A lady of great beauty in a purple dress, her long hair tied up, had just arrived.
Her current demeanor contradicted her appearance, as a frosty expression adorned her face, and icy killing intent surged in her eyes.
She was Liu Ruyan, the Young Miss of the Liu Clan.
Tan Yunbao lay sprawled on the ground. Upon noticing her, he immediately howled miserably, “Sister-in-law, you have to avenge me! Kill this little bastard—no, cripple him. I want to raise him like a pet in a cage and ruthlessly whip him every day!”
“Rest assured, Yunbao, I won’t let this son of a bitch go!”
Liu Ruyan's words matched her vicious expression, making her look like a vile woman. She glared at Chen Fan with an icy gaze and said, “Little bastard, didn’t you hear me telling you to stop?
“Had you stayed your hand and not crippled Yunbao’s cultivation, I could have let you live. But now, even if you’re that invalid Chen Zhengqing’s son, you...”
Before Liu Ruyan could finish her sentence, a resounding slap cut through the air, making her spew blood and see stars.
“You... you dare hit me!”
Liu Ruyan was stunned, looking at Chen Fan in disbelief.
“Hit you? You dare insult my father. Believe it or not, I’ll kill you right now!”
Stepping forward, Chen Fan emanated a powerful aura that silenced Liu Ruyan, making her retract the threats already on her tongue.
Soon, she regained her composure. Taking two steps back, she shrieked, “Damn it! You little bastard, you deserve to die! You dare hit me! You must be tired of living! You guys, go, kill him!”
The several fierce-looking individuals accompanying Liu Ruyan rushed forward.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, they were all sent flying back, vomiting blood as they crashed onto the ground with agonizing howls.
Liu Ruyan was dumbfounded.
Tan Yunbao stopped hooting and looked dumbfounded.
Chen Qingqing was stunned.
The onlookers stood with mouths agape.
“If you want revenge, come find me at Chen Clan anytime!” Chen Fan declared with a cold gaze, leading the Golden Horned Horse and pulling the dazed Chen Qingqing away with determined strides.
“Ah, damn it, you damned little bastard, just you wait! Just wait! The Chen Clan can’t protect you; you will surely die! No one in heaven or earth can save you!” Liu Ruyan regained her senses and shrieked hysterically.
“Is he really the trash young master of the Chen Clan?”
“Heavens, that is too powerful! Liu Ruyan’s attendants are all at the fifth level. Is he at the... sixth level?”
“But didn’t he say he is at the third level?”
“You believe that? Can a third-level martial artist deal with fourth and fifth-level attendants with just a few punches and kicks?”
“Although Chen Fan is powerful, he crippled Tan Yunbao and slapped Liu Ruyan. There’s no way their clans will let this go. I fear they'll exploit this incident to stir trouble for the Chen Clan.”
“Haaa, young people do things too recklessly, ignoring the consequences. The Chen Clan may have to compensate with half of their businesses, significantly weakening them.”
Nearby, the crowd engaged in whispered gossip as if foreseeing an impending storm.
“Little girl, why do you keep staring at me? Are there flowers on my face?” Chen Fan joked lightly.
Looking bashful, Chen Qingqing said, “You’re the little girl. I’m already sixteen years old. I’m not little anymore.”
“Really, you’re all grown up already.” Chen Fan smiled.
Chen Qingqing stuck out her tongue; soon, a worried expression appeared on her face. “Big Brother Chen Fan, you crippled Tan Yunbao and slapped Liu Ruyan. The Tan and Liu clans will definitely come and demand to have you punished.”
Chen Fan said, unconcerned, “It’s fine. That’s the price they have to pay for bullying our Chen Clan’s people. No need to be scared.”
“No buts. Qingqing, I haven’t been home in three years. Tell me about the situation in the clan and Xuanyang City,” Chen Fan said.
Chen Qingqing nodded and said, “A year ago, the Grand Elder broke through to the Qi Grandmaster realm, and his strength rose tremendously. Many elders joined his side. His grandson, Chen Tao, is our Chen Clan’s number one genius, already at the sixth level. So, the Grand Elder is always thinking of a way to have the Patriarch pass on the position of successor to Chen Tao...”
“Grand Elder... is it that old fellow Chen Tianyin? It’s really unexpected. He actually broke through to the Qi Grandmaster realm. How surprising.”
Chen Fan smiled and said, “He’s plotting for the position of Chen Clan’s Young Patriarch? How bold of him, but since I’m back, they can forget about it.
“I may forgive them this time if they continue to serve the clan dutifully. If that old fellow has dissenting thoughts, don’t blame me for not showing mercy.”
Chen Qingqing’s heart trembled.
Chen Tianyin, a Qi Grandmaster, was a formidable figure capable of turning Xuanyang City upside down, an existence revered by many. Yet, Chen Fan spoke of him as if he were no more significant than an ant.
“Right, Qingqing, why did Tan Yunbao address Liu Ruyan as sister-in-law?” Chen Fan asked.
Chen Qingqing answered, “Because Liu Ruyan had become Tan Yunlong’s fiancée.”
“Oh, Tan and Liu Clans are joined by marriage.”
Chen Fan raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Also, Tan Yunlong also became a Qi Grandmaster half a year ago. Since the Grand Elder became a Qi Grandmaster a year ago, our Chen Clan has three Qi Grandmasters overseeing things and could suppress the Tan and Liu clans.
“However, Tan Yunlong and Liu Rulong became Qi Grandmasters one after another. Now, the two major clans also have three Qi Grandmasters each. With the two clans being joined by marriage, I’m afraid they are planning to join forces to deal with our Chen Clan.”
Chen Qingqing conveyed the current situation in Xuanyang City to Chen Fan. Unexpectedly, many huge changes had occurred in the city.
Tan Yunlong and Liu Rulong were the geniuses of the Tan and Liu clans. They were only twenty-five and twenty-six years old. Becoming Qi Grandmasters at such a young age showcased their exceptional martial talent.
The two clans joined by marriage had become one huge entity.
It is no wonder Tan Yunbao acted so arrogantly, brazenly bullying a member of our Chen Clan on the streets and trying to abduct them. It wasn’t without reason.
Chen Fan smiled coldly inside.
Crippling Tan Yunbao and striking Liu Ruyan ensured that the Tan and Liu clans wouldn’t let the matter slide easily. They would undoubtedly come to the Chen Clan seeking retribution.
Perhaps they would exploit the opportunity to obliterate the Chen Clan. After all, with the Tan and Liu clans’ combined strength, they boasted six Qi Grandmasters, while the Chen Clan had only three.
Hehe, I hope you people will know your places. Otherwise, I don’t mind letting your clans become history!” An icy cold light flashed in Chen Fan’s eyes.
Given his current strength, facing six Qi Grandmasters or even ten at once was nothing.
As one of the three strongest martial clans in Xuanyang City, Chen Clan’s mansion was situated in the southeast of Xuanyang City, occupying a vast area.
The sprawling square in front of the mansion could accommodate thousands of people.
A squad of soldiers patrolled in front of the mansion, each wearing armor. They were at the fourth level and physically fit, with their captain at the fifth level of the Qigong realm.
Chen Fan and Chen Qingqing strolled through the square toward the mansion but were intercepted by the patrolling soldiers.
“Qingqing, who is he?” Captain Wang Tieshan recognized Chen Qingqing but not Chen Fan, prompting an immediate inquiry.
Chen Fan smiled, saying, “Why, Uncle Wang, you don’t recognize me anymore?”
Wang Tieshan observed Chen Fan and slapped his forehead. Surprised, he said, “Young Master, you are Young Master Chen Fan. You’re back!”
“It’s me. I’m back.” Chen Fan smiled.
In his childhood, he often played in this square, and Wang Tieshan had been his personal guard.
Wang Tieshan said, “Young Master, you’ve changed so much over the past three years. You’ve grown so much that I couldn’t recognize you. With your return, I’m sure Old Master and the others will be so happy.”
“Mhm, Uncle Wang, continue with your patrol. I’ll go visit Grandfather and Father first.”
After passing the Golden Horned Horse to Wang Tieshan, Chen Fan walked toward the mansion's interior in high spirits.