Seeing Feng Ya being taken away, Chen Fan didn't delay, nodded to Fang Baiyan, and jumped off the stage.
Fang Baiyan felt a bit resentful towards Chen Fan in his heart, but naturally, he couldn't openly express it. He cupped his hands with a smile on the stage and said, "Young and spirited, it's inevitable to have some disputes, but it's not a big deal. Thank you for your extraordinary favor towards this humble self. We'll have a few more drinks later!"
With that, he gestured for his disciples to start the feast.
So, the many disciples went to the front courtyard, asking the kitchen to send dishes and wine to begin the banquet.
As Fang Baiyan was about to step down and be seated, guests arrived.
"Rong Yihuan, the elder from the Rong family of Jibei, has arrived!"
A Fang Sect disciple announced.
Several people strode in.
Fang Baiyan was stunned, finding it hard to believe.
The leader among them was over seventy years old, energetic and spirited. It was Elder Rong himself.
After the initial disbelief, Fang Baiyan quickly jumped onto the stage and went to greet him, bowing and cupping his fists. "This humble Fang pays his respects to Elder Rong. How could my humble birthday warrant the personal presence of Elder Rong?"
Elder Rong looked at Fang Baiyan with a peculiar expression and smiled. "I happened to be in Jinmen and heard of Sect Master Fang's sixtieth birthday. I came uninvited, hoping I haven't caused you any trouble!"
"Not at all, not at all. How fortunate I am!"
Fang Baiyan quickly said, "Elder Rong, please take the honored seat. This humble Fang will surely toast Elder Rong a few times later. I hope Elder Rong won't find the wine and dishes lacking!"
"They won't be," Elder Rong replied faintly and, at Fang Baiyan's invitation, took his seat.
Other guests from the martial arts world also rose to salute him, showing the extraordinary status of Elder Rong.
"The Rong family of Jibei is a martial arts family. This Elder Rong is a peak Hua Jin expert and was famous in his early years. I didn't expect him to attend the banquet!" Shang Wushuang, beside Chen Fan, explained.
Chen Fan asked, "How does he compare to your Shang family?"
"Naturally, he's not as well-regarded," Shang Wushuang said proudly. "In terms of history and heritage, the Rong family was originally above ours. However, my father is a Martial Arts Grandmaster, while Elder Rong is not. The Rong family has no Grandmaster."
From this, one could see the importance of a Martial Arts Grandmaster to a martial arts family.
In contrast, although Fang Baiyan had taught many disciples, his status in the martial arts world wasn't particularly high.
After all, straddling both the secular and martial arts worlds, to some extent, indicated that his standing in both might not be sufficient.
This was perhaps why Fang Baiyan was so respectful and attentive to Elder Rong.
Therefore, even though Elder Rong hadn't brought a gift, Fang Baiyan didn't mention it at all.
Chen Fan withdrew his gaze and didn't pay much attention to Elder Rong's arrival.
The banquet began, and various dishes were served in a steady stream.
Fang Baiyan's birthday banquet this time was naturally not to be meager. The dishes were exquisite, yet retained traditional portions.
After a few rounds of drinks, many guests rose to toast Elder Rong and Fang Baiyan.
After dealing with a few toasts, Fang Baiyan stood up and said, "Thank you all for your kindness. On my humble birthday, I am deeply grateful for everyone taking the time to attend this banquet. This cup is for all of you."
The crowd responded and drank the cup together.
Fang Baiyan then had his disciples pour a second cup and said, "My martial arts talent is limited, so I shifted to opening martial arts schools and teaching disciples. In the latter half of my life, I have taught many apprentices, and some of them have learned exceptionally well, surpassing their master."
"Today, they intend to showcase a bit, which also adds some liveliness to my humble birthday."
"This second cup is to thank all of you for believing in my disciples. It is precisely their contribution and support that have brought me to where I am today!"
Many disciples quickly bowed and said they dared not accept such praise.
"Then let them perform and liven up the banquet for our guests!"
The disciples loudly agreed. The head disciple went back on stage and performed swordsmanship.
The scene indeed became much livelier and more festive.
While watching the performance, everyone ate, drank, and chatted, preventing the banquet from becoming monotonous.
Chen Fan still hadn't seen Fang Da appear, but he wasn't in a hurry, chatting casually with Shang Wushuang.
However, at this moment, a commotion and uproar came from outside. This clamor grew louder and louder, engulfing the entire Fang manor.
A disciple rushed in.
"Master, trouble! Someone is here with a coffin, looking for a fight!"
The disciple ran to Fang Baiyan's table and exclaimed in fear, "He's broken in!"
The disciples remaining in this third courtyard were all inner disciples of Fang Baiyan. Upon hearing this, their anger surged, and they rushed out of the inner courtyard.
Fang Baiyan was also stunned.
However, he remained calm, stood up, and said, "Something has happened. Please remain seated, everyone. I will apologize to you all once I've resolved it!"
He rose to walk towards the entrance, but suddenly stopped.
A powerful aura of pressure had already appeared.
Immediately after, a dark coffin flew in from the courtyard entrance and crashed directly in front of the erected martial arts stage.
The coffin lid fell to the ground. Inside, a person, covered in blood and with a head injury, climbed out and cried, "Help me..."
It turned out there was someone inside the coffin.
Accompanied by the groans and moans of some Fang Sect disciples, a figure appeared in everyone's sight.
Fang Baiyan's expression changed slightly as he witnessed this scene.
Chen Fan looked at all this with surprise and astonishment.
He had absolutely not expected such a scene to unfold at the Fang family's birthday banquet.
Bringing a coffin as a birthday gift was something that only happened in novels; it was truly shocking.
How deep was the grudge, how intense the hatred, to cause such an event?
The first reaction was naturally that someone had come for revenge, and it was a life-and-death vendetta.
Shang Wushuang was equally shocked.
Several Fang family disciples retreated, all injured and their faces filled with indignation.
The person who emerged from the coffin saw Fang Baiyan and his face lit up with joy. "Dad, it's him! He captured me and locked me in the coffin!"
Looking at this person, Fang Baiyan's face darkened. He slapped the person to the ground and shouted, "Useless wretch, go back and reflect!"
"Dad, this person, he's so vicious..."
The person was still clamoring.
Fang Jie quickly stepped forward and pulled the person away.
Chen Fan withdrew his gaze and asked, "Fang Da?"
"It's him!" Shang Wushuang replied, a look of confusion on his face. "I've never heard of Uncle-Master Fang having such a deep enmity with anyone!"
"Fang Baiyan, I heard it's your sixtieth birthday today. I've prepared a coffin for you to depart on such a fine day!"
The newcomer's demeanor was powerful and fierce. He looked down at Fang Baiyan disdainfully and spoke.
Fang Baiyan was filled with shock and extreme anger, but he instead cupped his hands and said, "What do you call yourself, sir? I don't recall knowing you. I don't know what kind of grudge has led you to come here with a coffin to challenge me?"
"We indeed do not know each other!" The newcomer replied, hands behind his back, with an arrogant expression. "But you know some things in your heart. You've been given opportunities repeatedly, yet you still don't cherish them. The outcome today is inevitable."
"According to the rules of the martial arts world, by bringing a coffin today, it means we fight to the death!"
His words were somewhat cryptic, but upon hearing them, Fang Baiyan's face changed drastically, and his previous calm demeanor vanished.
"Now, you can end it yourself!" The newcomer continued. "Under my palm, you have no chance of survival!"