"Lord Lu intends to take action?" Gu Long's expression shifted. "The Jiang family has deep roots in Zhongzhou. To move against them won't be simple!"
"Anyone connected to the Shadow Organization will not fare well!" Lu Fan said coldly. "The Jiang family deliberately delayed me to aid the Shadow Organization. How can I let this matter rest!"
Gu Long's face stiffened, but he dared not speak rashly. Lu Fan's decisions were not something he could prevent.
"If Your Excellency plans to act, our Zhao family will certainly follow!" the Zhao family head cupped his fists. "Even if it means offending the Jiang family of Zhongzhou!"
The Gu family head frowned, unsure of what to do. After all, the Jiang family and the Gu family had no past grievances. If the Gu family rashly joined, it would inevitably draw them into the vortex of conflict.
Seeing the elder hesitating to express his stance, Gu Wen said, "As my master's disciple, I cannot be absent from this battle!"
"The Han family will also follow your lead!" the Han family head declared.
"Gu Wen, you are a descendant of the Gu family. Your presence there would not be beneficial!" Lu Fan stated. "Since the Gu family head has not spoken, it implies he does not wish to be involved. You shall wait at the Gu family residence!"
"How can that be!" Gu Wen frowned and looked towards the Gu family elder. "Grandfather, say something!"
"This..." the Gu family head said awkwardly. "The Jiang family of Zhongzhou is, after all, a prominent family. Acting rashly might cause unnecessary misunderstandings!"
"Patriarch Jiang, you worry too much!" Lu Fan smiled. "Since we have decided to act, there is no turning back!"
"Lord Lu, it's not that I am unwilling to act," Gu Long said. "I am a citizen of Longguo. To rashly interfere in the martial world's conflicts might draw criticism from above!"
"It is of no consequence. The Gu family is not related to this matter!" Lu Fan smiled. "You need not be too concerned!"
"While I cannot act, Gu Wen is your disciple and naturally will follow you!" Gu Long added. "I only hope you will not hold any ill will towards the Gu family!"
"Of course not!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "My visit to Zhongzhou has been met with the Gu family's warm hospitality. How could I blame the Gu family!"
With that, Lu Fan picked up a cup of osmanthus wine and smiled, "Shall we share a drink together?"
Everyone rose, cups of osmanthus wine in hand, and slowly drank.
After a considerable time, they all set out, heading towards the Jiang family.
Lu Fan also rallied the numerous experts of the Qingyun Sect. Through the refinement of Lu Fan's elixirs, the Qingyun Sect now boasted a multitude of experts, most of whom possessed peak martial arts strength. Such formidable power could indeed bring about world-ending destruction, even in Zhongzhou. Su Dan Novel Network
After Lu Fan departed, Gu Long said in a low voice, "Grandfather, Lord Lu is destined to be an extraordinary figure in the future. Why do you need to be so reserved!"
"Alas, I am old and past my prime!" the Gu family head sighed. "Only you youngsters have such drive. I do not wish to involve myself too much in martial arts matters. I only hope Little Wen will be safe!"
"Rest assured, Grandfather. With Lord Lu present, Little Wen will be perfectly safe!" Gu Long stated directly. "Furthermore, internal intelligence suggests that Lord Lu may have connections with members of the Dragon Group!"
"The Dragon Group?" the Gu family head trembled. "The most mysterious organization in Longguo?"
"Precisely. Those who can join the Dragon Group are all top-tier experts, even formidable beings!" Gu Long nodded gravely. "Thus, it appears Lord Lu may soon become a member of the Dragon Group!"
"This..."
The Gu family head was shocked. He was well aware of the immense authority possessed by members of the Dragon Group.
As long as they were within the borders of Longguo, Dragon Group members had the authority to execute first and report later. Whether it was a city lord or a provincial lord, they all had to obey the dispatch of the Dragon Group.
Seeing his grandfather's expression, Gu Long smiled. "Grandfather, you need not worry too much. The Gu family has a good relationship with Lord Lu, and with Gu Wen, the Gu family will also receive Lord Lu's protection in the future!"
"It is I who was short-sighted!" the Gu family head said with a wry smile. "Had I gone with Lord Lu just now, I imagine the Gu family's relationship with him would have reached a higher level!"
Gu Long nodded noncommittally. Whether it was the Zhao family of Chuzhou or the Han family of Jiangbei, they all followed Lu Fan's lead, demonstrating their trust in him.
As for those like them, they would undoubtedly become pillars of support for Lu Fan in the future.
In the Jiang family courtyard, the Jiang family head's face grew somber upon learning of Du Haisheng's interception. He had never imagined that even with the personal rescue by the Thirteen Sword Saints of the Shadow, it would end in failure.
"Patriarch, now that matters have escalated to this point, will it have an impact on the Jiang family?" a white-haired elder asked. "Lord Lu of Jiangnan possesses heaven-defying means. Even thirteen Grandmasters working together were no match for him. If he decides to target the Jiang family, I fear..."
"I experienced his methods in the battle by the lake in Zhongzhou!" the Jiang family head stated. "I just hadn't expected his strength to be even greater than I imagined!"
With that, the Jiang family head suddenly smiled. "Even if he knows I colluded with the Shadow, what can he do? The Jiang family is a martial arts family. If he truly dares to act, Longguo will not allow him to act recklessly!"
"Your Excellency means..." the white-haired elder asked in surprise.
"The war on the extraterrestrial battlefield is dire, urgently requiring martial arts experts. Even ordinary Grandmasters cannot be casually killed," the Jiang family head said coldly. "Let alone my Jiang family!"
"So that's how it is!" The white-haired elder instantly understood. "To become a Grandmaster represents the destiny of Longguo. At this time, no one is allowed to act rashly!"
"The Martial Arts Assembly is about to commence, and Longguo has dispatched many experts to conduct covert patrols," the Jiang family head said indifferently. "They will certainly not allow martial arts experts to kill each other. At most, it will be a point of contention!"
The white-haired elder nodded, seemingly grasping the logic.
However, in a certain place in Zhongzhou, numerous experts had already gathered and were heading towards the Jiang family, their target being the Jiang family.
Not long after, a sound of killing erupted outside the Jiang family courtyard.
The Jiang family head was drinking tea in the courtyard. Following the commotion, many Jiang family martial arts experts stepped out, unaware of what had happened.
Everyone looked closely and saw Lu Fan stepping in from the Jiang family entrance, his eyes filled with coldness.
"Lord Lu arrives late at night, may I ask the reason?"
The Jiang family head put down his teacup. "This is the Jiang family mansion!"
"Patriarch Jiang, why feign ignorance!" Lu Fan said directly. "You colluded with the Shadow, making yourself my enemy. You used a diversion tactic, nearly allowing Du Haisheng to escape!"
"Since Lord Lu knows, I shall no longer conceal it!" the Jiang family head smiled. "I do indeed have dealings with the Shadow Organization, but it has not breached Longguo's bottom line. Is Lord Lu's arrival today not a bit excessive!"
"Those connected to the Shadow shall be killed without mercy!"
Lu Fan's body was filled with surging murderous intent. The Jiang family head's use of trickery made Lu Fan dislike him intensely.
"Such arrogance!"
A Jiang family male shouted, "This is the Jiang family mansion! How dare you cause trouble here!"
Before the man could finish speaking, he dissolved into nothingness under Lu Fan's formidable killing intent, causing the Jiang family members to tremble violently and retreat.