The scene was silent.
The people of the Ouyang family found it hard to comprehend how Ran Gang, who had come to help the family, could turn against them so quickly.
The most stunned person was Ouyang Qingbai.
He was even more bewildered. Everything had been agreed upon earlier, so why did Ran Gang hit him and then say he was harming him?
The next moment, Ouyang Qingbai understood why.
He quickly walked up to Chu Fan, bowed, and respectfully explained, "Sir, I truly did not know you would be coming today. I beg for your forgiveness."
What?
Sir?
Could this person be a high-ranking official of the War Emperor Hall?
The surprise was not limited to the Ouyang family; Qin Xue also looked on in disbelief.
The Hall Master of the War Emperor Hall's branch in Shan Hai City held a status comparable to great figures like Shangguan Hongyu.
And such a high-ranking figure was now humbly begging for mercy from Chu Fan?
Since Qin Xue was standing beside Chu Fan, she could clearly see the fear on Ran Gang's face, as if he were very worried about being punished.
She tilted her head to look at Chu Fan, very curious about what hidden identity he possessed that she didn't know about.
What kind of identity could make even Ran Gang appear so fearful?
As she pondered, Qin Xue realized she needed to re-evaluate her nephew.
She had initially thought that since he had just arrived in Shan Hai City and was unfamiliar with the place, he would easily be bullied.
Now, it seemed her concerns were completely unnecessary.
Looking at Ran Gang bowing before him, Chu Fan calmly said, "Bullying others with your authority is not the virtue a Hall Master should possess!"
"It is because I am the one here today that this situation has unfolded!"
"If it were someone else, the outcome would likely be different!"
"You don't need my forgiveness. Go back and speak to those five people yourself."
"You are their subordinate. How they punish you is their affair; I have no intention of interfering!"
Ran Gang's body trembled even more violently.
He knew that if he actively sought out the five War Emperors to discuss this matter, his position as the Hall Master of the War Emperor Hall's branch would be irrevocably lost.
He had invested immense effort to attain this position.
With a thud!
To protect his position as Hall Master, Ran Gang knelt before Chu Fan.
"Sir, I truly know I was wrong. Please, spare me."
"Sir, if they find out about this, my life will be ruined!"
"Please, sir!"
Ran Gang looked at Chu Fan with pleading eyes, completely disregarding the number of people watching.
Everyone around was utterly confused.
Who were "they" referring to?
What was Chu Fan's background?
Ran Gang hadn't done anything significant, merely stood there to support the Ouyang family. Why was he now kneeling and begging?
Chu Fan disliked repeating himself. He turned and walked away.
"Sir!"
Ran Gang did not give up. He shifted his knees, attempting to block Chu Fan again.
Bang...
Chu Fan suddenly raised his foot and kicked Ran Gang in the chest.
The esteemed Hall Master of the War Emperor Hall's Shan Hai City branch, a half-step Grandmaster, flew out like a rubber ball, crashing heavily against the wall.
"Get out!"
Chu Fan glared at Ran Gang, who was spitting blood and struggling to get up.
Ran Gang wiped the blood from his mouth, cast a hateful glance at Ouyang Qingbai, and then stumbled away, clutching his chest.
As for Chu Fan, he dared not hold any resentment.
For now, he had only lost his position as Hall Master.
If he dared to resent Chu Fan, he would lose his life as well.
Ouyang Qingbai looked at Chu Fan, his legs trembling so much he could barely stand.
He had not anticipated such a turn of events.
He had never imagined that Chu Fan would be so powerful that even Ran Gang would not dare to defy him.
What astonished him even more was that even after Chu Fan had struck him, Ran Gang didn't dare to show the slightest sign of resentment.
The next moment.
He felt even more despair.
Qin Zhengqi, accompanied by Qin Shan, walked directly towards Chu Fan.
"Sir, we didn't know it was you."
"Our purpose for coming here today was primarily out of consideration for past relations, to check on the situation. We had no intention of clashing with you!"
"We humbly request that you show mercy for this transgression in consideration of my father's reputation!"
With that, Qin Zhengqi and Qin Shan bowed in apology simultaneously, their chests parallel to the ground, demonstrating their sincerity.
Since the Qin family still had some utility, Chu Fan did not treat Qin Zhengqi the same way he treated Ran Gang.
He gave a casual "Mm" and said, "Since you've come and seen, if there's nothing else, you may return home!"
"Understood!"
Not having been given a hard time by Chu Fan, Qin Zhengqi was in a good mood. He cupped his fists in thanks to Chu Fan and left without looking back, taking his uncle with him.
He couldn't be bothered whether the Ouyang family lived or died.
If they dared to provoke the sir, they deserved to die.
First, the Hall Master of the War Emperor Hall knelt.
Then, the Qin family proactively apologized, stating they did not wish to be involved.
The two major forces Ouyang Qingbai had invited were thus driven away by Chu Fan.
All the Ouyang family members present turned ashen-faced.
They knew that the Ouyang family had been utterly defeated today, with no hope of recovery.
Witnessing all this, Qin Xue's expression of shock intensified.
Even as Chu Fan's aunt, she could hardly imagine what kind of identity her nephew now possessed to treat both the War Emperor Hall and the Qin family with such disdain.
With a thud!
Before Chu Fan could speak, Ouyang Qingbai, who finally realized the overwhelming situation, immediately knelt down.
The Ouyang family had faced immense difficulties in its rise to its current position.
Ouyang Qingbai dared not continue to resist Chu Fan, or the Ouyang family would cease to exist.
"Why are you still standing there?"
Turning back, he saw that his clansmen were still standing and roared with anguish.
At the scene, only Chu Fan and Qin Xue were standing.
"Auntie, for the specific negotiations, please talk to him. I won't interfere!"
"Alright, alright..."
Qin Xue's expression was still somewhat dazed. Chu Fan turned and walked outside.
The acquisition process went smoothly.
Considering that the Ouyang family had not had an easy journey to reach its current standing, Qin Xue did not use Chu Fan's influence to drastically lower the price during their discussions. Instead, she offered a relatively fair price, which brought some relief to Ouyang Qingbai.
After Qin Xue left, the Ouyang family members could no longer hold back their emotions and began to sob.
Ouyang Qingbai's face was vacant, appearing ten years older in an instant.
At this moment, his heart was filled with endless regret.
When he had found the medicinal formula earlier, he had thought it was heaven looking after the Ouyang family, that it was their good fortune.
Now, it seemed that this had been a complete disaster.
Because of one medicinal formula, the efforts of three generations of the Ouyang family had been completely ruined.
"Father, I can't swallow this!"
Ouyang Wushuang's eyes were red, and resentment surged within them.
As the eldest young master of the Ouyang family, he knew that if Ouyang Pharmaceuticals continued to develop, he would undoubtedly gain immense power.
Before this, he had even fantasized that in twenty to thirty years, he would become a prominent figure in Shan Hai City, comparable to magnates like Lou Wang, and would be accorded grand treatment wherever he went.
His dream had been shattered by Chu Fan's appearance.
"Slap..."
Instead of comfort and support, Ouyang Wushuang received a slap from his father.
"Father, you..."
Ouyang Wushuang covered his face, staring at his father in disbelief, not understanding why he was being hit when he was thinking about the family's interests.
"Let me tell you, you'd better give up that idea!"
"Even the Qin family treats him with utmost respect. Can we afford to provoke him?"
"Are you trying to make the entire family pay for your reckless actions with their lives?"
Faced with the reprimand, Ouyang Wushuang's face was filled with displeasure. He didn't say anything and turned to leave.
The resentment in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest.
"Chu Fan, is it? This is not over!"
Ouyang Wushuang gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.