Chapter 128: This Is What You Call Believing In Science?
Chen Han took the phone and watched the video. It was posted by a plant-focused PhD with many fans and was related to the Chen Clan Flower Sea:
“Today I just finished studying the data of a new rose variety, and then saw many fans @ me, asking me to talk about the Chen Clan Flower Sea blooming overnight.”
“I watched the video, including the comparison of the Flower Sea from the days before and after. It is very clear, very definite, very miraculous. As for whether it is because of the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation’s blessing, that should be impossible.”
“After all, in modern scientific society we must believe in science, and from a scientific method of understanding, I think it is not impossible.”
“First of all, if you want flowers to bloom overnight, there are many methods, especially for peonies, roses, lilies, peony roses, and so on that already have buds.”
“The first choice is to regulate temperature, and then there is physical stimulation and so on. More directly, to stimulate with hormones, such as GA3, and ethephon, and DJHF-type hormones and so forth. After using such hormones, the plants will wither before long.”
“Of course, it is also possible there is some secret method inherited from ancient times. After all, this kind of thing is not a single example. There are many records in history. For example, when Wu Zetian ascended the throne, she issued an edict that all flowers in the city had to bloom. The officials below did not dare disobey and forcibly used special methods to make all flowers in the city bloom overnight.”
“And this kind of record is more than one case, such as under Emperor Hui of Han and so on. But no matter what method, to make that entire Flower Sea bloom overnight, they definitely had to grasp the timing extremely well, extremely precisely, and had to spend great energy and manpower. This is not something simple to achieve.”
“Although the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation’s blessing is nonsense, in this respect one has to admire the Chen Clan. At least their maneuver of making the Flower Sea bloom overnight has added a touch of miraculous color.”
“As for why the flowers in the video look so vivid, that should be due to filters, or to the varieties themselves. As for the flower fragrance and so on, there are all kinds of fragrances nowadays. Just like that Chen Family Head often says, we must believe in science. Why don’t you believe it?”
This plant PhD’s video was accepted by many people. After all, compared to the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation’s blessing making flowers bloom overnight, the PhD’s video was more reasonable and evidence-based, even citing history.
Once the video finished playing, Chen Kai said, “This guy is talking nonsense to some extent. He has never even been here. What does he know?”
Chen Han, however, smiled and said, “Director Chen, isn’t what the PhD said quite right?”
As he spoke, he even gave the video a like.
“How is it right?” Chen Kai blurted out. “Has he seen it himself to say it’s filters? Can filters be applied to our eyes too?”
Ma Qi echoed, “Exactly. As for whether the flower fragrance is artificial, can we not tell? Besides, we personally experienced yesterday’s Heavenly Sweet Dew.”
Chen Han shook his head and said, “Section Chief Ma, I already said that was just a rain from the Heavenly Palace not being cooperative. Section Chief Ma, I am from a Daoist Sect Heritage Family and even I know to believe in science. Given your positions, shouldn’t you believe in science even more?”
“…” Ma Qi.
“…” Chen Kai.
They looked at the Chen Family Head before them, wanting to speak but unable to, feeling very stifled.
Given their identities, status, and stance, they had to firmly believe in scientism. So, if they refuted the Chen Family Head’s words, it would mean their stance was not firm. They simply could not say it.
They finally understood what it meant to be rendered speechless.
What they had personally witnessed, what they knew clearly was the Chen Family Head talking nonsense, they were still unable to argue out loud.
“Director Chen, let’s go take a look at the central area,” Chen Han invited with a smile, already walking forward.
Chen Kai could only sigh and follow.
The entire Flower Sea was laid out in an Eight Trigrams Distribution. The middle area was also where the plants were most densely concentrated. Around the shrine pavilion of the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation, dense offering flowers formed two intersecting yin-yang fish.
And this was also the most beautiful part of the Flower Sea.
Chen Han led them over and saw his junior sister and Xiao Mi actually filming here. The two were preparing to control a drone to take off, planning to use it for an aerial shot.
“Senior brother.” Xiao Yu saw him arrive and immediately greeted him. “Xiao Mi Jie and I are filming a promotional video for the Flower Sea.”
Chen Han nodded and said with a smile, “I brought Director Chen and the others over to take a look. They are also planning to shoot a video to help promote the Flower Sea for us.”
“Director Chen, thank you,” Xiao Yu naturally noticed the group and did not forget to introduce to Xiao Mi, “Xiao Mi Jie, Director Chen is a leader from the county culture and tourism bureau and has given great help to our Chen Clan tourism.”
“Director Chen, hello,” Xiao Mi greeted politely as well.
Chen Kai was just as polite to this internet celebrity with more than three million fans. “Ms. Guanhai, Linhe County welcomes internet celebrities like you to visit. We also thank you for your contributions. As for the national style event you are leading here, you can submit a cooperation application. Our county is willing to share part of the cost.”
Because of the success of the Chen Clan’s consecration ceremony, he now looked forward to cooperating with the Chen Clan on national style projects and planned to give stronger support.
Hearing this, Chen Han looked at the two girls. “How much does the national style event cost, and why didn’t you tell me?”
He had never run this type of event nor participated in one, so he had overlooked it before. For a national style event, having well-known national style internet celebrities attend was the most important part. Even at a friendly rate, they definitely had to pay something.
And the setup of various props and so on would also cost quite a lot.
Xiao Yu hurried to explain, “Senior brother, at the time the Chen Clan was just starting up with everything, and there was not much money in the account, so we did not tell you. Xiao Mi Jie fronted most of it first, and I covered some. Anyway, when the national style event happens, there will be dedicated tickets and revenue. We will just pay Xiao Mi Jie back then.”
Chen Han frowned and looked at Xiao Mi. “You are not afraid of losing money?”
Xiao Mi said, “If we lose money, then there is nothing we can do.”
Seeing her senior brother a bit upset, Xiao Yu quickly added, “Senior brother, mainly, Xiao Mi Jie and I also wanted to do a national style event. It gives us national style internet celebrities a sense of accomplishment.”
A sense of accomplishment, my ass.
Chen Han was speechless. Xiao Mi could fool this carefree, big-chested… no, not that big and also brainless girl junior sister with that line.
Xiao Mi knew about his cancer, and it was definitely because of this that she had paid out of pocket, planning to help him fulfill his wish of developing the Chen Clan.
On this point he was very sure, because he understood Xiao Mi deeply.
She was a good girl.
So he said to her, “We will make up a contract afterward. This time you are the organizer of the national style event, and our Chen Clan is only renting the place to you.”
That meant that Xiao Mi was renting the Chen Clan’s venue to hold the national style event. After deducting costs, all revenue would go to Xiao Mi.
Naturally, if it was successfully held and attracted great popularity, it would be of huge benefit to Xiao Mi’s reputation and status in the national style field as well.
“Okay.” Xiao Mi understood Chen Han’s good intentions and did not refuse. In fact, this was good, so she could help him better in the future.
He would not have to struggle so hard, enduring torment from his illness while also holding everything up.
Thinking of this, she could not help sighing as she thought of his condition.
Chen Han saw her expression and knew why. He felt he should find a chance to tell her about his body already improving.
At least he should tell her there was hope, that it was getting better.
Thinking it over, he felt that this time the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation’s blessing was a very good excuse.
Chen Han then accompanied Chen Kai and the others to shoot some Flower Sea footage. In the end, the county culture and tourism staff found that what they shot did not seem as good as what the two girls filmed. They simply decided to make use of others’ results and asked Xiao Yu to send over a promotional video later so the county could help promote it.
Xiao Yu gladly agreed. This was a small matter.
After that, Chen Han accompanied the culture and tourism group out of the Flower Sea and walked another lap inside the Chen Clan. Then, just as Director Chen was about to leave and he was escorting him out of the Chen Clan, something happened.
Someone from the cultivation market area was causing trouble, and a large crowd had gathered.
There were sounds of an argument.
Chen Dagou had already led people from the Demon Subduing Hall to maintain order.
“Family Head Chen, shall we go take a look?” Chen Kai said with a frown.
“Okay.” Chen Han led Director Chen toward the cultivation market.
Seeing him, Chen Dagou called out in greeting, “Xiao Han.”
“Uncle Dagou, what happened?” Chen Han asked at once.
Chen Dagou immediately explained, “Yesterday at our Chen Clan’s consecration ceremony many tourists came. This morning, people from other villages came to sell things. They got into an argument with the village chief and the others.”
Hearing this, Chen Kai subconsciously asked, “Are people from Shangyuan Village not allowing others to sell here?”
If that were the case, Shangyuan Village would seem narrow-minded. Any idea about watching them and supporting them later would have to be reconsidered.
Chen Dagou quickly clarified, “That is not it. It is that those from the neighboring village ignored the rules. They refuse to enter the market to sell and are intercepting customers right at the gate. They sell the same things as a few people from our village but deliberately undercut the prices, maliciously competing.”
“The uncles and elders from the village were very unhappy and wanted to make a move, but the village chief stopped them. When the village chief tried to persuade them, the other side acted arrogant. Even Uncle Da Pao and the others could not talk sense into them.”
This made Chen Han frown. When a place becomes popular, all kinds of issues inevitably follow.
Running into this sort of situation was truly vexing.
Chen Kai’s brows knotted. This kind of thing was basically making tourists see a joke of Linhe County’s tourism. Luckily, they had already applied for tourism police with their leaders. It seemed he should push harder after going back and get people assigned as soon as possible.
Also, once the Chen Clan developed further and people from other villages came over, these sorts of things would need preventive measures.
Sometimes one rat dropping really could spoil a whole pot of soup.
“On what grounds do you stop me from selling? These are my own goods, and I can sell at any price I want.”
“Tourists, look here. The Chen Clan wants to make black-hearted profits. I am not making black-hearted profits. I sell cheaper and that is still not allowed.”
The troublemaker suddenly shouted to those around him.
【Because the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation’s blessing spread the Chen Clan’s reputation far and wide, more and more rogue cultivators have been drawn here, wanting to seek affiliation. But suddenly demonic path rogue cultivators begin targeting you, disguising themselves as righteous people and smearing the Chen Clan everywhere, making your mood just as bad.】
“…” Chen Han’s brows furrowed, and his mood indeed worsened. His right hand was already touching the Magic Qi Ring on his left hand.
Just then, Ming Di’s voice suddenly rang out. “It is your freedom to sell things, but when the quality of what you sell is poor, and you disrupt market prices, then that is your problem.”
“Everyone, take a look. For the same fruit, isn’t his fruit obviously worse than what is sold in the market? Just look at these peaches. Don’t they look a bit wilted?”
As he spoke, people from the village behind him brought out some peaches to compare with the man’s.
Sure enough, as he said, when compared, the man’s peaches were somewhat shriveled and clearly not freshly picked.
Ming Di continued, “Everyone has bought fruit before. You should all know what fruit costs in fruit shops now. The fruit sold in the market is already very cheap, so you should not be misled by someone selling defective goods to seek attention through accusations.”
The tourists were not fools. Many who could come here had an economic foundation and did not care about a little money for fruit. They cared more about quality and freshness.
Ming Di, who could attract viewers and get rewards in his live streams, was skilled at grasping people’s minds. When the tourists heard his words, they nodded in agreement one after another:
“The fruit in the market really is fresh.”
“Yeah, when I bought some, they even guaranteed we could pick it on-site.”
“This guy’s stuff obviously looks off at a glance.”
“…”
The man had wanted to incite the tourists to support him but did not expect to be scolded by them in turn.
This made him want to leave immediately. Ming Di, however, quickly stopped him and, smiling, said, “You cannot leave. Just now, while arguing with our village chief, you shoved two elderly villagers, and when three Chen Clan Old Masters came to mediate, you also shoved them. You need to give an explanation for this.”
“What shoving?” The man became angry. “I get it. You want to frame me? There are so many tourists watching. Aren’t you afraid I will call the police?”
Ming Di smiled and said, “We do not dare do anything illegal like framing people. It is just that the Old Masters are elderly, and since they were shoved, they need to go to the hospital for a checkup before everyone can be at ease. You do not need to worry. I have already called the police. In front of the police uncles we will not extort you. Just let them do the checkup. If there is nothing wrong, you only need to pay the examination fees.”
“By the way, I have many witnesses here. I believe many tourists can testify that you did shove people.”
Having worked as a supervisor in a vegetable market, Chen Da Pao knew exactly what Ming Di meant. He said, “Oh dear, my heart was just pushed earlier. I need to get it checked to feel at ease.”
The other two Old Masters understood and nodded in agreement as well.
Crucially, two more village elders stepped out behind Ming Di, both of whom had just attempted to mediate and had physical contact. Clearly, they all wanted to teach this guy a lesson.
Seeing this, the man was stunned. Even a single elderly person’s checkup might cost thousands. With all these Old Masters combined, how much would that be?
He had no idea if the police would accept this, but in the other party’s village, facing so many elders, no one would dare gamble that a shove might cause no issues.
In the end…
He instantly regretted playing tricks. Without hesitation, he turned and tried to run, not even wanting his fruit. After all, how much could that fruit sell for?
Chen Dagou had been watching him closely and would not give him a chance. He blocked him and grabbed his shoulder. “The police are almost here. Why are you running?”
Thud.
The man decisively fell to his knees, his face full of misery. “I was wrong. I should not have let greed blind me. Please forgive me!”
With a slap, he hit himself across the face. He was truly scared into tears.
Seeing this, Chen Han could not help but think, demonic cult rogues really are demonic. Their demonic tactics are vicious.
Does this count as using demons to control demons?
【The sudden appearance of the infiltrating demon person greatly surprises you, and this demon person actually attacks the demonic path rogue without hesitation, eliminating him.
This scene of demons killing each other confuses you, but when you see the rogue cultivators affiliated with the Chen Clan accepting this demon person, you seem to understand their purpose.
This is a ruse of self-sacrifice, sacrificing a demonic path rogue to raise their own reputation among those rogue cultivators. Even the Chen Clan elders guarding the cultivation market trust this person now.
This demon person is clearly very calculating, but does not realize they have already been exposed.】
Receiving this prompt, Chen Han looked at the sight of Chen Da Pao and the village chief standing behind the demon person and gained a more intuitive understanding of the demon person’s intentions.
“This Mr. Lin is quite resourceful,” Chen Kai could not help praising.
Hearing this, Chen Han felt even more that the game plot’s prompt was right.
So this was the demon person’s purpose in sacrificing a fellow practitioner.
At this moment, Chen Da Pao also saw that he had arrived and stepped forward to ask, “Patriarch, what do you think about this?”
“Now that the police are here, hand him over to them and let that be the end of it,” Chen Han said as he looked at the man who had slapped himself. The man clearly did not have much money. With so many tourists and videos being posted online, there would surely be saintly mothers condemning them for not knowing how to be lenient.
After all, these saintly mothers always displayed their saintliness in such bizarre ways.
Some of them were even completely uninvolved, yet still felt they had the right to play saint, without understanding the principle of not advising others toward virtue unless you have suffered their hardships.
If not necessary, the Chen Clan should not provoke such matters. Anyway, he had the Magic Qi Ring, and punishment could be more direct.
A moment later, the siren sounded. Two police officers got out of the car. Seeing the crowd, they quickly came forward to ask, “Who called the police? What happened here?”
Ming Di was about to speak when the troublemaker suddenly shouted, “Officers, I am turning myself in. I confess. I stole the fruit I am selling from an old man in my village. I am a thief. Please take me away.”
This stunned even Ming Di.
Hearing this, the two police uncles did not hesitate and promptly presented the silver handcuffs.
Watching this scene, Chen Han had already activated the Hemorrhoid Skill with the Magic Qi Ring. A barely noticeable wisp of demonic energy flew out and entered the man’s body.
As the man was being led away by the police uncles, he suddenly cried out, “Ow, my ass!”
He instantly clamped his legs together. That sudden stab of pain felt like a needle piercing tender flesh, almost bringing him to tears.
Everyone stopped moving.
“What are you doing? Keep walking,” one of the uncles urged with a frown.
The man did not dare refuse and took a step, only to suck in a sharp breath and start crying, “It hurts. I cannot. I cannot walk. Call an ambulance for me!”
Everyone was stunned. The scene felt oddly familiar.
“Doesn’t this look a lot like that guy from yesterday?”
“Yeah, yesterday that man was foul-mouthed, and now this one caused trouble, and then…”
“Damn… I won’t talk trash, no offense meant… no offense…”
“…”
For a moment, the atmosphere turned a bit quiet, and many people looked toward the Chen Clan.
Chen Kai and Ma Qi both subconsciously turned to look at Chen Han, their eyes full of accusation: Family Head Chen, is this what you call believing in science?
