Chapter Fifty-Six: The Charlatan of the Rivers and Lakes

Occasionally obtaining a treasure from the heavens and earth could be considered fate, and failing to do so was no great loss. After all, Splendid City Group was still relatively small in terms of strength. In Yunhai City, it was considered a strong enterprise, but when compared to others in the province or the entire nation, it was still insignificant.

Thus, Ling Tian needed to continually support Splendid City Group, helping it expand and grow. When its assets reached five or even ten billion, it would then have the means to seek out more rare and wondrous items. In this money-driven world, wealth was indeed all-powerful.

Today, Ling Tian’s purpose in coming to Splendid City Group was to check on the progress in the research department, and the results so far were quite promising.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now,” Ling Tian said, finishing his tea and rising to leave.

Just as he reached the door, Mu Qingcheng called after him in haste, “Wait a moment! I got so caught up in my excitement earlier that I nearly forgot something very important.”

Ling Tian paused and asked, “What is it?”

Mu Qingcheng smiled, “An hour ago, Nangong Ye called and asked me to inform you that tomorrow is the appointed time. I was planning to find you, but seeing the good progress in the research room earlier made me so happy I almost forgot.”

Nangong Ye was surely summoning Ling Tian because of Nangong Xue’s condition. If Ling Tian could truly heal her, he would become a benefactor to the Nangong family, and by extension, the Mu family would gain a powerful ally. This would further enhance their influence.

Only then did Ling Tian remember his promise to Nangong Ye: to bring the Stone of Clarity to the Nangong household and see if it could help his sister. He had been so busy these past few days that it had nearly slipped his mind.

“I understand,” Ling Tian nodded and left the CEO’s office, returning directly to his small courtyard.

Having been away for days, the Spirit Gathering Array had accumulated a great deal of spiritual energy, and with the array’s refining effect, it had become remarkably pure.

Ling Tian sat in meditation at the center of the formation, absorbing the spiritual energy. Every few hours, he would take the time to craft spirit talismans—healing charms, protective seals, and the like. Though not extremely powerful individually, their effectiveness would grow with quantity.

The next morning, when Ling Tian opened his eyes, it was already eight o’clock. The spiritual energy gathered by the array had been completely absorbed, and his injuries were nearly healed.

After a simple wash, Ling Tian headed to Splendid City Group and took the car Mu Qingcheng had arranged to the Nangong residence.

The Nangong Family Estate.

Nangong Ye’s parents had returned, and with them, they brought an elderly Taoist priest—about sixty years old, with white beard and hair, dressed in a long blue robe, holding a pristine fly-whisk, seated in the place of honor, exuding an air of ethereal dignity.

The old Taoist squinted, sweeping his gaze proudly over everyone before speaking slowly, “Today, I shall employ my arts to dispel evil and restore your daughter’s well-being.”

The more profound the old Taoist sounded, the more the Nangong family revered him.

Especially Nangong Ye’s parents, who were visibly excited. They had spent a large sum to invite this master, reputed to command wind and rain, to summon armies with a sprinkle of beans—a true recluse of remarkable skill.

Nangong Zhenyu smiled and said, “Master Immortal, so long as you can cure my daughter’s strange illness, I will reward you handsomely.”

The old Taoist stroked his white beard, his eyebrows arching slightly. “To save lives and heal the wounded is the duty of those who have left the secular world. It is nothing remarkable.”

Ling Tian, who had just arrived at the doorway, heard this and snorted in disdain. After he entered, Nangong Ye hurried to greet him, inviting him to sit and introducing him to everyone.

The others only offered Ling Tian a polite nod, clearly regarding him as little more than a bystander.

When Ling Tian entered, An Qi, seated beside Nangong Ye, found him familiar yet could not recall where she’d seen him before. Back when she purchased a spirit talisman, her attention had been entirely on the talisman itself, never noticing Ling Tian’s face. Besides, it had been quite some time.

The old Taoist seemed to sense a threat, glancing briefly at Ling Tian and sneering to himself, “A mere youth dares to compete for business?”

Ling Tian happened to be seated near the old Taoist and probed him with his spiritual sense. He soon discovered that, despite his ethereal appearance, the old Taoist was nothing but an ordinary man—a seasoned charlatan. People like him lacked real ability but were experienced and adept at deception.

Otherwise, this old Taoist could never have fooled a man like Nangong Zhenyu.

After all, Nangong Zhenyu was a formidable figure, with a discerning eye far beyond the ordinary.

After nodding politely to Ling Tian, Nangong Zhenyu turned his attention back to the old Taoist and asked sincerely, “Master Immortal, when do you think would be the best time to perform the ritual?”

The old Taoist calculated with his fingers and then replied, “Though I have cultivated for many years, I still cannot fathom the will of Heaven. Therefore, I must draw upon the powers of heaven and earth when I perform my ritual. I have just divined that in one hour, the time will be right.”

Ling Tian glanced at the clock and nearly burst out laughing. This old fraud was certainly inventive—an hour later would be eleven o’clock, just in time for lunch. Clearly, the old fellow intended to enjoy a good meal before collecting his fee and leaving.

Nangong Zhenyu nodded and continued, “Master Immortal, is there anything else you require? This young man brought with him a miraculous stone, said to possess divine clarity and able to assist you in your ritual.”

The old Taoist opened his eyes slightly and glanced at Ling Tian again. “I have my own secret methods and do not require assistance from others.” Inwardly, he added, “Trying to take my business? Not a chance!”

Ling Tian feigned admiration and said to the old Taoist, “Master Immortal, I am not especially skilled. I came today only because Nangong Ye insisted, so I shall simply watch and learn as you dispel evil. It will be an eye-opening experience for me.”

The old Taoist thought to himself, “At least this kid knows his place.”

“I am a man of humility, so I ask that you not spread word of me,” the old Taoist said, flicking his fly-whisk. Instantly, a flash of light burst in the room, resembling fireworks that vanished in an instant.

The display drew gasps of astonishment from those present, who were convinced they had witnessed a magical spell.

But every move the old Taoist made was within Ling Tian’s spiritual perception. The so-called “spell” was nothing more than a chemical reagent that, on contact with air, ignited a faint yellow flame. To the uninitiated, it was certainly visually striking, especially when paired with the old Taoist’s ethereal appearance and graceful flick of the fly-whisk.

At first glance, one might really believe the old Taoist capable of magic.