"Since Uncle Fu doesn't know, I won't pry further," Lu Fan nodded slightly. "No matter who is behind this, I will find him!"
Uncle Fu wanted to dissuade him, but Lu Fan's words were serious, and he couldn't say much. After all, Lu Fan had grown up and no longer needed his protection. Some things required Lu Fan to handle himself.
Not long after, Han Yunhai approached. "My lord, the City Lord of Jiangnan requests an audience!"
"What does he want?" Lu Fan frowned.
"I don't know. Perhaps he's here to curry favor," Han Yunhai said with a hint of awkwardness. "As the City Lord of Jiangnan, to behave like this is truly disappointing!"
Lu Fan didn't say much and walked towards the door, looking at the City Lord of Jiangnan. "He who climbs the three treasures hall without a purpose has no good intentions. The esteemed City Lord of Jiangnan, why have you come to Tianquan Villa?"
"It was my oversight that offended you, my lord. I have come specifically to apologize!"
The City Lord of Jiangnan said repeatedly, taking out many heavenly and earthly spiritual treasures. These were all his treasured possessions, now emptied, for no other reason than to please Lu Fan.
"You are indeed thoughtful!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. The City Lord of Jiangnan held some status, and he might be useful in the future. Lu Fan wouldn't make a big fuss with him.
"My lord, if you have any requests in the future, my Jiangnan City will do its utmost," the City Lord of Jiangnan said again.
"Since that's the case, I actually do have something I'd like you to do," Lu Fan nodded slightly.
"Please speak, my lord. I will spare no effort, even facing fire and water!" The City Lord of Jiangnan quickly clasped his hands. Lu Fan's future achievements were limitless, and he held significant status in the Dragon Country. Why would he refuse to help Lu Fan?
"Eighteen years ago, my Lu family was annihilated. There are many hidden reasons behind this. As the City Lord of Jiangnan, investigating this matter should be much more convenient for you," Lu Fan said directly. "If you can accomplish this, it will count as me owing you a favor."
"Eighteen years ago," the City Lord of Jiangnan stammered. "It was a long time ago. If we want to thoroughly investigate, it will likely take a considerable amount of time."
"Time is not an issue. You just need to find out why my Lu family was wiped out, that's enough," Lu Fan waved his hand.
"From what I know, the Lu family was connected to the Five Great Families," the City Lord of Jiangnan said in surprise. "But the Five Great Families have already been dealt with by you, this..."
"There are many hidden details that are not as simple as they appear on the surface," Lu Fan waved his hand. "You investigate, and if you find anything, just inform me. You don't need to worry about anything else."
The City Lord of Jiangnan nodded slightly, not daring to disobey easily. Since Lu Fan had spoken, he could only comply.
During these days, Lu Fan stayed in Jiangnan, as he had been away for so long and felt a sense of nostalgia.
However, regarding the events of that year, he had many doubts. Perhaps only by confronting Du Qianqiu directly would he know why the Lu family was massacred back then.
Meanwhile, in a certain place in the Sea Country, on an island, Ouyang Qinghuo and others waited for a moment before rising and walking towards a forest ahead. Ouyang Qingmu followed behind.
"Brother, has the lord arrived?"
Ouyang Qinghuo nodded. "The assassination of the Dragon Country's martial arts experts failed this time, and the lord is quite displeased!"
Ouyang Qingmu lowered his head. "If that person hadn't interfered, things would never have turned out this way!"
"So many battle spirit powerhouses from the Sea Rakshasa all perished on Baiyun Peak. We both bear inescapable responsibility for this," Ouyang Qinghuo said directly. "When the lord arrives, he will surely be enraged by this."
Ouyang Qingmu could only nod helplessly, hating Lu Fan to the bone. As leaders of the Sea Rakshasa, the sharpest claws of the Sea Country, they had failed this time, bringing shame to the Sea Rakshasa.
Inside the forest, the black-clothed elder wore a mask. Just by getting close, one could feel a sense of danger.
"The Sea Rakshasa has always been invincible. Why did they fail this time!"
The black-clothed elder said coldly, "And lost so many at the battle spirit level!"
"Elder, you may not know, but although the Dragon Country is gradually declining, it is still full of hidden experts," Ouyang Qinghuo said helplessly. "If it weren't for that, we wouldn't be in such a sorry state."
"The Sea Country dispatched experts to contain several elders of the Dragon Country. According to the original plan, the Sea Rakshasa should not have failed," the black-clothed elder said coldly. "Could it be people from the Three Great Sects!"
"It's possible!" Ouyang Qingmu nodded. "Within the Dragon Country, the Three Great Sects possess strength no less than that of the Dragon Country, and there must be peerless experts among them. Moreover, that person is so young, yet his strength surpasses mine, and he is not a member of the Dragon Group. Other than being from the Three Great Sects, there is no other explanation."
"The Three Great Sects have long had dealings with various countries and do not participate in the wars of the Dragon Country's domain," the black-clothed elder said coldly. "Could their words be false!"
"This..."
Ouyang Qinghuo frowned. "Why don't I infiltrate the Dragon Country and simultaneously investigate the truth? If it is indeed someone from the Three Great Sects, I will return to the Sea Country. If not, I will kill him."
"Brother, that person is not weak; he might be your match," Ouyang Qingmu frowned. "You may not be able to defeat him!"
Ouyang Qinghuo's face turned ashen. He disagreed even more with Ouyang Qingmu's words. Among the younger generation, within the Dragon Country, perhaps only Long Aotian could rival him. As for others, he had never paid them any attention.
If it weren't for Lu Fan killing battle spirit powerhouses, Ouyang Qinghuo would not have paid him any mind.
"I will go personally this time!" The black-clothed elder waved his hand. "I would like to ask the Three Great Sects if they were involved in the battle on Baiyun Peak!"
"Absolutely not!" Ouyang Qinghuo said repeatedly. "Elder, you are the foundation of the country, controlling the fate of the Sea Country. How can you risk yourself so easily, entering the heartland of the Dragon Country? If discovered, it will surely attract endless killing intent."
"It has long been rumored that three elders of the Dragon Country are in seclusion. Apart from those three, the remaining elders may not be able to keep me," the black-clothed elder said coldly. "We don't need to say more!"
"This..."
Ouyang Qinghuo frowned, unsure how to object firmly. The black-clothed elder's figure then vanished into the forest. As an elder of the Sea Country, a bearer of the Sea Country's fate, his methods were terrifying, beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
"Brother, will Elder Shangguan be alright?" Ouyang Qingmu asked. "The three elders of the Dragon Country are in seclusion, but if the remaining elders attack with full force, Elder Shangguan might not be able to escape safely."
"The elder has his own reasons," Ouyang Qinghuo waved his hand. "We just need to do our own jobs well. Although the Dragon Country has experts like clouds, the elder has reached the Transformation Realm. Those who can injure him are less than five fingers."
Ouyang Qingmu nodded slightly. "In that case, that person is surely dead!"
"The battle on Baiyun Peak ruined the Sea Rakshasa's plans. His death is insignificant!" Ouyang Qinghuo said coldly.
The Sea Rakshasa was the sharp blade of the Sea Country and had never made a mistake. If it weren't for Lu Fan, they wouldn't have been in such a mess.