Snow's Embrace: Chapter 6
— Covered Pavilion
Zayne: Tomorrow at noon, someone will come to extend you an invitation. Do not accept it, or else great misfortune will befall you.
Zayne: Congratulations to the two of you. In the middle of next month, your esteemed son will enjoy the happiness of
Zayne: Don’t worry, the so-called “southeast ghostly shadow” is only a dead tree blocking the path; it isn’t a malevolent spirit causing mischief.
Zayne: Is it enough?
MC: It’s enough. This is enough to buy the entire stall.
MC: But, you really didn’t bring anything with you and descended the mountain.
MC: And here I thought you had some kind of spell that could turn stone into gold, so you’d be able to create a huge amount of money whenever, wherever.
Zayne: If I were to turn stone into gold, they would still transform back into stone in the end. Then the vendor will have lost money. Then wouldn’t he end up going up to Heaven, coming back down to Earth, looking for help but finding no door to knock on?
MC: That’s true… But why did you use this visual concealment spell?
Zayne: It is the way of the mortal world—the older one is, the easier their words will convince people.
Zayne: Such is the case for physicians, and also for
MC: That’s so strange. If a young person is inexperienced, isn’t an older person likely to be muddle-headed?
MC: Ahem, may I trouble you sir, to perform a divination for me.
Zayne: …What kind of medicine are you selling in your this time?
MC: Shh… Just pretend to divine my fortune, then I’ll say a few words to help support you and attract a little more business for you, okay?
MC: At the corner of the street is a vendor selling sugar paintings. I want to…
Zayne: Glutton.
MC: Earlier I discovered that when you perform divinations for people, you only need to give them a glance. You don’t even ask more than you have to.
MC: From what I’ve seen of other fortune tellers, whether it’s interpreting divination sticks or divining stalks, or casting lots, they always have at least one method, and if that method doesn’t work, they’ll still pinch their fingers to calculate a few points.
Zayne: The essence of physiognomy is face reading. It doesn’t require the assistance of props.
MC: But doesn’t that seem a little unconvincing? Why don’t you also add a little something, dress it up a little?
Zayne: Aside from reading faces, one can also read palms.
Kindled
Zayne: Since you’re curious, then let’s take a look. Give me your hand.
Zayne: What do you want to ask?
Zayne: You’re asking about the wisdom of this lifetime? Then, naturally, it is…
Zayne: If you advance, you will astound the world with ; if you retreat—there’s an endless pile of books waiting for you to copy.
Mistranslation Alert: This was originally mistranslated as "Romance."
Zayne: You want to ask about your
Zayne: The one bound to you by fate… seems to have difficulty expressing their heart’s true feelings, and isn’t a very affectionate person.
Zayne: Sound familiar? Like Big Hua or Little Bai.
MC: You’re speaking nonsense! Big Hua and Little Bai are very affectionate with me!
Zayne: You want to ask about your luck with wealth?
Zayne: You possess the most precious treasure under Heaven, but it can’t be exchanged for wealth. Whether this makes you rich or poor, I don’t know.
MC: Then I also want to look at yours.
Zayne: , what can you even see?
Zayne: I already said you can’t see anything. You mean to read this glove’s fortune instead?
MC: Then… I can still read your face!
Zayne: Not necessary.
Zayne: Are you done looking? What have you managed to see?
MC: I can see that you are missing a bit of good fortune. How about I share some of my “” with you?
Zayne: Auspiciousness? How generous.
— form an image of a blooming
Zayne: There is no flower like this on the mountain. How do you know what it looks like?
MC: I heard about it from a passerby. I hear it’s very fragrant.
Zayne: “Flowers bloom, ”; using this as an auspicious sign, I suppose it’s fitting.
Zayne: However, I noticed that your spiritual energy was slightly sluggish while you were resonating. Looks like once we return, it’ll be necessary to assign you more coursework.
MC: Let me ask you, were the things you said just now just platitudes?
Zayne: Believe, and it’ll come true.
MC: This kind of child’s play… so you are just teasing me!
Zayne: Weren’t you the one who said, “pretend to divine my fortune,” “I’ll say a few words to help support you”?
Zayne: Since that is so, why regard a few empty words as truth?
MC: Then I’m really curious now… why don’t you just take a look for me then?
MC: What’s wrong… Are the divined results not good?
Zayne: … No.
MC: Then what did you see?
Zayne: …
Zayne: During this lifetime, you will face a single tribulation.
Plot-Critical Cultural Note: 劫数 jieshu, which literally translates to “portion of a kalpa,” refers to an inevitable cycle of calamities that can’t be escaped, often written as “tribulation” (劫 jie）in xianxia. In Buddhism, a “kalpa” describes a vast timespan that includes all four cosmic cycles of formation, existence, destruction, and annihilation. In later Daoism, which syncretized Buddhist ideas, it can refer to cosmic or karmic fate. Effectively, this describes a predetermined calamity that happens over a period of time which can’t be escaped until the kalpa or tribulation has come to its natural end. Passing a tribulation often grants a cultivator with additional power or transcendence, so it also functions as a cosmic test.
Zayne: As long as you can overcome it, you will be able to possess power that can .
MC: You gave me a fright. What’s so good about reaching Heaven and penetrating Earth? As long as I can continue like this right now—
MC: Anyway, everything is fine the way it is now!
Zayne: …
MC: But… what is that tribulation?
Zayne: … don’t eat the sugar painting.
MC: Huh?
Zayne: Don’t eat the sugar painting. Your teeth will hurt.
What can divine ?
Zayne: It’s you.
Old Man: Your power of sight is strong.
Old Man: She is that “variable” isn’t she? In the end, she still finally appeared.
Zayne: I’ve seen her fate chart. It is thoroughly bright and luminous, uncontaminated by even a speck of dust. There are truly no signs of her becoming a variable.
Old Man: What you’ve seen is only her present. Besides, even if she has a heart that does not wish to harm another, it is still difficult to ensure that others will not secretly give rise to evil thoughts because of her.
Old Man: I’ve heard, recently a small snake went into a frenzy on the mountain. You ought to understand the reason, shouldn’t you?
Zayne: …
Old Man: “The common man is without guilt, but ”. Since you have of Si Ming you should while it’s still early.
Old Man: Lest one day in the future, you yourself are dragged into turmoil.
Old Man: If you cannot bear to do so, why not hand it to me to take care of?
Zayne: That is not necessary.
Girl: Zayne! I just heard from the stall owner that at night, they’ll be putting on a ceremonial ritual! Shall we go watch it together?
Zayne: Alright.
Zayne: You will receive an invitation tomorrow at noon. Don’t accept it or else misfortune will befall you.
Zayne: Congratulations, you two. Your son will be married next month.
Zayne: There’s no need to worry. The rumored ghost in the southeast region is just a fallen tree blocking the road. It is not a malevolent spirit.
We set up a fortune-telling stall half an hour ago on the side of the street. Zayne sits behind it and reads people’s fortunes.
In no time, a long line forms as people want to get their fortunes read.
Zayne: Is this enough?
After thanking him profusely, the last customer, an elderly woman, leaves. I happily hand Zayne a bag filled to the brim with coins.
MC: It is. We can buy a whole stall with this.
MC: I still can’t believe you actually came down the mountain without bringing money.
MC: I thought you knew some kind of transmutation spell to turn stone into gold.
Zayne: The gold would eventually return to being stone. When that happens, the merchant won’t be able to ask for help.
MC: That’s true… But why did you cast an illusion on us?
We don’t see each other any differently. Yet in the eyes of everyone else…
Zayne looks like an old, white-haired mage while I’m a young girl with two buns in my hair.
Zayne: People often believe the older someone is, the more credible they are.
Zayne: This applies to physicians as well as mages.
MC: That’s weird. Being young doesn’t mean you don’t have experience, and being old doesn’t mean you can’t make mistakes.
Since no one is paying attention to us, I dispel the illusion to reveal my true appearance and sit down next to Zayne.
MC: Ahem… can you read my fortune, sir?
Zayne: …What are you planning this time?
MC: Shh… Just pretend to read my fortune. I’ll put in a few good words for you. You’ll get more customers this way!
MC: There’s a stall that sells sugar paintings on the street corner. I was thinking…
Zayne: You’re a glutton.
Grinning ear to ear as I look at him, I prop up my chin in my hand.
MC: I noticed you can tell someone’s fortune with just a glance. You don’t ask a lot of questions.
MC: From what I’ve seen before, fortune tellers draw, cast spells, or count.
Zayne: At its core, it’s about being able to read a person’s expression. Other methods aren’t necessary for me.
MC: But wouldn’t that make you less intimidating? Why don’t you try to put on a show?
Zayne sighs. He pauses for a moment and then turns to me.
Zayne: Other than reading someone’s expressions, you can also read palms.
Kindled
Zayne: Since you’re curious, I’ll look at yours. Give me your hand.
Zayne: What do you want to know?
Zayne: So you want to know about your wisdom. Well…
Zayne: You could surprise the world with a single, brilliant feat… Or there’s an endless amount of books waiting to be copied by you.
Mistranslation Alert: 姻缘 yin yuan is not merely “romance”, it’s actually predestined marriage! 姻 yin means marriage or marital connection; 缘 yuan means fate, karmic/predestined bond. There is no way to translate this as “romance.”
Zayne: Romance?
Zayne: The person you’re destined to be with is… stoic and not very affectionate.
Zayne: Does it remind you of someone? It could be Hua or Bai.
MC: You’re lying! Hua and Bai are very loving!
Zayne: Wealth?
Zayne: You possess the most precious treasure in the world. However, it cannot be exchanged for money. I’m uncertain if you’re rich or poor.
MC: Now it’s my turn.
Zayne: How can you read my palm when I’m wearing gloves?
Zayne: I told you that you couldn’t see anything. Are you trying to read the glove?
MC: …I can also read expressions!
Zayne: Don’t bother.
Zayne: You looked long enough. What did you see?
MC: Why don’t I share some of my “good fortune” with you? Since you seem to be lacking it.
Zayne: Your good fortune? You’re too kind.
Resonate — Form a jade-colored flower on Zayne's palm.
Zayne: This flower can’t be found in the mountains. How do you know what it looks like?
MC: I heard about it from a passerby. It supposedly has a nice fragrance.
Zayne: A flower that’s always in full bloom is a sign of good luck. It’s fitting.
Zayne: However, judging from your resonance, your power stagnated for a bit. We need to improve your training when we get back.
MC: Earlier, did you make up everything?
Zayne: Believe, and it will come true.
MC: Tch… That’s a lie. You’re messing with me.
Zayne: You were the one who said I should just “pretend” while you “put in a few good words” for me.
Zayne: Since that’s the case, don’t take my words too seriously.
Zayne quietly watches me, his expression gentle, but something hides in the depths of his eyes.
Unconsciously, I lean forward. Seeing how there’s no one around, I whisper to him.
MC: Now I’m genuinely curious… Why don’t we do it seriously this time?
Seeing Zayne lift his gaze, I know he agreed. I sit up straight, looking at him with anticipation.
Before I realize it, a cold expression appears on Zayne’s face.
MC: What’s wrong…? Is it bad?
Zayne: … It’s not.
MC: Then what did you see?
Zayne: …
Zayne: There will be an unfortunate event in your life.
Mistranslation Alert: MC is not merely fated to have an "unfortunate event." She's literally fated to undergo a tribulation. 劫数 jieshu, which literally translates to “portion of a kalpa,” refers to an inevitable cycle of calamities that can’t be escaped, often written as “tribulation” (劫 jie）in xianxia. In Buddhism, a “kalpa” describes a vast timespan that includes all four cosmic cycles of formation, existence, destruction, and annihilation. In later Daoism, which syncretized Buddhist ideas, it can refer to cosmic or karmic fate. Effectively, this describes a predetermined calamity that happens over a period of time which can’t be escaped until the kalpa or tribulation has come to its natural end. Passing a tribulation often grants a cultivator with additional power or transcendence, so it also functions as a cosmic test.
Zayne: After it occurs, you will wield a power that can shake heaven and earth.
MC: Ugh, don’t scare me! I don’t care about having power like that. I like it as it is now…
I silently add a “with you.”
MC: Anyway, it’s perfect as it is!
Zayne: …
MC: So… what’s this unfortunate event?
Nervous, I expectantly look at Zayne. After a long period of silence, he finally meets my gaze.
Zayne: …Don’t eat it.
MC: Huh?
Zayne: Don’t eat sugar. You’ll get a toothache.
As she runs off to buy a bracelet, Zayne can still see her joyful face through the crowd.
The corner of his mouth curls, but that hint of a smile quickly disappears.
In the swaying shadows of the trees, an old man sits down in front of him.
Old Man: Your Grace, is there any reason to be here?
Zayne: It’s you.
Old Man: Your Grace has a keen eye.
The old man glances at the girl who’s not too far away.
Old Man: Isn’t she that variable? She finally appeared.
Zayne: I’ve seen her fate. It’s clear, untainted, and untouched. There are no signs of her becoming a variable.
The old man strokes his long beard.
Mistranslation Alert: The Old Man does not show so much deference to Zayne. In fact, his language is incredibly informal and he does not address him by title besides the first time (which was actually pretty sarcastic.)
Old Man: What Your Grace has seen is only her present. And even if she has no intention of harming others, it won’t stop them from resenting her.
Old Man: I heard a small serpent went mad in the mountains. Your Grace must know the reason, yes?
Zayne: …
Old Man: When a person has something unique and precious, they will no longer live in peace. Since Your Grace has already accepted the role of Si-Ming, the variable must be eliminated as soon as possible.
Mistranslation Alert: It is not that a person who has something precious can't live in peace, but that it's actually dangerous to try and hold onto something precious. The proverb is based on a passage from 《春秋左傳》 Chun Qiu Zuo Zhuan which includes the line: "Why should I keep this? It will only bring harm to me."
Old Man: Any problems that could occur in the future will be avoidable then.
Old Man: If Your Grace is unwilling, should I do it instead?
Zayne: That won’t be necessary.
The girl stands in front of a nearby stall, waving a bracelet at him.
Girl: Zayne! The merchant told me there’s a sacrificial ceremony tonight. Can we go?
The old man has already disappeared. Zayne subconsciously waves back at her, hearing himself say–
Zayne: All right.
长街廊亭
黎深：明日午时将有人相请，阁下莫要应邀，否则会大祸临头。
黎深：给二位道喜，下月中旬，令郎将有合卺之欢。
黎深：阁下放心，所谓东南方的鬼影，只是枯树拦路，并非凶崇作怪。
小半个时辰前，街边支起个算命摊子，黎深端坐在后，从容地给人占卦。
不一会儿，来找他算命的人就排起了长龙。
黎深：够了么?
最后一位老媪千恩万谢地离开，我欢喜地把沉甸甸的钱袋子递到黎深眼前。
玩家：够了够了，这都能买下整个摊子了。
玩家：不过，你居然真的什么都没带就下山了。
玩家：我还以为你会什么点石成金之术，随时随地就能变出一大把钱。
黎深：点石成金，终究会变回石头，到时摊贩亏了钱财，岂不是上天入地求告无门。
玩家：这倒也是……可你又为什么要施这个障眼法?
虽然我们眼中的彼此没有变化，可在旁人眼中——
黎深是一位苍颜白发的术士，我则是一个扎着双髻的小童。
黎深：世间习俗，年纪越大的人，说的话越容易让人信服。
黎深：医者是如此，术士也是如此。
玩家：真奇怪，难道年纪轻的人就是阅历不足，年纪大的人就不会犯糊涂么?
见四下无人注意，我捏了个诀解开障眼法，露出原本的模样，在黎深身旁坐下。
玩家：咳嗯，有劳先生替我卜上一卦。
黎深：……你葫芦里又在卖什么药?
玩家：嘘……你假装替我算算，我再说几句话给你捧捧场，给你多揽些生意不好么?
玩家：街角有一个卖糖画的摊子，我想……
黎深：贪吃。
我笑眯眯地托着下巴，歪头看他。
玩家：刚才我就发现，你给人占卦只需看上一眼，连问都不多问的。
玩家：我看别的算命先生，解签卜筮掷总得有一样，再不济也会掐掐指头捏算几点。
黎深：观人相面便是相术精处，并不需要借助外物。
玩家：那不是显得不够唬人嘛，要不你也来点别的，装装门面?
黎深无声叹气，静坐片刻，侧身面对着我。
黎深：除了相面，还可相手。
心迹
黎深：既然你好奇，那便看一看。将手给我。
黎深：要问什么？
黎深：问此生智慧吗，那当然是……
黎深：进可一鸣惊人，退——可有抄不完的书等着呢。
黎深：想问姻缘？
黎深： 与你结缘者似乎......心迹难表，不太亲人
黎深：耳熟是吗？大花如此，小白亦是
玩家：你胡说！大花小白和我亲着呢！
黎深： 问财运？
黎深： 你拥有全天下最珍贵的宝物，但换不了钱财。是穷是富，我也不知。
玩家：那我倒也要看一看你了。
黎深：隔着手套，能看到什么？
黎深：都说了看不到什么，你是要给这副手套相一相？
玩家：那……我还可以相面！
黎深：不必。
黎深：看够了吧，看出什么了？
玩家：看出来你缺点好运，把我的“吉兆”分给你怎么样？
黎深：吉兆？这么大方。
/共鸣/
黎深：这花山上没有，你如何知晓它模样?
玩家：从路人那里听来的，听说很香。
黎深：花开莫离，以此作为吉兆，倒也算是契合。
黎深：不过，观你共鸣时灵力稍有凝滞，看来回去后得多加些课业才行。
玩家：我问你，刚才说的那些是不是随口唬我?
黎深：信则灵。
玩家：这么儿戏……果然是耍我!
黎深：不是你说，“假装算算”“给我捧场”？
黎深：既是如此，一些虚言又何必当真。
黎深静静看着我，神情温柔，眼底却藏着深色。
我不甘心地往前凑凑，看左右无人，小声道。
玩家：那我现在是真的好奇……要不你就顺便给我看看呗。
见黎深无声抬眼，我知道这就是答应了，于是兴致勃勃地坐直了身体，期待地望着他。
不出片刻，却发现黎深的神情好像凝上了一层霜。
玩家：怎么了……算出的结果不好么?
黎深：……不是。
玩家：那你看到了什么?
黎深：……
黎深：你这一生中，有一个劫数。
黎深：只要渡过它，就能拥有通天入地的力量。
玩家：吓我一跳，通天入地有什么好的，我只要能像现在这样——
“和你像现在这样”，我在心里偷偷补充。
玩家：总之，当下就很好!
黎深：……
玩家：不过，那个劫是什么?
我紧张又期待地看着黎深，而他沉默半响，终于对上我的目光。
黎深：……别吃糖画。
玩家：啊？
黎深：别吃糖画，会牙疼。
女孩跑去买手串，隔着幢幢人影，黎深仍想象得到她欢欣的表情。
他弯了唇角，但那点笑意转瞬即逝。
飘摇树影中，一位老翁来到他面前坐下。
老翁：尊驾此处，能算什么?
黎深：是你。
老翁：好眼力。
老翁瞥了眼不远处的身影。
老翁：她就是那个“变数”吧？终于还是出现了。
黎深：我看过她的命格，明净透彻，不染纤尘，实在没有成为变数的迹象。
老翁捋了捋长长的胡须。
老翁：你看到的只是她的当下，何况纵她无害人之心，却难保旁人不会因她暗生歹念。
老翁：我听闻，近来山间有一条小蛇发了狂，你应当知晓原因吧?
黎深：……
老翁：匹夫无罪，怀璧其罪。你既承了司命衣钵，还是要趁早将这变数除去。
老翁：免得有朝一日，自己也被卷进风波。
老翁：若你不忍，就交由我来?
黎深：不必了。
不远处，女孩站在摊贩前，举着一串手串对他挥手。
女孩：黎深！我方才听摊主说，晚上会举办祭祀仪式，我们去看看好不好?
面前的老翁已经消失了，黎深下意识地也对她挥手，听到自己说——
黎深：好。
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