"Such big talk," a voice boomed. "I have been in seclusion for many days, and I never expected you all to be so arrogant."
Yun Yi stepped forward, then looked at the Han Family Patriarch. "Your Han family is barely surviving, merely a dog before the Yun family. How dare you speak so presumptuously here?"
The Han Family Patriarch's face turned ashen. Years ago, his Han family had been heavily bullied and was indeed humble before the Yun family. However, the Han Family Patriarch had now broken through to the Grandmaster realm and had befriended Lu Fan, so why should he fear the Yun family?
"Old man, don't speak too definitively," Han Qiushui said coldly. "Months ago, the Yun family's Grandmasters joined forces with several other Grandmasters to deal with Master, and they were still killed. Who gave you the confidence to speak like this?"
"A mere young girl, you have the right to question me?" Yun Yi sneered. "If you are wise, kneel and beg for mercy, and perhaps I will spare your lives."
"Utterly laughable!" Han Yunhai said coldly. "Your Yun family is facing disaster, yet you dare speak such words? Hurry and hand over Miss Lin, otherwise, we will make you regret it!"
Lu Fan also slowly stepped out. "The Yun family is, after all, a martial arts family. Kidnapping someone's wife would not sound good if it spread. After all, your Yun family also needs its reputation!"
Yun Yi frowned and looked at Yun Bei. "What's going on? Is that person still at our Yun family?"
"Grandfather, if we don't capture him, how will they come to Jiangdong?" Yun Bei said repeatedly, then looked at Lu Fan. "Your woman is in my hands. If you surrender obediently now and cripple your own cultivation, the Yun family can spare your lives. Otherwise, your woman will surely meet a tragic end!"
"Is this the Yun family's way?"
Lu Fan's eyes gleamed with cold light, filled with immense dissatisfaction. He had never expected the Yun family to be so brazen and disregard all principles.
"Useless trash! When did I ever tell you to do this?" Yun Yi said coldly. "Our Yun family is a martial arts family, how could we resort to such despicable means!"
"Grandfather!"
Yun Bei looked slightly embarrassed. He knew very well that using Lin Ke was the most beneficial for the Yun family.
"No need for further words, release her!"
Yun Yi said coldly. "This is the grievance between the Yun family and them. How can we resort to such despicable means!"
Yun Bei had no choice but to order someone to release her. However, he thought to himself that his grandfather had successfully emerged from seclusion, and dealing with Lu Fan would be effortless. Even with Lin Ke in hand, it would be useless. Instead, it would put the Yun family in a bad light.
After Lin Ke was brought out, Lu Fan suddenly embraced her. "Xiao Ke, are you alright? Did they hurt you?"
"I'm fine!" Lin Ke shook her head. "I knew you would come to save me!"
Lu Fan nodded tightly, shielding Lin Ke behind him. With no worries behind him, he was fearless. At least in Lu Fan's opinion, if he wanted to destroy the Yun family, he wouldn't have to worry too much.
"Lord Lu, your beloved wife has been returned," Yun Yi sneered. "Should we settle our grievances? You killed my brother Qingshan and tarnished the Yun family's reputation. Today, you will have to pay with your life!"
"What a joke. With so many experts here, why would we fear your Yun family?" the Han Family Patriarch said coldly.
However, just then, a troop of people appeared in the distance, rushing over with imposing momentum. The person leading them was also an elder, who greeted Yun Yi. "Brother Yun, it's been a while!"
"So it's the Bai family from Xizhou!"
The Yun family members were overjoyed. With the addition of the Bai family from Xizhou, their Yun family's strength had increased significantly.
"Patriarch Bai, you've come to our aid in our time of need. The Yun family remembers this," Yun Yi said with a smile.
Yun Bei, on the other hand, looked smug. To completely annihilate Lu Fan and his group, he had specifically used his connections within the Yun family to invite many martial arts families. This time, Lu Fan and his group were likely trapped with no escape.
The Han Family Patriarch frowned slightly. The Yun family's foundation was already strong, and with additional external forces, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them.
"Lord Lu, I have long heard of your reputation. Seeing you today, you truly are extraordinary."
The Bai Family Patriarch smiled. "Our Bai family from Xizhou also has a considerable reputation in martial arts. Why not give me some face? You bow your head to the Yun family, and I will plead on your behalf. Patriarch Yun is my friend, and he will not refuse me."
"The Bai family from Xizhou?" Lu Fan shrugged. "I really haven't heard of you. But aren't you meddling too much? You don't have the ability to make me bow to the Yun family!"
The Bai Family Patriarch frowned, then said coldly, "Since that is the case, Lord Lu, you must be careful. Patriarch Yun has many friends. Making an enemy of him is not a good thing!"
"No need for further words!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Since we are here today, if we don't fight, the Yun family will not give up."
"Young Master Lu, to possess such ambition at such a young age truly makes me admire you!" Yun Yi nodded. "If it weren't for your grievances with my Yun family, perhaps I could share a drink with you!"
"Patriarch Yun speaks humorously."
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent, and he showed no concern.
If it were a comparison of Grandmasters, they had two here, and the Yun family also had only two. If it were a comparison of other experts, the Han family and the Qingyun Sect combined had an abundance of them.
"The Li family from Zhongzhou arrives!"
"The Liu family from Donghai arrives!"
Just then, a series of voices rang out, and two groups of people arrived rapidly, converging towards the Yun family.
Both the Li family and the Liu family were martial arts families and were on good terms with the Yun family.
"It is a great honor for my Yun family that the patriarchs of several families have come to assist!"
Yun Yi quickly clasped his fists, his face showing delight. If it were solely based on strength, he wouldn't have taken Lu Fan seriously at all. Moreover, the people Lu Fan brought were merely a rabble.
However, the fact that the Yun family could gather so many friends demonstrated their influence and made him feel extremely honored.
After all, with so many martial arts experts present to support their Yun family, it showed that the Yun family was flourishing.
"Lord Lu, how do you feel now?" the Bai Family Patriarch said smugly. "We several martial arts families are well-connected and far superior to others. I hope Lord Lu can see reason and stop acting foolishly, or it will be a dead end."
Lu Fan remained calm and unfazed. Even with several more Grandmasters, Lu Fan was still not afraid. If he were afraid, he wouldn't have come to Jiangdong, nor would he have made such a grand display.
Yun Bei looked arrogant. The Yun family had so many helpers, while Lu Fan only had two forces. Moreover, this was Jiangdong, making them like fish in a barrel. Even if Lu Fan wanted to leave now, it was likely too late.
"My lord, the situation is unfavorable for us," Han Yunhai said. "Do we fight or retreat?"
"In my life's dictionary, there is no word for retreat," Lu Fan said with a cold expression.
"We swear to follow you to the death!" the people of Qingyun Sect shouted.
"The Han family swears to follow you to the death!"
The Han family members shouted in unison. They knew very well that without Lu Fan, the Han family would have been annihilated by the Yun family long ago and would not have achieved their current glory.
When the Qingyun Sect was in trouble, the Han family would never retreat.