Xu Wendong slightly raised his eyes, calmly looking at the unexpected guest before him. He had already sensed the visitor’s ill intentions and was certain that there was someone backing him.

Nevertheless, he remained unfazed and said indifferently, "The word ’fate’ is indeed the most mysterious of all."

"As soon as you stepped through this door, you became intertwined with the Mystic Spirit Pavilion. As for whether this connection is deep or shallow, good or evil, it remains to be explored."

The middle-aged man sneered, "Hmph, stop this pretentious mysticism."

"In my view, this Mystic Spirit Pavilion is just a facade for face reading and fortune-telling, engaging in deception." As he spoke, a hint of provocation appeared in his eyes, as if carrying someone else’s directive.

Xu Wendong shook his head slightly, responding unhurriedly, "Why do you say that? Mystic Spirit Pavilion opens its doors to guests, following its heart, to ease the worries of those destined to meet us. How could we ever engage in fraudulent activities?"

The middle-aged man took a step forward, raising his voice, "You claim you can read faces and discern events, then why don’t you read mine and show me what real skills you possess."

"If you can’t tell anything accurately, perhaps there’s no need for your Mystic Spirit Pavilion to continue operating."

Xu Wendong, still composed, stood up slowly, his gaze sharp as he looked directly into the middle-aged man’s eyes.

In that instant, an invisible force seemed to permeate between the two. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Xu Wendong spoke, "There is a hint of hostility hidden around your forehead, and your brows reveal a calculation and resentment."

"Recently, you’ve encountered significant setbacks in your career. You attempted to salvage the situation through improper means, but to no avail, thus breeding resentment and seeking trouble here to vent your frustrations."

"However, it’s not just for your own issues that you’re acting rashly. You’ve been instructed by others to stir trouble here at the Mystic Spirit Pavilion, and those behind you are likely also on this street?" He wore a faint smile, easily seeing through the middle-aged man’s intentions.

The middle-aged man’s expression changed slightly, but he still feigned composure, "Don’t spout nonsense. With just a few words, you think you can fool me?"

Xu Wendong continued, "Your parents at home are in poor health, especially your father, who’s been long plagued by illness. You’ve neglected to care for them because you’re busy with your own affairs, which is an unfilial act."

"Your own fortunes have also fallen into a vicious cycle due to your temperament and behavior."

"You think that following those face reading masters’ arrangements by causing trouble here will change your plight, but you fail to realize that you’re being used, caught up in a meaningless conflict."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man’s face turned pale, his lips trembling lightly, clearly struck to the core by Xu Wendong’s words.

Yet, he remained unwilling to give up, speaking viciously, "Even if you’ve guessed some things correctly, it doesn’t prove you’re not a fraud."

"Maybe you researched this in advance to deliberately scare me."

Xu Wendong shook his head with a bitter smile, "It was you who came looking for trouble with me first. How could I have investigated your affairs in advance?"

"Enough, I have no intention to argue further with you."

"Listen, if you truly wish to change your current situation, stop letting others use you as a pawn."

"Though your family has its difficulties, it’s not unsolvable. Your father’s ailments stem from an illness early in life, worsened by the poor feng shui layout of your house, which amplifies the Yin Energy."

"If you move the fish tank in your living room to the southeast corner and place three potted plants on the windowsill in your father’s bedroom, it may ease his symptoms slightly."

"As for yourself, you need to let go of resentment and greed, sincerely repent, and perform more good deeds, which might slowly change your fortunes."

The middle-aged man showed hesitation, still harboring doubts, but Xu Wendong’s words hit each point accurately, making it difficult for him to refute.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Why should I believe what you’re saying? What evidence do you have to prove your words are true?"

Xu Wendong sighed slightly, taking an old bronze coin from his robe, handing it to the middle-aged man, "This coin, having withstood the test of time, possesses spiritual qualities."

"Hold it in your palm, calm your mind, and silently think of your father’s condition."

"If you feel the coin warming up, then you’ll know I am telling the truth."

The middle-aged man skeptically took the coin and did as he was told.

Moments later, he was astonished to find the coin indeed gradually warming, the warmth like a stream of heat reaching deep inside his heart.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Xu Wendong, "How is this possible?"

Xu Wendong replied calmly, "Everything in the world follows the law of cause and effect."

"I merely have some understanding of this path, capable of perceiving its mysteries."

"Continue in your ignorance and it will do you no good."

"The fortune tellers behind you are just envious of the rising fame of the Mystic Spirit Pavilion, attempting to suppress me."

"Do not let them use you, leading to the ruin of your future."

The middle-aged man remained silent for a long time, finally lowering his head slowly, "Master, I was wrong."

"I was blinded by greed, which led me to cause trouble here."

"I will go back and do as you instructed, and cut ties with those people."

Xu Wendong nodded slightly, "To recognize one’s mistakes and amend them is a great virtue. I hope you will take care of yourself!"

The middle-aged man respectfully exited the Mystic Spirit Pavilion. Then, right at the entrance of the Mystic Spirit Pavilion, he dropped to his knees, his expression solemn and pious. He earnestly kowtowed three times, each one causing the ground to tremble slightly, shouting loudly, "Master’s great grace and virtue, I, Wang Fugui, will remember it for the rest of my life, unforgettable! Your transcendental abilities truly make you worthy of being called a Face Reading Master!"

His voice was loud and resonant, filled with endless gratitude and reverence, echoing like a bell in the air, instantly attracting numerous onlookers.

This unexpected scene also caused the faces of two middle-aged men closely observing the Mystic Spirit Pavilion from a teahouse’s second floor in the distance to change dramatically.

Their once triumphant expressions were instantly replaced with shock and fear.

These two were the fortune tellers who had orchestrated Wang Fugui’s visit to cause trouble at the Mystic Spirit Pavilion.

Originally, they had planned, with great anticipation, for Wang Fugui to create some trouble for Xu Wendong, intending to curb his momentum.

To thoroughly tarnish his reputation and suppress the increasingly popular Mystic Spirit Pavilion, thus maintaining their standing and interests in the Antique Street’s fortune-telling field.

However, no matter how they calculated, they never expected the development of events to slip completely out of their control.

Not only did Wang Fugui fail to bring any trouble to Xu Wendong as they had hoped, but he even publicly performed such a grand gesture of respect and praised Xu Wendong sincerely as a Face Reading Master.

This scene was tantamount to a loud slap in the face in front of everyone, leaving them utterly disgraced, with nowhere to hide their shame.

One of them, a fortune teller named Zhao Qi, slammed the table fiercely, causing the teacup to rattle, and said through gritted teeth, "This Wang Fugui is a complete fool, swayed by Xu Wendong’s few words, and publicly humiliated us. If I don’t avenge this humiliation, how can I, Zhao Qi, establish myself in Qingyuan City?"