Chu Family Second Young Master

Upon recognizing the person, Chu Qing felt a twinge in his jaw.

Although he had been mentally prepared to encounter members of the Chu Family upon his return, he hadn't expected to run into Chu Fan before even setting foot in Heavenly Dance City.

Didn't this kid study under Cui Buno of Taiyi Sect, practicing the Wrathful God Fist?

Had he skipped class?

Of course, he knew instinctively that was impossible.

Despite being known for the Wrathful God Fist, Cui Buno was actually quite easily angered.

If his disciples didn't listen to his teachings, he would often resort to beating them.

Chu Fan being here must have been with his approval... but it was too much of a coincidence. Why did he have to run into him now?

Fortunately, from that brief glance, the other party hadn't recognized him, so there was no need to worry about complications.

As he pondered this, he heard the junior sister speak coldly:

"Is Senior Brother referring to your third brother, Chu Qing?"

"Precisely."

Chu Fan led her into the tea house, waved over the waiter, ordered two bowls of herbal tea and some snacks, and then said:

"My younger brother has his own ambitions and doesn't wish to be constrained by the family. He wants to practice his own path of chivalry.

"I thought it was just a child's fancy, but I never expected him to leave for so many years.

"My father and elder brother searched extensively and investigated everywhere, but found no trace of him. These past few years... my father's health has been deteriorating. Big Brother kept it from me... but I know, he misses our youngest brother, and worry has made him ill."

Chu Qing, who had planned to leave early, felt his fingertips tremble slightly upon hearing this.

Chu Yunfei was ill?

His movement to leave froze, and he returned to his original position.

His heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

The Chu Family had two outstanding talents: Chu Tian, who from a young age possessed a dignified demeanor in his interactions, and had exceptional talent and comprehension.

He was entrusted with great expectations from a young age.

Chu Fan, on the other hand, possessed natural divine strength. Taiyi Sect was a prestigious sect, and Cui Buno, with his Wrathful God Fist, was a renowned master.

With a prestigious sect and a renowned master, coupled with natural talent, his future was bound to be smooth sailing.

Only Chu Qing, neither adept at academics nor martial arts, seemed superfluous...

Now, hearing that Chu Yunfei had fallen ill due to worry over his untalented youngest son, Chu Qing couldn't help but feel a complex emotion.

The junior sister remained silent, her eyes vacant as she lost in thought.

The two young people fell into silence.

Chu Qing was the first to break free from the strange atmosphere, as the ground began to tremble faintly. He looked up to see dust clouds rising, and thunderous cries. In the blink of an eye, several riders on fast horses arrived.

The leader had a ferocious appearance, his face as dark as charcoal, his hair disheveled like thorns, and he exuded an aura of killing intent.

"The Iron Horse Seven Bandits!!"

Those drinking tea in the tea house were often well-traveled and knowledgeable. Hearing the commotion, they turned their heads and recognized the identities of the newcomers, causing many to turn pale.

The Iron Horse Seven Bandits had a considerable reputation. They once had a gang called the Iron Horse Hall, which specialized in raising warhorses to provide convenience for people in the Jianghu.

However, the hall was eventually destroyed, and the Iron Horse Hall vanished from the Jianghu overnight.

Only a few escaped, and relying on the fine steeds from the hall, they managed to save their lives.

Freed from the constraints of the Iron Horse Hall, these individuals let loose. Relying on their fast horses and decent martial arts skills, they began to recklessly plunder surrounding villages.

Wu Ganqi, the lord of Heavenly Dance City, hated them to the bone. However, despite several attempts by the Heavenly Dance Guard to eliminate them, they always managed to escape, their arrogance growing with each success.

They had no stronghold, no base of operations; they came and went in a hurry, leaving no trace. Merchants traveling the Jianghu who encountered them could only consider themselves unlucky.

A few quick-witted individuals in the tea house immediately turned and jumped out the window without a second thought, intending to flee.

Just as they were about to reach their carriage, a whistling sound arrived in an instant.

This was followed by a sharp swish, and the person was split in two. At the same time, a thud echoed as a battle-axe smashed onto the carriage, nearly shattering the entire vehicle.

"The Iron Horse Seven are conducting business. Stay put, and we'll deal with you after we're done with our affairs."

A gruff voice rang out, like a clap of thunder from a clear sky, making everyone's hearts skip a beat.

There were also experts in the tea house who wanted to draw their swords, but they were restrained by those beside them, opting to observe the situation first.

Then, the voice continued:

"Which one is Chu Fan?"

Chu Qing was startled by the question. Were they looking for him?

But he couldn't turn his head immediately. Otherwise, Chu Fan would wonder how this beggar knew his name, and his disguise would be blown.

"Chu Fan of Taiyi Sect is here!!"

Chu Fan showed no hesitation. He slammed the table, spun around, and was already outside the tea house.

His expression was like iron, filled with rage. After merely glancing at Chu Qing, he waved his hand:

"Go into the tea house to take cover."

Chu Qing nodded repeatedly and scrambled into the tea house. He tightly gripped the bamboo stick in one hand and the broken bowl in the other, having already stuffed the silver from the bowl into his robes.

Upon entering, he saw Chu Fan's fellow disciple, a junior sister, still sitting there drinking tea.

He felt speechless for a moment. The Iron Horse Seven Bandits had come looking for trouble, and her senior brother was going out to face them alone, yet she was sitting here calmly drinking tea?

However, judging by her demeanor, she likely felt secure.

Chu Qing hid beneath the window and peeked outside. He saw that the Iron Horse Seven Bandits had arrived. Several horses circled Chu Fan twice, and the leader let out a cold laugh:

"You are Chu Fan?

"My seventh brother died by your hand?"

Hearing this, Chu Qing immediately understood. No wonder they were called the Iron Horse Seven Bandits, yet there were only six of them here.

It turned out that the seventh brother had been killed by Chu Fan.

"So the Iron Horse Seven Bandits are here for revenge…"

"Well done, Second Young Master of the Chu Family in Heavenly Dance City!"

"No wonder the Iron Horse Seven Bandits came knocking. I heard that the seventh brother among the Iron Horse Seven Bandits was recently operating in Yan Guan Gorge when a chivalrous hero happened to pass by. Seeing injustice, he shattered the seventh brother's head with a single punch."

"As expected of a disciple of the Wrathful God Fist."

People in the vicinity discussed amongst themselves, though it was unclear where they had gotten their information.

Chu Qing secretly grinned. Chu Fan possessed innate divine strength and had also learned the [Tai Yi Divine Fist] at Taiyi Sect. The power of his fists was naturally extraordinary.

While the people in the tea house were chattering, Chu Fan had already nodded:

"It was indeed I who did it."

"How dare you!!"

The leader of the Iron Horse Seven Bandits roared. Then, with several whooshing sounds, the men among the Iron Horse Seven Heroes surrounding Chu Fan attacked, raising their grappling hooks and aiming for Chu Fan's limbs.

Just as Chu Fan was about to defend himself, he suddenly looked up. He saw that the leader now held an axe, and an invisible aura had already enveloped him.

Any slight movement would be met with a thunderous blow.

Seeing this situation, even Chu Qing, who had been quite confident in Chu Fan, raised an eyebrow.

At this exact moment, a teacup was handed over.

Chu Qing instinctively reached out to take it but suddenly realized something was wrong. He immediately put on a look of terror:

"Ah!"

As if startled by the sudden appearance of the teacup, he plopped onto the ground.

Looking up, he saw the woman who had accompanied Chu Fan now crouching in front of him.