I returned home to an empty house!
My wife, Lin Han, was like a cat in this world, sometimes proud, sometimes endearingly silly, sometimes clingy, and sometimes ferociously showing her claws. Besides these traits, she possessed a skill humans lacked: the perception of danger.
Just as animals can predict earthquakes, Lin Han could foresee impending dangers in my life.
Her departure meant danger was coming.
...
I sat in the study, looking at old objects, a phonograph, calligraphy and paintings...
Since buying this quadrangle courtyard, its style had not been altered in any way. It remained unchanged when Teacher Wang Ren lived here. Thus, some of the original items were still preserved, such as Zhang Si's calligraphy and paintings in the study.
Zhang Si had multiple personalities, a mental patient by all accounts. Yet, he didn't appear particularly neurotic. Come to think of it, Shi Ying also showed few signs of mental instability; most of the time, Shi Ying was a well-behaved and sensible child.
My gaze fell upon a basket in the corner. It wasn't large, Western-style, and quite tall, resembling a flowerpot. However, it contained framed calligraphy that I had never seen before. I always felt there was no need to look at Zhang Si's work.
But after Teacher Wang Ren said Zhang Si was the most formidable one, my understanding of The Schemer was turned upside down. All along, I believed the highest realms of The Schemer were limited to a few types.
Old Ghost's: "Nothing in this world is truly mine, yet everything in this world can be used by me."
Li Jiu's: "All schemes are inseparable from underlying logic."
Zhu Guang's: "The sole pursuit of victory."
Teacher Wang Ren's: "First the Dao, then the method."
Their possession of these realms stemmed from the cultivation and guidance of the extraordinary old gentleman Wen De. However, Li Jiu later went on to establish training classes.
The elites from these training classes categorized The Schemer into four modes.
Thus, came the later abilities of the four-colored Aces, such as Lu Yao's "Absolute Denial," Ye Qingcheng's "Cold Blood," Xiao Zi'an's "Opportunistic Combat," and Ke Yingying's "Psychological Maze."
These individuals clearly articulated the realms of The Schemer, each forging their own distinct path.
Yet, Teacher Wang Ren asserted that all these realms originated from metaphysics, and Old Ghost's prowess was due to the Dao he held in his heart. Was metaphysics truly the highest realm for The Schemer?
What was that thing?
Actually, when it came to realms.
Both Senior Sister Cao Qian and I forged new paths. For instance, Senior Sister was a "spirit" who could perceive the past and future. I, too, believed in certain causal determinations, which is why I said, "Do good deeds, and ask not about the cause or effect."
Causes and effects can be good or bad. Once understood, one's schemes can reach a higher level. However, comprehending causality is not an easy feat. After all, I am still a young man not yet thirty years old. Perhaps when I reach Old Ghost's age, I will understand causality more clearly.
Now...
There is no such thing...
In my current confused state, I cannot yet skillfully utilize my own realm. To reach a higher level, I must break through my limitations and become stronger than before.
What right did Zhang Si have to be considered the most formidable person? To understand him, I could only start by examining the calligraphy he left behind.
...
I looked at the phonograph in the corner, covered in dust, and thought about what happened in those days. Perhaps Zhang Si sat here, listening to the phonograph, and comprehended the "Dao" of The Schemer.
So, I took out my phone and called Da Huang: "Brother Da Huang, can this phonograph at my house be repaired?"
"That antique, it commands respect even as a decoration. Why repair it?"
"There's a black disc here, I want to listen to it."
"I'll buy you a new phonograph that can play USB drives."
"I want to fix this one."
"You're being fussy!"
"Can it be repaired?"
"To tell you the truth, I'm an appliance repairman."
I was delighted: "Come over tonight, I'll have drinks ready."