"What of it?" Lu Fan chuckled, "You don't need to worry. I will handle this matter myself!"
"But in doing so, Brother Lu will surely face endless trouble in the future!" Lin Xiaojia stated directly, "This is not what I wish to see!"
"Girl, you carry too heavy a burden!" the old man comforted, "With his current strength, why would he fear the people of the Northern Pole Tribe!"
"While that may be true, I ultimately owe Brother Lu too much!" Lin Xiaojia said frankly, "Therefore, I have decided to leave Chuzhou and seek a safe haven, so that Brother Lu does not have to worry!"
"Where can you, a weak woman, go!" Lu Fan shot her a look, "Many masters from the Northern Pole Tribe have died by my hand. Even if you were not here, would they easily let me go!"
"But....."
Lin Xiaojia did not know what to do, feeling a hint of despair. She did not want Lu Fan to be implicated, but things had reached this point. As Lu Fan had said, the Northern Pole Tribe would not let him off easily.
"Miss Lin, if you truly do not wish to burden the Master, then focus on your cultivation!" Han Yunhai smiled, "Only by becoming strong can you protect yourself and those around you!"
Lin Xiaojia was touched and stepped towards the room without further words, as if a knot in her heart could not be untangled.
"Old man, why don't you take him as your disciple!" Lu Fan suggested, "That way, he won't have any reservations. The master protects the disciple!"
"Why don't you take a disciple yourself, you brat?" the old man shot him a look, "I'm used to living a leisurely life and have no habit of taking disciples!"
"As expected, not a good person!" Lu Fan shook his head, "You eat someone else's food every day but refuse to take them as a disciple. I truly misjudged you!"
The old man looked embarrassed, "Don't try to pull a fast one on me, you brat!"
"Let's just pretend I said nothing!"
Lu Fan shrugged and turned to leave.
A few days later, Lu Fan and his companions set off for Zhongzhou.
With a month remaining until the Zhongzhou Martial Arts Tournament, they didn't need to leave so early. However, Lu Fan had specifically advanced their travel plans to search for Du Qianqiu.
Zhongzhou, located in the central region of the Dragon Country, was one of its largest cities and a dream capital for young people.
Compared to Jiangnan and Jiangbei, Zhongzhou was naturally a more fertile ground for development.
With the imminent Martial Arts Tournament, Zhongzhou had become a gathering place for numerous martial arts experts, with an undercurrent of tension.
Most of those who came to Zhongzhou were from various martial arts families.
The Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings were extremely important to these martial arts families.
If a martial arts family's expert entered the Heavenly Rankings, it would bring prosperity to the entire lineage, drawing reverence from all sides.
At the Zhongzhou High-Speed Rail Station, as Lu Fan and his group arrived in Zhongzhou, they were met by a group of people before they even exited the station.
"I presume this is the renowned Lord Lu!"
The elder at the forefront cupped his fists, "The Family Head specifically sent me to welcome you!"
"Steward Chen, why are you here?" Gu Wen stepped forward, "Did Grandpa send you?"
"Young Master, the old man ordered me to welcome Lord Lu into our mansion!" Steward Chen said solemnly, "The gates of the Gu family are always open for you!"
"The old man is very thoughtful!" Lu Fan smiled.
He hadn't intended to trouble the Gu family, but with their enthusiastic invitation, it would seem overly pretentious for him not to accept.
"I truly didn't expect to be invited so soon after arriving in Zhongzhou," Han Yunhai chuckled, "I was just wondering where to go!"
"My home is in Zhongzhou, so naturally, you should come to my home," Gu Wen smiled, "It's a good opportunity for everyone to experience the medical traditions of our Gu family!"
Led by Steward Chen, the group headed towards the Gu family residence. The old man, however, seemed a bit uneasy and looked at Lu Fan, "The Gu family is a martial arts family. Won't it be inconvenient for us to go there?"
"Do you have a grudge against the Gu family?" Lu Fan asked in surprise, "Otherwise, why would you say that!"
"What are you talking about? How could I have a grudge against the Gu family!" the old man shot him a look, "I just feel it might be inconvenient."
"The Gu family personally sent someone to welcome us. If we don't go, wouldn't that be too impolite," Lu Fan stated directly, "If you feel it's inconvenient, old man, you can just find a place to stay on your own!"
"Forget it, I'll go with you all. I'm not unsociable," the old man shrugged, "Besides, you still need to help me with my internal injuries. My internal injuries have improved a lot these past few days, thanks to you!"
Lu Fan smiled, "Naturally, it's thanks to me. But don't forget, you still owe me three favors!"
"My word is my bond, I will not forget," the old man shot him a look, "Why do you need to remind me!"
Lu Fan gave an awkward smile and said no more.
Outside a large courtyard in Zhongzhou, a white-haired old man in a Tang suit stood by the entrance, accompanied by many attendants, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Family Head, the wind is strong outside. If the Young Master returns, he will bring Lord Lu to pay his respects. Why do you need to personally greet them?" a Gu family elder inquired.
"Lord Lu of Jiangnan has a great reputation there. Now that he has taken Gu Wen as his disciple, how can I not come to welcome him," the old man in the Tang suit chuckled, "You still don't understand, Lord Lu of Jiangnan is no ordinary person!"
"I have heard some rumors," the white-haired elder nodded, "His mastery is such that he is invincible throughout Jiangnan!"
"If he were just an ordinary master, why would I personally come to greet him," the Gu Family Head stated directly, "Whether it's Jiangbei, Jiangnan, or Jiangdong, his deeds are known. Now that he is coming to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, he is likely here for the Heavenly Rankings!"
"Is he really that powerful?"
The white-haired elder looked surprised, "If that is truly the case, then this Martial Arts Tournament might yield unexpected gains!"
"To fight against four masters single-handedly, even I cannot achieve that," the Gu Family Head said directly, "I am quite pleased that Little Wen could become his disciple. Now that Lord Lu is coming to Zhongzhou, the Gu family must not be negligent."
The white-haired elder nodded, finally understanding the Family Head's intentions.
The head of the esteemed Gu family, not only known as a living Hua Tuo but also possessing extraordinary strength, managed the entire Gu family. Even in Zhongzhou, they were considered a prominent clan, not easily provoked by other families.
As time passed, the convoy finally arrived at the Gu family courtyard. As Lu Fan and his group alighted from the vehicles, the Gu Family Head stepped forward and cupped his fists towards the old man, "I presume this is Lord Lu? You truly have an extraordinary demeanor and a far-reaching reputation!"
The old man glanced at him, "You're quite discerning. How do I resemble that kid?"
The Gu Family Head was taken aback, a sense of foreboding filling him. The aura emanating from the old man was extraordinary, and given his age, he should have been Lord Lu.
"Grandfather, this is the Master," Gu Wen quickly explained.
The Gu Family Head looked closely, his suspicion growing. Lu Fan was young, and his aura was not revealed at all. How could he be Lord Lu of Jiangnan? However, Gu Wen's words would not be false.
"It seems I was presumptuous," the Gu Family Head smiled, "I never imagined Lord Lu of Jiangnan to be so young!"