After finishing their meal and drinks, the old beggar, thoroughly drunk, lay down directly in the courtyard, appearing quite content. "This old beggar is full and has had his fill. I'll sleep here tonight, so don't disturb me!"
"Senior, you jest. My Bai family has numerous courtyards, and rooms are plentiful. How can we let you sleep on the ground!" the Bai family head hastily said. He was well aware that anyone who could become Lu Fan's master could not be an ordinary person, and he dared not slight him.
"The sky is my blanket, and the earth is my bed!"
The old beggar waved his hand. "This is my habit. I don't sleep well in rooms. I think we should just leave it at that!"
"This..."
The Bai family head was slightly taken aback, unsure how to respond. He then looked towards Lu Fan.
"It's alright. He's just like that, and his health is very robust!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Just let him sleep on the ground! He might leave in the middle of the night, after all. People like him are always like dragons appearing only at the tail, never the head."
"If that's the case, then I won't force the issue!"
The Bai family head nodded slightly. He did not dare to overstep in any way with the old beggar before him. Even though the old beggar had not displayed any extraordinary abilities from beginning to end, having Lu Fan as a disciple was enough to show that the old beggar was not simple.
Meanwhile, not far from Bai Shui City, within a main hall, the Li family head stood, feeling very uneasy. He looked around, his mind filled with speculation about the scene before him.
"Brother Lin, apologies for the delay!" Shangguan Yun arrived. "I had some matters within the sect to attend to just now, which caused the delay. May I ask why Brother Lin has personally come? Is there something important?"
"Brother Shangguan, I have indeed come for a matter today!" the Lin family head said softly. "My Lin family has encountered trouble!"
"Brother Lin, please don't joke!" Shangguan Yun said gently. "Within all of Bai Shui City, the Lin family has absolute control. How could anything possibly go wrong? Moreover, with Brother Lin's presence, there is absolutely no room for error."
"While that may be true, I have come today to request Brother Shangguan's assistance!" the Lin family head stated directly. "The Bai family in Bai Shui City is acting with impunity and has expelled my Lin family from Bai Shui City! Brother Shangguan, please help me!"
"There's such a thing?" Shangguan Yun smiled faintly. "I heard that the Bai family is no match for the Lin family. How could they possibly achieve this with their strength!"
"Although that's true, the Bai family has brought in a helper, and their martial skills are formidable," the Lin family head said. "The Lin family was outnumbered and outmatched, and could only retreat in the end."
"Who is that person?" Shangguan Yun asked again. "To make Patriarch Lin so wary, could it be that there's some background behind them?"
"They are not from Bai Shui City; they are likely from elsewhere, but their strength is not weak!" the Lin family head said solemnly. "If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have come to Misty Sect!"
"How about this! Brother Lin, you go back first. Once I'm free from my sect's affairs, I'll go and help you resolve this matter!" Shangguan Yun said with a smile.
"This..." The Lin family head frowned. He could see that Shangguan Yun was unwilling to help, but with their Lin family's strength, it was almost impossible to return to Bai Shui City. They could only rely on external forces.
"Brother Shangguan, this is a treasure of my Lin family. I know you've had your eye on it for a long time!" the Lin family head took out a box. "As long as Brother Shangguan helps me eradicate the Bai family, this item will be yours!"
Upon opening the box, Shangguan Yun was slightly startled. "This is a treasure of the Lin family! As an elder of the Misty Sect, how can I take advantage of someone in distress? Isn't this improper!"
"I will be satisfied if Brother Shangguan accepts it," the Lin family head stated directly. "Please, Brother Shangguan, do not refuse!"
"Alright, since you have said so, it would be inappropriate for me to refuse again!" Shangguan Yun smiled faintly. "The Lin family is so sincere, it would be wrong of me to delay further. Wait for me outside the sect tomorrow morning, and I will personally accompany you to Bai Shui City!"
"Thank you, Brother Shangguan!" The Lin family head showed delight and quickly cupped his fists, a domineering aura about him. With Shangguan Yun accompanying him, he was fearless. After all, Shangguan Yun was a peak Spiritual Master, possibly even on the verge of stepping into the Great Spiritual Master realm. With such formidable strength, coupled with the Lin family's forces, annihilating the Bai family would be as easy as flipping a hand. Even with Lu Fan present, it would be of no consequence.
After leaving Misty Sect, the Lin family head followed the mountain path to a village where Lin Qingbei had been waiting for a long time. "Grandpa, how did it go?"
"No problem!" the Lin family head said. "We'll wait for good news tomorrow. Inform everyone to prepare. Many experts from the Lin family will head to Bai Shui City tomorrow and leave no one standing!"
"Don't worry, Grandpa. My blade has long been sharpened!" Lin Qingbei smiled, a faint cold glint flashing in his eyes. Being expelled from Bai Shui City was a profound humiliation for them, and now that they could return with vengeance, they were eager to sharpen their blades.
The next morning, Lu Fan emerged from his room. He didn't see the old beggar, but he wasn't surprised. The old beggar was elusive, and finding him was no easy task.
"Mr. Lu, you're awake?" the Bai family head approached. "When I woke up this morning, I didn't see the elder. It seems he has left!"
"That's right!" Lu Fan nodded. "He has indeed left!"
"Did Mr. Lu sleep well last night?" the Bai family head asked with a smile, simultaneously marveling, "Mr. Lu's aura seems to have grown much stronger!"
"Indeed!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Last night, I received the teachings of my master, and I am now on the verge of becoming a Great Spiritual Master!"
"This is truly a cause for celebration!" the Bai family head said, offering his congratulations.
Bai Xiaoqing also came over. "Mr. Lu, I dispatched twelve groups of people to help you search for your friend. Three groups have already returned, but unfortunately, there is no news. However, by tonight, the other nine groups will also arrive sequentially. By then, there should be some results!"
"Thank you!" Lu Fan cupped his fists. "Mr. Lu helped my Bai family escape from a dire situation. I haven't even expressed my gratitude yet!" Bai Xiaoqing said with a wry smile. "Why do you need to apologize to me!"
Lu Fan smiled and said no more. Since he had to wait until evening, he wouldn't leave the Bai family. After all, getting news about Long Yi through his own efforts wouldn't be that easy.
Outside the Misty Sect, the Lin family members had already assembled, waiting quietly, their weapons sharpened. With an expert involved this time, they were determined to make the Bai family pay.
"Grandpa, why hasn't he arrived yet?" Lin Qingbei frowned. "Could he not be coming? We even offered the Lin family's ultimate treasure. If he doesn't show up, what should we do?"
"He will come!" the Lin family head said, waving his hand. "I have some acquaintance with him; he wouldn't do that!"