Astrology

For a moment, Du Chen thought he had misheard. He had considered Bovin a formidable master, and that the old eccentric likely concealed something profound beneath his unkempt facade. Yet, he hadn't expected Bovin to command such high regard from Sherine.

"Perhaps it's a namesake?" he mused. "After all, there are many called Bovin across the Three Continents!"

Still uncertain, Du Chen inquired, "Auntie, is the Bovin you speak of that unkempt fellow with a mouth full of yellow teeth, who constantly parades around with a crystal ball, proclaiming his astrology to be the ultimate truth?"

"Oh? You know Mr. Bovin?" Sherine responded. "Hmm, I haven't left the library in a long while, nor have I seen Mr. Bovin in ages. He wasn't quite as you describe him before, but he certainly excels at astrology, and firmly believes his astrology to be the ultimate truth!"

"Then it must be him!" Du Chen shrugged. "I'll go find him right away!"

Sherine looked surprised. "You know where he lives? Mr. Bovin's movements are always so unpredictable."

"Uh! Mr. Bovin currently..." Du Chen started, about to say Bovin was his ward, but sensing it wasn't quite right, he rephrased, "...is residing just outside my door, and I'm providing for his food and drink."

Sherine paused, then covered her mouth with a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "These reclusive grandmasters are always so eccentric," she mused.

"Indeed, very eccentric! Oh, Auntie, do you know Jamis? The one who's always with the Old Charlatan... I mean, Mr. Bovin. The art teacher with the long green ponytail, who's a bit effeminate?"

Du Chen mused, *Since the Old Charlatan is confirmed to be a grandmaster, then his close companion's status shouldn't be far off.*

"Oh, Jamis," Sherine said. "Auntie doesn't know his background or origins, but he is a peculiar one. In terms of painting skill, he absolutely ranks among the top three artists across the Three Continents. Yet, he never sells his paintings for money, nor does he easily produce them. But he loves gambling! So, he often finds himself impoverished, scrounging for meals everywhere!"

Sherine seemed to recall something amusing, letting out a soft chuckle. "Heh heh, I remember when I first met him a few years ago, he was so broke he had to dine and dash, and ended up being chased and beaten by restaurant staff every day."

Du Chen also chuckled. *That's exactly the style of the Old Gambler indeed.*

Sherine considered for a moment. "Francis, since you're so well-acquainted with Bovin, there's no need to mention me when you go to ask him for a favor!" Her implication was clear: *If you weren't familiar with Bovin, he might grant a favor out of respect for my name. But since you're already close, there's no need for me to extend another favor on your behalf.*

"Understood, Auntie. I'll remember that!" Du Chen said, then bid his farewells and departed.

Watching Du Chen leave, Sherine suddenly picked up her paintbrush again, drawing a canvas from a stack on her desk. This time, she painted very slowly.

Time flowed by, drop by drop. By noon, Sherine's painting began to take shape: an imagined scene of three figures standing by a river. The river was the Water River, and the three figures were Bovin, Jamis, and Du Chen.

"Ah, it's getting dark. You should be here by now, shouldn't you?" Sherine murmured softly to herself.

A dark shadow materialized on the wall behind her; it was Flaying. "I've arrived. How did the matter I asked you to handle last time progress?"

"The Assembly of Battle Gods matter? I've decided to abandon it!"

"What? You wish to abandon it?! Hmph!" Flaying slowly raised the curved blade in his hand, its cold gleam reflecting on Sherine's back.

"Are you threatening me?" Sherine shook her head. "I truly don't understand what you're thinking. Why didn't you tell me Francis knew Bovin?"

"Bovin?" Flaying paused, lowering the curved blade in his hand.

"Exactly, Bovin!" Sherine suddenly smiled. "According to Francis, Bovin is living off him, so their relationship should be quite good. In that case, for the Assembly of Battle Gods, you should seek Bovin's help through Francis, shouldn't you? Why bother with someone as useless as me?"

Flaying hesitated for a moment, then said, "I don't trust Bovin!"

Sherine smiled. "Very well, I'll continue to assist you. But, is your physical condition truly alright?"

"I won't die before I find Phil!"

"Then I wish you never find Phil!"

***

Du Chen observed the rising crescent moon, estimating that by this time, the Old Charlatan and the Old Gambler would likely be drinking in a tavern somewhere. He then headed directly towards the dock district.

All the way there, he pondered how he should treat these two. Before, when he wasn't certain they were grandmasters, his attitude towards them could sometimes be described as "terrible." But now that he knew they were definitely extraordinary, what approach should he take?

Suddenly, Du Chen rubbed his nose and chuckled. Since these two enjoyed pretending to be ordinary folks and freeloading, he might as well play along. Some things, once exposed, would only become awkward – extremely awkward!

He strode purposefully into the tavern where they had first met. Under the dim lamplight, Jamis and Bovin sat in a corner, sharing a small plate of salted dried fish.

"Greetings, my dear Gambler and Charlatan!" Du Chen declared, taking a seat opposite them. He motioned for a server to bring several bottles of fine wine, then beckoned to Jamis. "Old Gambler, move aside for a moment, I have something to discuss with Mr. Bovin!"

He swiftly usurped Jamis's seat, clapped a hand on the Old Charlatan's shoulder, and chuckled, "Life's been rather comfortable lately, hasn't it?"

Jamis snickered, nodding. "Quite comfortable indeed. I get a few copper coins to gamble with every day, and there's always wine to drink!"

"I wasn't asking you, why are you butting in?!" Du Chen retorted, pouting slightly as he fixed his gaze on the Old Charlatan. "Be careful, or I'll have Beibei burn your tail!"

Bovin's heart tightened. He eyed Du Chen uneasily. "What are you up to, you brat? Grinning like that, you're definitely up to no good, you son of a bitch!"

"I'm up to no good? Oh, my dear Mr. Bovin, do you think it's appropriate to describe someone lauded as a 'student paragon' and 'the virtue of Saint John' in such terms?" Du Chen jested. As he slung an arm around Bovin's shoulder, he subtly brushed his hand against the burlap sack on the Old Charlatan's back. The Old Charlatan showed no reaction.

"Enough with the pleasantries. Brother, I've run into a bit of trouble, and now it's up to you to show some loyalty and help me out!"

"Heh, so you've come to ask me for a favor, eh?" The Old Charlatan puffed out his chest, pursing his lips as he eyed Du Chen askance. "Spit it out, what does an old man like me have to do for you? I'm in a good mood right now, so let's hear it!"

"I recall you saying, brother, that your astrology is omnipotent, that it is the ultimate truth, correct!?"

"Of course!" Bovin proudly raised his head.

"Then divine something for me! Let me witness your 'ultimate truth'!" Du Chen pointed to his own nose. "I'm about to advance, so help me calculate where I can find a sacred artifact suitable for me!"

Bovin's boastful smile froze. "This..."

"What's wrong? Is your 'ultimate truth' a sham, then!?" Du Chen watched him with a playful smirk, thinking to himself, *This old geezer's astrology can't be truly omnipotent. At the very least, he surely can't divine that the Cloud Mist Chains are in my possession. Otherwise, with his status as a sacred artifact expert, he'd be dragging me off to interrogate me on how I 'raped' a ninth-tier sacred artifact!*

Just as expected, Jamis snickered upon hearing this, mumbling, "Old Charlatan, can't do it, can you? Your astrology isn't all-powerful after all!"

"Who said it isn't all-powerful?! My old man's astrology IS the ultimate truth!" Bovin bellowed, his neck stiff with defiance.

Then, he turned his head and grinned slyly. "But what if I simply don't *feel like* divining for you, eh? Is that not allowed?"

"Alright, *even if* you're not in the mood for divination! But what reason could you possibly have to be in a bad mood?" Du Chen sharply raised his voice. "Brother, you constantly call me your brother, yet now that your brother has a favor to ask, you refuse to even help with this small matter. Do you think that's right?"

The Old Charlatan, for once, blushed, muttering, "You're so rich now, you could surely find a suitable sacred artifact yourself by offering a high reward!"

*I was waiting for that very line!* Du Chen sighed. "Don't even mention it! Isn't time of the essence? I'm about to advance, and I don't have spare time to hunt for sacred artifacts through bounties!" He slammed his hand on the table. "Ugh, what rotten luck! I actually have a sacred artifact in my possession, but it's a Soul Artifact! I can't communicate with it at all. Otherwise, would I even be here asking for your help!?"

"You have a Soul Artifact in your hands?"

"Yes, and I don't possess a Battle Soul, so I can't communicate with it at all! That's why I came to you, to help me divine where I can find a slightly lower-tier sacred artifact that I *can* communicate with!" Du Chen shook his head. "It seems your astrology is useless, then. I'll go find someone else for help!"

"Who said my astrology is useless?" Bovin narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, then suddenly revealed his full set of yellow teeth in a grin. "Just now, this old man felt that divining for a low-tier sacred artifact wouldn't showcase my true abilities. Now, I shall divine for you something far more advanced: I'll directly calculate how you can bypass the Battle Soul and communicate directly with the artifact spirit!"

Jamis, who was at his side, was startled and quickly shot Bovin a warning glance. But Bovin pretended not to notice. Under Du Chen's gaze, which held both hope and suspicion, Bovin retrieved a crystal ball from the burlap sack on his back and feigned a divination.

"I've got it!" Bovin called Du Chen closer, beckoning him to lean in. "I've divined a method! Indeed, in ancient times, there were those who bypassed the Battle Soul and communicated directly with the artifact spirit, thus enabling them to wield Soul Artifacts even at the Battle-Warrior stage... This is the way, but little brother, this method has too many restrictions, and you might not be able to meet all the necessary conditions!"

Saying this, he proudly raised his head. "I've divined the method for you; whether you succeed or not is up to you. And in the future, don't you dare slander this old man's astrology again!"

Du Chen nodded. This method certainly presented some difficulties, but with the resources he possessed, he believed he could achieve it!

Bovin then added, "Now that the important matter is settled, there's a small thing. You're about to enter your third year; how do you plan to choose your path then?!"