The Qin family was annihilated, and the remaining four great families were in a state of panic. They gathered in the assembly hall, their faces etched with worry.
"Patriarch Wu, you must come up with a plan. The Qin family has been destroyed. If we sit here and wait for death, we will likely suffer the same fate," said Patriarch Li. "The five hidden families are united. The Qin family has been destroyed, and yet we are powerless!"
"A plan? You think highly of yourself," Patriarch Wu sneered. "The Qin family has been destroyed, and we are all in danger. Do you still want to avenge the Qin family?"
"It is common knowledge that the five hidden families are united," Patriarch Li frowned. "Does Patriarch Wu intend to let this matter slide?"
"If it could be easily let slide, I would be overjoyed!"
Patriarch Wu said coldly, "Anyone who can easily destroy the Qin family cannot be an ordinary person. They might even be a legendary powerful being. If that is the case, even the direct descendant of the Lu family is not someone we can afford to offend."
"Patriarch Wu, we have backing. Why are you so afraid?" Patriarch Li spoke. "If this matter is reported, that person will surely send someone."
"Before they even arrive, the other four hidden families will likely perish," Patriarch Wu stated frankly. "The only way to save the four families now is to go and beg for forgiveness. There is no other way."
"What Patriarch Wu says is absurd. When the Lu family was massacred, we showed no mercy. Now that the son of the Lu family has returned in power, how can he easily let us off?" Patriarch Li said coldly. "Going to apologize now would be walking into a trap."
"If we go to apologize now, we can still protect the other members of our families," Patriarch Wu said directly. "If we do not repent, Lord Lu may very well annihilate our entire families."
"Since Brother Wu has said so, let us part ways," Patriarch Li said, flicking his sleeve and leaving. "I want to see what capabilities this Lu fellow possesses."
"A martial arts powerhouse is not someone we can easily offend!"
Patriarch Wu said coldly, "If you remain stubborn, you will bring harm to all your descendants."
Patriarch Li said nothing more and turned to leave. He could not bring himself to surrender to Lu Fan. At this point, he could only fight Lu Fan to the bitter end.
The other three patriarchs looked at Patriarch Wu. "Patriarch Wu, we do not wish to bring disaster upon our descendants. Do you have a solution? The events of the past were not our will. If that person had not ordered us to act, we would not have dealt with the Lu family."
"At this point, trying to shirk responsibility is impossible," Patriarch Wu said frankly. "In ancient times, people would carry thorns to beg for forgiveness. If we emulate them, we might have a sliver of hope. As for Patriarch Li's actions, they are likely courting his own destruction."
The other patriarchs nodded in agreement. If Lu Fan were just an ordinary, unknown nobody, they would not have taken it seriously. However, they knew very well what kind of person Lu Fan was.
In the blink of an eye, he had defeated the many experts of the Qin family, even being able to injure people with leaves. This was no ordinary skill.
On the main seat of the Azure Dragon Gate, Lu Fan sat with his legs crossed, his expression even more indifferent.
Han Yunhai said repeatedly, "The movements of the other five hidden families have all been reported. Except for the Li family, the other major families dare not act rashly!"
"The Li family?" Lu Fan's eyes flashed with coldness. "In that case, keep a close eye on the Li family. I want the Li family to pay for what happened back then!"
"What about the other major families?" Han Yunhai asked. "They also bear undeniable responsibility for the events concerning the Lu family back then."
"Since they want to carry thorns and beg for forgiveness, I want to see what tricks they can pull," Lu Fan sneered.
What happened back then was a disgrace to the entire Lu family. He had no right to forgive them on behalf of all his ancestors. Therefore, no matter what, the five families would have to shed some blood.
"Young Master, dealing with the remnants is not the main objective."
Uncle Fu spoke. "Uncovering the mastermind behind this is what we need to do! This also concerns the souls of the Lu family."
"The members of the Lu family have been laid to rest, but I will never give up," Lu Fan said directly. "Don't worry, Uncle Fu. If they pretend to surrender, I will kill them one by one. If they truly repent, they will surely reveal the mastermind."
Uncle Fu nodded solemnly. This was his intention all along, and it was excellent that Lu Fan understood it so easily.
Not long after, Patriarch Wu, along with many other patriarchs, arrived outside the Azure Dragon Gate, their expressions grave. "We have come today to beg for forgiveness, and we only wish to have an audience with Lord Lu!"
Han Yunhai came to the entrance of the Azure Dragon Gate and looked at the many figures. He then said directly, "If you knew this would happen, why did you act that way in the first place?"
The faces of the many patriarchs turned grim. If this were before, they would have been furious that a mere leader of the Azure Dragon Gate dared to treat them like this. But now, they dared not say a word.
"Gate Master Han, we wish to meet Lord Lu!" Patriarch Wu said. "We hope you can help convey our message. We have come to beg for forgiveness, and it is not a feigned surrender!"
"A few days ago, the Qin family was destroyed, and many of their experts died tragically," Han Yunhai said with a smile. "Do you gentlemen know about this?"
The patriarchs exchanged glances and nodded eagerly. How could they not know? If it weren't for this, they wouldn't have come here to beg for forgiveness.
"Helper Han, eighteen years ago, we were indeed at fault. We are deeply ashamed and have come specifically to apologize," Patriarch Wu said repeatedly. "We hope Helper Han can be accommodating."
"Accommodating is not a problem!"
Han Yunhai nodded. "As per Lord Lu's instructions, all of you can enter, but your escorts must remain outside."
The patriarchs exchanged glances. These escorts were all top experts from their families. They knew the dangers here when they came today.
"What, it seems you are unwilling!"
Han Yunhai's voice turned cold. "If you are unwilling, then consider me to have said nothing!"
"Gate Master Han, you jest. Since we are here to beg for forgiveness, we will naturally obey Lord Lu's arrangements. Today, we are here, and if Lord Lu wishes us to live, we shall live. If Lord Lu wishes us to die, we shall die!" Patriarch Wu said, cupping his fists.
With these words, Han Yunhai nodded slightly, quite satisfied.
As long as these people obeyed the rules set by Lu Fan, it meant they acknowledged Lu Fan, and there would be no further dispute.
Meanwhile, on the main seat of the Azure Dragon Gate, Lu Fan sat quietly, idly playing with an object in his hand, like a peerless overlord.
Patriarch Wu and the others were led into the main hall, filled with trepidation. Ever since they decided to come and beg for forgiveness, they had not expected to leave alive.