Recognizing this person, Chu Qing felt a bit of pain in his gums.
Although he was prepared to encounter members of the Chu Family on this trip back, he didn't expect to run into Chu Fan before even entering the territory of Celestial Dance City.
Wasn't this kid training in Martial Arts at Taiyi Sect under Angerless Divine Fist Cui Bunu?
Did he skip class?
Of course, even thinking with his knees would tell him this is impossible.
Although Cui Bunu is called Angerless Divine Fist, he is actually the most quick-tempered.
If the disciples don't follow teachings, they're often met with old fists.
Chu Fan being here must have been approved... but it's too much of a coincidence, how did they just happen upon each other?
Fortunately, in the brief glimpse just now, the other party didn't recognize him, so there's no need to worry about further complications.
While pondering this in his heart, he heard that junior sister coldly speak:
"Is the third brother Chu Qing the one you're talking about?"
"That's right."
Chu Fan escorted her into the tea house, waved to call a waiter, and ordered two bowls of cold tea and some snacks before speaking:
"My younger brother has his own aspirations and doesn't want to be constrained by the family. He wants to pursue his own Heroic Dao.
"I thought it was just childish talk, but unexpectedly, he left for several years.
"My father and eldest brother searched far and wide but found nothing. Over the years... my father's health has deteriorated, though my eldest brother keeps it from me... actually, I know, he's worried sick for our younger brother."
Originally planning to leave early, Chu Qing's fingertips couldn't help but move upon hearing this.
Chu Yunfei is ill?
The action of wanting to leave froze, returning him to his original position.
The complexity in his mind was inevitable.
The Chu Family boasts two outstanding members; from a young age, Chu Tian had a natural grace in dealing with people, with superior aptitude and understanding.
He was entrusted with great expectations at a young age.
Chu Fan, blessed with Innate Divine Power, is part of the esteemed Taiyi Sect, and is taught by the renowned Angerless Divine Fist Cui Bunu.
With prestigious sect and master coupled with great talent, the future is undoubtedly bright.
Only Chu Qing seemed dispensable, neither achieving literary nor martial prowess...
Now hearing that Chu Yunfei has become sick with worry over this inept youngest son, Chu Qing couldn't help but feel a conflicted sense.
The junior sister remained silent, her eyes vacant, lost in thought.
The two young people fell into silence for a moment.
It was Chu Qing who first escaped from this strange atmosphere, because the earth suddenly vibrated. Looking up, he saw yellow dirt flying and cries like thunder; in an instant, several swift riders were right in front of him.
The leader was ferocious, with a face as black as coal, hair as wild as spikes, exuding a murderous aura.
"The seven bandits of Iron Horse!!"
Among those drinking tea in the tea house, many have traveled far and wide and are experienced; hearing the commotion, they turned their heads and recognized who had arrived, leaving many with faces pale as paper.
Iron Horse Seven Bandits are renowned; originally there was a gang called Iron Horse Hall, specializing in raising warhorses to provide convenience for Jianghu People.
Yet they were ultimately overthrown, wiped off the map overnight.
Only a few escaped, saving their lives with the hall's fine horses.
Without Iron Horse Hall's restraint, these few freed themselves, relying on their swift horses and not bad Martial Arts to pillage nearby villages at will.
Wu Ganqi, the City Lord, loathes them deeply, however, the Celestial Dance Guard repeatedly failed to exterminate them, allowing their rampancy to grow.
Without mountain strongholds or a base, they come and go quickly without a trace, and those doing business often had to suck it up when encountering them.
Some quick-witted people in the tea house wasted no time jumping out of windows, trying to escape swiftly.
Just as someone was about to run to their carriage, they heard a whistle arriving in the blink of an eye.
Immediately followed by a slicing sound, the silhouette split in two, accompanied by a 'bang', as a Hand Axe smashed into the carriage compartment, nearly pulverizing the entire vehicle.
"Iron Horse Seven Heroes are handling matters, everyone stay put; only after we're done will we deal with you all."
A rough voice sounded, like lightning striking from the ground, making everyone's hearts skip.
There were experts in the tea house, readying to draw swords, yet were held back by others to watch quietly first.
The voice continued:
"Who is Chu Fan?"
Chu Qing heard this, startled, realizing it's directed at him?
However, he couldn't immediately turn his head to look, or Chu Fan might think, why would a beggar know his name? Wouldn't that blow his cover?
"Chu Fan of Taiyi Sect, here!!"
Chu Fan hesitated not for a moment, slapped the table, his figure spun and was already outside the tea house.
His face was like iron full of rage. He glanced at Chu Qing, then waved:
"Hide inside the tea house."
Chu Qing nodded repeatedly, 'scrambling' into the tea house, gripping the bamboo stick tightly with one hand and the broken bowl with the other, the silver in the bowl already tucked into his arms.
Upon entering, he saw Chu Fan's fellow junior sister sitting there drinking tea.
Feeling speechless, would the Iron Horse Seven Bandits come knocking, yet your senior brother faced them alone, and you're still relaxed, sipping tea?
But seeing her posture, she most likely has confidence.
Chu Qing hid below the window, sneaking a peek outside, watching those Iron Horse Seven Bandits who were already close by, with horses circling Chu Fan twice, as the leader sneered coldly:
"You're Chu Fan?"
"Did my seventh brother die by your hand?"
Chu Qing understood immediately upon hearing, no wonder they're called Iron Horse Seven Bandits with only six present.
Turns out their seventh was killed by Chu Fan.
"So the Iron Horse Seven Bandits are here for revenge..."
"What a second son of the Chu Family in Celestial Dance City!"
"No wonder the Iron Horse Seven Bandits came for blood; I heard their seventh bandit was doing business in Yan Guan Gorge recently, met a brave hero, who crushed his head with a punch."
"Truly a disciple of Angerless Divine Fist."
People around involuntarily started discussing, though it's unclear where the news came from.
Chu Qing smirked secretly. Chu Fan possesses Innate Divine Power and learned the Taiyi Divine Fist at Taiyi Sect; naturally, the punch's power is extraordinary.
While discussions stirred in the tea house, Chu Fan nodded:
"Indeed, it was Chu who did it."
"Such nerve!!"
The leader of Iron Horse Seven Bandits roared, and several consecutive 'swish' sounds followed, as members of the Iron Horse Seven Heroes surrounding Chu Fan struck, each raising hooks and claws towards Chu Fan's limbs.
Chu Fan was about to defend but suddenly looked up, seeing the leader wielding a Hand Axe, an invisible aura enveloping him, ready for a thunderous strike.
Seeing this scene, even Chu Qing, confident in Chu Fan, raised his eyebrows.
At that moment, a tea bowl was handed over.
Chu Qing subconsciously wanted to accept it but suddenly sensed something amiss, immediately showing a frightened expression:
"Ah!"
As if frightened by the unexpected tea bowl, he fell on his butt.
Looking up, he found the girl accompanying Chu Fan squatting in front of him at some point.