Zhang Fan exited the campus, and as he was about to take out his phone to call Qin Luoshui, the phone rang. It was Qin Luoshui calling.
"Brother Zhang Fan, I've only been gone for a few days, and you've already caused such a big commotion. You really don't make things easy," came Qin Luoshui's voice from the other end of the line, a hint of无奈 (wúnài - helplessness) and teasing in her tone.
"I want to keep a low profile too, but my strength doesn't allow it," Zhang Fan replied.
"Rumor has it that even Han Xueqi has fallen for you," Qin Luoshui changed the subject, her words carrying a tinge of jealousy as she teased.
Hearing the hint of jealousy in Qin Luoshui's voice, Zhang Fan could only smile helplessly and say, "As you said, it's just a rumor. It's not to be taken seriously."
"By the way, tomorrow is your grandfather's birthday. When are you going to take me to meet my future father-in-law and mother-in-law?" Zhang Fan quickly shifted the topic.
"We'll talk about that tomorrow. Tonight, our Qin family is hosting a banquet at Willow Blossom Villa, inviting the young talents of Yan Jing to gather here. Brother Qin Mo asked me to bring you along. Are you free tonight?" Qin Luoshui asked.
"Alright, I'll be there," Zhang Fan agreed.
Zhang Fan had a good impression of Qin Mo, Qin Luoshui's cousin, so he didn't refuse the invitation.
After hanging up, he received another text message from Qin Luoshui with the address of Willow Blossom Villa.
Willow Blossom Villa was located on Mount Yan, beside Yan Shan Lake in the southern district of Yan Jing.
The surroundings of Yan Shan Lake were planted with willow trees. With the arrival of early spring, the formerly withered willow trees were now covered in green buds. Willow catkins drifted with the wind, resembling a vast green ocean, a picturesque scene.
Zhang Fan strolled leisurely along the mountain path leading to Willow Blossom Villa, admiring the scenery of Mount Yan. Although Willow Blossom Villa was not too far from Yan Jing University, with Zhang Fan's abilities, it would take less than ten minutes to reach the villa.
However, Zhang Fan always believed that it was better to arrive early than to arrive just in time, so he decided to walk the entire way, not even driving his car.
The low roar of sports cars occasionally echoed from the mountain road as they headed upwards. A row of convertibles of various models sped past Zhang Fan, disappearing from his sight along the winding road.
And among that row of convertibles was a red Porsche 911 convertible, carrying two young men. If Zhang Fan had paid closer attention, he would have recognized them.
These two men were Zhao Ji and Wei Tong, who had caused trouble for Zhang Fan before.
At this moment, Wei Tong's expression was not good. The silhouette he had just seen on the mountain road had filled him with a sense of unease.
"I think I saw Zhang Fan," after repeatedly recalling in his mind, Wei Tong finally became somewhat certain and said to Zhao Ji, who was driving, "I think I saw Zhang Fan."
"Zhang Fan?" Hearing the name, Zhao Ji's hands, which were on the steering wheel, trembled, and the sports car almost plunged down the mountain. Fortunately, his driving skills were good, and he quickly regained control.
Wei Tong was also startled. At the current speed, if they had gone straight down the mountain, even with his abilities, he would have likely suffered serious injuries.
"Calm down," Wei Tong reminded him, though he could understand why Zhao Ji reacted so strongly.
He and Zhao Ji both belonged to the core disciples of the top families in Yan Jing. For many years, they had been the ones bullying others, and they had never been bullied themselves.
But since meeting Zhang Fan, their pride had been shattered. They had been dragged out of a place and had their legs broken in front of many top young masters and ladies of Yan Jing, losing all face.
Of course, what made them most helpless was that they couldn't even seek revenge.
Zhao Ji had initially thought his father would avenge him, but after a complaint, instead of comfort, he received a warning.
A warning not to provoke that kid? Zhao Ji had always been confused as to why his father was so timid.
After having one of his legs broken, even with the top orthopedic specialists hired by the Zhao family and the most advanced medical equipment in the world, it took him over two months to fully recover.
To say he didn't want revenge would be a lie.
But without the power of the Zhao family, Zhao Ji was self-aware enough to know that he was no match for Zhang Fan.
"Are you sure it was him?" Zhao Ji gritted his teeth, his face dark.
"He's the only one who dared to have my leg broken. How could I be mistaken?" Wei Tong's feelings were somewhat different from Zhao Ji's. After all, he didn't have much of a grudge against Zhang Fan, and as a martial artist, having a broken leg wasn't a particularly severe injury in his eyes.
"So, do you want revenge?" Zhao Ji stared at Wei Tong.
"If we want revenge, then so be it. You know his identity. If we go looking for trouble with him, it's not revenge, it's sending ourselves to our deaths," Wei Tong said with a wry smile. Even the usually arrogant and confident Wei Tong felt a sense of powerlessness at this moment.
After his leg was broken last time, Wei Tong had specifically hired someone to investigate Zhang Fan. However, the person he hired was clearly not professional and only found out that Zhang Fan was from the Su family in Lin Zhou.
Wei Tong naturally didn't pay much attention to the Su family in Lin Zhou. After all, it was just a small family that couldn't even get out of Zhong Hai, so how could it compare to the Wei family?
However, Zhang Fan had caused quite a stir in Yan Jing during this period. He had crippled the young master of the Qi family, Qi Jun. The Qi family had mobilized the Flying Tiger squadron to capture Zhang Fan, but they were repelled by the legendary Black Panther squadron.
And Chen Yilong of the Chen family had also been directly crippled by Zhang Fan, rendering his legs useless.
Because of this, they learned of Zhang Fan's identity. Not only was he the former chief instructor of the Dark Organization, but he was also a Major General, someone not to be easily provoked.
Wei Tong, due to his family's connections, had some understanding of the Dark Organization, the most mysterious organization in China.
It was rumored that to join the Dark Organization, even to become its most ordinary member, one needed at least the strength of a peak True Qi Master. It was said that there were dozens of Innate Grandmasters in the Dark Organization, and even legendary Sacred Realm experts.
Zhang Fan's position as chief instructor in it was enough to indicate his strength, likely at least at the level of an Invincible Grandmaster, far beyond what Wei Tong could compare to.
"Hmph, that kid does have some skills, but he's too reckless. Without family help, the two of us indeed can't fight him."
"But, during this time, that kid has caused quite a bit of trouble in Yan Jing."
"The Qi family, the Chen family, and others also have grievances with him. As long as we can unite, even if that kid has three heads and six arms, he won't be able to resist," Zhao Ji said fiercely.
"What's more, I heard that your Wei family's little princess has returned. If we can get her to help, even if that kid has heavenly abilities, he will be doomed," a trace of madness flashed in Zhao Ji's eyes. Since his family wouldn't avenge him, he had to take matters into his own hands.
...