[Lone Cloud] Today I actually made an effort to tidy myself up before heading out, only to run into a wanderi…
[Lone Cloud]
Today I actually made an effort to tidy myself up before heading out, only to run into a wandering "seer" who declared I must be from the Nine Mortal Ways the moment he saw me. He pointed out six flaws he saw in me and claimed he knew at least ten tricks someone like me might use. I grew irritated—was he trying to ruin my livelihood? Before I could stop myself, I had already drawn my rope dart and given him a beating.
Once he was on the ground, I checked his money pouch—it was completely empty!
So I asked, "With all the books you've read, how is it you have no money at all?"
He turned red and launched into a long explanation about "scholars' concerns," something about one star having eight different names. I couldn't see what good any of that did him!
Still, I knew I shouldn't have been so reckless as to strike him. I helped him up as an apology and listened while he complained at length about how difficult it was to find work. That gave me an idea—since he could talk endlessly, why not work together? He could handle the fortune‑telling, I'd gather customers, and we'd split the earnings evenly!
But he grew stubborn, insisting his star‑reading was meant to interpret the world's deeper workings, not be used for fortune‑telling.
I replied, "If you can't do it, then forget it."
He lifted his chin and said, "I can do it. I simply don't wish to."
I said, "Which explains why your pockets are empty."
Since he clearly had no money at all, I handed him a few coins for a meal before I left.
Why is it that every time I go out, I end up spending money instead of earning it?
[Well of Heaven]
Everyone in the Nine Mortal Ways says the Well of Heaven disciples are as good as walking treasuries, but it would be far too embarrassing to ask them directly for food, so I refuse to do that. Still, while following them around today, I actually came up with a proper way to earn money.
They visit the Springwave Pavilion every day, and they're all impressively built. If I could slip up to the window and sketch them through the cracks, then sell each picture for ten wen, I'd have no trouble finding buyers.
It was a good plan, but I managed only two sketches before they caught me.
Their leader questioned me. His grip was so strong that with one shake, I confessed everything. But to my surprise, after I explained, he said, "Why didn't you tell me you were drawing? I could pose for you."
That's the Well of Heaven disciple for you—generous to the core. He even changed poses several times, and I finished ten sketches in one sitting. When I took them to the street and called out to sell them, they were gone in no time. A very good day's earnings!
(Flipping a page)
Today, the "walking treasury" sought me out again. He asked whether I could paint people I'd never met—just from their description.
I told him I could. He tossed me a bag of money and asked me to paint several people.
But he could barely remember what they looked like. His descriptions were things like, "I think there was a mole near the corner of the mouth," which wasn't much to go on. Still, since he paid generously, I didn't complain and simply did my best.
He seemed troubled, so I assumed these were enemies and that he wanted the portraits to issue warrants. But instead, once I finished, he took the drawings to the backyard and burned them one by one.
I couldn't understand it—why spend so much to have them painted, only to burn them? Yet as he burned them, he cried. It was the first time I'd ever seen a grown man break down in front of me, and it left me with a strange ache in my chest. Before I knew it, I had shed a couple of tears as well, though I couldn't say why.
[Hollow Vale]
I haven't run into anyone from Hollow Vale. And even if I did, I wouldn't dare approach—they might poison me without meaning to.
[Nine Mortal Ways]
Senior Sister A'xin read my diary and told me that someone with a conscience like mine will never earn money through trickery. She said I should stop thinking along those lines, and that she has better methods to teach me another day.
I can't tell if she was praising me or teasing me, but her words still made me strangely happy.
In any case, I've decided that if nothing else works out, I can always grind ink for those scholars at the Inkbound Order. The world's a big place; I'm sure I'll manage to get by.