"Patriarch Gu is joking," Lu Fan said with a smile. "Gu Wen is also very young, just a step away from becoming a Grandmaster. I am only slightly stronger than him, nothing to boast about."
Patriarch Gu was stunned for a moment. Sensing the aura around Gu Wen, his heart was filled with surprise. Gu Wen had only been a peak martial artist before, but after becoming Lu Fan's disciple, he had already reached the half-step Grandmaster realm, even just a step away from true Grandmaster.
"Grandpa, we've traveled a long way. Let us go in and rest for a while!" Gu Wen said repeatedly.
"Look at this old fool, I've forgotten the basic courtesy of a host," Patriarch Gu quickly said. "Lord Lu, please!"
Lu Fan did not stand on ceremony and headed directly towards the Gu family residence.
Upon arriving at the Gu family hall, dishes were already being laid out on the table, looking exceptionally abundant, not like a typical banquet.
"The Martial Arts Assembly is still a month away. Lord Lu will be staying at my Gu family residence," Patriarch Gu stated. "Allow me to fulfill my duties as a host!"
"As the Patriarch invites, I dare not refuse," Lu Fan nodded and smiled.
Staying at the Gu family residence saved a lot of trouble, and with the old man's enthusiasm, he couldn't refuse.
Once the dishes were all served, everyone gathered at the table. Patriarch Gu insisted on Lu Fan taking the head seat. Lu Fan was rather reluctant but could not refuse, so he took his place.
"This Martial Arts Assembly will surely gather heroes from all walks of life. Lord Lu's personal attendance is likely for the Heavenly Ranking," Patriarch Gu said with a smile. "With your combat strength, you are sure to secure a spot on the list!"
"Patriarch overpraises me. I am merely here to test myself," Lu Fan smiled. "Whether I can enter the Heavenly Ranking is not what I am concerned about."
"Does Lord Lu have other matters to attend to in Zhongzhou?" a white-haired elder beside him asked.
"I am looking for someone named Du Qianqiu," Lu Fan stated directly. "I heard he will also be coming to Zhongzhou!"
"Du Qianqiu?" Patriarch Gu frowned. "Why does this name sound so familiar!"
After thinking for a long time, Patriarch Gu said, "Could it be Du Qianqiu, the former number one on the Martial Arts Heavenly Ranking?"
"Indeed!" Lu Fan nodded. "There are rumors that at the Martial Arts Assembly thirty years ago, he took the first place on the Martial Arts Heavenly Ranking!"
"Does Lord Lu have a feud with him?" Patriarch Gu frowned. "This person is like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail. Before I even became a Grandmaster, he was already famous throughout the land, a top-tier figure!"
"There is a deep-seated hatred!"
Lu Fan said indifferently. "My coming to Zhongzhou this time is also to seek his whereabouts."
"So that's how it is!" Patriarch Gu nodded slightly. "I will help Lord Lu keep an eye out. If there is any news of Du Qianqiu, I will certainly inform you truthfully!"
"Then I thank you!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly.
The white-haired elder beside him frowned. Lu Fan's feud with Du Qianqiu, and now his stay at the Gu family residence, might implicate the Gu family.
While they were conversing, outside the Gu family residence, the sound of a car was heard. A man walked in, appearing to be in his thirties, with determination in his eyes and a commanding presence in his stride.
"The young master is back!"
Steward Chen hurried forward. "Why didn't you notify us of your return?"
"The war in the outer regions is busy. I've returned for a break this time," Gu Long said, walking directly towards the hall.
"Brother, why are you here?"
Gu Wen also looked surprised and stood up to look at Gu Long. This was the pride of their Gu family. At such a young age, he had become the commander of the Shadow Guard, and his reputation within the Dragon Country was considerable.
"I'm back for a break!" Gu Long said softly. "You've lost quite a bit of weight recently!"
"No, I haven't!" Gu Wen shook his head, greatly admiring his elder brother.
Few young people chose to go to the outer regions, especially young masters from prominent families. However, Gu Long was different. He joined the Dragon Country's forces at a young age, becoming a member of the Dragon Country, and had experienced countless casualties in the outer regions.
"Xiao Long, your return is truly timely," Patriarch Gu said with a smile. "This is Mr. Lu, your brother's master!"
"Mr. Lu?" Gu Long glanced at Lu Fan. Seeing him seated at the head of the table, his brow slightly furrowed.
One must know that within the Gu family, those who could sit at the head seat were those who could be considered peers of his grandfather. Lu Fan, appearing so young, made him somewhat displeased.
"So the Gu family has a general," Lu Fan said with a smile. "Truly admirable!"
"Mr. Lu is too kind. Gu Long has been diligent since childhood, which is why he has been in the outer regions. Becoming a true general is not that easy," Patriarch Gu said with a smile.
"Mr. Lu is so young, yet he can sit at the head seat. He must possess extraordinary strength," Gu Long said with a smile. "I have fought countless battles on the frontier, and many have died by my hand. I would like to spar with Mr. Lu!"
"Brother, Master's skills are extraordinary. You are no match for him," Gu Wen said repeatedly. "I think it's best to forget it! You've finally returned home, you should rest well."
"Yes!" Steward Chen quickly said. "Prepare a set of bowls and chopsticks for the young master."
"I have been fighting on the battlefield, and my cultivation has also improved considerably. Given how young Mr. Lu is, yet can be considered a peer of my grandfather, I would not be at peace if we do not spar today," Gu Long said with a calm expression, still looking at Lu Fan.
Within Zhongzhou, among the younger generation, there were fewer than one person who could match him. He was even known as a peerless prodigy who appeared once in a hundred years in Zhongzhou. Now, in the outer regions, he had broken through to the Grandmaster realm, and his words naturally carried a certain assertiveness.
"Mr. Lu, please do not take offense at his words!" Old Master Gu said with a smile. "He has been fighting in the outer regions, and his speech is thus."
"It's fine!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Since Young Master Gu wishes to spar with me, I cannot refuse. Let us stop when we reach a satisfactory point!"
Lu Fan stood up. He had not intended to display his skills, but seeing the young man before him, he knew he would not back down, so Lu Fan could only accept the challenge.
"Then thank you!"
Gu Long nodded slightly and walked towards the center of the courtyard.
Old Master Gu also looked gratified. Gu Long's constant battles in the outer regions had actually allowed him to break through to the Grandmaster realm. Using the means of a Grandmaster to deal with Lu Fan was not considered an provocation.
"Brother, you must be careful!" Gu Wen warned. "Master's skills are extraordinary, not as simple as you think!"
"Gu Wen, you may not know, but a Grandmaster forged in the battles of the outer regions is no ordinary person!" Gu Long said with a faint smile. "Even if Grandpa were to face him, I might not lose."
Gu Wen could not say much more and could only sigh inwardly. He knew very well how strong Lu Fan's strength was.
"Mr. Lu, please forgive me!"
Gu Long took a step forward, his aura becoming terrifying, and a killing intent swept towards him.
This killing intent was extremely dense, clearly honed on the battlefield. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been intimidated before even making a move.