The Jiang family regained peace after dealing with the Shen family.
However, a stir was created within the Beihai region, as many martial arts experts had witnessed the events that night.
Rumors spread like wildfire about the identity of the young man from the Jiang family, portraying him as almost mythical.
Yet, Lu Fan remained unfazed by all this.
As the night grew hazy, everyone retreated to their rooms, but Lu Fan sat alone in the courtyard.
Having exerted himself that night, he knew sleep would not come easily.
The Jiang family head, who had initially stayed with him, was coaxed away by Lu Fan.
Inside the Jiang family's discussion hall, several elder uncles sat cross-legged, with the Jiang family head in the main seat.
"If not for Master Lu today, the Jiang family would have been utterly destroyed! How can our Jiang family ever repay you!"
"Family head, have you forgotten?" the third uncle asked with a smile. "The Jiang family possesses an ancient treasure. Why not bestow it upon Master Lu!"
"Are you referring to the Jiang family's secret manual?"
The second uncle exclaimed in surprise, "That would be most excellent. Although this item is precious, it has always been of little use in our hands!"
"That is precisely my intention!"
The Jiang family head stated frankly, "Indeed, this is likely the only thing the Jiang family can offer!"
"Since the family head has already decided, why bother asking for opinions!" the eldest uncle smiled. "However, after this event, the Jiang family's reputation in Beihai will surely resonate throughout the land!"
The other uncles chuckled in agreement. Previously suppressed by the Shen family, the Jiang family now held their heads high, and how could they not be happy.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Lu Fan was sipping tea when Jiang Meili approached. Dressed in a flowing dress, she moved with a graceful, lotus-like step, resembling a celestial maiden.
Lu Fan distinctly recalled that Jiang Meili had not been dressed like this during the earlier battle.
"Master Lu, if not for you today, my Jiang family would have faced inescapable disaster!" Jiang Meili spoke. "This was originally a matter for my Jiang family, unrelated to you, but now that it is over, may I ask if you require any compensation?"
"Compensation?" Lu Fan glanced at her. "If I were greedy for rewards, would I have acted so readily!"
"I know you are not a greedy person!" Jiang Meili quickly nodded. "But how can our Jiang family not repay such a great kindness!"
As she reached this point, Jiang Meili's face flushed with shyness. "From now on, Meili belongs to you. As long as you are willing, no matter what you ask of Meili, she will not refuse!"
Lu Fan, who had been drinking tea, nearly spat it out. "What do you mean by that? I never intended for you to do anything!"
"I know, of course I know!" Jiang Meili nodded solemnly. "But as long as you are willing, Meili will have no regrets!"
"Since you are so obedient to me, turn around right now!" Lu Fan said earnestly.
Jiang Meili mustered her courage and turned around. Lu Fan had shown great kindness to the Jiang family, and she felt she could not repay him adequately. As long as Lu Fan did not dislike her, she would not refuse him.
"You can go now!" Lu Fan's voice came. "I wish to have some peace and quiet alone!"
"Ah?"
Jiang Meili was taken aback. She had not expected Lu Fan to speak like this, having assumed he might do something to her.
"My heart belongs only to Xiao Ke, don't get me into trouble!" Lu Fan rolled his eyes.
Jiang Meili looked embarrassed and shyly left the courtyard.
Watching her retreating silhouette, Lu Fan let out a long sigh of relief.
Jiang Meili had been exceptionally beautiful tonight, and so forward. If he hadn't made her leave, Lu Fan truly feared he might have lost control, and then things would have spiraled irreversibly.
Elsewhere in Beihai, several figures clad in black stood tall before several white-haired elders.
"Elder, today's matter..." the leader in black hesitated.
"You performed admirably!" one of the white-haired elders said. "Master Lu of Jiangnan, at such a young age, is a Battle King and a reserve elder of Dragon Country. To oppose him is not a good idea!"
"Indeed!" the elder in purple robes nodded. "The Qingyun Sect's influence grows stronger, and with Dragon Country as its backing, Beihai Pavilion cannot act rashly!"
"However, it is rumored that many experts from Medicine King Valley have already headed to the Dragon Capital!"
The leader in black spoke. "It seems they are targeting Master Lu. We did not expect Master Lu to be in the Beihai region!"
"Elder Xia of Medicine King Valley is from the Xia family in the Dragon Capital!" the white-haired elder smiled. "The Xia family was annihilated; how could he not intervene? But this matter does not concern Beihai Pavilion; we need not be involved!"
"The Three Great Sects have always been united!" the elder in purple robes frowned. "If Medicine King Valley takes action, it will be difficult for Beihai Pavilion to remain uninvolved!"
"Medicine King Valley knows where to draw the line and will not act rashly!" the white-haired elder narrowed his eyes. "This time, it is likely only Elder Xia who heads to the Dragon Capital. As for the other elders of Medicine King Valley, they would not dare to act recklessly, for those old immortals in Dragon Country are not to be trifled with!"
"In that case, Beihai Pavilion can indeed sit back and watch the tigers fight!" the elder in purple robes chuckled.
"Remember, at any time, do not come into conflict with Dragon Country!" the white-haired elder said with a serious expression. "Dragon Country's power is gradually growing. Even if the Three Great Sects join forces, they may not be able to suppress it. This is unfavorable to us!"
The individuals present nodded in unison, daring not to disobey in the slightest. What the white-haired elder said was indeed very true. After years of recuperation, Dragon Country was no longer the Dragon Country of the past. Over ten years ago, the three hidden sects joining forces could still hold a firm advantage over Dragon Country. But now, if Dragon Country were to unleash its full might, annihilating the three great sects would not be an insurmountable task.
By the next morning, Lu Fan and the others gathered in the courtyard. They had been in Beihai for some time, and it was time to return to the Dragon Capital.
The Jiang family hosted a farewell banquet, showing their utmost respect to Lu Fan.
They were acutely aware that without Lu Fan, the Jiang family of Beihai would cease to exist, and their hearts were filled with reverence.
After expressing their gratitude, Lu Fan and the other two got into the car and headed towards the Dragon Capital.
Inside the car, Jiang Meili remained silent, her face flushing with embarrassment from the events of the previous night.
Lu Fan also sat in the car, a hint of awkwardness on his face. If he hadn't maintained his composure last night, he might have done something to betray Lin Ke.
"What's wrong with you two?"
Lin Ke asked inexplicably. "Why are you both so quiet!"
"Perhaps you were too tired last night!" Lu Fan chuckled. "The Shen family attacked yesterday, and she must have been under a lot of pressure!"
"Sister Jiang, the matter is over now. The Shen family members have been expelled, and everything has returned to normal!" Lin Ke smiled. "Don't dwell on it!"
"Um!" Jiang Meili smiled, then said, "Xiao Ke, you are truly remarkable! He is Master Lu of Jiangnan. Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"What is there to say about this!" Lin Ke said with a wry smile. "In my eyes, he is simply Lu Fan Ge, not Master Lu of Jiangnan!"
Jiang Meili was left speechless and filled with envy.
At such a young age, his strength was unfathomable, and even Beihai Pavilion feared him. Such immense power would captivate any woman.
Especially Lu Fan's affection for Lin Ke, which stemmed from genuine sincerity. Otherwise, no man could so easily refuse what happened last night.