"I'm afraid I cannot fulfill this request!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "If I go, we go together. If we stay, we stay together!"
"Mr. Lu, you may not know, but if I leave now, the Misty Sect will surely send people to hunt us down, and not a single one of us will escape!" Bai Family Head said frankly. "More importantly, White Water City is the foundation of my Bai family. I would rather die here than leave!"
"As a member of the Bai family, with father's resolve, I will naturally follow!" Bai Xiaoqing stated.
"Nonsense! Father has no choice, but you are still young. Hurry and pack your things. If Mr. Lu leaves White Water City, there might be a glimmer of hope!" the Bai Family Head quickly advised.
"I think we should just forget about it."
Lu Fan smiled slightly, "Since he doesn't wish to leave, no amount of persuasion will change his mind. Furthermore, at this critical juncture, I cannot possibly abandon White Water City!"
"Mr. Lu, I know you value loyalty, but this matter is of grave importance!"
The Bai Family Head's expression was serious, his words carrying significant weight.
"It is precisely because of this that I cannot leave!"
Lu Fan's expression was equally serious, his words carrying weight, without the slightest hint of evasion.
Facing these words, the Bai Family Head was somewhat helpless, not knowing how to respond.
However, Lu Fan's willingness to speak thusly showed his character. It was a pity that Lu Fan had no interest in Bai Xiaoqing, otherwise, it would have been a perfect match for them.
"Are the members of the Bai family present!"
Bai Xiaoqing shouted, his gaze sweeping over the Bai family members.
"We are all here!"
Numerous experts from the Bai family responded, their expressions solemn. They knew they were at a critical juncture, but they would not cling to life ignobly.
"The Bai family faces utter annihilation. Are you afraid?" Bai Xiaoqing asked.
"We are people of the Bai family in life, and souls of the Bai family in death. What is there to fear!"
The crowd responded in unison, "Even if we follow Miss and die tragically, it is our honor!"
"Since that is the case, we shall await them here!"
Bai Xiaoqing's spirit was strong, showing no fear of death. At this critical moment, all he could do was boost morale.
Soon after, the Sect Master of the Misty Sect arrived with many experts in White Water City. The entire city was tightly sealed, and citizens watched from afar, wondering what had happened.
The Lin Family Head, with a majestic bearing, led the Misty Sect experts to the Bai family's doorstep. Inside the Bai family compound, everyone exchanged glances, their eyes sharpening.
"Sect Master, this is the Bai family!"
The Lin Family Head spoke, "You must seek justice for Elder Shangguan!"
The Misty Sect Master narrowed his eyes and looked towards the Bai family members. "Your Bai family has grown quite bold, daring to kill an elder of the Misty Sect. It seems you do not take our Misty Sect seriously at all!"
"Kill an elder?"
The Bai Family Head looked utterly bewildered. "Is there some mistake? How could we possibly harm an elder? I believe there must be a misunderstanding!"
"What misunderstanding is there? Elder Shangguan was gravely wounded and died. Was it not your doing?"
Lin Qingbei said coldly, "The matter has reached this point, and you still refuse to admit it? Even if you deny it, the Sect Master will not let you off!"
"Sect Master, Elder Shangguan was indeed injured, but it was not enough to be fatal!"
The Bai Family Head's expression was grave. "Furthermore, Elder Shangguan possessed immense power. How could he have died from a mere injury? What exactly happened here!"
The elders of the Misty Sect also frowned upon hearing this. Even they were quite skeptical. After all, no matter what, Elder Shangguan was an elder of the Misty Sect. Under normal circumstances, no one within White Water City would dare to act rashly, lest they become enemies of the Misty Sect.
"You are truly eloquent!"
The Lin Family Head said coldly, "Must I present Elder Shangguan's corpse before you to make you believe?"
"There is no need to say more!"
The Misty Sect Master waved his hand. "Today, our Misty Sect has come to seek justice for Elder Shangguan. If you take your own lives, you may have complete bodies. If you resist, you are merely trying to stop a chariot with a mantis!"
"The Bai family will never admit to something it has not done!" the Bai Family Head stated solemnly.
The Misty Sect Master showed a fierce expression. He would not believe any words from the Bai family. Elder Shangguan had died tragically, and he would not hold back.
"As the Sect Master, to be unable to distinguish this matter, are you not too pathetic?"
Lu Fan stepped forward, smiling faintly. "If I truly intended to kill that Elder Shangguan, how could he have escaped me! Moreover, Elder Shangguan died tragically, yet the Lin family remains unharmed. Does the Sect Master not find this strange?"
"You brat, don't try to sow discord here!"
The Lin Family Head trembled violently and then said coldly, "Elder Shangguan was my friend. Now that he has died at your hands, I will make you pay the price!"
With that, the Lin Family Head lunged forward. He would not allow Lu Fan to say another word, for he knew very well that if this continued, the truth would be exposed, and the situation would become unmanageable.
"Wait!"
Just then, the Misty Sect Master's voice rang out, and he looked at the Lin Family Head. "What he said is indeed true. Many disciples of the Misty Sect have perished, and even Elder Shangguan died tragically. Why is the Lin family unharmed?"
"Sect Master, please see clearly. Do not fall for his trickery!" the Lin Family Head cupped his fists. "Elder Shangguan was my friend. How could I possibly harm him!"
"You know best in your heart whether that's true!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "After all, you know very well that Elder Shangguan was no match for me. If I deal with him and frame me, you can have the Misty Sect Master personally deal with me!"
"Don't spew baseless accusations!"
The Lin Family Head's face changed drastically. "I'm telling you, you can't fool the Misty Sect Master!"
"Whether I am fooling the Misty Sect Master or not, I believe he knows best!"
Lu Fan shrugged, his expression turning cold. In his eyes, the Lin Family Head's demeanor was all too clear.
"Sect Master, this matter is of great importance. Perhaps we should deliberate further."
An elder spoke, "I believe what this young man says has merit. We cannot be deceived by villains. If this matter was indeed orchestrated by someone, would that not be a betrayal of Elder Shangguan's spirit in the afterlife!"
"Investigate!"
The Misty Sect Master's expression was cold. "No one present is allowed to leave until this matter is clarified!"
The Lin Family Head's face changed dramatically. He had not expected the Misty Sect Master to speak in such a manner. This was extremely disadvantageous to his Lin family.
This matter was indeed orchestrated by their Lin family, and they knew it well. If the investigation led to them, they would face utter destruction.
Lin Qingbei also furrowed his brows instantly.