At this moment, Elder Tang and Li Xiangbei, who had arrived earlier, stepped forward to meet them.
Their expressions were a mixture of anticipation and worry.
"Mr. Chen, how are you feeling?" Li Xiangbei asked.
"It has nothing to do with how I feel, only with strength," Chen Fan said with a faint smile. He glanced at a row of buildings at the foot of the mountain on the left, his eyes narrowing.
Li Xiangbei was at a loss for words.
This was his first time witnessing a martial arts duel, and he had no idea what would unfold. All words seemed inappropriate.
He couldn't exactly say "Go, Mr. Chen!" as if this were a mere competition.
"No need to worry!"
Chen Fan said casually, turning his head to look at the several people who were now approaching.
It was Gongsun Yuan who had arrived. He spoke in a deep voice, "Mr. Chen, Uncle Zheng is waiting on the bridge! Did you bring the items?"
Chen Fan nodded.
"Then, please," Gongsun Yuan gestured for him to proceed.
Gu Yueqing watched Chen Fan from the side, her eyes still filled with doubt.
Her own strength was at the Dark Strength level, yet she couldn't discern Chen Fan's true power, nor why he would be considered a worthy opponent for Gongsun Zheng.
Chen Fan felt Gu Yueqing's gaze and glanced at her indifferently, not paying it any mind.
He turned to Su Yingxue and instructed, "Don't worry, take care of yourself. Think of it as a moonlit outing, just like the other night."
Su Yingxue forced a smile. "Be careful. I'll be waiting for you."
Chen Fan said no more, turning and stepping forward.
"Brother Chen!"
Su Yingxue called out again.
Chen Fan turned back.
Su Yingxue took a step forward and embraced him.
Chen Fan was momentarily stunned.
"You must come back safe and sound," Su Yingxue said, her voice choked with emotion.
After the incident with Jiang Shaolong's frenzy, Su Yingxue couldn't bear to see Chen Fan injured again.
Chen Fan felt a warmth spread through him. He hugged Su Yingxue back and replied, "Of course!"
After releasing her, he strode towards the bridgehead.
A figure quietly appeared beside Su Yingxue, smiling charmingly. "Su, you should trust that the King is invincible!"
The person was Mei Ji.
Su Yingxue wasn't too surprised; she had met Mei Ji before.
A short distance away, Su Yingxia's gaze followed Chen Fan as he separated from Su Yingxue, her eyes filled with unconcealed hatred, which she no longer bothered to hide.
In her heart, she prayed and longed for Chen Fan to be killed by the elder Mr. Gongsun in this battle.
She yearned for it with all her being!
At the same time, the ancient martial artists who had come to spectate began to whisper amongst themselves upon seeing Chen Fan.
"This person is Mr. Gongsun's opponent?"
"He doesn't seem particularly remarkable. Is he worthy of Senior Gongsun's serious attention?"
"It's said he's a business magnate, known as Mr. Long. How can someone corrupted by worldly wealth possess great martial arts? Could Mr. Gongsun have another reason for challenging him?"
"If Mr. Gongsun doesn't draw his sword, this man might not even last three moves!"
"Three moves? That's being too generous, I think one move is enough!"
"..."
Chen Fan clearly heard these discussions but paid them no mind. He strode onto the bridgehead and reached the highest point of the broken bridge's stone arch.
Gongsun Zheng, standing with his hands behind his back, stopped as he heard footsteps and turned around to face Chen Fan. "I've been waiting for you for quite some time."
He wasn't referring to just this evening, but to the considerable time he had spent in Hang Jiang, waiting.
"I only hope this wait is worth it!"
Chen Fan shook his head lightly. "In my opinion, you shouldn't have come!"
Gongsun Zheng remained impassive. "I only feel I've come too late. I never expected there to be a master like you in Hang Jiang. Even if it weren't for the Dragon Vein Compass, fighting you would be a satisfaction to my martial path!"
He then pointed to an object placed on the bridge railing not far behind him.
"That is my Dragon Vein Compass. It's placed there. If you win against me, you may take it!"
Chen Fan casually raised the satchel in his hand. "This contains my Dragon Vein Compasses, not just one, but three!"
Gongsun Zheng was taken aback, then his expression shifted to one of surprise. "You've already obtained three?"
"Including yours, that makes four," Chen Fan said, tossing the bag to Gongsun Zheng.
Gongsun Zheng opened it, revealing three dark, lustrous fragments of the Dragon Vein Compass.
After examining them, Gongsun Zheng remarked, "It seems you've already reaped the benefits of the Dragon Vein Compass? Indeed, one cannot overestimate you!"
Chen Fan smiled. "I hope the one in your hand won't disappoint me!"
Gongsun Zheng tossed it casually. The satchel flew to the end of the bridge and was hung on the railing, placed alongside the Dragon Vein Compass he had brought.
Then, he pointed again to the railing not far behind him.
There rested a long sword in a black scabbard.
"That is my sword. Do you use a weapon?" Gongsun Zheng asked.
"No need!"
Chen Fan shook his head indifferently.
"Very well, let us begin!"
Gongsun Zheng gazed at Chen Fan and spoke slowly.
As his voice fell, a powerful aura surged from him, sweeping across the night sky like a raging tide, piercing the void and instilling a sense of dread.
A terrifying pressure bore down on Chen Fan.
At the same time, Su Yuhua lowered his binoculars.
His breathing became somewhat rapid.
He handed the binoculars to the bodyguard beside him and immediately took out his phone, walking aside to make a call.
"Liangping, the duel has begun. Have your men move closer and be ready to act."
"Third Uncle?" Yuan Liangping sounded perplexed.
"Regardless of who wins or loses, we will make our move. Be prepared!"
Yuan Liangping's voice on the other end paused.
"The plan has changed? Even if Chen Fan loses, we still make our move?"
Yuan Liangping was utterly confused.
He had no enmity with Gongsun Zheng, and Gongsun Zheng's aura and bearing suggested he was no easy opponent.
Gongsun Zheng also had disciples from the Liuyun Dojo, all of whom were martial artists. Provoking them unnecessarily would be asking for trouble.
"Yes, just do as I say. After it's done, I'll introduce you to a trillion-dollar financial group. With their support, you won't have to worry about a lack of funds for anything you do!"
Yuan Liangping froze for a moment, his breathing quickening.
How many trillion-dollar financial groups were there in the world?
Aside from the Rothschild family's financial empire, there were only one or two others of that scale.
Yuan Liangping considered for a moment and then nodded. "Alright, Third Uncle!"
"Have your men set up an ambush outside and then come over so we can communicate easily," Su Yuhua said with a sigh of relief.
"Okay!"
Yuan Liangping was excited, his tone of voice different from usual.
After hanging up, Su Yuhua didn't end the call but dialed again.
"The plan has changed. The items are all on the bridge. Regardless of who wins or loses, proceed with the assassination directly!"
He said in a low voice.
"Understood!"
Xue Ci's languid voice replied, her location unknown.
And on the bridge, two soaring auras rose into the sky.
The battle was imminent!