"Since Uncle Fu doesn't know, I won't pry further," Lu Fan nodded slightly. "No matter who is behind this, I will find him!"
Fu Bo wanted to dissuade him, but Lu Fan's words were serious, so he couldn't say much. After all, Lu Fan had grown up and no longer needed his protection. Some matters needed Lu Fan to handle personally.
Not long after, Han Yunhai approached. "My Lord, the Lord of Jiangnan City requests an audience!"
"What does he want?" Lu Fan frowned.
"I don't know, perhaps to flatter you," Han Yunhai said with some embarrassment. "As the Lord of Jiangnan City, to behave in such a manner is truly disappointing!"
Lu Fan said nothing more and walked towards the door, looking at the Lord of Jiangnan City. "No one visits without a reason. The Lord of Jiangnan City holds a noble position, yet I wonder why he has come to Tianquan Villa!"
"It was all my oversight that offended you, my Lord. I have come specifically to apologize!"
The Lord of Jiangnan City said repeatedly, simultaneously presenting many rare spiritual treasures. These were all things he had cherished for years, and he had emptied his collection, all for the sake of pleasing Lu Fan.
"You are quite thoughtful!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. The Lord of Jiangnan City also held some influence, and he might be useful in the future. Lu Fan would not make a big fuss with him.
"My Lord, if you have any requests in the future, my Jiangnan City will do its utmost." The Lord of Jiangnan City said again.
"Since that is the case, I do have something I wish for you to do." Lu Fan nodded slightly.
"Please tell me, my Lord. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!" The Lord of Jiangnan City quickly cupped his fists. Lu Fan's future achievements were immeasurable, and he held a significant position in the Dragon Kingdom. Why would he refuse to help Lu Fan?
"Eighteen years ago, my Lu family was annihilated. There are many hidden circumstances surrounding this. As the Lord of Jiangnan City, investigating this matter should be more convenient for you." Lu Fan stated directly. "If you can accomplish this, I will owe you a favor."
"Eighteen years ago," the Lord of Jiangnan City stammered. "It was a long time ago. If we are to investigate thoroughly, it will likely take a considerable amount of time."
"Time is not an issue. You only need to find out why my Lu family was wiped out. That is enough," Lu Fan waved his hand.
"From what I know, the Lu family was connected to the five great families," the Lord of Jiangnan City said in surprise. "But the five great families have already been dealt with by you, so..."
"There are many hidden details that are not as simple as they appear on the surface," Lu Fan waved his hand. "Just investigate. If you find anything, inform me. You don't need to concern yourself with anything else."
The Lord of Jiangnan City nodded slightly, not daring to disobey. Since Lu Fan had spoken, he could only comply.
During these few days, Lu Fan remained in Jiangnan. After being away for so long, he felt a sense of nostalgia.
However, he harbored many doubts about the events of that year. He suspected that only by confronting Du Qianqiu directly would he know why the Lu family had suffered such a tragic annihilation.
Meanwhile, in a certain place in the Sea Kingdom, on an island, Ouyang Qinghuo and others waited for a moment before rising and walking towards a patch of forest ahead. Ouyang Qingmu followed behind.
"Big Brother, has the Lord arrived?"
Ouyang Qinghuo nodded. "The Lord is quite displeased with the failure of the assassination attempt on the Dragon Kingdom's martial arts experts!"
Ouyang Qingmu lowered his head. "If that person hadn't interfered, things would never have gone this way!"
"So many Battle Spirit level experts from the Sea Rakshasa all perished on Baiyun Peak. You and I bear undeniable responsibility for this," Ouyang Qinghuo stated directly. "When the Lord arrives, he will surely be furious about this matter."
Ouyang Qingmu could only nod helplessly, harboring even greater hatred for Lu Fan. As leaders of the Sea Rakshasa and the sharpest claws of the Sea Kingdom, they had failed this time, bringing shame to the Sea Rakshasa.
Within the forest, the black-clothed elder wore a mask. Just by approaching, one could sense danger.
"The Sea Rakshasa has always been invincible. Why did they fail this time!"
The black-clothed elder spoke coldly. "And lost so many Battle Spirit level experts!"
"Elder, you may not know, but although the Dragon Kingdom is gradually declining, it is still full of experts," Ouyang Qinghuo said helplessly. "If it weren't for that, we wouldn't be in such a sorry state."
"The Sea Kingdom dispatched experts to restrain several elders of the Dragon Kingdom. According to the original plan, the Sea Rakshasa should not have failed," the black-clothed elder said coldly. "Could it be people from the Three Great Sects!"
"It's possible!" Ouyang Qingmu nodded. "Within the Dragon Kingdom, the Three Great Sects are not inferior to the Dragon Kingdom in strength. There must be peerless experts among them. Moreover, that person is so young, yet his strength surpasses mine, and he is not a member of the Dragon Group. If it's not someone from the Three Great Sects, there's no other explanation."
"The Three Great Sects have long had dealings with various countries and do not participate in the wars of the Dragon Kingdom," the black-clothed elder said coldly. "Are their words false!"
"This..."
Ouyang Qinghuo frowned. "How about I infiltrate the Dragon Kingdom and investigate the situation? If it is indeed someone from the Three Great Sects, I will return to the Sea Kingdom. If not, I will kill him."
"Big Brother, that person's strength is not weak, likely on par with yours," Ouyang Qingmu frowned. "You may not be able to defeat him!"
Ouyang Qinghuo's face turned ashen. He disagreed even more with Ouyang Qingmu's words. Among the younger generation, in the Dragon Kingdom, perhaps only Long Aotian could rival him. As for others, he had never paid them any attention.
If it weren't for Lu Fan killing the Battle Spirit level experts, Ouyang Qinghuo would not have even looked at him properly.
"I will go personally this time!" The black-clothed elder waved his hand. "I want to ask the Three Great Sects if they participated in the battle on Baiyun Peak!"
"Absolutely not!" Ouyang Qinghuo said repeatedly. "Elder, you are the foundation of the nation, controlling the destiny of the Sea Kingdom. How can you risk yourself so easily by entering the heartland of the Dragon Kingdom? If you are discovered, it will undoubtedly lead to endless killing intent."
"It has long been rumored that the three elders of the Dragon Kingdom are in seclusion. Apart from those three, the remaining elders may not be able to keep me," the black-clothed elder said coldly. "We don't need to say more!"
"This..."
Ouyang Qinghuo frowned, unsure how to object firmly. The black-clothed elder's figure then disappeared into the forest. As an elder of the Sea Kingdom, a bearer of the Sea Kingdom's destiny, his methods were terrifying and beyond the understanding of ordinary people.
"Big Brother, will Elder Shangguan be alright?" Ouyang Qingmu asked. "Although the three elders of the Dragon Kingdom are in seclusion, if the remaining elders attack with full force, Elder Shangguan may not be able to escape safely."
"The Elder has his own reasons," Ouyang Qinghuo waved his hand. "We just need to do our jobs. Although the Dragon Kingdom is full of experts, the Elder has reached the Hua Realm. Fewer than five people can injure him."
Ouyang Qingmu nodded slightly. "In that case, that person is surely dead!"
"The battle on Baiyun Peak ruined the good deeds of our Sea Rakshasa. This person deserves to die!" Ouyang Qinghuo said coldly.
The Sea Rakshasa was the sharp blade of the Sea Kingdom, and it had never made a mistake. If it weren't for Lu Fan, they would not have been in such a predicament.