On the other end of the phone, a hoarse voice came through.
Despite it being just a phone call, the tone still conveyed arrogance, as if a person of immense power was speaking to someone of very low status.
"It's him, it's Lord Zhang…"
Cao Gongyi's expression turned excited as he whispered to Chu Fan, reminding him that the person on the phone was the Lord Zhang he was looking for.
Chu Fan rolled his eyes, thinking, "Do I need you to tell me that?"
Chu Fan couldn't deny that he was surprised when Lord Zhang suddenly called him.
However, this surprise quickly dissipated, and his heart remained as still as a deep, ancient well.
"To find me, you've truly gone to great lengths!"
Lord Zhang chuckled coldly to himself.
"Hiding like a tortoise in its shell, is that interesting?"
"The Cao family, for your sake, is willing to go against me rather than reveal you."
"Do you think this is fair to them?"
"Haha…"
Lord Zhang suddenly burst into maniacal laughter. "Kid, do you think playing mind games with me will work?"
"As long as I don't show myself, you'll never be able to find me!"
"As for these martial arts families in Shanhai City, if you have the ability, annihilate them all. Keeping them alive is a waste of food, and it saves me the trouble!"
His tone was arrogant and indifferent.
Hearing Lord Zhang’s disregard for their lives and his urging Chu Fan to destroy them, Cao Gongyi's heart turned cold and heavy.
Had he known the other party cared so little for their lives, why would he have opposed Chu Fan in the first place to support him?
If he had known this, it would have been better to obediently reveal the information Chu Fan wanted and reach a cooperation.
Not only would he not have become a cripple, but the Cao family would not have ended up in such a pathetic state.
Furthermore, with Chu Fan's addition, his strength would have made it effortless for the Cao family to win first place in the Martial Arts Exchange Convention.
The more he thought about it, the more Cao Gongyi regretted his actions.
"I hope you're hiding well enough!"
"It's best if I don't find you, otherwise, I'll make your life worse than death."
Killing intent emanated through the phone.
Lord Zhang was, after all, a half-step Grandmaster, possessing the qualification to scorn many.
He let out a few dry laughs. "Since that's the case, I'll wait for you to find me!"
"I believe you have many questions. When you find me, I'll tell you everything you want to know!"
"The truth you seek will surely make you very happy, very happy, haha…"
The call was hung up amidst his laughter.
Chu Fan looked at the phone number and, after a moment of hesitation, gave up tracking it.
Lord Zhang was not a fool.
Before Chu Fan had even started searching for him, he had been so cautious.
Now that he knew Chu Fan was looking for him, he would undoubtedly be even more vigilant. There was no need to think twice to know that this number was disposable, to be used once and then discarded.
Relying on the number to quickly locate his whereabouts would only be possible within the Eternal Hall, utilizing its technology.
In the outside world, it was too slow.
Looking at the crestfallen Cao Gongyi, Chu Fan asked, "Do you know now how the person you supported views you?"
The most sorrowful thing in the world is to offer a warm greeting and be met with cold indifference.
What one cherishes most turns out to have no value in the eyes of others.
"Do I still have a chance to regret?"
Cao Gongyi looked up at Chu Fan.
At this very moment, he truly regretted his actions.
"I'm sorry, you have no value anymore!"
"If your Cao family wants to seek revenge on me in the future, I'll be waiting for you at Shanhai Pavilion!"
Watching Chu Fan's retreating back, Cao Gongyi slapped the ground repeatedly in regret.
Outside the house, the Cao family members stared tensely at Chu Fan.
Chu Fan didn't even glance at them, calling out to Guan Hongyun and leaving.
"Dad, Dad…"
Cao Wei rushed over, seeing his elder brother knocked unconscious and his father severely injured, and cried sorrowfully, tears and snot flowing.
Upon learning that Chu Fan was the perpetrator, Cao Cheng's eyes filled with rage.
"He dares to trample on the Cao family! I'll find someone to take care of him right now!"
"You scoundrel!"
Cao Gongyi roared. The exertion caused him to cough painfully due to his injuries.
"I'm telling you, pretend this never happened!"
"If you dare to cause trouble for him again, I'll kill you first!"
Under Cao Gongyi's fierce gaze, all the Cao family members lowered their heads.
Having personally fought with Chu Fan, only Cao Gongyi knew how terrifying his strength was.
Even if the entire Cao family mobilized, they would only become souls claimed by Chu Fan.
Those who know when to yield are heroes.
Cao Gongyi understood very well that Chu Fan not causing the Cao family to disappear from Shanhai City, as he had initially threatened, was already the Cao family's greatest fortune.
The strong possess inviolable dignity.
The other party had given the Cao family a chance.
If the Cao family remained uncooperative and continued to provoke Chu Fan, even the King of Heaven could not save the Cao family from annihilation.
The next day.
Chu Fan was reviewing the information collected by Ji Ningyue.
As the matter was related to the martial arts families of the Dragon God Kingdom, the investigation was not limited to the martial arts families of Shanhai City but expanded to the entire Dragon God Kingdom.
The phone suddenly rang.
"Little Fan, what are you busy with?"
"Looking at documents, Auntie. What's up?"
…
After some idle chatter, Chu Fan got straight to the point. "Auntie, if you have something to say, just say it. Is there anything you can't tell me?"
His aunt had hesitated several times, and Chu Fan had long sensed that she had something to say but was finding it difficult to voice.
If it were anyone else, Chu Fan would have pretended not to notice.
But with his aunt, he couldn't do that.
Her intentions exposed, Qin Xue smiled sheepishly. "It's like this, Little Fan. The Nan family is planning a dinner tonight."
"The old master asked me to inquire if you have time to come for a meal!"
"He wants to apologize for misunderstanding you last time!"
Fearing that Chu Fan might be put in a difficult position, Qin Xue immediately added, "Little Fan, you can decide this for yourself, no need to consider me!"
In response, Chu Fan calmly replied, "Auntie, we haven't seen each other in quite some time!"
"Then let's take this opportunity to go back."
Chu Fan understood his aunt's feelings all too well.
Although she said he didn't need to consider her, if he truly refused to go, his aunt would definitely be disappointed and sad.
As for the Nan family, whether he met them or not held little significance.
The primary purpose was to let them know that he wasn't targeting the Nan family because of his aunt.
"That's true. Ever since you moved out, I haven't seen you. I don't know how you've been doing during this time!"
"Where are you? I'll come and pick you up!"
"No need, I'll drive there myself!"
Chu Fan did not want the snobbish Nan family to know about his move into Shanhai Pavilion.
"Alright, then I'll see you at the old Nan family residence tonight!"
In the evening.
In front of the old Nan family residence, people began to arrive one after another.
All relatives of the Nan family, no matter how distant, were invited to this gathering.
As a result, many young people were gathered in front of the old residence.
"Vroom…"
A roaring sound echoed.
A latest model Ferrari supercar suddenly drove up and stopped in front of a group of young people.
"Brother Shan!"
"Brother Shan!"
Nan Baishan stepped out of the car, and a crowd of young people greeted him excitedly, their eyes lingering on the supercar, filled with envy.
"Brother Shan, can I take it for a spin?"
Mu Ye, the son of Mu En, asked with a smile.
"Take it and play!"
Nan Baishan casually tossed the key to his cousin and entered the old residence.
Amidst the envious gazes of his companions, Mu Ye got into the supercar and stepped on the accelerator.
The car roared and sped off.
Bang…
Suddenly, a loud bang was heard.