Full-time monk: I am the prophet of civilization!

These alone number eight forbidden spell masters, all of whom are true forbidden spell masters capable of mastering forbidden spells.

To be honest, this number of forbidden spells already accounts for a quarter of the Eastern Empire Forbidden Spells Association's share.

And they're among the strongest quarter...

As far as Hongwu knew, those who could be compared to Lü Yi, a newly promoted forbidden spell mage, included the Fire Mage, Councilor Gu, and Chief Zhu of the Pearl Magic Association.

(Note: The Fire God is not Wei Guang. The Fire God was able to severely injure the White Spider Emperor during the Siren War, while Wei Guang, after advancing to the Forbidden Spell level during the Siren War, was still easily defeated by Mu Rong. Their combat strengths are mismatched.)

However, the only one who could be on par with Hua Zhanhong was Zu Huanyao, the military leader of Jiang Tianchen in central Taiwan.

As for Dean Xiao, who was able to defeat him, Hongwu couldn't think of anyone who could rival him.

And this is very likely just the personnel who have been revealed; there might be some other powerful moves planned behind the scenes...

In fact, Hongwu's suspicions were indeed true.

Leaving aside Granny Lin, Master Lingkong, and Bai Ze, these are all hidden forces.

Even against other existing forbidden spell masters, Lin Fan had already prepared countermeasures.

Humans are not plants or trees; even forbidden spellcasters have emotions and desires, and there are hurdles they cannot overcome.

For example, Zu Huanyao's weakness lies in his sense of justice and his guilt towards Zu Xingyi (Zhan Kong).

In the original timeline, he was able to ask the Holy City for help in order to exorcise Zhan Kong, and he was also able to cast a vote of innocence for Mo Fan out of a sense of justice.

Now, hampered by the might of the Holy City, he can only watch as his grandson is stripped of his curse system and exiled to Bo City.

Zu Huanyao didn't say it outwardly, but the seed of his ambition had already been planted in his heart.

With enough hope, this spark can be completely ignited.

Other spellcasters also have their own difficulties.

Under Lin Fan's [World Library] talent, all of these past events are clearly visible.

Lin Fan was confident that he could persuade most of the forbidden spells by addressing the root cause of the problem.

Even if they don't join their own side, they won't hold others back on matters of principle.

With only the two forbidden spells of the Mu clan remaining, and the few people including Yongzun (Teacher Zhao Jing) who possessed the wooden forbidden spell, they couldn't cause much of a stir.

"It seems I don't have a choice anymore."

"Even if I don't help you, with so many people united, the Forbidden Spells Association can't do anything to you..."

Upon hearing Hongwu's promise to help, Dean Xiao and Old Man Bao exchanged a glance and both revealed sly smiles.

Once it happens, it will happen again; it's only a matter of time before Hongwu is dragged into it as well.

"I'll keep this secret for the rest of my life."

Old Bao patted Hongwu on the shoulder and joked like a mischievous old man.

"Get out of here..."

After being angered by Old Man Bao, Hongwu felt completely awful...

……

With Hongwu's 'voluntary' help, Chief Zhu of the Pearl Magic Association was persuaded in advance.

Without the help of a forbidden spell master, the Eastern Clan could only be captured by Lü Huan's team.

Thus, the most powerful families—the Nanrong, Dali, and Dongfang—have all been apprehended and brought to justice.

The remaining aristocratic families were naturally swept away like fallen leaves in autumn.

Chapter 98 Understanding and Selecting Public Opinion

The next morning.

"Reporting to Lord Lin, all the major families have been apprehended and brought to justice, awaiting their fate."

Judge Zhang Qing handed over the report form with both hands, speaking respectfully and with a strong voice.

During this time, under Lin Fan's instructions, Zhang Qing has been constantly improving himself and capturing the Black Vatican.

Both their strength and abilities have greatly improved.

"Hmm, not bad."

Lin Fan glanced at the report and nodded slightly.

The information recorded above is basically consistent with what he learned from the origin of the world.

The Nanrong family, the Dali family, the Dongfang family, the Lin family, the Zhuang family...

Basically, all the powerful families in the east and south have been apprehended.

On the map of Donghuang today.

In the east and south, only a handful of aristocratic families remain, such as the Lu family, Jiang family, Mu family, and Bai family mentioned earlier.

The Lu and Jiang families need no further explanation.

One was someone who had long since abandoned darkness for light, and the other was Jiang Xia's hometown.

As for the Mu family and the Bai family...

As mentioned earlier, neither of these two companies was involved in the assassination of Leng Qing or the plot against the trial committee.

Therefore, considering that in the original timeline, these two families were determined to defend the floating city and fight against the sea monsters, Lin Fan gave them a chance.

"I hope you won't let me down..."

Lin Fan thought to himself that the World Library was constantly keeping an eye on the Mu family, the Bai family, and other aristocratic families.

The Mu and Bai families, of course, also noticed the terrifying events that occurred yesterday.

Today, the core figures of the Mu and Bai families have gathered together.

From top-tier mages like Mu Zhanxing and Bai Yexing (the head of the Bai family), to their grandchildren like Mu Nuxin, Mu Nujiao, Bai Hongfei, and Bai Tingting.

They have all gathered in the pastor's courtyard.

In the past, when the two families gathered, the atmosphere was always lively and incredibly festive.

But at this moment, the atmosphere at the scene was extremely tense.

Everyone could feel the heavy sense of life and death at stake.

After a moment of silence, it was finally Mu Zhanxing, the head of the Mu family, who broke the silence first.

"According to sources, most of the prominent families in the east and south were arrested by the authorities and the tribunal yesterday."

"The Nanrong family, the Dali family, the Dongfang family..."

With trembling hands, Mu Zhanxing recited the name of each renowned and powerful family, and the audience below gasped in disbelief.

Without exception, they were all removed from the list.

The heavy words struck everyone's heart like a boulder.

Although no words were spoken, fear and panic were spreading through everyone's eyes and actions.

The two sisters, Mu Nuxin and Mu Nujiao, exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of fear in each other's eyes.

Clearly, the two clever sisters had already considered the possible fate they might face after the Mu family's misfortune.

Not only will they never awaken their magic again, but they will also never have the chance to realize their dreams.

There's also the possibility of being implicated and imprisoned, and subjected to labor reform...

But what could they do...?

The fact that they, who had not awakened magic, were able to sit in the courtyard and listen in was all because they were core members of the family.

What ability do they have to contend with an existential crisis that even high-level mages find incredibly difficult to resolve...?

My heart was pounding, my whole body felt weak, and I was drenched in sweat...

This was the first time the two of them had so directly felt their own weakness and powerlessness.

Even two people with exceptional psychological qualities like Mu Nujiao and Mu Nuxin are like this.

Needless to say, the scions of prominent families such as Mu Ye, Bai Hongfei, and Bai Tingting who were standing to the side also needed to be mentioned.

Some of those with poor mental fortitude had already given way and slid off their chairs to the ground.

“I have a feeling that if we don’t make a choice, the next ones to be affected will be our Mu family and your Bai family.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Yexing, who resembled a middle-aged woman, nodded slightly and said softly.

"No need for a premonition, it was bound to happen."

As he spoke, Bai Yexing took out a stack of newspapers and distributed them to the crowd of thieves present.

"What is this?"

Upon seeing the prominent title "The Crimes of the Aristocratic Families," Mu Zhanxing was startled and immediately asked a question.

"I got this through connections from the Zhao's newspaper."

Lady Baiyexing paused for a moment, then continued.

"Of course, it cannot be ruled out that the Zhao family gave it to me on purpose."

"The Zhao family!!!"

As the largest aristocratic family in the maritime city, and also the wealthiest aristocratic family in Donghuang.

The name Zhao is as resounding as thunder.

Mu Nuxin and Mu Nujiao, who were below, were all deeply moved.

They only just realized that all of this was related to the Zhao family.

B hurriedly opened the newspaper.

Mu Nuxin noted that the newspaper was distributed at 12 noon on October 2nd.

Today is October 2nd.

I glanced at my pocket watch; it was 10:37 a.m., less than two hours before the distribution time.

This is why Madam Baiyexing said that Zhao deliberately gave it to her.

Because no matter how you look at this time, it looks like an ultimatum given to the two families.

Review the contents of the newspaper.

"The crimes of the Nanrong family..."

"The Lin family's private cultivation retreat in Lanyang City is ruled by Lin Ze as a dictator..."

"The Da Li family participated in the trial of the Zhi Xu Leng Qing, and the case was judged by the court..."

From the entire aristocratic family to the individual members within it.

Whether it's doing something that harms national interests or something that is morally reprehensible and violates the law, it doesn't matter.

All of this was clearly recorded in the newspapers.

Some heinous criminals even have their crimes simply replaced by URL links.

Everyone can learn about Donghuang's judgment of the major families through this website.

This was also one of Lin Fan's methods.

Control public opinion.

Through propaganda from the Zhao family, the Wei family, the academy, and other parties, the sins committed by the major clans were all listed and made public.

Using the prestige accumulated by a family over a century as a foundation, we will rebuild the dignity of the Eastern Empire's legal system!

At the same time, they cut off the channels for the Mu Clan, the East Sea Magic Association, and other forces to make their voices heard in China.

Lin Fan will not be like Mo Fan in the original timeline.

I worked myself to the bone, and when I got back I felt like I was invisible. Nobody recognized me, and they even dared to mock me...

Lin Fan made ample preparations in all aspects, including news, media, newspapers, and the internet.

Once 12 o'clock arrives, the news of the suppression of the Nanrong family and other forces will be announced to the whole country.