"Grandfather, I'll take my Master to him right now!" Han Qiushui frowned. "This San Quezi is truly courting death, daring to do something like this!"
"Does he have any connection with your Han family?" Lu Fan asked, his brow furrowed.
"This..." The Han family head looked somewhat embarrassed. "He does have some connection with the Han family, but please rest assured, Master Lu, we will not tolerate this matter!"
Lu Fan remained silent, his expression growing even more somber. If San Quezi was indeed a member of the Han family, he might develop some reservations about them.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, San Quezi was feeling quite pleased. Lin Aotian had agreed, offering half of the Lin family's assets – a truly momentous occasion.
He had lived quite well these past few years under the Han family's protection. Now, if he could bring down the Lin family, it would be his greatest wish.
"I thought your good-for-nothing father had some capabilities, but in the end, he still had to compromise with me," San Quezi sneered. "But speaking of which, Lin Aotian really cares about you, offering half his assets. That's no small sum!"
"You will regret this!" Lin Ke said coldly. "You will definitely regret it!"
"Regret?" San Quezi laughed heartily. "I've never regretted anything. With your good-for-nothing father, he's no match for me. Even if he knew it was me, he wouldn't dare do anything to me, because I have the backing of the Han family!"
"What audacious words! When did my Han family give you such confidence?"
A cold voice echoed. Han Qiushui strode in, with Lu Fan following closely behind.
"Miss Han!"
San Quezi quickly stood up, his body trembling slightly. This was the heir of the Han family, a martial arts master, someone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Xiao Ke, are you alright!"
Lu Fan stepped forward, about to release Lin Ke, but Du Long beat him to it, blocking his path. "Young man, don't be rash. You can't touch this person!"
"Ignorant fool!"
As soon as Lu Fan spoke, an aura emanated from him, forcing Du Long to retreat repeatedly. Just this aura alone was enough to make him feel ashamed.
After Du Long was repelled, Lu Fan unbound Lin Ke. Seeing the red palm print on Lin Ke's face, he asked, "Who did this?"
Lin Ke glanced at Du Long but remained silent. She knew very well that Lu Fan wouldn't hold back.
"Was it you?" Lu Fan suddenly looked at Du Long and, in an instant, grabbed him by the neck.
"Who do you think you are? This is no place for you to cause trouble."
San Quezi looked at Lu Fan. "Moreover, Miss Han is here. How can you be so presumptuous!"
Before his words had even fallen, Han Qiushui slapped him. "Shut your mouth, you ignorant fool! You dare to use my Han family's name?"
"Young Miss, I have always served the Han family with no selfish motives," San Quezi said repeatedly. "What is the relationship between the Lin family's eldest daughter and Miss Han? Why is Miss Han taking this so seriously?"
"She is someone my Master fancies. How can you casually touch her?" Han Qiushui said coldly. "Truly ignorant!"
San Quezi seemed to understand. He glanced at Lu Fan and then quickly smiled, "It seems we've had a misunderstanding, like the Dragon King's temple being flooded by our own people. We are all family."
Unfortunately, as soon as he finished speaking, Du Long was sent flying, smashing violently into the wall ahead, without any resistance, as if he were a mere ball.
In that instant, Lu Fan looked sharply at San Quezi. "You truly have a lot of nerve, daring to lay hands on my people?"
San Quezi was already stunned. Du Long was his most formidable subordinate, yet he was no match for Lu Fan. How could he withstand Lu Fan's onslaught?
"Miss Han, save me!"
San Quezi cried out, his heart filled with despair. He had never imagined that after years of operating in Jiangbei, he would be defeated by a young man, and with such a vast disparity in power.
"Master, this kind of trash is not worth your effort," Han Qiushui said with a smile. "Why don't you leave him to me!"
"You wish to protect him?" Lu Fan looked sharply at Han Qiushui, his gaze full of meaning.
Lin Ke was Lu Fan's untouchable limit. Anyone who dared to touch Lin Ke would not be easily forgiven by Lu Fan. If the Han family intended to interfere, Lu Fan would not show any mercy.
"Master, you jest. You have a debt of gratitude with the Han family; how could I dare disrespect you!" Han Qiushui said earnestly. "However, since this San Quezi is under the Han family, and he has offended Master, I will surely make him wish he were dead, lest he soil Master's hands."
"As you say, I will not interfere further!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "But if I see him again in the future, even your Han family will have to be careful!"
Han Qiushui trembled and quickly clasped her fists. "Master has a debt of gratitude with the Han family; how could I be lenient!"
"That would be for the best!" Lu Fan nodded slightly and walked towards Lin Ke, shielding her.
"Brother Lu Fan, I'm fine. You don't need to worry so much!" Lin Ke said softly. "They didn't actually do anything to me!"
"If I had been a moment later, you would have been in real trouble," Lu Fan retorted, giving her a look. "And you're still speaking up for them!"
Lin Ke stuck out her tongue, a hint of embarrassment on her face. Just as Lu Fan had said, if he hadn't arrived in time, she might have been in trouble.
"Miss Han, I truly knew nothing about this matter!" San Quezi said urgently. "I implore Miss Han to show mercy and spare my life!"
"If you had committed any other offense, why would I trouble you?" Han Qiushui said coldly. "But you have offended Master. Don't say it's me; even the entire Han family will not let you off easily!"
San Quezi looked utterly despairing. His success in Jiangbei over the years was due to the Han family's backing. Now that the Han family was no longer on his side, he was likely worthless.
"Guards, take San Quezi away, along with all his subordinates," Han Qiushui said coldly. "Make them disappear from this world forever!"
San Quezi trembled violently, his face turning ashen. He had never imagined that Han Qiushui would be so ruthless, not even treating a dog with such disdain.
However, he did not realize that he had offended someone he shouldn't have, which was why he had met such an end.
After San Quezi and his men were taken away, Han Qiushui turned to Lu Fan. "Master, this is all our Han family's fault. I hope Master can understand."
"The fault does not lie with the Han family," Lu Fan waved his hand. "But I hope such incidents do not happen again in the future!"
"Master, rest assured!" Han Qiushui quickly apologized, her eyes filled with remorse.
Lu Fan had just helped their Han family, and yet such a thing had occurred. After all, this San Quezi was a subordinate of the Han family.
"When you return, please convey my thanks to Old Master Han. If it weren't for the Han family's help, I wouldn't have found Lin Ke so quickly," Lu Fan said with a light smile.
Han Qiushui nodded quickly, not daring to delay.