Su Fan's voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.
In an instant, as if a meteor had crashed into the earth, the faces of countless guests changed dramatically.
He's gone mad, completely mad!
This guy has really lost his mind!!!!
To publicly threaten the disappearance of the Huo family—this is completely disregarding them, isn't it?!
"You—"
"Do you even know what you're saying?!!"
Huo Qichen's eyes widened in fury, his teeth clenched in anger.
This bastard dared to insult the Huo family right to his face! Now, even if he wanted to spare him as a slave, it would be impossible.
This was about family honor—how could he, as the heir of the Huo family, stand by and do nothing?!
At this moment, Han Xinqiao, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward.
She raised her wine glass with a casual smile and nonchalantly explained on Su Fan's behalf:
"Young Master Huo, why get so angry? Mr. Su is just joking!"
"Joking? You... Ah, I see now! So, it's Miss Han! Su Fan, is the Han family your backer?"
The moment he saw Han Xinqiao, Huo Qichen suddenly realized the situation.
So that was why Su Fan was so fearless—it was because he had the Han family supporting him!
The Han family had risen to prominence in recent years as a first-tier family with formidable strength.
Both families were mainly in the real estate business, and business conflicts were frequent.
While they weren't exactly mortal enemies, their relationship had been gradually heading in that direction.
Especially in recent years, as the aging population worsened and the real estate market slumped, competition between them had become even fiercer...
"You're mistaken, Young Master Huo. It's actually the Han family that relies on Mr. Su."
"Mr. Su is an esteemed guest of my Han family. I suggest you show him some respect and stop your reckless words."
Han Xinqiao's smile carried deep meaning; she didn't reveal Su Fan's true strength.
She had no interest in letting more people curry favor with Su Fan—otherwise, the Han family's position would be less unique.
Not to mention, the Huo family was already a business rival of hers.
Seeing Su Fan and the Huo family turn against each other only delighted her—why would she warn Huo Qichen about his stupidity?
To be honest, more than anyone, she hoped the Huo family would collapse.
Only then could the Han family seize the greatest benefits and take over all of their contracts.
"Good, good, good..."
"So, the Han family intends to completely sever ties with the Huo family? Miss Han, are you sure you can bear this responsibility?"
"This kid has gone too far today—no one can protect him."
"If the Han family insists on interfering, then I will take it as a declaration of war against my Huo family!"
Huo Qichen's brows furrowed, his gaze icy cold, as if he could freeze everything in sight.
There was no way he could let Su Fan off so easily.
Otherwise, the Huo family would become a laughingstock in Magic City.
So, he made up his mind—Su Fan had to pay.
As for the Han family, he had already made his stance clear. He was sure Han Xinqiao wouldn't risk an all-out war just to protect Su Fan.
The price would be too high.
But to his surprise...
Han Xinqiao seemed to have taken the wrong medicine today—she was dead set on standing against him.
"Enough, Huo Qichen. I already said that Mr. Su is an esteemed guest of the Han family."
"If you consider this a declaration of war, then so be it!"
Ssshhh!
At these words, the entire room was in shock.
No one had expected this...
Tonight was supposed to be just a celebration banquet at the Su family's house. How did things escalate to this extent?
Are these two major forces really about to fall out and go to war?!
Although they usually don't get along well due to business competition.
At least they managed to maintain a peaceful facade. But now, for the sake of Su Fan, they've completely torn off the mask?
Who exactly is this Su Fan?
How can he make the Han family defend him so fiercely???
And judging by Miss Han's tough stance… could he be her lover?
For a moment.
Countless envious, jealous, and resentful gazes gathered on Su Fan.
At this moment, faced with Han Xinqiao's aggressiveness, Huo Qichen's face turned ashen, and fury surged within his chest.
Is this woman insane?
She actually wants to start a fight? Crazy! Who the hell gave her the courage?!
Huo Qichen's pupils were filled with both anger and uncertainty.
He didn't know Han Xinqiao's personality inside out, but he had a pretty good grasp of it.
This woman is a refined egoist. She weighs her actions by gain and loss, never engaging in a losing deal.
Now that she's willing to go against my Huo family for Su Fan, it means that in her heart…
Su Fan's importance outweighs that of the entire Huo family.
But isn't he just a bodyguard? What kind of background could he possibly have?!
Huo Qichen was puzzled.
But no matter what, he was now riding a tiger and couldn't dismount.
If he let Su Fan go just because of some scruples, where would the Huo family's reputation stand?
Thinking this way, Huo Qichen decided that no matter who Su Fan was, he had to make him pay a painful price for his arrogant words.
"Hmph! Miss Han, remember your words today. I hope you won't regret them in the future."
"But Su Fan insulted my Huo family—this concerns our reputation. I can't stand by and do nothing."
"As they say, revenge should not wait overnight! He can be spared from death, but not from punishment!"
"Whoever insults my Huo family shall be eradicated, no matter how far they run!!!"
"Uncle Zhou, slap his face."
The domineering CEO originally planned to have Su Fan's tongue cut off.
But in broad daylight, considering the deterrence of the authorities, he suppressed his fury and decided to have his men slap Su Fan a few times instead.
Once they left this place, he would secretly send people to take brutal revenge on Su Fan…
"As you command. ∠(°ゝ°) Young Master."
Upon receiving Huo Qichen's orders, an elder named Uncle Zhou stepped forward, grinning sinisterly as he approached the expressionless Su Fan.
"Stop! What do you think you're doing? Huo Qichen, didn't I say that Mr. Su is an honored guest of my Han family?"
"If you dare lay a hand on him, you are provoking my Han family!"
"Bodyguards! Stop that old man for me!"
Han Xinqiao pretended to be furious and gave an order.
The muscular men in black she brought along quickly stepped forward, reaching out to use force to capture Uncle Zhou.
?? ? – ? ??.
In the next second, Uncle Zhou, full of disdain, moved leisurely among the bodyguards as if taking a casual stroll.
Facing the muscular men's iron fists, he easily blocked them all with a casual effort.
Then he raised his hand, and with lightning speed, struck the bodyguards' necks with a few swift chops...
Bang!!!
In an instant, the ground was littered with bodyguards lying in disarray, all foaming at the mouth and unconscious.
"Weak, far too weak. Why are you all so pitifully weak?"
"Sigh, you're not even qualified to serve as my warm-up exercise…"
Uncle Zhou stood among the fallen men, his hands behind his back, exuding the lonely aura of a master.
Damn.
A seemingly frail old man actually took down several muscular men?!
This makes no sense!!!
Uncle Zhou's immense strength made everyone present gasp in shock.
Some sharp-eyed elites immediately recognized Uncle Zhou as a martial artist.
…..
"So, this is the legendary martial artist! A level far beyond ordinary people's imagination, where taking on a hundred foes isn't just a myth!"
"Uncle Zhou! I know him—he's Huo Qichen's personal bodyguard! His strength is unfathomable, and over the years, he has taken down countless enemies of the Huo family!"
"I heard he's already at the Inner Strength Minor Accomplishment level! Even when facing firearms, he can still escape unscathed!"
"Are you serious?! He's unfazed by firearms? Are martial artists really that powerful? This is terrifying!!!"
"Tsk tsk… That kid Su Fan is doomed! After taking a few slaps like that, how could he possibly survive?"
"The Huo family is truly powerful. Even such a formidable martial artist chooses to serve them!"
…..
Listening to the guests' fearful discussions, a smug smile curled at the corner of Huo Qichen's lips.
Uncle Zhou's strength was beyond doubt.
If not for the favor his grandfather had done for Uncle Zhou in the past, gaining the loyalty of such a powerful figure would not have been easy!
Now, let that ignorant brat experience the consequences of offending my Huo family…
On the other side.
Han Xinqiao was slightly surprised to see that the bodyguards she had hired at a high price were no match for the old man.
However, now that she understood martial artists better, she wasn't shocked. Instead, she felt even more excited.
This old man was already so formidable just at the Inner Strength level.
But Su Fan by her side was a legendary Grandmaster of Martial Arts!
How powerful must he be?!
She had previously witnessed Su Fan using a leaf as a sword and projecting his inner strength outward with terrifying force.
But Han Xinqiao knew very well that this was likely just the tip of Su Fan's true strength…
Indeed…
Only such a powerful man is worthy of being conquered by me!!!
At this moment, Uncle Zhou gradually approached.
Han Xinqiao knew she couldn't stop him, so to avoid causing trouble, she quietly stepped behind Su Fan…
Seeing this.
Uncle Zhou sneered, thinking that Han Xinqiao was scared and had chosen to back down.
"Kid, I warned you before! Young people shouldn't be so hot-tempered; you need to learn to endure."
"Looks like you completely ignored my words! Ah, not listening to elders will only lead to suffering."
"Look, even the Han family has abandoned you. Who here can save you now? Just kneel and beg for mercy!"
"As long as your attitude is sincere enough, I might just go easy on you. I'll try not to slap you to death."
"......"
Looking at the old man, who had his arms crossed and was staring at him like prey, with a sinister smile on his face.
Su Fan frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Your head… is held too high."
"(O_o) Huh???"
Uncle Zhou was stunned for a moment. He never expected Su Fan to respond this way.
Immediately, a deep sense of displeasure arose in his heart.
Is this guy… looking down on me?
Before he could even voice his anger, a sharp pain spread across his cheek—Su Fan had slapped him to the ground.
Slap!!!
(￣ε(#￣)☆╰╮(￣▽￣///).
"When you speak to me, you should look up at me. Understand? You insignificant insect!"
Looking down at the old man beneath his feet, Su Fan spoke with an air of absolute dominance.
"??????"
This sudden turn of events left the entire crowd frozen in shock.
They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
That formidable martial artist, who had effortlessly defeated several muscular bodyguards, was just slapped to the ground by Su Fan???
"What the hell! What's going on? Am I hallucinating?"
"Isn't Uncle Zhou an Inner Strength expert? How did that kid knock him down with just one slap?"
"That guy Su Fan is insanely fast! At that speed, if it were me, I'd be slapped down just as easily!"
"That's dishonorable! He actually launched a sneak attack! The opponent is an old man—shouldn't he have given him three free moves first?"
"(????) Dude, are you dumb? That's a ridiculous take! The opponent is an Inner Strength martial artist—why the hell would he give him a free hit?!"
"Could Su Fan also be a martial artist? Otherwise, how could he even land a hit on Uncle Zhou?"
"No way! Su Fan is so young—how could he possibly reach the Inner Strength level?"
"Most martial artists, like Uncle Zhou, have to dedicate most of their lives to martial arts to achieve even a fraction of success."
"Even if Su Fan is a once-in-a-century genius, at his age, he can't possibly be stronger than Uncle Zhou! That must have been a fluke, a lucky sneak attack!"
Ignoring the noisy discussions around him, Huo Qichen, who was well aware of Uncle Zhou's strength, was the one who found this the hardest to believe.
Uncle Zhou got slapped down?
Could it be that Su Fan was just pretending to be weak—was he actually stronger than Uncle Zhou???
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!!
It must be because Uncle Zhou was careless and got caught off guard.
Yes, that must be it!
Just as Huo Qichen was forcing himself to believe this excuse…
Uncle Zhou spat out a tooth that had been knocked loose, held his swollen cheek, and stared blankly at Su Fan—questioning his entire existence.
I… got slapped?
Did I actually just get slapped by a junior???
Ever since he stepped into the Inner Strength realm, he had been invincible.
Everyone treated him with utmost respect.
Even the Huo family patriarch treated him with courtesy—he had never suffered such humiliation before.
Anger, humiliation, unwillingness, and resentment surged wildly in Uncle Zhou's heart as he glared at Su Fan, his mind filled with murderous intent.
Completely controlled by his intense rage, Uncle Zhou entirely ignored the question of why Su Fan was able to hit him…
"This slap contains decades of my cultivated power—can you withstand it?!!"
"If not, then prepare to die!!!"
Facing Uncle Zhou's icy gaze and the incoming slap.
Su Fan frowned even deeper, then suddenly glared fiercely at him:
"Lowly rodent, insect-like trash!"
"I already told you to lower your head! You have no self-awareness at all. Do you think you're even worthy of looking directly at me?!"
Overcome with fury, like a provoked lion, Su Fan delivered a powerful slap straight to Uncle Zhou's forehead, smashing his face down into the banquet hall's tiled floor...