After dealing with the Shen family, peace was restored to the Jiang family.
However, a ripple spread across the Beihai region, as many martial arts experts had witnessed the events of the night. The young man from the Jiang family was spoken of in almost mythical terms.
Lu Fan, however, paid no mind to these matters.
As the night grew deep, everyone else retired to their rooms, but Lu Fan remained seated in the courtyard. Having exerted himself tonight, he knew sleep would not come easily. He had even managed to trick the Jiang family head into leaving him be.
Inside the Jiang family's council hall, several elder uncles sat cross-legged, with the Jiang family head presiding.
"If not for Master Lu today, the Jiang family would have been utterly destroyed! How can our Jiang family ever repay him!"
"Patriarch, have you forgotten?" the Third Uncle asked with a smile. "The Jiang family possesses an ancient treasure. Why not gift it to Master Lu!"
"Are you referring to the Jiang family's secret manual?" the Second Uncle inquired, surprised. "That would be most fitting. Though precious, it has never served its true purpose in our hands!"
"That is precisely my intention!" the Jiang family head stated frankly. "Indeed, it is likely the only thing the Jiang family can offer!"
"Since the Patriarch has already decided, why ask for our opinions!" the First Uncle smiled. "However, after this incident, the Jiang family's reputation in Beihai will surely spread far and wide!"
The other uncles chuckled in agreement. Having been suppressed by the Shen family for so long, the Jiang family could finally hold their heads high, and they were naturally delighted.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Lu Fan was enjoying his tea when Jiang Meili approached. Dressed in a flowing连衣裙, she moved with a grace like that of a celestial being. Lu Fan distinctly remembered that she had not been dressed this way during the earlier battle.
"Master Lu, if not for you today, my Jiang family would have been doomed!" Jiang Meili spoke. "This was originally a matter for my Jiang family, and had nothing to do with you. Now that it is over, may I ask if you require any compensation?"
"Compensation?" Lu Fan glanced at her. "If I were greedy for rewards, would I have acted so readily!"
"I know you are not a greedy person!" Jiang Meili quickly nodded. "But how can my Jiang family not repay such great kindness!"
As she spoke, Jiang Meili blushed, her voice soft. "From now on, Meili belongs to you. As long as you wish it, no matter what you ask of me, Meili will not refuse!"
Lu Fan, who had been sipping his tea, nearly choked. "What do you mean by that? I never intended for you to do anything!"
"I know, I certainly know!" Jiang Meili nodded solemnly. "But as long as you are willing, Meili will have no regrets!"
"Since you are so willing to obey me, then turn around right now!" Lu Fan said seriously.
Summoning her courage, Jiang Meili turned her back. She felt indebted to Lu Fan for his help to the Jiang family and was willing to do anything he asked, as long as he didn't dislike her.
"You can go now!" Lu Fan's voice called out. "I wish to be alone."
"Ah?" Jiang Meili was taken aback. She had not expected Lu Fan to say such a thing, having assumed he might make some advances towards her.
"My heart belongs only to Xiao Ke. Don't cause trouble for me!" Lu Fan glared.
Jiang Meili's face flushed with embarrassment, and she shyly left the courtyard. Watching her retreating figure, Lu Fan let out a long sigh. Jiang Meili had been exceptionally beautiful tonight, and so forward. Had he not made her leave, Lu Fan feared he might have lost control, and things would have become irreversible.
Elsewhere in Beihai, several figures in black stood before a group of white-haired elders.
"Elders, today's events..." the leader of the black-clad figures began hesitantly.
"You did very well!" one of the white-haired elders stated. "Master Lu of Jiangnan, a Battle King at such a young age, and a reserve elder of the Dragon Country. It is not wise to oppose him!"
"Indeed!" the elder in purple nodded. "The Qingyun Sect's influence grows stronger by the day, and with the Dragon Country as its backing, the Beihai Pavilion cannot act rashly!"
"However, it is rumored that the experts from the Medicine King Valley have already headed to the Dragon Capital!" the black-clad leader interjected. "It seems they are targeting Master Lu, but they did not expect him to be in the Beihai region!"
"Elder Xia of the Medicine King Valley is from the Xia family in the Dragon Capital!" the white-haired elder smiled. "Since the Xia family was destroyed, how could he not intervene? But this matter does not concern the Beihai Pavilion, so we need not get involved!"
"The three great sects have always been united!" the elder in purple frowned. "If the Medicine King Valley makes a move, it will be difficult for the Beihai Pavilion to remain uninvolved!"
"The Medicine King Valley knows the gravity of the situation and will not act rashly!" the white-haired elder narrowed his eyes. "This trip to the Dragon Capital will likely only involve Elder Xia. As for the other elders of the Medicine King Valley, they would not dare to act impulsively, as the old powerhouses of the Dragon Country are not to be trifled with!"
"In that case, the Beihai Pavilion can simply sit back and watch the tigers fight!" the elder in purple chuckled.
"Remember, no matter what, never come into conflict with the Dragon Country!" the white-haired elder said seriously. "The Dragon Country's power is growing by the day. Even if the three great sects join forces, they may not be able to suppress it. This is disadvantageous for us!"
Those present nodded in agreement, not daring to disobey. The white-haired elder's words were indeed wise. After years of recuperation, the Dragon Country was no longer the same as it was. More than a decade ago, the three hidden sects, when united, could firmly suppress the Dragon Country. But now, if the Dragon Country were to exert its full might, it would not be difficult to annihilate the three sects.
The next morning, Lu Fan and his companions gathered in the courtyard. They had been in Beihai for some time and it was time to return to the Dragon Capital. The Jiang family hosted a farewell banquet, showing great respect to Lu Fan. They understood perfectly that without Lu Fan, the Jiang family of Beihai would no longer exist, and they held him in deep reverence. After exchanging thanks, Lu Fan and the other two boarded their vehicle and headed towards the Dragon Capital.
In the car, Jiang Meili remained silent, her face flushing at the memory of the previous night. Lu Fan also sat in the car, looking slightly awkward. If he hadn't had such strong self-control last night, he might have done something that would have betrayed Lin Ke.
"What's wrong with you two?" Lin Ke asked, puzzled. "Why are you both so quiet?"
"Perhaps you were just tired from last night!" Lu Fan chuckled. "The Shen family attacked yesterday, and she must have been under a lot of pressure."
"Sister Jiang, it's all over now. The Shen family members have been expelled, and the storm has passed!" Lin Ke smiled. "Don't dwell on it!"
"Uh!" Jiang Meili smiled, then said, "Xiao Ke, you are truly amazing. He is Master Lu of Jiangnan. Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"What is there to say about it!" Lin Ke said with a wry smile. "In my eyes, he is just Brother Lu Fan, not Master Lu of Jiangnan!"
Jiang Meili was speechless and filled with envy. To possess such immense power at such a young age, to be feared even by the Beihai Pavilion, such a formidable presence would captivate any woman. Especially Lu Fan's feelings for Lin Ke, which were entirely genuine. Otherwise, no man could have so easily refused what happened last night.