"You've been talking for ages, and it amounts to nothing!"
The Fourth Elder shot him a glare. "Are you perhaps afraid of this crisis, you brat?"
"Indeed, I am afraid!"
Lu Fan chuckled lightly. "I almost died in the Cang Qiong Kingdom, but for the nation, for the people of Long Guo, even dying ten thousand times over would not be too much!"
"Well said!"
The First Elder smiled. "As long as everyone in Long Guo is united, we will surely make Cang Qiong retreat!"
"If my guess is correct, the Cang Qiong Kingdom will not act rashly again. They will surely prepare thoroughly!"
Lu Fan spoke, "This will be our best opportunity. Let's seize the time to improve our strength!"
"Lu brat is right!"
The Seventh Elder chimed in. "The many problems we face are all due to our lack of strength. As long as the elders can improve their combat power, dealing with the Cang Qiong Kingdom in the future should not be an issue!"
Following these words, everyone nodded, naturally agreeing with what Lu Fan had said.
"Elders, you didn't ask me to come just to say these things, did you?"
Lu Fan stood there, feeling a bit awkward. After all, what he had just said was mere nonsense.
He knew the elders' strength better than anyone. Although they possessed the strength of a War King, becoming a War Emperor level expert was highly unlikely.
"We asked you here today to remind you of something!"
The First Elder spoke. "Long Yi is no ordinary person. Her approaching you must have another purpose!"
"Precisely!"
The Third Elder nodded. "We have investigated. Long Yi is from an ancient sect. If she wasn't here with a purpose, she wouldn't be staying in Long Du!"
The other elders also looked serious, paying more attention to these matters, especially since Long Yi was at Jiang Jing Long Ting.
More importantly, Long Yi's strength was extraordinary. If they weren't wary, it would surely cause trouble in the future.
"So that's what it is!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "Thank you for your concern, elders. However, I understand Long Yi quite well. You don't need to worry too much!"
"What, you knew she was from an ancient sect?" the First Elder asked, puzzled.
"Indeed, I did!"
Lu Fan nodded. "However, I saved her. There were many twists and turns, which I won't go into detail about, but one thing is certain: she won't harm me!"
"You brat, you're quite confident!" The Seventh Elder glanced at him meaningfully.
Lu Fan's scalp tingled, as if he had been misunderstood.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going back now!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "Xiao Ke should have dinner ready and be waiting for me!"
"We originally wanted you to have a few drinks with us. Since that's the case, you may return!" the First Elder said with some helplessness.
"Another day, I'll host it myself!" Lu Fan cupped his fists.
After Lu Fan left, the elders exchanged glances, their expressions filled with helplessness.
They had been worried about Long Yi all along, but seeing Lu Fan's demeanor, it seemed he didn't take it seriously at all.
Meanwhile, at Jiang Jing Long Ting, Lin Ke had prepared the meal. Gu Wen and Han Qiushui were also there, along with several other members of the Qing Yun Sect. Only Lu Fan was missing.
"Master is really busy. He's not back yet for dinner!" Han Qiushui chuckled.
"That's natural. Master is no ordinary person now, so it's normal for him to be busy!"
Gu Wen spoke. "It's good that we can taste Master's wife's cooking today!"
Lin Ke was slightly taken aback. Being called "Master's wife" made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
The sound of a car approached. Lin Ke thought it was Lu Fan, but the person who got out of the car was someone she didn't recognize.
"Excuse me, does Lu Fan live here?"
Yang Shiyun asked, polite yet somewhat hurried.
"Who are you?"
Lin Ke's expression changed. The woman before her was so beautiful that even Lin Ke was a little moved.
Coming directly to ask for Lu Fan's name made her unable to help but overthink. Had Lu Fan done something wicked outside to make this young lady come to his door personally?
"I'm Xiao Fan's cousin!" Yang Shiyun said solemnly.
"So you're his cousin!"
Lin Ke quickly tidied her sleeves. "I'm Xiao Fan's wife, my name is Lin Ke!"
"So you are Xiao Ke!" Yang Shiyun smiled slightly.
"It's just dinnertime. Please come in, cousin!" Lin Ke said politely.
But just then, Lu Fan also arrived in the courtyard. Seeing the person before him, he couldn't help but be delighted. "Sister Shiyun, why are you here?"
"Xiao Fan, I finally found you!"
Yang Shiyun said repeatedly, "Something has happened to Uncle Er's family!"
"What happened to Uncle Er?"
Lu Fan's expression instantly changed, and his aura turned cold.
"Uncle Er offended the Tian Hai Chamber of Commerce, and they've taken everyone away!" Yang Shiyun quickly said. "Zi Xin asked me to come to Long Du to find you, saying you could resolve this matter!"
"Sister Shiyun, don't worry. I'll go to Chu Zhou myself!"
Lu Fan comforted her, his anger mounting. He hadn't expected anyone to be so foolish as to dare to touch his close relatives.
"Xiao Fan, I'll go with you!" Lin Ke spoke.
"That's good. It's also a chance to see Grandmother!"
Lu Fan nodded. "After all, they are my only relatives!"
Lin Ke nodded solemnly and then prepared to change her clothes.
"Xiao Fan, the Tian Hai Chamber of Commerce has many experts and a very powerful background!"
Yang Shiyun reminded him. "How do you plan to rescue them?"
"Sister Shiyun, don't worry. I will handle this personally!" Lu Fan stated directly, then looked at Gu Wen. "Mobilize the experts of the Qing Yun Sect and gather in Chu Zhou. I'd like to see what kind of foundation the Tian Hai Chamber of Commerce truly possesses!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" Gu Wen quickly cupped his fists.
Yang Shiyun, however, looked worried. Within Long Guo, the Tian Hai Chamber of Commerce could cover the sky with one hand. Rumor had it that they were connected to a certain elder of Long Guo. If that were true, even with Lu Fan's immense abilities, he would likely be in grave danger.
Not long after, Lu Fan and his party set off for Chu Zhou, with many Qing Yun Sect experts following, presenting an imposing presence.
Many experts within Long Guo were puzzled, wondering why the Qing Yun Sect was making such a grand mobilization. Could it be that something major had happened?
Before long, the news of the Qing Yun Sect experts' deployment reached the Long Guo headquarters, causing the elders to frown.
"This is outrageous! The Tian Hai Chamber of Commerce dares to harm Lu brat's close relatives. Are they tired of living!"
The Third Elder's face was stern, filled with anger.
Lu Fan's sacrifices for Long Guo were immeasurable. The elders, and even the citizens of Long Guo, should be grateful to Lu Fan.
Yet, they hadn't expected someone to do something so foolish.
"Seventh Elder, quickly go to Chu Zhou and demand that the Tian Hai Chamber of Commerce release the people and punish them severely!" the First Elder said coldly. "We cannot let Lu brat be disheartened!"
"This..."
The Seventh Elder's expression changed. "I'm afraid I can't go alone. I need the Ninth Elder to accompany me!"
"The Ninth Elder is still recovering from his injuries. Why should he be sent?" the First Elder asked, puzzled.