Chapter 2075: The Times Have Changed

Ye Chen was stunned, his face filled with disbelief, thinking he must have seen wrong. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but he had indeed been mistaken—there was no one at the window, no Ji Ningshuang smiling at him.

Was it because I missed her so much? Ye Chen lowered his gaze and gave a bitter smile.

It really lived up to that old saying: Think of someone during the day, and dream of them at night.

Ye Chen's dream finally ended just before dawn, his illusory body dissipating as he returned to reality. He opened his eyes on the bed, and though it was just a dream, it felt incredibly real.

After sitting up, Ye Chen remained silent for a long time, pondering the events in the dream.

He wasn't surprised to dream of Da Chu, as this had happened more than once before. What puzzled him was why Ye Fan could see him—the little guy seemed to ignore the boundaries between reality and illusion.

"Senior, are you there?"

As he was thinking, a call came from outside the door.

Ye Chen set aside his thoughts for now, got out of bed, and opened the door to find Xia Lan standing there.

This time, there was no Yang Ge Lao with her—only Xia Lan, holding little Yang Lan in her arms. Clearly, she had come without telling old Yang. The little one seemed not fully awake, lazily nestled in her mother's embrace, yawning repeatedly, wanting to go back to sleep.

"Xia Lan, is something the matter?" Ye Chen asked with a smile.

"I'd like to ask you to check on Lan'er's condition," Xia Lan said hopefully.

"She seems perfectly fine, full of energy," Ye Chen replied with a laugh. He picked a fruit from the tree, wiped it clean, and handed it to little Yang Lan. The moment she saw the treat, her sleepiness vanished, and she perked up. She took it with both hands and scampered off to eat it.

"Please don't hide it from me—if she's not sick, why isn't she growing?" Xia Lan pursed her lips.

"She really isn't sick; it's just that she's been placed under a seal."

"A seal?"

"You should understand that your child with old Yang isn't an ordinary person," Ye Chen said as he sat down. "Placing a seal on her was a necessary measure, done for both your sakes. You just need to know that I won't harm her."

Xia Lan wanted to say more but ultimately held back and left with little Yang Lan.

Watching her walk away, Ye Chen shook his head helplessly. What he had told Xia Lan was half-true and half-false; he hadn't mentioned the matter of Tian Sha Gu Xing, not wanting to add to her worries.

After a simple breakfast, he packed his things and headed out.

That day in Zhu Xian Town, there were many outsiders—some fleeing from trouble, others coming to hide. They brought news from the outside world, such as the wars. The remaining two major warlords had clashed over disagreements, and the flames of battle spread across the Jiangnan region and beyond.

"Ba Wang Xiang Yu and Han Wang Liu Bang—which one do you think will unify the land, you half-immortal?" Yang Xuan asked, holding a wine flask and grinning at Ye Chen.

"In your view, which of them has the destiny of an emperor?" Ye Chen replied.

"Ba Wang seems more reliable," Shangguan Jiu chimed in from the side, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "The land is divided into three parts, with Ba Wang holding two, while Han Wang only has one. In terms of military strength and territory, Ba Wang completely outmatches Han Wang. He deserves to be emperor."

"Your analysis is spot-on—you'd make a great military advisor," Ye Chen said casually.

The two didn't take it to heart and stopped bothering with Ye Chen. They slung their arms around each other and walked off, turning a corner at the street ahead and heading straight to the brothel for some entertainment.

Ye Chen was happy to relax. If someone came for a fortune-telling, he'd do a quick divination; if not, he'd just stand there with his hands tucked in his sleeves, dozing off.

In the days that followed, even more refugees arrived, all trekking over mountains and rivers.

Each group brought updates about the wars, and discussions filled the streets and alleys.

Who would have thought that the battle between Ba Wang and Han Wang would drag on for three whole years?

In the eyes of the world, the one expected to become emperor wasn't Ba Wang Xiang Yu, but the underdog Han Wang. The final unification came with Ba Wang's defeat and suicide, bringing the chaos that had lasted for hundreds of years to an end. Han Wang Liu Bang ruled the realm, establishing the Da Han Dynasty. He was indeed a benevolent ruler—on the first day of his reign, he issued a general amnesty. His decrees were like sweet dew, nourishing the barren land. Countless refugees returned to their hometowns, and after hundreds of years, the land finally had a chance to recover and prosper.

"Your Majesty, the land is unified." In the ancient tomb, Yin Yue Huang Fei murmured softly, gently stroking Qin Xiong's face. Her tender smile was filled with the weight of time.

Once, the man lying on the stone bed like a living corpse had ruled the world and commanded the eight directions.

Now, centuries had passed in the blink of an eye. The former Qin Dynasty was long gone, its emperor forgotten by the world. Only she remained, waiting faithfully. In the wheel of history, they might leave a deep mark, but it was no longer their era.

Zhu Xian Town was bustling with activity, with notices posted on every street.

This time, it wasn't about requisitioning grain but the imperial decree for a general amnesty, which made the people cheer.

"You were right back then—the one who unifies the land has the surname Liu," Yang Ge Lao said with a sigh, standing by the fortune-telling table.

"Nothing escapes my knowledge," Ye Chen said meaningfully.

"How did Ba Wang lose with such overwhelming military superiority?" Shangguan Jiu rubbed his brow in frustration.

"The one who wins the people's hearts wins the world," Ling Feng said with a smile.

The group chatted back and forth, but Ye Chen said nothing more. He simply rested his chin on one hand, quietly gazing at the sky. Another three years had passed; since coming to Zhu Xian Town, he had been there for nine years now. Dynasties had changed, but the person he was waiting for still hadn't arrived. Even today, he didn't know who he was waiting for or how much longer it would take.

In those three years, he had traveled across great rivers and mountains, trying to verify if this ancient star had any cycle of reincarnation. Unfortunately, after journeying through dust and meeting countless people in many places, he never found another identical natal soul.

Dynasties had changed, and so had the times, but the only constant was little Yang Lan. After three more years, the nine-year-old girl still hadn't grown at all, looking just like she did at two or three.

Yang Ge Lao was frantic about it. He could understand slow growth, but this complete lack of growth was baffling.

For that reason, the old man made a point of visiting Ye Chen three times a day, determined to find out what was going on and why she wasn't getting any taller.

Each time he came, Ye Chen would bamboozle him until he was dizzy and confused.

Old Yang Ge Lao was left bewildered, but Xia Lan knew the truth and just kept it to herself.

As for her, it was truly heaven's blessing—she had lived another three years.

Ye Chen had checked her several times; the yin-yang immortal patterns in her body showed no signs of deterioration, meaning she could live a long time, perhaps even longer than Yang Ge Lao. For that, they had to thank the demon woman—though she was evil, she had done something good for once.

In the early morning, Ye Chen had already set up his fortune-telling stall.

Before long, a troop of soldiers arrived, forming two neat lines along the street. They stood as straight as spears, exuding a thick aura of killing intent from the battlefield—it was intimidating, making the people scatter, thinking they were troublemakers.

"We don't fear troublemakers—we have the martial arts legend on our side," the people thought to themselves.

"This kind of formation suggests at least a general," Yang Xuan said, hands in his sleeves.

"Even if the emperor came, it wouldn't matter," Shangguan Jiu said dismissively.

The calmest one was Ye Chen, hands supporting his chin, not interested in the commotion, just looking at the sky—as if he already knew who was coming. He was a half-immortal, after all, knowing everything.

Under everyone's gaze, a carriage pulled by four horses entered Zhu Xian Town. The people were astonished—this was treatment reserved for kings and nobles! That meant the person in the carriage held a status second only to the emperor.

As they watched, a man in a python robe stepped out of the carriage. He was about thirty years old, with the air of great wealth and power. Every gesture carried the authority of a high-ranking official, and his eyes were sharp.

"Him?" Yang Ge Lao exclaimed softly upon seeing him.

"Do you know him?" Yang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I do," the old man said, taking a deep breath. He recalled the events from nine years ago—there had been a down-and-out scholar who came to Ye Chen for a fortune-telling. Ye Chen had given him four words: "king or marquis." He hadn't charged for it, saying to pay later when the prediction came true. Now, that scholar had indeed become a marquis, and he must be here to fulfill his promise.

"Well? Who is he?" Yang Xuan and Shangguan Jiu urged.

"Han Xin," Ling Feng said calmly, answering for Yang Ge Lao. "He's a great general under Han Wang, a once-in-five-hundred-years military genius. He secured half of the Da Han Dynasty's territory and was enfeoffed as the King of Chu. In the past, Ba Wang was defeated by him and forced to commit suicide at the Wu Jiang River after being surrounded at Gai Xia."

"That impressive?" Yang Xuan and Shangguan Jiu both clicked their tongues in amazement.

"Master, I, Han Xin, bow before you." In full view of the people, the former down-and-out scholar, now the King of Chu of the Han Dynasty, bowed respectfully to Ye Chen from three steps away. It was those four words from back then that had propelled his rise, leading him to his current position.

This bow shocked the onlookers and the soldiers on both sides.

A major lord of the Han Dynasty showing such deference to a fortune-teller—what an honor!

"I can't accept the bow of the King of Chu." Ye Chen smiled and stood up, helping Han Xin to his feet. Since the other man was showing respect, he had to respond accordingly. Even as a half-immortal, one should follow local customs, right?

"The junior has prepared a banquet and invites the master to attend," Han Xin said with a smile.

Ye Chen chuckled and waved his hand gently, politely declining. He knew exactly what Han Xin was planning, but he had no interest in wealth and glory. However, he gladly accepted the gifts Han Xin brought—after all, there had been no payment for that fortune-telling back then, so it was like collecting interest. Why not take what was offered? He'd just distribute it to the people later.

In the end, even though a great lord had come in person, he couldn't persuade Ye Chen to go. Han Xin left with regret.

Before departing, Han Xin didn't forget to ask Ye Chen for another divination. Ye Chen had already written it down.

Back then, he had given Han Xin four words;

Today, he gave him four words again.

As the carriage gradually faded into the distance, Han Xin, seated inside, finally took out the divination slip from Ye Chen.

At first glance, the bold four words jumped out: "Retire after success."

Han Xin frowned, staring at it for a long time. These four words were as striking as the "king or marquis" from before, but their meaning was completely opposite. It was urging him to lay down his arms and retire! How could he accept that? He had conquered half of the Han Dynasty's territory—now that the dynasty was established and glory was at hand, why retire after success?