Chen Fan initially followed the directions of the youth who had yielded the controller to him. Once he grew more adept at the operation, he ignored the youth and left the minion lane, entering the enemy's jungle.
He ran headfirst into the opposing jungler, who was clearing monsters.
After a combo of crowd control abilities, he perfectly executed the hero's movement and skills, taking down the enemy jungler.
He returned to base with only a sliver of health remaining.
The sound of the enemy hero kill notification rang out. Wang Shuhuan was taken aback and said, "Mr. Chen, not bad!"
"Just luck!"
Chen Fan smiled and continued playing.
However, what followed could no longer be explained by luck.
Chen Fan appeared exactly where he should be, diving deep into the enemy rear where both sides were locked in battle. After a series of flashy maneuvers, he unleashed his hero's skills consecutively.
He completely dominated the opponent.
Three minutes later, his team had a lead.
Eight minutes later, with an ultimate counter-kill, he wiped out the enemy team and pushed down their base.
"We won?"
The other three teammates looked over in disbelief, finding it hard to accept.
"Brother Wang, this is a master! Deeply hidden talents. Where did you find this expert?"
"Exactly, Brother Wang. With this brother here, we wouldn't have lost so miserably before!"
"This operation, this positioning, it's simply divine!"
"..."
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Shall we continue?"
Wang Shuhuan, still in a daze, replied, "Continue!"
Without any further surprises, they won two more consecutive games.
Games like this were ultimately about operation, awareness, and coordination.
In terms of coordination, since Wang Shuhuan and the others were already quite skilled, once Chen Fan adapted, their coordination wasn't perfect, but it was up to a competent standard.
As for operation, for a martial arts master like Chen Fan, it was not too difficult.
The most crucial aspect was awareness.
Having once commanded armies, Chen Fan's overall strategic view, anticipation, and grasp of the psychology of both sides were unmatched by anyone else present.
Thus, his winning three consecutive games became a natural outcome.
Chen Fan put down his headphones and smiled, "Young Master Wang, thank you!"
Wang Shuhuan removed his headphones and told his teammates, "That's all for today. We'll play again next time. Wang Cheng, settle the payments!"
A disciple of the Wang family brought over a stack of money and distributed it to each of the youths.
"Thank you, Brother Wang!"
"Brother Wang is too generous! Come to the capital again next time, we'll play with you until you're satisfied!"
"Haha, Brother Wang, you're the best! I love you!"
"..."
The youths playing the game were completely unrestrained.
Wang Shuhuan paid them no mind, waving them away.
After they left, Wang Shuhuan said, "Mr. Chen, you are truly surprising, always bringing unexpected delights."
Chen Fan asked, "What about our agreement just now?"
"I'll make a call back home and have them steal that Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix Black Jade Ruyi. It will take some time, though."
Wang Shuhuan added, "Since I promised, I naturally won't go back on my word. I just didn't expect Mr. Chen to be so skilled even in these frivolous games."
Chen Fan was greatly surprised by Wang Shuhuan's forthrightness and said, "Thank you, Young Master Wang. Name your price."
Such an item, of course, wouldn't be given away for free, so Chen Fan asked him to name a price.
"Just keep these things."
Wang Shuhuan smiled and continued, "However, I am very curious. Mr. Chen, do you know how to use that Black Ruyi?"
"What is it?" Chen Fan asked. "Young Master Wang, you haven't tried it?"
"Ordinary people can't use it," Wang Shuhuan chuckled. "Lord Ye probably can't activate it either. However, Mr. Chen might bring surprises, who knows."
"I'll have to see to know," Chen Fan said. "But if the Wang family cannot utilize it, then I most likely won't be able to either."
Ye Yunchen, standing nearby, said, "Thank you, Young Master Wang!"
"Lord Ye, you're welcome. If you want to thank someone, thank Mr. Chen. He led me to victory in the game and fulfilled the conditions. He also said just now that he owes me a favor. Mr. Chen, is that still valid?"
Chen Fan inwardly thought that Wang Shuhuan, as a scion of a prominent family, was indeed not to be trifled with.
Having already spoken, Chen Fan naturally would not go back on his word. He said, "Of course, it's valid. If Young Master Wang has any requests, I will do my best!"
"See, Lord Ye, you are truly enviable to have a friend like Mr. Chen."
Wang Shuhuan chuckled.
Ye Yunchen remained silent.
"By the way, there's another matter. Does Mr. Chen know about it?"
Wang Shuhuan asked again.
"What matter?"
"I've gotten word."
Wang Shuhuan said, "There are rumors circulating that Yin Ya Zi and the leader of the Hero Alliance, Zuo Lizhou, were friends. Their clash at yesterday's Hero Gathering was merely staged."
"This rumor is quite outrageous. I wonder where it originated from!"
Chen Fan was taken aback.
"The news appeared overnight and hasn't spread widely yet. It's estimated that it will be common knowledge by today. Many factions that decided to join the Hero Alliance yesterday will likely be unsettled!"
Ye Yunchen had only just received the news and his expression was greatly shaken.
Chen Fan's mind raced, suspecting that Ji Cang had deliberately released this information.
The Guan Pass was not far from the capital, and Ji Cang had a certain foundation in the capital.
Compared to that, if Shang Rural Dragon were to orchestrate this matter, the moves wouldn't be this swift.
"This news is rather unusual," Chen Fan said deliberately. "Do you know who released it? Is there any evidence?"
"There is none, of course."
Wang Shuhuan replied, "Mr. Chen, you only learned of it now?"
"Yes," Chen Fan nodded.
If Wang Shuhuan had agreed to discuss it privately just now, he would have definitely offered this speculation.
But now, he would not admit to it.
As for whether Zuo Lizhou would blame him, Chen Fan didn't care.
Seeing Chen Fan deny it, Wang Shuhuan didn't pry further. "I would really like to play a few more games with Mr. Chen, but I doubt you're interested in this. Please leave me your contact information. Once the Ruyi arrives in the capital, I'll contact you."
"Alright!"
Chen Fan agreed, left his phone number, and then took his leave.
Wang Shuhuan did not keep them, escorting Chen Fan and Ye Yunchen to the door.
At the entrance, Wang Shuhuan said, "My visit to the capital is solely to witness the grandmaster's battle. After observing this fight, I will depart. Matters here have little to do with me or the Wang family!"
Chen Fan glanced at Wang Shuhuan and said, "Then Young Master Wang might miss a lot of excitement."
"Perhaps it's not necessarily excitement, it could be trouble too," Wang Shuhuan said meaningfully.
Chen Fan waved and walked out of the alleyway.
Wang Shuhuan's final remark was certainly not baseless; it was a way of stating his intention not to get involved in the feud between the Hero Alliance and Chen Fan.
His agreement to bring the Black Ruyi was also to avoid offending Chen Fan.
Moreover, he hadn't specified exactly when the Black Ruyi would be delivered, leaving himself some leeway.
From the perspective of the Wang family and himself, by the time Chen Fan and the Hero Gathering reached a conclusion, if Chen Fan emerged victorious, delivering the Ruyi to repay a favor would be worthwhile.
If Chen Fan lost, it would likely mean his death, and today's agreement would naturally come to naught.
His calculations were quite astute. Such aristocratic families that had stood for over a thousand years had their own principles and methods of handling affairs; they would never suffer a loss.
Upon reaching the car, Chen Fan opened the door and got in.
"Brother Chen, thank you!"
Ye Yunchen said, "You've gotten yourself into owing a favor because of me. Just say the word if you have any requests, and I'll definitely help."
"You know what I want."
Chen Fan said with a smile.
"The Dragon-Patterned Compass fragments, of course."
Ye Yunchen smiled. "This counts as completing one task. After we eliminate the Brotherhood and avenge the Four Seas Gang, I will personally hand the fragment over to you."
"Then this fragment is definitely mine," Chen Fan said. "Lord Ye, prepare it early and have it sent to the capital. I'm off!"
Waving his hand, Chen Fan drove away.
After the car drove out of Ye Yunchen's sight, Chen Fan's lips curved upwards, a playful expression on his face.