Not just Shanhai City, but the entire Dragon God Kingdom?
The Central Plains War Emperor paused, his heart suddenly under immense pressure.
Realizing Chu Fan was dissatisfied with the proposal to eliminate the Shadow Sect’s strongholds in Shanhai City, the Central Plains War Emperor explained, "My lord, the Shadow Sect is deeply hidden. To uproot them entirely will require considerable time. I..."
"Is it truly deeply hidden, or are you unwilling?"
Chu Fan's tone made the five War Emperors tense.
"I presume your War Emperor Hall also has many matters it cannot directly handle, and the Shadow Sect is very suitable for such tasks, wouldn't you agree?"
Faced with Chu Fan's playful gaze, the Central Plains War Emperor hurriedly shook his head.
"No, my lord, it's truly not like that."
"How could our War Emperor Hall secretly collude with disreputable organizations like the Shadow Sect?"
"Since there's no collusion, then don't tell me it's difficult."
"If you are incapable, I will handle it myself!"
"As if I have no one I can mobilize!"
"My lord, please calm your anger!"
The Central Plains War Emperor, who remained unfazed even before a million troops, was now struggling to control his tension. He hastily said, "Such a trivial matter does not require your personal intervention, my lord."
"Our War Emperor Hall will eliminate the Shadow Sect in the shortest possible time and with the utmost speed, providing you with a perfect resolution!"
It was unthinkable for the five War Emperors to let Chu Fan take action personally.
Firstly, their assumption was correct; the Shadow Sect did have connections with the five War Emperors.
Simply put, the Shadow Sect’s foothold in the Dragon God Kingdom was sanctioned by the kingdom's high-level officials, otherwise, they would have been eradicated long ago.
If Chu Fan were to act, not only would the Shadow Sect be annihilated, but if he discovered the backing of the Dragon God Kingdom's high-level officials behind the Shadow Sect, he might use it as a pretext to target the kingdom, leading to utter chaos.
This was not the outcome the five War Emperors desired, nor was it what the kingdom's high-level officials wished to face.
Secondly, what if Chu Fan's true intention was not to eliminate the Shadow Sect?
What if he used the elimination of the Shadow Sect as a guise to carry out other actions behind the scenes?
Otherwise, possessing such terrifying strength and immense power, why would he demand the complete eradication of the Shadow Sect over an assassination attempt where not a single strand of hair was harmed?
This action, in the eyes of the five War Emperors, did not align with the demon god's usual conduct.
"Since you are so eager to impress, I will give you this opportunity!"
"I hope you can handle it properly, otherwise, I will have to do it myself!"
Waving them away, Chu Fan walked to the entrance of the Shanhai Pavilion, his hands behind his back as he gazed into the distance.
The five War Emperors, forced by Chu Fan to clear out the Shadow Sect, believed he was making a mountain out of a molehill, intending to achieve one objective by feigning another.
Little did they know, this was a gross misjudgment of his intentions.
Having made a powerful return, why would he need to act covertly to achieve his goals?
Who was he afraid of? Why the need for secrecy?
While the assassination attempt had little personal impact on him, Chu Fan understood a fundamental truth: human effort has its limits.
No matter how dangerous an assassination attempt might be, even a hundred or a thousand times more perilous, he would not fear it.
His request was solely to resolve potential threats.
He might not take the Shadow Sect seriously, but that did not mean others shouldn't.
His aunt, for instance, was incapable of dealing with assassination attempts from the Shadow Sect.
If the Shadow Sect dared to attack him, it was possible they might attack his aunt one day as well.
Chu Fan did not want to receive devastating news unexpectedly.
Therefore, whenever he had the time and opportunity, he would eliminate all potential crises to avoid future regrets.
By assigning the task to the five War Emperors, he also wanted to gauge the attitude of the Dragon God Kingdom's high-level officials.
Were they genuinely submitting, or merely putting on a show to deceive him?
Their differing attitudes would determine future outcomes.
As the investigation stalled, Chu Fan took up permanent residence in the Shanhai Pavilion.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Ji Ningyue arrived at the Shanhai Pavilion.
"Young Master, recently, someone has been inquiring about you in secret."
"Are there not already many people inquiring about me?"
Even without going out, Chu Fan knew that people were constantly investigating him.
However, with the Azure Dragon Consortium's covert interference and obstruction, it was difficult for anyone to gather information, no matter how much they tried.
Those who knew his situation, such as the five War Emperors, would not leak his information, as they were well aware of the consequences of doing so.
Ji Ningyue smiled, "Young Master, you will likely be interested in the people inquiring this time."
"Who?"
"Nan Baishan of the Nan family!"
Chu Fan's brows twitched, "Why would he be inquiring about me?"
Ji Ningyue hesitated slightly and said, "It might be related to Nan Xiuming's poisoning earlier!"
"According to relevant information, Nan Baishan seems to believe that you were responsible for Nan Xiuming's poisoning."
Upon hearing this, Chu Fan, despite his patience, couldn't help but curse, "Is he an idiot?"
For his aunt's sake, he had kindly reminded and helped detoxify Nan Xiuming.
After all his efforts, he was now being accused of being the poisoner.
Chu Fan truly could not compliment the Nan family's thought process.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Chu Fan said, "If that's what he thinks, then spread the word, roughly stating that I have been researching some peculiar toxins in secret."
"Ah..."
Ji Ningyue was greatly surprised.
"Young Master, wouldn't this confirm that you poisoned Nan Xiuming?"
Chu Fan nodded, "If they want to blame me, let them.
"This is a good opportunity to see the true colors of the Nan family!"
"Since they enjoy causing trouble, I will play along and let my aunt witness the Nan family's ugliness."
Ever since he arrived in Shanhai City and saw his aunt being bullied by the Nan family, he had wanted to suggest that she divorce Nan Zi'an and break away from the Nan family to develop on her own.
However, his aunt was drugged by Nan Zi'an and found it difficult to leave the Nan family.
This was a perfect opportunity to let his aunt see the Nan family's true nature once more.
When a person's heart grows cold, certain things that are difficult to let go of will naturally be discarded.
Ji Ningyue, who was very familiar with the Nan family's situation, immediately understood Chu Fan's intentions and nodded, indicating that she would make the arrangements.
In the afternoon, Guan Hongyun suddenly called.
"My lord, are you available today?"
"What is it?"
"I am hosting a rare artifact exchange, and I would like to invite you."
Remembering that Guan Hongyun had gifted him the Shanhai Pavilion, which guarded the dragon脉, without asking for any money, Chu Fan casually agreed, "Give me the address!"
"My lord, there's no need for you to trouble yourself. I will arrange for a car to pick you up then."
...
In the evening, a private car arrived at the Shanhai Pavilion, and Chu Fan got in.
The venue was the Hai Tian Building, the most luxurious hotel in Shanhai City.
Luxury cars lined up at the entrance, all belonging to the powerful and wealthy of Shanhai City.
As Chu Fan had instructed Guan Hongyun beforehand that he only wanted to observe and not attract any attention, Guan Hongyun was sensible enough not to greet him.
Otherwise, he would have been waiting quietly at the entrance like a servant.
After alighting, Chu Fan entered the banquet hall and found a secluded corner to sit.
"Are you crazy?"
A startled exclamation came from the side. Chu Fan turned to see Zhao Jiayu staring at him with a look of astonishment.
If it weren't for Nan Baixuan, this woman would not have had the qualifications to enter the Azure Dragon Consortium.
Therefore, Chu Fan was too lazy to speak to her and turned his gaze away.
"Jiayu, who is this? So arrogant?"
The young man beside Zhao Jiayu spoke with clear displeasure.
"He's Xuanxuan's cousin, a lunatic. We don't need to pay attention to him!"
Feeling ignored, Zhao Jiayu's expression became visibly displeased.
The young man's eyes turned cold as he approached Chu Fan.