Ye Fan's words struck like thunder, stunning everyone present. They exchanged glances, scarcely believing their own ears. What was Ye Fan saying? To kill Mr. Bai or Mr. Hei? Was that even possible? Mr. Bai and Mr. Hei had been famous for a long time and held esteemed positions in the Heavenly King's Mansion. Not only was killing them unthinkable, but even posing a threat to them seemed difficult.
However, seeing Ye Fan's resolute gaze, their doubts began to fade. Everyone present knew Ye Fan; he would never say such things without absolute confidence, especially with such conviction.
"Do you have a specific plan?" the Grand Elder asked Ye Fan after a long pause, his voice low. The matter was of great importance, and the Grand Elder could not afford to be careless. Anyone who knew the Heavenly King's Mansion would tremble at the mere mention of Mr. Bai's name. It wasn't just the Grand Elder; Lei Lao and Jiang Zhong, among others, were also staring intently at Ye Fan, awaiting his reply.
Among those present, only Ye Fan's expression remained calm, as if the earth-shattering words he had just spoken were of no consequence to him.
"The heavens do not reveal their secrets," Ye Fan replied with a gentle smile after a moment.
The Grand Elder and the others were filled with frustration. At this point, Ye Fan was still playing coy. However, since Ye Fan was unwilling to disclose anything, they naturally wouldn't press further. After all, this matter was of immense significance. If even a hint were to leak, not only Ye Fan but everyone present would likely face disaster. Therefore, in such circumstances, Ye Fan's best course of action was to remain silent, giving no one an opportunity to learn about the matter. Only in this way could their safety be ensured.
"It's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, but the risk involved is too great. Without absolute certainty, I don't wish to involve you. I ask for your understanding," Ye Fan said sincerely, his smile gone. At this juncture, Ye Fan would not conceal anything further.
At this, everyone sighed. "Since that is the case, we shall ask no more," the Grand Elder finally said. It wasn't that they wished to withdraw and distance themselves, but they understood that Ye Fan's words were reasonable. Since he had put it that way, they could not interfere further. Moreover, Ye Fan's reasoning was sound; the Heavenly King's Mansion was not something they could easily contend with.
After a little more casual conversation, the celebratory banquet concluded.
The very next day, Ye Fan's name spread throughout Jiangnan City. A rising star, a dark horse, Ye Fan was like a meteor streaking across the night sky, brilliant and mysterious.
"Did you hear? The winner of this appraisal fair was from that small place, Jiang City. They say he's very capable."
"His name is Ye Fan, I believe. Even Mr. Jiang of the Antiquities Association was defeated by him."
"Not only is he capable, but anyone who is close to him benefits. The Wang family, for instance, only got second place because of him."
For a time, discussions about Ye Fan could be heard everywhere in Jiangnan City. Ye Fan, of course, paid no mind to these rumors, or rather, he had anticipated such a situation.
"Brother Ye, your reputation is soaring right now, why is your Xiao Ran Pavilion closed?" Elder Li asked Ye Fan, perplexed. On the very night they returned from the appraisal fair, Ye Fan had ordered Xiao Ran Pavilion to close for three days of rectification, ceasing all business. This left Elder Li, Elder Wang, and the others thoroughly confused. If Ye Fan had encountered trouble or was being pursued by enemies, they might have understood his decision to close shop. But now, with Ye Fan having just won the appraisal fair and his reputation greatly enhanced, why would he close for renovations?
Ye Fan sat back comfortably on the sofa, sipping his tea with an air of leisure. "Elder Li, please be patient. For now, we just need to enjoy life and not put too much pressure on ourselves," Ye Fan said with a smile, showing no signs of anxiety or panic.
Hearing this, Elder Wang, Elder Li, and Dong Zi exchanged confused glances, while only Xiao Liuzi had a smile on his face. "Master is doing this to pique everyone's curiosity and maintain a sense of mystery," Xiao Liuzi said quickly, a proud smile on his face.
Mystery? This statement only deepened Elder Li and the others' confusion. "What mystery?" Ye Fan also looked at Xiao Liuzi with interest, noting that despite his young age, the boy was quite sharp. This was precisely why Ye Fan had considered taking him as a disciple. After all, the field of appraisal required talent, and Xiao Liuzi undoubtedly possessed it.
Seeing them staring at him, Xiao Liuzi's smile widened. However, his gaze then shifted to Ye Fan. Seeing the inquiry in Ye Fan's eyes, he finally replied with a smile. "Master's reputation is now known throughout Jiangnan City. Countless people are eager to catch a glimpse of Master. If we were to open for business now, it would likely attract a lot of trouble, as everyone would want to climb the ladder by leveraging Master's name. By closing for renovations, we can effectively avoid unnecessary problems. When those who seek him out cannot find Master, they won't be able to understand him, which will pique their curiosity. Who is this appraisal fair champion? What is his appearance like? His temperament? His personality? Once they develop this curiosity, they will become even more interested in Xiao Ran Pavilion. At that point, our opportunity will arise."
Xiao Liuzi's analysis was undeniably sharp. He not only clearly understood the motives of outsiders but also provided a remarkably thorough analysis of Xiao Ran Pavilion's current situation. Without a doubt, as long as Ye Fan maintained this sense of mystery, outsiders would never be able to fully comprehend him. Human nature was such that the more curious one was about someone, the more they would desire to know them. Over time, this would leave a deep imprint in their hearts.
Upon hearing Xiao Liuzi's explanation, Elder Wang and Elder Li pondered for a moment before nodding in unison. "So that's how it is. I never imagined there were so many layers to this. However, at this moment, they thought even more highly of Xiao Liuzi. This boy is not only sharp but also very meticulous. Such a thorough analysis is something few people could achieve."
Meanwhile, Ye Fan looked at Xiao Liuzi with approval. The boy was indeed talented, and it was not in vain that Ye Fan valued him so highly.