But Xia Liang had long since deduced through his calculations that the fellow disciples at Shuanglong Taoist Temple often took the easy way out, resorting to the deceptive tricks of the Jiang Xiang Faction. However, at this moment, Xia Liang had no intention of calling them out.

A faint smile appeared on his face. "After all, aren't the disciples of Taoist Priest Chen Xuandu all exceptionally talented? How could they possibly stoop to using such despicable street scams?"

Lin Quanzi suppressed the unease in his heart and forced a smile. "Naturally. Even if I were to lose my own face, I would never dare to tarnish my master's honor!"

The other fortune tellers, having heard the exchange, finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

"I knew it. How could Taoist Priest Chen's disciples use such trickery?"

"That tourist must have just heard some rumor on the street and mentioned it to Master Xia Tian in passing."

"Given Taoist Priest Chen's high moral character, his disciples would never do such a thing."

The fortune tellers all chattered in agreement.

Hearing the last remark, Xia Liang let out a cold laugh. Chen Xuandu has high moral character? It's all just a facade. If he were truly virtuous, why would he have harmed the Old Meng Family?

Despite these thoughts, Xia Liang still smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with Lin Quanzi. Their warmth was such that anyone who didn't know better would have mistaken them for the closest of friends.

Just then, Xue Ren asked out of curiosity, "Master Xia Tian, what exactly is this Jiang Xiang Faction?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Quanzi nearly stumbled. That Xue Ren, always bringing up the most awkward subjects! The matter had just been brushed aside, and now he was dredging it up again.

Xia Liang smiled faintly and glanced at Monk Ruoshan.

Monk Ruoshan brought his palms together and explained to Xue Ren in a measured tone, "The Jiang Xiang Faction likely emerged in modern times. It is a syndicate of swindlers that uses face-reading and fortune-telling to single out its targets. The 'Jiang' in its name refers to the underworld, and 'Xiang' means prime minister. Combined, the name implies they are the 'prime ministers of the underworld.' They operate under the guise of physiognomy and divination to analyze and ultimately defraud those who believe them."

Xue Ren looked puzzled. "There's such a scam?"

Almost all the fortune tellers nodded their heads in vexation. The Jiang Xiang Faction not only lacked any real skills but also stole their livelihood. How could they not be furious?

At this moment, Xia Liang smiled slightly. "Actually, how should I put this… Strictly speaking, the methods of the Jiang Xiang Faction aren't mere trickery. On the contrary..."

Xia Liang's tone shifted. "Some of their most skilled practitioners, if placed out in society, would each be a top-tier psychologist!"

Xue Ren was perplexed. "Psychologists?"

"Yes!" Xia Liang nodded. "They don't possess any true arcane skills. What's passed down among them are merely a few articles. But just by relying on these texts, these individuals have honed the art of reading people's minds to perfection!"

As he spoke, Xia Liang cast a meaningful, deliberate glance at Lin Quanzi.

Xue Ren sucked in a sharp breath. "They're that skilled?"

"Yes. Among these articles, the most famous is the 'Ying Yao Chapter,'" Xia Liang explained with a smile. "Each article meticulously explains the intricacies of the human heart."

With that, Xia Liang heaved a soft sigh. "Even an ordinary person, if they could fully grasp these writings, could make a name for themselves in the fortune-telling world, despite it not being based on genuine skill!"

As he finished, Xia Liang looked at Lin Quanzi with a smile that was not quite a smile. "Taoist Priest Lin Quanzi, wouldn't you say I'm right?"

Lin Quanzi cursed inwardly but forced a smile and played along. "Master Xia Tian is correct. Those from the Jiang Xiang Faction are the greatest enemies of our orthodox Taoist community."

The surrounding fortune tellers all nodded vigorously, their expressions clearly showing their deep-seated hatred for the fraudulent Jiang Xiang Faction.

Although Lin Quanzi put on a cooperative front, he was already having second thoughts. He had a vague feeling that Xia Liang was digging a pit for him. It was at that moment that Lin Quanzi finally began to take this young man, Xia Liang, seriously.

Master Tonghui, sitting in a lower seat, seemed to sense Lin Quanzi's unease and sneered disdainfully. "Bringing up these well-known facts to show off your paltry skills before experts? Truly shameless!"

Xia Liang laughed. These two are well-coordinated, one playing the good cop, the other the bad cop.

He then sneered, "Master Tonghui, watch your words. You've targeted me repeatedly. I've been holding back out of consideration for you being a lonely old man. Do you really think I don't know what you've been up to?"

As soon as he said this, everyone perked up their ears in curiosity. Although Tonghui had a foul temper, he did possess some genuine ability.

Tonghui was taken aback for a moment, then scoffed, "I have lived a life of utmost integrity. What could there possibly be to know?"

Xia Liang just smiled faintly without saying a word, quietly waiting for something. A moment later, his phone began to ring, the sound somewhat jarring in the quiet hall.

Xia Liang answered with a smile and put the call on speakerphone. "Meng Kexi, what's wrong?"

Upon hearing the name Meng Kexi, Lin Quanzi and Tonghui exchanged a subtle, knowing smile.

Soon, Meng Kexi's panicked voice came through the phone. "Master Xia Tian, it's a disaster, Master Xia!"

"Don't panic," Xia Liang said calmly. "Did all the Fengshui Fish die?"

"Yes! They're all dead!" Meng Kexi cried out desperately.

Xia Liang's gaze swept over Tonghui and Lin Quanzi, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Stop wailing, Meng Kexi, and tell your brother not to get too worked up. This was done on purpose. Take a sample of the water from the fish tank and have it tested; you'll find out what happened. Oh, and one more thing! Try not to touch the fish tank. If I'm not mistaken, there should be fingerprints on it."

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