Hearing Chen Fan's words, Ji Cang was slightly taken aback.
Then, he said, "That Yin Ya Zi is a threat, but I believe Zuo Lizhou will not let him go. He will definitely gather people to hunt down Yin Ya Zi and eliminate the threat."
"Zuo Lizhou has a broad mind and a generous spirit, but he won't stand idly by when faced with such a threat from a cultivator."
Chen Fan smiled upon hearing this and said, "My view is quite the opposite."
"What do you mean?" Ji Cang asked in surprise.
Shang Rulong and Shang Wushuang were also startled and looked at Chen Fan, awaiting his explanation.
"For Zuo Lizhou, keeping Yin Ya Zi alive is far more useful than eliminating him."
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and said, "With the threat of Yin Ya Zi lurking, who in the martial arts world dares to ignore it? Under pressure, many factions will have no choice but to join the Heroic Alliance."
"From this perspective, Yin Ya Zi's appearance is perfectly timed!"
Ji Cang grasped a possible implication and his expression greatly shifted. "Are you suggesting that Yin Ya Zi might be Zuo Lizhou's man, and everything that happened at the Heroic Gathering today was just an act?"
Shang Rulong and his daughter also changed their expressions.
"I didn't say that."
Chen Fan poured them wine and said, "I'm just saying that Yin Ya Zi's role to Zuo Lizhou is greater than Fu Qinglei's, isn't it?"
"Isn't all of this a bit too coincidental?"
With Chen Fan's words, everyone present fell into contemplation.
"Zuo Lizhou issuing the Heroic Invitation was meant to warn everyone to be wary of Yin Ya Zi and his ilk. Yet, Yin Ya Zi actually appeared at the Heroic Gathering?"
Shang Wushuang remarked, "This is indeed quite a coincidence."
"Yin Ya Zi's strength is formidable, his techniques and divine abilities are unpredictable. Yet, he himself is no match for Zuo Lizhou?"
"Setting aside whether Yin Ya Zi is Zuo Lizhou's subordinate or if Zuo Lizhou's cultivation is unfathomable and his power truly immense, if Yin Ya Zi couldn't defeat Zuo Lizhou, he would likely not be able to defeat a combined force of seven or eight Martial Grandmasters!"
Ji Cang's face darkened. "Mr. Chen's assertion is indeed highly probable!"
"Furthermore, after that black banner was unfurled at the end, we didn't see the specific details of Zuo Lizhou and Yin Ya Zi's confrontation. No one knows what truly happened."
"Perhaps the two were not truly engaged in a life-or-death struggle!"
"..."
Once the suspicion was voiced, doubts abounded.
These were precisely the issues Chen Fan had been pondering.
Yin Ya Zi's appearance and departure were undoubtedly anticlimactic, a complete failure.
The combination of various doubts made the possibility of Yin Ya Zi and Zuo Lizhou colluding to put on a show not insignificant.
The most important point was that the Heroic Alliance and the Brotherhood were two sides of the same coin. It would be perfectly normal for Zuo Lizhou and Yin Ya Zi to also be two sides of the same coin. It wasn't difficult for Chen Fan to arrive at this conclusion.
The people present were not unfamiliar with such tactics.
The method of "keeping a threat to strengthen one's own position" had existed since ancient times.
For Zuo Lizhou, colluding with Yin Ya Zi and posing a threat to the entire martial arts world meant that those who did not submit to him could simply be eliminated by Yin Ya Zi.
Meanwhile, Zuo Lizhou could maintain his respectable image, remaining the righteous and loyal leader of the Heroic Alliance, holding sway over the martial arts world.
Calling upon heroes from across the land to fight against Yin Ya Zi would bring immeasurable benefits to Zuo Lizhou and the Heroic Alliance.
"If this is indeed the case, then perhaps no one can contend with Zuo Lizhou..."
Ji Cang and Ba Zhu's expressions turned grim.
They did not wish to completely fall out with Zuo Lizhou and the Heroic Alliance, but in such a situation, even as two Martial Grandmasters, they would likely be at Zuo Lizhou's mercy.
The Guankou Ghost Market, which had been operating for years and generating substantial profits, would ultimately become nothing more than a prize for the Heroic Alliance.
Shang Rulong also fell silent, his expression tinged with bitterness.
Chen Fan observed their expressions and shook his head. "This is just one of my conjectures, perhaps not the reality."
These words did not alleviate Ji Cang and Shang Rulong's worries; instead, their expressions grew more somber.
They were seasoned veterans of the martial world. After Chen Fan's pointed remarks, they knew the possibility of this being the truth was already very high.
And after the battle of the Grandmasters in the capital, they would likely be forced to declare their allegiance.
They would not have much time to prepare... in fact, there was almost no room for preparation.
Either surrender, or rise up in defiance.
Chen Fan's expression was calm. The reason he raised this possibility was precisely to make Ji Cang and the others recognize the situation.
He smiled and said, "Enough of this, let's drink first. Uncle Shang, I'll toast you!"
Ji Cang and Shang Rulong smiled wryly and raised their wine glasses.
With the previous topic of conversation, the atmosphere of the meal was not particularly pleasant, and it ended early.
Everything that needed to be said had been said, so there was no need to linger.
"Mr. Chen, I will have people gather information immediately. I hope your speculation is not true, otherwise, the entire martial arts world of the North will truly be overshadowed by the Heroic Alliance."
Chen Fan also said, "I hope it's just my wild guess."
Ji Cang said no more. After exchanging greetings, he left with Ba Zhu.
Shang Rulong watched Ji Cang and his companion depart. He then said, "Heavenly Prodigy nephew, if you need any help, please inform me at any time. The Shang family will do its best."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Chen Fan expressed his gratitude.
Shang Rulong, holding the hesitant Shang Wushuang, also drove away.
It was already late. Chen Fan glanced at his phone but did not go home. Instead, he drove to Changqing Street.
Upon entering the Chen family's main gate, the old butler was already waiting.
"Young Master, Young Master Jun has been accompanying the Old Master for over half an hour."
Chen Fan nodded and entered his grandfather's study.
Jun Ruowang stood tall before the desk, his brush moving with vigor as he wrote a piece of calligraphy.
Old Master Chen sat beside him, watching Jun Ruowang's skillful strokes, occasionally offering comments.
Chen Fan quietly approached to observe. Jun Ruowang was writing a poem called "Zheng Qi Ge" (Song of Righteousness). His script was square and full of spirit.
However, while the "Zheng Qi Ge" had an abundance of righteousness, it lacked variation and was thus slightly deficient.
As he finished the last character, Jun Ruowang put down his brush and nodded at Chen Fan. "Grandpa Chen, my calligraphy is not good; please bear with it."
"It's already very good," the Old Master commented. "It lacks variation, and your strokes are a bit too deliberate, but it is still a fine piece of work. It's rare to have such abundance of righteousness; it can be hung in the hall."
"Grandpa Chen flatters me!"
The Old Master smiled. "My Heavenly Prodigy is back. It's truly a rare sight. If not for Young Master Jun's visit, how much longer would it have been before you came to see me?"
"Grandpa, I've been too busy," Chen Fan replied.
"Alright, you young men chat," Old Master Chen waved his hand. "Youthful spirit astounds the world. This is the time for you young people to display your talents and cleanse the world. Do well!"
Jun Ruowang quickly stepped forward to assist him.
After escorting the Old Master out of the study, Jun Ruowang said to Chen Fan, "There have been too many Martial Grandmasters around recently, so I could only come here to see you and visit Grandpa Chen."
Chen Fan nodded. "Today's Heroic Gathering gathered sixteen or seventeen Martial Grandmasters. Be careful recently."
If a Martial Grandmaster were to attempt an assassination, even someone of Jun Ruowang's status and position would not be entirely safe.
The two sat down to talk. The old butler brought them tea.