The newcomer's words incensed the disciples of Fang Baiyan.
Some of the guests also slammed their fists on the table.
"Sir, you are being overly aggressive. Presenting a coffin as a birthday gift is beyond the pale! Do you truly believe there's no one to oppose you in the two regions of Jing and Jin?" Zhao Baihe, a prominent figure at the head table, spoke with a deep, imposing voice.
"Indeed, we are all respected individuals in the martial arts world. How dare you be so audacious? Do you think we will stand by idly?"
"How dare you insult Master Fang in such a manner? Have you asked us first?"
"..."
The guests were filled with righteous indignation.
However, Old Master Rong, seated there, remained motionless, seemingly unconcerned with the injustice.
The newcomer scanned the crowd with a dismissive smile, showing no regard for the righteous anger of the martial arts figures present.
He declared arrogantly, "Mere roosters and mongrels, not worth mentioning!"
Fang Baiyan clenched his fists, his face turning somewhat pale.
"Hmph, Huo Baitao of the Huo family's fist from Jinmen, I shall be the first to face you!"
A figure flashed forward, striking directly at the newcomer.
With a sound like wind and thunder, Huo Baitao, who had stepped forward righteously, was undoubtedly a master at the Dark Energy level.
He moved like a leaping tiger, throwing a punch at the newcomer. His boxing was seasoned, and his punches were powerful.
But the newcomer simply raised his hand, palm open, and pressed it against the punch.
With a bang, Huo Baitao was sent flying backward, overturning a table and scattering wine, food, and dishes everywhere.
Those seated at that table quickly moved aside but were still affected. Several were knocked to the ground, groaning, their injuries uncertain.
The moment an expert made a move, one could tell their prowess. Witnessing this, many guests from the martial arts world were shocked.
Huo Baitao was a renowned boxer in Jinmen. His Dark Energy cultivation was not unrivaled in Jinmen, but the number of people who could reliably defeat him could be counted on one's fingers.
Jinmen, as a birthplace of martial arts, had produced many masters. Huo Baitao was a recognized name among them, yet he could not withstand the newcomer's casual palm strike.
This indicated that the newcomer's strength was at least at the Hua Jin level.
"This is an expert!" Shang Wushuang, beside Chen Fan, became even more solemn, saying with concern, "The Fang family is in great trouble!"
Chen Fan could see this without her needing to say it.
However, at this moment, he was pondering the enmity between the newcomer and Fang Baiyan.
Their grudge had been vaguely stated, sparking his imagination.
Many turned their gaze towards Old Master Rong, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Since Huo Baitao could not withstand even one move, Old Master Rong, with his high status and strength, was considered the most formidable present.
Many believed that since Old Master Rong had come to the banquet, he could not stand idly by.
Under the gaze of many, Old Master Rong still showed no reaction.
A guest could not help but say, "We implore Elder Rong to uphold justice!"
"Elder Rong is renowned throughout Qilu, and his cultivation is profound. He surely cannot stand by and do nothing at this moment, can he?"
"Elder Rong, please mediate!"
"..."
Upon hearing the crowd's words, Old Master Rong shook his head and stood up, saying, "I am no match for him!"
He then cupped his hands towards the newcomer and said, "Blood Fiend Palm Luo Bin, you are a long-established master, a true patriarch. If Master Fang has offended you in any way, I will act as a mediator. Let him offer you an apology, and with my humble respect, can we discuss this amicably?"
His words sent a jolt through many.
Blood Fiend Palm Luo Bin?
This man was infamous in the martial arts world, responsible for many bloody incidents.
Furthermore, his martial arts cultivation was extremely powerful, and his attacks were ruthless.
In the old era, such a person would be considered an evil faction expert.
Of course, times had changed. The distinction between good and evil in the martial arts world was no longer as emphasized. Under the constraints of secular law, people were more focused on interests.
The laws of this era also imposed restrictions on the martial arts world. If not discovered, so be it, but once discovered, the police would apprehend them without mercy.
This Luo Bin was also a wanted criminal by the authorities, with a bloody record.
How could Fang Baiyan have offended such a person?
For a time, many fell silent.
"So it's Old Master Rong. Why aren't you staying in Jibei and instead coming here?"
Hearing Old Master Rong's words, Luo Bin sneered and said, "It's best you don't meddle in such affairs. Otherwise, your lifetime of fame will be ruined, and it will not be worth the loss!"
"When one sees injustice, someone must intervene. This is precisely what distinguishes the martial arts world from the secular world."
Old Master Rong spoke courteously, "May I ask what grievance Master Fang has with you that has led you to be so overbearing as to bring a coffin to a birthday celebration?"
"Since Elder Rong inquires, I shall grant you some face!"
Luo Bin said with a cold smile, "A disciple who repays kindness with enmity, a scoundrel who bites the hand that feeds him, should he not be killed?"
Everyone present was taken aback.
"The Fang family of Jing and Jin was already in decline. Years ago, Fang some person was destitute and had no one to rely on, reduced to doing manual labor at the docks. It was his noble benefactor who supported him, funded him unconditionally, and financed him to seek renowned masters and learn martial arts."
"He also utilized various resources to invest and collaborate with him, establishing the Fang Family Martial Arts School and helping him manage it, dedicating all his efforts to ensure he achieved his current status and wealth!"
"However, just a year ago, he repaid kindness with enmity, seeking to expel his benefactor, and refused to return even a fraction of the benefactor's investment!"
"His benefactor naturally refused. Who would have thought that in the ensuing conflict, he would brutally strike and kill the benefactor who had supported him for over a decade, helped him achieve fame, and nurtured countless disciples? He disposed of the body, leaving no trace of the person, alive or dead!"
"Should such a madman, such a black-hearted wretch, not be killed?"
"..."
As Luo Bin's accusation unfolded, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.
Not only the guests seated in the third courtyard but also countless guests outside crowding at the entrance to witness the spectacle, upon hearing this, were incredulous and buzzed with discussion.
Such news was explosive!
"How is this possible? How could Master Fang be such a person?"
"This account is too terrifying. Master Fang is a model teacher, highly respected. Could he have done such a thing?"
"If this is true, then Luo Bin bringing a coffin as a gift is actually gratifying!"
"..."
Fang Baiyan's face turned pale, and his body swayed precariously.
His reaction seemed to validate Luo Bin's words.
Even Shang Wushuang's eyes widened, finding it unbelievable.
"You're lying!"
A sharp retort rang out, clearly from Fang Jie.
She pursed her lips, her face pale, and defended her father, "My father is absolutely not that kind of person!"
Luo Bin let out a cold laugh and said slowly, "Whether he is that kind of person or not, you can ask Fang Baiyan yourself!"
Old Master Rong narrowed his eyes and said, "If this is indeed the case, then I, this old man, have been meddling unnecessarily. Master Fang, tell us what exactly happened? Is what Mr. Luo said true?"
Fang Baiyan raised his hand towards the sky and sighed, "You are too ruthless!"
His reply was strange, neither a refutation nor a direct admission.
"Is it true or not?"
Old Master Rong said, "Master Fang, if it is not true, you can refute it. Given Mr. Luo's reputation, people would naturally believe you more readily!"
"The death of Brother Zhongying was indeed at my hands!"
After a sigh, Fang Baiyan wept and said, "Without him, I, Fang Baiyan, would not have today. I killed him with my own hands!"
His words sent the crowd into an uproar.
Especially Fang Baiyan's disciples, their eyes widened, completely unable to accept this reality.
The "Brother Zhongying" Fang Baiyan spoke of was known to Fang Baiyan's core disciples as the benefactor who had supported and built Fang Baiyan's career, and who had died unexpectedly a year ago.
It turned out that Fang Baiyan was the one who had killed him?