The next morning, Chen Fan, having changed his clothes, got into the car and left with Feng Qianluan.
Two other cars accompanied them, carrying elite guards dispatched by the Feng family.
There were two clan elders from the Feng family, along with four elite disciples from the younger generation of the Feng family.
"Chen Tianjiao, was your fighting spirit forged on the battlefield? How did you achieve it?" Feng Qianluan, who hadn't slept well and had dark circles under her eyes, asked curiously as she drove.
Chen Fan replied, "The belief of a soldier to win, the determination to charge forward and defy death. When it reaches its peak, fighting spirit naturally fills the chest!"
Chen Fan said it simply, but Feng Qianluan was somewhat shaken by his words.
The simpler it sounded, the harder it was to achieve.
Moreover, she knew that this kind of fighting spirit was not something ordinary martial artists who joined the army could comprehend and integrate into their martial arts.
Powerful strength, an invincible belief and determination, and countless experiences of facing death and surviving – all of these were indispensable.
While Chen Fan had rested well last night, the entire Feng family estate had been sleepless.
Too many young people had been shocked by Chen Fan's formidable strength, tossing and turning in their beds.
Chen Fan was not much older than them, yet their strength was worlds apart, which had greatly stimulated them.
Feng Qianluan was no exception.
"Is that Su Yingxue your lover?" Feng Qianluan asked again.
"You've met her?" Chen Fan inquired.
"No," Feng Qianluan said. "But I know the clan elders brought someone back and then took her away again."
"Your father? You don't know where he went?" Chen Fan asked.
Feng Qianluan was silent for a moment before replying, "Since you're asking, I actually know a little. If I'm not mistaken, it's Kunlun Mountain!"
Chen Fan's expression stirred. "Do you know what he went there to do?"
"I'm not very sure!"
Feng Qianluan said, "It's very mysterious. My father never speaks much about it, nor does he allow me to ask. He even told me not to mention this matter to others."
Chen Fan's heart skipped a beat. "Did your father take you to Kunlun Mountain?"
"That was when I was very young," Feng Qianluan didn't deny it. "My memory is a bit hazy. I only remember they were examining me, as if they were palpating my bones."
"My brother was there too. He was older than me, so his memory would definitely be clearer. But he's dead now!"
Chen Fan frowned slightly.
He asked a few more questions, but couldn't determine anything.
He did have a guess in his mind.
Perhaps there was an ancient martial sect in Kunlun Mountain, and the Feng family patriarch wanted his children to join that sect?
However, the Feng family was already a millennium-old royal clan. Were those ancient martial sects necessarily stronger than the Feng family?
Even if they were stronger, if Feng Qianluan's talent couldn't pass the test, it would be too bizarre.
Unable to confirm anything for the moment, he would have to wait for the Feng family patriarch to return from Kunlun Mountain.
However, he was now completely assured that Su Yingxue should be out of danger.
The journey back to the capital was long. They arrived in the capital around noon.
Chen Fan got out of the car outside the private collection gallery. After exchanging contact information with Feng Qianluan, he drove back to Chen Xing'er's residence.
"Brother, where did you disappear to all night?"
Chen Xing'er was at home and complained as soon as she saw Chen Fan.
"I had some things to take care of!" Chen Fan said.
"If Wei Bingying hadn't called and indirectly inquired about your whereabouts, I would have thought you ran off with her!"
Chen Xing'er blinked and said.
Chen Fan rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of which, Wei Bingying is quite interested in you and wants to invite you out," Chen Xing'er said playfully with a smile.
Chen Fan shook his head. "I won't go!"
Chen Xing'er shrugged and said, "One more thing, Grandfather is hosting a family banquet tonight to celebrate your return. He wants us to go over early!"
A family banquet?
Chen Fan nodded upon hearing this.
This was a logical course of action.
He had used the identity of the eldest young master of the Chen family to return to the capital this time. The old man was formally announcing his return to everyone in the Chen family through a family banquet.
The old man had a life of military service. In his middle age, his family was harmed by enemies, leaving him with few descendants.
Because of this, apart from him and his sister, the direct descendants of the Chen family only included two paternal aunts.
Then there was his grand-uncle's branch, which had prospered and formed the backbone, but they were still distantly related.
Since it was a family banquet to announce his return to the capital, some people from his grand-uncle's branch would definitely attend. After all, although that branch had developed well, it had also relied on the old man's influence and connections.
"Understood!" Chen Fan said.
Not long after eating, Chen Fan indeed received a call from the old butler, asking him to come over early.
After all, a family banquet was not just about eating. He had been away from home for over ten years, and his relatives had become strangers to him.
Without further delay, Chen Fan and Chen Xing'er drove back to the old Chen family mansion.
As they walked into the front courtyard, the old butler, having been informed, came to greet them.
"Young Master, did you go to the Feng family?"
After paying his respects, the old butler asked with concern.
Chen Fan smiled. "You know?"
"The Dragon Head called yesterday. The Master already knows and is quite worried!" the old butler said.
Old Master Chen came from the military. In terms of seniority, the Dragon Head was the Master's student. Therefore, Chen Fan was not surprised.
"Grandfather didn't call me?" Chen Fan asked.
"The Master said that you will be the head of the Chen family in the future, and you will make your own decisions. Although he is worried, he did not let me call you."
Chen Fan felt a surge of emotion upon hearing this. "Where is Grandfather?"
"The Master is still napping. You and the Young Miss please make yourselves at home. I will go wake him up."
"No need. Let Grandfather sleep a little longer. Don't bother about us. I'll go take a look at his collection. After so many years, I wonder if he has collected anything good."
Chen Fan waved his hand, stopping the old butler.
He went to the study on the west side and began to examine the old man's collection without ceremony.
The old man's interests, besides tending to plants, were solely this.
It was mainly calligraphy and paintings. The old man simply liked them and didn't care about their origin, or who the author was, or their value. If he liked them, he kept them.
As he was admiring them, the old butler walked in.
"Grandfather is awake?"
Chen Xing'er asked.
The old butler shook his head. "The Master will wake up on time before 3 PM. It's still more than ten minutes away!"
He said, "Second Young Lady's family has arrived. Young Master, I think you should go and receive them!"
Chen Fan was slightly taken aback.
The old butler's implied meaning was that since Chen Fan had returned, he should appear in the capacity of the master of the house.
He meant well.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Have someone serve tea. Xing'er and I will go meet them. We haven't seen each other for over ten years. I wonder if my little aunt's temperament and temper are the same as they were back then?"
He and Chen Xing'er walked towards the front courtyard living room.
Before they even entered, he heard a woman's voice speaking at a rapid pace:
"He'er, when you see your maternal grandfather later, you must perform well, especially with your calligraphy. Write the characters you practice best."
"Your maternal grandfather loves the study the most. If you write well, your mother can reward you however she wants when we get back!"
"Also, your cousin has returned after many years. I don't know how he's doing in the army after all these years. Chat with him properly and probe his capabilities..."
"I know, Mom, you've said it three hundred times!"
A young, slightly impatient voice replied.
"Brother, if you ask me, you shouldn't perform worse than Cousin Sheng Qing at least, hee hee..."
Another young female voice chimed in.
Listening to these words, Chen Fan let out a smile and strode into the living room.
Inside the hall, a middle-aged woman was seated, with a young man and a young woman standing before her, listening to her speak.
"Little Aunt!"
Chen Fan called out with a smile.