The crowd outside the main hall retreated, their faces filled with disbelief.
They had never witnessed such an event; bringing a coffin to a birthday celebration was akin to wishing death upon the host.
Bai Xue's eyes lit up with excitement. Someone dared to disrupt the Qin family's grand birthday, a prospect that thrilled him. Since it didn't concern him, he eagerly anticipated a good show.
"Who dares to cause trouble!"
Many Qin family experts appeared outside the main hall. "Today is the birthday of the Qin family's patriarch. Who dares to be so presumptuous!"
"As the saying goes, a smiling face is met with a gentle hand. Our Lu family has come to offer birthday wishes! Why must the Qin family overreact!"
A cold voice rang out. Lu Fan walked towards the main hall, exuding an unparalleled aura of freedom as he moved alone.
The people in the Qin family courtyard were stunned. They had initially thought it was an opposing force from the Qin family causing trouble, only to discover it was a mere youth.
"How could it be him!"
Bai Xue exclaimed in surprise. "Why is Mr. Lu here!"
Bai Tiancheng, standing nearby, appeared even more astonished. "Isn't this Doctor Lu? Why is he here?"
They were not the only ones surprised. Yang Ding Tian and Yang Jia Qi, in a corner, nearly dropped their jaws. They knew Lu Fan possessed some skills and had a close relationship with the Azure Dragon Sect.
However, delivering a coffin at the Qin family's banquet was tantamount to seeking death. The Qin family was a reclusive clan, and even the richest man in Jiangnan had to bow subserviently before them. How could a mere Lu Fan dare to be so audacious?
"Grandfather, has he gone mad!"
Yang Jia Qi voiced her concern. "It seems our plan was unnecessary. He has completely offended the Qin family."
"Madness, this kid must be insane!" Yang Ding Tian exclaimed with delight. "Offending the Qin family is equivalent to a death sentence. Heaven truly has eyes!"
Patriarch Qin, with a frown, stepped out of the main hall. His gaze fell upon the bright red coffin, and his face contorted with anger. "Today is my birthday, and you truly do not know the meaning of life and death!"
"Patriarch Qin's birthday, the Lu family has specially come to offer congratulations!" Lu Fan sneered. "Besides this coffin, there is another gift that Patriarch Qin needs to sign for!"
With that, Lu Fan produced a bundle. The crowd grew curious, and as the bundle was opened, people instinctively recoiled. Inside lay a severed head.
"Qin Hai!"
Patriarch Qin's expression shifted dramatically. "You dare to kill a member of my Qin family!"
"Eighteen years ago, the Qin family, along with four other reclusive families, attacked the Lu family without mercy!" Lu Fan stated coldly. "Qin Hai's head is merely a small token of my appreciation."
"Such arrogance! Do you intend to destroy my Qin family!" Patriarch Qin retorted coldly. "You are not qualified to do so!"
As Patriarch Qin finished speaking, numerous Qin family experts surged forward.
Though not members of the Qin family by blood, they had received favors from Patriarch Qin and now served as his guards. They would not allow Lu Fan to run rampant.
Bai Xue, filled with concern, was about to step forward when Bai Tiancheng pulled him back. "This matter is of grave importance and not something you can interfere with!" Su Dan Novel Network
Bai Xue frowned, eventually halting his movement. As Bai Tiancheng had said, he could not get involved in today's events.
Facing these guards, Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "Are there any among you who participated in that massacre eighteen years ago?"
"How laughable. Several of us were involved."
Several elderly men emerged. They were martial artists sponsored by the Qin family and were no ordinary individuals. "Let alone a brat like you, even Lu Wushuang back then perished at our hands!"
The elders spoke with pride. They were well-compensated by the Qin family and would not stand idly by. Moreover, they had all reached the peak of martial arts, just one step away from becoming Grandmasters. They did not fear Lu Fan approaching alone.
"Today is Patriarch Qin's birthday. How can you be allowed to act so recklessly!" Figures emerged from the crowd. These individuals, seeking to curry favor with the Qin family, naturally stepped forward.
Lu Fan's arrival with a coffin to offer birthday wishes was indeed a formidable sight. However, the influential figures present were not easily intimidated.
"This matter is between the Lu family and the Qin family. If any outsiders interfere, state your family name!"
Lu Fan waved his hand, and a large tree beside them instantly turned to dust. "I will personally visit your families in the future, just like this tree!"
Everyone present took three steps back. They had initially assumed Lu Fan was young and reckless, ignorant of the heavens and earth, but it now seemed things were not so simple.
"I am Shen Shan of the Overlord Saber Sect!" a white-haired elder declared. "Regardless of your feud with the Qin family, today is Patriarch Qin's birthday. Your blatant defiance here is utterly arrogant?"
The crowd looked at Shen Shan with reverence. The Overlord Saber Sect was extraordinary, with experts of Grandmaster level residing there, and it was renowned even within the martial arts world.
"The Overlord Saber Sect's support of the Qin family means they are enemies of my Lu family!" Lu Fan stated coldly. "After I finish my business here, I will personally pay the Overlord Saber Sect a visit!"
"Such audacity!" Shen Shan's face turned ashen. He was an elder of the Overlord Saber Sect and had never been treated with such indignity.
However, the method Lu Fan had just displayed was extraordinary, and even Shen Shan dared not act rashly.
"Even Lu Wushuang back then did not dare to be so disrespectful!" Patriarch Qin said coldly. "You managed to survive by chance, yet you act recklessly, daring to come to the Qin family. Today, you will surely be unable to escape!"
As Patriarch Qin finished speaking, the Qin family members attacked, stirring up a gust of wind and sand wherever they moved.
As a reclusive family, the Qin family possessed great wealth. These individuals, dependent on the Qin family for their livelihood, would not allow their family to be insulted.
However, as they moved, several figures emerged from the entrance, fully armed.
"Eighteen years. I have also waited eighteen years. Today, I can finally fight alongside the young master and confront our enemies together!"
Uncle Fu's voice rang out, followed by Elder Zhao and others. Beside them stood a group of martial arts experts.
The entire Qin family compound was surrounded, three layers deep, giving off an imposing presence.
"Patriarch, in addition to these people, the Azure Dragon Sect is also outside!" a man reported. "They seem to have come prepared, intending to destroy our entire clan!"
"So, it's Ah Fu!"
Patriarch Qin recognized Uncle Fu at a glance and laughed heartily. "You are merely a lackey of Lu Wushuang. How dare you challenge my Qin family? Even after eighteen years, you are still mere ants in my Qin family's grasp."
"Ten years to hone a sword. I suspect things are not as you imagine," Uncle Fu said with a cold smile. "Today, we are determined to avenge our master. For these eighteen days and nights, I have never given up!"
"Uncle Fu, why have you come?" Lu Fan frowned. "I can handle this alone. The Qin family members will surely be defeated."
Uncle Fu forced a smile. "This old servant is at fault. I have kept things hidden, intending to wait for the opportune moment. I never imagined that the young master would have to put himself in danger alone!"
"Uncle Fu, you take it too seriously!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "I know your intentions behind this eighteen-year dormancy! Uncle Fu, there is no need to blame yourself."