"My apologies."
Lin Fan still did not hesitate.
The surprise on Zhong Chen's face froze.
"Why?"
"My ambitions lie elsewhere."
This was Lin Fan's consistent reply.
He knew that his sister-in-law particularly did not want him to travel far.
And to be a Feng Shui master, one would inevitably have to travel far and wide, searching for dragon veins and auspicious locations.
In that case, his sister-in-law would surely be unhappy.
His sister-in-law had suffered too much in her life.
He could not bear to have her at home worried sick.
Zhong Chen looked at him for a long time. "Do you know what you're missing out on?"
"It was never what I wanted to begin with, so how can I be missing out?"
Lin Fan smiled candidly.
"Sigh~"
Zhong Chen sighed deeply, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He had never imagined that the person most suited to inherit his legacy had absolutely no interest in Feng Shui and metaphysics.
What a waste!
"Are you really not going to reconsider?"
Zhong Chen was somewhat unwilling to give up.
He was confident that if he were to spread the word about taking on a disciple, this hotel would be swarmed with people seeking to become his student by tomorrow.
Yet now, he had to swallow his pride and negotiate with Lin Fan.
To put it bluntly, it was almost as if he was begging him.
"No reconsideration."
Lin Fan's attitude was firm.
"Sigh~"
With a long sigh, Zhong Chen's thoughts drifted.
Once upon a time, he did have a disciple.
That person's name was Guan Ming. Although his talent was not outstanding, he was diligent and hardworking, and quite intelligent.
Seeing Guan Ming's impoverished background and his earnest pleas, Zhong Chen had taken him in as a disciple.
Unexpectedly, as they spent more time together, Guan Ming became increasingly addicted to money and women.
Finally, on one occasion, while performing Feng Shui for a wealthy family, he became entangled with the owner's mistress. Upon discovery, the owner drove both of them away.
In a fit of rage, Zhong Chen expelled him from the sect.
Having been cast out, Guan Ming quickly gained fame in the Northwest through his Feng Shui skills, reportedly calling himself the foremost tomb raider in the Northwest.
This had brought utter shame upon Zhong Chen!
"President Zhong, I truly have unavoidable difficulties..."
Lin Fan briefly explained his situation to Zhong Chen.
"For all these years, my sister-in-law has been taking care of me."
"When I came out this time, she called me three times a day, urging me to return soon."
"She has been incredibly kind to me, and I only wish to continue being a simple country doctor and stay by her side to live a peaceful life."
Lin Fan finished speaking and smiled openly.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Chen's evaluation of Lin Fan rose even higher.
Suddenly, Zhong Chen's eyes lit up.
"You don't want to be my disciple, is it because you don't want to travel far?"
"Uh, you could say that."
Lin Fan nodded and smiled. "Feng Shui masters have to travel extensively, and I'm afraid my sister-in-law would worry at home."
"That's easily solved!"
Zhong Chen slapped his thigh. "You just don't have to travel far!"
"Ah?"
Lin Fan was somewhat taken aback.
What was the point of a Feng Shui master who didn't travel?
"Xiao Fan."
Zhong Chen laughed heartily. "I only wish for you to inherit my lifelong learning, so that it is not forgotten. And there's one more requirement: when the Xing Shi Sect faces difficulties, you must assist them to the best of your ability. Can you do that?"
"This..."
Lin Fan pondered for a long time. Given the other party's humble posture, it was truly difficult to refuse further.
Moreover, having more skills could never be a disadvantage.
"If I don't have to travel far, then I suppose I have no problem."
Lin Fan said.
"Excellent!"
Zhong Chen exclaimed with immense joy.
He had finally succeeded!
It hadn't been easy!
It had been so difficult!
Zhong Chen's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Xiao Fan, from this day forward, you are my disciple, Zhong Chen! I will pass on all my life's knowledge and everything I have to you!"
"Zhong..."
Lin Fan scratched his head and corrected himself. "Master, don't we need to hold a disciple-acceptance ceremony?"
He hesitated for a moment and made a gesture as if to kneel.
"No, no, no."
Zhong Chen quickly stepped forward to support him. "I'll hold a grand ceremony later. For now, let's just establish the relationship."
He smiled and looked at Lin Fan.
He had struck gold!
"Xiao Fan, let me first tell you some basic knowledge about the Feng Shui world and our sect."
After taking a sip of tea, Zhong Chen began to lecture.
Lin Fan listened and nodded repeatedly, his perception of Feng Shui gradually changing.
Even in the 21st century, there were still a large number of Feng Shui masters walking among ordinary people, some of whom were even revered as honored guests by officials.
This showed that the profession of Feng Shui did indeed have its depths, and it was not entirely about deception.
"Xiao Fan, did you take down everything I said?"
"Yes, I did."
Zhong Chen smiled kindly. "I've said so much, do you have any questions?"
"This..."
Lin Fan scratched his head, a look of difficulty on his face.
"It's alright, feel free to ask. As your master, I will tell you everything I know."
When Zhong Chen uttered the word "master," a look of pride appeared on his face.
No wonder Song Tian always mentioned Yuan Fei; it was truly a delightful feeling!
"Master, why do people from the Li Qi Sect always refer to those from the North as 'mud legs'?"
Lin Fan asked softly.
Having grown up in the countryside, he was extremely sensitive to such terms.
"Ah?"
Zhong Chen was truly surprised that Lin Fan would ask this question.
After a moment of awkwardness, Zhong Chen said indignantly, "This is a long story, but since you've asked, I won't hide it from you."
Under Zhong Chen's narration, Lin Fan finally understood the whole story.
Time rewinded several decades.
In that era of eradicating all old and corrupt practices, old things were subjected to unprecedented attacks.
Feng Shui masters were no exception; many were paraded in public and sent for re-education through labor.
Thus, those renowned Feng Shui masters had no choice but to put down their compasses, pick up hoes and shovels, and transform from scholars of metaphysics into farmers.
However, in the South, due to the powerful influence of clans, the crackdown was less severe.
Many Feng Shui masters even secretly continued their Feng Shui practices.
Later, after the reform and opening up, they rose along with the first wave of wealthy entrepreneurs, gradually gaining prominence.
Meanwhile, the Xing Shi Sect in the North remained fragmented, struggling daily just to get by.
Therefore, the Li Qi Sect's sense of superiority stemmed from this.
Whenever conflicts arose between the two factions, they would invariably bring up old matters, calling the Xing Shi Sect "mud legs," "dog legs," and so on.
"So that's how it is."
Lin Fan couldn't help but smile wryly.
The Li Qi Sect were truly malicious, stabbing people in the heart!
"Xiao Fan, as a northerner, and having joined my Xing Shi Sect, you must constantly remember your identity and uphold the dignity of our sect. You have an undeniable responsibility!"
"I understand."
Lin Fan didn't take it too much to heart.
Even now, he still held his previous opinion.
The Xing Shi Sect and the Li Qi Sect were just being too idle!
When you were persecuted in the past, where were you to fight for authenticity?
Now that you live good lives, with luxury cars and houses, you pursue other things, constantly causing trouble!
"Oh, right. Master has a gift for you."
As he spoke, Zhong Chen removed a ring from his finger.
The ring was crystal clear, exuding an ancient aura. It appeared to be made of jade.
At a glance, it was a good item!