Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 144
“Many people misunderstand astrology, thinking the stars can answer anything,” Kurt continued. “But the stars don’t always watch over humans. Thinking otherwise is rather arrogant.”
“We haven’t even said anything yet. Why are you so quick to refuse?” Xanye giggled. “Are you angry?”
She glanced around meaningfully.
It was hard for any man to stay angry with such a beautiful woman speaking so frankly. Moreover, Xanye had nothing to do with Kurt being kidnapped.
However, Kurt wasn’t skilled in the art of communication, and Xanye wasn’t his type. He shrugged. “No one likes being a prisoner.”
He couldn’t be bothered to debate with these two uninvited guests about the morality of treating people as commodities. But Kurt wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t help them and then count the money they gave him. He didn’t want to waste time with polite words.
“I know the prophecies of an astrologer are priceless, so I won’t arrogantly set a price. Today, I just wanted to see what a legendary astrologer looks like. Consider it a whim of curiosity,” Xanye said, dropping her playful tone, which slightly altered her entire demeanor.
Khalif glanced at her.
This was different from what they had discussed. Khalif was sure Xanye wanted to learn something from the astrologer, but he understood her temporary retreat. Besides restricting his freedom, they had no effective means to force Kurt to make a prophecy.
Astrologers were too valuable, and it was difficult to obtain accurate information from them without their consent. Physical harm or mental torture would affect their rationality, leading to inaccurate prophecies.
This was one reason astrologers rarely had freedom. Even if they couldn’t be subdued through legitimate means, it was best to prevent them from serving anyone else. Who knew if one’s enemy might get a deadly prophecy from an astrologer?
“Astrologers are no different from ordinary people, except that they are better at calculations,” Kurt said. “After all, I’m just a human. Three hundred years ago, there was an elf astrologer, but that’s not a rare race. Not very impressive to look at.”
Xanye paused, scrutinizing this pale man, unsure if he was naturally so blunt or if he was subtly mocking them.
Khalif finally spoke. “Her family has always revered various mystical powers, so please don’t be too modest. I noticed the fireplace isn’t lit. Adan is getting more careless. It’s damp and cold here. Please take care of your health.”
Kurt glanced at the quiet fireplace, where the wood was neatly stacked.
“Mr. Adan was very considerate and assigned a capable helper. I just don’t like overly hot environments.”
“Do you like the cold? The north or high places, like wizards?” Khalif asked.
“Places rich in natural elements inspire creativity,” Kurt said, observing Khalif.
He wasn’t a medium and couldn’t see a person’s aura, but Khalif exuded an unsettling vibe that even without spiritual insight, Kurt could sense. He was curious about it.
Khalif looked at Xanye, who realized that this astrologer wasn’t the type to engage in subtle negotiation. She removed a small silk bag from her wrist, placed it on the table, and loosened the opening.
The seemingly decorative little bag was evidently imbued with space magic, as Xanye pulled out an object the size of a cantaloupe.
It was a crystal ball, but unlike the usual clear ones, it had a purple-red feather suspended inside, with dark purple tendrils radiating outward, making it look like a rare piece of amber.
Kurt sat up straight, and Khalif’s gaze was fixed on the crystal ball. It was clearly a seal, but even through the thick crystal, they could feel the extraordinary nature of the object inside.
“I know many kings and nobles would open their treasuries for an astrologer’s accurate prophecy. We don’t dare compare ourselves to such high-status individuals, but we’ve brought out one of the family’s most precious treasures. If you could take a look, my trip won’t be in vain,” Xanye said.
“What do you want to know?” Kurt asked, withdrawing his gaze, feeling puzzled. He had thought Khalif was the one with questions, but so far, he hadn’t shown any interest in making a deal, while the woman had changed significantly, becoming much more serious.
“Inquire about the object inside the crystal ball.”
Kurt made a sound of understanding but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, adopting an almost arrogant posture. “What price are you willing to pay?”
Xanye and Khalif stared at him. At that moment, Kurt suddenly embodied the image of a legendary astrologer: cold, arrogant, and seemingly capricious. The pale, scholarly man they first met seemed to have vanished like steam.
“This crystal ball,” Xanye said without hesitation. “I can offer it to you on behalf of my family.”
Kurt was incredulous.
“That’s your sincerity?” he asked. “If you want to know what’s inside, unsealing it is the quickest way. Since you haven’t managed to do that for so long, it proves you can’t control or re-seal it. Using a hot potato like this to trade with an astrologer would make the kings rejected by us roll in their graves.”
Xanye felt embarrassed. The crystal ball wasn’t as worthless as Kurt suggested. In fact, if it were shown on the mainland, countless mages and scholars would pay a high price to see or obtain it, especially high-level mages.
Even though it was sealed, the feather inside still exuded the aura of an ancient dragon, possibly from the World Dragon.
The World Dragon was known to have the most terrifying, world-destroying power. Even the slightest evidence of its existence was extremely valuable.
Xanye only wanted confirmation from Kurt. As he said, even if the Monkey Family could unseal it, they couldn’t re-seal it. The bloodline of the Holy Grail only existed in the Wolf family. Despite attempts at intermarriage, the Monkey Family couldn’t extract that mystical bloodline. Given this, unless they could annex the Wolf Family, the World Dragon was a threat rather than hope.
Being refused by the astrologer was expected. Xanye didn’t persist, putting the crystal ball back into the silk bag. The bag had a secondary seal to block its aura. Once closed, the unsettling energy that had made everyone’s head ache disappeared.
This was the Wolf’s territory, and Xanye didn’t want to press further in Khalif’s presence. She decisively gave up.
Khalif, however, looked thoughtful. This astrologer, though not worldly, wasn’t naive either. He had revealed little useful information. But no matter. The Monkey Family was always cautious and stingy, unable to offer a reward worthy of an astrologer.
Khalif planned to return later that night to see the astrologer alone.
Adan waited at the end of the corridor. After escorting Khalif and Xanye away, he returned.
“It’s one in the afternoon. Would you like some tea and biscuits?” he asked.
Kurt, still in a daze, replied, “Ah… yes, please, a pot of tea.”
During the awkward meeting, several things had caught Kurt’s attention. Since being brought to White Bridge, he hadn’t calculated anything. They had assigned a servant to clean his room regularly, but Kurt suspected even his hair would be examined, let alone his notes.
But it didn’t matter. No one knew Kurt could perform calculations in his head. Using pen and paper was just quicker and felt more formal. He had considered writing nonsense to provoke the Wolf Family, but the young man assigned to serve him seemed kind and stressed by his role as a spy. Considering himself kind-hearted, Kurt refrained to avoid getting the boy in trouble.
Otherwise, dealing with a less scrupulous person would be more troublesome.
Kurt smiled at the young man who brought in a tray. “Is it cinnamon tea? Thank you, Jim.”
……
“Awen? I know him.” Jason sat on a large rock, his muscles still steaming. It was break time, and most people were gathered in small groups, eating and talking.
“He’s a tall, quiet guy. Apparently, he’s friends with your brother,” Eugene said.
Jason looked like he was about to jump off the rock, but he restrained himself. “That’s him! So, Jim is still alive?”
Thank the heavens. He had heard many death rumors, some confirmed, but no one knew how those names had leaked from the inner city or if they were all accurate (and complete). Jason, who hadn’t heard from his brother in a long time, didn’t want Jim to be among those names, but the uncertainty was torturous.
This was the best news he’d heard in these chaotic days. He had been overwhelmed by people’s sad stories, barely holding himself together.
Emotions spread quickly among people, amplifying as they went. Jason sensed that the negative feelings would soon reach a breaking point, but he had no idea what to do about it.
After all, if there was anything more terrifying than death, it was the death of a loved one.
Eugene quickly added, “Don’t worry. He’s probably fine. Before the auction, he was a napkin attendant at Green Shade Villa.”
“And then he disappeared,” Jason said sharply. “Taken away. Of all times, during the auction. He must have been assigned to serve ‘external’ guests.”
Eugene fell silent. Hollow reassurances were useless. Jason, a resident of Paradise Island and part of White Bridge, understood what could happen during the auction better than these outsiders.
“Can you help me?” Jason suddenly grabbed Eugene’s arm. “I shouldn’t ask, but Jim is my only family. I need to find him.”
Eugene said, “The inner city is complicated. Even if I help you get in, finding Jim will be difficult.”
“At least let me meet Awen,” Jason insisted. “I know him. Seeing me will remind him of more details.”
The author has something to say:
Let me explain why Jim, and not someone from the Wolf Family, was chosen to approach Kurt.
First, no Wolf Family member has the necessary skills to serve someone. They’d rather die. This is also to make Kurt less wary.
Second, Jim, who learned to serve upper-class people and read and write (rare among lower classes) while dating a young master, aligns well with Kurt’s needs for astrological calculations.
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