"You performed quite well!" Lu Fan collected the bank card and then looked at Hong Zhankun indifferently, saying, "Before I came, the Hong family's old ancestor mentioned that if the Hong family members performed well, I should offer some guidance on the Hong family's boxing techniques!
Since I made a promise, and you've all performed admirably, tell them that if they encounter any difficulties in their cultivation, they can find me when I have free time."
"Thank you, Recruiter! Thank you, Recruiter!" Hong Zhankun's face lit up with joy, and he quickly refilled Lu Fan's tea.
Thump, thump, thump... Footsteps echoed from outside, and then Hong Zhanye entered the living room.
"Esteemed Recruiter, my family's old ancestor wishes to meet you. May I ask if you would grace our back mountain?" Hong Zhanye said hurriedly, cupping his fists and bowing as soon as he entered.
"Of course. Lead the way," Lu Fan said with a slight smile, then stood up.
Hong Zhankun and Hong Zhanye led the way, followed by a butler-like figure. The four of them headed directly towards the back mountain. The back mountain seemed to be a forbidden area for the Hong family, as no one else was seen. Moreover, Lu Fan could sense several hidden sentries around. It could be described as heavily guarded.
Ahead, a small two-story building appeared. Compared to the villas in front of the mountain, the second floor was rather unassuming. One might think the Hong family mistreated their elders, forcing them to live alone here.
Hong Zhanye quickened his pace, opened the door, and saw that the interior of the small building was also decorated very simply. Upon entering the living room, they saw a very thin old man with white hair and beard sitting on the sofa. Hong Zhancheng was carefully attending to him.
"Old Ancestor! The Recruiter has arrived," Hong Zhanye said, stepping forward quickly.
Lu Fan also stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This junior greets the Hong family's Old Ancestor!"
"Esteemed Recruiter! Please sit! Forgive this old man's frailty, I cannot rise to greet you!" the Hong family's Old Ancestor said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Hong family's Old Ancestor, you are too kind! Before I came, your elder brother had also instructed me to visit you. However, looking at your condition... it doesn't seem very optimistic!" Lu Fan observed the Hong family's Old Ancestor's state, which was much worse than Elder Yan's before his breakthrough. Even with cultivation within him, it was difficult to halt the approach of his lifespan's end.
"Is my elder brother well?" Hong Fenglin asked, a flicker of light in his eyes.
"He is well. His health and cultivation are excellent! Living for several more decades is not a problem," Lu Fan replied, nodding.
"Alas! My elder brother's cultivation has always been much better than ours. This is not surprising. It is just that my aptitude is dull, and I find it difficult to break through that boundary. Now, my lifespan is drawing to a close..." Hong Fenglin sighed.
"Senior, since we have met, it is fate. I have a pill here that might help you extend your lifespan by a few years. As for whether you can break through the limit, that will depend on destiny!" Lu Fan said, taking out a Gu Ben Pill from his embrace.
This was an item from Huarong Prefecture, and its effects were far inferior to his own pills. However, it could still extend one's lifespan by half a year to a year. This pill was only used to stabilize cultivation upon first entering Huarong Prefecture; using it excessively was of no benefit. Therefore, he had given it to Hua Shiwu and later retrieved it for this operation.
It wasn't that Lu Fan was stingy, but rather that he didn't know much about the Hong family. Thus, there was no need to bring out his own superior pills.
Upon seeing the pill, Hong Fenglin's eyes immediately lit up. He hurriedly thanked Lu Fan and accepted the pill.
"Then this junior will not disturb you further." Lu Fan turned to leave. The butler eagerly followed behind him.
After Lu Fan left, the three Hong brothers stared intently at the pill in the Old Ancestor's hand.
"Old Ancestor! Can this kid's pill be trusted?" Hong Zhanye asked.
"I am already a dying man. What is there to trust or not trust?" Hong Fenglin said, then directly put the pill into his mouth.
Lu Fan shook his head slightly, thinking that the three principal figures of the Hong family were perhaps too cautious. Was it still necessary to resort to such underhanded tactics just because of the name Huarong Prefecture? Hmph!
Returning to the main living room, the butler quickly replaced Lu Fan's tea and then stood by, serving him attentively.
Hong Xiaojiao suddenly poked her head out from the doorway. Seeing that the elders were not in the room, she immediately smiled and walked in.
"You can go out!" Hong Xiaojiao said to the butler. The butler retreated with a helpless expression.
"You already know my identity, aren't you afraid of me?" Lu Fan looked at Hong Xiaojiao and said.
"Why should I be afraid? You're only a year or two older than me. Hehe! Actually, we could play together! For example... drinking, eating roast meat!" Hong Xiaojiao said with a giggle, approaching Lu Fan.
"Stop... You drank all the wine by yourself. And I only managed to snatch a few bites of the roast meat. You ate the rest. Tell me, would I still want to play with you?" Lu Fan thought it was amusing, finding this girl's personality truly unique. He then pretended to be displeased.
"Hmph! You asked our Hong family for two hundred million yuan right off the bat. Are you really that stingy about eating one roast chicken! But that roast chicken was truly delicious. I've never eaten such delicious roast chicken before. How about this, I'll provide the drinks this time, and you provide the roast chicken. Shall we go drinking?" Hong Xiaojiao said, then ran to the door and brought in a case of Wuliangye! m..oΓg
"Good heavens... You really are a foodie! You prepared so much wine just for roast chicken. By the way, how much can you actually drink?" Lu Fan suddenly remembered that this girl seemed unfazed after drinking a bottle of Wuliangye, so he asked.
"Me? Three bottles of baijiu, and a case of beer! How about that? Are you scared?" Hong Xiaojiao said with a bit of pride.
"My goodness... With such a high tolerance, have you never gotten drunk?" Lu Fan looked at Hong Xiaojiao in astonishment, wondering how this girl developed such a capacity for alcohol.
"I've truly never gotten drunk. How about it? Are you scared? Shall we go have a drink? Provided you bring your roast meat." Mentioning roast meat, Hong Xiaojiao immediately displayed a gluttonous expression. She really was a top-tier foodie.
"Alright! You choose the place!" Lu Fan hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
"Then... let's go...! Oh, right, carry the wine." Hong Xiaojiao said excitedly.
"Why should I carry it?"
"You're a guy! Do you expect me, a girl, to carry it?" Hong Xiaojiao rolled her eyes.
"Alright!" Lu Fan shook his head. Even her own old ancestor didn't dare to be so presumptuous with him, yet this girl completely disregarded his status. Haha! She was truly a peculiar girl!
Outside the main door, the butler saw this scene and his legs went weak, almost causing him to fall to his knees. He hurriedly ran towards the back mountain.
On a gentle slope, a small square table was set up. Beside it, a barbecue oven contained some charcoal. Pfft... Lu Fan suddenly raised his hand, and a stream of flame instantly ignited the charcoal.
"Wow... That's so cool! How did you do that?" Hong Xiaojiao exclaimed excitedly.