Chapter Forty-One: The Strength of the Zhang Family

“Perhaps it’s just the two of them, but I still need Shui Han and the others to look into it for me!” Although Lin Fan was not certain it was these two, among all those with grievances against him, they were the most likely suspects.

He had defeated many young strong men’s pride and looked down on many, yet he always left them some face; none would go so far as to kill him outright. Moreover, among these youthful powerhouses, even if some wished to kill him, considering their own status and his formidable strength, without confirming whether he had powerful backing, they would not dare to act rashly. Investigating his background alone would take time; even if these young powerhouses wanted to make a move, it wouldn’t be so swift.

Only the forces behind Zhang Yuan and Zhang Zhen had both enough enmity and enough time to investigate his background. Once they learned he came from the weak Lin family of Xiao Bei City, they might act without hesitation.

“Brother Fan, are you alright?” Suddenly, several figures shot over from afar, leaping dozens of yards at a time. Though not flying, their speed was so fast that they arrived before Lin Fan in the blink of an eye—it was Xiao Shui Han and his companions.

“I’m fine,” Lin Fan replied with a smile, then looked past them.

Behind them, several other young strong men followed at a distance. When they saw Lin Fan, surprise flashed in their eyes.

Clearly, they couldn’t understand how Lin Fan could survive the siege of six Qi Pulse realm experts.

But that surprise vanished quickly; after nodding to Lin Fan in greeting, they retreated the way they had come.

Xiao Shui Han and the others noticed these young strong men’s withdrawal, but paid it no mind. Instead, Xiao Shui Han spoke to Lin Fan gravely: “Brother Fan, let’s head back. I’ve already sent people to investigate those assassins’ origins. By the time we return to Qingxue County City, we should have results.”

“Good. I want to see which family disregards rules and dares to attack me!”

As the days approached for the Celestial Tome Academy’s enrollment, and as more young powerhouses gathered, although there was no explicit rule in Qingxue County City, an unspoken law existed.

That was: elders were forbidden from attacking the young strong men.

After all, with many young powerhouses gathered, contests and battles were inevitable. They tested themselves, accumulated combat experience, and constantly broke through their limits.

If one young powerhouse defeated another, and the loser had their elders kill the victor, then the victor’s faction would retaliate by destroying the loser’s side. Continuing in this manner, chaos would ensue.

In a few days, the young powerhouses in Qingxue County City would be decimated before even attending the Celestial Tome Academy’s enrollment.

Such a scenario would be a great loss to the entire Qingxue County and its families.

Thus, everyone tacitly followed this unwritten rule, and no one dared to break it.

Of course, this so-called “elder” was not precisely defined in age or strength, but the line was drawn at twenty-two years old: under twenty-two counted as a young powerhouse, over twenty-two as an elder.

“Reporting, Young Master, those six Qi Pulse realm experts were from the Zhang clan. According to our investigation, they entered the city as you and the other young masters boarded the ship. Based on Zhang family information, they came specifically to assassinate Young Master Fan!”

On the seventh floor of the Four Seas Tavern, Lin Fan, Xiao Shui Han, and the others listened as a burly man respectfully reported. As his voice finished, Lin Fan asked, “What is the Zhang clan’s strength? Which city are they based in? Where do they rank among families in Qingxue County?”

“The Zhang clan is based in Panlong City, rivals the Mo clan, has six Channeling realm experts, over one hundred and fifty Qi Pulse realm experts, and more than six hundred Condensing realm cultivators. Among seventy families in Qingxue City, they rank just above sixtieth.”

The burly man answered without hesitation; in his view, though Young Master Fan’s family was weak, his relationship with the young master was excellent, so he dared not slacken.

Lin Fan nodded and asked, “What about the Mo clan’s strength?”

“The Mo clan is similar to the Zhang clan, but slightly weaker—five Channeling realm experts, over a hundred Qi Pulse realm, and about the same number of Condensing realm cultivators,” the man replied. As if remembering something, he added, “Mo Clan’s young master Mo Shaoyan and Miss Mo Qing’er are also in Qingxue County City; both are ranked within the top thirty young powerhouses.”

“Mo Qing’er?” Lin Fan recalled a graceful figure and smiled calmly. “Help me send a message to Mo Shaoyan and Mo Qing’er. Tell them someone is willing to help the Mo clan destroy the Zhang clan; ask if they’re interested. If so, bring them here to discuss.”

“This…” The burly man looked at Xiao Shui Han hesitantly. Normally, he would obey any order Lin Fan gave, since Young Master Fan was a friend of his own young master, perhaps even akin to an elder brother. How could he not curry favor?

But now, Young Master Fan was talking about destroying a family; such a major event, he dared not spread the word carelessly. Channeling realm experts were among the top in Qingxue County; if handled poorly, it could bring trouble to the Xiao clan. Although the Xiao clan feared no one, any consequences brought about by his actions would not go unpunished.

“Go ahead. What Brother Fan says, I say as well. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!” Xiao Shui Han, seeing his guard Iron Fang’s hesitation, did not blame him. Such matters were not for a guard to decide, so he gave the order directly.

“Yes!” Iron Fang accepted and left. Xiao Shui Han withdrew his gaze and turned to Lin Fan. “Brother Fan, so you plan to work with the Mo clan to destroy the Zhang clan?”

“That’s right. The Zhang clan has already disregarded the rules by attacking me. If they learn I survived, they will not let me go and will continue sending assassins. They may even target my Lin family. Since that's the case, it’s better for me to strike first!”

Lin Fan nodded, a cold gleam in his eyes. He was not afraid of the Zhang clan sending more assassins. He knew the Zhang clan would not send Channeling realm experts after him; as for Qi Pulse realm cultivators, he could deal with any number they dispatched.

What concerned him was if the Zhang clan failed to kill him, they might go after the Lin family. Compared to other families, the Lin clan was exceedingly weak, rooted only in Xiao Bei City—easy to find, and if targeted, their destruction would be imminent.

Therefore, he decided to join forces with the Mo clan, the Zhang clan’s rival, to annihilate the Zhang clan. He believed the Mo clan would not miss such a rare opportunity.

“What if the Mo clan refuses? Even with the Mo clan and your grandfather, you’d only match the Zhang clan in Channeling realm strength, but you’d still be far behind in Qi Pulse realm experts. Even if war broke out, the best outcome would be mutual destruction; the worst, the Mo clan’s defeat.”

Xiao Shui Han was puzzled. The Zhang clan had six Channeling realm experts, while the Mo clan only had five; even with Brother Fan’s grandfather, they’d only be equal. Not counting Qi Pulse cultivators, a major battle would likely result in no clear winner—or worse, ruin for the Mo clan.

Given this, why would the Mo clan agree to an alliance? To be frank, the Lin clan currently did not have the strength to ally with the Mo clan; though Xiao Shui Han didn’t say this outright, he believed Brother Fan understood.

“No, they’ll agree!” Lin Fan’s lips curled in a confident smile. He had a hidden trump card that would ensure the Mo clan accepted.

“Brother Fan, what I mean is, if the Mo clan agrees, but lacks enough Qi Pulse realm experts, I can call for twenty or so from my clan to assist. If you’re willing to let me reveal your insight into Intent, even if the Mo clan refuses to ally with you, I can invite at least ten Channeling realm experts from my clan to help destroy the Zhang clan!”

Seeing Lin Fan’s confident smile, Xiao Shui Han gritted his teeth and spoke. Out of personal feelings, he truly wished to help Brother Fan, but his authority was limited—he could only mobilize about twenty Qi Pulse realm experts. However, if Brother Fan allowed him to disclose his comprehension of Intent, the Xiao clan would assist wholeheartedly without him needing to ask.

After all, someone who has comprehended Intent would, barring untimely death, become a River realm expert—a top existence in the kingdom. The Xiao clan, as a great family, understood the value of aiding someone in hardship rather than merely celebrating their success.

“Brother Fan, so will my Li clan of Feixue City!” “Brother Fan, you may command my Qiandu City clan as you wish!” “Brother Fan…”

Listening to Xiao Fei, Li Ji, Shangguan Feihong, and others all spoke up firmly.

They knew that unless Brother Fan revealed his mastery of Intent, they could only mobilize two or three dozen Qi Pulse realm experts from their families—this was their limit.

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