Volume One, Chapter Four: All the Martial Masters of the World Assemble at the Hall of Warriors

“Mr. Chen, although you saved my grandfather, you cannot humiliate the Liu family like this.”

Liu Yanran’s delicate body trembled, her beautiful face full of indignation. “I would rather die, but you must apologize.”

She took pride in the Liu family and would rather die than allow Chen Fan to disgrace them in such a manner.

Sun Miao sighed helplessly, feeling that Chen Fan must have some misunderstanding about the Liu family.

Though the Liu family was merely a third-rate clan, they owned an undeveloped mine containing iron ore more valuable than gold—refined goldstone.

Refined goldstone had many uses: whether forging weapons or armor, even a small amount could significantly enhance quality.

Countless factions had extended olive branches, hoping to incorporate the Liu family.

Now that the Liu family had come willingly, Chen Fan’s disdain was puzzling.

However, this matter was confidential; only a few knew about it, and Chen Fan had learned it unintentionally.

That was why Qian Youliang had invited him to treat the old man—hoping to forge a good relationship.

Chen Fan blinked, somewhat helpless.

When had he humiliated the Liu family?

He had merely spoken the truth.

A mere third-rate family—he truly looked down on them!

“Everyone, please leave. I want to speak with Mr. Chen alone.”

The crowd departed, leaving only the elderly Liu patriarch and Chen Fan inside.

“So alike... so very alike...”

The old man’s eyes reddened suddenly, as if about to weep.

This scene left Chen Fan baffled.

He frowned, about to speak, but the old man clasped his fists and knelt on one knee.

“Your humble servant pays respects to the young master. Ten years... ten whole years. I thought I would never see the young master again.”

Chen Fan was stunned. The term “young master” felt both familiar and strange.

Only the Chen family would address him so.

But how could that be possible?

“Young master, do you recognize this?”

Liu Xiong produced a token, marked with a single character—“Dark”—and a number—“One.”

“You... you are Grandfather Dark!”

“Yes, young master, it is I!”

“I thought... you had died ten years ago...”

Chen Fan was overwhelmed with emotion, hastily helping Liu Xiong to his feet.

Ten years ago, Jin City was under Chen family rule—when they spoke, no one dared contradict.

The Chen family was renowned for recruiting heroes from all over.

Among their many retainers and advisers, the most loyal were the Chen family’s secret guards.

They wore masks, totaling nine men, whose true identities even Chen Fan did not know.

Among them, the one closest to Chen Fan was Secret Guard Number One.

Memories of riding on Grandfather Dark’s shoulders as a child were as vivid as yesterday.

“Grandfather Dark, who wiped out my entire Chen family back then? And how did you survive?”

Chen Fan had been too young to understand the truth. All he remembered was that night—the Chen family engulfed in flames, those once kind to him now wielding knives to slaughter indiscriminately.

The entire family was drowned in blood.

“Ten years ago, I, along with Third and Ninth, were dispatched by the family head on a secret mission... I was gravely wounded, my strength reduced to less than a tenth. When I returned to Jin City, the Chen family was already in ruins...”

Liu Xiong recounted all he knew without reservation.

“Grandfather Dark, do not worry. Now that I have returned, I will not spare anyone involved in that massacre.”

Chen Fan clenched his fist, an overwhelming aura of deadly intent emanating from him.

Blood debts must be paid in blood.

“Young master, the enemy is far stronger than we imagined. Over the years, I have investigated in secret... I suspect the involvement of the Four Great Powers. If the mastermind behind it learns you are still alive, they will surely try to kill you.”

The so-called Four Great Powers were the Medical Hall, the War Masters’ Hall, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and the Asura Hall.

The Medical Hall gathered the finest doctors.

The War Masters’ Hall was even more formidable—half the world’s martial artists came from there.

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion assembled the greatest artisans, masters of mechanical puppetry.

The Asura Hall was a vast assassin organization.

“I will investigate this thoroughly.”

Chen Fan’s gaze was deep, like a bottomless abyss.

Those who participated in the family’s destruction would be dealt with without mercy.

“Young master, do you have a place to stay? If not, you may live with me.”

“All right. Since the Chen family no longer exists, you need not call me young master. Just call me Xiaofan.”

“Rules must be observed,” Liu Xiong shook his head. “When others are around, I’ll call you Xiaofan; when alone, I’ll still call you young master.”

Chen Fan could only acquiesce.

Their conversation lasted over half an hour.

Outside, Liu Yanran paced anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.

“Dad, what do you think they’re talking about in there? Grandpa wouldn’t really accept someone surnamed Chen as the young master, would he?”

“I hope your grandfather doesn’t make a foolish decision.”

Just then, while Liu Xiong and Chen Fan spoke privately, Liu Mingshan received a call from Qian Hu.

He demanded the Liu family hand over the culprit within half an hour, warning of dire consequences otherwise.

Sun Miao, who had been waiting nearby, overheard the dialogue and grew displeased.

“Miss Liu, Master Chen is a superb doctor with astonishing martial talent. At such a young age, he already possesses the strength of a one-star battle general. His future achievements are limitless, especially since he saved your grandfather’s life...”

“A genius who dies prematurely is no genius at all,” Liu Yanran muttered.

She believed that since Chen Fan had severed Qian Youliang’s arm, his father Qian Hu would never let the matter rest.

It wouldn’t be long before Chen Fan’s life was in danger.

At that moment, the door opened.

Liu Mingshan immediately said, “Dad, Qian Hu has issued an order—if we don’t surrender the man, the Liu family will be finished!”

“As long as I’m alive, the Liu family will not perish. Tell Qian Hu I won’t hand him over. If he dares, let him try to flatten the Liu family.”

Suddenly, a brazen, savage laugh echoed.

It was none other than Wang Biao, Qian Hu’s top lieutenant.

Wang Biao was burly, bald, with a murderous gleam in his eyes—a one-star battle general.

The one-star battle general rank was subdivided into early, mid, late, and peak stages.

Wang Biao was a peak one-star battle general.

“Old Master Liu, my big brother told me to bring the culprit back.”

“Chen Fan saved my life. If I hand him over, what face will the Li