Lin Wanrong learned the appearance of Xuanxuanzi, with a bit of water between the square heads of three wooden chopsticks and the chopsticks. Three chopsticks of the same length were placed together and slowly placed in the water cup.
Watching the three chopsticks gently sway, Lin Wanrong's heart tightened. It's been a few days since I practiced this. It feels a bit unfamiliar.
He chuckled and imitated the trickster, turning around the cup a few times and chanting, "Tathagata Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, great compassion mantra, quickly show your spirit, I pray—" The three chopsticks tilted slightly, but immediately stabilized and stood upright in the water.
Everyone was stunned. Xuanxuanzi performed this magical technique, which he obtained through sixty years of hard cultivation. How could Lin San, at such a young age, possess such skills? Could he also be a cultivator?
Luo Ning and the young lady covered their mouths tightly, unable to believe the scene before them. Old Lady Luo was pleasantly surprised, "Young Master Lin, where did you learn this divine technique? It looks exactly like our old cultivator."
This statement undoubtedly slapped the old Taoist in the face. Xuanxuanzi's face turned red and white alternately, and he snorted, "Just a parrot imitating."
Lin Wanrong initially intended to stop when things looked good, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help shaking his head. This Xuanbei Taoist was truly unrepentant. He chuckled and said coldly, "Master, I haven't learned any divine technique. I just happened to be clever. I wonder if this little trick meets your discerning eyes?"
Strange things happen every year, especially this year. Unexpectedly, a small servant from the Xiao family could also perform divine techniques. The hall suddenly became noisy.
Xuanxuanzi's face turned pale, not saying a word. Lin Wanrong smiled, "Master, I've learned your divine technique. But I also have a small trick. I wonder if Master would like to learn it?"
Xuanxuanzi dared not speak. He glanced at Zhao Kangning, and the young master nodded imperceptibly. Xuanxuanzi had no way to refuse. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Go ahead."
Lin Wanrong saw the actions of the two of them and sneered inwardly. Damn, conspiring against me together, this dog-like young master is really a schemer.
Luo Yuan hurriedly walked in from outside and nodded to Lin Wanrong. Lin Wanrong felt reassured. He smiled at the old Taoist, "Today, I will perform this magic trick, called 'Burning Cotton Thread.'"
While speaking, Luo Yuan had already handed him a cotton thread. Lin Wanrong took it in his hand and felt it. It seemed to have just been roasted. He nodded slightly to Luo Yuan and loudly said, "Everyone, what I'm holding in my hand is an ordinary cotton thread. Please let the young master and the master inspect it."
Zhao Kangning and Xuanxuanzi both touched the cotton thread. It seemed a bit moist and warm, but there was nothing unusual. Both of them nodded. Lin Wanrong took back the cotton thread, chuckled, and said to Old Lady Luo, "Old Birthday Star, please give me a copper coin."
The old lady rewarded him with a copper coin. Lin Wanrong threaded the cotton through the copper eye and tied both ends horizontally on the iron frame. The copper coin slid exactly to the center of the cotton thread.
Lin Wanrong nodded and handed the candlestick to Old Lady Luo, saying, "Today, the old birthday star is celebrating. Please give us the honor of igniting this cotton thread."
Old lady laughed, "Lin young man, are you going to set fire to this cotton thread?"
"Exactly," Lin Wanrong said.
Luo Ning smiled and glanced at Lin Wanrong, then helped her grandmother walk to the side of the iron frame, holding the candlestick. She lit both ends of the cotton thread.
Strange things happened. The ends of the cotton thread were clearly lit, burned to a crisp, but they never went out. The copper coin remained stable in the middle of the cotton thread, motionless.
Everyone in the hall was astonished. If the water-standing chopsticks earlier could be explained by some clever people, this burning cotton thread couldn't be explained at all. The old lady exclaimed, "Lin young man, could you really be a cultivator?"
Cultivator Lin San? Hehe, you're overestimating me, my goal is to be a charlatan. Lin Wanrong smiled mysteriously and said, "I'll explain later. Master Xuanxuanzi, would you like to try this method of mine?"
Before he could speak, Lin Yuan and Guo Wuchang walked playfully to Xuanxuanzi. Damn, these two guys are afraid that the world won't be chaotic. Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly.
Xuanxuanzi knew that Lin San must have played some tricks, but he couldn't figure out what kind of technique it was. He looked at the cotton thread in front of him, moved his fingers a few times, and finally resisted the urge to take the thread. He said, "This poor Taoist has never learned any divine technique."
"Divine technique? Where did the divine technique come from?" Lin Wanrong laughed, "Please, everyone, take a look. Do I look like someone who has learned divine techniques?
Everyone saw him in plain clothes and a small hat, just a small servant. No matter how you looked at it, he didn't seem like someone who could perform divine techniques. They all laughed heartily.
Speaking to this point, everyone in the hall already understood. Even Lin San could do it. How could it be a divine technique? It must be a clever trick performed by a street performer to entertain. However, how this burning cotton thread worked, everyone still didn't understand. Old lady Luo said in surprise, "Lin young man, are you really a cultivator?"
Cultivator Lin San? Hehe, you're flattering me. My goal is to be a charlatan. Lin Wanrong smiled without saying a word, mysteriously saying, "I'll explain later. Master Xuanxuanzi, would you like to try my method?"
Before he could speak, Lin Yuan and Guo Wuchang walked playfully to Xuanxuanzi. Damn, these two guys are afraid that the world won't be chaotic. Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly.
Xuanxuanzi knew that Lin San must have played some tricks, but he couldn't figure out what kind of technique it was. He looked at the cotton thread in front of him, moved his fingers a few times, and finally resisted the urge to take the thread. He said, "This poor Taoist has never learned any divine technique."
"Divine technique? Where did the divine technique come from?" Lin Wanrong laughed, "Please, everyone, take a look. Do I look like someone who has learned divine techniques?
Everyone saw him in plain clothes and a small hat, just a small servant. No matter how you looked at it, he didn't seem like someone who could perform divine techniques. They all laughed heartily.
At this point, the people
in the hall already understood that what Lin San could do, how could it be a divine technique? It must be a clever trick performed by a street performer to entertain. However, how this burning cotton thread worked, everyone still didn't understand. Lin Wanrong smiled, "In this world, there is no such thing as divine techniques. It's just some simple principles. Take this burning cotton thread, for example. When you see through the principles, it's worth nothing. Everyone knows brine, right? It's the brine used to marinate tofu. This brine contains some special substances. Soak the cotton thread in brine for a while, then roast it dry. The special substances in the brine will adhere to the thread. When you tie a coin with this kind of thread, it looks like it's burning, but in fact, only the surface of the thread is burning. The internal part is protected by these special substances, isolating it from the air, so it doesn't burn. If you don't believe it, you can try it yourself."
The people in the hall were mostly officials and sons from various places, and very few had dealt with making tofu. Some didn't even know what brine was. After hearing this explanation, they suddenly realized.
Luo Ning exclaimed for a long time. It turned out that Lin big brother asked Xiao Yuan to find brine in the neighboring tofu shop for this reason. Fortunately, Xiao Yuan dried the cotton thread, otherwise, how would you ignite it and how could you deceive the young master and the fake Taoist? Luo Ning saw him boasting and couldn't help but giggle.
"As for the standing chopsticks in water, it's even simpler. It just leverages the stickiness and buoyancy of water, nothing more." Lin Wanrong explained the principles behind these two tricks to everyone. Now they all understood. If it weren't for this damn so-called cultivator repeatedly provoking, Lin Wanrong wouldn't want to be the vanguard of debunking feudal superstition. After all, street performers make a living with these tricks.
Zhao Kangning, the young master, even if he was nurtured well, today he mistakenly took this street performer as a cultivator. His face couldn't be hung up. He frowned, "Master Xuanxuanzi, what do you say?"
Xuanxuanzi had long lost his immortal demeanor. Scared, he knelt down and said, "Forgive me, Young Master, spare me. Young Master, show mercy——" Zhao Kangning's face turned white and said, "Ignorant mice, dare to deceive this prince, take him away——"
"Hold on, hold on——" Lin Wanrong quickly stopped. He clasped his fists and smiled, "Reporting to the Young Master, today is the birthday celebration of the old lady. This Taoist came here to offer blessings for the old lady. Similar to the previous tightrope walking, it's all for entertainment. Please don't blame the Young Master."
If it weren't for the old lady's birthday today and couldn't stand the sight of blood, Laozi would be too lazy to care about this. Drag him directly out and snap his neck. Jumping around in front of this great immortal. It's annoying.
Luo Min also didn't want the young master to be embarrassed and hurriedly continued, "Lin San is right. This old Taoist is here to congratulate the old lady on her birthday. I hope the young master won't blame him."
Zhao Kangning descended the steps and said, "Since that's the case, the prince won't take it to heart. Xuanxuanzi, don't use any deceptive tricks in the future, otherwise, the prince won't be lenient. Get out."
Xuanxuanzi crawled away. The hall burst into laughter, and today's celebration at the Luo Mansion was not in vain. Not only did they witness a splendid couplet battle, but they also watched two exciting magic tricks.
Zhao Kangning had a smile on his face, but after losing two rounds today, he felt a bit embarrassed. He reluctantly showed a smile, said a few words, and then took his leave. The feast continued until dusk before ending in a lively atmosphere.
Thinking about the matters of Zhao Kangning and the White Lotus Cult, Lin Wanrong felt uneasy. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a clear voice by his ear, "Big Brother Lin——"
He looked up and saw that it was Luo Ning who had arrived. Luo Ning looked at him and smiled gently, saying, "Big Brother Lin, are you worried that the young master holds a grudge against you?"
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Hold a grudge? We've never reconciled. When I was abducted by the White Lotus Cult, this young master was the mastermind behind it. I've offended countless people long ago, and today's incident is just another addition to the list. Yes, I am a bit worried. After all, he is a royal relative."
Luo Ning bit her lip, "Big Brother Lin, don't worry. Although this young master is overbearing, there are many who can restrain him. Even my father may not be afraid of him."
Lin Wanrong smirked, not giving a direct answer. Suddenly, Luo Ning whispered, "Big Brother Lin, thank you for the gift you gave me today. I really like it."
"Gift? What gift? When did I give you a gift?" Lin Wanrong wondered.
"That 'Wind and Snow Returning Person,' my grandmother has already given it to me." Luo Ning said, lifting something in her hand and smiling, "And this—"
In her hand, sparkling and dazzling, was the diamond that Lin Wanrong had given to the birthday star. Oh, this was the one I gave to the old lady, not to you. It seemed like Luo Ning could see through his thoughts. She playfully said, "You gave it to grandmother, and grandmother gave it to me. I'll consider it as your gift."
This reasoning is a bit too much, Lin Wanrong shook his head with a wry smile. Well, let's consider it as my gift. Just don't let the thieves get any ideas.
"Big Brother Lin, can you tell me where you learned these little tricks?" Luo Ning, recalling those strange and interesting things he did, asked curiously.
"Well, I read a peculiar book when I was a child called 'One Hundred Thousand Whys.' It had many interesting stories." Lin Wanrong explained.
"One Hundred Thousand Whys?" Luo Ning frowned, "Who wrote it? Why haven't I heard of it? Big Brother, you really read a lot."
Seeing Luo Ning eager to learn and curious, Lin Wanrong found it a bit hard to deflect. Just as he was about to make an excuse, he suddenly saw Guo Wuchang hurrying over, calling out, "Lin San, hurry up, your cousin wants to discuss something with you."