That was the formidable man known as One-Eyed Liang, whose real name was Liang Hutu.
Rumor had it that Liang Hutu hailed from humble origins, living a life of poverty and petty thievery in his youth.
Later, through some unknown fortuitous encounter, he cultivated to the late stage of the Xuan Gang realm, relying on his sheer courage and a desperate tenacity, becoming a formidable expert not to be underestimated.
With his strength, he was not only a leading figure in Jiangnan City but also among the top existences in the surrounding five cities, feared and avoided by all.
After gaining fame, he roamed the Mogan Mountain region, even daring to contend for territory with the most powerful demonic beasts within Mogan Mountain.
For martial artists venturing into Mogan Mountain for adventure, treasure hunting, or trials, he was known for his merciless plunder and slaughter.
He even had a record of invading cities and annihilating several martial arts families, striking fear into the hearts of martial artists in the surrounding cities.
There was an old saying in Mogan Mountain: "Better to provoke a demonic beast than One-Eyed Liang."
This illustrated the profound apprehension everyone held for Liang Hutu.
Unexpectedly, Liang Hutu had set his sights on the Lan family; this was a disaster that had befallen them from the heavens.
Many people couldn't help but secretly reveal expressions of schadenfreude.
Regarding the Lan family's sudden rise, many powers in Jiangnan City outwardly expressed great friendliness, but in their hearts, they were consumed by envy.
Now, seeing the Lan family in dire straits, they felt not a shred of sympathy, but rather secret delight.
Only the Xuan Gang realm expert from the City Lord's Mansion, seated in a corner, continued to leisurely sip his wine, as if Liang Hutu's sudden move was not unexpected.
The experts at the same table, witnessing Li Qi's demeanor, seemed to connect the dots, their faces displaying expressions of horror.
The City Lord's Mansion's tactic of using a borrowed knife to kill was truly insidious!
"Patriarch, why did that Liang Hutu send a visiting card?"
A Lan family expert asked with a trembling voice.
Other Lan family experts also wore expressions of panic and unease. At this moment, they still held a glimmer of hope that perhaps Liang Hutu was merely sending a visiting card to congratulate the Lan family!
Heaven forbid he had targeted the Lan family.
Otherwise, with the Lan family's strength alone, they were no match for Liang Hutu, a notorious late-stage Xuan Gang realm expert.
Their strongest, Lan Tianxiong, was only at the early stage of the Xuan Gang realm.
Although they now had a son-in-law, Ling Fan, he was only comparable to the Xuan Gang realm, and it was uncertain if he could contend with a mid-stage Xuan Gang realm expert, let alone a late-stage Xuan Gang realm expert!
Lan Tianxiong said with immense gravity, "In the visiting card, Liang Hutu stated that he limits our Lan family to withdraw from Lan Family Fort within two hours, hand over the fire crystal vein, and offer it to him respectfully. Otherwise, he will march his troops into Lan Family Fort after two hours and annihilate the Lan family..."
After Lan Tianxiong finished speaking, he seemed to have lost all his strength, leaning his body against the table, appearing to have aged more than ten years in an instant.
Li Huimei also let out a desperate cry and sat on the ground weeping.
Today was supposed to be a great day for the Lan family, but who could have foreseen such a turn of events, where joy turned to sorrow!
Upon hearing Lan Tianxiong's words and witnessing Li Huimei's distraught weeping, all members of the Lan family felt their last shred of hope extinguished. They were all struck as if by lightning, utterly at a loss.
Lan Junjie, enraged, slammed his fist onto the table, causing all the wine glasses on the table to jump. He roared, "This is too much! Even if this Liang Hutu is the overlord of Mogan Mountain, we will fight him to the death!"
A Lan family elder immediately advised, "Young Master, you must not be impulsive. Liang Hutu is not someone to be trifled with. He has personally annihilated no less than five martial arts families! Among them were families with Xuan Gang realm martial arts masters."
"Then are we to obediently hand over our vast foundation because of a threatening letter? That's too humiliating."
Lan Junjie, being young and spirited, was filled with indignation, wishing he could immediately draw his sword and fight Liang Hutu to the death.
As all the Lan family members were at their wits' end.
The other guests watched with cold indifference, and more of them secretly relished the prospect of the Lan family's downfall, waiting to witness their misfortune.
Only a select few truly sympathized with the Lan family.
Among them was Master Wang, the president of the Forging Association of Jiangnan City.
He possessed a fiery temper, abhorring evil, and coupled with his relationship with Ling Fan, how could he stand by idly while the Lan family was in trouble?
"Patriarch Lan, don't be anxious yet!"
He said, "I believe this matter is of great importance. We should first notify Master Ling and see if he has any solutions. If there truly is no other way, I am willing to stand with the Lan family. If there is a fight, count me in. Although I am untalented, I have received great kindness from Master Ling, which helped me enter the Xuan Gang realm. This is akin to a life-saving grace, and such a debt cannot go unpaid."
"We conduct ourselves with integrity and righteousness; how can we bow down to such a villain?"
Master Wang spoke with impassioned fervor, immediately earning grateful glances from Lan Tianxiong, Lan Junjie, and other Lan family members.
True friendship is revealed in times of adversity!
The other families and powers of Jiangnan City were only good for adding splendor to their success; asking them for help in their hour of need was out of the question. It was best if they didn't add insult to injury.
Mentioning Ling Fan, a glimmer of hope arose in everyone's hearts.
That's right, they still had their son-in-law!
Hadn't the Lan family's repeated desperate situations been resolved by their son-in-law at the critical moment?
From the forging competition with the Jin family, to thwarting Yunmeng City's schemes, and then to their stunning debut at the Jiangnan City Martial Arts Assembly.
How many times had it been perilous?
Hadn't their son-in-law turned danger into safety?
However, Lan Tianxiong stated with resolute certainty, "We absolutely cannot involve Xiao Fan in this matter again!"
Everyone looked at him with confusion.
Lan Tianxiong knew their thoughts and said, "No matter how strong Xiao Fan is, he is ultimately only in the Kai Mai realm. Although his combat power rivals the Xuan Gang realm, he is merely at the early stage of the Xuan Gang realm! Even if he and I, along with Master Wang's assistance, combine our strength, we would only have three early-stage Xuan Gang realm experts, which is no match for Liang Hutu."
"Moreover, Liang Hutu is not alone. It is rumored that he has many elite generals under his command, with his second-in-command and third-in-command both being early-stage Xuan Gang realm experts. Coupled with other core members at the late stage or peak of the Qi Refining realm, this is a truly formidable force that our Lan family cannot contend with."
Upon hearing Lan Tianxiong's words, the Lan family members fell silent.
As Lan Tianxiong had said, the calamity the Lan family now faced was far beyond anything comparable to powers like the Jin family.
Ling Fan's ability to repeatedly turn the tide in the past did not mean he could contend with such terrifying enemies.
"As long as Xiao Fan is alive, our Lan family still has the seed of inheritance. Therefore, Xiao Fan must not be harmed!"
Lan Tianxiong pondered for a long time and said, "Later, we will send away the promising young people in the family. Junjie, you and Xueyi should also leave. Do not remain in Lan Family Fort anymore. We must make the worst-case preparations."
Lan Junjie anxiously asked, "Then what about you, Father?"
Lan Tianxiong replied, "We will stay and share the fate of the Lan family! No matter how powerful Liang Hutu is, he will not be able to easily devour our Lan family. Remember, even a cornered rabbit will bite. I want to let them know that although our Lan family is weak, we are not cowards!"
Many were moved by Lan Tianxiong's words.
However, they were powerless to help, their hearts willing but their strength insufficient.
"Father, I am not leaving. I will stay and fight with them!"
Lan Junjie's stubbornness flared up.
But Lan Tianxiong rebuked, "You little brat, shut your mouth! Is this the time for you to act on impulse? Go and protect your sister quickly. Get out!!"
"Xueyi, take them to the mine to wait for Xiao Fan. As soon as Xiao Fan emerges, you and he must leave immediately. Do not return."
After Lan Xueyi finally managed to pull Lan Junjie and a group of young Lan family disciples away, Lan Tianxiong slowly sat down, poured himself a cup of wine, and gulped it down in one go.
Everyone saw a profound sense of tragic heroism in his retreating figure.