherman's Wharf, one could see the lotus lanterns floating on the river, twinkling like stars, forming a continuous stretch.

The commercial street still had some people, mostly selling food, drinks, or lotus lanterns, with fewer entertainment options compared to other festivals.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing's gaze suddenly fell on a familiar figure. "Isn't that the head priest of the Cao Xi Zhenjun Temple? There are quite a few people around him, seems like they're temple officials. I wonder what their assessment content is?"

Since it was still early for the time he was waiting for, and he was here to see the excitement, Zhao Xing naturally moved closer to eavesdrop.

With Yuan Qi infused in his ears, the bustling street noise quickly faded, leaving only the conversation of the head priest and his group audible.

(End of Chapter)