After soaking in the hot springs, Chu Yin accompanied Lady Chunhan on a leisurely stroll outside.
They couldn’t spend the entire day soaking in the pools; otherwise, the mistress’s skin would wrinkle from the prolonged soak.
Behind this farmhouse was a scenic spot on a cliff face—an ancient stone carving that had birthed many mysterious legends, mostly related to some reclusive masters from beyond the mortal realm.
But since Luoshui City was already a place where cultivation thrived and many factions practiced aerial techniques, such rumors didn’t spread widely.
Few people showed much interest.
Compared to the curiosity about legendary hermits, the neighboring area genuinely had a group of sword-wielding experts!
Still, Chu Yin and Lady Chunhan were just out to relax.
They didn’t mind seeing any marvels along the way.
After all, stepping out of the study in the City Lord’s Mansion, every flower and blade of grass outside was worth appreciating.
“So this is the stone carving the farmhouse owner mentioned?”
Chu Yin walked up to the scenic spot and inexplicably felt that the carving exuded an unusual aura.
The carving resembled a kind of “Huazhongdao” sliding block puzzle game, where the pieces were constantly shifted to create space, allowing Boss Cao to move to the escape position.
This stone carving was similar—many movable pieces arranged in a more complex pattern, faintly revealing the charm of a Prophesy array.
Lady Chunhan manipulated the stone chess pieces from a distance, casually moving a few.
“This stone carving’s origin is unknown. Even if the pieces on it are smashed, after some time, they restore themselves. For many years, the board was left in disarray, but it’s said that every sixty years, it resets to its original layout.”
“Is that true? Could the farmhouse owner secretly restore it to attract curious visitors?” Chu Yin asked with curiosity.
“That’s unlikely. Being near Luoshui City, if it were some trick, it would have been exposed long ago.”
Hearing this, Chu Yin nodded, finding the explanation reasonable.
Suddenly, he noticed a recess in the cliff wall.
Reaching inside, he found a wooden board, almost rotten—likely decades old. It was carved with the stone carving’s chessboard, with a note beside it: “Stone Carving Layout Restored After Sixty Years.”
“Is this… someone’s guess that the carving will soon be disturbed again after restoration, leaving a record for future visitors to see?”
Chu Yin chuckled and silently cast a quick divination in his mind to confirm the true nature of the object.
Despite it being a simple divination, Chu Yin suddenly felt dizzy and drained.
A single strand of hair at his temple turned white, brittle, and fell.
…This powerful?!
He concealed the abnormality, casually placing the wooden board back without letting Lady Chunhan notice.
“Mistress, what’s the use if the riddle on this carving is solved? Will treasure emerge?”
“None, supposedly. Once, an impetuous person got frustrated trying to solve the puzzle and smashed the carving. There was nothing special, just rubble. Since then, no one paid attention. But after a few years, the carving restored itself again.”
“So this carving is truly both extraordinary and ordinary,” Chu Yin said in amazement.
No one could prove the carving’s uniqueness, but even if the pieces were scattered or the cliff broken, after some years, it would restore and continue to serve as a seemingly ordinary scenic attraction.
Chu Yin and Lady Chunhan tried to solve the stone chess puzzle for a while but found no breakthrough. They returned to the farmhouse for a meal, savoring fresh farm produce.
According to plan, they were supposed to return by evening, but the relaxed and carefree atmosphere made their spirits soar.
Resting here was far better than in the city.
Chu Yin then proposed resting here overnight and returning to the city at midnight.
“Isn’t it inappropriate to stay here until midnight?” Lady Chunhan hesitated.
Traveling secretly with her son-in-law was already prone to misunderstandings.
Staying overnight at the farmhouse, even if innocent, would still be improper for an unmarried man and woman.
At least they should wait until Chu Yin and Wei’er were formally married.
Then, no matter how much time they spent alone together, it would be normal family companionship…
Chu Yin analyzed seriously:
“This saves time. Resting here until midnight means we can go straight to the study to handle affairs, fully refreshed.”
The beauty found this reasonable.
She actually enjoyed today’s leisure and felt much of her fatigue dissipated.
Sleeping soundly here overnight wasn’t bad at all.
“That’s true. It’s better to rest here than travel back and forth.”
Two months quickly passed, and Luoshui City grew increasingly festive.
The main street was adorned with lanterns and decorations.
A grand celebration was imminent.
During this time, Lady Chunhan often brought Chu Yin to meet guests during the day, showcasing his abilities and confirming his progress to the elders.
The elders were surprised to see Chu Yin had successfully cultivated the Cloudwater Scripture.
They doubted if they had misjudged him before.
Despite their surprise, the elders did not question its authenticity.
Chu Yin had sparred with their own disciples; while aura could be faked, actual combat skill could not.
“Unbelievable! How did he do it?”
“After training with Lady Chunhan for about half a year, the Cloudwater Scripture is nearly perfected. Given time, his future is limitless!”
“Lady Chunhan said his talent is primarily in fate divination. After mastering that, he applied it to cultivating the Cloudwater Scripture. If he meets a master of profound arts later, he’ll reach new heights!”
In a short time, Chu Yin had established his reputation in Luoshui City.
Some close external friends recognized him as well.
Young, vigorous, outstanding cultivation, skilled in fate divination, and deeply trusted by Lady Chunhan—no one doubted his capability as the new City Lord.
Many believed Luoshui City would soon shed its gloom and reverse its decline!
But Chu Yin’s relationship with Miss Zhang Wei progressed slowly.
The heiress of Luoshui City was “slow to warm up,” maintaining a lukewarm attitude.
When asked if she was satisfied with the wedding date, she merely responded with an “oh,” showing no bride-like enthusiasm.
She was indifferent.
If pressed about dissatisfaction, she said, “No, just leave it like this.”
Chu Yin divined her situation several times and found no sign of change in the Prophesy.
He came to a conclusion.
He stopped trying to take Miss Zhang Wei out shopping, chatting only occasionally, focusing more on accompanying Lady Chunhan to avoid making her jealous.
As the wedding day approached, the City Lord’s Mansion was decorated with festive colors inside and out.
One day in the courtyard, Chu Yin ran into Miss Zhang Wei and stopped to exchange polite words.
Her gaze fixed on the fish swimming in the pond as she said:
“They say your divination skills are powerful. Can you predict which guests will attend the ceremony tomorrow or if anything will happen?”
“Not in detail, but I can foresee the general situation. There will be some minor disturbances tomorrow, but the wedding process will go smoothly.”
“Smooth, huh…?”
When she heard “disturbances,” her heart skipped a beat.
But seeing Chu Yin so calm, she knew he was bluffing.
If he truly could foresee such things, he wouldn’t be so composed.
Just a charlatan, huh!
Before dawn the next day, the City Lord’s Mansion was already bustling.
Servants hurriedly made final preparations.
The female guard assigned to protect Miss Zhang Wei looked pale as she rushed to Lady Chunhan’s chambers.
“Madam, the Miss… she seems to have run away from the wedding. She only left a letter. What should we do? The guests will start arriving at dawn!”