Chapter Sixty-three: I Challenge You to a Duel

Truly, it was as if he was caught in the crossfire while lying down. Liu Fan had always despised Yang Chenjun’s behavior, but out of respect for Long Yanyu, he kept his distance and refrained from getting involved. He hadn’t expected Yang Chenjun to suddenly shift the conversation and drag him into the matter. Yet, Liu Fan paid it little heed, only furrowing his brow in mild displeasure without making any comment.

It was Wang Zhenguo, who had been watching the drama unfold from the sidelines, that finally couldn't bear it any longer. He walked over to Liu Fan and quietly reminded him, “Sir, Yang Chenjun is the eldest grandson of the Yang family, one of China’s ten great clans. He’s also the last disciple of Yue Xiangtian, the master of Mount Hua Sect. At just twenty-five, he’s already reached the mid-level of the Earth rank—a true standout among the younger generation. Of course, compared to you, he’s nothing, but as Xiaoyu said, he’s arrogant and domineering. He’ll do anything except good deeds; his character is notoriously bad. He once proposed marriage to the Long family, but Grandpa Long politely refused. Still, Xiaoyu’s parents are quite fond of him and hope to match them up, which is why he keeps pestering her.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is,” Liu Fan replied calmly after Wang Zhenguo’s explanation, now with a clearer understanding.

Long Yanyu, seeing Yang Chenjun drag Liu Fan into the argument, blushed first, then angrily retorted, “Who I like is none of your business. Our families may have been close, but that was generations ago. Say what you want about me; for the sake of Uncle Yang, I won’t argue. But don’t involve my friends for no reason. Hmph!”

“What’s this? Struck a nerve, have I?” Yang Chenjun sneered, his face twisted in contempt. “Tell me, what’s so great about this country bumpkin? He’s penniless, a pauper; powerless, destined for a miserable life. Why would you choose him, huh?”

If Liu Fan hadn’t cared about Yang Chenjun’s earlier remarks, this one was a slap in the face. Enough was enough. He stepped forward, blocking Long Yanyu, and said coldly, “Listen, that’s not how you court a girl. If you really want to chase after women, I suggest you go to Thailand and get your masculinity sorted out first.”

“What did you say, you country bumpkin? Why should I go to Thailand? Explain yourself!” Yang Chenjun’s mind was momentarily blank, but he instinctively sensed it was no compliment, so he shouted fiercely, even pointing at Liu Fan with an exaggerated gesture.

Liu Fan merely laughed coldly, unfazed by the display. “Thailand is not only renowned for its sex-change surgeries, but they can also restore ladyboys to their original state. That’s why I suggested you get yourself fixed before you try chasing women.”

Long Yanyu, initially puzzled by Liu Fan’s sudden intervention, couldn’t help but giggle at his reply.

“You—you—you... damn country bumpkin, did you just call me a ladyboy? Do you know who I am? If I don’t ruin you, I won’t bear the name Yang!” Yang Chenjun was so furious he nearly coughed blood. He sputtered, unable to find words, finally resorting to threats.

“Fine, I’ll wait for you. But I detest anyone who insults my family, so today…” Before Liu Fan finished, he casually slapped Yang Chenjun across the face. All anyone heard was a crisp “smack,” and Yang Chenjun flew through the air like a swatted fly, landing heavily on the ground more than ten meters away.

Yang Chenjun now lay sprawled, limp as if his bones had disintegrated, his mind buzzing endlessly. Despite the forceful appearance of the blow, Liu Fan had used his skill to send him flying without causing injury—just enough to humiliate him.

“Ah!” Long Yanyu screamed, startled by the sudden turn of events. Wang Zhenguo was no better, eyes wide and mouth agape, utterly shocked. He had heard from Long Yanyu about Liu Fan’s strength, but never witnessed it firsthand, so he hadn’t realized how formidable Liu Fan truly was. Liu Fan’s movement had been so quick Wang Zhenguo hadn’t even seen it; one moment Liu Fan moved, the next Yang Chenjun was airborne. Now he understood what a real gap in ability meant.

After sending Yang Chenjun flying, Liu Fan strode forward and said disdainfully, “Next time you insult my family, it won’t be so gentle. Hmph.”

“You—you—you—how dare you hit me! I’ll see your whole family dead! I demand a duel—man to man! If you lose, stay away from Yanyu forever. How about it?” Though Liu Fan had knocked him down with a single blow, Yang Chenjun refused to see it as a display of real strength, insisting it was a sneak attack. In his mind, Liu Fan, not yet twenty, couldn’t possibly be that strong, so he foolishly proposed a duel.

Liu Fan laughed instead of getting angry. “Ha! Are you sure about this? A duel is fine, but let me be clear: I’ve only met Long Yanyu twice. Whatever’s between you two is none of my business, but don’t drag me into it—do you understand?”

“Hmph! Stop wasting your breath!” Yang Chenjun, blinded by rage, was in no mood to listen to Liu Fan.

Standing behind them, Long Yanyu heard Liu Fan’s words and felt an inexplicable pang of sadness, soon replaced by anger. She kept cursing Liu Fan inwardly: Hmph, damn scoundrel, shameless rogue! You’ve stared and groped, and now you’re pretending you don’t know me? How infuriating! You’d better not fall into my hands, or I’ll make you pay. As she thought, she also fantasized about Liu Fan being humiliated at her feet.

Sweat—great sweat, waterfall sweat, Genghis Khan’s sweat! If Liu Fan knew he was the subject of Long Yanyu’s wicked fantasies, who knows how he’d react—maybe he’d flare up and slice her with a burst of sword energy.

“Come on, let’s see what you’re made of, whether you’re worthy to be my opponent. Rest assured, I won’t hold back,” Yang Chenjun said, climbing up from the ground in a battered state, sneering at Liu Fan.

“Sir, Yang Chenjun may be a new member of the Dragon Squad, but he’s still a state official. And with the Yang family backing him, they’re not to be trifled with. Please show some restraint,” Wang Zhenguo advised. His own strength was at the peak of the Earth rank, just a step away from the innate stage, yet he couldn't gauge Liu Fan’s abilities at all. Yang Chenjun was even further outmatched. Wang Zhenguo’s concern wasn’t for Liu Fan, but for Yang Chenjun—if something happened to him, Wang Zhenguo would have trouble explaining to the Yang family. Moreover, this encounter was meant to recruit Liu Fan; if relations soured, the mission might fail.