Master Gu looked shocked after examining my palm.
He stammered, "Ten dou," and then fell silent.
Confused, I didn't understand what "dou" meant and asked Master Gu,
"Master Gu, what, what is ten dou?"
Master Gu didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he released my hands, counted on his fingers a few times,
Then laughed heartily, "Interesting, interesting.
You, boy, were born with fingers of a ten-dou emperor, yet your fate is that of a簸箕 (bòji - a type of palm print).
Fate outweighs luck. A king of the turtle pond, still a turtle.
You won't drown if cast into a river, nor will you thrive if placed in the sea.
And those who wish to make soup will still covet you."
I was even more bewildered by the talk of turtles and soup.
Just as I was about to press him further,
Master Gu suddenly exclaimed, "Yi," and his eyes narrowed.
He seemed to be staring at me, or perhaps at something behind me.
Master Gu's gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce through flesh.
A chill ran down my spine, and I shivered,
"Mas, Master Gu, what are you looking at?"
As I spoke, I glanced left and right behind me.
There was nothing but an empty sofa behind me.
But at that moment, Master Gu withdrew his piercing gaze, returning to his initial relaxed and calm demeanor.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He picked up the pipe from the counter and took another puff:
"Kid, your fate is not good. You're born with an affinity for the yin, destined to be harmed by ghosts.
However, you accumulated merit in your past life and have a noble person to assist you.
To have lived to twenty is considered lucky.
This charm, I'll give it to you. You may leave!"
Master Gu had previously said he would help me, out of respect for Chen Ge.
But after looking at my birth date and palm, he was shocked and agitated.
After spouting words I couldn't understand, he stopped helping me.
It felt like a roller coaster ride, plunging me back to rock bottom.
"Master Gu, you, you said you would help me.
If you don't save me, I'm truly doomed!
I'm willing to pay more, please save my life."
With fear and anxiety, I pleaded.
Master Gu took a puff of his pipe and said nonchalantly,
"That was then, this is now.
Your problem is more serious than I imagined.
To help you, I would have to pay a great price, and might even be dragged down with you.
If we were to measure it by payment, it would be astronomical. Do you have that kind of money?"
He then glanced at me.
I gasped. It seemed Master Gu was hinting at money.
"Master Gu, how, how much do you need?
I have over eight thousand in my card, I'll give it all to you, how about it?"
This money was my last savings, accumulated over two years.
I had planned to go home for a good New Year this year.
But now, I had to break my wealth to avoid disaster and save my life.
Master Gu didn't even lift his eyelids, only taking a couple of puffs.
"Kid, your problem is severe.
Saving you requires a great price from me.
Eight thousand yuan isn't enough.
For Chen Qiang's sake, let's say a hundred thousand!
If you can gather a hundred thousand before nightfall today, I will save you."
A hundred thousand...
It was like a thunderclap on a clear day, exploding above my head.
Such a colossal sum, how could I possibly gather it in a few hours?
I stood there, frozen, for a long time.
The atmosphere in the room became instantly silent.
Only the sizzling sound of burning tobacco and my heavy breathing could be heard as Master Gu smoked.
My expression shifted, filled with helplessness and despair.
Finally, I sighed, forcing a smile; I conceded, accepting my fate.
Borrowing money was like borrowing life, and borrowing a hundred thousand in a few hours was harder than climbing to heaven.
I would also have to endure disdainful looks and sarcastic remarks from others.
Although I wanted to live, to see my grandmother off,
I also knew that borrowing a hundred thousand in a few hours was impossible.
I was sick, with the sickness of poverty.
I didn't wail and beg Master Gu to save me.
My life might be cheap, but I still wanted to maintain my dignity and pride.
My eyes reddened, and with a bitter smile, I bowed to Master Gu,
"Forget it, Master Gu, I accept my fate. Sorry to have bothered you!"
My voice was choked, and my smile forced.
After speaking, I turned to leave.
But as I was about to step out, Master Gu's voice sounded from behind me:
"Kid, my shop needs a handyman apprentice.
Do you dare to follow me, to eat the food of the dead?
And personally, crush the ghost that's clinging to you?"
Hearing this suddenly, my body trembled violently, and I stopped.
Did this mean Master Gu was going to save me? And take me as an apprentice?
Although I didn't know why Master Gu suddenly changed his mind, and was even willing to take me as an apprentice,
The opportunity had appeared, and how could I miss it?
Without overthinking, I quickly turned around.
With a mix of excitement and ferocity, I said,
"I dare, why wouldn't I dare?
That thing has made my life a living hell.
It almost cost Chen Ge and me our lives, and now it has me by the throat.
What is there that I wouldn't dare to do?
If I had the ability, I'd definitely kill her!"
The pent-up frustration of a long time erupted fiercely from me.
At the same time, I calmed down.
I felt that Master Gu's sudden offer to take me as an apprentice wasn't that simple.
I was just an ordinary person, and a dying one at that.
Why would Master Gu suddenly stop asking for money, and be willing to take me as an apprentice and save my life?
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Could it be because I'm handsome? I wouldn't even believe that myself.
So, I continued,
"Master Gu, if you take me as your apprentice, are there any other conditions?"
Hearing my words, Master Gu chuckled, "Ho ho ho," then calmly continued,
"Clever! You have some potential, kid.
I saw some backbone and composure in you earlier, not letting death scare you completely.
Indeed, you can be cultivated.
But just with a single sentence, to become my disciple for free, and for me to save you without reward, is also impossible.
Therefore, before you officially become my disciple and I truly save you,
I need to test if you truly have the courage of one who fears no death, the heart of one who fears no ghosts, and the fate of one who eats the food of the dead..."