After Da Tou left, Xiao Jia hurried over, "Thank you all for your help, but that person just now is likely no easy adversary."
"Don't worry, even if they aren't good, they wouldn't dare act recklessly," Shen Xiaoxiao waved her hand. "My Shen family still holds some authority."
Lu Fan glanced at Xiao Jia, his gaze fixed on him as if something was captivating him.
"Miss, I see your qi and blood are insufficient. Have you been ill recently?" Lu Fan asked. "Or are there other symptoms?"
"No!" Xiao Jia quickly shook his head. "I don't have any other ailments."
At this point, Xiao Jia suddenly became vigilant, looking around as if concealing something.
"Mr. Lu, look at how you've scared him," Shen Xiaoxiao said with a wry smile. "If there's nothing else, please don't trouble him. He looks rather pitiable."
"I have no intention of troubling him!" Lu Fan shot her a look, feeling somewhat helpless. He hadn't expected Shen Xiaoxiao to perceive him that way.
Shen Xiaoxiao said no more. Lu Fan's unusual concern for a stranger naturally led to speculation.
"It's getting late, and we've finished eating. Should we be going?"
Lu Fan wiped his mouth, then said softly, "After all, there are still many matters to attend to!"
"Since Mr. Lu is in such a hurry, I naturally won't keep you," Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "If you encounter any difficulties in Chuzhou in the future, you can come to me. I can resolve most matters!"
"In that case, thank you!"
Lu Fan nodded and prepared to leave with Han Yunhai.
"You are new to Chuzhou, so you should not have accommodations yet," Shen Xiaoxiao quickly added. "Why don't I arrange something for you!"
"I think that won't be necessary!" Lu Fan shrugged. "We have a place to stay in Chuzhou!"
Shen Xiaoxiao looked slightly embarrassed. Since Lu Fan had already said so, it was difficult for her to say more.
As soon as they left the restaurant, Han Yunhai looked at Lu Fan. "My lord, did you take a liking to that person just now? Otherwise, why would you have intervened? Your personality is not like this."
"That woman is not simple. I sensed another aura from her," Lu Fan stated directly. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have intervened. It's a pity I couldn't get anything out of her. Otherwise, I could have tested her!"
"My lord means that this woman is hiding something?" Han Yunhai frowned. "Shall I personally investigate?"
"That's hardly necessary!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "We have many things to do in Chuzhou this time. As for that woman, I was merely curious. She has no connection to us."
Han Yunhai nodded quickly, daring not to say anything more. As long as it was Lu Fan's command, he always followed it without question, never daring to disobey.
"Jiangjing Bieyuan is the best residential area in Chuzhou," Han Yunhai stated. "Before coming to Chuzhou, I had already instructed someone to purchase it. It should be a pleasant environment for Lord Lu to reside in."
"You've thought quite thoroughly!" Lu Fan nodded. However, at that moment, Lu Fan looked into the distance, his brows slightly raised.
"There's a martial aura."
Han Yunhai also sensed something and quickly said, looking forward. He saw several cars ahead, with the leading car stopping first.
"The Zhao family welcomes Lord Lu!"
The Zhao family head respectfully alighted from the car, cupping his fists towards Lu Fan with utmost deference.
Having witnessed Lu Fan's capabilities by Qingzhou Lake last time, he naturally dared not be negligent. The moment Lu Fan arrived in Chuzhou, he had already begun preparations to pay his respects.
"I truly never expected you to be in Chuzhou as well," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "If not for the Yun family, the Zhao family and I would likely not have met!"
"I heard that Lord Lu had arrived in Chuzhou, so I rushed here without delay. I hope your lordship will forgive me," the Zhao family head quickly cupped his fists. "A few days ago in Jiangnan, my Zhao family offended Lord Lu. It was truly our transgression!"
"Patriarch Zhao, you are a Grandmaster, why such words?" Lu Fan waved his hand. "But then again, since your Zhao family is in Chuzhou, I do have some matters to inquire about!"
"Please, my lord. I will tell you anything you wish to know," the Zhao family head said obsequiously.
Within the entire territory of Chuzhou, there were probably few people who could elicit such a reaction from him. Facing Lu Fan, he felt fear.
The combined efforts of four Grandmasters had failed to suppress Lu Fan; instead, one Grandmaster had perished. Such formidable strength inspired further apprehension.
Led by the Zhao family head, Lu Fan arrived at a teahouse that exuded an ancient charm. There was no one else around, only the Zhao family head and Lu Fan's party present.
"My lord, what would you like to inquire about?" the Zhao family head asked deferentially.
"Do you know the Jinguang Martial Hall?" Lu Fan asked directly.
"I am certainly aware of the upper-tier powers in Chuzhou," the Zhao family head nodded. "Has the Jinguang Martial Hall offended Lord Lu?"
"Under normal circumstances, there should be some grievances," Lu Fan nodded slightly.
The Zhao family head trembled abruptly. "How could Lord Lu have grievances with the Jinguang Martial Hall? If that's truly the case, this matter might not be easy to handle!"
"It's just an ordinary martial hall, what's so difficult to handle?" Han Yunhai said coldly.
"This martial hall is not ordinary. It seems to have other hidden masters behind it," the Zhao family head stated directly. "Over the past decade, the Jinguang Martial Hall has recruited many disciples. They have maintained a respectful distance from the Zhao family."
"If you had to choose a side, which one would you stand on?" Lu Fan asked coldly.
The Zhao family head trembled violently, his expression changing. He had never imagined Lu Fan would ask such a question, leaving him at a loss for an answer.
"It seems that the Zhao family head is not sincere towards Lord Lu," Han Yunhai said coldly. "If that is the case, the Zhao family head need not go through these superficial gestures!"
"My Zhao family is loyal to Lord Lu with all our hearts, without any disloyalty!" the Zhao family head quickly cupped his fists. "If we truly had to choose, the Zhao family would naturally stand with Lord Lu!"
"Remember what you have said today!" Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction and walked towards the exit of the teahouse.
Although Lu Fan possessed formidable strength, he was well aware that with the support of martial arts families, there would be even more remarkable benefits. Lu Fan would not refuse the Zhao family's willingness to serve him wholeheartedly.
After Lu Fan left, an elder from the Zhao family said, "Patriarch, the Jinguang Martial Hall has mysterious masters behind it, not ordinary individuals. If Lord Lu instructs the Zhao family to deal with the Jinguang Martial Hall, what should the Zhao family do?"
"A fence-sitter is ultimately useless," the Zhao family head declared decisively. "From now on, my Zhao family will pledge our lives to Lord Lu, even if it means walking down a dark path!"
The members of the Zhao family trembled abruptly, surprised by the Zhao family head's decision. It was beyond their expectations.
After all, under normal circumstances, why would a martial arts family willingly submit to others?
"Patriarch, please reconsider!"