In the cave within Luoyan Gate's mountain, the disheveled old Daoist scurried about, darting from one opening to another, engrossed in some unknown endeavor.
"Old fellow! What are you up to?" Lu Fan suddenly appeared inside the cave.
"Kid! I, your Daoist master, have calculated with my fingers that you are likely to face a great tribulation soon. Therefore, I am crafting a mechanism for you, so you may evade this calamity," the disheveled old Daoist muttered.
"I'm going to face a tribulation? How come I didn't calculate that?" Lu Fan rolled his eyes.
"Tsk! How can your cultivation compare to mine?" The disheveled old Daoist pouted and continued, "Kid! Don't you dare disbelieve me! My calculations indicate that the opponents arriving this time are all super powerhouses."
"Alright! I believe you! But why are you doing all this? They're looking for me, not Luoyan Gate. As far as I know, it's because I revealed myself in the martial world under the guise of Huarong Prefecture that so many foreigners want to learn the secrets of Huarong Prefecture from me," Lu Fan said.
"They're looking for you, so you can naturally lead them here, you idiot! The battle is initiated by them, but where the battlefield is set is entirely up to you!"
The disheveled old Daoist cast a disdainful glance at Lu Fan and added, "Actually, although the foundation of Luoyan Gate here was destroyed before it could be established, it's not as simple as you see.
Let me tell you, this entire mountain is riddled with caves. If opened, it would form a super maze, complete with various mechanisms and traps. Just like how we easily dealt with the Ma family last time." The disheveled old Daoist spoke with confidence.
"Easily? We almost drowned in there last time, alright?" Lu Fan immediately rolled his eyes. If it weren't for him leveraging the buoyancy of the water at the last moment to break free, they would have all drowned in that water cave.
"Tsk! Believe it or not, you'll know how formidable your Daoist master is when the time comes." Seeing that Lu Fan didn't believe him, the disheveled old Daoist stopped bothering with the kid and zipped into one of the cave openings.
...
At the entrance of Ye Shisan's villa, Wang Yan slowly emerged. Her internal injuries had significantly improved after taking Lu Fan's pills. However, there were too many matters in the village, and she felt uneasy, so she decided to take a stroll.
Suddenly, a man and a woman walked towards the village entrance. The woman was an old widow in the village, surnamed Feng, in her fifties, widowed for seven or eight years. Everyone in the village called her Sister Feng.
Behind her followed a burly man with a simple, honest face, clearly a hardworking individual.
"Village Chief Wang! You..." Seeing Wang Yan, Sister Feng immediately stepped forward to greet her. However, noticing they were at Lu Fan's doorstep, her eyes suddenly darted, and she said, "Village Chief Wang! I heard Lu Fan's wife returned many days ago, yet you still dare to come to his house?"
"Sister Feng! Ru Yan is a very good person, and I haven't done anything wrong. Why can't I come?" Wang Yan immediately detected the underlying tone in Sister Feng's words and asked, rolling her eyes.
"Tsk! You, a little widow, with no relation to Lu Fan, how did you become the village chief? How did you end up managing things for Lu Fan? Everyone knows how that happened! I've been a widow for seven or eight years, and that kid never asked me to do anything for him!" Sister Feng pouted.
"Sister Feng! You've been a widow for seven or eight years but haven't managed to keep your mouth shut. You say whatever comes to mind. Aren't you afraid someone will accuse you of spreading rumors and sue you?" Wang Yan's anger flared. These old women in the village loved gossip! They would chatter about everyone's affairs, laughing heartily.
"Tsk! This old lady isn't a widow anymore. Look..." Sister Feng turned and pointed at the man behind her, then spoke animatedly again, "This is the new man I've found! He's six years younger than me! His body is strong, full of vigor!"
Wang Yan's mouth fell open in surprise as she looked at the man, then back at Sister Feng, asking, "Sister Feng! With your aged face, you're six years older than him! Is this suitable for you?"
"Why isn't it suitable!? This old lady has money now, and I can pick and choose when looking for a partner. Let me tell you, many men and women from outside want to come to our village, but they can't find a way in!"
Sister Feng suddenly glanced around and lowered her voice, saying, "Wang Yan, let me tell you, with your alluring looks, all you have to do is say the word, and finding a college student wouldn't be a problem. Our village is better than the city now. Villages within ten miles are all trying their best to marry their children into our village, even if it means being a live-in son-in-law!"
"Oh, right, don't say I told you this! If Lu Fan finds out I'm encouraging you to get married, he'll cut off my financial path. I have to go now." Sister Feng said, then hurriedly left with the man.
"Damn it... with that rotten mouth of yours, your financial path should have been cut off long ago," Wang Yan yelled angrily from behind.
However, it was truly unexpected how much the villagers had changed with their newfound wealth. Even someone like Sister Feng could be picky when finding an old man!
"Xiao Fan...!" Suddenly, Wang Yan saw Lu Fan returning and quickly called out.
"Sister Wang Yan! Your injuries require proper rest, why did you come out?" Lu Fan said urgently.
"It's not that serious. Sister's injuries have healed!" Wang Yan smiled slightly, touched by Lu Fan's concern.
The two returned to the villa, where Zhao Rongrong had already arranged for a ginseng and wild chicken soup to be made, which was just being brought over for Wang Yan.
"Wang Yan, you were injured protecting our family this time. Quickly drink this chicken soup to nourish yourself," Zhao Rongrong personally handed the soup to Wang Yan.
"Thank you, Auntie!" Wang Yan felt a little touched. She couldn't help but sigh, thinking that without Liu Ruyan, she might have also become part of the Lu family. Alas!
Lu Fan walked out of the room, and Mo Xiong followed him out.
"Mo Xiong! We will face a major battle in the coming days. No matter what commotion you hear, do not come out. This is not something you can participate in. Your only duty is to protect the family," Lu Fan said suddenly.
"Understood! Young Master, you must also be careful." Mo Xiong nodded, knowing that if even a powerhouse like Lu Fan spoke of a major battle, then they were utterly unqualified to participate.