Chapter 43: Pleading

Xiao Yao's gaze turned to Tang Tianhao, scrutinizing his face for a moment, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes. He said, "Whether it's reading faces or fortune-telling, both are acts of revealing the secrets of heaven. Once these secrets are disclosed, they interfere with the workings of fate. Depending on the severity, varying degrees of karmic retribution will be imposed upon the one who divulges them. Therefore, those truly skilled in the art of face reading will not easily offer their services."

Xiao Yao's reasoning was sound, but Tang Tianhao was unwilling to give up. He replied, "Master Zhao indeed rarely reads faces for others, but if it's for close friends, he occasionally makes an exception."

"I've only just received the inheritance, so my ability to withstand karmic backlash naturally cannot compare to my teacher's." Xiao Yao's words were merely an excuse. He could read Tang Tianhao's face, but he absolutely did not want it to seem effortless.

For those who truly understand the art of face reading, revealing the secrets of fate does indeed bring karmic consequences. If one reads faces too often, few escape misfortune in the end. But for Xiao Yao, this was not a problem at all.

With the foundation of a Sacred Soul, one's true spirit is indestructible and endures forever. The soul has reached an unimaginable realm, no longer subject to karmic influence.

Even if Xiao Yao were to read faces and tell fortunes endlessly, it would have no effect on him.

Yet things easily obtained are often not valued. Pan Wu had ample experience in this regard, and Xiao Yao had fully inherited his approach.

Tang Zhengshan thought that since Xiao Yao had just received the legacy, perhaps in the future he would be no less than Master Zhao, but his current level surely could not be too high. He felt his son was a bit too eager, so he interjected, "Mr. Xiao, do you see whether Tianhao will be safe in the near future?"

Xiao Yao hesitated slightly and said, "If Mr. Tang is safe and sound these days, then I would not have said what I did just now and could have spoken frankly. My skills are not yet sufficient; revealing the secrets of fate is not the issue, but if my disclosure interferes with the workings of heaven, then I must pay a price."

"Mr. Xiao, do you mean... Tianhao will face disaster soon?" Tang Zhengshan frowned, his expression grave.

"Mr. Tang will encounter three major trials in his life. The first is the most dangerous—it can be described as surviving by a hair's breadth. And... it is destined to occur today!" Xiao Yao began to reveal some details.

"Is it really such a coincidence?" As the person involved, Tang Tianhao was naturally the most shocked, and he was somewhat skeptical of Xiao Yao's words.

"It truly is a coincidence. It seems I am indeed fated to meet Mr. Tang. Had our meeting been delayed even by a day, perhaps..." Xiao Yao trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

Although Xiao Yao did not finish his sentence, everyone present understood that he meant if they had missed today, perhaps there would have been no opportunity to meet at all.

If anyone else had said this, Tang Zhengshan might not have cared, but since it was spoken by Master Zhao's inheritor, it had to be taken seriously.

Though Xiao Yao's true abilities had yet to be proven, Master Zhao's reputation as a living legend was unshakable in Tang Zhengshan's mind. As Zhao's sole successor, Xiao Yao was someone he would rather believe than doubt.

"Mr. Xiao, could you be more specific? If Tianhao can avoid this calamity, the Tang family will certainly repay you." Tang Zhengshan, having only one son, cared deeply for his safety.

"Revealing fate's secrets and helping someone escape a life-and-death calamity is one of the gravest interferences with destiny. Once I speak, great karmic retribution will fall upon me."

Xiao Yao sighed and continued, "If it were someone else, I would never agree. But since this concerns Mr. Tang, I cannot stand by and let things unfold unaided. Perhaps we truly are destined to meet."

"Thank you, Mr. Xiao. If you help me through this great trial, though I am young, I understand the importance of gratitude and will surely repay your kindness," Tang Tianhao quickly promised.

Though he was only half convinced, he knew that if Xiao Yao's words proved true, his life might depend on it. As someone of noble birth, he could not afford to ignore such matters.

"My teacher has spoken to me about President Tang before—a friendship of many years. Since I happened to read your face today, and it concerns a matter of life and death, if I did not help, I would feel deeply uneasy."

After a brief consideration, Xiao Yao said, "To avoid any misunderstanding or vague philosophical talk, I will be straightforward. Since I have guided you this far, Mr. Tang, follow my instructions today. Though there may still be minor misfortunes, small calamities break great ones, and the most perilous life-and-death trial in your life will be overcome."

Tang Tianhao hurried to assure him, "Please tell me, Mr. Xiao. I will do exactly as you say."

Xiao Yao did not keep them in suspense any longer and gave direct instructions: "After dinner tonight, continue with your original plans, do whatever you had intended. But remember this: after leaving this private room, you must wear a safety helmet at all times, never remove it until today’s ordeal has passed."

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Xiao. I will follow your instructions without fail." Tang Tianhao dared not miss a single word. Having reached his thirties, he was well aware of Master Zhao's legendary abilities. Even if Xiao Yao had inherited only a fraction of them, Tang Tianhao would not risk any negligence.

With this unexpected episode, the Tang father and son became even more enthusiastic.

"Mr. Xiao, what kind of wine do you prefer? I brought two bottles of fifty-year-old Maotai from home—I'm not sure if it suits your taste?" Tang Tianhao inquired politely.

"Among domestic grain spirits, Maotai is my favorite. Fifty-year-old Maotai is indeed a fine vintage. Looks like today is a fortunate day," Xiao Yao replied, not about to refuse such excellent wine.

At the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a thirty-year-old Maotai sells for 25,800 a bottle, and a fifty-year-old Maotai for 46,800, but those are vintage blends, made from aged bases, not truly aged for fifty years.

The two bottles Tang Tianhao brought, however, were genuine fifty-year-old Maotai, stored since their distillation. Such rare vintages are nearly impossible to find on the market, and even at auctions, they are seldom seen.

In addition to the fifty-year-old Maotai, Tang Tianhao had also brought several bottles of fine red wine, all of which were extremely high-end—the cheapest among them was an ’82 Lafite.

Xiao Bansha had no ability to appreciate such luxury wines; she feared she would only ruin them and finally settled on a bottle of ’07 Lafite, priced at 12,980 at the guesthouse.