Zhong Chen leaned closer, whispering into An Hai's ear, "How do you see Lin Fan now?"
"Are you testing me, Old Zhong?"
An Hai smiled, appraising Lin Fan as he replied, "His face shows a bright, mirror-smooth destiny palace, indicating a life of ease. His nose bridge is straight and full, promising wealth and status. He has a fortunate destiny."
"That's not what I asked you to look at."
Zhong Chen shook his head, reminding him, "Look closely at his eyes. I just happened to notice a purple glint in them, bright and dazzling, unlike that of an ordinary person."
"What?"
An Hai frowned, his expression turning serious.
He stared at Lin Fan for a long time, puzzled, "I don't see it, Old Zhong. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"I've observed countless people in my life. Do you think I could be wrong?"
Zhong Chen retorted.
He mused for a moment, then added, "Lin Fan must be afraid of us discovering some secret. My guess is this isn't an innate talent, but rather a mystical art he acquired later in life."
An Hai took a deep breath, amazed, "If what you say is true, Lin Fan has quite a background!"
The two men whispered to each other, leaving Master Song and his disciple, Yuan Fei, feeling very curious.
However, since they had intentionally distanced themselves, they felt it would be impolite to intrude.
Yuan Fei couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Could Lin Fan truly possess great abilities that he hadn't recognized?
Impossible, right?
Yuan Fei's heart pounded, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Please, take care."
After seeing off his last patient, Lin Fan rose and looked at Long Yun and the others. "I'm closing up now to go home for dinner. You..."
He dismissed them without hesitation.
Long Yun stood up and respectfully cupped his hands towards him. "Master Lin, we've come to you today with a specific matter."
He gestured to the two chairmen beside him. "This is Zhong Chen, the chairman of the Northern Feng Shui and Fate Analysis Association, and beside him is Vice Chairman An Hai."
He then turned to Song Tian and Yuan Fei. "And these two are Song Tian, head of the Tianjin Association, and his esteemed disciple, Yuan Fei."
"So, a bunch of charlatans!"
Lin Fan chuckled, a hint of disdain in his expression.
Ever since witnessing Long Yun's deceptive antics, he had developed a strong dislike for practitioners of feng shui and divination.
They had little genuine skill, but were adept at deception and fraud!
Yuan Fei was enraged. "What did you say?"
"What? Are you and this Master Long not in the same profession?"
Lin Fan assumed he had mistaken them.
"We..."
Yuan Fei was about to say they weren't aligned with him, but then he reconsidered. To outsiders, they were all part of the same group, regardless of whether they were from the Southern or Northern schools.
"We earn our living through true skill. How dare you insult us without cause!"
Yuan Fei gritted his teeth in anger.
Lin Fan shook his head and smiled, cupping his hands. "If I've spoken incorrectly, I apologize. However, my clinic is closing now. Please leave."
"You!"
Yuan Fei couldn't contain himself and stood up, shouting, "What kind of innate master are you? I think you're colluding with Long Yun to deceive us all and make the Xing Shi Sect lose!"
"What?"
Lin Fan's eyebrows shot up. That was a lot of information, and he didn't understand a word of it.
"Master Long, what's going on?"
Lin Fan looked at Long Yun, about to press for details, when his sister-in-law arrived.
"Xiao Fan, are you still busy?"
Xia Xue had waited at home for Lin Fan, but when he didn't return, she came to the clinic to find him.
"You are..."
As Xia Xue entered, she saw Zhong Chen and the others, with their white hair and beards, looking like immortals. They didn't seem to be there for medical treatment.
"Oh?"
Zhong Chen stood up in surprise. "What a splendid face! Your years are prosperous, your path is clear, fortune favors you, and your luck blossoms like a blooming flower. A rare sight indeed."
An Hai also complimented, "A face that brings great fortune to her husband!"
Yuan Fei stared intently at Xia Xue, unable to tear his eyes away.
Lin Fan's face darkened.
While their words were flattering, his sister-in-law was his alone, and he was uncomfortable with others looking at her.
Xia Xue smiled slightly at their praise. "Sirs, are you here to see Xiao Fan for medical treatment, or do you have other business with him?"
Zhong Chen paused, bewildered, "You are..."
"I am his sister-in-law, Xia Xue."
Xia Xue quickly replied.
"Sister-in-law?"
Zhong Chen looked between Xia Xue and Lin Fan, wanting to say something but holding back.
Yuan Fei, with a smirk, said, "We are from the Northern Fate Analysis Association. Someone mentioned your brother-in-law is an extraordinary master, so we came to see for ourselves."
Xia Xue's expression turned cold. She particularly disliked being scrutinized like this.
"You've come to the wrong people. My Xiao Fan is just a doctor. He doesn't understand feng shui, nor is he any kind of extraordinary master."
"Xiao Fan, come home with me for dinner."
Xia Xue called out.
"Coming!"
Lin Fan responded cheerfully and followed his sister-in-law.
"Master Lin, wait."
Long Yun quickly stepped in front of them.
"I am Long Yun. I am quite well-known in Yun Qing City. May I ask if you've heard of me, young lady?"
"No."
Xia Xue answered curtly.
She never believed in fate or fortune-telling. Besides, their family was so poor they could barely make ends meet, so how could she possibly know any important figures?
A hint of embarrassment flickered across Long Yun's face.
Master Song and his disciple chuckled, finding schadenfreude in his predicament.
"Xiao Fan's sister-in-law, to be perfectly honest, our Northern Feng Shui and Fate Analysis Association represents the entire feng shui and divination community of the north. We've come today to invite your brother-in-law to discuss a matter of great importance, concerning the reputation and integrity of our people!"
"What does your feng shui association have to do with Xiao Fan?"
Xia Xue asked.
"Master Lin, that is to say, your brother-in-law, is a rare and exceptional master, far surpassing me in many ways."
Long Yun's face was filled with admiration. "The Southern Li Qi Sect has been aggressively challenging our Xing Shi Sect in recent years. If we lose this contest, the people of the north will be unable to hold their heads high for decades!"
"Xiao Fan's sister-in-law, please help us persuade him. This is not only for the reputation of the north, but also a golden opportunity for him to establish his fame!"
Xia Xue, like Lin Fan, didn't understand a word of it. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Xiao Fan isn't going anywhere. We're going home for dinner."
Yuan Fei then sneered, "Elder sister, why go back with him? Why not come back to Tianjin City with me and live a good life?"
"What did you say?"
Lin Fan turned around abruptly.
Yuan Fei stared back at Lin Fan, exhaling sharply through his nose, then grinned playfully. "How about we become relatives?"
"You're asking for death, you bastard!"
Lin Fan cursed, preparing to teach him a lesson.
"Xiao Fan, don't cause trouble."
Xia Xue quickly pulled Lin Fan's arm.
Zhong Chen glared at Yuan Fei. "Do you think I, the chairman, am dead?"
He then looked at Song Tian. "Master Song, what do you say?"
"Yuan Fei, do not be rash!"
Song Tian barked, but didn't reprimand him severely.
Zhong Chen's face darkened; he couldn't do anything about them.
Their Northern Feng Shui and Fate Analysis Association wasn't a solid entity.
He had become chairman based on inherited lineage, reputation, and ability, not on any substantial power base.