Fury Immortal Doctor

Chapter 1890 - 1893: Pan Zheng's Principles

Yun Lan's beautiful eyes widened in shock as she said, "Are you sure you want to control Shen Qiang through suppression?"Pan Zheng chuckled and calmly replied, "Yes, that's how it's done in every industry. For example, our phones can't access the internet, but his can. We have no way of competing with him. The only way is to suppress his development, then quickly catch up and surpass him."

"It's true that Alchemists hold a prestigious position in the Cultivation World, but just because we are Alchemists doesn't mean Alchemy Materials are cheap or free to us."

Raising an eyebrow, Pan Zheng looked at Yun Lan seriously, "Do you understand what I mean? An Alchemist without money cannot obtain suitable materials. An Alchemist who can't refine quality Elixir Pills is no different from an ordinary cultivator."

"But I still don't get it. Everyone is an Alchemist, so each person should refine their own Pills. Whoever sells more, that should depend on their skills, right...?"

"Winner takes all," Pan Zheng interrupted, "Do you know the 80/20 rule? Twenty percent of the Alchemists dominate eighty percent of the Pill transactions, and in reality, over eighty percent of the transactions in the Cultivation World are done by Medicine King Valley and Thirty-two Skillful Hands."

"And once Shen Qiang becomes the winner, within the next few years, or even decades, the Pills from Heshenghe could dominate a significant portion of the transactions in the Cultivation World, which we cannot tolerate. Those transactions belong to us, and Shen Qiang is someone trying to snatch food from the tiger's mouth."

"Don't you think you're being too harsh?" Yun Lan asked.

Pan Zheng laughed, "The business world is like a battlefield. If Shen Qiang were under the same conditions, he might act even more extreme. Moreover, some members within Thirty-two Skillful Hands have openly proposed pooling money to hire the Abyss from the Demon Path to kill him."

"So, in fact, I'm saving Shen Qiang," Pan Zheng laughed.

Yun Lan sighed, "The world of men is truly terrifying."

Pan Zheng chuckled, "The pursuit of fame and fortune has always been a game for adventurers. Without powerful strength and sufficient wisdom to back it up, then it's better to be an ordinary person."

Yun Lan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright, men's matters should be dealt with by men. I can't manage so much, but really, don't you consider that girl beside Shen Qiang? Her emotions were so strange earlier. Although Shen Qiang denied it, the way she looked at you and her subconscious body language made me think she might really be your daughter."

Pan Zheng froze upon hearing this, then seriously asked, "Are you sure? You believe she's not just overly sentimental?"

Yun Lan fell silent for a moment before responding, "Of course not, because ordinary people find it hard to empathize with other people's stories. But she was very emotional at that time. Also, she played happily with your son. That look wasn't directed at someone else's child, do you understand what I'm saying?"

With a sudden start, Pan Zheng stood up and headed toward the kitchen.

Yun Lan asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"

"Finding her dinnerware. In as little as three hours, I can determine whether she's my daughter!" Pan Zheng replied.

Yun Lan expressed surprise, "Are you serious?"

Pan Zheng didn't answer, and Yun Lan followed curiously, then stared in shock at Pan Zheng, dazed as he gazed at the dinnerware, "What's wrong?"

"The dinnerware is missing!" Pan Zheng turned his head in horror and stared blankly at Yun Lan.

Yun Lan was instantly shocked and exclaimed, "Doesn't that mean the girl really might be your daughter? That's why Shen Qiang brought her here to ask about these things, and then Shen Qiang knew you'd verify her DNA using the dinnerware, so he stole the dinnerware she used."

Pan Zheng fell silent, pondering carefully, then shook his head and said, "No, unless it's meant to mislead me. Otherwise, Shen Qiang wouldn't do such a thing. Besides, I clearly saw the dinnerware was still there when Shen Qiang and that purple girl left."

"Shen Qiang has many demons under him; achieving this isn't difficult," Yun Lan said.

Pan Zheng frowned, then shook his head, "It's unreasonable and impossible. Shen Qiang isn't that foolish. If he wanted to tamper with the dinnerware, he has countless ways to ruin the DNA; even if he sent demons post-departure, all they'd need is to clean the dinnerware. There's no need to take it; such an obvious move would arouse suspicions."

Yun Lan hesitated for a moment and said, "Maybe you should reconsider. If that purple girl is really your daughter, being so hostile with Shen Qiang isn't beneficial for you."

Upon hearing this, Pan Zheng coldly said, "Do I need to repeat myself? Business is business, personal is personal. Even if that purple girl is indeed my daughter, I won't change my mind."

Yun Lan frowned, "Why are you so stubborn? If that purple girl is your daughter, don't you want to do something to compensate her?"

Pan Zheng sighed reluctantly, "If it really is her, I'll be willing to do whatever I can to make it up to her. But one must have principles. The Thirty-two Skillful Hands made me their leader because they trust me; they've entrusted their future to me. If I disregard them for my own benefit, that would be betrayal."

"So don't say any more. No matter what, I won't betray those who trust me; that's my bottom line. So don't talk to me about these matters anymore; I need to stay calm and do my utmost to deal with Shen Qiang; this is closely related to the interests of Thirty-two Skillful Hands."

Yun Lan asked, "What about the purple girl?"

Pan Zheng paused, quietly contemplating for a long time before saying, "I'll find a way to verify whether we are related, but this won't change my decision."

Saying this, he turned around, grabbed his jacket, and exited.

Yun Lan watched his departing figure helplessly.

Sighing, she returned to her room to change.

Meanwhile, in the yard outside the villa, Pan Zheng immediately spotted his little son in a raincoat, crouching in the flowerbed and playing in the dirt. He frowned, "Isn't that dirty? Go back inside!"

The little boy muttered an acknowledgment but didn't move, his eyes slightly anxious as he gazed at Pan Zheng.

Seeing his disobedience, Pan Zheng frowned helplessly, sighed, shook his head, and turned to leave.

Once he was gone, the little boy started covering the dirt, burying the dinnerware under the muddy soil.

"Sister said her dinnerware must be cleaned thoroughly. She doesn't like it when others use her dinnerware. So when I hide them all, then dig them out again when she returns, she'll definitely be delighted!"