Don't let the fact that he was old now fool you. No one dared show him anything but respect.
"Enough. I've watched Chen Fan grow up. That boy has real talent.
"We old relics shouldn't stand in the way of his future. Understand?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Whatever you say, Third Great-Uncle."
The two village elders nodded with aching heads. They had no choice but to agree.
The two village elders supporting Old Master were well-known hardliners in the village.
If they stayed, they would definitely get in the way of Chen Fan's plans.
But now that Old Master had spoken, forget just setting up an offering table.
Even if someone tore down the ancestral tablets in the shrine, no one would dare utter a word.
After all, the ancestral tablets enshrined there belonged to people who—
apart from a few higher-ups—would still respectfully call Old Master "brother" or "uncle" even if they came back from the underworld.
"Zhao Dagou, what do you think you're doing? Get back here!"
The Fish Head River God had finally gotten Old Master to show up, so he wasn't about to let him slip away.
He had lived in Clear Water River for over a hundred years and knew just how highly Old Master was regarded in Zhao Family Village.
As long as Old Master spoke up, no matter how persuasively Chen Fan argued, no one would listen to him.
But when Old Master heard the Fish Head River God shouting, he actually quickened his pace.
Even the two village elders could barely keep up with him.
"Ah, when you get old, your ears just don't work as well.
"I can't hear you. Alas, I can't hear a thing!"
Seeing Old Master's shameless act, the Fish Head River God was overcome with frustration.
He had been matching wits with the old geezer for over a hundred years. How could he not know what he was like?
Old Master had clearly seen that Chen Fan hadn't suffered any losses—in fact, he'd even come out ahead—and decided to leave.
"Pfft! Sir, your great-grandfather really is something!"
Zhang Tianshou burst out laughing and playfully winked at Chen Fan.
She had actually sensed divinity on that old man!
"Of course!"
Chen Fan hadn't caught Zhang Tianshou's implication. How could someone who had lived nearly two hundred years be ordinary?
In theory, people in this world could live as long as three hundred years.
But those who actually reached that age were exceedingly rare.
In his previous life, people supposedly had a life expectancy of a hundred and twenty years, too.
But under the feudal dynasties, anyone who reached fifty was considered long-lived.
And even then, most of them came from wealthy families.
Why else was Chen Fan working so hard to make a fortune and extend his life?
"River God, now we can have a proper talk, can't we?"
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes. Even Old Master had openly supported him.
That meant Chen Fan could finally do as he pleased.
If this catfish spirit still didn't know what was good for him, Chen Fan would make him contribute his own hide.
Section Sixteen: From Arrogance to Obsequiousness, Golden Light of Merit!
"What compensation is the River God looking for?"
A cold glint flashed in Chen Fan's eyes, making the Fish Head River God shudder.
Only then did he remember that his life was still in Chen Fan's hands.
As for his backer, the Heavenly Court—
he knew better than anyone that insignificant little demons and gods like him weren't worth the Heavenly Court's attention.
Besides, there were problems with his divine appointment to begin with.
"Heh heh, This Minor God was only joking just now. I've wanted to tear down that lousy cave dwelling for ages.
"This immortal lady did me a favor by destroying it. Saved Old Black here the trouble!"
The village chief stared in astonishment at the River God, who was now acting completely docile. For a moment, he could hardly believe what he was seeing.
The River God of Clear Water River was the local tyrant of the three townships and twelve villages around Qingshi Town.
Aside from the county magistrate, who carried the Great Tang's official seal,
only Old Master could stand up to him—and even he had to make concessions.
Yet the River God, who had once been so insufferably arrogant,
was now groveling before Chen Fan without the slightest concern for his dignity.
"Village Chief, should we still bring Xiao Fan back?"
A towering, broad-shouldered man with a powerful build bent down to whisper in the village chief's ear.
The village chief shook his head, grinning like a man who'd just stolen a chicken.
"Not for now. Er Zhuang, go calm the villagers down. Don't let them start making a fuss."
The village chief's eyes gleamed with shrewdness as he gave his instructions.
Since Old Master supported Chen Fan, he couldn't undermine him.
Old Master had an exceptionally keen eye.
Zhao Er Zhuang nodded, relieved.
Then he glared fiercely at his two unlucky sons, Dazhuang and Xiao Zhuang.
That's right. This burly man was Zhao Dazhuang's father, the one who'd upended the natural order by becoming his son's subordinate.
As Zhao Family Village's strongest fighter, he also held considerable prestige there.
Otherwise, Chen Fan wouldn't have dragged both Dazhuang and Xiao Zhuang into his scheme.
Actually, if the village chief's sons hadn't been too old to fool,
and his grandsons too young—tricking them would've been a bit unconscionable—
Chen Fan would've brought the whole family on board long ago.
After all, when it came to taking a beating, the more people, the better.
Chen Fan's gaze swept over the villagers' faces, where surprise, fear, and curiosity flickered.
But most of the teenagers looked excited and awestruck.
"Brother Fan, we'll support whatever you want to do!"
"Brother Fan, that's not cool! How could you not invite me to something this thrilling?"
"Brother Fan, you're awesome!"
With Old Master's support, the next generation of Zhao Family Village—the youngsters Chen Fan had led astray—grew restless.
They looked at the River God, who had once been so imperious, now as defeated as a rooster after a fight.
He was meek and submissive, his usual arrogance nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, Chen Fan's standing in their hearts had risen to indescribable heights.
But unlike the restless youngsters, the older generation remained much more cautious.
The River God had lorded it over them for more than a hundred years. Their fear of him was deeply ingrained.
Even though the River God was now as timid as could be, the middle-aged and elderly villagers still didn't dare act out.
They scolded their sons, afraid the River God might hold it against them.
"You little brat, shut your mouth!"
"Dad, even Old Master's on our side. You think you can stop me?"
Just as a heartwarming father-and-son scene was about to unfold, Chen Fan hurriedly stepped in.
"Enough. Everyone, quiet down!"
As soon as Chen Fan spoke, the whole crowd fell silent.
Everyone turned to look at him, their expressions complicated once more.
Before you continue