"Severing Tendon Leg?" Lu Fan, who was watching the commotion, frowned. Although this kick wouldn't cause permanent damage to Hong Xiaojiao, it was evident that Xue Yan's kick was both fierce and precise. This woman was truly inhumane!
*Slap...* Hong Xiaojiao was startled and quickly grabbed downwards with both hands, catching Xue Yan's ankle. She then forcefully retreated.
"Ah...!" Xue Yan was pulled into a split and landed on the ground. She let out a cry, clutching her lower body with both hands, her face contorted in pain.
"Sister Yan! Are you alright?" Xue Hui rushed over and helped Xue Yan up, asking.
"Get lost! If you're fine, try kicking me! And beat this little vixen soundly!" Xue Yan glared at Xue Hui and roared indignantly.
"Hmph! Watch me teach her a lesson!" Xue Hui lunged towards Hong Xiaojiao, his fists transforming into claws, raking towards Hong Xiaojiao's chest.
"Hmph! This guy is even more despicable!" Lu Fan's frown deepened. Judging by the methods of these two juniors, he scoffed. The Xue family...
"Damn it!" Hong Xiaojiao dodged several claw strikes, her expression growing uglier. Seeing the guy's eyes fixed on her chest, she unleashed a kick.
*Whoosh... Bang...* Xue Hui was sent flying by the kick, landing on the ground with a thud and sliding two meters further. Clutching his stomach, he grimaced and couldn't get up.
"Who dares to be so audacious! To cause trouble in the Xue family!" A furious roar suddenly erupted, and a group of people emerged from within. Their faces were all contorted with anger, and they swaggered out as if they intended to kill someone to vent their frustration.
"Third Uncle! These two are causing trouble at our Xue family. They beat the guards and us. Please teach them a harsh lesson and let them know the Xue family is not to be trifled with!" Xue Hui shouted upon seeing the newcomers.
Leading the group was the Xue family's third master, Xue Zhennan! Following behind him were the Xue family's retainers, in other words, a group hired by the Xue family to handle their disputes.
Although the Xue family was wealthy and influential, and held a high status in the martial world, they couldn't avoid disputes when constantly expanding their power. It was inconvenient for the Xue family to handle every matter themselves, so they naturally let these retainers smooth things over, allowing themselves some room to maneuver.
"Two juniors, state your names!" Xue Zhennan glanced at Hong Xiaojiao. He had clearly seen her boxing style earlier, which bore some resemblance to Hong Family Fist. Thus, he wanted to confirm if she was indeed from the Hong family. If she was, he would have to show some respect to the Hong family and couldn't kill her!
"Third Master Xue! We are here to collect a debt!" At this moment, Lu Fan stepped forward again. He held a promissory note, which he flicked towards Xue Laosan.
Xue Laosan was startled by Lu Fan's technique and hastily reached out to catch it... Ah...! He was forced back three steps, feeling a sharp pain in his tiger's mouth. Looking down, he saw that the promissory note had actually cut a gash across his tiger's mouth.
"You..." Xue Laosan's expression changed drastically, and his eyes showed a look of shock as he gazed at Lu Fan. He then looked at the promissory note in his hand, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"You... you wait here!" Xue Zhennan glanced at Lu Fan and turned back.
"What the heck? Shouldn't they be inviting us in for a warm reception?" Lu Fan was stunned. What was the meaning of this? Were they not going to honor the debt written by their ancestor himself? Hmph! This way, he could act more freely!
"Little brother! This Xue family must have done too many bad deeds and have a guilty conscience, so they don't dare to let you in!" Hong Xiaojiao pouted and said, coming to Lu Fan's side.
"It's fine. We have plenty of time. We'll wait patiently!" Lu Fan said calmly.
Beside them, more than a dozen guards, Xue Yan, Xue Hui, and a few retainers stood there as if stunned. They couldn't understand why the usually arrogant Xue Laosan had run back after receiving a piece of paper. This was unlike his usual decisive and ruthless demeanor.
In the past, if anyone dared to cause trouble at the Xue family, they would be severely punished, if not killed!
Not long after, four people emerged from within. The Xue family patriarch, Xue Zhendong, the second master Xue Zhenxi, the third master Xue Zhennan, and the fourth master Xue Zhenbei!
"Xue family's Xue Zhendong and his three brothers greet the Recruitment Envoy! Our junior family members were ignorant and offended you, please do not blame us, Recruitment Envoy." Upon arrival, Xue Zhendong immediately cupped his fists towards Lu Fan and said.
"It's nothing, Eldest Brother Xue! We are here to collect a debt. Do you recognize this promissory note?" Lu Fan said coldly.
"I recognize it! I recognize it! We must! However, the amount is quite substantial. Please allow us brothers some time to prepare. May I ask where the Recruitment Envoy is staying? We will deliver it to you immediately once it's ready." Xue Zhendong said with a slight smile.
Damn it! This was truly different from the Hong family. There was no intention of hospitality, just an outright dismissal, and they did it with justification. They truly didn't take their ancestor's words seriously. It was likely they didn't intend to pay the money either!
Lu Fan's lips curved slightly, and he said calmly, "Very well! I'll give you two days to prepare the money. I'll come to collect it after two days!"
After speaking, Lu Fan took Hong Xiaojiao and turned to leave.
"Eldest Brother! That's two hundred million! And we're just letting this kid take it like this?" Xue Zhennan said with a somewhat ferocious expression as soon as the two had left the courtyard.
"The Supreme Ancestor has been missing for decades. It's hard to say if this promissory note is real or not. Perhaps someone is trying to create a stir? After all, Huayong Prefecture is merely a legend." Xue Zhenxi also said coldly from the side.
"We dare not make decisions regarding Huayong Prefecture. We should consult the Ancestor!" Xue Zhendong said after a moment of hesitation.
"Eldest Brother! It's fine to consult the Ancestor. However, these two brats are only in their twenties. Hmph! Why don't we find someone to test them first? If their skills are just average... Hmph! Even if Huayong Prefecture truly exists, so what?" Xue Zhenbei, who had been silent, suddenly sneered and said.
"Yes! Fourth Brother is right. Those two are just little kids. They've been practicing martial arts since they were in the womb, and it's only been twenty years. I don't believe they can't be dealt with!" Xue Zhenxi immediately chimed in.
"I still need to discuss this with the Ancestor first." Xue Zhendong's expression flickered a few times, and he finally walked towards the inner courtyard.
"Hmph! Since Eldest Brother dares not act, we will! I don't want to give away two hundred million so easily!" Xue Zhenbei sneered coldly.