Lin Fan, seeing this, immediately looked for a place to hide.
Just as he found a good spot to conceal himself, he was astonished to notice that some of the citizens were not only not kneeling in reverence, but were pointing at the school and even recording the scene with their mobile phones.
These citizens were predominantly young people. There was no trace of respect on their faces as they stood nonchalantly nearby, their expressions clearly disdainful.
Lin Fan scanned his surroundings. Only those closer to the school had knelt. Those further away were all watching the spectacle.
"The King is indeed unpopular," Lin Fan muttered. He then found an inconspicuous spot, leaned against a car, and waited anxiously.
---
A hundred miles away, in a luxurious manor.
Numerous well-dressed people sat in the grand hall.
Zheng Xingchao clutched his teacup tightly, unaware that his tea had long gone cold.
"Patriarch Zheng, don't worry," Xie Wei said in a low voice.
It was evident that he, too, was feeling a heavy burden.
Earlier, Siam had experienced turmoil. The Shinawatra family had twice served as ministers, only to be ousted by the Rama family's iron fist.
The Xie family and Zheng family had intermarried for generations, and the Zheng family and Shinawatra family had also intermarried for generations. In essence, the Shinawatra family was a sharp knife for the Zheng family, and the Xie family was their vanguard.
The two failures had dealt a heavy blow to the Xie family, leading them to suspect that the curse of the Zheng family ancestors had been dispelled by the Rama family. The other allied families felt the same way.
Therefore, Zheng Xingchao had invited the renowned Li Yusheng, the highly respected Luang Pu, and the emerging Lin Fan, primarily to reassure the allied families.
"Brother-in-law, if..." Zheng Xingchao trailed off. He had not slept all night, and his face was haggard.
"There are no ifs," Xie Wei said sternly. "Even if the royal family uses whatever means to turn the tide of fortune, we must fight to reclaim it. No matter the cost or price, we will go all out!"
Having charged into the fray twice, the Xie family was already considered a thorn in the side of the royal family. Should anything happen, his Xie family would be the first to suffer. Therefore, he had no other path but to press forward.
"Mm," Zheng Xingchao nodded slowly.
The Zheng and Xie families were as one. The Xie family controlled crucial agricultural resources. As long as these two families stood together, the Siamese royal family would not dare to act against them.
---
On the other side.
Lin Fan suddenly saw about a dozen patrol officers seemingly intending to make an example of someone. They were riding motorcycles and charging towards a group of young people who were watching the commotion.
They shouted loudly, warning the youngsters not to make any rash moves, and then dismounted, drawing handcuffs and preparing to make arrests.
Seeing that the situation was escalating, the young people took to their heels and fled.
In Siam, disrespecting the King was a grave offense, with sentences ranging from several years to decades, depending on the severity.
It was said that last month, someone had posted an disrespectful comment about the King online and was arrested the next day, sentenced to fourteen years.
The situation on the ground made those around them nervous. They hadn't knelt either!
Immediately, the crowd scattered and fled, causing chaos.
Along the road, which stretched for hundreds of meters, it suddenly became more lively than a busy marketplace.
Many people ran to the parking lot and hid behind vehicles. They saw Lin Fan, dressed in security uniform, and quickly spoke to him in Thai, their voices filled with panic, likely pleading for mercy.
Lin Fan placed his index finger to his lips and made a shushing gesture.
Only then did they sigh with relief. They then sat on the ground, observing the chaos outside through the gaps between the vehicles, their expressions growing increasingly tense.
The security personnel inside the school noticed the commotion outside and immediately rushed out.
With the addition of a group of guards, the situation quickly stabilized.
Centered around the school, order on the road was gradually restored.
Those who had run fast were long gone.
Those who were slower could only obediently cover their heads and squat on the ground, lamenting their misfortune.
At this moment, Lin Fan seized the opportunity and slipped into the school.
Due to the unrest outside, many guards had gone to help. Thus, Lin Fan moved as if through an empty realm, quickly approaching the vicinity of the sports field.
The guards here had not gone out to assist, and they all appeared to be highly skilled.
Lin Fan stopped here.
On the high platform in the distance, the King was speaking into a microphone.
The young boy beside him occasionally scratched his head and picked his nose, seemingly bored.
The surrounding audience appeared solemn, daring not to show the slightest disrespect.
Even a fool could be the Crown Prince!
Anyone who dared to show disrespect would face misfortune!
Lin Fan activated his Purple Extreme Spiritual Eyes. In his field of vision, a scene unfolded: above the Siamese King's head, a pale yellow pillar of light pierced straight into the heavens.
Within the pillar, there was a dim dragon shadow. It thrashed its claws and teeth, moving incessantly.
Even with his vast experience, Lin Fan could not help but be awestruck by the sight, gasping in amazement.
The dragon had four claws, its form illusory and dim. Although it thrashed its claws and teeth, its movements were slow, appearing sickly. It was likely nearing its end.
The towering pillar of light was also dim. Lin Fan examined it closely and discovered that the pillar was covered in fine cracks, appearing as though it could shatter at any moment.
"The King's fortune has run its course."
In fact, Lin Fan had already come to this conclusion before.
The common people lived in poverty, while the officials were rich. It would truly be a miracle if such a kingdom did not fall.
"That's right, let's see how many generations the Rama family can last."
Lin Fan suddenly had this thought.
The King's fortune was nearing its end, but when exactly?
And who would be the future King?
This was a significant question.
Lin Fan once again looked towards the high platform, his first target being the foolish Crown Prince, who kept making small movements.
After watching for a few seconds, Lin Fan shook his head.
This foolish Crown Prince's head was a radiant golden color, signifying a destiny of great wealth and prosperity, but not that of a King.
Lin Fan's second target was Princess Pasri.
She stood beside the King, deliberately keeping close to him, displaying her intimacy with her father.
"Hmm, dark clouds are pressing down."
Lin Fan clearly saw a patch of black mist enveloping her head, a sign of impending great misfortune!
With this, the two most talked-about candidates could be eliminated.
"Could Naree be a possibility?" Lin Fan mused. "Naree is Luang Pu's biological daughter. Her mother was expelled from Siam years ago. Could she ascend to the throne?"
"Since I'm here, there's no harm in looking a bit closer."
With this thought, Lin Fan shifted his gaze and focused on Naree.
Following that, Lin Fan's mouth gradually widened, his expression one of disbelief, for he saw a tiny dragon shadow extending a dragon's claw from the pillar of fortune above Naree's head.
The little dragon was like a blade of grass pressed down by a large rock, small yet resilient. Every time it made a move, a dragon's roar would enter Lin Fan's ears.
"Dragon Qi!"
Lin Fan was immensely shocked.
"How does Naree possess Dragon Qi?"
"Among the royal heirs, she is merely an insignificant figure!"
"Her mother was exiled, and her maternal family has no power. What does she have to contend for the throne?"
Lin Fan was perplexed.