“You know each other?”
Guan Hongyun looked astonished.
Wu Qiming gave an embarrassed smile, looking at Chu Fan who was walking up. "We had the fortune to meet once before. I was intimidated by your might then and didn't dare to make a move, ultimately fleeing in disarray."
Knowing he was no match for Chu Fan, Wu Qiming, despite being called a master by others, could only address Chu Fan as "Sir" in front of him.
He dared not be as arrogant as he was in front of others.
"Master Wu, please be seated!"
Chu Fan gestured politely, inviting him to sit.
Wu Qiming's body tensed instantly, having not expected Chu Fan to be so courteous.
His face was filled with nervousness, and he replied with extreme humility, "S-Sir, please don't mock me. Compared to you, I am but a dwarf facing a giant. How can I dare to call myself a master?"
Although his own strength was formidable and many things were beneath his notice, Chu Fan knew how to conduct himself.
If he wanted to break into the martial arts families of Shanhai City, the Wu family would serve as an excellent entry point.
Without being polite, he would not be able to obtain the information he desired.
Therefore, Chu Fan did not put on airs when facing Wu Qiming's submissive demeanor.
"Respect for elders dictates that, how about I call Master Wu 'brother,' and Master Wu can call me 'younger brother'!"
Chu Fan proactively lowered his status, causing Guan Hongyun immense envy.
Even though Chu Fan called him "Old Guan," he dared not call Chu Fan "younger brother."
The address of "brother" dramatically shifted the dynamics, and Wu Qiming was overwhelmed with flattery.
"Old Wu, what are you waiting for!"
Guan Hongyun slapped Wu Qiming on the shoulder, jolting him awake.
Such an opportunity would not wait.
"Alright, alright, then I shall respectfully accept, brother!"
Although Wu Qiming's face was filled with a smile, his heart was churning with apprehension.
Having experienced life, he clearly understood that Chu Fan's politeness was not due to his acquaintance with Guan Hongyun, nor because he was a master.
His politeness was a show of solicitous attention.
If it were anyone else, upon sensing the ulterior motive, Wu Qiming would have risen and left, not giving them a chance to scheme against him.
However, facing Chu Fan, he found it difficult to leave.
On one hand, the overwhelming difference in strength made it impossible.
Chu Fan might be polite to him, but that didn't mean he could take liberties.
Secondly, on the way, Guan Hongyun had mentioned meeting someone extraordinary.
If he could seize this opportunity, the Wu family might be able to make a comeback, returning to the forefront of Shanhai City's martial arts families.
Wu Qiming also wished to take a gamble.
The unknown always brought tension.
After a few simple pleasantries, Wu Qiming proactively asked, "Younger brother Chu, you had Brother Guan find me today for a reason, didn't you?"
Chu Fan nodded. "Yes, there is a matter. But before we discuss that, let's talk about something else."
"Brother Wu, if I've guessed correctly, the Wu family's development is currently in a transitional phase, isn't it?"
Wu Qiming's pupils constricted sharply, surprised that Chu Fan knew even this.
Currently, the Wu family relied entirely on him.
The younger generation, due to the loss of the family's cultivation manuals following his father's disappearance, coupled with the family's poor development, was declining daily, with no one capable of taking over.
Wu Qiming saw this, worried for the family, but was helpless.
It was precisely the loss of the cultivation manuals that had kept his strength trapped at the master level for many years.
Otherwise, he would at least be a half-step Grandmaster now, significantly elevating the Wu family's status.
"I have an idea, but I'm not sure if Brother Wu is interested!"
Wu Qiming knew that since Chu Fan brought this up, it was definitely related to the family's development.
As long as he could help the Wu family stand tall in Shanhai City again, it was worth the risk.
"Younger brother, just state your idea!"
At this point, Wu Qiming was ready to embrace the worst-case scenario.
"I have some things that are precisely what Brother Wu is lacking."
"And you might have information I desire!"
"As long as Brother Wu can provide me with the information I want, I can help the Wu family resolve their current predicament!"
Wu Qiming frowned. "Does younger brother truly know what the Wu family lacks the most?"
"Isn't it the cultivation methods?"
"I have plenty!"
"Really?"
Wu Qiming's burning eyes fixed on Chu Fan's face.
Cultivation methods were of utmost importance to the Wu family at present.
Without them, Wu Qiming knew that if he were to be severely injured, the Wu family would be completely ousted from the ranks of martial arts families.
But with cultivation methods, the Wu family's younger generation could embark on the path of martial arts.
With successors, the Wu family could naturally maintain its status as a martial arts family.
Chu Fan smiled faintly. "Brother Wu, do you think someone of my standing would be bored enough to toy with you?"
"Let alone other cultivation methods, I can even find your Wu family's lost cultivation methods!"
Hearing this, Wu Qiming's face flushed with excitement, feeling as if he were dreaming.
Not only other cultivation methods?
He could even retrieve the Wu family's lost cultivation methods?
Gulp…
Wu Qiming's dry throat struggled to swallow.
"Younger brother, tell me, what do you want to know from me?"
"As long as you can help find the Wu family's lost cultivation methods, I will tell you anything you want to know."
"If I don't know, I can go and find out!"
At this moment, Wu Qiming had become a fish on Chu Fan's hook, thoroughly snagged.
He had no choice.
What the Wu family had lost held too much allure.
This temptation was impossible for him to resist.
The fish had taken the bait.
Next, it was time to get down to business.
Chu Fan nodded. "I need to ask Brother Wu about someone."
"Who?"
"This person is called Lord Zhang!"
"He has a swastika tattoo on the back of his hand!"
"He is also from a martial arts family and is currently a half-step Grandmaster."
Wu Qiming's expression visibly faltered.
Seeing this reaction, Chu Fan was instantly certain that Wu Qiming also knew of this Lord Zhang.
It was good that he knew.
The fish had taken the bait, and there was no fear of Wu Qiming not speaking.
Guan Hongyun noticed that Wu Qiming knew Lord Zhang and, fearing he would feign ignorance like Cao Gongyi, quickly urged, "Old Wu, the Sir's strength is far beyond your imagination. This opportunity concerns the future of the Wu family, so you must think carefully before speaking!"
"Sir is only offering this opportunity once. If you miss it, it will be a mere fantasy to try and turn back!"
Wu Qiming's expression was complex.
Before Chu Fan spoke, he truly hadn't expected that the person he was looking for was Lord Zhang.
On one side was someone he was unwilling to offend.
On the other was the future of his family.
Wu Qiming was in an agonizing dilemma at this moment.
"Take your time to consider!"
Chu Fan walked to the side and sat down, not intending to force Wu Qiming to speak.
Forcing a melon would not yield sweet fruit.
He had always acted according to circumstances.
Otherwise, Cao Gongyi wouldn't have said to escort him out if he didn't know earlier.
His hesitation lasted for about thirty seconds.
After contemplating, fierce determination began to appear on Wu Qiming's face.
Whether he stuck his neck out or pulled it back, it was still a blade.
He walked up to Chu Fan.
"Younger brother, can you truly retrieve the Wu family's lost cultivation methods?"
Chu Fan smiled faintly.
"In this world, there is nothing I cannot retrieve!"
"Of course, you have an even better option."
Wu Qiming's eyes lit up.
"What option?"