369: Chapter 368: The Third Daughter-in-law 369: Chapter 368: The Third Daughter-in-law “The changes in Zhonghai have been simply too great in the time you were away!”
Fan Zhongliang was one of Ning Fan’s capable generals from before in Zhonghai, and among the four of them, he was the best fighter.
Previously, Ning Fan defeated the original four major forces in Zhonghai, the Four Gates of Zhonghai, and later, his four generals took over the forces left by the Four Gates.
When Ning Fan was there, he could keep them in check, but once he left, things became a bit subtle.
At the start of his return, everyone was indifferent, only the Eagle and Kuang Tiexing had a better attitude towards him.
After Ning Fan demonstrated his strong leadership once again, some started to gravitate towards him, but listening to the Eagle now, it seems things have changed again.
The situation of the Jianghu forces of the Four Gates of Zhonghai, which had been scattered like sand after Ning Fan’s defeat, was stirring once more.
It seemed as if someone was agitating them from behind.
And now, Fan Zhongliang of the East District’s Nine Arenas, one of Ning Fan’s former generals, had a similar attitude to Zi Hongyu from before, inviting Ning Fan as if it were a Feast at Hongmen.
“Fan Zhongliang himself is taking a third wife, and he’s using this opportunity to invite you.
It’s clearly a ruse; if the Cyclops really cared, he wouldn’t have waited until now to think of you!”
The Cyclops naturally refers to Fan Zhongliang, as he lost an eye and was thus nicknamed, but it’s a name that surely no one would dare call out.
“This is a blatant Feast at Hongmen.
That youngster Zi Hongyu harbored malicious intentions last time, and this guy Fan Zhongliang isn’t well-meaning either.
I think it’s best you don’t agree to it!”
Zhonghai was no longer the place Ning Fan knew before; the current situation in the Jianghu of Zhonghai was delicate, and while Ning Fan was there, he could suppress them.
But after Ning Fan left for a few years, though his influence still lingered, how many people harbored ulterior motives in their hearts?
Now they couldn’t contain their ambitions any longer, each wanting to take the place that Ning Fan once held.
According to the Eagle’s opinion, he still hoped Ning Fan wouldn’t get involved in this murky affair.
Of course, deep down, he still wished Ning Fan would come out and take charge, but now it was clear Ning Fan no longer had this intention.
“Hehe, Fan Zhongliang invited me, why shouldn’t I go?”
Ning Fan retorted with a question.
To Ning Fan, Fan Zhongliang was but another Zi Hongyu; if he kept out of trouble, Ning Fan would not have to deal with him.
But if the guy wanted to follow Zi Hongyu’s lead, then the current Zi Hongyu was the perfect example.
After Ning Fan gave Gu Leng’s eye to Zi Hongyu, the youngster had become much more obedient and even told Long Tianze outright that he refused to be involved in any schemes against Ning Fan any longer.
Now, with Fan Zhongliang appearing, in Ning Fan’s view, he was just another clown like Zi Hongyu.
“Fan Zhongliang getting married and inviting guests, how could I miss such a lively event?”
Last time, Ning Fan had intended to use Zi Hongyu as a warning to others, but it seemed the effect wasn’t great.
At this point, Fan Zhongliang still dared to show up, wanting to disturb Ning Fan’s life; the price he had to pay would be substantial.
“A brother from the past inviting me, an old man, to join the celebration is naturally an invitation I cannot refuse.
It’ll be good to join the festivity!”
If Fan Zhongliang truly was getting married and inviting guests, Ning Fan didn’t mind attending, but if he tried any tricks there, then he shouldn’t blame Ning Fan for being ruthless.
Having made up his mind, Ning Fan decided not to take the Eagle’s advice and instead chose to pay a visit to Fan Zhongliang.
“Is this decision really okay?”
The Eagle still hoped he could go ahead and scout the situation, see what kind of trick Fan Zhongliang had prepared before letting Ning Fan have a look.
“What’s so bad about that?
We used to be brothers.
Now that he’s marrying his third wife, he even invited me.
How can I not go?
Or should I not go?
Hahaha…”
Ning Fan’s laughter was full of mockery.
They used to be brothers, the five of them!
Those words from Ning Fan twisted a pain in Eagle’s heart, just as Ning Fan said—they used to be brothers.
But when exactly did their relationship start to sour?
Eagle sighed, feeling both shame and helplessness, followed by a surge of unnamed anger.
If Fan Zhongliang truly intended to invite Ning Fan, he wouldn’t have sent someone else to do it.
It would’ve been easy for Fan Zhongliang to get Ning Fan’s contact information, and such matters should be personally addressed by inviting Ning Fan, right?
Eagle felt indignant, knowing well that Fan Zhongliang was stirring up a trap, a banquet with malicious intent, and Ning Fan surely saw it coming too.
“Alright, no need to say more.
Come pick me up.”
After Ning Fan finished speaking, he immediately hung up the phone.
Half an hour later, Eagle personally drove to the villa area to pick up Ning Fan.
After getting into the car, Eagle drove out of the villa area while saying, “Since you left, Fan Zhongliang has carved out a territory for himself and declared sovereignty.
His power has grown stronger and stronger.”
“According to what you’re saying, Fan Zhongliang is doing quite well for himself, huh, heh heh!”
Ning Fan remarked with a meaningful laugh.
Fan Zhongliang was once known as the number one fighter by the side of Jiuye, the most capable one.
After Ning Fan left, Fan Zhongliang rose to power by relying on his years of prestige.
The East District and its nine arenas were also managed very well by him, but it was precisely for this reason that Fan Zhongliang’s ambition increased even more.
“Over these years, our relationship hasn’t been good, without much contact.
I notified him when you returned previously, but that old guy always had a cold attitude.
That’s why I’m worried he might harbor ill intentions in inviting you this time.”
In the car, Eagle kept reminding Ning Fan to be wary of Fan Zhongliang, suspecting that Fan Zhongliang might have set up a trap similar to the ‘Feast at Hongmen’.
“I heard Zi Hongyu has also been invited by Fan Zhongliang.”
“Oh, Zi Hongyu is going too?”
Upon hearing Zi Hongyu would be there too, Ning Fan’s expression displayed a keenly interested smile.
But to Eagle, that smile appeared especially cold.
“Yes, Zi Hongyu should attend, but whether this matter involves him or whether he will participate, I don’t know.
I’m just giving you a heads-up!”
Considering Zi Hongyu’s history, Eagle still felt a bit uneasy about the guy.
Who knew if he would join forces with Fan Zhongliang?
Ning Fan chuckled, seemingly unconcerned, and teased, “Fan Zhongliang is marrying his third wife.
What about you?”
“Heh heh, don’t you make fun of me.
Why are you bringing that old guy Fan Zhongliang’s marriage into this, talking about me?”
Eagle laughed bitterly, not sure if he should call Ning Fan confident or truly indifferent.
But after all, Jiuye was still Jiuye, a fact Eagle wholeheartedly acknowledged.