Chapter Fifty-Five: Sweeping Through (Part Two)

After Fan Qi spoke, several more elders added their voices. Fan Hao’s mind was in turmoil, but he could only agree with the elders and went to find his father.

Fan Hao was also somewhat anxious. His father had entered seclusion rather abruptly this time and had strictly ordered that unless he gave explicit instructions, no one was allowed to disturb him. Even the meals were only ever left outside his door, with no one daring to interact with him directly.

Now, after only a short while, he was forced to break this rule and disturb his father’s seclusion; naturally, he felt some dread.

Fan Hao felt that his own journey had not been easy. He had three brothers in his generation, the youngest already past thirty, while he was the eldest and the one with the highest cultivation.

But now, over forty years old, he was still stuck at the middle stage of Gathering Qi, unable to break through to the advanced stage. Yet among his four brothers, he was still the strongest. His father had always trained him to take charge of the family’s affairs, but because his strength was not yet enough, he had never truly won over the others. The path he walked was filled with hardship.

Arriving at Fan Yongnian’s residence, Fan Hao called out for a long time without any response. He saw dishes left on the ground outside and, remembering the rumors from earlier today, was suddenly struck by a sense of foreboding.

He barged into the house and found it empty, not a soul inside. Suppressing his panic, he began checking the room, but found no signs of any struggle.

Afterward, Fan Hao went to the kitchen to find the servant who brought meals to Fan Yongnian daily. Upon questioning, he learned that the meal from that morning had not been taken inside. Since this was the first time it happened, no one had reported it.

Fan Hao cursed several times before remembering that there were still several people waiting for him in the main hall. He turned and went back. As soon as he entered, he sensed something was amiss.

“Young Master, why do you look so flustered? Has something happened?” Fan Qi, sitting nearby, asked.

Fan Hao truly was panicked, so much so that he forgot to hide his emotions. He simply confessed, “My father has disappeared.”

At these words, everyone in the hall changed expressions at once, instantly recalling the rumors from earlier in the day—could they be true?

“But I found no signs of a fight, which means my father may very well have left on his own,” Fan Hao added.

“In any case, this must be kept secret for now. Pass my order: no one in the residence is to spread this news. Anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy!

Also, go and check on the Feng family; see if there’s any movement there.”

This time, the one who spoke was Fan Yongkuan—Fan Yongnian’s own brother, the foremost man under the head of the Fan family.

With Fan Yongkuan speaking, he gave Fan Hao no chance to reply. Fan Hao looked displeased, but had no way to object, for Fan Yongkuan was right. In terms of influence within the family, Fan Yongkuan indeed surpassed him.

He nodded his agreement.

Less than an hour later, someone returned with news: the Feng family was utterly silent, not a sound, not a person to be seen.

Now everyone in the Fan family wore the same grim expression. If the Feng family was acting in this way, it could only mean something had happened to them as well.

“Young Master, do you have any strategy?” Fan Yongkuan inquired.

“Send people to search. Even if we have to turn the whole city of Yuyang upside down, we must find my father!”

“And besides this? You must remember, our Fan family holds the north side of the city, and there are many eyes upon us. Do you have no other plan?” Fan Yongkuan pressed.

“Then I’ll have to trouble the elders. Some of you go to search for my father, while the rest go guard our various family businesses to prevent any scoundrels from causing trouble during this time,” Fan Hao replied. But just as he finished speaking, a young member of the Fan family hurried in from outside.

“Young Master, Elders, there’s trouble! Several gangs outside are causing disturbances. They’re destroying our businesses and assaulting our people.”

“What!” Fan Hao was shocked and furious. He hadn’t expected someone to act so quickly.

But the matter was already upon them. He could only send people to deal with it as best as possible. The elders glanced at him with a changed look before leaving.

A day passed, and by noon the next day, Fan Hao was still waiting at home. Fan Yongnian had not returned, nor had any of the elders. Suddenly, another young clansman came running in, clearly alarmed.

In the midst of his frustration, Fan Hao heard the news: “Young Master, Elder Fan Qi has been gravely injured by Yang Ze. The other elders have all rushed to Wenjia Street.”

“What? What happened?” Fan Hao exclaimed.

“This morning, Yang Ze led people from Xiangyun Street and suddenly attacked our stronghold on Wenjia Street. Elder Fan Qi led our men to resist but was badly wounded. Yang Ze demanded Elder Fan Qi and our people get out of Wenjia Street, or he’ll kill them. That’s why the other elders went there.”

Hearing this, Fan Hao’s heart tightened. He immediately led the household guards to Wenjia Street, not daring to be careless. This trouble was stirred up by Yang Ze. If he couldn’t deal with Yang Ze, the true strength and weakness of the Fan family would be exposed.

With dozens of guards, he rushed to Wenjia Street. As he arrived, he witnessed Yang Ze striking out with his fist—Fan Yongkuan took the blow, spitting blood and collapsing.

Yang Ze clapped his hands, looked at Fan Hao, and said lightly, “You must be Fan Yongnian’s son, Fan Hao?”

Fan Hao’s face flushed with rage, but before he could speak, Yang Ze continued, “The strength of your family’s elders is truly unimpressive. Not one is my match. Since that’s the case, you’d best withdraw from Wenjia Street. Don’t embarrass yourselves any further.”

Yang Ze pointed at Fan Yongkuan on the ground. In fact, not only Fan Yongkuan, but all four of the other elders—including Fan Qi—had been defeated by Yang Ze.

This was a complete rout—a true, one-sided defeat. With his current strength, Yang Ze could easily handle two or three advanced-stage Gathering Qi practitioners.

Fan Hao, having just arrived, witnessed this scene without a word, feeling a suffocating heaviness in his heart as darkness crept into his vision.

“I advise you to see reason. Fan Yongnian is dead. At this time, the wisest thing for the Fan family is to cut your losses to preserve the core. If you don’t withdraw from Wenjia Street, don’t blame me for using force,” Yang Ze said coldly.