Era of Mist

"Brother Fa!" "Brother Fa’s here!" "Brother Fa!"

Everyone in the hall, men and women, young and old, was greeting the man. Shi Tiexin’s heart tightened. ’As the host of a birthday party, it’s not hard to get all your guests to say hello. But to have every guest respect you, to have them all bow their heads... that’s no simple feat.’

This meant that this Brother Fa was truly no ordinary person.

As Shi Tiexin watched, the man, dressed in a white suit, carried himself with a calm and detached air, smiling faintly and nodding to everyone. Every one of his movements seemed to exude a special kind of charm.

He just stood there, but it was as if the word "BOSS" was materializing all over his body in bold, block letters, radiating outwards, making it impossible for anyone to mistake him for some minor character.

This Brother Fa even had a touch of scholarly elegance.

But his presence was truly powerful.

At least, that’s how it seemed on the surface.

Shi Tiexin stared at him, secretly sizing him up, then glanced at the zombie-faced Ah Fan beside him, and at the idiotic-looking Ah Hui in the distance.

’Is this Brother Fa the real deal, or just putting on an act?’

’If he’s the real deal, why are his two Incense Masters so unimpressive, especially Ah Hui, who’s like a complete waste? But if he’s just for show...’ Shi Tiexin looked at the man’s warm, clear eyes and didn’t think he was the type to be all style and no substance.

"Brother Fa, happy birthday!" The crowd parted, and Ah Hui was the first to jump out, bellowing at the top of his lungs, "I specially sourced the finest Strong cigars from Cuba to wish you a long life, Brother Fa!"

Gasps of amazement immediately spread through the crowd.

"Strong cigars, those are the absolute best hand-rolled cigars." "A small box of twenty costs over a hundred thousand, right?" "Brother Hui is really generous!"

Whether these astonished people were plants hired by Ah Hui or not, he was currently preening, and even shot a provocative glance at Shi Tiexin from afar.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Ah Hui, you’re too kind." Brother Fa’s smile deepened, allowing people to feel his joy. Yet the smile wasn’t frivolous, making everyone feel that he was happy simply because of Ah Hui’s thoughtfulness, not because of some cigars.

’This expression alone convinced Shi Tiexin that Brother Fa was truly remarkable. If this man were an actor, he’d definitely be an award-winning veteran.’

Ah Fan was the second to step forward with birthday wishes. "Brother Fa, happy birthday. I present you with a jade disk. I wish you many happy returns."

The crowd once again parted as four grunts, HEAVING and HOING, carried over a Cyan Jade Screen. The screen was quite large, carved with dragons, phoenixes, auspicious trees, and peaches—all very festive and appropriate for the occasion.

The gift was neither outstanding nor flawed, and quite suitable for a gang boss in his fifties. It was a safe choice. Moreover, its high price was enough to show his sincerity.

"Ah Fan, you’re thoughtful as well. I like it very much." Brother Fa admired the screen for a moment, then patted Ah Fan on the shoulder. Ah Fan squeezed out a smile, creating a picture of a happy host and guest.

After the two Incense Masters had presented their gifts, it was time for the others. At this moment, many people looked toward Shi Tiexin. Everyone knew he was the closest to the position of Incense Master, and no one else would dare to step forward before he had given his gift.

Shi Tiexin glanced at the hundred-thousand-yuan cigars, then at the Cyan Jade Screen, which was of unknown but certainly not cheap value. His expression turned serious as he calmly walked forward and took out the calligraphy scroll, originally priced at fifty thousand.

"Brother Fa, happy birthday." Shi Tiexin presented the scroll with both hands. "This is a work of calligraphy. I hope you like it."

"Calligraphy?"

Observing from up close, Shi Tiexin saw a look of interest in the man’s eyes. He personally opened the container and unrolled the scroll to take a look.

"What’s this, calligraphy?" Ah Hui, at the side, suddenly started clamoring. "Is it an original work by some Yan or Liu?"

Shi Tiexin shook his head. "It’s not an antique. It was written by a contemporary artist."

"It’s not even an antique? Then how much could it be worth? It’s Brother Fa’s birthday, and you give him a pile of crappy writing? Aren’t you a little too cheap?" Ah Hui’s face was full of scorn. "Did you already spend all the money Brother Fa gave you? I figure driving a car doesn’t cost that much. Don’t tell me you blew it all on women!"

The surrounding crowd began to whisper among themselves.

Shi Tiexin shot a glance at Ah Hui and said unhurriedly, "Brother Hui, let’s not talk about how much I spent on this piece. The value of calligraphic art isn’t measured simply by price or whether it’s an ancient relic. The old is not necessarily better than the new, and the new is not necessarily inferior to the old. When I saw this work, I believed it had great value for collection and appreciation, which is why I brought it for Brother Fa."

"Appreciation?" Ah Hui burst out laughing. "What do you know about appreciating calligraphy?"

Shi Tiexin recalled the words of the old man in the park and immediately began to show off his knowledge, reciting fluently, "Observe the variance of the hanging needle and the dangling dewdrop; the wonder of charging thunder and a falling stone; the posture of a soaring swan and a startled beast; the grace of a dancing phoenix and a frightened snake; the power of a sheer cliff and a crumbling peak; the form of teetering on a precipice and clinging to withered wood. At times, it is as heavy as a collapsing cloud; at others, as light as a cicada’s wing. When guided, it flows like a spring; when paused, it is as steady as a mountain. It is as delicate as the new moon rising at the edge of the sky, as magnificent as the myriad stars arrayed in the Milky Way. It shares the subtle wonders of nature, a feat not achievable by mere effort."

After speaking, Shi Tiexin glanced at Ah Hui and said calmly, "I only have a slight understanding. If Brother Hui is an expert, perhaps you could enlighten me."

Ah Hui: "..."

’Enlighten him?’

Forget enlightening him; after Shi Tiexin’s speech, Ah Hui was completely stunned. He stood there dumbfounded for a long moment before suddenly shouting, "What the hell are you babbling about? What’s the use of all that mumbo jumbo? You trying to become the Champion Scholar or something?"

"Alright, that’s enough bickering." Brother Fa, who had been watching from the side, suddenly spoke up. He looked at Shi Tiexin, his smile seeming very sincere. "I like this work of calligraphy very much. Thank you for your gift."

Shi Tiexin noticed that although the gang boss was still smiling, there seemed to be a special flicker deep in his eyes when he mentioned the calligraphy.

The rest of the underlings came forward one by one to present their gifts and wish Brother Fa a happy forty-eighth birthday.

Everything that followed went as expected. Brother Fa gave a speech and mingled with the crowd, chatting with the guests like a nobleman. Shi Tiexin ate much and said little, replenishing another seven wisps’ worth of vital essence. The false core in his lower abdomen continued to expand, gradually approaching the limit of essence cultivation he had once reached.

After a while, Shi Tiexin felt bored to tears and couldn’t be bothered to deal with Ah Hui’s suicidal provocations, so he found an opportunity to leave the main hall. He made a few turns and arrived at a secluded terrace, planning to get some fresh air and clear his head.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded.

"This is my favorite spot in the house. The view is clear and open, with nothing to obstruct the eye."

Shi Tiexin turned his head and saw Brother Fa, dressed in his white suit, approaching unhurriedly with his imposing air.

"Brother Fa, you’re out for some air too?"

"I’m getting old. The noise gives me a headache." Brother Fa seemed very easygoing. "I heard your eloquent discourse just now. I didn’t expect you to know how to appreciate calligraphy. It was quite a surprise."

Shi Tiexin was very honest. "I just memorized it all. It’s nothing special."