"Lord Lu intends to make a move?" Gu Long's expression shifted. "The Jiang family has deep roots in Zhongzhou. Moving against them will not be simple!"
"Anyone connected to the Shadow Organization will not fare well!" Lu Fan said coldly. "The Jiang family deliberately delayed me to aid the Shadow Organization. How can I let this matter go unaddressed!"
Gu Long's face stiffened, but he dared not speak rashly. Lu Fan's decisions were not something he could prevent.
"If Lord Lu intends to act, our Zhao family will certainly follow!" The Zhao family head clasped his fists. "Even if it means offending the Jiang family of Zhongzhou!"
The Gu family head frowned, unsure how to proceed. After all, the Jiang family and the Gu family had no past grievances. If the Gu family rashly joined, it would inevitably be drawn into the vortex of conflict.
Seeing that the elder had not yet declared his stance, Gu Wen said, "As my master's disciple, I cannot be absent from this battle!"
"The Han family will also follow your lead!" the Han family head declared.
"Gu Wen, you are a descendant of the Gu family. If you go, it will not be a good thing!" Lu Fan stated. "The Gu family head has not spoken, implying he does not wish to be involved. You will wait at the Gu family's residence!"
"How can that be!" Gu Wen frowned, looking towards the Gu family elder. "Grandfather, say something!"
"This..." The Gu family head was embarrassed. "The Jiang family of Zhongzhou is, after all, a prominent family. Acting rashly might cause unnecessary misunderstandings!"
"Patriarch Jiang, you worry too much!" Lu Fan smiled. "Since we have chosen to act, there is no turning back!"
"Lord Lu, it's not that I am unwilling to act," Gu Long said. "I am a citizen of Long Country. Rashly interfering in martial arts disputes might draw criticism from above!"
"It's alright, the Gu family is not involved in this matter!" Lu Fan smiled. "You do not need to be too concerned!"
"Although I cannot act, Gu Wen is your disciple and naturally will follow you!" Gu Long spoke again. "I only hope that Lord Lu will not harbor any ill will towards the Gu family!"
"Of course not!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "My visit to Zhongzhou has been met with the Gu family's warm hospitality. How could I blame them!"
With that, Lu Fan picked up a cup of osmanthus wine and smiled, "Shall we drink a toast together?"
Everyone rose, cups in hand, and slowly drank the osmanthus wine.
After a long while, they all set out, heading towards the Jiang family.
Lu Fan also summoned many experts from the Qingyun Sect. Refined by Lu Fan's elixirs, the Qingyun Sect was now teeming with experts, most of whom possessed peak martial arts strength. Such formidable power, even in Zhongzhou, could bring about destruction. Su Dan Novel Network
As Lu Fan departed, Gu Long said solemnly, "Grandfather, Lord Lu will surely be a dragon among men in the future. Why must you be so hesitant!"
"Alas, I am old and no longer capable!" the Gu family head sighed. "Only you young people have such drive. I do not wish to meddle further in martial arts affairs. I only hope Xiao Wen can remain safe!"
"Rest assured, Grandfather, with Lord Lu present, Xiao Wen will be absolutely fine!" Gu Long stated directly. "Furthermore, internal sources suggest that Lord Lu may be connected to members of the Dragon Group!"
"The Dragon Group?" The Gu family head trembled. "The most mysterious organization in Long Country?"
"Indeed. Those who can join the Dragon Group are all top-tier experts, even powerful beings!" Gu Long nodded gravely. "In this light, Lord Lu may soon become a member of the Dragon Group!"
"This..."
The Gu family head was shocked. He knew very well the authority that Dragon Group members represented.
As long as they were within Long Country, Dragon Group members had the power to act first and report later. Regardless of whether it was a city lord or a provincial lord, they had to obey the dispatch of the Dragon Group.
Seeing his grandfather's expression, Gu Long smiled. "Grandfather, you need not worry too much. The Gu family has a good relationship with Lord Lu, and with Gu Wen, the Gu family will also receive Lord Lu's protection in the future!"
"It is I who was short-sighted!" the Gu family head said with a wry smile. "If I had gone with Lord Lu just now, I imagine the Gu family's relationship with him would have reached an even higher level!"
Gu Long nodded noncommittally. Whether it was the Zhao family of Chuzhou or the Han family of Jiangbei, they all followed Lu Fan's lead, which showed their trust in him.
And those like them would surely become the pillars of support for Lu Fan in the future.
Within the Jiang family courtyard, the Jiang family head's expression grew increasingly grim upon learning that Du Haisheng had been intercepted. He had never imagined that even with the personal rescue of the Thirteen Sword Saints of the Shadow Organization, it would end in failure.
"Patriarch, will this situation have any impact on the Jiang family?" a white-haired elder asked. "Lord Lu of Jiangnan has extraordinary means. Even thirteen Grandmasters working together were no match for him. If he were to deal with the Jiang family, I fear..."
"I witnessed his capabilities in the battle by the lake in Zhongzhou!" the Jiang family head stated. "I just didn't expect his strength to be even greater than I imagined!"
At this point, the Jiang family head suddenly smiled. "Even if he knows I colluded with the Shadow Organization, what can he do? The Jiang family is a martial arts family. If he truly dares to act, Long Country will not allow him to act recklessly!"
"Does the Lord mean..." the white-haired elder asked in surprise.
"The situation on the outer battlefield is critical, and martial arts experts are urgently needed. Even ordinary Grandmasters cannot be killed casually," the Jiang family head said coldly. "Let alone my Jiang family!"
"I see!" The white-haired elder immediately understood. "To become a Grandmaster represents the national destiny of Long Country. At this time, no one can act rashly!"
"The Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin, and Long Country has dispatched many experts to patrol secretly," the Jiang family head said indifferently. "They will certainly not allow martial arts experts to kill each other. At most, it will be a controlled engagement!"
The white-haired elder nodded, seemingly understanding the reasoning.
However, in a certain part of Zhongzhou, many experts had already gathered and were heading towards the Jiang family. This time, their target was the Jiang family.
Shortly after, a sound of killing erupted outside the Jiang family courtyard.
The Jiang family head was drinking tea in the courtyard. Following the commotion, many martial arts experts from the Jiang family stepped out, unsure of what had happened.
Everyone looked closely and saw Lu Fan stepping in from the Jiang family's entrance, his eyes filled with coldness.
"Lord Lu, coming late at night, for what purpose?"
The Jiang family head put down his teacup. "This is the Jiang family residence!"
"Patriarch Jiang, why pretend!" Lu Fan stated directly. "You colluded with the Shadow Organization, making yourself my enemy. You used a diversion tactic, almost allowing Du Haisheng to escape!"
"Since Lord Lu knows, I will not hide it!" the Jiang family head smiled. "I do have dealings with the Shadow Organization, but it has not crossed the bottom line of Long Country. Is Lord Lu's arrival today not a bit too much of an overreaction!"
"Those connected to the Shadow Organization shall be killed without mercy!"
Lu Fan's killing intent surged around him. Lu Fan strongly disliked those who used trickery like the Jiang family head.
"What arrogance!"
A Jiang family man shouted, "This is my Jiang family residence, how can you cause trouble here!"
Before the man could finish speaking, he vanished into nothingness under Lu Fan's powerful killing aura, causing the Jiang family members to tremble and retreat backward.