391: Chapter 390: Ninth Master’s Sorrow 391: Chapter 390: Ninth Master’s Sorrow “You all should head back as well, there’s nothing for you here anymore,”
After Wang Jiangding and his group left the abandoned garage, Ning Fan asked both Eagle and Zi Hongyu to leave as well.
Eagle and Zi Hongyu exchanged glances before the former stepped forward to say, “Master Ji, you should go back and rest.
We still have some cleaning up to do.”
After Eagle finished, Zi Hongyu also nodded in agreement.
Ning Fan looked at the two and understood what Eagle meant by “cleaning up.” The people from the Four Gates and Long Yao had died here, and there were some loose ends that Eagle and his group needed to handle.
“As you wish.” Ning Fan nodded, then turned and walked toward the entrance of the underground garage.
After resolving the conspiracy of Dragon Gate and the remnants of the old Four Gates of Zhonghai, Ning Fan felt a sense of emptiness.
Feeling hollow inside, Ning Fan recalled the matter regarding Fan Zhongliang; his silhouette suddenly looked much lonelier, and he seemed to age considerably in that moment.
Eagle and Zi Hongyu watched Ning Fan’s retreating figure and felt affected too; their expressions also became a bit somber.
“What’s with Master Ji?
Didn’t we just win?” Zi Hongyu asked softly.
Eagle shook his head and didn’t explain anything to Zi Hongyu, instead he just sighed.
Ning Fan was already disinterested in remaining tied to Jianghu.
Yet, the affairs of Jianghu continued to entangle him, particularly the matter concerning Fan Zhongliang, which Ning Fan found profoundly regrettable.
“Is it the Fang Guild next?” Ning Fan sat in the driver’s seat, lit a cigarette, and looked out the window with a melancholic expression.
It was now completely confirmed that the shadow behind Dragon Gate Martial Arts School was the Fang Guild.
With people like Long Tianze turned into ghosts, Ning Fan used this opportunity to reorganize the forces of Jianghu in Zhonghai.
But the Fang Guild would definitely not give up easily, Ning Fan understood these madmen better than anyone else.
“I didn’t expect Dragon Gate to be involved with the Fang Guild, probably because of the Genetic Potion, huh…”
A sharp light flashed through Ning Fan’s eyes, then tiredness surfaced on his face once more.
The Fang Guild had previously plotted to steal the Genetic Potion and had even taken action.
This time, their collusion with Long Tianze to abduct Xu Ruolan must also be linked to it.
The Fang Guild and Dragon Gate had prepared a lot, laying traps everywhere waiting for Ning Fan.
Unfortunately for them, they still underestimated him, and ultimately the scales of victory tilted in Ning Fan’s favor.
Ning Fan shook his head, not wanting to dwell further, and after extinguishing his cigarette, he started the car and prepared to head home.
About half an hour later, Ning Fan appeared outside Xu Ruolan’s villa.
It was already deep into the night, yet the villa was still lit; Xu Ruolan hadn’t gone to sleep and was waiting at home for Ning Fan’s return.
As soon as Ning Fan entered, he saw Xu Ruolan sitting in the living room.
“You’re back!”
Xu Ruolan’s eyebrows raised as she looked at Ning Fan, who was expressionless; concern filled her eyes.
Ning Fan nodded, not saying anything.
He seemed a bit different from usual, and Xu Ruolan quickly noticed this.
After sensing Ning Fan’s unusual demeanor, Xu Ruolan’s recently calmed heart lifted once again.
“What’s wrong?” Xu Ruolan walked up to Ning Fan, speaking softly, trying to make her voice sound as gentle as possible.
Ning Fan shook his head and replied in a low tone, “It’s nothing now, it’s all over.
Don’t worry about it.”
Xu Ruolan stared at Ning Fan; even though he had affirmed that everything was settled, she still harbored many doubts.
No matter what, Xu Ruolan couldn’t set her mind at ease seeing Ning Fan’s current state.
He clearly had something on his mind!
Thinking of Ning Fan’s mysterious identity, Xu Ruolan once again dismissed the idea of asking him outright.
It wasn’t her place to ask such things, and if Ning Fan wanted to talk, he definitely would, but forcing him was definitely not the way to go.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done!” Xu Ruolan suddenly said in gratitude.
Ning Fan was momentarily stunned, but quickly realized why Xu Ruolan was thanking him.
He smiled, shook his head as if it were nothing, and said, “We are almost family now, no need for thanks!”
However, this time Xu Ruolan did not argue but looked at Ning Fan with serious sincerity in her eyes.
Xu Ruolan’s gaze was incredibly sharp, as if capable of penetrating someone’s soul and reaching the deepest part of their heart to understand their thoughts.
Ning Fan gave a resigned smile, his mood seemed to drop for some reason.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading up.
It’s been a long day and I’m a bit tired.”
As he spoke, Ning Fan turned and walked upstairs, not giving Xu Ruolan the chance to probe further.
He was indeed tired, not just physically but also mentally.
Watching Ning Fan’s retreating figure become more forlorn, Xu Ruolan’s thoughts became more complex.
Xu Ruolan was no fool, and she was adept at reading people.
Ning Fan’s current demeanor clearly indicated that he was troubled by something.
Right now, Xu Ruolan couldn’t feel happy at all; her heart was full of Ning Fan’s image, his lonely figure filling her with immense worry.
After Ning Fan returned to his room, he dove straight onto the bed and buried his head in the pillow, only slowly lifting it after a while.
Downstairs, Xu Ruolan hadn’t gone back to her room, but sat thinking for about ten minutes.
Then, as if she had made some decision, her expression hardened, and she walked upstairs to the door of Ning Fan’s room.
“Ning Fan, I’m coming in.”
Xu Ruolan knocked on the door and then walked in.
She couldn’t leave Ning Fan alone as she felt he definitely needed someone to comfort him at this time.
And right now, apart from her, there seemed to be no other suitable person for that role.
The room was quiet; Xu Ruolan walked into the bedroom and saw Ning Fan sitting alone with his back to the door, staring out at the dark window while smoking, his demeanor very lonely yet profoundly deep.
Seeing this scene, Xu Ruolan froze in place.
Ning Fan had an aura different from usual, one that was simultaneously enticing and heart-wrenching.
Xu Ruolan watched him, her hands unconsciously clutching each other.
“Aren’t you going to rest?
Is something wrong?”
Having sensed someone behind him, Ning Fan turned around, surprised to see Xu Ruolan, and asked in a very calm tone.
Xu Ruolan blinked and finally mustered the courage to say, “I have a gala to attend tomorrow evening, would you come with me?”
“Hmm… sure.”
Ning Fan pondered for a few seconds.
“Then it’s settled.
I’ll be going back now, you should also rest early!”
Xu Ruolan breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on her face.