Chapter 616 Shock
After Zhang Lu composed herself, she finally voiced a concern that had been weighing on her heart.
She stared at Ye Fan, seriously saying, "My superior is extremely focused on you. You are a Human Body Limit expert with a distinctive status. I want to ask, will you stand on opposing sides against me?"
The implication of her words was clear: she feared Ye Fan might become an enemy to the organization she was part of, or things might become unpleasant. This would put her in a difficult position, caught between the organization and friendship, a tricky situation to resolve.
She wanted to advise Ye Fan, encouraging feelings of belonging towards the organization, but was unable to speak. Every Human Body Limit expert enjoys significant prestige and power, and with absolute freedom within reach, no one wishes to be constrained.
Therefore, Zhang Lu felt awkward about offering advice.
"Regarding your question, we can only let it be and not force anything," Ye Fan replied ambiguously.
He understood Zhang Lu’s meaning, but as for how things would ultimately unfold, it was impossible to say.
Zhang Lu studied Ye Fan for a moment, hesitated a bit, and ultimately remained silent, not speaking the advice she wanted to offer.
"Be extra careful for the duel in three days. Given your prowess, I’m confident there’s no risk to your life at the hands of Li Er-ye. Knowing this, I’m much more at ease," Zhang Lu reminded.
"Thank you for your concern," Ye Fan said warmly.
After seeing Zhang Lu off, Mengyao looked at Ye Fan with interest and said, "Have you noticed that Zhang Lu’s concern for you surpasses typical friendship and has risen to the level of romantic care, nearly involving thoughts and worries?"
"No, you must be mistaken," Ye Fan feigned ignorance.
"Keep deceiving yourself then. If you end up catching a flurry of romantic advances, let’s see how you handle it," Mengyao cast Ye Fan a look before walking away.
Ye Fan hurriedly said, "There’s soup cooking in the pot, won’t you have some?"
"You drink it yourself. I have some work to take care of and won’t be joining you," Mengyao said as she clicked her way upstairs to the second floor of the villa.
In a blink of an eye, three days passed and the day of the duel arrived.
These three days stirred tumultuous waves and sinister currents throughout the Northwest Business Community.
The five great families and Chu Group dominated most of the Northwest Business Community. As for smaller companies, they naturally couldn’t compare with powerful companies in the business world, so little about the storm in the business community reached the public. Even if those small companies caught wind of the situation, they couldn’t comprehend the great events unfolding.
The matter of Ye Fan dueling with Li Er-ye only spread within the five great families in the business community.
Had the entire Northwest’s business community known about this, it would undoubtedly have caused an uproar.
Because Li Er-ye’s reputation in the Northwest was as infamous as a taboo, overwhelmingly terrifying.
Ma Qianqiu carried a heavy expression, frowned with worry, troubled deeply for these three days during which he became much more haggard. The thought of Li Er-ye truly emerging made him believe that there’s no way Ye Fan could be Li Er-ye’s match. If Chu Group falls like this, the Ma Family probably won’t escape and will also face ruin.
"Ye Fan is definitely doomed. This executioner must pay the proper price for the patriarch’s demise." Within the Zheng Family, accusations and curses abounded, hoping to witness Ye Fan’s grisly death, certain that Li Er-ye’s involvement sealed Ye Fan’s fate.
Li Chenggui, Huang Jingwei, and Chen Tiande were already planning the details for swallowing Chu Group, as they were convinced Ye Fan was going to die and Chu Group was destined to fall.
In fact, among all knowledgeable individuals within the five great families, they all firmly believed one thing: Ye Fan had no chance of surviving against Li Er-ye. A laughably small Ye Fan couldn’t possibly contend with Li Er-ye.
Besides the steadfast notion among the five great families that Ye Fan was not Li Er-ye’s match, Fu Lao and Xiao Long harbored considerable expectations, quietly awaiting the outcome and result of this duel.
On this particular morning, as usual, the scene was set outside Li Er-ye’s residence on Mao’er Mountain. Members from the five great families were present at the site. Though these individuals gathered together, none of them saw Li Er-ye, and even Li Chenggui and his peers stood respectfully to the side.
No one dared disturb Li Er-ye.
That was because more than two hours remained before the appointed time for the duel.
Yet even so, the members from the five great families all attended, eager to witness this significant moment firsthand and to see Ye Fan fall at Li Er-ye’s hand.
"Why hasn’t that rascal Ye Fan arrived yet?"
"Can’t wait to see Ye Fan die right before us."
"To die by Li Er-ye’s hand is the privilege Ye Fan accrued over three lifetimes. Without rushing to die, he still hasn’t arrived—it’s truly absurd."
Many spoke with such remarks, nearly all taunting and mocking without restraint.
Their faces beamed with vibrant smiles, engaging in lively conversation, envisioning the scene of Ye Fan’s demise and the collapse of Chu Group.
As the intermediary for this duel, Zhang Lu, caught amid enormous stakes, was unimaginable. So she had already reached an agreement with Chu Group and Li Family and arrived early, accompanied by numerous individuals tasked with maintaining order.
"Who exactly? So overestimating oneself to duel Li Er-ye? Is this not seeking one’s own end?" The people Zhang Lu brought reasoned, knowing little, thus merely hearing someone wanted to duel Li Er-ye was enough to bewilder them.
Chi Qinyuan, as Zhang Lu’s assistant, likewise served as one of those responsible for upholding order.
"Does he truly have the courage to face off against Li Er-ye?" Chi Qinyuan stood beside Zhang Lu, asking in such a manner.
She still felt somewhat incredulous, doubtful that this was real.
Ordinary people possessed no such courage to challenge a Human Body Limit expert.
She had interacted with Ye Fan but hadn’t detected anything remarkable about him; now at least she was shocked.
Simultaneously, she suspected Ye Fan might not want to live anymore, thus instigating this duel as he wished to perish by Li Er-ye’s hand.
"Stay observant; you’ll surely be astounded," Zhang Lu explained.
If she hadn’t known about Ye Fan’s abilities, she, like Chi Qinyuan, wouldn’t have believed that the duel between Ye Fan and Li Er-ye was real.
But now, she couldn’t help but believe it.
Moreover, she firmly believed that after today, Ye Fan’s name would become like an imprint, engraved in the hearts of everyone within the five great families.
"Astounded? Li Er-ye winning is the natural course, without a hint of astonishment, unless Ye Fan surprises everyone there’ll be astonishment," Chi Qinyuan remarked. Suddenly covering her mouth, she gasped in disbelief, "Could it be you’ve already learned details, and Ye Fan will give everyone a tremendous surprise?"