"Fanfan's past? He never talked about it. Does he have some extraordinary identity and background?" Chu Biyao asked naturally, following Fire Phoenix's words.

"Well, he hasn't mentioned it, which is a good thing for you." Fire Phoenix smiled softly.

Chu Biyao had her interpretation and said with caution, "What do you mean by that? Are you trying to say that you and Fanfan were indeed lovers in the past, had some history, and now you've come back to claim him, right? Let me tell you, save those useless excuses. Even if you say you bore Fanfan's child, we wouldn't believe you. Don't even think about stirring up discord and creating a rift between us and Ye Fan. If you talk reasonably, we can discuss. If you are interested in Fanfan, perhaps I could even help you pursue him. Fair competition with my elder sister would be best. Let's not resort to weapons; if you use force, my sister might not be a match, but she will not easily admit defeat. She will fight for her happiness."

"You are indeed clever. Beneath your apparent playful mischief, there lies great wisdom." Fire Phoenix praised, saying, "I suppose you've already guessed it. I'm not here with friendly intentions; that's why you're joking around, trying to distract me, right? You don't want to see me and Ye Fan, or Mengyao, becoming adversaries, so you keep playing these little tricks."

Chu Biyao gave an awkward smile, realizing Fire Phoenix had indeed guessed her thoughts.

From the change in her sister's expression and her own deductions, she had already guessed a rough outline. Although she didn't clearly understand the inner relationships, she deeply felt the adversarial situation that no one wanted to see.

"You've guessed it right; you're smarter than me. Are you still going to make things difficult for us? We're all women, so why make things hard for each other?" Chu Biyao smiled and said, "Why not take a step back, sit down, and discuss things peacefully? Why resort to fighting?"

"I won't make things difficult for you, nor can I. That much you must know." Fire Phoenix gave a bitter smile and said, "But there are things that must be done and reasons that cannot be ignored."

Chu Biyao knew her words wouldn't have any effect, so she looked to her sister and said, "Sister, you try persuading her. I'm at a loss."

"I don't know your grievances, but I am sure of one thing: you don't want to be enemies with him. I can feel it." Chu Mengyao said lightly, "If possible, I still hope everyone can sit down and have a good talk. Although we've only met once, I'm sure he doesn't want any unpleasantness with you. I don't want to make things hard for him. If possible, I beg you to let it go."

"Don't worry about it. We still have a chance to be sisters. Saying more might hurt our relationship." Fire Phoenix was slightly moved and took a deep breath, saying, "I know what to do and have the assurance. You don't need to worry."

What Mengyao said indeed affected her greatly. No matter how you look at it, it would be beneficial for Mengyao if she became enemies with Ye Fan. However, Mengyao didn't do that and stood wholeheartedly on Ye Fan's side. This is a grand gesture, one that is rare for most women.

"Have you thought about the consequences?" Mengyao continued to press, "If you two end up fighting to the death, that's an outcome no one wants. When we were in Ba Country, I could see you were happy to meet Ye Fan, but it definitely wasn't like the complicated expression you have now."

"Let's not talk about heavy topics. He will arrive in about a quarter-hour. Before he arrives, I don't want to discuss unpleasant topics." Fire Phoenix changed the subject and said, "Do you know, back then, those black-clad men around me regarded him as a godlike figure. Countless forces in the Underworld saw him as a godlike figure. Those black-clad men have a name: Shadow Guard. The Shadow Guard serves their master without the privilege to know the master's identity or face. Now, the master is gone, and I am the new master. I want to tell you, his past was exceptionally glorious and captured the world's attention. But now he willingly lives as an ordinary person. Perhaps it's in his nature — tired of the bloodshed and seeking serenity."

As Fire Phoenix spoke about Ye Fan's past, she mentioned some trivial matters, but they were all related to Ye Fan. She had never mentioned even half a word about this to Xiaolong, but now she spoke so much.

Chu Mengyao and Chu Biyao listened quietly, without interrupting.

"Shadow Guard? No wonder we couldn't even fight back. So they are the Shadow Guard?" Han Bihong and the ten women had a new understanding of those seemingly ordinary men in black.

Half a quarter-hour later, Leng Mei came in to report, "Master, he has arrived. As per your instructions, I've asked him to wait."

"He finally arrived." Fire Phoenix stood up and moved outside.

"Sister, what should we do now? We can't just watch and do nothing, right?" Chu Biyao said anxiously.

"What can we do? What are we capable of doing?" Mengyao glanced at the scene outside the door, where the black-clad men entered one by one after Fire Phoenix left. She felt powerless, even with the assistance of the ten women, they couldn't break through, merely struggling in vain, not to mention that the ten women still lacked freedom.

"Damn Shadow Guard." Chu Biyao cursed inwardly, feeling dispirited.

She worriedly asked, "Sister, the relationship between Ye Fan and Fire Phoenix is complicated. What if they really fight? Ye Fan will be very upset and sad."

"This situation is beyond our help. They'll have to resolve it themselves." Chu Mengyao said with a heavy tone.

Ye Fan walked through the familiar Shadow Guard, led by Leng Mei, to a secluded room.

These Shadow Guards, once so familiar to him, now seemed so foreign.

He recognized the attire of the Shadow Guard, could identify each person's nickname, and even know their skills. However, among the Shadow Guard, no one recognized him.

Leng Mei went to fetch Fire Phoenix, leaving Ye Fan alone with a chaotic mind.

Such emotions were rare for him, but Fire Phoenix was a special case, and he had his concerns.

Eventually, Fire Phoenix appeared before Ye Fan, with Leng Mei and the Shadow Guard nowhere in sight.

"You're here?" Ye Fan spoke first.

"I'm here." Fire Phoenix responded, then gave a bitter smile, "This is my turf, shouldn't I be the one to ask that?"

"It's the same." Ye Fan replied.

"Is it?" Fire Phoenix chuckled.

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