Chu Fan asked calmly, "What trouble?"
With the Eternal Hall at his back, even though the Central Plains War Emperor's expression was far from good, few things could make Chu Fan's face change drastically.
"Sun Lianhe's younger brother, Sun Lianlong, has arrived in Shanhai City!" the Central Plains War Emperor replied.
The War Emperor's Hall had comprehensive information about Sun Lianlong.
Upon learning of Sun Lianlong's return to the Sun family, the five War Emperors knew his sudden return home was likely due to Sun Lianhe's death, with an eighty to ninety percent probability.
Once it was confirmed that Sun Lianlong was about to head to Shanhai City, the five War Emperors immediately convened to discuss.
What made the five War Emperors so tense was primarily the undeniable influence behind Sun Lianlong, which ran very deep.
The Martial Sect, as the foremost clandestine power in the Dragon God Country, far surpassed the War Emperor's Hall in both authority and influence. However, the Martial Sect rarely participated in the overt affairs of the Dragon God Country.
Simply put, if the Martial Sect decided to intervene in a matter, the War Emperor's Hall would not only have to step aside but also obediently follow the Martial Sect's directives.
The announcement of Sun Lianhe's death was issued by the War Emperor's Hall, and the members of the Heavenly Mountain Hall who had beaten Sun Lianhe to death were also imprisoned in the War Emperor's Hall. The five War Emperors were well aware that Sun Lianlong's first stop upon arriving in Shanhai City would be the War Emperor's Hall to ascertain the specific reasons.
On one side was Chu Fan, the Demon God.
On the other was Sun Lianlong, backed by the Martial Sect.
Caught in between, the War Emperor's Hall was in a difficult position, unsure how to respond when Sun Lianlong arrived and demanded the specific cause of Sun Lianhe's death.
According to the announcement, deceiving Sun Lianlong would be difficult to explain.
Secondly, if they were later discovered, Sun Lianlong would undoubtedly leverage the Martial Sect's power to suppress the War Emperor's Hall, making things extremely difficult for them.
However, if they revealed the truth, it would be seen as not aligning with Chu Fan, and the five War Emperors feared the Demon God might become angry because of it.
Thus, he stood here now.
Compared to Sun Lianlong, who arrived with killing intent, Chu Fan was much easier to deal with.
"If he's here, then he's here. If he's seeking death, it's not just him. Does it require you, the Central Plains War Emperor, to be so tense?"
Chu Fan's tone carried a hint of amusement.
After all, the five War Emperors were revered as gods by countless people in the Dragon God Country, and their strength was all at the Half-step Grandmaster level.
Being flustered over such a trivial matter did not align with reality.
As for Sun Lianlong, although specific information was unknown, his name alone suggested a close relationship with Sun Lianhe.
However, Chu Fan did not take it to heart at all.
What a joke, to dare kill Sun Lianhe and then fear someone coming to cause trouble?
As long as they dared to come, they wouldn't be going back.
The Central Plains War Emperor naturally understood Chu Fan's amusement. He chuckled awkwardly, his expression laced with helplessness.
Just as he was about to explain that he wasn't afraid of Sun Lianlong himself, but rather of the Martial Sect behind him, Ji Ningyue spoke, "Young Master, this Sun Lianlong is no ordinary person; he is a disciple of a Martial Sect Elder."
"Oh?"
The mention of the Martial Sect immediately piqued Chu Fan's interest.
The Martial Sect, being deeply concealed, had always been a focus of his investigation, with Ji Ningyue's faction dedicating resources to it. However, very little information had been obtained.
Unexpectedly, killing Sun Lianhe had unearthed a disciple of a Martial Sect Elder.
Things were becoming more interesting!
Only the Demon God could create such a stir.
The Central Plains War Emperor continued, "I met this Sun Lianlong once five years ago. At that time, he participated in a border trial, and his strength was already at the Half-step Grandmaster level!"
"Due to his identity as a disciple of the Martial Sect, he was not eligible to receive a War Emperor title; otherwise, he would have been bestowed the title of War Emperor long ago!"
"Now, it is estimated that his strength should already be at the Grandmaster level."
After a slight pause, the Central Plains War Emperor continued, "He should be arriving in Shanhai City soon. His first stop upon reaching Shanhai City will undoubtedly be the War Emperor's Hall to understand the specific cause of Sun Lianhe's death."
"We do not know how to respond to him. We request your guidance, my Lord!"
Having finished speaking, the Central Plains War Emperor bowed slightly, his expression earnest, awaiting a response.
His hurried arrival was precisely to gauge Chu Fan's thoughts.
If Chu Fan did not want Sun Lianlong to know the specifics, the War Emperor's Hall would do its utmost to placate and deflect.
Chu Fan, naturally, did not fear a mere Grandmaster.
He replied calmly, "If he wants to know the truth, then tell him!"
"I happen to have something I want to ask him as well!"
What was meant to come would eventually come. There was no way Sun Lianlong wouldn't find him, even if the War Emperor's Hall helped to placate him.
Chu Fan disliked taking detours.
As the first Grandmaster he encountered in the Dragon God Country, Sun Lianlong presented an opportunity for Chu Fan to see the gap between a Grandmaster from the Martial Sect and a true Grandmaster.
Receiving the reply and knowing what to do, the Central Plains War Emperor felt a sense of relief. He cupped his fists, nodded, and turned to leave.
Ji Ningyue stepped forward and asked with some concern, "Young Master, this Sun Lianlong is a Grandmaster after all. Should we make any preparations?"
With a single command, hidden experts throughout the Dragon God Country would emerge.
Chu Fan chuckled, "Ningyue, do you not trust your Young Master?"
Ji Ningyue's expression changed, and she quickly replied, "I dare not!"
"How could Ningyue dare to doubt the Young Master's strength?"
Ji Ningyue now knew more about Chu Fan than she did initially.
The person who defeated the eighteen guardians of the Eternal Hall and was the first to emerge from it naturally possessed strength far beyond that of a mere Grandmaster.
Her worry stemmed solely from genuine concern.
Chu Fan smiled and changed the subject, asking, "What is the progress on the investigation of Lord Zhang?"
"A while ago, after you killed Huang Shentian, it seemed he appeared in Qilin City!"
"Afterward, many patriarchs of the martial arts families in Qilin City disappeared one after another; they were likely taken by him!"
"Based on my estimation, he is likely preparing to cultivate these patriarchs and then use them to target you!"
Was this a 'drive a wedge between them' strategy?
Or was Lord Zhang truly heavily injured and dared not confront him directly?
However, none of this was important to Chu Fan. He merely grunted, "Continue the investigation!"
"By the way, has there been any news from Azure Dragon's southward journey?"
Chu Fan's primary concern had always been his mother.
Since the investigation indicated his mother might be in the south, Azure Dragon had shifted his focus to the south to investigate. A considerable amount of time had passed, but there had been no news, which made Chu Fan worried about Azure Dragon's situation.
Although few could harm Azure Dragon, he was not Chu Fan himself, and could not truly achieve invincibility. Furthermore, the target of his investigation was an ancient hidden family, which presented a certain degree of danger.
Ji Ningyue shook her head, "We have not received any news from Lord Azure Dragon yet."
"Lord Azure Dragon moves without a trace. Unless he contacts us actively, we cannot reach him!"
Chu Fan nodded, "Try to contact him and inform me immediately if there's any news."
Azure Dragon's continued silence had instilled a trace of worry in Chu Fan's heart.
This was not Azure Dragon's usual demeanor.
"Yes, Young Master!"
After Ji Ningyue left, Chu Fan entered the underground chamber to continue absorbing the power of the dragon veins.
A fierce battle was imminent.
Although he did not take Sun Lianlong seriously at all, it was always wise to be cautious.
The peculiar poison had a significant impact on his body, and Chu Fan did not want any errors to occur during the fight.
Time flew by, and the next day arrived.
As the first rays of morning sunshine illuminated the main hall of the Shanhai Pavilion, Sun Lianlong, dressed in simple attire, arrived at the foot of the Shanhai Pavilion.