I, the number one master of metaphysics, have achieved legendary status in the entertainment industr

Ding Jianguo's hand, holding the teacup, paused in mid-air for a few seconds.

The private room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; only the rising steam from the tea slowly filled the air.

"Dealing with the Zhou family?" He slowly put down his teacup, his voice low and deep. "Young man, do you know how many years the Zhou family has been operating in this city? How many intricate networks of relationships are behind them? Even I have to give them some face."

Lu Fan's expression remained unchanged: "It's precisely because we know this that we must join forces. Uncle Ding, you know better than I how the Zhou family has expanded over the years. Forced demolitions in real estate, malicious competition in business, collusion between government and business... every single one of these tactics involves climbing over others to get ahead."

"So what?" Ding Jianguo raised his eyes, his gaze sharp. "The business world is like a battlefield; everyone has to rely on their own abilities."

"If it were just a business contest, I certainly wouldn't be qualified to say these things in front of you." Lu Fan took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and pushed it in front of Ding Jianguo. "But the Zhou family uses more than just business tactics."

Ding Jianguo unfolded the paper, which contained several hand-drawn talisman patterns and brief explanations, as well as several place names and time points.

"This is..." Ding Jianguo frowned.

"Over the past three years, the Zhou family has hired a 'master' to do feng shui arrangements for the three housing projects they developed before construction began." Lu Fan pointed to the contents of the paper. "On the surface, it was just a normal feng shui adjustment, but in reality, they used the 'Pulse-Stealing Technique'—forcibly extracting the earth's spiritual energy and injecting it into their own projects, causing the surrounding communities' fortunes to decline and the residents' health to suffer."

He paused, then looked at Ding Jianguo: "You should remember that after the 'Jinxiu Garden' project in the west of the city started construction, three old residential areas around it developed strange illnesses one after another. The residents protested collectively, and in the end, the Zhou family bought those properties at a low price."

Ding Jianguo's expression darkened slightly: "Do you have any evidence?"

"It's difficult to leave physical evidence of feng shui matters," Lu Fan said frankly. "But Uncle Ding can send someone to investigate the current health of those residents who moved away. Also, the feng shui consultant for every Zhou family project is the same person—"

He uttered two words: "Green pine."

Ding Jianguo was silent for a moment, then looked at his daughter: "Xingyou, why don't you go out for a bit?"

"Dad!" Ding Xingyou cried out anxiously.

"Listen to me." Ding Jianguo's tone left no room for argument.

Ding Xingyou gritted his teeth, glanced at Lu Fan, and got up to leave the private room.

After the door closed again, Ding Jianguo looked at Lu Fan again: "Go on."

"Qingsong and the Zhou family have been cooperating for many years, and they've used more than just feng shui techniques," Lu Fan said in a low voice. "They've also used underhanded methods to suppress their competitors. Last year, Huafeng Industry, which you had worked with, had its chairman suddenly suffer a stroke and fall into a coma, and the company was acquired by the Zhou family at a low price—that wasn't an accident."

Ding Jianguo's pupils contracted slightly.

Mr. Liu, the general manager of Huafeng Industrial, was an old friend of his. Last year's "sudden stroke" was indeed strange; the hospital couldn't find a specific cause, only saying it was due to overwork. Afterwards, the Liu family was in a hurry to cash out to save their lives, and the company was taken over by a subsidiary of the Zhou family.

"Do you have evidence?" Ding Jianguo's voice was even deeper.

"A week before President Liu fell into a coma, he received an anonymous gift, a wooden Pixiu," Lu Fan said slowly. "The Pixiu was engraved with a 'Soul-Scattering Curse,' which, if in contact with it for a long time, would cause one's spirit to become scattered and one's blood and energy to decline. And the person who gave the gift, according to my investigation, was Zhou Li's personal assistant."

Ding Jianguo tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a habitual gesture he made when he was thinking.

After a long silence, he spoke: "Even if what you say is true, these alone are not enough to bring down the Zhou family. Their network of connections is too deep; taking action against them will implicate many people."

"Therefore, a meticulous plan and a suitable opportunity are needed." Lu Fan looked directly at Ding Jianguo. "Uncle Ding, I am not here today to ask you to immediately start a war with the Zhou family. Rather, I hope that at this crucial moment, you can stand on the side of justice."

"Fairness?" Ding Jianguo laughed, a hint of mockery in his smile. "Lu Fan, you're too young. There's no fairness in the business world, only profit."

"What if I can offer you enough benefits?" Lu Fan countered.

Ding Jianguo raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"First, after the Zhou family's downfall, I can help you activate the earth's veins on that piece of land in the East New District using a proper feng shui arrangement, guaranteeing the project's success and at least a 30% increase in profits."

"Secondly, the metaphysical resources of the Qingsong lineage, which the Zhou family can use, you can also use—and in the righteous way, without harming the natural order."

"Third," Lu Fan paused, his voice even softer, "I know you're looking for something—the 'Dragon-Seeking Ruler' personally crafted by Guo Pu, a renowned Feng Shui master of the Ming Dynasty. I know where it is."

Ding Jianguo sat bolt upright: "What did you say?!"

The dragon-seeking ruler is one of the most precious treasures in the world of Feng Shui. It is said to be able to accurately locate dragon veins and bring good fortune while avoiding misfortune. Ding Jianguo has been searching for this item for nearly ten years, but he has never revealed it to anyone, not even his daughter.

How could this young man...?

"My master had the good fortune to see this object when he was traveling," Lu Fan said calmly. "He left a clue, saying that this object is destined for me, but we must wait for the right time. Now the time has come. If Uncle Ding is willing to cooperate, I will tell you the whereabouts of the Doomsday Ruler after the matter is completed."

Ding Jianguo stared intently at Lu Fan, trying to find a flaw in his expression.

But Lu Fan's eyes were clear and open, without the slightest hint of evasion.

"Your master..." Ding Jianguo began slowly, "who exactly is he?"

Lu Fan smiled bitterly: "To be honest, I don't know either. He taught me all his skills, left me this jade pendant, and then disappeared. I've been looking for him all these years, but it's like he vanished into thin air."

He took off the jade pendant and gently placed it on the table: "This jade pendant was left to me by my master. It's something that the Zhou family and Qingsong were willing to use evil magic to seize."

Ding Jianguo examined the jade pendant carefully. The jade was warm and lustrous, and the carving was simple and ancient. The front featured a coiled dragon pattern, while the back was engraved with several runes he couldn't understand. There was a very fine crack in the center of the pendant, but around the crack, a faint golden light swirled.

"Dragon energy..." Ding Jianguo muttered to himself. Although he wasn't an expert in metaphysics, he had been in this circle for many years and had a good eye for it. This jade pendant was definitely not an ordinary item.

"Uncle Ding, the Zhou family has already made a move against Director Ding." Lu Fan put away the jade pendant and said seriously, "This time it was just a minor trick to affect emotions, but what about next time? They even dare to use evil formations like the Blood-Drawing Array that can harm people's lives, what else wouldn't they do?"

These words struck a chord with Ding Jianguo, hitting the nail on the head.

He may not care about business competition or feng shui battles, but he absolutely cannot tolerate anyone harming his daughter.

Ding Jianguo picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then put it down.

"What do you need me to do?"

Lu Fan felt relieved, knowing that the other party had given in.

"Three things." He held up three fingers. "First, remain neutral in public opinion and don't let the Zhou family win you over. Second, keep an eye on the movements of the 'helpers' Qingsong has brought in. Third..."

He lowered his voice and said a few words.

After listening, Ding Jianguo gave Lu Fan a deep look: "Are you sure you want to do this? The risk is huge."

"No risk, no reward," Lu Fan said calmly. "Besides, some things always have to be done by someone."

Ding Jianguo was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I agree. But there's one condition—"

"Please speak."

"Xingyou must stay away from this entirely," Ding Jianguo said firmly. "She's already involved enough; we can't go any further. You must ensure her safety."

Lu Fan solemnly promised, "I guarantee with my life that I will not let Director Ding get hurt."

……

When I left the teahouse, it was almost dusk.

Ding Xingyou was waiting in the parking lot. When he saw Lu Fan come out, he hurriedly went up to him: "How is it? My dad..."

"I agree," Lu Fan said with a smile. "Director Ding, thank you."

Ding Xingyou breathed a sigh of relief, then asked worriedly, "But what about the Zhou family..."

"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it." Lu Fan looked at the city lights gradually illuminating in the distance. "Moreover, this time we're not fighting alone."

Just then, my phone rang.

It was a message from Yu Tinglan: "There's new activity on Qingsong's side. He's invited three people: a descendant of the Xiangxi corpse-driving lineage, a disciple of the Northeast shamanic sect, and another... whose identity is unknown, but whose energy fluctuations are very strong. They'll arrive tomorrow night."

Lu Fan's eyes sharpened.

That was fast.

He replied, "Understood. Prepare as planned."

Putting away his phone, Lu Fan said to Ding Xingyou, "Director Ding, try to spend as much time as possible with your father these next few days, and don't go out alone. Also, ask for leave from the company."

"Are you going to make a move?" Ding Xingyou understood the implication.

"They're about to make their move." Lu Fan looked into the distance. "But this time, I'll show them—"

"No matter who's behind you, if you want to harm me or the people I care about..."

"They all have to ask about my skills first."

As night falls, the city's neon lights gradually illuminate the night.

A rare showdown in the world of metaphysics is about to unfold in the shadows of this modern metropolis.

The jade pendant on Lu Fan's chest glowed slightly in the night, as if it too was waiting...

The real battle.