Indeed, Wu Zhaohui’s earlier words were not entirely wrong.
Deep down, Chen Fan did not actually wish to kill Wu Zhaohui. He would have preferred to apprehend Wu Zhaohui and send him to prison for re-education.
Even from an opposing standpoint, Wu Zhaohui was not someone one could easily dislike.
Of course, when necessary, Chen Fan would not hesitate. If Wu Zhaohui had to die, he would ensure it.
Wu Zhaohui did not dodge. He looked at Chen Fan, and a jade pendant hanging around his neck suddenly glowed with spiritual light.
A force erupted, like the surge of a tide.
Immense power manifested, protecting Wu Zhaohui’s entire body. Accompanied by the shockwave, it repelled Chen Fan’s palm.
Chen Fan staggered back a few steps, his gaze fixed on the jade pendant around Wu Zhaohui’s neck.
Mysterious patterns and textures appeared, resembling runes, transforming into phantom images, incredibly strange.
The spiritual light was faint, enveloping Wu Zhaohui.
“I told you, you can’t capture me.”
Wu Zhaohui spoke calmly. “Why waste your effort?”
“How will you know if you don’t try?”
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes.
At that moment, a figure flashed through the air, arriving beside Wu Zhaohui.
It was Huangfu Xi.
He smiled at Chen Fan and raised a hand. A stream of true qi flowed, and a powerful aura descended, as if all the air in the underground arena had been sucked dry.
Huangfu Xi, dressed in ordinary clothes, appeared like a god or demon, exerting immense pressure on Chen Fan.
Then, he raised his hand, and a large palm materialized.
Chen Fan looked up and saw that the palm was not purely condensed from true qi. Instead, it was interwoven with numerous patterns, forming many runes, making the palm seem almost real and indestructible.
As the palm pressed down, Chen Fan’s pressure intensified, making him feel as though he could barely breathe.
He condensed his fighting spirit, growing stronger against the stronger opponent, and punched out.
With a bang, the palm was pierced by his fist, but it did not shatter.
The true qi within the runes circulated and condensed, rapidly restoring it to its original form.
Chen Fan’s heart trembled.
Such a technique, while seemingly achievable by a martial arts master, was fundamentally different.
It was like the difference between wood and steel for the same object.
The palm did not fully descend. Huangfu Xi retracted his hand, and the palm vanished.
“Chen Tianjiao, do me a favor and let this matter rest.”
Huangfu Xi said.
Chen Fan sighed in helplessness and chuckled. “With such immense strength, how could I refuse?”
Huangfu Xi smiled and said, “The Mirage God Pearl should be returned to me.”
Chen Fan took out the Mirage God Pearl he carried and tossed it over.
Huangfu Xi caught it and said, “I will come to the capital the day after tomorrow to borrow a look at the Dragon Pattern Compass.”
Chen Fan nodded. It was a done deal, and he was a man of his word. “Alright.”
He then asked, “In that Kunlun secret realm, what level would you say your strength was at?”
“There were certainly those stronger than me, and more than just one or two, but to say there were countless is obviously an exaggeration.”
Huangfu Xi said, “I will tell you in detail the day after tomorrow. If you don’t mind, you can prepare some good wine.”
“Okay!”
Chen Fan nodded.
“Farewell!”
Huangfu Xi waved his hand.
Wu Zhaohui also said, “Chen Tianjiao, I hope we meet again soon!”
The two turned and left.
Chen Fan shook his head, feeling a tinge of regret.
He did not want to let Wu Zhaohui go, but winning this crucial round against him was already difficult. Capturing him was impossible.
Even if he had brought the elite Iron Blood Battalion, they might not have been able to hold him.
If he wanted to kill Wu Zhaohui, it wasn’t impossible. Modern weaponry could achieve it, but that was not what he wished to see.
Huangfu Xi and Wu Zhaohui were gone, and Chen Fan had no intention of lingering. He walked out of the underground arena and saw Ji Cang and Zhuo Tu rushing towards him.
They stopped, exchanged greetings, and after a brief pleasantry, Ji Cang asked, “Mr. Chen, what happened inside?”
“Nothing much. The president of the Brotherhood was inside, but he has already left!”
Ji Cang’s expression shifted slightly.
He hadn’t expected Wu Zhaohui to choose the Guankou Ghost Market to meet Chen Fan.
“Mr. Chen, you didn’t keep him?” Ji Cang asked.
Chen Fan shook his head and looked in the direction of the fire, which had already been extinguished.
“Master Cang, the Brotherhood no longer exists.”
“Right, do you have any news of Zuo Lizhou?”
Chen Fan asked.
Ji Cang shook his head. “I heard about what happened at sea. There’s no news for now.”
Wu Zhaohui hadn’t mentioned Zuo Lizhou, and Chen Fan had forgotten to ask.
He figured Wu Zhaohui would certainly not save Zuo Lizhou, and Zuo Lizhou might still be drifting at sea.
However, given Zuo Lizhou’s abilities, he wouldn’t die so easily at sea.
After bidding farewell to Ji Cang and Zhuo Tu, Chen Fan left. He called Xiang Jingzhu.
As expected, there was still no sign of Zuo Lizhou.
Finding a martial arts master like Zuo Lizhou, who deliberately hid himself, would not be easy.
On the other hand, Zuo Tianze and the others had already left the capital.
After this incident, the Hero Alliance would temporarily be unable to cause any further trouble.
However, the Hero Alliance had a deep foundation and would certainly not be wiped out. They would still hold a place in the martial arts world.
The authorities would contact and enlist martial artists, but it would still be difficult to ban the Hero Alliance.
After hanging up, Chen Fan got into his car and drove back to the capital.
By the time he returned to the capital, it was past four in the morning. Chen Fan went straight home.
Chen Xing’er had gone to stay at the Chen family’s residence as agreed, leaving his place empty.
Exhausted from his continuous travels, Chen Fan lay down and slept.
He woke up at noon.
After washing up, he got out of bed.
Just as he drove out of his gate, a Maserati drove up and blocked his path.
A woman jumped out of the car. Seeing Chen Fan inside, she let out a sigh of relief and said, “Chen Tianjiao, my brother couldn’t reach you, so he sent me to find you.”
It was Wu Manzhu.
Chen Fan said, “My brother is looking for me?”
Wu Manzhu anxiously took out her phone, made a call, and handed it to him.
“My brother has been going crazy trying to find you.”
Chen Fan took the phone.
The call was quickly answered, and Wu Zhaoyang’s voice came through. “Chen Tianjiao, come and meet me.”
“I’m busy.”
Chen Fan frowned and said.
Wu Zhaoyang’s voice faltered for a moment, then he said, “I didn’t expect Wu Zhaohui to really be that Wu Zhao. Before you went to Tianjin, I wanted to explain this to you.”
“But you didn’t end up explaining,” Chen Fan said flatly. “You were still harboring the thought that if Wu Zhaohui won this round, the Wu family would rise even higher.”
“There’s no need to meet. I know you have already severed ties with Wu Zhaohui. Although the Wu family has been significantly affected, it’s not enough to cripple them.”
Wu Zhaoyang let out a wry smile, appearing anxious. “You can name your price. As long as the Wu family can do it, we will fully support your uncle’s ascension, allowing him to enter the top circles of the capital within three to five years!”
“No need,” Chen Fan said indifferently. “Things will proceed as they should. There’s no need for such transactions.”
“Chen Tianjiao… I can’t get out right now, or I would come to find you myself. What exactly do you want before you will help the Wu family?”
“Young Master Wu, I cannot help the Wu family. If the Wu family has no significant ties to Wu Zhaohui, there’s no need to worry too much!”
Chen Fan said calmly, then hung up the phone and returned it to Wu Manzhu.
Wu Manzhu frowned. After a moment of hesitation, she said with a blush, “Chen Tianjiao, as long as you are willing to help the Wu family, I can accompany you!”
Chen Fan glanced at Wu Manzhu and said indifferently, “Miss Wu, I will pretend I didn’t hear those words.”
“Wu Zhaohui did not drag your Wu family down with him. Although you were implicated, why are you so eager for power?”
After saying this, Chen Fan drove away, ignoring Wu Manzhu.
He drove straight to Qingyan Town to pay respects to his former brothers, Old Liang and Old Shang.
The Brotherhood had been eradicated. It was time to inform his fallen brothers and comrades, to bring peace to their souls!