Little Immortal Maiden?
Hearing the old woman's words, Han Xin's first reaction was that she had been swindled!
He grabbed the old woman's arm and said, "Old madam, have you been deceived? How can there be such a thing as immortals in this world?"
"Tsk—how can you speak like that?"
The old woman's expression hardened as she said sternly, "You mustn't say such things in front of the Little Immortal Maiden. Come in with me!"
Han Xin was half-pushed and half-pulled into the house by the old woman, where he saw Qingnu.
At this moment, the dark-azure Jiao horns hidden in Qingnu's hair had been retracted, and she sat quietly on the edge of the bed. When the two entered, her gaze fell upon the dust-covered Han Xin, sizing him up from head to toe.
"Little Immortal Maiden, this is Han Xin."
Just as the old woman finished the introduction and before Qingnu could speak, Han Xin stepped forward. "Are you the one who deceived the old madam?"
Qingnu: "..."
"I could just as easily say you're the one deceiving the old madam for cakes every day."
As soon as those words left her mouth, Han Xin's expression shifted, and he began to stammer, unable to find a retort.
Seeing the tension between the two, the old woman was about to play peacemaker when she saw Qingnu stand up and stretch.
Her sleeves slid down, revealing fair skin on her arms that showed no sign of injury.
The old woman was stunned. She marveled internally, 'Oh my! The Immortal Maiden truly is an immortal. How long has it been, and yet such wounds have healed on their own!'
The old woman hurriedly brought a bowl of water to Qingnu.
"Little Immortal Maiden, have some water."
Qingnu took the bowl, finished it in one gulp, wiped her mouth, and said to Han Xin, "Boy, come out for a walk with me!"
Full of questions, Han Xin followed Qingnu to the riverside, the two of them walking one after the other.
They walked for a mile, and Qingnu didn't say a single word.
Han Xin couldn't hold it in any longer, but just as he was about to speak, Qingnu suddenly stopped and turned to face him. She stepped onto a rock, resting one hand on her thigh while the other tidied her long hair fluttering in the wind.
Qingnu began to recount Han Xin's past experiences and the humiliation he had suffered at the market that day.
She then asked in a clear voice, "Han Xin! I ask you, do you wish to live a mediocre life from here on, or do you seek to achieve greatness and make your name known throughout the world?"
Upon hearing this, Han Xin's pupils constricted.
"You..."
Only then did he realize that Qingnu had been walking this entire way without shoes or socks.
This gravel path was so sharp that even resting a hand on it would cause cuts and bleeding if one wasn't careful. Yet Qingnu had walked across such ground barefoot?
Could she truly be a Little Immortal Maiden?
"Don't 'you, you, you' me! Stuttering doesn't suit a man! Answer me!"
The snake girl shouted, her expression solemn.
Han Xin straightened his posture and said, "Naturally, I seek to achieve greatness and make my name known throughout the world!"
Qingnu stared at him and asked again, "What if I told you that you would die a tragic death because of it? That all your wealth and glory would vanish in an instant? How would you choose then?"
"Naturally, I would still choose the world!"
Han Xin did not hesitate. He said, "Han Xin was born to leave his mark upon this world."
After he spoke, Qingnu remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Then go. The world is in turmoil now; the lords are rising up to overthrow the wayless and execute the tyrannical Qin. This is your only chance to make your name known across the heavens."
"Little Immortal Maiden, where should Han Xin go?"
Han Xin suddenly asked.
Qingnu thought for a moment and said, "Go hunt a wild rabbit. I'll find a few Brother Turtles to provide their shells as a friendly sponsorship and calculate it for you once."
Her previous turtle shells had been shattered by heavenly lightning, along with her gourd.
This snake girl had so few possessions left. That damned heavens!
Han Xin didn't doubt her and obediently did as told. However, it wasn't until the sky grew dark that he returned to the old woman's house, his hair a mess of weeds and dried leaves.
Seeing his empty hands, Qingnu tilted her head and asked, "You didn't catch one?"
Han Xin looked embarrassed and nodded. "Please do not blame me, Little Immortal Maiden. The wild rabbits run far too fast. Han Xin... could not catch them."
Qingnu slapped the table and yelled, "You want me to tell your fortune for free? Not a chance!"
"I might be willing, but Brother Turtle won't be!"
To tell Han Xin's fortune, Brother Turtle had to give up his life! If you won't even provide a rabbit, that's far too unkind.
Don't ask why the turtle gives his life while the snake girl eats the rabbit.
That question is impolite.
Seeing Qingnu staring at him, Han Xin suddenly untied the sword at his waist and presented it with both hands. With a serious expression, he said, "Han Xin has only this sword. If the Little Immortal Maiden wants it, take it, and calculate Han Xin's fate just once!"
"What would I want your sword for?"
"This snake girl is kind-hearted and dislikes killing. Such a weapon of war and slaughter is useless to me. Take it away, take it away!"
Qingnu grumbled while waving Han Xin off.
Han Xin glanced at the freshly peeled turtle shell on the table but said nothing.
He had a feeling that if he spoke too much, things might go poorly for him.
"Sigh..."
Qingnu sighed again and picked up the turtle shell.
She shook it while muttering, "Seeing as you have a destiny with this snake, I'll calculate it for you for free today! Han Xin, remember, you owe me one rabbit!"
Free?
Owe a rabbit?
How did those two concepts fit together?
Han Xin was stunned, feeling somewhat confused.
However, he did not disturb Qingnu, quietly waiting for her to tell his fortune.
Qingnu calculated Han Xin's fate. Looking at the hexagram formed by the coins, she remained silent for a moment before saying slowly, "Han Xin, you have two choices. One is the Duke of Pei, and the other is Xiang Ji. Regardless of which you choose, you will become a Great General in the future, but you will also die because of it."
"Han Xin, if you go, you are destined not to live long."
Hearing this, the old woman looked at Han Xin with a face full of worry.
Han Xin, however, calmly cupped his hands toward Qingnu and said, "Thank you, Little Immortal Maiden. Han Xin knows what choice to make!"
Qingnu stared at him and asked, "When do you set out?"
"I leave tomorrow."
Han Xin replied.
Qingnu decided to see him off. After Han Xin took his leave, the old woman looked at her anxiously and asked, "Little Immortal Maiden, is there no way to save him?"
How could such a good man be destined not to live long?
"It is time and fate."
Qingnu sighed softly.
The next day, at the village entrance, Qingnu sat on a withered tree. Han Xin had already packed his bags and walked out from the village. Seeing Qingnu, he waved his sword and greeted her.
"Little Immortal Maiden!"
"Have you decided where to go?"
Qingnu asked, seeing the bright smile on his face.
Han Xin nodded and said, "I am going to join the Xiang Clan Army! The Xiang family are nobles of the State of Chu."
Qingnu didn't say much else upon hearing this, only nodding as she said, "I have a favor to ask of you. When you are conquering the world in the future, if you have time, help me find a green bird."
"Rest assured, Little Immortal Maiden, Han Xin will keep it in mind!"
Han Xin nodded.
Saying that, he pulled out a fish and handed it to Qingnu.
"Little Immortal Maiden, Han Xin has nothing else to give. Let this fish serve as a token of my gratitude!"
Seeing this, Qingnu narrowed her eyes.
Han Xin hurriedly added, "The rabbit I owe is still promised. In the future, Han Xin will surely repay the Little Immortal Maiden many times over!"
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