As Chu Qingqing’s retreating figure disappeared from view, everyone remained frozen, feeling a sense of helplessness. This was the young lady of the Chu family, someone they could not afford to offend easily.
However, Chu Qingqing’s appearance here did indeed raise some suspicions.
Not long after, as Chu Qingqing returned to Liuli City, she witnessed numerous Huo family experts escorting Gui Ying, seemingly jubilant, towards the Huo residence.
“How could this be!”
Chu Qingqing frowned, having never expected Gui Ying to be captured. The situation caught her completely off guard.
After all, she had gone to notify them, yet such an event still transpired.
At this very moment, Hu Xian’er and Hu Yu also observed the scene. Seeing Gui Ying apprehended, they felt a pang of concern but were powerless to help.
Upon returning to the Chu family, Chu Qingqing’s expression was troubled, and she was unsure what to do.
Entering the secret chamber, Chu Qingqing initially intended to inform Lu Fan about the matter, but fearing he might do something rash, she hesitated.
“You look so troubled. Did something happen to Gui Ying?” Lu Fan inquired.
“How did you know?”
Chu Qingqing was slightly taken aback, a hint of embarrassment on her face. She hadn’t expected Lu Fan to ask such a question.
“I can tell from your face!”
Lu Fan shrugged slightly, then abruptly stood up. “He is my man. I will never allow anything to happen to him!”
“I know your personality, and I know you won’t back down. But you should consider if you are a match for the Huo family,” Chu Qingqing said with a frown. “Rushing out there would be suicide!”
“Actually, I want to know how to dismantle the powerful restrictive force within Liuli City,” Lu Fan stated.
“That is the restriction from Zhongzhou Academy. No one can do it,” Chu Qingqing shook her head. “Unless you can steal Elder Wuming’s jade token and lift the restrictive force of Liuli City. But even then, what good would it do? You are still no match for the Huo family.”
“I see!”
Lu Fan smiled faintly. “Rest assured, if the restriction of Liuli City can be removed, I will surely be safe.”
“You’re not thinking of stealing Elder Wuming’s jade token, are you? Elder Wuming’s strength is unfathomable; you cannot deal with him!”
Chu Qingqing quickly warned. “Even my Chu family shows great respect for Elder Wuming!”
“Don’t worry, I won’t use force. I will only use strategy,”
Lu Fan smiled faintly and then turned to leave. Gui Ying was in danger, and he would not stand idly by. The only thing he could do now was to remove the restriction of Liuli City; only then would he have a chance.
Watching Lu Fan depart, Chu Qingqing looked on with helplessness, unsure of what to do. She clearly hadn’t anticipated Lu Fan acting this way, and it caught her off guard.
A short while later, Lu Fan arrived at Elder Wuming’s residence. Elder Wuming was in the living room, drinking heavily and appearing quite inebriated.
Seeing this, Lu Fan rejoiced. He hadn’t known how to proceed, but now it seemed much easier.
Zhongzhou Academy had always maintained neutrality and did not interfere in the affairs of various families. Therefore, even if Lu Fan stole the jade token and lifted Liuli City’s seal, he would not face sanctions from Zhongzhou Academy.
After all, this was a private conflict, unrelated to the academy.
Searching through Elder Wuming’s belongings, Lu Fan finally found the jade token and left without hesitation.
However, as soon as Lu Fan departed, the inebriated Elder Wuming suddenly awoke and looked in the direction Lu Fan had left, his eyes narrowing as if everything was within his control.
With the jade token in hand, Lu Fan felt no fear. He anticipated being able to remove Liuli City’s restriction, after which he could wield his peerless divine weapon and deal with the Huo family with ease.
As Lu Fan walked through the streets, many people observed him, their hearts filled with shock. They had assumed Lu Fan was long dead, yet he dared to appear in Liuli City so brazenly.
“Why have you come!”
Hu Xian’er looked at Lu Fan. “The Huo family is looking for you everywhere. How dare you enter Liuli City?”
“I was injured within Liuli City last time, but that won’t happen again!”
Lu Fan’s expression was indifferent, carrying a hint of killing intent. The Huo family’s arrogance and unreasonableness meant he would show no restraint.
Meanwhile, Hu Xian’er was at a loss for words, her heart filled with shock. She hadn’t expected Lu Fan to speak so directly, leaving her bewildered.
Concurrently, within the Huo residence, an elder rushed in, a smile on his face. “Patriarch, that brat has indeed arrived, and he’s within Liuli City!”
“Just as I expected!”
The Huo family patriarch laughed, his expression sharp. He had been eagerly awaiting Lu Fan’s arrival. Now that Lu Fan had entered Liuli City, he could not escape.
Not long after, Lu Fan arrived at the Huo family’s gate. “Old man Huo, come out and die!”
The Huo family members surged out, surrounding Lu Fan completely. The Huo family patriarch laughed heartily. “I knew you were loyal and righteous, boy. You’ve fallen into our Huo family’s trap!”
“What do you mean by that?” Lu Fan asked coldly. “Are you saying the person you captured is fake?”
“That was merely a diversion tactic used by our Huo family, so you fell for it. But now that you’re in Liuli City, there’s only a dead end for you!” the Huo family patriarch said coldly. “What a pity!”
Lu Fan scoffed at these words and stated coldly, “I was injured by you last time, but this time it’s different!”
“What’s different? Are you going to defy heaven this time?” the Huo family patriarch laughed. “If you had no weaknesses and escaped directly, perhaps in another hundred years, my Huo family wouldn’t be your match. But now, you are merely an ant!”
“Look at this!”
Lu Fan held up the jade token. “If I crush this token, the restrictive force of Liuli City will be removed. At that point, nothing will be able to stop me!”
“The jade token?”
The Huo family patriarch’s brow furrowed. “You have quite the nerve, boy, to dare steal Elder Wuming’s jade token. Even if Liuli City has no restrictions, so what? Do you think you can destroy Liuli City with your own power?”
“Wouldn’t you know if we tried!”
Lu Fan shrugged slightly, a cold smile appearing on his face. At that very instant, the Divine Emperor Cauldron appeared suspended above his head, emitting a terrifying aura.
Witnessing this scene, everyone present was greatly shocked, their hearts filled with disbelief. They clearly hadn’t expected Lu Fan to control a peerless divine weapon, which explained his imposing aura.
“This is… a peerless divine weapon!”
The Huo family patriarch was stunned, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan, his expression deeply moved. He hadn’t expected Lu Fan to possess a peerless divine weapon.
“That’s right, this is a peerless divine weapon!”
Lu Fan sneered. “Now you should understand why I wanted to remove the restrictive force of Liuli City!”