The car carrying Zuo Lizhou drove directly to the Imperial Dragon Villa.
Chen Fan originally wanted to follow, but considering that Zuo Lizhou was no ordinary person and had keen senses, he eventually gave up.
After Zuo Lizhou learned of Wu Zhao's existence, he would definitely verify and investigate, and meet with the higher-ups of the Brotherhood.
This was an opportunity, but the Hero Alliance was composed of martial artists. Even if Chen Fan made a move himself, the possibility of finding clues was slim.
Zuo Lizhou's shock upon learning of Wu Zhao's existence was not insignificant.
The matter of the Brotherhood became increasingly perplexing, making Chen Fan even more vigilant.
He took out his phone and called Wu Zhao back, but there was no response. He asked Xiang Jing Shu to track the number, but it was no longer traceable.
This indicated that Wu Zhao had likely abandoned this phone number.
"We received news that after Zuo Lizhou returned, the Hero Alliance was restless and wanted to take revenge on you. Zuo Lizhou suppressed it!"
"The Hero Alliance's reputation has plummeted to its lowest point. Many martial artists from martial families and sects have started to distance themselves from the Hero Alliance."
"Quite a few martial artists have also left the capital directly."
Xiang Jing Shu reported to Chen Fan.
"Did Watanabe Gui Ming get injured?" Chen Fan asked.
"It is said that his injuries are quite serious," Xiang Jing Shu said. "He needs to recuperate in the capital for some time."
"Recuperate in the capital?"
Chen Fan could not help but be surprised.
"The Shen family made such a public statement. It is estimated that under the current situation, the Shen family wants to keep Watanabe Gui Ming and Ryū Shō Hyōbei close by, for greater protection."
This was not impossible.
But if that were the case, what was the Shen family worried about?
Even for a Grandmaster of the martial arts world, who would dare to touch the Shen family?
The top aristocratic families possessed immense power and influence that even the martial arts world feared. Even the most unruly individuals would have to think twice before acting against someone from the Shen family.
"Where is Nà Rì Yě Wáng?"
Mentioning the Grandmaster battle that day, Chen Fan thought of someone and asked.
"At the Baiyang Town Funeral Home in the northern suburbs."
"Send people to watch Zuo Lizhou and the movements of the Hero Alliance around the Imperial Dragon Villa. Report any developments. Instruct your subordinates to be careful, as they are all skilled martial artists. Do not act rashly."
Chen Fan said, "If you are discovered, it doesn't matter if your identity is exposed."
"Understood."
"Also, starting now, find out Du Fumin's location and report it to me once confirmed."
It was time to close in on Du Fumin.
It is worth mentioning that Du Fumin was not seen at Qixing Ridge today.
Chen Fan suspected he had gone into hiding.
"Yes!"
Chen Fan thought for a moment, then said, "Coordinate with the special departments to issue a warning to all martial artists on record, urging them to leave the capital as soon as possible!"
"What about the Hero Alliance?" Xiang Jing Shu asked.
"The same!"
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and said.
"Alright."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Fan drove to the Baiyang Town Funeral Home.
It was past three in the afternoon when he arrived.
As he got out of the car in the funeral home lobby, two martial artists squatting by the entrance saw Chen Fan and immediately became enraged.
"Chen Tianjiao, you dare to show up?"
The two martial artists ignored everything else and lunged at Chen Fan.
Both men were young but had rough features and carried a strong, sheep-like odor. They were likely disciples of Xiao Kai.
With a flash of his body, Chen Fan dodged the two men's attacks.
But the two were relentless, pushing forward with their palms.
Chen Fan then stopped being polite. He grabbed one man's wrist, pulled and flicked him, unleashing his internal energy, causing him to collide with the other man.
The two martial artists crashed into each other and fell to the ground.
Chen Fan ignored them and walked straight into the lobby.
In a hall off to the side, a coffin was placed, and a tall man knelt before it, dazed and vacant.
It was Nà Rì Yě Wáng.
Xiao Kai's lineage did not have many disciples. Those who came to the capital this time were only three, including Nà Rì Yě Wáng.
As Chen Fan entered, Nà Rì Yě Wáng did not look up, as if he didn't see him at all.
His spirit was deeply dejected, as if his vitality had been drained.
Looking at the coffin, Chen Fan said, "I didn't expect Grandmaster Xiao Kai to lose!"
Nà Rì Yě Wáng seemed not to hear him, his eyes unfocused.
Chen Fan frowned.
He stood in front of Nà Rì Yě Wáng and suddenly slammed his palm heavily onto the coffin.
The entire coffin creaked loudly.
Of course, Chen Fan used a subtle force. Although the sound was loud, it did not cause much damage.
This action, however, jolted Nà Rì Yě Wáng back to his senses. He rose in a fit of rage and shouted, "What are you doing?"
Nà Rì Yě Wáng's two junior brothers also ran in, glaring at Chen Fan.
"Grandmaster Xiao Kai would never want to see you in such a dejected state."
"What business is it of yours? Chen Tianjiao, I don't want to see you. Leave."
Nà Rì Yě Wáng's voice was hoarse, his attitude cold and distant, filled with grief, disgust, and a self-imposed isolation that didn't want to communicate with anyone.
Chen Fan said, "I know how you feel, but as a martial artist, Nà Rì Yě Wáng, with this attitude, if your master saw you, do you think he would be satisfied with you, his chief disciple?"
"You don't understand at all, and I don't need your counsel."
Nà Rì Yě Wáng spoke hoarsely, his tone furious.
Chen Fan suddenly flicked his hand.
With a crack, Nà Rì Yě Wáng, whose reaction was much slower than usual, was sent flying by the slap.
The other two Wolf King disciples furiously charged.
But they were sent flying back even faster.
Nà Rì Yě Wáng stood up, his eyes filled with rage, and leaped forward, his palms striking with the force of thunder.
However, Chen Fan met him with a palm strike, and with a shout, sent Nà Rì Yě Wáng flying back.
Even with Nà Rì Yě Wáng's frenzied state, he was still no match for Chen Fan.
"Nà Rì Yě Wáng, with your current strength and cultivation, you will probably never be able to avenge your master in this lifetime."
"Indeed, a coward like you has no hope of breaking through to the Grandmaster realm in this life. You can only carry your master's coffin back to the grasslands. Live out the rest of your life in obscurity, marry a woman from the grasslands as a pawn, and spend your days herding cattle and tending to horses!"
"In that case, at least the Wolf King lineage will have descendants and will not be severed because of this."
"This is probably the only thing your master would have wanted to see?"
Hearing Chen Fan's heart-wrenching words, Nà Rì Yě Wáng's body trembled violently.
His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, suddenly bursting into tears.
"Master, your disciple is unworthy, incompetent!"
He was an orphan. His talent was outstanding, and Xiao Kai had raised him, taught him martial arts, and treated him like his own son.
But he could only watch helplessly as his master was killed by Watanabe Gui Ming's saber, unable to do anything. The pain in his heart was imaginable.
In his life, he revered his master above all else and regarded Xiao Kai as his idol. His greatest dream was to reach the Grandmaster realm and stand shoulder to shoulder with his master.
But the master he respected and even worshipped the most had also perished.
He could not see the path ahead, nor could he see hope, hence his pessimism and dejection.
Looking at the sobbing Nà Rì Yě Wáng, Chen Fan suddenly crouched down and said, "I will give you a path."
Nà Rì Yě Wáng slowly looked up and asked hoarsely, "What path?"
"Fall into darkness!"
Chen Fan slowly said, "You asked me last time how I could crush martial arts Grandmasters with my cultivation as a non-Grandmaster. There is actually another reason I didn't tell you."
Nà Rì Yě Wáng looked at Chen Fan.
"Walking in the darkness of the underground, fighting for my life time and time again, was also a part of my experience."
"However, this path is dangerous and dark. Without an unwavering will and a steadfast heart, you will fall into depravity, never to escape death, and be damned for eternity!"
"I... I agree!"
Nà Rì Yě Wáng's expression jolted, and he said.