Chapter Ninety-One: Superstition and Science

The middle-aged man who roared angrily was none other than Cao Huixiong, the father of Cao Rengui and a key economic official in the leadership team of Yuntai City.

It was well known that Yuntai City had experienced rapid economic growth in recent years, largely thanks to the jade mines on Yunfeng Mountain and the tourism and consumer base brought by the Jade Festival.

The development of these jade mines not only generated substantial tax revenues for Yuntai City but also revitalized its tertiary industry.

Luxury hotels, resorts, bars, cafes, and large shopping malls all flourished, benefiting from the continuous influx of jade merchants and their spending power.

In fact, the high-quality jade mines of Yunfeng Mountain were the lifeblood of Yuntai’s economy.

The Jade Festival, officially promoted, served as a window to the outside world to expand publicity and establish Yuntai’s image.

Yet this year’s Jade Festival encountered a major fiasco: the previously rich jade mines suddenly yielded no raw jade stones at all.

If the news spread that Yuntai City no longer produced high-quality jade, it would deal a devastating blow to the city’s economy.

As the official in charge of the economy, Cao Huixiong faced the risk of intense scrutiny from higher authorities, and his position could even be at stake.

Thus, he had invited the geological authority of China, Professor Yu Fengtian, along with his graduate team, and had also lavishly hired a feng shui master.

But just as he was eagerly consulting Professor Yu, his incompetent and reckless son suddenly burst in, bringing along a young man whom he boldly called a “Great Immortal.”

Was this some kind of nonsense?

Could it be that this brat was a nemesis from his past life, deliberately provoking him?

Cao Huixiong, burning with anxiety, had no patience to joke with Cao Rengui. He shouted sharply, determined to expel both his son and the so-called charlatan he had brought.

Professor Yu glanced disdainfully at Lin Feng and snorted coldly: “Hmph! Such a Jade Festival attracts all manner of demons and tricksters. The previous feng shui master was one thing, but now this ‘Great Immortal’ has appeared. I’ve studied geology for decades and never seen a feng shui master capable of prospecting. It’s pure superstition and nonsense!”

“Professor Yu, please rest assured that I will severely punish such charlatans. I kindly ask you to expedite your survey and identify the mine’s condition. Our entire Yuntai City is counting on you!” Cao Huixiong respectfully bowed and spoke with utmost deference.

With the city leaders taking a stand, a group of security guards swiftly surrounded Lin Feng.

The two men’s sharp exchange made Lin Feng the target of everyone present. Jade merchants watching on began to voice accusations.

“Professor Yu is a titan in Chinese geology, a special consultant for the Golden Corps, and has studied geology for decades. Who is this kid to challenge the professor? I’d say he’s just a fraud trying to exploit the Jade Festival!”

“Heh, a complete charlatan! And that Cao Rengui is foolish to bring such a fraud here, calling him a ‘Great Immortal.’ What’s next, will he fly to heaven?”

“This kid’s got some nerve, in this day and age! The Qing dynasty is long gone, yet he’s still peddling these superstitious ideas. If you ask me, just lock him up!”

“…”

Amidst the crowd’s assault and skepticism, Lin Feng remained calm and undisturbed.

“Dad! Don’t be foolish. You mustn’t anger the ‘Great Immortal’!” Cao Rengui panicked. Lin Feng was a master capable of flying, vanishing, and slaying ten-meter-tall monsters with a single sword!

His father’s disrespect was courting disaster.

“Ungrateful son! You are stubborn beyond reason! At a time like this, you still shield this charlatan? What are you waiting for? Get these people out!” Cao Huixiong’s words were like pouring fuel on the fire, and he was about to drive them away.

“Dad! No, please don’t!” The more Cao Rengui defended Lin Feng, the angrier Cao Huixiong became.

His forehead veins bulged with fury, and he looked ready to slap his son.

Just then, beside Lin Feng, a middle-aged man with a bushy beard dressed in yellow Taoist robes stepped forward and said softly, “Brother Cao, this isn’t right. I think the urgent matter is to let Professor Yu conduct a thorough survey and identify the root cause. After all, geology is a science; we who study feng shui are mere superstition.”

The tone was laced with sarcasm, clearly aimed at Professor Yu.

This man was none other than the feng shui master Cao Huixiong had hired—Mao Sanjiu.

Professor Yu’s earlier words had implicitly mocked feng shui, labeling it superstition while asserting the superiority of geological science. Mao Sanjiu now seized the moment to counterattack.

Professor Yu’s face twitched with vexation but he responded with full voice, “Very well, I shall begin the survey immediately to find the cause and silence certain charlatans!”

Their back-and-forth inadvertently relieved the pressure on Lin Feng.

Yet Lin Feng paid no heed; instead, he sensed a faint, strange spiritual energy lurking around the Jade Festival venue.

Professor Yu and his graduate team took out their professional instruments and began exploring the mine to gather geological data.

But the entire morning passed with Professor Yu sweating profusely and yielding no results.

“Strange! The vein is definitely here, so why can’t we extract any ore?” Professor Yu stared at the data in confusion.

“Professor Yu, have you found anything? What’s going on? Why won’t the mine produce any jade?” Cao Huixiong asked anxiously.

“Well... Leader Cao, I...” Professor Yu himself was at a loss, unable to begin an explanation. Blushing, he stammered without making headway.

“Heh, Professor Yu, are you unable to find the cause or just tongue-tied? If you can’t, just admit it. No one here will mock you, right everyone?” Cao Rengui taunted.

“You... you don’t bully me!” Professor Yu trembled with anger but could not retort.

“All right, all right. This matter isn’t something geology alone can explain. I discovered long ago that over a month ago, the feng shui of Yunfeng Mountain underwent a dramatic change,” Mao Sanjiu said confidently.

“Previously, Yunfeng Mountain’s feng shui formed a top-grade formation resembling a swimming dragon facing east. But now, the feng shui has reversed drastically. Someone of great skill must have altered the mountain's feng shui, though I don’t know who. It must be a true master!”

As Mao Sanjiu spoke, he produced a set of talismanic flags, unaware that the “true master” he spoke of stood right beside him.

“As for the mineral veins, they naturally shift with changes in feng shui. To locate the altered veins, we must realign our search based on the new terrain!”

Confident, Mao Sanjiu planted the flags in a pattern shaped like the character “品” on the ground.

Leaping three meters high, he landed firmly at the center of the feng shui formation, pricked his finger to draw a drop of blood, and traced a dragon-seeking diagram on his left palm.

“Seek the dragon’s lair, by urgent decree, go!” he intoned.

With that, Mao Sanjiu flicked his thumb and tossed out a coin-sized compass.

Then, a stunning sight unfolded.

A crimson dragon, formed of blood, burst forth from Mao Sanjiu’s palm, gripping the airborne compass in its mouth as it soared through the clouds and wind, heading southeast toward the venue.

“Good heavens!”

“Is this for real? The dragon drawn on his palm has come alive!”

“No kidding! This feng shui master’s skills run deep!”

Witnessing the blood dragon flying, the jade merchants watching were astonished and marveled, raising their thumbs in admiration of Mao Sanjiu’s abilities.

Indeed, he was truly a marvel!