"This..."
Zheng Xingchao was hesitant, his heart filled with doubts.
The masters of the northern and southern factions of Feng Shui all agreed that Zheng Yue carried dragon energy, yet Long Pu claimed she harbored a Greedy Beast. This left Zheng Xingchao utterly confused.
"Benefactor Zheng, I have many mundane affairs at the temple. I shall not impose further," Long Pu feigned departure.
Zheng Xingchao was alarmed and rushed to block him, "Master Long Pu, please do not rush. I did not say I don't believe you!"
"We'll do as you say..."
Before Zheng Xingchao could finish speaking, Lin Fan erupted in hearty laughter. Amplified by his spiritual energy, his laughter pierced everyone's eardrums.
*Clatter...*
The glass panes of the windows vibrated incessantly, emitting a humming sound as if they would shatter at any moment.
"Amitabha!"
At that very moment, a deep Buddhist chant cut through Lin Fan's laughter, reaching everyone's ears.
"Benefactor Lin, why do you laugh?" Long Pu asked, displeased.
"I laugh at you, old monk, for playing the game of 'feigning retreat to advance' to perfection," Lin Fan sneered.
"Monks should be benevolent. Benefactor Lin, please do not speak recklessly." Long Pu's face darkened.
"Spare me!" Lin Fan retorted, "I'll put it here: if the Zheng family falls one day, it will be your doing, Long Pu!"
The pronouncement sent shockwaves through the crowd. All eyes fixed on Lin Fan, who they believed had lost his mind.
"Master Lin, what makes you say that?" Zheng Xingchao asked sternly.
Lin Fan pointed at Long Pu, "Patriarch Zheng, you have all been deceived by this old monk. Not only you, but even the royal family has been led around by him."
"What?"
"You dare to speak such things!"
The crowd questioned him. No one liked being made a fool of, and Lin Fan's words clearly treated them as such.
"Na Rui is Long Pu's biological daughter. If you follow his plan for the 'Dragon Seizing Ritual,' Miss Zheng will surely perish." Lin Fan took a deep breath and continued, "Na Rui's dragon energy is not strong. With Miss Zheng's assistance, she will undoubtedly secure the throne. At that time, neither the Zheng family nor yourselves will fare well."
*Boom!*
The crowd felt as if struck by lightning, their faces turning pale. Lin Fan's words were like a nuclear bomb, leaving everyone stunned.
"Princess Na Rui is Master Long Pu's daughter?"
"Is that possible?"
"I don't know."
The chaotic murmurs surged like waves throughout the house. Zheng Xingchao's face was clouded with gloom, his mind buzzing.
"Amitabha. Ascetics have pure roots. If the world slanders me, I shall simply smile," Long Pu's calm voice gradually quieted the crowd.
"Master, I believe you!"
"Master Long Pu, you don't need to pay attention to this brat's nonsense!"
"What a lunatic, this is utterly absurd!"
Siam revered Buddhism, and the Chinese community there was no different. The vast majority of people present tended to believe Long Pu.
"Master Lin, do you have any evidence?" Zheng Xingchao asked nervously.
Lin Fan scanned the crowd and said, "Do you all remember when Princess Na Rui was expelled by the King? A highly respected eminent monk advised the King, saying Princess Na Rui was a reincarnation of the guardian beast of the nation."
"Ah!"
"Could that eminent monk have been Master Long Pu?"
"This..."
Everyone turned to look at Long Pu in unison.
"To expose his lies, we need to use scientific methods." Lin Fan smiled mysteriously and said to Long Pu, "In the past, medicine was not developed, and the King might not have considered a paternity test. Later, Na Rui gained the status of the nation's guardian beast, and perhaps no one dared to suggest it."
"Today, paternity tests are very common."
"I believe obtaining a strand of Na Rui's hair should not be difficult."
Lin Fan finished speaking and walked up to Long Pu.
"Amitabha," Long Pu raised his head and gave Lin Fan a deep look.
As the saying goes, a 'random punch can kill a master.' This was precisely how Long Pu felt. He had spent decades meticulously planning, becoming a monk to avenge the King's theft of his love. He was on the verge of success, only to have it ruined by a brash youngster. A genetic comparison? He dared not.
"Benefactor Lin's divine abilities are wondrous. This humble monk submits." With that, Long Pu bent down and bowed deeply to Lin Fan.
"Master Long Pu, you must not!"
"What virtue or merit does he possess to deserve your bow?" Several people stepped forward to help Long Pu.
"Performing a paternity test is not difficult. This is a matter of great importance, so you must think carefully," Lin Fan cautioned.
"This, this, this..." Zheng Xingchao was torn. He knew this was the safest course of action, but how could he bring himself to ask Long Pu?
"Master Long Pu, allow me to be audacious for once. This matter concerns the welfare of the entire realm. May I humbly request Master to bestow a single strand of hair and skin?" At this crucial moment, Xie Wei stepped forward.
"Benefactor Xie, this truly puts me in a difficult position," Long Pu sighed and shook his head, walking away.
The crowd dared not stop him; they could not afford to incur his wrath.
"Master, please leave something behind, so I may compare it with Princess Na Rui." Only Lin Fan dared to step forward and block Long Pu's path. There are those who scheme for a thousand days, but no way to guard against them for a thousand days. If he let Long Pu leave like this, it was hard to guarantee Zheng Yue's safety in the future.
"Benefactor Lin, know that even the Buddha has his anger." Long Pu was enraged.
Lin Fan smiled, "I am but a humble student, and I am willing to experience the Buddha's fire."
"Good!" Although he knew Lin Fan was unfathomable, Long Pu was no pushover. He was now furious and wished only to strike Lin Fan dead with a single palm.
The atmosphere became extremely tense. Everyone turned pale with fright and quickly retreated. One was a highly respected eminent monk. The other was a master of profound skills, a fearless newcomer. A great battle was about to commence!
Zheng Yue looked at Lin Fan with great worry, wanting to call him back to reconsider. Lin Fan seemed to know what she was thinking. He glanced back at her, gave a confident smile, and then leaped into the air like an eagle spreading its wings, attacking Long Pu.
In the crowd's view, Lin Fan instantly appeared in mid-air, then plummeted rapidly, unleashing a fierce fist towards Long Pu. Long Pu, meanwhile, spread his legs, lowered his stance, and threw a punch of his own.
*Bang!*
The two fists met with a thunderous thud. Instantly, those closer by turned pale, feeling as if a stone had hit their chests, leaving them breathless and short of breath. Those further back were also affected as a surge of energy swept through the hall, pushing them backward until they hit the walls.
As their fists separated, Long Pu's face showed disbelief. He stumbled back five steps, each one leaving a deep footprint on the floor, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading around him. Lin Fan landed gracefully on the ground, his face unruffled and his breathing steady, as if he had not exerted himself at all.
One move!
With just one move!
The difference in strength was clear!
"Demonic technique!" Long Pu exclaimed in astonishment.
"Master Lin, you... you are cultivating a demonic technique!" Zheng Xingchao's jaw nearly dropped. Judging by the name alone, it was certainly not a good cultivation method.