Chapter 151: The Final Straw

Fang Jifan had still underestimated the passionate side of scholars. These once refined scholars now showed their ferocious sides, looking fierce and menacing.

Only Wang Shouren did not join the fight. He stood behind Fang Jifan, lost in deep thought.

This Young Lord Fang was indeed quick to seek revenge, but…

After all, the Longquan Taoist Temple had been honored by the Son of Heaven, and the Taoists in the temple were all registered with the Ministry of Rites. Causing trouble here was truly unwise. Could it be that this Young Lord Fang was nothing but a reckless fool?

Wang Shouren was actually a very rational person. Although his appearance gave others a strange impression, he was always thinking, no matter the situation.

He had always believed that Fang Jifan should possess a similar disposition. But now, it seemed this Young Lord Fang was impulsive, quick-tempered, and careless about the consequences.

It was said that the Longquan Taoist Temple also had some connection with the Grand Empress Dowager. If it were just a fight, that would be one thing, but now they were tearing down the place. This clearly bordered on blasphemy against the Taoist deities!

Unwise, truly unwise.

Fang Jifan, however, was completely nonchalant, acting as if he didn’t have a care in the world. With a grin, he pulled over a chair and sat down, allowing his disciples to smash the Vegetarian Hall with loud crashes. The diners inside were terrified, their faces as pale as ghosts. The servants dared not intervene, and the Taoists outside who heard the commotion only peeked in cautiously.

Fang Jifan crossed his legs, his eyes gleaming with menace. He barked at Wang Tianbao, “You… Get over here, now!”

Wang Tianbao’s eye was badly swollen, and he was still in great pain. Clutching his eye, his body trembled uncontrollably. As the destruction began, wood splinters, tables, and chairs flew everywhere. The leftover food and cold scraps from the diners’ tables spilled all over the floor.

Covering his head, Wang Tianbao was already pale with fear at Fang Jifan’s furious shout. He hated Fang Jifan to the core. He had never encountered someone so ruthless. Usually, he was the one bullying others. Even if people were angry, they had to swallow their frustrations in the Longquan Taoist Temple’s territory. But who would have thought he’d run into such an unreasonable person?

“Get over here!” Fang Jifan’s voice grew even fiercer. Clearly… he was running out of patience.

Wang Tianbao shuddered. He resisted inwardly, unwilling to move forward, but the tyrannical tone in Fang Jifan’s voice frightened him so much that it felt like he had been drugged. He obediently crawled toward Fang Jifan.

“Closer.” Fang Jifan commanded arrogantly.

Startled by Fang Jifan’s sharp tone again, Wang Tianbao trembled but still obediently moved to Fang Jifan’s feet.

“What did you say earlier?” Fang Jifan asked coldly, looking down at him from above.

“…”

“Stop!”

Just then, a stern voice echoed through the hall.

By now, the entire Vegetarian Hall had been smashed to pieces, a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.

Outside the door, many Taoists surged forward. Among them, some automatically made way as a tall, thin Taoist in his fifties strode in calmly, his hands clasped behind his back.

As soon as he entered the Vegetarian Hall, the Taoists outside seemed to regain their courage and swarmed in after him, glaring angrily at Fang Jifan and his companions.

The tall, thin Taoist had an imposing presence. Though dressed in Taoist robes, he stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the scene with an air of authority. The other Taoists looked at him with awe and fear.

Clearly… the one in charge had arrived.

Wang Tianbao, kneeling at Fang Jifan’s feet, seemed to have found his savior. The moment he saw the Taoist, his face lit up with relief. With tears in his eyes, he rushed toward the Taoist, crying out miserably, “Master, Master…”

The Taoist gave Wang Tianbao a cold glare and snapped, “Useless fool, get out of the way.”

Wang Tianbao seemed to fear the Taoist immensely. He quickly covered his bruised eye and took a step back, obediently standing behind him.

This Taoist was Zhang Chaoxian, the chief disciple of the Longquan Taoist Temple.

As his Master grew older, Zhang Chaoxian gradually took over the temple’s affairs. Most of the Taoists in the temple followed his lead.

He had been in the Ancestor Lü Hall, receiving an important guest from Shandong. Before he could even settle in, he heard that someone had the audacity to cause trouble in the temple and even smashed the Vegetarian Hall. Upon hearing this, Zhang Chaoxian was furious.

Who would dare to bully the Longquan Taoist Temple like this? Not to mention his Master Puji Zhenren’s relationship with the Grand Empress Dowager, he himself, as the chief administrator, had been granted the title of Fourth-Grade Enlightened Scholar. Was there no law and order anymore?

If this matter spread, how would the Longquan Taoist Temple maintain its dignity?

Without another word, he hurried over immediately. As soon as he arrived, the chaotic crowd of Taoists instantly felt reassured and emboldened.

The Taoists surrounded Fang Jifan and his thugs, glaring at them angrily. Some even grabbed brooms and sticks, looking fierce and ready to pounce on Fang Jifan and his companions at any moment.

Tang Yin and the others, having calmed down after their burst of passion, began to feel a sense of dread. They gradually moved closer to Fang Jifan.

Wang Shouren frowned inwardly, thinking, “As expected, we’ve stirred up a huge mess today. Since Fang Jifan started the fight, even if we get beaten up here, there’s nowhere to seek justice.”

Wang Shouren also quietly moved closer to Fang Jifan, thinking, “Today… we’ll just have to protect this guy and fight our way out. As for the others, like Tang Yin and the rest, we probably can’t worry about them.”

Yet, faced with such a tense situation, Fang Jifan remained as carefree as ever, even brazenly sizing up Zhang Chaoxian.

Being stared at so openly made Zhang Chaoxian even angrier. His eyes sharp as blades, he glared fixedly at Fang Jifan, exuding an aura of authority.

Then, he took a step forward and said sternly, “How dare you! Do you even know what the Longquan Taoist Temple is? How dare you cause trouble here? Men, seize them all! Take them to the Shuntian Prefecture immediately! Hmph, I will personally oversee this matter. I’ll make sure you reckless fools have nowhere to be buried!”

Hearing his words, the Taoists rolled up their sleeves. They were just a few scholars, after all. Since they dared to cause trouble, with Zhang Chaoxian backing them up, they would beat them to death without hesitation.

However, Wang Tianbao’s expression changed. He stepped forward and whispered to Zhang Chaoxian, “He claims to be Fang Jifan.”

Fang Jifan…

Wang Tianbao’s face suddenly showed a look of surprise.

He had heard of the name Fang Jifan. In the Capital, it was a name that thundered in his ears. He just never expected this person to come to the Longquan Taoist Temple and cause trouble.

If it was indeed this person… then…

Wang Tianbao became wary. Beating an ordinary person to death on the spot was one thing, but this person was the Nanhe Bozi. Otherwise, how could he be so arrogant?

So…

Zhang Chaoxian remained unmoved, sneering inwardly. So what? This was still the foot of the Son of Heaven, a place governed by the law. He looked coldly at Fang Jifan and said, “So it’s Young Lord Fang. My apologies, my apologies.”

Fang Jifan grinned at him but remained seated with his legs crossed, showing no respect whatsoever toward Zhang Chaoxian. He replied indifferently, “Oh, I see.”

Zhang Chaoxian was furious. He had never seen someone so arrogant!

But he suppressed his anger. Hah, don’t think today’s matter is over. With a cold face, he said, “However… the Longquan Taoist Temple is not a place for Young Lord Fang to fool around. The three characters ‘Longquan Taoist Temple’ on the temple’s front gate were personally inscribed by the Chenghua Emperor. My Master Puji Zhenren was also granted the title of Perfected Master by the imperial court. Is it true that Young Lord Fang assaulted someone here?”

He thought to himself, “I know you’ll deny it. Hah, but with so many people as witnesses, let’s see how you deny it.”

Fang Jifan replied with a smirk, “That’s right. It was this Young Lord who hit him. No mistake about it.”

“…” Zhang Chaoxian’s face stiffened.

He had never seen someone so shameless! After hitting someone, he admitted it so openly without a hint of shame or explanation. What did this mean? It meant this person was so audacious that he didn’t even know what the law was.

Did you really think the Longquan Taoist Temple couldn’t argue with your Fang Family or didn’t dare to reason with you?

Thinking this, Zhang Chaoxian threw his head back and laughed heartily.

His laughter emboldened the Taoists even more.

Zhang the Enlightened Scholar was indeed Zhang the Enlightened Scholar, so composed and unruffled. It seemed these people wouldn’t be leaving the temple unscathed today.

The Taoists were united in their anger. After all, they had been at the Longquan Taoist Temple for a long time and had never seen anyone dare to smash the place. This was the final straw.

After his hearty laughter, Zhang Chaoxian shouted sternly, “In that case, the truth of the matter is clear. Since you assaulted someone, the Longquan Taoist Temple will not be weak and allow itself to be bullied. This matter won’t be easily resolved today. Even if you are a descendant of meritorious officials, so what? How dare you act so recklessly? If you can’t give a proper explanation, hmph, today I will act on behalf of heaven and won’t let any of you leave.”

Zhang Chaoxian thought he had the upper hand. This was the Longquan Taoist Temple, after all. Today’s matter couldn’t be settled easily. If you want to resolve it, have your father come to redeem you.

Moreover, if the Grand Empress Dowager in the palace heard about this, she would surely take the temple’s side.

Tang Yin and the others had calmed down by now, but they couldn’t help breaking out in a cold sweat. Surrounded by countless Taoists glaring at them like wolves and tigers, they realized the severity of the situation.

Fang Jifan, however, burst into laughter. “Are you Zhang Chaoxian?”

Calling Zhang Chaoxian by his name so directly made his face darken even more, and he snorted coldly.

“Good, then this Young Lord will reason with you!” Fang Jifan looked leisurely at Zhang Chaoxian and said loudly, “However, Zhang Chaoxian, you’re standing so tall, and this Young Lord has to look up at you. It’s very uncomfortable.”

“What do you mean?” The Taoists in the hall were outraged. How dare he act so arrogantly even now? Truly reckless.

“What do you mean?” Fang Jifan’s face remained calm, but then he suddenly raised his voice sharply. “I said kneel down!”

“…”