Chapter 27: The Charm of the Great Sage Sun

These successive rhetorical questions struck Master Liu’s heart like heavy iron hammers.

Master Liu’s face turned deathly pale with rage. He gasped for air, looking as if he might drop dead from Chen Fan’s provocation at any moment.

"Chen Fan, you have quite the audacity! This is Master Liu, the Administrator of the Imperial Academy. How dare you be so insolent? Apologize to him immediately!" Chen Hao scolded him nervously. He had not expected Chen Fan to be so bold as to speak to the Administrator in such a manner. If the Administrator took offense, it might reflect poorly on him, potentially ruining his chances of entering the Imperial Academy.

The surrounding scholars looked at Chen Fan with complex expressions, unsure if he was simply a fool or remarkably daring.

"What do you think you are, Chen Fan? How dare you speak to the Administrator like that? Apologize now, or I will break your legs!" Zhao Hongwei added, his expression cold.

Zhao Hongwei had invited Master Liu to his hometown, hoping to treat him well and secure his favor for the upcoming imperial examinations. However, upon arriving in Dongyang County, his father had been utterly incompetent, and now Master Liu was being driven to the brink of collapse by Chen Fan. Zhao Hongwei feared that the Administrator would blame him for this debacle.

Chen Fan, however, remained calm, a pleasant smile playing on his lips, completely disregarding their threats.

"And what are you? The Administrator hasn't spoken yet; what right do you have to interject?" Chen Fan retorted dismissively.

Zhao Hongwei’s face darkened instantly. Having been a gifted child and the son of the county magistrate, he had been pampered and praised his entire life. When had he ever suffered such an insult?

"Chen Fan, have you gone blind? This is Young Master Zhao Hongwei, a student at the Imperial Academy, and his father is Magistrate Zhao of this county!" Chen Hao couldn't help but interject before Zhao Hongwei could speak.

Hearing this, Zhao Hongwei fell silent, looking at Chen Fan with an arrogant gaze, certain that once Chen Fan knew his status, he would be forced to apologize obsequiously.

Chen Fan let out a cold laugh. He thought to himself that it was a small world; wasn't his mother-in-law planning to introduce Yingchun and Yingxia to this very man?

"Oh, so Young Master Zhao is already studying at the Imperial Academy? You truly are the pride of Dongyang County!" Chen Fan said with a smile.

Zhao Hongwei tilted his head high, looking down at Chen Fan through his nostrils. Seeing this, Chen Fan’s smile only grew wider.

"In this bright and clear world, morality has truly declined," Chen Fan remarked with a chuckle. "To think that people from the Imperial Academy not only cut in line but now threaten to break people’s legs when stopped. Is this the quality of the Imperial Academy? Is this what the greatest academy of the Great Xia produces—people who bully the common folk?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd held their breath in silence. Chen Fan’s words were far-reaching, directly attacking the reputation of the entire Imperial Academy. Chen Hao was so terrified that his legs began to tremble, unable to find words to rebuke him.

"You... you must not spout nonsense," Zhao Hongwei said, suddenly nervous.

"Enough. I will not buy this storybook," Master Liu said, his voice trembling with anger. He feared that if Zhao Hongwei continued, Chen Fan would find further leverage to tarnish the Imperial Academy’s name—a responsibility he could not bear. He prepared to flick his sleeves and leave.

"Master, wait," Zhao Hongwei called out, stopping him. "I am willing to pay ten times the price for this book. Is there anyone here willing to sell theirs to me?"

Seeing the offer, the surrounding students scrambled to sell their newly purchased books to Zhao Hongwei. After all, it was a tenfold profit, and they could always just queue up again.

"I have done nothing to damage the reputation of the Imperial Academy, have I?" Zhao Hongwei said triumphantly as he brought the book to Chen Fan. He then bowed respectfully and handed it to Master Liu.

"A book of trivial pursuits that has caused so many students to waste their time—the academic atmosphere of Dongyang County truly needs to be rectified," Master Liu grumbled, opening the book with curiosity, intending to find faults to critique.

"A monkey born from a stone..."

No sooner had he read the first line than Master Liu was deeply captivated. He rushed to the second line, then the third, becoming increasingly engrossed until he was completely lost in the story.

His expressions shifted with the plot; at times he clenched his fists in tension, at others, a joyful smile appeared on his face. Seeing this, Chen Fan smiled. Indeed, no one could resist the charm of the Great Sage.

Zhao Hongwei, watching the Administrator’s transformation, was confused. Hadn't he just been criticizing the book? Why was he reading it with such fervor? Zhao Hongwei knew that Master Liu hated being interrupted while reading, so despite his confusion, he dared not speak and could only wait.

Master Liu flipped page after page, occasionally muttering comments of praise. Curious, Zhao Hongwei bought a copy for himself at a high price. As soon as he opened it, he too became instantly enthralled. Chen Hao, seeing this, also bought a copy out of curiosity and soon found himself unable to tear his eyes away.

The men who had been cursing and ready to denounce the book were now completely absorbed in reading. They stood from morning until dusk, only closing the books reluctantly when they finished. It was then that they finally felt parched and their legs grew sore.

"Well? Not a bad book, is it?" Chen Fan asked with a smile as he approached Master Liu.

"This book is merely..." Zhao Hongwei started, still trying to disparage it out of spite, but Master Liu interrupted him excitedly before he could finish.

"This book is incredibly novel! Not only are the story’s ups and downs masterfully crafted, but the prose is also exquisite. I wonder whose hand penned this?"

Hearing this, Chen Fan’s opinion of the old man improved slightly. "The author is far away yet right before your eyes—it is I."

Chen Fan smiled, silently adding to himself, "My apologies, Old Wu (Wu Cheng'en, author of *Journey to the West*), I'm stealing your spotlight again."