Feng Shui Chapter 102: The Title

“What is this?” Chen Xiao cried out in surprise, unable to contain his reaction. His outburst drew the attention of the others at the table. Seated beside him, Xi Yunqing reached out and gently took the identity token from his hands. After glancing at it, he too showed a trace of astonishment, though always composed, he merely raised an eyebrow.

Tong Nuonuo, who was sitting next to Xi Yunqing, leaned over eagerly and asked in a slightly ingratiating tone, “Fellow Daoist Xi, may I take a look too?”

Xi Yunqing handed the token directly to him. After Tong Nuonuo had seen it, he passed it to Du Rong. The token made its way around the table until it finally landed in the hands of City Lord Han.

Han Yuanchun hadn’t known that Han Yuanzhi had prepared such an identity token. He patted his younger brother’s shoulder and said admiringly, “You really are more thoughtful than I am.”

Han Yuanzhi replied modestly, “Unlike big brother, who holds the purse strings, I have to make do with using my brain.”

Chi Yilan gave him a teasing look, her lips curved in a quiet smile. “He only has this small bit of authority to help Master Chen in this way,” she said.

Chen Xiao had no idea what it truly meant to have the title “Feng Shui Master” added to the token, nor what kind of effort Han Yuanzhi had gone through to make it happen. But Xi Yunqing understood perfectly. Since his friend was unaware and unsure how to respond, he stood up to speak on his behalf.

With great formality, Xi Yunqing raised his cup and stood, offering a toast to Han Yuanzhi. “Steward Han, you’ve gone to considerable lengths. What my brother Xiao has accomplished doesn’t compare to even a tenth of what you’ve done. The two of us owe you a great debt. Thank you!”

Only then did Chen Xiao realize the significance of those three small words on the token. He quickly stood and raised his cup alongside Xi Yunqing. “Many thanks, Steward Han!”

Han Yuanzhi also stood, visibly moved. “You two are too kind! What Master Chen has done for my wife and me is a debt we could never repay with mere favors like this.”

Seeing them so busy thanking each other, Han Yuanchun stepped in to ease the atmosphere. “Alright, enough with the pleasantries. Let’s drink this toast and get back to the food, that’s what really matters.”

With that, the three of them drained their cups and sat down again. Chen Xiao was still confused, so Xi Yunqing began to explain as much to him as to confirm things with Han Yuanzhi.

“A title officially recorded on an identity token signifies a recognized secondary profession,” he said. “It has to be approved by the Zhishi Hall. Once that’s done, it’s equivalent to recognition by the entire cultivation world. With a title like that on your token, you’re officially qualified in that field. Brother Xiao, from this day forward, ‘Feng Shui Master’ is a formally recognized supporting profession in the world of cultivation.”

To be honest, Han Yuanzhi had definitely made use of his position as a steward in Zhishi Hall to pull a few strings. Typically, only disciplines directly benefiting cultivators, like alchemy, artifact forging, talisman crafting, beast taming, and mechanisms, were recognized as legitimate supporting professions. Feng Shui, no matter how unusual or effective, had always been considered a fringe technique, unrelated to cultivation. While such obscure arts existed, none had ever been formally acknowledged with an official title.

Han Yuanzhi nodded and added, “That’s right. I’ve already compiled a clear document outlining the scope and application of Feng Shui techniques and submitted it for classification to the higher-level branch. While I can’t guarantee approval at all levels, at the very least, branches below the Tianjing realm will begin to include Feng Shui Master as an official title. From now on, Master Chen’s practice will no longer be seen as groundless.”

Their explanations finally brought clarity to Chen Xiao. Those three characters on the token weren’t just a label, they made the difference between being certified and uncertified. Without the title, no matter how many notices he posted in the Help Hall offering his services, he would’ve been seen as an unlicensed nobody. Even if someone took a look, they wouldn’t feel confident in hiring him. But now, with official recognition stamped on the token by Zhishi Hall, people would believe in his skills, even if they didn’t fully understand them.

For a moment, Chen Xiao was overwhelmed. In his previous life, it had taken years of bureaucratic red tape before Feng Shui practitioners were officially recognized by the state. He never imagined he’d gain public legitimacy so quickly in this world. He now realized just how much this new identity token could help him in the future.

The joy was immense, too immense. Chen Xiao couldn’t contain his gratitude and thanked Han Yuanzhi repeatedly. In the end, the two of them got drunk and had to be carried back to their rooms. Even in his sleep, Chen Xiao’s lips curled into a smile, showing just how genuinely happy he was.

Whether Han Yuanzhi did this because he believed in Feng Shui or simply wanted to repay kindness, Chen Xiao made a silent vow: he would never let Han Yuanzhi regret opening this back door for him. Recognition was just the first step. It didn’t matter if only the lower branches of Zhishi Hall knew about it, he would make sure that one day, the title of Feng Shui Master would be known across greater and more powerful realms.

The next morning, Chen Xiao woke up full of energy and purpose. He went straight to Xi Yunqing and said enthusiastically, “Brother, I promised to travel with you and broaden my horizons. Do you still want to go?”

Xi Yunqing was surprised, then visibly pleased. He had hoped for a true training journey together once he knew Chen Xiao wasn’t affected by his misfortune and had become a genuine friend. “If I’m traveling with Brother Xiao,” he replied, “then I’m happy to go anywhere.”

Chen Xiao beamed. “Then let’s prepare. I want to see the great nations you mentioned.”

He planned to set sail from Hanshan City, but Xi Yunqing stopped him. “No rush. If we’re going to do this, let’s prepare properly. Since you’re determined to expand your experience, we won’t travel by sea this time, we’ll go by land.”

Chen Xiao was stunned. “By land? You mean straight through the mountains near Changjia Village, across areas where fierce beasts roam?”

His voice rose involuntarily, showing just how shocked he was.

Xi Yunqing smiled. “Exactly. That route crosses almost the entire terrestrial stretch of the Gengsheng Minor Heaven. It includes mountains, glaciers, deserts, plains, and dense forests. The terrain is diverse, the resources abundant. There are stops along the way where we can rest. It’s not as daunting as it sounds.”

Although the regions where fierce beasts roamed were dangerous, they weren’t impassable. Otherwise, Xi Yunqing wouldn’t have made it through alone before. Experienced adventuring teams with decent strength and a bit of luck could safely navigate the perilous terrain. Zhishi Hall even had detailed maps of the area, clearly marking the safer paths. Those daring to travel by land typically followed these routes.

Hearing this, Chen Xiao’s heart stirred, not out of fear, but excitement. The varied landscapes alone were enough to captivate him. He’d seen the Zhishi Hall’s maps, they were far too simplistic. You had to see a place with your own eyes to judge whether it held a Feng Shui treasure.

Throughout history, countless Feng Shui masters had braved danger and hardship, traversing mountains and rivers on foot to seek out auspicious sites. To find a hidden treasure like the one at Changjia Village was enough to make any Feng Shui master laugh in their dreams for a lifetime, it was the kind of discovery recorded in the annals of Feng Shui history. But Chen Xiao wasn’t satisfied. He wasn’t just chasing the immense fortune such a site could bring. The process of finding dragon veins and laying foundations was itself intoxicating.

Sensing Chen Xiao’s growing enthusiasm, Xi Yunqing added, “Besides, I know a hidden path that’s particularly safe right now. I can protect you with just my Golden Core strength.”

He was referring to the route he took on his way here. At the time, driven by frustration, he’d slain several fierce beasts along the way. Now, those territories were either vacant or occupied by younglings, easy to avoid or pass through quickly and safely.

This journey would broaden Chen Xiao’s horizons without putting him in undue danger. Making up his mind, Chen Xiao nodded firmly. “Alright, let’s take the land route.”

Once the decision was made, he immediately went to inform Tong Nuonuo. As soon as she heard, she said, “Can I come too? I have experience surviving outdoors, I’ll be useful. Besides, I’ve made improvements to several mechanisms recently. I might even be helpful in battle.”

She didn’t want to be separated from one of the few people who didn’t mind that she often got lost.

Chen Xiao laughed. “Of course. Didn’t I promise you before? Once I gained cultivation, we’d explore the world together.”

Tong Nuonuo seemed moved by the memory. She hadn’t expected Chen Xiao to take that casual promise so seriously. And more incredibly, he was someone born without spiritual roots, yet he had clawed his way onto the path of cultivation through sheer willpower.

Clenching her fist with determination, she said, “You kept your word, so I’ll keep mine too. I swear I’ll become a master of mechanisms and repay you!”

Chen Xiao laughed heartily. “Then I’ll be looking forward to that day.”

With Tong Nuonuo joining, Chen Xiao then went to speak with Du Rong. Du Rong was clearly tempted. With someone to guide them safely through beast-ridden terrain, the trip was an unmissable opportunity for a high-level cultivator like him. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on his side this time.

“I’m sorry, Master Chen,” Du Rong said regretfully. “I won’t be able to go with you this time.”

Chen Xiao was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that response. “What happened?”

In truth, Chen Xiao's current movement techniques were now on par with Du Rong’s skills, the only real gap between them was experience. Du Rong’s abilities could hardly be considered sufficient to act as his bodyguard anymore. Even so, Chen Xiao had never terminated the contract between them. To this day, he still paid Du Rong his wages every month. In fact, he had increased the salary from one spiritual coin per month to fifty, a generous rate that Chen Xiao had set after referencing the wages of the City Lord’s Mansion’s guards.

The reason he continued to employ Du Rong was twofold. On the one hand, Du Rong had been conscientious and reliable throughout their journey, and Chen Xiao did at times need someone to help with certain tasks. On the other hand, Du Rong had a natural aptitude for handling affairs, he showed promise as a steward. Chen Xiao intended to develop him into someone with a broader skill set.

Du Rong’s expression was complicated, a mix of helplessness and joy. “I feel like I’m about to break through.”