"This is you forcing my hand. I had no intention of making a move, but you've pushed me this far!" Lu Fan smiled faintly, his gaze growing even more indifferent.
Facing these words, the Ouyang family head sneered, "You're right, it was I who forced you. However, you killed someone from my Ouyang family, and you know you won't live to see today. So, take your own life!"
"Take my own life?" Lu Fan shrugged slightly. "You're probably thinking too much. If memory serves, there's a rule in Tianhai City: no one is allowed to make a move within its limits, not even a Half-Emperor."
"You're testing my bottom line!" The Ouyang family head narrowed his eyes, radiating an aura that made everything seem illusory in his eyes.
"You can think of it that way, but within Tianhai City, you can't touch me!"
Lu Fan stood with his hands behind his back, slowly walking away, appearing utterly nonchalant, as if he didn't consider the Ouyang family head at all. He seemed certain that the Ouyang family head wouldn't dare to act rashly, which was the basis of Lu Fan's confidence.
"Aunt! Aunt, you died so tragically!" Chen Jianbei shouted, his heart filled with rage. He then looked towards the Ouyang family head, "Uncle, he killed Aunt! She's your wife! You can't just stand by!"
"Shut up!"
The Ouyang family head struck out with his palm. Chen Jianbei was sent flying backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He never expected his uncle to strike him instead of Lu Fan, leaving him bewildered.
The entire Tianhai City watched, stunned, clearly not anticipating such a turn of events, which caught them off guard.
At the same time, the Ouyang family head looked at Lu Fan, "Young man, you have a great deal of courage, but acting this way is not good for you!"
"Thank you for the reminder, but that's just my personality!" Lu Fan shrugged slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "You've seen me in a bad light!"
After speaking, Lu Fan turned and left, as if everything were insignificant in his eyes.
The Ouyang family head was fuming. He couldn't believe Lu Fan had the audacity to speak to him like that, showing no regard for his reputation.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xue quietly departed, her heart filled with shock. She hadn't expected Lu Fan to be so bold as to disregard the Ouyang family head. Even more surprising was that the Ouyang family head not only didn't make a move against Lu Fan but didn't even attempt to stop him.
"Patriarch, are we just going to let him leave like this?"
Several young members of the Ouyang family spoke up, clearly dissatisfied. In their view, Lu Fan should have died here to uphold the Ouyang family's honor.
"So what if we let him go!"
The Ouyang family head's expression was cold. "I want to see how long this brat can be so arrogant. Besides, this is Tianhai City. If we make a move here, the City Lord will surely be displeased, and that won't be good."
The Ouyang family members nodded slightly. However, the death of Madam Ouyang had dealt them a significant blow. Yet, with the Ouyang family head remaining so calm, they could do nothing.
"Clean up the body and prepare for the funeral!" the Ouyang family head commanded. "As for that person, I will make him pay!"
The Ouyang family members nodded in unison, not daring to delay, and took Chen Yulan back to the Ouyang family.
Chen Jianbei also tried to return to the Ouyang family but was directly turned away. "You no longer have any ties to the Ouyang family. Get as far away as you can!"
"My aunt died as part of the Ouyang family!" Chen Jianbei protested. "How can you speak to me like this? Isn't this kicking a man when he's down?"
"You dare to say that? If it weren't for the Chen family, my Ouyang family wouldn't have gotten into this trouble!"
Several Ouyang family guards spoke up. "If you don't leave, don't blame me for being impolite. You dare to cause trouble within the Ouyang family's gates? I'd like to see what you're capable of!"
Chen Jianbei, filled with anger, couldn't lash out directly and felt extremely stifled. He never expected things to end this way, catching him off guard and going against his wishes.
"Young Master, what do we do now?" The Chen family members looked at Chen Jianbei with concern. Previously, they had the Ouyang family's protection and lived without worry. But now, with Chen Yulan dead, it indirectly meant the Ouyang family and the Chen family were no longer connected. In this case, how could the Ouyang family protect the Chen family?
Chen Jianbei stood frozen, unsure of what to do. The outcome of this matter was not what he had anticipated. He was even more surprised that Lu Fan had managed to kill Chen Yulan, and in front of the Ouyang family head, no less.
"You scoundrel! My aunt marrying him was simply her being blind!" Chen Jianbei said coldly. "He watched my aunt get killed and did nothing. Is that how a husband should act!"
"Young Master, please speak a little softer! If this is overheard, it might not be good!" The Chen family members advised, feeling a sense of dread.
"What is there to be afraid of? At worst, it's death. What else can he do to me!" Chen Jianbei said aggressively, filled with indignation.
Their trip to Tianhai City was to seek refuge with the Ouyang family, but they never expected things to turn out this way.
Meanwhile, in the Zhao family courtyard, Old Master Zhao was holding two pots of wine and drinking with Lu Fan, appearing quite cordial.
Zhao Xue watched the scene, stunned and confused. She hadn't expected her grandfather to be so proactive, which surprised her even more.
"You're quite something, kid. You didn't disappoint me!" Old Master Zhao chuckled. "You even dared to kill that woman from the Ouyang family. I truly admire you."
"Please don't joke with me, Old Master!" Lu Fan replied with a wry smile. "Actually, I didn't want to make a move, but this matter is too serious. If I didn't act, wouldn't that make me appear weak?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Rest assured, you can stay at my Zhao family. No one will dare to touch anyone in the Zhao family!" Old Master Zhao patted his chest, giving a firm assurance. Although Lu Fan was merely a newcomer, his talent was not weak, and he was destined for great things. Therefore, Old Master Zhao was quite pleased with Lu Fan.
"Grandfather, what's gotten into you today? Why are you inviting him for a drink!"
Zhao Xue gave him a sidelong glance. She knew very well that her grandfather wasn't particularly attentive to Lu Fan. Under normal circumstances, he shouldn't be acting this way, which made her suspicious.