Martial Arts Secret Realm: Only I Can Know the Plot?

"Interesting." He stroked his long beard. "You, a junior, do have quite the guts."

"It seems you also know why we've come."

Sun Fan replied neither servilely nor arrogantly, "This junior naturally knows."

Yan Gaotian walked up from behind and stood next to Hua Tiegan, coldly looking at Sun Fan.

"Sun Fan, stop pretending." His voice was like the winter wind, chilling to the bone. "You know perfectly well what you've done."

Sun Fan glanced at him, his expression unchanged: "Young Master Yan, long time no see. I'm sorry about your brother's matter. But it was a fair fight; life and death are left to fate. If you're not satisfied, you can follow the rules of the martial world; why make such a fuss?"

Yan Gaotian's face turned ashen, and he was about to speak when Hua Tiegan reached out and stopped him.

Yan Gaotian did not know Shen Zhaowu, but he did.

Shen Zhaowu and the garrison troops of Jingzhou were watching them coldly from the city wall.

Although with their martial arts skills, killing Sun Fan and leaving wouldn't be a problem, it would undoubtedly be tantamount to breaking ties with the government.

This means that all the efforts the Hua family has made in Jiangnan over the years have been in vain.

He cannot allow this to happen.

"Gao Tian, ​​don't rush," Hua Tiegan said. "Since he's willing to follow the rules, then let's talk about them."

He looked at Sun Fan and said, "Young Master Sun, since you know why we're here, you still dare to wait for us here. You've got some nerve."

Sun Fan smiled and said, "Senior Hua, you misunderstand. I am waiting here not because I am bold, but because I have a clear conscience."

"A clear conscience?" Hua Tieqian sneered. "You killed Gao Tian's brother, and you call that a clear conscience?"

"A fair fight, life and death are left to fate." Sun Fan repeated, "This is the rule of the martial world. Senior Hua is a senior in the martial arts world, he should understand this principle better than I do."

Hua Tiegan stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"What a fair fight!" He nodded.

"The martial arts world has its own rules."

"Since you say it's a fair fight, then let's do it according to the rules of the martial arts world."

"A fair fight, regardless of life or death, that's true."

"But if relatives come to your door wanting another match, will you accept?"

Sun Fan glanced at Yan Gaotian, then looked at Hua Tiegan.

"I'll take it," he said, "but not now."

Why?

"Since Senior Hua has come from afar, I have not yet fulfilled my duty as a host." Sun Fan stepped aside and made a "please" gesture. "Senior Hua, please."

Hua Tiegan pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"it is good."

He strode into the city.

Yan Gaotian followed behind, and as he passed Sun Fan, he whispered, "You can't escape."

Sun Fan didn't answer, he just smiled.

Wangjiang Tower.

Private room on the third floor.

Sun Fan booked the entire third floor and set up three large tables. One table was occupied by Hua Tiegan, Yan Gaotian, and several leaders of the Hua family; another table was occupied by the Hua family's guards; and the third table was occupied by Sun Fan's men.

The wine was excellent, a twenty-year-old Daughter's Red wine stored in the Shen family's cellar. The dishes were also excellent, prepared by the best chef at Wangjiang Tower, featuring eight cold and eight hot dishes, all with perfect color, aroma, and taste.

Hua Tiegan sat in the main seat, picked up his wine glass, took a slow sip, and his eyes lit up.

"Good wine."

"I'm glad you like it, Senior Hua." Sun Fan filled his glass to the brim. "This is Shen family's aged Daughter's Red wine, twenty years old. Master Shen heard that Senior Hua was coming, so he specially sent it over."

Hua Tieqian paused for a moment: "Shen Huaishan?"

"That's right." Sun Fan nodded. "Master Shen said that he has long admired Senior Hua's name and originally wanted to come and accompany him in person, but he is too old to go out. He specially ordered me to entertain him on his behalf. Please forgive him, Senior Hua."

Hua Tieqian's expression changed.

Shen Huaishan.

This name might not carry much weight in official circles, but it carries considerable weight in the martial arts world of Jiangnan. Although the Shen family is based in Jingzhou, they have connections with all the major families in Jiangnan. Hua Tiegan cannot refuse to give Shen Huaishan face.

"Mr. Shen, you're too kind." Hua Tiegan put down his wine glass and looked at Sun Fan. "What's your relationship with the Shen family?"

"I came to Jingzhou to study, and I was fortunate enough to stay at Mr. Shen's house for a while because of his kindness," Sun Fan said. "Mr. Shen took great care of me, and I am extremely grateful."

Hua Tieqian frowned slightly.

He glanced at Yan Gaotian, then at Sun Fan.

This person is related to the Shen family.

The Shen family in Jingzhou, while not exactly all-powerful, are certainly local bullies. Making trouble for the Shen family here isn't impossible, but the price to pay will be far greater than elsewhere.

He suddenly realized that this trip to Jingzhou might not be as simple as he had thought.

After a few rounds of drinks, Hua Tiegan put down his chopsticks and looked at Sun Fan.

"Young Master Sun, you just said that the duel with Gao Tian isn't now. So when would you like to?"

Sun Fan also put down his chopsticks, his expression calm.

Three days later.

"Three days?" Hua Tiegan raised an eyebrow. "Why wait three days?"

"You are a guest from afar. The scenery of Jingzhou is beautiful. If Young Master Yan can take the time to see it in the final moments of his life, then his life will not have been in vain."

mad!

The fierce tiger Yan Gaotian could barely contain his anger.

Even in the dark martial arts academy, no one dared to speak to him like that.

He never imagined he would suffer such humiliation.

However, the opportunity for revenge is right in front of us.

He forced out a single word through gritted teeth: "Okay."

I won't say more.

Three days later, he wanted Sun Fan dead!

On the third floor of Wangjiang Tower, the banquet ended, and Hua Tiegan led the Hua family to check into the inn. Yan Gaotian did not follow. He stood on the street for a long time, watching Sun Fan's departing figure, his fingers clenching so tightly in his sleeves that they cracked.

"Gao Tian," Hua Tieqian's voice came from behind, "Come in, I have something to say to you."

Yan Gaotian took a deep breath, turned around, and walked into the post station.

Hua Tiegan sat in a grand chair, a pot of tea in front of him, the tea already cold, which he did not drink. He stared at Yan Gaotian for a long time before speaking: "Your enemy is not simple."

Yan Gaotian remained silent.

"He has connections with the Shen family. The fact that that old fox Shen Huaishan is willing to stand up for him shows that he's not alone in Jingzhou." Hua Tieqian tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "How do you plan to fight in the duel three days from now?"

"Kill him." Yan Gaotian's voice was as cold as iron.

"What happens after you kill him?" Hua Tiegan looked at him. "Won't the Shen family turn against you? The garrison is watching from the city walls. If you kill him, can you guarantee you'll leave Jingzhou alive?"

Yan Gaotian fell silent.

Hua Tiegan stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Gao Tian: "Gao Tian, ​​I came to Jingzhou with you, not to collect your corpse. If you want to kill him, I won't stop you. But you need to think carefully—how will you get away after you kill him?"

"I have a way," Yan Gaotian said.

"What method?"

Yan Gaotian did not answer.

Hua Tiegan turned around, looked at him sharply, and asked, "Gao Tian, ​​are you hiding something from me?"

Yan Gaotian lowered his eyes: "Uncle, you are overthinking it. I just don't want to implicate you."

Hua Tiegan stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "You're good in every way, except you're too strong-willed. Fine, if you don't tell me, I won't ask. But there's one thing you must promise me."

"Please speak, Uncle."

"I will be present during the duel. If you gain the upper hand, I will not interfere. But if you are at a disadvantage—" Hua Tiegan paused, "I will call a halt to the duel."

Yan Gaotian's pupils contracted slightly: "Uncle—I won't lose!"

"Stop talking." Hua Tiegan waved his hand. "You call me Uncle, I can't watch you die. It's settled then."

"A martial arts contest isn't child's play; there's no such thing as a guaranteed victory."

Yan Gaotian opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Hua Tiegan stood by the window, watching Yan Gaotian's departing figure, his brows furrowed deeply.

He always felt that something was wrong.

That young man named Sun Fan was too calm.