"Uncle and the others are in Chuzhou. After so many days, you've probably forgotten about family matters!" Lin Ke glared. "You promised Second Uncle you'd find Grandma and the others!"
Lu Fan froze, then gave an embarrassed smile. "I did forget about it, but with the current crisis in Longguo, I'll have others handle this matter!"
"Then what are your plans next?" Jiang Meili asked in surprise.
"Cangqiong Country is always a time bomb. Even if there's no movement now, it might not be the case in the future!" Lu Fan said with a solemn expression. "I'm preparing to visit other countries. As long as we form an alliance, we won't have to fear Cangqiong Country!"
"Visit other countries!" Jiang Meili was slightly astonished. "Rumor has it that other countries are teeming with experts. Are you going alone?"
"I doubt many people can pose a threat to me, so you don't need to worry too much!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Besides, this matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly!"
Seeing Lu Fan's seriousness, Jiang Meili quickly nodded. Perhaps in her eyes, visiting other countries was a dangerous undertaking, but Lu Fan, as the guardian deity of Longguo, was likely the only one who could bear such a responsibility.
After dinner, Han Yunhai spoke, "Although Qingyun Sect has many experts, finding the Hundred-Faced Scholar is likely not an easy task!"
"I understand that. The Hundred-Faced Scholar is skilled in the art of Qimen Dunjia and can change his appearance with ease. It will be harder than ascending to heaven for you to find him!" Lu Fan waved his hand.
"In that case, why did you, sir..." Han Yunhai asked, confused.
"If we don't make a big fuss, how can we drive him away?" Lu Fan smiled. "At least he should know that offending Longguo is not a good thing. However, if I encounter him next time, I won't let him off lightly!"
"Do you have confidence in capturing him, sir?" Han Yunhai asked again.
Lu Fan gave a wry smile. "To be honest, in a head-on confrontation, he might not lose to me. I have a faint feeling that his strength might be even greater."
Han Yunhai looked embarrassed and could only nod slightly. He finally understood Lu Fan's actions. It was likely to warn the Hundred-Faced Scholar, not to expect Qingyun Sect to find him.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Lin Ke and Jiang Meili were washing dishes, their faces etched with worry, looking dispirited.
"Xiao Ke, what's wrong with you lately? You seem so absent-minded," Jiang Meili said. "Isn't Lord Lu fine? He even became a hero of Longguo. You should be happy for him."
"If I could, I wish he wasn't this hero!" Lin Ke said with a bitter smile. "It's too dangerous. I thought I would never see him again."
"So, you want to go to Chuzhou not to find people, but to live a stable life!" Jiang Meili stated directly.
Lin Ke's face flushed with embarrassment. Just as Jiang Meili had said, he only wished for a normal life and didn't want Lu Fan to face any danger.
"I know I'm selfish and lack the spirit of righteousness!"
"Actually, any woman would want to live a stable life," Jiang Meili chuckled. "If it were me, I wouldn't want to see my husband in peril either!"
"However, Lord Lu is no ordinary person. He must walk an extraordinary path!" Jiang Meili's eyes were firm. "If possible, I will also walk the path of Lord Lu. If the country is gone, how can there be a home!"
Lin Ke trembled slightly, his heart also filled with passion. "If only I had great power, it would be wonderful. At least I could fight alongside Lu Fan and know his safety!"
"Everyone has different responsibilities, Xiao Ke. You don't need to worry too much," Jiang Meili quickly comforted him.
As night deepened, Lu Fan emerged from his room and walked directly into the woods ahead. A figure appeared before him; it was the Fourth Elder.
"Fourth Elder, coming so late at night, is there something important?" Lu Fan frowned.
"Don't joke around, you brat!" The Fourth Elder glared. "I'm here tonight to tell you that you don't need to pursue the Hundred-Faced Scholar anymore! With his skills, we can't capture him!"
"Fourth Elder, you must have come for more than just this, right?" Lu Fan smiled.
"Indeed!" The Fourth Elder nodded slightly. "You, brat, injured all the elders at the hotel today. Do you know what your strengths are?"
"I have shaken the authority of the elders, and I presume you are all displeased with me!" Lu Fan smiled and looked at the Fourth Elder. Facing the white-haired old man before him, he showed no temper.
"You are mistaken!"
The Fourth Elder shook his head. "As long as you stay true to your original intentions, what does our authority matter! In my eyes, all living beings are the most important. The better the people of Longguo live, the more it is our duty!"
"So, Fourth Elder, what is the purpose of your visit!" Lu Fan said solemnly.
"We are old!"
The Fourth Elder said seriously, "From now on, it will depend on you young generation! In ancient times, Longguo was a place contested by all nations, and there will surely be turmoil in the future!"
"Don't worry, Fourth Elder, I will never let Longguo perish!" Lu Fan's expression was solemn. Looking at the white-haired old man before him, he couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.
These elders had dedicated their lives to Longguo. They cared nothing for fame or fortune, only for the welfare of all living beings. Such fearlessness was truly admirable.
Seeing that Lu Fan understood, the Fourth Elder smiled and turned to leave. He had come specifically tonight to let Lu Fan know that the Longguo headquarters would always stand by him, without any wavering.
Lu Fan stood there, his expression becoming grave, especially after the Fourth Elder's words. He felt deeply touched.
The elders of Longguo were getting old. If the rising generation could not support Longguo, it would surely be bullied by others in the future.
Returning to his room, Lu Fan prepared to sleep. He looked at the Starfall Stone in his arms, his heart filled with curiosity.
In the past few days, Longguo had been in turmoil, and the Starfall Stone had faintly pulsed with energy, as if foreshadowing something, leaving him somewhat perplexed.
The next morning, Lu Fan, along with Han Yunhai and others, departed from Longguo's territory and headed towards the countries in the outer battlefield.
Although Cangqiong Country had not yet made a move, they dared not be careless. Forming an alliance as soon as possible was the only way to resist foreign enemies.
Their first stop was Juling Country. Before even entering Juling Country, Jiang Meili exclaimed in surprise, "I truly didn't expect the border of Juling Country to be so beautiful. I imagine the scenery within Juling Country will be even better!"
"Naturally!" Gu Wen said. "Juling Country is no ordinary place. It possesses many resources and has a very good relationship with Longguo!"
"If that's the case, why didn't Juling Country show up during the last war?" Jiang Meili asked in surprise.