The Way of Restraint

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Others might not grasp Su Jie’s potential, but Qin Hui certainly did.

Qin Hui was a martial arts expert himself…having undergone specialized training…and was keenly aware of just how formidable Su Jie was.

“Don’t forget, when it comes to growth potential, there is someone else who can rival you,” Qin Hui said.

“You mean Feng Hengyi?” Su Jie knew exactly who Qin Hui was referring to. “He certainly has immense potential for growth, but he chose the wrong path; his ultimate achievements are destined to be limited. Anyway, let’s skip the idle talk and save time. I’ll take you to see Liu Shi. You hand over the incriminating evidence on Wen Ting to him, and I’ll guarantee both your safety and your interests. As for Zhang Hongqing…I’ll handle him.”

Initially, Su Jie hadn’t been very confident about taking on Zhang Hongqing. However, as time passed and his training deepened…culminating in his mastery of the “flying needle” hidden weapon technique…he felt that if he encountered the man now, the odds would be at least 40-60 in his favor.

Su Jie had made tremendous progress recently; he could sense improvements in both his mental state and his physical capabilities.

In particular, having firmly convinced himself that he was on the right path, he no longer harbored any doubts. He could forge ahead with unstoppable momentum, clearing away obstacles and thorns to aim directly for the Great Dao and the state of unity between man and nature.

“That’s the only option now, I suppose.” Qin Hui looked at Su Jie, still feeling a lingering sense of dread.

Su Jie could kill him at any moment; it was an instinctive awe rooted in the very essence of life.

“I’ll arrange a meeting with Liu Shi right now.” Su Jie picked up his phone and sent a message.

If other tycoons were to witness this, they would be absolutely astounded. Given Liu Shi’s status and position, securing a meeting with him was incredibly difficult…usually requiring a month-long wait…yet Su Jie seemed able to arrange it whenever he pleased.

Under Qin Hui’s astonished gaze, a reply from Liu Shi arrived in less than three minutes. 

“A car is coming to pick us up soon,” Su Jie said. “You should figure out what you’re going to say to Liu Shi; he isn’t as easy to deal with as I am.”

Seeing the situation, Qin Hui cursed himself for his stupidity. 

Su Jie was far more than just an ordinary university student; his influence was immense…it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had connections that reached the highest levels.

Abroad, he was highly valued by Larry, serving as both a close bodyguard and a scientist at the life sciences laboratory.

Back home, he had earned Liu Shi’s trust.

Such a network of connections was far beyond anything Qin Hui could hope to shake. Any schemes Qin Hui had once harbored to frame Su Jie were now utterly hopeless.

Before long, several vehicles pulled up and surrounded Qin Hui’s car. Bodyguards in black suits stepped out, escorted Qin Hui into another vehicle, and sped away.

Qin Hui had no choice but to submit to the situation.

Su Jie, however, was quite accustomed to this sort of thing. “The security team at Hedao Group is actually shaping up quite well. Qin Hui, you’ve undergone rigorous training; how about joining Hedao Group’s security department as a senior executive to train them?”

Qin Hui remained silent in response to Su Jie’s suggestion; he was still preoccupied with how he would address Liu Shi.

The convoy soon arrived at a manor in the suburbs. After driving through the gates and navigating a series of turns, they finally reached Liu Shi’s residence.

Liu Shi’s home was a spacious, traditional Chinese-style compound. It was designed to perfectly harness the flow of *qi* and wind, incorporating the principles of the Three Realms, Five Elements, Nine Palaces, and Eight Trigrams. Yet, from the outside, it appeared completely ordinary…a masterclass in architectural design where true sophistication is concealed within apparent simplicity.

One could only wonder which architectural master had designed it.

This was also Su Jie’s first time visiting Liu Shi’s home. 

Upon entering, one immediately sensed the profound and masterful design of the house; there were intricate details whose subtleties could only be grasped through careful contemplation.

Masters Luo and Ma, along with Zhuang Tianyun, were all formidable figures in the realm of Feng Shui design. 

Su Jie had seen their residences, yet compared to the house before him, theirs paled in comparison…lacking a certain intangible charm and bearing the telltale signs of deliberate craftsmanship.

In contrast, the courtyard where Liu Shi lived felt as natural as the mountains, rivers, and vegetation themselves, devoid of any trace of artificial arrangement.

Amidst the winding paths and corridors, accompanied by the gentle murmur of flowing water, Su Jie actually sensed the presence of “Dragon Qi”…a Dragon Vein.

An artificial Dragon Vein!

In Feng Shui, the Dragon Vein represents the ultimate auspicious power. China possesses three primary Dragon Veins…associated with the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and the Qinling Mountains…along with countless tributaries; these were all formed naturally, beyond the capability of human creation.

Creating a Dragon Vein within one’s own home was a feat attempted by only one person in ancient times: Heshen. This occurred at what would later become the Prince Gong Mansion; a pavilion was constructed there, and a Dragon Vein was incorporated into its layout.

Ultimately, however, Heshen’s entire family was stripped of their assets, and he was forced to commit $uicide by hanging himself with a length of white silk. Yet, the house itself remained unscathed. After becoming the Prince Gong Mansion, it weathered the storms of the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty and has survived to the present day as a tourist attraction.

As the saying goes: “One Prince Gong Mansion, half a history of the Qing Dynasty.”

The fact that it has endured for so long is undoubtedly due, in no small part, to the influence of that Dragon Vein. The Dragon Vein could not protect the man himself, but it did safeguard the estate and the land upon which it stood.

The fact that Liu Shi had constructed a miniature Dragon Vein in his home might not necessarily be a blessing; it could well be a harbinger of great calamity. 

Upon entering the courtyard, Su Jie saw Liu Shi waiting for him alone in a pavilion, where tea had already been prepared.

Ignoring Qin Hui, Liu Shi asked, “This is your first time visiting my residence. What do you think of the *feng shui* here? Could you take a look and tell me if there is anything that needs improvement?”

Su Jie sat down and shook his head. “Who designed this courtyard for you? Do they hold a grudge against you?”

“What makes you say that?” Liu Shi remained completely composed.

“The winding paths, the flowing water, and the corridors here form the configuration of a ‘dragon vein.’ Having a dragon vein enter a private home is by no means a blessing; it is an omen of great calamity…something no family can withstand,” Su Jie said. “It may bring rapid, short-term prosperity, but disaster is inevitable afterward. You surely know about Heshen’s estate…it also possessed a dragon vein. And look how that turned out.”

“The *feng shui* master said the same thing, but he also offered another perspective. Would you like to hear it?” Liu Shi asked.

“I would be glad to hear the details.” Su Jie settled in to listen attentively. 

“This Feng Shui master said that times have changed; things aren’t what they used to be. In the feudal era, items belonging to the emperor were heavily taboo, but in modern times, the people are the masters of the country…everyone is a ‘dragon,’ so what can’t be used? In ancient times, only the emperor could wear a dragon robe or use the color ‘bright yellow.’ Nowadays, you could walk down the street in a dragon robe and no one would say a word, and bright yellow is everywhere. The ‘dragon aura’ has dissipated; one can even utilize the ‘dragon vein’ within one’s own home to enhance the earth’s energy and foster harmony between humanity and nature. Times have changed, and some old taboos can be updated…it’s no big deal.” Liu Shi continued, “Those were his exact words. I found them very sensible; what do you think?”

“It makes sense…very true!” Su Jie smiled. “While I’ve studied Feng Shui and physiognomy…disciplines rooted in ancient traditions…and explored their principles, I’ve sometimes gotten too caught up in the minutiae. I’ve focused on the relationships between heaven, earth, and humanity without fully incorporating the elements of the current era and its specific context. Times change, and ancient principles need to evolve. That’s excellent…truly excellent.” He seemed to have gained a new insight. “Who is the person behind this design? Could you tell me about them? I’d really like to meet this individual.”

“I can’t reveal who it is…” Liu Shi teased, holding back the answer. “But it’s definitely someone you’d never expect. We’re just discussing Feng Shui for now; the main business is yet to come.”

“That person must be very young,” Su Jie remarked.

A peculiar look flashed in Liu Shi’s eyes…Su Jie had clearly guessed correctly.

“This is Qin Hui. He’s a subordinate of Wen Ting and also works for a major figure in the underworld. However, I’ve persuaded him to switch sides and hand over some incriminating material he possesses. I’ve brought him here so you two can talk and I can hear your thoughts.” Su Jie introduced Qin Hui.

Qin Hui had remained standing while listening to the conversation.

Only then did he sit down. “You two go ahead and chat; I’m going to walk around a bit.” Su Jie stood up. He had no interest in listening to stale, rehashed stories…mostly just old anecdotes about Wen Ting. If there were any noteworthy details, he could simply ask Qin Hui for the specific records later.

Right now, what interested him most was the estate itself.

Who on earth had designed this? It was incredibly bold to construct a “dragon vein” within a private garden; the designer certainly wasn’t an elderly person. An older person would have been bound by taboos…even if they didn’t believe in spirits or deities, they wouldn’t deliberately provoke them. The prevailing attitude was usually one of “respecting spirits but keeping them at a distance”…*I won’t bother you, and you don’t bother me; let’s just stay out of each other’s way.*

Only a young person would attempt a design like this. While the overall style appeared natural, certain details invited closer scrutiny.

Tucked away in a corner, there were distinct elements of modern, cool-toned architecture alongside styles reminiscent of ancient Rome and Europe. Furthermore, the use of curved glass in specific areas introduced a touch of sci-fi aesthetics.

The designer was undoubtedly a young person well-versed in architectural styles from around the world.

“A woman,” Su Jie realized. Certain design choices in the garden were incredibly delicate…touches that clearly reflected a feminine sensibility. A male designer would likely have incorporated a bolder, more rugged flair.

He strolled through the garden and suddenly paused, having located the “array eye”…the focal point of the site’s energetic formation.

This focal point relied on an inanimate object rather than a living creature.

Su Jie could clearly sense that something was buried beneath his feet…something that generated a subtle shift in the garden’s aura, exerting a stabilizing or suppressing influence over the entire space. He studied the spot for a long while, seemingly calculating exactly what lay buried there at the heart of the formation. 

“You really are an expert in Feng Shui,” Liu Shi said, walking over. “This spot is the focal point of the entire garden’s energy formation…a location that even most ordinary experts would struggle to pinpoint.”

“Did you reach an agreement?” Su Jie asked, glancing at Qin Hui in the distance; Qin Hui looked overjoyed, as if he had secured a massive benefit.

“If you can guess what is buried beneath this focal point, I’ll truly be impressed.” Liu Shi didn’t answer Su Jie’s question, steering the conversation back to Feng Shui instead.

Su Jie decided not to press the issue further. He knew Liu Shi had certainly obtained what he was after; judging by his beaming expression, it was clear he had finally let go of a long-held burden.

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