Urban Most Awesome Dad

Chapter 371: Chapter 371: Both Sides Guessing_1

Xu Fan then realized that he had underestimated the strength and foundation of the Xu Family.

As one of the four major families in Yan Country, the number of Grandmasters within the family was far more than just a couple of cats and dogs.

Xu Qiyin had come to test him and had even brought a Martial King along.

Therefore, a family as vast as theirs would naturally have even stronger figures in charge. Perhaps there could even be beings at the Heavenly Venerable level.

Originally, Xu Fan had made some preparations, with the Yifan Security team undergoing a month of intensive closed training, which would shape them into a formidable fighting force at scale. By then, he would also be able to boldly visit the Xu Family.

Even if he couldn’t immediately uncover the true culprit behind his father’s murder, at the very least, he had to rescue his mother and free her from the gloomy and perpetual confinement in the Xu Family’s dungeons.

However, the appearance of Xu Qiyin and Elder Huang had awakened Xu Fan to the realization that this behemoth’s power surely exceeded his imagination.

In fact, upon careful consideration, one could detect significant clues.

The Xu Family, being stably ranked among the four great families of Yan Country, must possess immense resources, but it could still stand firm as Tai Shan and solid as a rock even under the envy and coveting eyes of many. This was certainly because its power was enough to deter all petty crooks.

Xu Yixue looked at Xu Fan, who had fallen into deep thought, and whispered comfortingly, “Don’t worry. There’s a saying in military strategy: ‘When the enemy comes, block with a general; when the flood arrives, cover with earth.’ In short, just deal with it as it comes.”

“Haha, I didn’t expect Yixue to see things so clearly. It seems I was the one who got carried away,” Xu Fan said with a chuckle, his eyes sparkling with determination, “No matter what he’s come to Zhonghai for, I won’t let him have his way. If he wants to treat me as prey, he’ll have to see if he’s got the ability.”

…

At the entrance to the residential area.

Xu Qiyin parked the car outside the complex, his hands resting on the steering wheel, calmly contemplating.

Elder Huang sat in the co-driver’s seat, resting with his eyes closed, his demeanor peaceful, unfazed as if the sky could fall.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After a while, Xu Qiyin finally spoke, “Elder Huang, what do you think of Xu Fan after this meeting?”

Elder Huang pondered and then said, “He’s got something.”

“Could you elaborate?” Xu Qiyin was quite surprised by such a comment.

Elder Huang explained, “Our impression of Xu Fan was still based on what we knew from three years ago, as well as recent intelligence. When I saw the intelligence, I was shocked; he’s actually an Ancient Martial Artist at the Grandmaster level. I was prepared to face him with his new status, but once we met, I realized Xu Fan was far more outstanding than I had imagined.”

“The Young Master must’ve noticed that there’s been a big man following us around; he should be one of Xu Fan’s men.”

Xu Qiyin looked puzzled, a subordinate was not something to be concerned about, right?

“Hmm, what about him? Is there a problem?”

“No problem, he’s just at the peak of the Qi Drawing Realm,” said Elder Huang with an even tone.

“Damn,” Xu Qiyin couldn’t help but curse, disbelieving, “Are you sure that this expert is one of Xu Fan’s men?”

“It should be.”

Elder Huang stroked his beard, analyzing, “I see that this man is on the verge of breaking through to the Grandmaster level. He must’ve reached the age of thirty not long ago; he’s indeed a martial arts prodigy. There’s no information about him in the intelligence reports. It’s unknown where he came from; we’ll see if we can find out his origins.”

Xu Qiyin suddenly changed his expression, with a hint of panic in his eyes, “Elder Huang, could it be from that place?”

Elder Huang understood immediately what he was referring to, and his face also became solemn, clearly even as a grandmaster, he was filled with apprehension about that place.

After pondering for a while, he finally had an answer, “That shouldn’t be the case. After Xu Fan was expelled from the family, even though he was still the Young Master, he wouldn’t have any connections with that side. Moreover, I’ve noticed that the tall guy treats Xu Fan with utmost respect, and the characters from that place are not of such temperament.”

Xu Qiyin nodded in agreement with his view, but the problem remained unanswered: If the sturdy man didn’t come from that place, then where did he come from?

Elder Huang too pondered over this issue and tried to find an answer, “Does Young Master Yi think it could have been arranged by Xu Tianlong before his death?”

“Xu Tianlong?”

“Yes, him.”

Elder Huang analyzed seriously, “Xu Tianlong was a true hero of his time. When he was alive, there were countless people who couldn’t sleep or eat in peace because of him. Although I’ve never met him, I’ve heard some rumors about him. Coupling that with the fact that Xu Tianlong had Xu Fan keep a low profile for twenty-four years, shows that he was as deep as the sea in scheming, and it is entirely possible that he had arranged certain measures in advance.”

“Elder Huang’s words are well-founded. It seems we have underestimated the former Family Head,” Xu Qiyin said, not without emotion.

The more Elder Huang thought about it, the more convinced he became of this guess, and continued to analyze, “If the tall guy dares to act as a bodyguard openly, then with Xu Tianlong’s wisdom and strategic planning, all arrangements would have been made meticulously, meaning there’s not just this one contingency in place, but others hidden from view.”

“It seems that Xu Fan is not so easy to deal with after all. Elder Huang, what do you think we should do?” Xu Qiyin asked, frowning.

Elder Huang laughed as he stroked his beard, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, “Young Master Yi, since Xu Fan has a bodyguard by his side, didn’t the intelligence say that he hired a group of retired special forces as bodyguards these few days…”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Qiyin understood and said with a smirk, “Yes, he has more than one bodyguard…”

Having realized these things, the two of them no longer delayed and left the place.

Midnight, Phoenix Manor.

Lately, Phoenix Manor seemed rather desolate and quiet because most of the servants had been given leave, leaving only about a dozen people.

At the gatekeeper’s lodge at the entrance of the manor, the sound of playing the card game ‘Fight the Landlord’ could be heard.

Playing ‘Fight the Landlord’ were three brawny men in their thirties wearing black shirts, tall and muscular, with well-developed biceps and pectorals.

Their expressions were somewhat stern, clearly not the kind-hearted sort.

These three were mid-ranking members of the City North Qingyun Gang, known alongside the City South Night Castle, three of the Eight Great Protectors, all in the Body Tempering Realm, representing the highest standard of combat power of the Qingyun Sect.

This time Elder Sun had been afflicted by Yano Luo’s evil energy, although eventually, Xu Fan had forced the evil out and Yano Luo, suffering from the backlash of pain and admitting his inferiority to Xu Fan, retreated.

But the grudge between him and Elder Sun still existed and once he recovered from his injuries, he would surely look for an opportunity to strike back.

Therefore, Li Hua borrowed all eight protectors of the Qingyun Sect to ensure the safety of the manor.

“Haha, four twos, I win, pay up,” a burly man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, Wild Bull, laid out his cards and laughed loudly.

“To hell with this, I think you’re cheating, always getting bombs every hand,” the scar-faced burly man, Autumn Pig, to his right, was rather disgruntled.

The burly man with thick eyebrows and big eyes instantly became annoyed, cursing fiercely, “Who the hell is cheating? This is just my good luck. If you can’t afford to lose, don’t play, now pay up.”