"Get some rest in the hospital, and I'll come see you when I have time."

After clarifying the ins and outs with Zhou Zhanlong, Xu Fan stood up and left the ward with Xiao Lan and Honda Tsubasa.

"Xu Fan, it was that guy!"

Just as they stepped out of the ward, Honda Tsubasa followed up with a look of anxiety.

The events Zhou Zhanlong described had already made her realize that the person responsible was the one she was looking for!

She was eager to explain to Xu Fan that they had encountered the same enemy.

"No rush, we'll talk in the car."

This wasn't the place to discuss such matters. Xu Fan waved his hand and led them toward the elevator.

The three of them went downstairs and got into the car.

"So... can we talk about it now?"

As soon as they got in the car, Honda Tsubasa peered over from the back seat.

Seeing her beautiful face so close, Xu Fan couldn't help but chuckle.

God knows what kind of anxiety she built up from the silent ride.

"All right, you don't need to explain. It's definitely that guy this time."

First the military district was robbed, then Lingyan Pavilion was next. Clearly, these two events were the work of the same person.

The one who stole secret manuals from various Dongying martial arts schools.

"So what do we do now?"

Honda Tsubasa asked anxiously.

She was now 100% certain that Xu Fan, like herself, was a victim of that guy.

The priority now was to find this guy and settle the score!

"Um... I'm not sure I understand what you're saying."

Xiao Lan watched from the side, feeling puzzled.

Did Xu Fan already know who hurt Zhou Zhanlong?

Curiosity getting the better of her, Xiao Lan asked.

"Sister Lan, that guy..."

It was normal for Xiao Lan not to understand. Xu Fan smiled and explained the theft of Dongying's martial arts secrets and the military district incident to Xiao Lan.

"This guy is too brazen..."

After hearing about his exploits, Xiao Lan was filled with shock.

One person stormed Dongying martial arts families, stealing their treasured martial arts secrets? Treating the military district like his backyard, coming and going as he pleased?

How strong would one have to be to pull that off?

"Xu Fan, maybe... we should drop this matter."

If Xu Fan continued to pursue it, he might have a direct conflict with the guy. Xu Fan was already dealing with the Huang Family. How could he afford to deal with someone whose strength was unfathomable?

According to Zhou Zhanlong, Lingyan Pavilion hadn't lost any valuable items. Xiao Lan was worried about Xu Fan and suggested letting it go.

Avoiding unnecessary trouble was best; she didn't want Xu Fan to bear too much.

"That won't do."

Xu Fan rejected Xiao Lan's suggestion without hesitation.

"You don't want to see me admit defeat, do you?"

As he spoke, Xu Fan glanced at Honda Tsubasa.

She was alone, and dealing with that guy would be extremely difficult. Having his help would increase their odds greatly.

If he admitted defeat, she certainly wouldn't be happy.

"I..."

Indeed, Honda Tsubasa wanted Xu Fan's help, but she felt conflicted.

She understood Xiao Lan's perspective.

"Sister Lan, how could we admit defeat after being toyed with like a backyard?"

Giving up wouldn't just leave Xu Fan disgruntled; it would dishearten Lingyan Pavilion too.

After all, Zhou Zhanlong's men were badly beaten. Dropping the matter wouldn't uphold the spirit of brotherhood.

Thanks to the Huang Family's issues, Xu Fan originally had no time for this, but now the guy was practically stepping over him. Staying silent was no longer an option.

"Sister Lan, let's go back to Lingyan Pavilion."

Zhou Zhanlong's incident happened last night. Returning there might yield some clues.

Most importantly, Xu Fan wanted personally to check what Lingyan Pavilion had lost.

After notifying Xiao Lan, Xu Fan drove toward Lingyan Pavilion Clubhouse.

In no time, the three arrived at their destination.

Xu Fan parked the car, leading the group straight into Lingyan Pavilion.

Inside the clubhouse, many subordinates were seen cleaning up the scene.

Even though they hadn't been there last night, the aftermath suggested that the fight had been intense.

The number of broken decorations was uncountable, not to mention the visible damage caused by Sword Qi throughout the venue.

Xu Fan brushed his hand over a stone pillar sliced cleanly by Sword Qi, furrowing his brow.

The mirror-like cut was enough proof of the opponent's swordsmanship.

With such swordsmanship and wielding the famed Ten-Handed Sword, Xu Fan couldn't help but wonder about his chances against this opponent.

After calculating carefully, the answer wasn't clear.

At the very least, he wasn't confident in a certain victory.

What a troublesome guy, his background still unknown. Xu Fan exhaled deeply and said to Xiao Lan, "Sister Lan, let's go take a look inside."

They could deduce the opponent's martial arts style from the wreckage, but there was no need for that.

Back at the military district, Xu Fan had already seen the opponent's moves.

With the essences of all Dongying's major martial arts styles, it left no trace.

Instead of idly speculating, they might as well go inside to see if anything was missing.

After signaling Xiao Lan, the three of them went into Lingyan Pavilion.

Inside Lingyan Pavilion was a secret treasure room that required special access. Not just anyone could enter.

Only Xiao Lan, Zhou Zhanlong, and Hu Busan had the necessary credentials.

The trio reached the door of the secret room. Xiao Lan stepped forward and took out the key.

Due to the rarity and value of the items inside, unlocking the door was somewhat complex.

It took three layers of security, and after a while, Xiao Lan finally opened the door.

"Let's go in and take a look."

With the heavy alloy door pushed open, Xiao Lan invited Xu Fan and Honda Tsubasa to enter.

Honda Tsubasa technically wasn't qualified to enter this layer, but Xiao Lan overlooked it due to Xu Fan.

"This..."

Entering Lingyan Pavilion's Treasure Vault, Honda Tsubasa's mouth formed an 'O' shape.

Though she was not much of an appraiser, she could tell the price scale of the antiques and paintings within.

If an ordinary person took one of these items, they could sell it and live luxuriously for a lifetime.

After a while, Honda Tsubasa put away her surprise.

On closer inspection, it was evident that nothing was missing in the vault, not even signs of tampering...

What's going on here?

Curiosity filled her heart, and Honda Tsubasa looked at Xu Fan with confusion...

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