Pushing People Too Far

The smoke and dust slowly dispersed, gradually revealing two figures.

Li Xiao stood rigidly where he was, his expression frighteningly grim.

A closer look revealed that he had been forced back two steps. Most of the clothes across his chest had split open, and his face was covered in dust. Though he looked somewhat disheveled, he did not appear to be injured.

More than ten meters opposite him, the old man wearing the Cracked Mask was likewise still standing.

A deep furrow had been plowed beneath his feet, stretching five or six meters long—the impact just now had forcibly shoved him back, his feet scraping this trail straight into the stone pavement.

So... who had won?

The same question surfaced in the minds of everyone present.

The next moment, a faint cracking sound shattered the silence.

Another fine crack spread along the old fracture in the Cracked Mask on Lu Fan's face.

The corner of Li Xiao's mouth twitched. Just as he was about to reveal a smug, cold smile, the clothing over his chest suddenly burst apart—a bright-red fist print stood starkly in the center of his chest, while the skin around it had darkened slightly, as though it had been branded by a scorching iron.

Li Xiao's expression instantly turned incomparably ugly.

He had never imagined that a mere Dark Force martial artist could injure him in a head-on clash. The force of that punch had pierced through his projected defense, leaving this burning fist print on his chest.

A dignified Transformation Grandmaster had actually been injured by an old Dark Force man—even if it was only a minor injury, the humiliation was harder for him to bear than any wound.

What enraged him even more was that the old bastard opposite him still looked as if nothing had happened.

Lu Fan unhurriedly took a step forward, crushing the scattered stones beneath his feet with creaks and crunches.

He raised his head. The eye exposed beyond the mask remained utterly devoid of emotion, and his voice was as calm as before, without the slightest ripple.

"Still want to continue?"

Those lightly spoken words carried an unshakable confidence, as steady as a mountain.

Li Xiao felt a blaze shoot straight to the top of his head, his blood and qi churning violently once more.

Feng Jiaqi's expression in the distance also darkened further—an imposing Transformation Grandmaster had failed to take down an old Dark Force man in public, and he could not save face either.

Li Xiao gritted his teeth as a terrifying presence surged from his body again. "Old bastard, today I—"

Before he could finish, hurried footsteps sounded from the courtyard gate.

Then Qin Yuan's voice, noticeably raised several notches, rang throughout the courtyard. "Liu Attendant, you've finally arrived!"

He was practically making a point of ensuring everyone present heard him.

Three figures stepped into the courtyard together.

At their head was a white-haired middle-aged man, openly radiating the aura of Late Dark Force.

The two behind him also had deep, steady auras. Both were Dark Force martial artists.

"Li Xiao, do not push people too far."

Liu Attendant strode forward, the pressure of Late Dark Force bearing down directly on Li Xiao. "Do you truly think my Qin Household has no one?"

As his words fell, the two Attendants behind him released their auras at the same time.

Within the small courtyard, four Dark Force martial artists had gathered in an instant—Liu Attendant and the other two, along with the masked old man.

Adding Zhang Yao, who was leaning against the courtyard wall, made five Dark Force martial artists against one Transformation Grandmaster.

Li Xiao's gaze swept quickly across Liu Attendant and the other two before finally returning to Lu Fan. He did not care about the three Dark Force martial artists, and Zhang Yao was already an arrow at the end of its flight, but this masked old immortal—he could not see through him.

He had used his full strength in that punch just now. His opponent had taken it head-on, not only remaining standing but also returning a punch that had stamped itself onto his chest.

That level of strength could no longer be explained by Dark Force.

Whether this man was Peak Dark Force or possessed some other hidden method, he had no certainty at all.

One man against five Dark Force martial artists, including an old bastard whose depths could not be fathomed.

Li Xiao might have been arrogant, but not so arrogant that he believed he could certainly swallow this situation whole.

His fist clenched and loosened, his teeth grinding with creaks, but in the end, he did not take another step forward.

Feng Jiaqi by the courtyard gate had also seen how the situation had changed.

His brows furrowed, then slowly relaxed. Tonight's purpose had never been to fight the Qin Household to the death.

Li Xiao's Transformation Force strength had already been displayed before everyone in Chi City. The Qin Household's three Attendants were merely Dark Force; with some time and resources spent in private, prying them loose would not be difficult.

The goal of establishing their power today had already been achieved. There was no need to let a branch grow from the trunk at this moment.

"Enough, Li Xiao. We're leaving."

Feng Jiaqi spoke indifferently, his tone as though he were calling a dog back.

The corner of Li Xiao's eye twitched, and a trace of nearly imperceptible fury flashed across his face.

Feng Jiaqi's tone infuriated him beyond measure, but now was not the time to turn hostile.

He suppressed that killing intent, snorted coldly, and withdrew the pressure of Transformation Force around him. "Old bastard, count yourself lucky to have picked up your life."

With that, he did not look at anyone else. He turned and strode away behind Feng Jiaqi.

Only after the two figures had completely vanished beyond the courtyard gate did everyone in the courtyard seem to exhale the breath they had held for far too long. The nerves that had been drawn taut all night finally loosened.

But everyone understood that Feng Jiaqi and Li Xiao's departure was not the end. It was only the beginning.

"Liu Attendant, thank you for arriving in time."

Qin Yuan hurried forward and solemnly clasped his fists in thanks.

"Ashamedly, we were delayed on the road and arrived later than agreed."

Liu Attendant waved his hand, but his gaze had already passed Qin Yuan and fallen upon the hunched, silent figure not far away. "Master Qin, this gentleman is...?"

Naturally, he could sense the surging blood and qi within Lu Fan.

Though they were both Late Dark Force, the aura surrounding this masked old man was more than twice as thick and powerful as his own.

Peak Dark Force? Or was there some other mystery at work?

"This is Old Chen, the benefactor of my Qin Household."

Qin Yuan quickly said, "Had Old Chen not stepped in just now, Li Xiao likely would have..."

He did not finish, but the meaning was already self-evident.

Liu Attendant gave Lu Fan a deep look and did not pursue the matter further.

Lu Fan gave a slight nod in return, then turned and headed toward the courtyard gate.

"Old Chen!" Qin Yuan called out almost instinctively.

He knew this was somewhat shameless of him, but if he missed this moment, he feared there would never be another chance.

"I know this request is presumptuous, but would you be willing to honor my Qin Household by becoming an Attendant? Name whatever compensation you wish. As long as the Qin Household can provide it..."

Lu Fan did not stop walking, nor did he turn his head.

"This old man has long been used to idleness and does not like restraints."

Qin Yuan opened his mouth, but ultimately did not try to persuade him further.

Qin Yaxin, who had been hesitating beside him, could only silently swallow the words of entreaty that had reached her lips.

Just then, a figure quickly walked up before Lu Fan.

"Old Chen, please wait."

The person blocking his way was... Zhang Yao.

Lu Fan's brow lifted slightly, and a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.

The next moment, Zhang Yao bent at the waist and lowered his head, deeply bowing to Lu Fan.

"Old Chen, thank you for saving my daughter two days ago."

"I will engrave this kindness in my heart. Should you ever have need of me, Zhang Yao will surely exhaust everything I have to repay you."

"Mm." Lu Fan merely nodded faintly before turning to leave.

Zhang Yao remained where he was, only straightening after Lu Fan's retreating figure had completely disappeared from sight.

After leaving the gate, Lu Fan had taken only a few steps before stopping.