"Has the Family Head sent any word?" Chen Fan asked after a while of casual chat.
Feng Chengmo shook his head. "No news."
Chen Fan frowned. "Are we just going to wait like this?"
"With the Family Head's martial cultivation, there shouldn't be any danger," Feng Chengmo said. "Based on past experiences and some records in the Feng family, the longer they stay, the better it is."
Chen Fan's expression soured. "They've been gone for quite some time. Is this going to stretch to a year or more?"
"That would be even better," Feng Chengmo replied. "I don't know the specifics. Only the Feng family head has ever known these secrets."
"A cultivator?" Chen Fan squinted and asked.
Feng Chengmo shook his head. "I don't know."
Chen Fan stared at Feng Chengmo for a long moment before standing up. "I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave!"
He didn't believe Feng Chengmo, or the entire Feng family, was completely ignorant of the Feng family head's whereabouts or purpose. After all, Kunlun might not be that safe, and accidents could happen. Therefore, the Feng family head must have made some arrangements.
Feng Chengmo shook his head. "I'm staying here for now. You can come see me anytime, or call Qianluan."
"The capital is a convergence of winds and clouds; these next few days will surely not be peaceful!"
Chen Fan paused slightly, then waved a hand and walked out the door.
At the entrance of the archive, Feng Qianluan and several Feng family disciples were standing guard. Seeing Chen Fan emerge, Feng Qianluan said, "Chen Tianjiao, my thirteenth uncle has come. The Feng family has given you their greatest support. Yet, you still haven't found any clues regarding my brother's death!"
Chen Fan frowned. "Soon!"
"The Feng family's patience is limited," Feng Qianluan huffed. "We just want to find the killer and the forces behind them, and annihilate them for revenge."
Chen Fan looked deeply at Feng Qianluan. "I've said it before, you can find them yourselves if you wish, and you wouldn't need to rely on me!"
"You..." Feng Qianluan's face flushed with anger.
Chen Fan, however, was not one to indulge her. He strode out of the archive. Feng Jiu stood by his car and nodded at him.
"Uncle Jiu, I'm leaving," Chen Fan greeted and drove away.
Returning to the siheyuan, it was already past nine o'clock. Chen Xing'er had not yet returned. He was a little surprised and called Chen Xing'er's phone.
"Oh, Chen Tianjiao, it's a wonder you still remember me?" Chen Xing'er's teasing voice came through as soon as the call connected.
"Where are you? Why aren't you back yet?" Chen Fan asked.
"I'm not coming back tonight. I'm staying at Wan'er's place. Do whatever you want by yourself."
"Cao Wan'er?" Chen Fan asked.
"That's good, it seems my sister still holds some place in your heart, at least you know who my best friend is. Heehee, alright, take care of yourself. I'm hanging up!" The call was hung up with a click.
Chen Fan put down his phone, not paying it too much mind. The Cao family was also a prominent family, and they had always been low-key. Cao Wan'er was Chen Xing'er's best friend, and they were very close. Chen Fan had naturally investigated her when it came to his sister. The Cao family had a good reputation, and although Cao Wan'er was a wealthy young lady, she didn't have the arrogance of one, rarely frequented nightclubs, and conducted herself with discretion.
Without further thought, Chen Fan took out his dragon-patterned compass in a secluded spot and continued his cultivation. He went to rest after midnight. The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Chen Fan woke up and decided not to go to the Longteng branch. His identity had been exposed, and everyone who needed to know already knew. His position as the branch manager could no longer serve as a cover, making a visit to the branch unnecessary. However, it was necessary to inform Gu Weidong.
After eating something, Chen Fan lay on the sofa, organizing the recent clues and all his thoughts. In front of the Brotherhood, he had no longer concealed himself yesterday. The next step would be to act decisively and root out the high-ranking members of the Brotherhood one by one. It was time to make a move against Du Fumin. Of course, the Du family was not easy to deal with, and a plan was necessary.
As he was contemplating, a knock sounded on the door. Thinking it was Chen Xing'er, Chen Fan went to open it, only to see a tall, well-built young man in a suit standing outside. The young man's eyes were sharp and bright. After looking at Chen Fan, he bowed slightly. "Are you the esteemed Chen Tianjiao?"
The term "esteemed" was rarely heard nowadays, but it was common in the martial arts world. Chen Fan raised an eyebrow. "It's me!"
"On the orders of the Heroic Alliance Master, I have come to deliver a Heroic Invitation to Mr. Chen!" The young man smiled slightly, took out a gilded invitation from behind him, and respectfully handed it over with both hands. The cover of the invitation bore the words "Heroic Invitation" written with spirited strokes and a powerful aura, hinting at a disdain for the world.
"Heroic Alliance Master?" Chen Fan asked, not taking it immediately. "Is it Zuo Lishou? Who are you to him?"
"I am Wu Heting. Alliance Master Zuo is my master!" The young man said. "My master arrived in the capital last night and heard that many Grandmasters and martial arts experts have gathered here. It's a convergence of heroes from all sides. Thus, he wishes to meet with these masters. I have been sent to issue Heroic Invitations to disciples!"
"Mr. Chen defeated Gao Hongchang of the Liuhe Sect and possesses exceptional strength. Naturally, the Heroic Invitation cannot omit you!" Wu Heting was neither humble nor arrogant, and his manners were courteous. His explanation was simple and clear.
Chen Fan then accepted the Heroic Invitation. Upon opening it, he saw handwritten calligraphy, still upright and imposing.
"To my esteemed fellow Tianjiao, greetings. At noon on the thirteenth, Minghu Mountain Villa, Xijing Yulong Mountain Villa. I await your presence to discuss martial arts."
The signature read: Heroic Alliance, Lishou.
Chen Fan glanced at it and asked, "How many Heroic Invitations have been sent out in total?"
"Seventeen!" Wu Heting replied. "All the martial arts Grandmasters in the capital that our Heroic Alliance knows of will receive an invitation. Additionally, some respected figures from the martial world!"
"I see," Chen Fan said.
"Will Mr. Chen be attending tomorrow?" Wu Heting asked.
"If there's nothing else, I naturally will," Chen Fan replied.
"Then I look forward to Mr. Chen's attendance!" Wu Heting bowed and turned towards a parked BMW, got in, and left.
Holding the Heroic Invitation, Chen Fan walked back into the house and took out his phone, dialing Shang Wushuang and Feng Qianluan one after another. He soon confirmed that both families had received the invitations. The invitation for the Feng family was addressed to Feng Chengmo. As for Shang Wushuang, her father had not yet arrived in the capital, so the invitation served as a reminder for the Shang family head to come to the capital sooner.
Judging by the scale of these invitations, Chen Fan felt it wasn't solely aimed at him. However, for Zuo Lishou to issue so many invitations immediately upon arriving in the capital, it was impossible that he had no ulterior motive. Chen Fan, not being part of the martial arts world, couldn't quite guess Zuo Lishou's intentions and could only find out by attending.
While he was still contemplating, his phone rang. It was Ye Yunchen calling.
"Brother Chen, you received the Heroic Invitation, didn't you?" Ye Yunchen asked as soon as the call connected.
"You received one too?" Chen Fan asked.
"I didn't, but my senior brother did!" Ye Yunchen said. "The person delivering the invitation couldn't find our location and delivered it to a secret outpost below! He said with a wry smile, 'I thought that outpost was sufficiently hidden, but they knew the place. Brother Chen, where are you now? Let's meet up first.'"