Chapter 221: Chapter 118: The Enhancement for the Vajra Undying Body from Entering the Realm of Strength, Can I Kill Duan Tianhong with a Single Palm Strike?

Remembering Liang Qiu’s gift of the "Eternal Night’s Descent" bracers and considering the two men were truly ignorant of the larger plot, Chu Fan found an opportunity to explain the situation to the new Hall Master of the Punishment Hall and secured their release.

After their release, the two chose not to leave the Seven Stars Gang, the very place that had nearly cost them their lives.

The new Gang Leader, Cao Feng, knew of their connection to Chu Fan and, taking the path of least resistance, allowed them to continue working under him, managing the affairs of Xingning Street as before.

Ever since getting a taste of success from selling the "Mountain-Splitting Fist" Boxing Manual, Chu Fan had entrusted this "business" to the four of them.

Liang Qiu and Ling Feng knew the ins and outs of the underworld, while Fatty and Jiang Yuanfan managed communications and some of the "sales." They coordinated seamlessly, and in a short time, they had nearly made the Mountain-Splitting Fist a technique that everyone in Cyan Yang Ancient City could practice.

Having survived a life-and-death ordeal, they were now back in charge of the lucrative Xingning Street, with the added revenue stream from selling the boxing manuals. Their income was several times that of an ordinary Seven Stars Gang disciple. To Liang Qiu and Ling Feng, it felt like they had stepped out of hell and straight into heaven.

The two were incredibly grateful to Chu Fan; their loyalty was beyond question.

"Boss Chu, we’re not on duty today. We’ve taken the liberty of booking a private room at the Drunken Immortal Tower. We’d like to invite you for a few drinks as a small token of our gratitude!"

Liang Qiu stepped forward and spoke with his hands clasped in respect, his tone filled with reverence and genuine sincerity.

Ten days had passed, and much of the haggard look had faded from his face. Yet, deep in his eyes, a certain gravity remained—a mark left by his ordeal.

Ling Feng nodded vigorously beside him.

Chu Fan glanced at the four of them and gave a slight nod.

Cultivation of the Martial Dao required a balance between exertion and rest.

He was indeed exhausted from his efforts since last night. As it happened to be lunchtime, a small get-together with his men wouldn’t hurt.

He’d thought about asking Zhao Tianxing to join, but then he remembered that Tianxing had been spending all his time at the Moon Arrow Martial Arts Hall practicing his archery.

Spurred on by Chu Fan’s own progress, Tianxing was now desperate to master his Moon Eclipse Arrow technique and bring it to the Perfection realm. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Chu Fan took a towel, wiped the sweat from his face, and said, "Let’s go."

To have such monstrous talent and still be so diligent in his training... As Liang Qiu and Ling Feng watched him, the respect they felt deepened.

The five of them left the small courtyard together, heading for Xingning Street.

As they reached the entrance of the Deacon Hall, they suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps.

Steward Li, the very man Chu Fan had beaten up before, rushed out from inside.

The moment Steward Li saw Chu Fan, his eyes lit up. He hurried over and grabbed his arm. "I was just looking for you! I have wonderful news!"

His face wreathed in smiles, Steward Li pulled Chu Fan inside without taking no for an answer.

An unknowing observer would have assumed the two were the closest of friends, never guessing that just a few days prior, Chu Fan had given this same steward a sound thrashing to get back his five thousand eight hundred taels of silver.

’Wonderful news?’ Chu Fan’s interest was piqued. Thinking there might be some benefit in it for him, he allowed himself to be led inside.

Liang Qiu and the other three exchanged a look and followed them in, curious.

The moment they stepped into the Deacon Hall, Steward Li announced urgently, "The Duan Clan, one of the Four Great Clans, has sent someone to the Seven Stars Gang with a marriage proposal!"

"What?" Chu Fan and the four men behind him were all taken aback.

’A marriage proposal from the Duan Clan?’

’They must see that the New Seven Stars Gang is on the rise and want to form an alliance through marriage.’

’But logically, the other party in such an alliance should be a direct descendant of the Cao Clan or the Li Clan. What does this have to do with me?’

"The Duan Clan is proposing a marriage. What does that have to do with me?" Chu Fan asked, his brow furrowed.

Steward Li chuckled and leaned in closer. "The person the Duan Clan wants to form a marriage alliance with is you, Chu Fan!"

"I refuse!" Chu Fan’s expression darkened instantly, and he turned to leave.

’How absurd!’

’I’m not a disciple of the Cao Sect, nor do I have Li Clan blood. Why should I be used as a pawn in their marriage alliance?’

"Don’t be in such a rush to leave!" Steward Li quickly grabbed him. "Just listen to what the clan elders have to say first. The Gang Leader will be here in a moment."

Suppressing his annoyance, Chu Fan turned and strode into the inner hall.

Liang Qiu and the other three remained in the outer room, waiting quietly.

Six clan elders from the Cao and Li Clans were seated in the inner hall.

When Chu Fan entered, all eyes fell upon him. The elders were all beaming with kind smiles, looking at him as if he were their own most prized junior. Their gazes were so warm they felt like they could melt him.

"Seniors." Chu Fan bowed respectfully.

He was only being this polite for the sake of his teacher, Cao Feng, and his senior sister, Li Qingxue.

’Otherwise, I wouldn’t even give these old men a second glance.’

"Come, come, have a seat." Cao Clan Elder Cao Qianmo gestured for Chu Fan to sit beside him before explaining the situation from the beginning.

Although the New Seven Stars Gang was newly established, its momentum was formidable, attracting the attention of all the major powers in Cyan Yang Ancient City.

In contrast, the old Seven Stars Gang had become a pariah for practicing Demon Techniques and colluding with the Moon Worship Sect. They were now holed up in Seven Stars Castle, and various powers were eagerly waiting for a chance to carve up their territory.

The Duan Clan’s proposal served two purposes: first, they recognized Chu Fan’s talent, and second, they wanted to form an alliance with the New Seven Stars Gang.

However, the woman the Duan Clan was offering was not the Patriarch’s own daughter, but rather Duan Qingling, a cousin of Duan Tianhong.

In the opinion of Chu Fan’s teacher, Cao Feng, this showed a lack of sincerity from the Duan Clan. They were clearly looking down on Chu Fan because of his humble origins.

They had summoned Chu Fan today to ask for his opinion on the matter.

If he was unwilling, no one would force him.

"I must disagree with that assessment."

A Cao Clan Elder suddenly spoke up. "Duan Tianhong is coming in person this afternoon; that alone shows great respect. While Chu Fan’s talent is extraordinary, he is ultimately not from the main lineage of our two clans. The fact that the Duan Clan is willing to offer a bride from their direct lineage is already a significant show of sincerity."

Another Li Clan Elder stroked his beard and chimed in. "Indeed! I have heard that this Duan Qingling is only eighteen, yet she has already reached the Bone Tempering Realm and is on the verge of breaking through to the Entering the Realm of Strength. She and Chu Fan would be a perfect couple—a gifted scholar and a beautiful maiden, a match made in heaven."

Cao Qianmo turned to Chu Fan, his tone gentle. "Chu Fan, what are your thoughts? Duan Tianhong will bring a portrait this afternoon. If you’re pleased with what you see, we can discuss the details. If not, we will simply refuse the offer."

"You are the Gang Leader’s disciple; you don’t have to sacrifice your personal life for the sake of the gang."

In the outer hall, Liang Qiu and the others, who had been eavesdropping, had faces full of envy.