“Is your father doing well?” Nangong Baxiong asked, looking at Chen Fan with a complicated expression.
"He's okay," replied Chen Fan, his tone lacking warmth.
"Well, that's good to hear," Nangong Baxiong said, unfazed by the cool response. “Your dad, Zhengqing, and I were quite close back in the day. I really Discover more novels on NovelHub - your gateway to endless stories. But as you might understand, in big families like ours, we rarely get a say in our marriag—"
“Let’s not talk about the past. What's done is done. Why bring it up?” said Chen Fan, interrupting him.
Nangong Baxiong smiled bitterly and said, “You're right. Dwelling on the past serves no purpose."
“Get to the point. Why did you call me here? Did you have a change of heart overnight?” Chen Fan said, looking at Nangong Baxiong.
He shot a glance at Chen Fan. His nephew truly had a sharp tongue.
“It’s nothing much. I just wanted to remind you that you’ve snatched two seats from two main bloodlines of our clan. They're likely targeting you now. I’m afraid you will meet your end as soon as you step outside the Nangong Clan. In fact, members of those bloodlines are currently watching our manor,” Nangong Baxiong said.
“I expected as much," Chen Fan said coolly, unfazed.
He recalled his fight with Nangong Fengyun. His bloodline’s leader, Nangong Tong, had sent Chen Fan a secret voice transmission, demanding he lose. Chen Fan had simply responded with a cold smile.
Then there was Nangong Ling. He had tried to heavily injure Chen Fan even during the meet with a shameless sneak attack.
And why wouldn’t they?
He had single-handedly ruined the Sun and the Star bloodlines’ plan to bring down the Moon Bloodline. And foiling their plans was one thing, but he had even snatched council seats from them. He had helped the Moon Bloodline survive and greatly increased their say in the clan’s matters.
Moreover, Chen Fan’s senses were very sharp. So, he had sensed their icy killing intent.
Nangong Ling, Nangong Tong, and the others didn’t dare to move since he was inside the clan right now. However, they would kill him as soon as he left the clan.
Even if he used his toes to think, Chen Fan could guess that Nangong Ling and Nangong Tong had sent people to watch the Moon Bloodline and monitor his movements.
“But I only offended them for your bloodline, didn’t I? Bloodline Leader Baxiong, you probably wouldn’t do something like leaving me in the lurch, right?” Chen Fan said calmly. [1]
Nangong Baxiong felt somewhat helpless and smiled bitterly. “They can’t do anything if you remain inside the manor all the time. But I must admit, my hands are tied in offering you protection once you leave our clan's premises."
This was the reality: Nangong Baxiong's cultivation stood at the fourth level of the Core Formation realm. While formidable, he acknowledged his inferiority compared to Nangong Ling and Nangong Tong.
“No matter. When I agreed to fight for the Moon Bloodline, I anticipated the consequences. Let them keep watch if they want to. In any case, my purpose for coming to the imperial city was mainly to meet Mother. I have plenty of time.”
In the following days, Chen Fan confined himself to the Moon Bloodline's manor, daily accompanying Nangong Yue.
Time flew, and half a month swiftly passed.
The Sun Bloodline manor:
Nangong Tong’s expression was hideous, his voice low and deep.
“That cursed little bastard. It’s been half a month. It's been half a month, and he hasn't set foot outside their manor. Does he already know we’re going to kill him?”
Nangong Ling said, “Nangong Baxiong probably noticed our scouts there keeping watch. He must have told that little bastard about them. That’s likely why he's been holed up in their manor and has not come out. How infuriating!”
“Then what do we do now? We won't get a chance if that brat continues to stay in their manor,” Nangong Tong said maliciously, feeling the urge to barge into the Moon Bloodline’s manor and kill Chen Fan.
Of course, he could only fantasize about it.
After briefly contemplating, Nangong Ling suggested, “Let’s recall our scouts and station our people outside the clan. I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for that brat to show himself.”
“Alright! My seething anger won't be appeased until we kill that little bastard!”
In Nangong Yue’s courtyard at night:
Chen Fan held Nangong Yue’s hand and said resolutely, “Mother, I’ll leave tonight. Rest assured, I’ll bring you home in two years.”
“Xiaofan, all I need is for you and your father to be well,” Nangong Yue said.
Chen Fan smiled reassuringly and said, “Don’t worry, Mother. Our whole family will be fine.”
The two chatted for another half an hour; eventually, Chen Fan left the courtyard despite Nangong Yue's reluctant and repeated pleas.
In a room, Nangong Baxiong looked at Chen Fan; his gaze flickered.
“It’s already so late. What brings you to me?”
“I’ll be leaving tonight,” Chen Fan said.
Nangong Baxiong raised his eyebrows and said, “No! The Sun and the Star bloodlines may have withdrawn their claws; from what I know, they've stationed experts outside the clan. You’ll be discovered as soon as you leave the Nangong Clan.”
Chen Fan was not surprised.
“I know, but now, I have to go.”
Nangong Baxiong’s gaze darkened. He said coldly, “Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish? How am I supposed to face Xiaoyue and your father if something happens to you?”
“Uncle.” Chen Fan grinned with a bright gaze. “I have my reasons for leaving, and I'm confident I can handle it."
Chen Fan put on his mask.
When he addressed Nangong Baxiong as "Uncle," a sense of satisfaction filled the older man. However, when Chen Fan covered his face, Nangong Baxiong couldn't help but be surprised. In an instant, Chen Fan's aura had vanished to the point that, with closed eyes, one wouldn't sense him even if he were right in front of them.
Nangong Baxiong looked surprised.
Chen Fan removed the mask and said, “This mask can conceal auras. I’m not stupid enough to leave through the front gates. I plan to leave in secret. With my aura concealed, who will notice me, especially at night?
“Rest assured, Uncle. I'm not naive enough to willingly walk into their trap. I still want to openly bring Mother back from the Nangong Clan in two years. I don’t wish to die so young,” Chen Fan said, smiling, his tone relaxed.
Afterward, he took out some remaining Fountain of Life liquid and gave it to Nangong Baxiong. “This is from the Fountain of Life; it should be useful to you. Also, Uncle, please inform Xuan'er that I had urgent matters to attend to and left first."
Under Nangong Baxiong’s shocked gaze, Chen Fan left the living room while donning the mask again. His figure blurred, turning into black smoke and blending into the darkness.
After flitting a few times, Chen Fan arrived at a hidden corner of the Moon Bloodline manor and disappeared in complete silence.
Aside from Nangong Baxiong, no one knew that Chen Fan had just left.
1. The original Chinese idiom for leaving him in the lurch literally means destroying the bridge after crossing the river. ☜