With several days slipping by swiftly, the bustling city of Qingling began to welcome both friends and foes of Su Lang. The preparations for Su Lang’s wedding were unfolding systematically. Cheng Rui, demonstrating exceptional abilities, took charge of a substantial portion of Ma Hongsheng’s business empire. Despite facing considerable opposition, these dissenting voices were quickly silenced through Su Lang’s discreet maneuvers. Within days, Cheng Rui had secured fifty percent of Ma Hongsheng’s assets, expanding her influence steadily. The organization of the wedding and hosting of Su Lang’s guests could not have progressed without Cheng Rui’s invaluable help. Consequently, she also gathered substantial information, which naturally reached Wang Haoran’s ears.

…

In a bustling market in Qingling, a modest stall caught some eyes. A banner draped over it read: “For the destined, no charge; for others, a fortune costs a thousand gold.” Behind the stall sat a man with a notably unappealing face, Guimian Shenxiang Tianjizi. Few approached him as regular folks tended to shy away, so business was slow. Today, feeling restless at the hotel Cheng Rui had arranged for him, he ventured into the marketplace, hoping to engage in his fortune-telling hobby. After nearly an hour with no customers, he remained unperturbed. Money wasn’t his concern; it was all about fate. Those who avoided him were deemed to lack destiny.

As the day unfolded under a sun-drenched sky, Tianjizi drifted into a light sleep at his stall, awaiting the destined. Suddenly, footsteps stirred him awake. He opened his eyes to see a young man, not yet twenty, who was handsome, seated before him.

“What do you seek, young sir?” Tianjizi inquired.

“I’m not here for a fortune. I have a question for you.”

“Oh, and what might that be?”

“Have you ever lied in your fortune-telling practices?”

“Never.”

“Are you really sure, not even once?”

Tianjizi paused, silent for a few seconds, then decided to dismiss him, “Since you’re not interested in a reading, please move along.”

“Indeed, I’m not interested. However, I have a friend who wishes to have a reading.”

As he spoke, a striking woman stepped forward and joined them. Upon seeing her, Tianjizi’s expression faltered. There was only one time he had lied in his fortune-telling, and it was to the woman standing before him. The handsome young man and the beautiful woman were Wang Haoran and Yang Jingwan.

“Please, tell my friend if her destiny truly conflicts with her parents,” Wang Haoran requested with a slight smirk.

Tianjizi found himself speechless, uncertain of what to say.

“Are you the one who deceived my parents?” Yang Jingwan asked angrily, fists clenched.

Tianjizi remained silent.

“Why don’t you answer? Tell me about your relationship with Su Lang and why you conspired to harm me?” Yang Jingwan demanded, her eyes welling up with tears.

Tianjizi sighed deeply. He recalled how he once predicted a blissful future for Su Lang and Yang Jingwan. If it had turned out to be true, he might have found some peace in his deceit. But judging by Yang Jingwan’s current demeanor, things had clearly gone off track. It was a mistake he deeply regretted.

“Since you often tell fortunes for others, why not try reading your own fate?” Wang Haoran suggested with a smile.

Tianjizi looked into Wang Haoran’s eyes and was enveloped by a cold dread. There was an overpowering aura around Wang Haoran, similar to Su Lang’s but even stronger. Realizing the young man’s complexity, he quickly calculated his own fortune. Seconds later, his hands froze, and shock filled his face. It was… a great omen of misfortune!

“Have you completed your fortune-telling?” Wang Haoran asked with a calm demeanor.

“I have repaid my debt to Su Lang. From now on, I will sever all ties with him. I will leave Qingling as soon as I can and never return!” Tianjizi declared solemnly. The omen foretold misfortune, but it was avoidable if he distanced himself from Su Lang.

[Ding, the host has successfully intimidated Tianjizi, causing him to defect from Su Lang’s side. The host gains 500 villain points, Su Lang’s protagonist halo -20, and the host’s villain halo +20!]

“Quite admirable for a fortune teller,” Wang Haoran acknowledged. He had indeed contemplated harming Tianjizi, but seeing him break away from Su Lang, he chose otherwise.

“I owed Su Lang a favor, and deceiving your parents was my way to repay it. I thought you had a destined path, but I ended up doing harm,” Tianjizi admitted regretfully to Yang Jingwan.

Yang Jingwan’s suspicions were settled, yet her heart simmered with anger. She angrily grabbed some cabbages and eggs from a nearby vendor and flung them at Tianjizi, leaving him in a sorry state. Tianjizi did not retaliate, allowing her to vent her frustration. Once she was done, Tianjizi swiftly packed his belongings. After expressing her anger, Yang Jingwan no longer stopped Tianjizi from leaving. While the fortune teller was indeed to blame, her loathing for Su Lang was far greater.

At this moment, her desire for retribution against Su Lang was overwhelming.

“I want to confront Su Lang. I want him charged with fraud!” Yang Jingwan yelled, eager to go find him.

“Charging him with fraud is too mild. Let me handle this; I’ll help you get revenge, but you must trust me and follow my plan,” Wang Haoran advised.

“Alright, I’ll do whatever you suggest,” Yang Jingwan agreed softly, resting her head on his chest as her tumult of emotions began to settle.

…

Nightfall.

Su Lang’s top lieutenant, Tian Ying, arrived with news.

“Tianjizi left without a word. Any idea why?” Su Lang asked, perplexed.

“Not certain yet,” Tian Ying replied.

“Never mind him. Tianjizi has always been an enigma. Let him go,” Su Lang dismissed the concern with a wave. “What about those others?”

“They’re lying low for now, staying inactive, likely waiting for the right moment.”

“It seems my wedding will be quite eventful. But that’s alright; I haven’t had a good fight in a while. If they dare to act, I’ll ensure they never return!”

“I can’t wait to witness the War God display his invincible might!” Tian Ying expressed with admiration.