Physiognomists are divided into nine grades, each grade a new realm.

Feng Shui has its own levels: understanding principles, cultivating energy, self-cultivation, and seeking the Dao.

An ordinary young man of the 21st century, by chance, acquires the metaphysical inheritance of Zhuge Liang. Henry Foster, who has no great ambitions, only wants to live a simple life with his wife and children, but by a twist of fate, step by step, he ascends to the pinnacle of physiognomy, achieving the honor of super-grade, reading the land, reading people, reading beauties.

With Six Lines, he calculates all affairs under heaven; with Eight Characters, he reads the fate of all people in the world!

Volume One: The Lotus Bud Just Reveals Its Tip

Chapter 1: Zhuge’s Internal Classic

“Legend has it that back then, Zhuge Liang performed a ritual at Wuzhangyuan to extend his life, lighting eighty-one longevity lamps. As long as the eighty-one lamps could stay lit for seven days, his life would be extended by a hundred years. But on the last day, Wei Yan suddenly barged into the tent and blew out one of the lamps. Zhuge Liang, sitting cross-legged in the center, spat out a mouthful of blood and died!”

The crowd erupted in sighs. Standing in front of Zhuge’s Cottage, listening to the tour guide recount the legendary stories of Zhuge Liang’s life, everyone couldn’t help but once again lament heaven’s jealousy of heroes and curse Wei Yan.

However, a handsome young man in the crowd showed a hint of disdain on his face. He was a senior history major at Nanchang University and was already very familiar with Zhuge Liang’s deeds. Not to mention the absurdity of the life-extending tale, even the guide’s introduction was riddled with errors.

On Wuzhangyuan, Zhuge Liang gazed at the stars and was shocked: the three stars in the sky, the guest star was twice as bright, the main star dim. He knew his end was near. He told Jiang Wei: “I am well-versed in the arts of prayer and exorcism, but I do not know Heaven’s will. You may lead forty-nine armored soldiers, each holding a black flag and wearing black clothes, to encircle the tent. I will pray to the Big Dipper inside. If the main lamp does not go out for seven days, I can extend my life by one cycle; if the lamp goes out, I will surely die.”

This is a description from a novel about Zhuge Liang extending his life, which is why the young man scoffed at the guide’s nonsense. The number seven times seven was forcibly turned into eighty-one lamps, and as the novel says, Sima Yi observed the stars and knew Zhuge was gravely ill, so he launched a probing attack. Wei Yan, panicked, rushed into the tent and accidentally extinguished the main lamp. Zhuge sighed, “Life and death are fated, and cannot be changed by ritual!”

Afterwards, Zhuge made arrangements for his affairs and continued to match wits with Sima Yi before finally passing away.

“But Zhuge Liang’s life extension is just a story from a novel. What the guide says is equally absurd—what’s the difference!”

Henry Foster mocked himself. He was out this time purely to relax, so why bother with such details? He collected his thoughts and followed the crowd into Zhuge’s Cottage.

Zhuge’s Cottage covers about 120,000 square meters, with 155 halls and pavilions. The archway, Immortal Bridge, mountain gate, main hall, and thatched cottage are all arranged along the central axis. On either side are buildings such as Zhuge’s Well, Stele Gallery, Ancient Cypress Pavilion, Wild Cloud Nunnery, and Reading Platform.

Inside, there are many plaques and steles preserving famous lines and works from renowned figures throughout history and around the world. Yue Fei’s calligraphy of “The First Memorial to the Emperor” and Ming Dynasty Li Dongyang’s “Record of the Reconstruction of Zhuge Wuhou Shrine” are both highly regarded by later generations of calligraphy enthusiasts.

“Before the expedition succeeded, the hero died, leaving heroes in tears!”

Henry Foster admired the poems and writings of famous people from various dynasties, sighing inwardly. Perhaps it was precisely because Zhuge Liang died with so many regrets that Mr. Luo Guanzhong wrote the story of Zhuge Liang extending his life at Wuzhangyuan.

As he enjoyed the calligraphy of these famous figures along the way, Henry Foster unknowingly reached the depths of the steles, where the sound of flowing water could be heard. A pavilion stood there, and inside, an elderly man with white hair and a middle-aged man were brewing tea and chatting.

“Edward Clark, what do you make of that young man’s face?”

The white-haired old man noticed Henry Foster’s figure and softly asked the middle-aged man opposite him.

The middle-aged man, upon hearing this, fixed his gaze for a moment, pondered slightly, and then said:

“Mr. Carter, this person’s features are ordinary, with no highs or lows. He is destined to live an average life. His complexion is dark, the tip of his nose is red, and his heart is troubled. I suppose he has some emotional difficulties.”

Henry Foster did not hear their conversation. Otherwise, he would have cried out in surprise. The first half of the middle-aged man’s words could not be verified, but the latter half was absolutely accurate.

This trip was precisely because of emotional troubles. Feeling irritable and restless, he decided to take a break.

“Haha, Edward Clark, your physiognomy skills are getting more and more refined. It won’t be long before you surpass me!”

“Mr. Carter, you flatter me. Edward Clark’s knowledge is shallow. Please give me some pointers and see if I’ve made any mistakes!”

In front of the old man, the middle-aged man dared not be arrogant and spoke respectfully.

The white-haired old man’s wise eyes swept over Henry Foster and asked:

“Edward Clark, do you still remember the general principle of physiognomy?”

“Don’t judge a person by their appearance!”

“Yes, don’t judge a person by their appearance. This ancient proverb is also the general principle of our school of physiognomy. But since one shouldn’t judge by appearance, why does physiognomy exist at all? Isn’t that a contradiction?”

“Edward Clark believes that the saying ‘don’t judge a person by their appearance’ means one cannot judge a person’s worth or fate based on their looks. Historical records say: the Yellow Emperor looked as majestic as a dragon, Emperor Yao’s eyebrows had eight colors, Emperor Shun had double pupils, King Wen of Zhou had four nipples, Yu the Great had three large holes in his ears, Duke of Zhou had a curved back, and Confucius had a depression in the center of his head. These ancient sages had unusual, even ugly appearances, yet all were revered by later generations.”

The middle-aged man paused, then continued, “Therefore, ‘don’t judge a person by their appearance’ tells us not to judge a person’s status or fortune based on ugliness or beauty.”