Feng Shui Chapter 117: Elevation of Rank and Prestige

Over the past few days, Chen Xiao had not only mapped out the power dynamics within Jin City but had also hired a number of people to spread the word. These ranged from ordinary students to high-level cultivators. Each person wasn’t asked to do much, just casually mention something in conversation.

The message was simple: A feng shui master had arrived in Jin City. He was said to possess remarkable skills, once having been an esteemed guest of the City Lord of Hanshan City, where he solved a major crisis using feng shui.

Those hired to spread the word didn’t need to say much, just casually mention it to three different people, and they would be handsomely paid. Compared to the resource-rich Hanshan City, opportunities to earn like this in Jin City were far fewer, so they were more than willing to participate in something seemingly harmless.

If the news had only circulated among ordinary folk, it would’ve been seen as little more than a local curiosity. But once high-level cultivators began discussing it, it quickly became a notable event among the cultivation circles of Jin City. Everyone knew where Hanshan City was, it's the heart of the Heavenly Realm, a place all cultivators aspired to reach. Not everyone could go there, and even fewer could make a name for themselves.

Through this indirect form of publicity, Chen Xiao managed to firmly establish the concept of a feng shui master as a legitimate and valuable support profession. Once the buzz reached a certain level, he and Xi Yunqing could begin making public appearances.

Due to time constraints, Chen Xiao couldn’t use his previous strategy of setting up a feng shui formation first and letting word-of-mouth grow gradually from a single point outward. Instead, he switched tactics, hiring people to preheat the atmosphere and create anticipation. The downside was that this approach couldn’t withstand too much scrutiny and could easily be seen through. Fortunately, Chen Xiao didn’t allow anyone to exaggerate or praise him excessively. After all, real gold doesn’t fear the test of fire, and his skills were more than solid.

Even so, the supposed abilities of this feng shui master still raised many eyebrows. Techniques like averting misfortune, enhancing prosperity, blessing fertility, and hastening marriage could be seen as understandable. But those involving the Elevation of Rank and Prestige and Burial at the Hour of Tiger, Fortune at the Hour of Rabbit sounded downright fantastical.

Chen Xiao had deliberately asked the hired rumor-spreaders to focus on these two aspects in detail, precisely because they were the ones that resonated most with the desires and ambitions of Jin City’s people.

As the name suggested, Elevation of Rank and Prestige meant that after receiving the feng shui master’s guidance, the client’s status or official position would be elevated. That much, people could still comprehend. But the concept of Burial at the Hour of Tiger, Fortune at the Hour of Rabbit was much harder to believe. Could someone really gain wealth just by burying the deceased at 3–5 a.m. and expecting fortune to follow by 5–7 a.m.? That sounded more like superstition than an actual metaphysical art!

At this moment, Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing were seated in the best restaurant in Jin City. Instead of a private room, they had chosen a semi-private space on the second floor behind a decorative screen, quiet yet close enough to hear the buzz of conversation below.

Their setup allowed them to remain unseen while clearly listening to the ongoing discussions. The diners were animatedly debating whether this so-called "Burial at the Hour of Tiger, Fortune at the Hour of Rabbit" could actually work.

Xi Yunqing could hear everything even more clearly thanks to his cultivation. He shared the same doubts but, true to his considerate nature, never asked Chen Xiao directly. As the elder brother, if Xiao didn’t bring it up, he wouldn’t press him about it.

Luckily, Chen Xiao knew him well enough. He noticed the way Xi Yunqing tilted his head slightly to listen, his expression shifting to one of contemplation, then returning to calm. From that alone, Chen Xiao could guess what was on his mind.

Smiling, Chen Xiao said, “Brother, do you find it hard to believe as well?”

Since the topic had been raised, Xi Yunqing nodded and asked, “Could you enlighten me, Xiao? How exactly does this ‘Burial at the Hour of Tiger, Fortune at the Hour of Rabbit’ work?”

Chen Xiao chuckled. “It would be my pleasure, Brother.” Then his expression turned more serious. “As you already understand, the energy of the land can enhance a person’s fortune. The principle behind this technique lies in the karmic ties between the deceased and their descendants. When someone is buried in a feng shui auspicious spot, their fortune accumulates and is transferred to their descendants through this karmic bond.”

Xi Yunqing immediately grasped the concept. The mysterious workings of karma had eluded countless cultivators for millennia, remaining one of the most profound and unfathomable aspects of the Dao.

He quickly made another connection. “The bond between master and disciple is just as strong as that between parent and child. Wouldn’t that mean this method could also be applied within a sect?”

Chen Xiao was momentarily taken aback. He had honestly never considered that. But this world was very different from the one he came from. Here, a master’s role often carried more weight than that of a father. After all, disciples often spent far more time with their masters than with their parents. The heritage of a sect was even more vital than that of a family. In the past, clan lineage had been everything, but now it was sect legacy that held sway.

After a brief pause, Chen Xiao replied, “In some ways, the karmic bond between master and disciple may even surpass that of foster parent and child. Since adoptive families can pass on lineage and incense offerings, then logically, the same could apply to sects. Still, I haven’t encountered this idea in any of my previous studies, so I can’t say for certain.”

Xi Yunqing, however, nodded with quiet confidence. “I remember you once said that disciples also count as members of one’s lineage. Since feng shui can enhance the prosperity of both households and sects, then by that logic, transferring fortune through karmic ties should also apply to sects.”

Xi Yunqing’s mind worked too fast. Chen Xiao was still trapped in the thinking patterns of his past life, but Xi Yunqing approached things from a completely different angle, presenting new ideas and perspectives that left Chen Xiao repeatedly in awe of his brilliance. This time was no different. After hearing Xi Yunqing’s words, Chen Xiao’s breathing quickened; he was so excited he could barely sit still, feeling the urge to run around somewhere open just to release the energy.

If Xi Yunqing’s judgment was correct, feng shui had enormous potential in this world! Even if it remained a fringe practice and couldn’t directly aid cultivation, no one could afford to ignore its influence anymore. The noble families still held some power, but the cultivation world was dominated by sects.

Though Chen Xiao’s face flushed with excitement, he didn’t want to lose composure in front of Xi Yunqing. He forced himself to take a sip of tea to calm his emotions, when suddenly someone stepped around the screen and approached their table.

There were two people: one walked ahead, bowing low in a humble, guiding manner; the other followed behind, chest out and chin raised, confident, though not arrogant. The one in front looked like a servant, while the one behind, judging by his clothes and bearing, seemed to be a steward or manager of some faction.

The servant smiled obsequiously at the steward-like man and said, “Honorable Supervisor, it’s this person.”

The man addressed as supervisor scrutinized Chen Xiao, then glanced at the silent Xi Yunqing. Calmly, he said, “Are you the feng shui master who’s been making quite a stir recently?”

His tone and gaze toward Chen Xiao were arrogant. Seeing how dismissive he was toward Xi Yunqing, Xi Yunqing’s expression darkened. Without holding back, he unleashed a sharp, piercing glare at the supervisor’s face.

The supervisor was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, no match for a Golden Core cultivator’s presence. Sweat broke out on his forehead; his knees weakened. Inside, he was both shocked and regretful for underestimating these two.

Quickly recovering his composure, the supervisor bowed and apologized respectfully, “Esteemed Immortal Masters, I humbly admit my mistake in not recognizing your greatness. I beg your pardon for any offense caused. Please forgive my ignorance.”

Xi Yunqing remained displeased, and naturally, Chen Xiao stood firmly by his senior brother’s side. He gave the supervisor no favor and said coldly, “Please stand. I am indeed the feng shui master you mentioned. What business do you have with me?”

The supervisor had heard rumors and was half doubtful. He had planned to test Chen Xiao first, if it worked, then he would proceed with the real matter. But now, seeing a Golden Core immortal beside him, all his doubts vanished. He dared not hesitate.

He laid out the purpose straightforwardly: “My master is currently facing a difficult problem and wishes to ask for your help in resolving it.”

Seeing this was a client, Chen Xiao pulled himself together professionally and softened his tone, “What troubles does your master face? Perhaps I can be of assistance.”

The supervisor gritted his teeth. Even if only to avoid offending the Golden Core cultivator here, they had to ask the feng shui master to take a look. Lowering his voice, he said, “It’s not convenient to speak here. Please, Immortal Masters, follow me to another place.”

Chen Xiao looked to Xi Yunqing for his opinion. Xi Yunqing, well aware of how hard Chen Xiao had worked recently, would not object at such a crucial moment. That Chen Xiao would accept his suggestion so readily already pleased him greatly.

The supervisor dismissed the guide and led Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing to a private room on the third floor. The soundproofing was excellent, and with a Golden Core cultivator present, anyone trying to eavesdrop would be immediately noticed. So the supervisor didn’t hold back and revealed everything.

His master’s family name was Hu, a newly appointed noble family of the city lord. They had been fortunate to back the right side during the dynasty’s change and earned merit alongside the new king. After capturing Jin City, they were granted the lordship here. The supervisor’s master wasn’t the city lord but one of the lord’s sons. The old city lord had been a vassal highly valued by the new king. The king wished to entrust him with an important role, so the old lord planned to relinquish his position and go serve at the royal capital.

With the old lord about to be promoted, a problem arose. He had married young and fathered three sons and two daughters. All his sons were outstanding in his eyes, making it difficult for him to decide who should inherit the city lordship.

The supervisor’s master was the youngest and ranked last. Normally, the heir wouldn’t be the eldest but the most capable, certainly not the youngest.

However, the criteria in noble families weren’t rigid; talent and cultivation also counted. Since this was about inheriting the city lordship, a high cultivation level and stable rule were priorities.

The eldest son, though older, was about to break through to the Nascent Soul stage and would enter seclusion indefinitely, which would jeopardize stability. The second son was mature and practical but less talented than the others, likely unable to maintain his cultivation level. The youngest had the best innate talent among the three, favored by the old lord, but the lord feared that making him the heir would hinder his cultivation progress. So he hesitated to decide.

The old lord’s indecision left the three sons anxious and frustrated.