Outside another courtyard in Jiangbei, Han Yunhai stopped his car and approached Lu Fan. "My lord, everything is taken care of. We will go to present the betrothal gifts in three days. Should my lord accompany us?"
"They don't know that Lord Lu is me. I won't show myself then." Lu Fan waved his hand. "Have there been any leads regarding that matter?"
"Miss Lin was indeed hit by a car due to someone's secret intervention," Han Yunhai said quickly. "Unfortunately, the driver mysteriously disappeared. Even with extensive efforts, it's difficult to find evidence, but one thing is certain: those individuals had contact with Lin Haitao."
"It was him indeed!" Lu Fan's expression turned cold. He had long suspected it but lacked proof.
"There's no need to investigate this further. I already have a conclusion in mind," Lu Fan waved his hand. "We will present the betrothal gifts in three days. Only then will the Lin family not take a son-in-law from the common folk."
"My lord, rest assured, I have made all the preparations!" Han Yunhai nodded.
After Han Yunhai left, Lu Fan didn't return to his courtyard. Instead, he went to the lakeside across the road, casually enjoying the cool breeze. Autumn had arrived, and the breeze carried a hint of chill as it brushed against his face.
Not long after walking a few steps, he saw a woman practicing boxing in front of him. Her movements were quite skilled, flowing like water.
Beside the woman, a white-haired old man sat. "Your punches need to be faster, and your stance firmer. Only then can you achieve the peak of Bajiquan!"
Han Qiushui nodded, sweat beading on his face. Despite his young age, he had already achieved some mastery in martial arts.
Lu Fan glanced over and casually shook his head. Although Han Qiushui's movements were fluid, his Bajiquan lacked the true spirit, making it difficult to reach a higher level.
"Who are you?"
Han Qiushui stopped his movements. "This Bajiquan is a secret art of my Han family. You're peeking here; are you trying to steal our skills?"
"Please don't misunderstand. I'm just passing by," Lu Fan said with a smile. "I'll leave now, and you can continue."
"You just shook your head dismissively. Do you look down on my Bajiquan?" Han Qiushui said coldly. "You watched for a moment and now want to leave? It's not that easy."
"That's not quite right. This is the lakeside, a public place. I was passing by and happened to glance a few times. How does that become peeking?" Lu Fan shrugged. "Besides, your Bajiquan is so poor, what's the point of me peeking?"
"You dare to slander my Han family's Bajiquan!" Han Qiushui was enraged and threw a punch at Lu Fan.
"Qiushui, no disrespect!" the old man beside him quickly said. "Your fist's force is too heavy. You mustn't injure people easily."
However, before his words could finish, Han Qiushui was frozen in place. His fist was tightly gripped by Lu Fan, completely unable to move.
"I don't want to fight!" Lu Fan said coldly. "As I said, I have no regard for your Bajiquan!"
Han Qiushui exerted all his strength to throw the punch, but in Lu Fan's hand, it caused no ripple, filling him with shock.
The old man also showed a sharp glint in his eyes. Lu Fan, able to catch Han Qiushui's punch with one move, was clearly no ordinary person.
"Let me go, let me go!" Han Qiushui shouted, feeling utterly wronged.
Lu Fan released his grip and turned to leave. He had no time to indulge Han Qiushui's nonsense.
"You've wounded my pride and now you want to leave? That's not how things work in this world." Han Qiushui suddenly lunged, aiming to strike Lu Fan's back.
Lu Fan stomped on the ground, and a surge of internal energy erupted. The fallen leaves on the ground shot out like sharp swords towards Han Qiushui, carrying immense killing intent.
Han Qiushui was startled and retreated rapidly. He never expected Lu Fan to possess such a skill, capable of killing without visible means with just a stomp of his foot.
"Internal energy projection, a martial arts Grandmaster!"
The white-haired old man was shocked and quickly grabbed Han Qiushui, retreating further.
"I told you earlier, I don't want to fight here," Lu Fan said sternly. "Based on the Bajiquan you displayed just now, it's nothing in my eyes!"
Han Qiushui was speechless and even quite frightened. Lu Fan's displayed abilities far surpassed his imagination, even surpassing his own grandfather's.
"Senior, please calm your anger." The old Han bowed respectfully. "We were rude yesterday. I am from the Han family of Jiangbei. May I know who Senior is, to possess such skills at such a young age?"
"An nobody!" Lu Fan replied indifferently. "As for the Han family of Jiangbei, I've never heard of it."
After speaking, Lu Fan turned and left, not wishing to linger.
Old Han stood there, unable to recover for a long time. "How is this possible? How can this be?"
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Han Qiushui asked awkwardly. "I disgraced the Han family just now."
"It has nothing to do with you!" Old Han shook his head. "This person is extraordinary. At such a young age, he possesses Grandmaster-level skills and can kill without visible means. If he hadn't shown mercy just now, you would likely be a corpse!"
Han Qiushui felt a chill down his spine. He knew very well that Lu Fan could have easily killed him with one move. There was no doubt about it; Lu Fan's actions just now were proof enough.
"He is indeed powerful, but my Han family of Jiangbei is a martial arts family," Han Qiushui frowned. "Isn't his behavior a bit excessive?"
"Prepare gifts and come with me to apologize." Old Han said directly. "A Grandmaster cannot be offended, nor can the Han family afford to provoke him!"
"Although that person is strong, he has already left. He likely won't take action against the Han family," Han Qiushui shook his head. "Why bother to apologize?"
"This young man will surely become a dragon in the future," Old Han stated. "To achieve Grandmaster status at such a young age, why would I miss this opportunity?"
"Grandpa, are you going to curry favor with him?" Han Qiushui looked embarrassed. "I was the one who made the move, and now you want to curry favor? Isn't that lacking principles?"
"Although the Han family is a martial arts family, it is gradually declining," Old Han sighed. "If we can establish a connection with this lord, the Han family will have a place in the future!"
"But it's true, he is indeed powerful," Han Qiushui nodded. "I was just careless!"
Upon returning to the Han family, Old Master Han sent people to inquire about Lu Fan's whereabouts. Unfortunately, Lu Fan's information was quite obscure. He only knew that Lu Fan came from Jiangnan and seemed to have some connection with the Lin family of Jiangbei.
This made Old Han even more perplexed. Who exactly was Lu Fan? He didn't recall encountering such a master in Jiangnan.
After finding out the specific location, Old Han brought numerous gifts and, after making thorough preparations, arrived at the courtyard where Lu Fan resided.
Lu Fan was sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea. Seeing the faces of the few people, he frowned slightly. "Yesterday, I said I didn't want to fight with you! You've come again today. Are you looking for trouble?"
"Senior, you misunderstand!" Old Han said repeatedly. "We deeply offended you yesterday. We hope Senior can let bygones be bygones!"