The crowd outside the main hall retreated, their faces filled with disbelief. They had never encountered such a situation before; bringing a coffin to a birthday celebration was akin to cursing the recipient to an early death.
Bai Xue's eyes lit up with excitement. Someone dared to disrupt the Qin family's grand birthday celebration! He felt a flicker of anticipation, as it was none of his business, and a good show was about to unfold.
"Who dares to cause trouble!"
Numerous Qin family experts arrived outside the main hall, "Today is the Qin family patriarch's birthday. Who dares to be presumptuous!"
"As the saying goes, a smiling face is met with a helping hand. My Lu family has come to offer birthday wishes! Why must the Qin family make such a fuss!"
A cold voice sounded, and Lu Fan walked towards the main hall, exuding an unparalleled aura of casual elegance.
The people in the Qin family courtyard were stunned. They had expected trouble from the Qin family's rivals, but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine it would be a mere youngster.
"How could it be him!"
Bai Xue was startled. "Why would Mr. Lu be here!"
Bai Tiancheng, standing by, appeared even more astonished. "Isn't this the divine doctor Lu? Why is he here?"
It wasn't just them who were surprised. Yang Ding Tian and Yang Jia Qi, in a corner, nearly dropped their jaws. They knew Lu Fan possessed some skill and had a close relationship with the Azure Dragon Sect. However, delivering a coffin to the Qin family banquet was tantamount to seeking death. The Qin family was an reclusive clan; even the wealthiest man in Jiangnan had to bow and scrape before them. How could a mere Lu Fan dare to be so audacious?
"Grandpa, has he gone mad!" Yang Jia Qi exclaimed, "It seems our plan was unnecessary. He has completely offended the Qin family."
"Mad, this kid must be mad!" Yang Ding Tian's face beamed with joy. "Offending the Qin family is equivalent to a death sentence. Truly, heaven has opened its eyes!"
Patriarch Qin, with a frown, stepped out of the main hall. He gazed at the bright red coffin, his face contorted with anger. "Today is my birthday. Do you truly not know the meaning of death!"
"Patriarch Qin's birthday, the Lu family has specially come to offer congratulations!" Lu Fan sneered. "Besides this coffin, there is another gift that Patriarch Qin needs to sign for!"
With that, Lu Fan produced a bundle. The crowd grew curious. When the bundle was opened, everyone flinched back. Inside the bundle was a human head.
"Qin Hai!"
Patriarch Qin's face changed drastically. "You dare to kill someone from my Qin family!"
"Eighteen years ago, the Qin family, along with four other reclusive families, attacked the Lu family without mercy!" Lu Fan said coldly. "Qin Hai's head is merely a small token of my regard."
"Such arrogance! Do you intend to destroy my Qin family!" Patriarch Qin said coldly. "You are not qualified to do so!"
As Patriarch Qin finished speaking, numerous Qin family experts surged forward. Though not direct members of the Qin family, they had received favors from Patriarch Qin and now served as Qin family guards. They would not allow Lu Fan to run amok.
Bai Xue, filled with concern, was about to step forward but was pulled back by Bai Tiancheng. "This matter is not trivial, and it's not something you can get involved in!"
Bai Xue frowned but eventually stopped. As Bai Tiancheng had said, this was not something he could interfere with.
Facing these guards, Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "Those who participated in that massacre eighteen years ago, do you dare to step forward!"
"What a joke. Several of us were involved." Several elders emerged. They were martial artists sponsored by the Qin family, not ordinary individuals. "Let alone a brat like you, even Lu Wushuang back then met his end at our hands!"
The elders spoke with pride. They were paid by the Qin family and would not stand idly by. Moreover, all of them had reached the peak of martial arts, just one step away from becoming Grandmasters. They did not fear Lu Fan, who had come alone.
"Today is Patriarch Qin's birthday. How can we let you cause trouble!" More figures emerged from the crowd. These individuals, seeking to curry favor with the Qin family, naturally stepped forward.
Lu Fan's arrival with a coffin to offer birthday wishes was indeed intimidating. However, the people present were all influential figures, not easily frightened.
"Today's matter is between the Lu family and the Qin family. If any outsiders interfere, announce your lineage!"
Lu Fan waved his hand, and a large tree beside him instantly turned to dust. "I will personally visit your sects in the future, just like this tree!"
The crowd took three steps back. They had initially thought Lu Fan was young and reckless, unaware of the immensity of heaven and earth. But now, it seemed things were not as simple as they appeared.
"I am Shen Shan of the Overlord Saber Sect!" a white-haired elder declared. "Regardless of your grievances with the Qin family, today is Patriarch Qin's birthday. Your insolence here is truly audacious?"
The crowd looked at Shen Shan with respect. The Overlord Saber Sect was no ordinary force, boasting a Grandmaster-level expert. It was renowned even in the martial arts world.
"The Overlord Saber Sect's support of the Qin family makes them an enemy of my Lu family!" Lu Fan said coldly. "After I finish my business here, I will personally pay a visit to the Overlord Saber Sect!"
"What incredible audacity!" Shen San's face turned ashen. As an elder of the Overlord Saber Sect, he had never endured such humiliation. However, the display of power Lu Fan had just exhibited was extraordinary, and even he dared not act rashly.
"Even Lu Wushuang back then did not dare to be so disrespectful!" Patriarch Qin said coldly. "You managed to survive by chance, yet you have no fear of death, daring to come to the Qin family. Today, you will surely be unable to escape!"
As Patriarch Qin finished speaking, the Qin family members attacked, stirring up a gust of sand wherever they moved. The Qin family, as a reclusive clan, possessed immense wealth. These individuals, who lived by the Qin family's grace, would never allow anyone to insult them.
However, as they moved, several figures appeared at the entrance, fully armed.
"Eighteen years have passed. I have also waited eighteen years. Today, I can finally fight alongside the young master and face our enemies together!"
Uncle Fu's voice rang out, followed by Elder Zhao and others, accompanied by a host of martial arts experts. The entire Qin family compound was surrounded, layer upon layer, exuding an imposing aura.
"Patriarch, besides these people, there are also people from the Azure Dragon Sect outside!" a man reported. "They seem to have come prepared, intending to destroy our entire family!"
"So it's Ah Fu!" Patriarch Qin recognized Uncle Fu at a glance and laughed heartily. "You're merely Lu Wushuang's subordinate. How dare you challenge my Qin family? Even after eighteen years, you are still mere ants in the hands of my Qin family."
"Ten years of honing a sword. I suspect things are not as you imagine," Uncle Fu said with a cold laugh. "Today, we will avenge our patriarch. For these eighteen days and nights, I have never given up!"
"Uncle Fu, why have you come?" Lu Fan frowned. "I could handle this alone today. The Qin family members will surely be routed."
Uncle Fu gave a wry smile. "This old servant is guilty. I had concealed matters, waiting for the opportune moment. I never expected to let the young master risk himself alone!"
"Uncle Fu, you are too kind!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "I know your intentions during these eighteen years of dormancy. Uncle Fu, there is no need for self-reproach."