Chapter 172: 172, Compromise of the Imperial Capital’s High Level

“This, this…”

Seeing that everyone around was pleading for Lin Fan, even the warriors from the Imperial Capital War Zone they had brought were deeply moved, wanting to speak but holding back. Staggering to their feet, Zhang Ao and his two companions exchanged ugly looks with Sima Qin.

This mission to capture Lin Fan has utterly failed. The opponent’s strength is too immense. Even if the four of us joined forces, we were nowhere near enough to be considered a challenge!

As for using heavy weapons… the thought arose only to be silently dismissed with a shake of their heads. This was the Capital, a stronghold where the powerful and influential were everywhere. Not to mention, Lin Fan had a special identity. Making too big of a scene would only make the situation even more difficult to resolve.

Moreover, with Lin Fan’s extraordinary skills, if he wanted to escape, they simply couldn’t stop him. If they truly infuriated him and he went on a killing spree in the Imperial Capital, it would cause an uproar throughout the city, and everyone would feel at risk.

“Mr. Xia Sr., may I have a word with you in private?” Zhang Ao’s expression changed several times. Finally, gritting his teeth and suppressing the pain, he approached Mr. Xia Sr. He looked at him pleadingly, his previous domineering aura completely gone. Huang Liu and the other two followed, their heads hung low.

“Alas! I’m old, and my words carry no weight anymore,” Mr. Xia Sr. said, squinting and shaking his head.

Before the stunned Zhang Ao and the others could speak, the old man helped Tie Hao to his feet and turned to leave.

“Hey, hey, Mr. Xia Sr.! Please wait, please wait!” Zhang Ao trembled violently as he and the other three hurriedly rushed to catch up.

“I’m just a retired old man with no power left to wield. I should hurry home to avoid interfering with your official duties,” Mr. Xia Sr. said sternly, walking on without looking back.

Tie Hao, who had caught on, also strode forward with a stoic expression.

“Mr. Xia Sr., Mr. Xia Sr.! We were wrong just now. You mustn’t leave! If you go, who can control that guy!”

THUD! THUD!

The faces of Zhang Ao and his group flushed red with embarrassment. Gritting their teeth, they knelt on one knee, blocking Mr. Xia Sr.’s path.

“Hmph, so now you remember to ask our Old Commander for help? Weren’t you acting all high and mighty before, telling us not to meddle?” Tie Hao asked coldly, a glint of cathartic satisfaction in his eyes.

“Xiao Hao, say no more. If they think we’re useless, why should we stay and be scorned?” Mr. Xia Sr. said, fighting to suppress a smile as he waved a hand to those around him.

WHOOSH!

Instantly, the black-uniformed warriors all stood up, forming ranks beside the old man.

“No, please, don’t do this!”

“Mr. Xia Sr., everything is negotiable! We have long admired Brother Ying, and meeting him today, he truly is remarkable!”

“Yes, yes! Brother Ying is a credit to your training, sir. Not only is he handsome and charming, but his strength has also earned our deepest admiration!” Huang Liu and the other two, their faces ashen, desperately forced smiles, trying to curry favor.

“Really?” Hearing this, Mr. Xia Sr. glanced at the approaching Lin Fan and nodded. “Then this old man will take the liberty of deciding this myself. I will stake my life and reputation on it and make an exception: let Lin Fan stay in the Imperial Capital for three days to handle his affairs. How about it?”

“Ah, this… we don’t have the authority. We must report to our superiors first.” Huang Liu and the others exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

Zhang Ao, however, steeled himself, stood up, and stepped aside to pull out his phone. A few moments later, a chorus of curses, along with the sound of a table being pounded and a teacup smashing, could be heard from the phone. Zhang Ao’s cheek twitched continuously as he braced himself to listen, then he cautiously responded a few times.

“Mr. Xia Sr., the superiors have agreed… but Brother Ying must accept three conditions,” Zhang Ao said with a grim face as he walked back, turning to look at Lin Fan.

“First, you must not reveal your identity. Second, you must not harm anyone or use the influence of the Ying family or the Xia family. Third, as soon as the three days are up, you must leave immediately and never set foot in the Imperial Capital again!”

As soon as he said this, the expressions of Mr. Xia Sr. and Tie Hao changed. Although the higher-ups in the Imperial Capital War Zone had reluctantly compromised, the conditions were incredibly harsh. Without leveraging the Xia family’s influence, how could Lin Fan possibly contend with Shen Yueli?

Under the curious gazes of the crowd, Lin Fan fell silent for a moment before nodding. “…Alright. I agree to all of them.”

Three days should be enough time to handle everything. As for not using the influence of the Ying or Xia families? I never planned to in the first place.

“Fine, it’s settled then! Mr. Xia Sr., my apologies for today’s offense. We four brothers will visit you again to formally apologize!” Zhang Ao swallowed the coppery tang of blood in his throat. He and the other three bowed to Mr. Xia Sr., preparing to leave immediately with their men.

Today’s defeat had been too miserable, too humiliating. Not only did they need to hurry back to camp to treat their injuries, but they were also likely in for a lashing.

At this thought, bitterness filled their mouths, and they were kicking themselves with regret. If only we had known. We shouldn’t have tried to act tough. If only we had listened to Mr. Xia Sr.’s repeated advice!

“Catch.”

Just as the four of them were turning to leave in disgrace, Lin Fan’s eyes flickered, and he casually tossed a small porcelain bottle their way.

“You—what do you mean? I’m warning you, we’re only letting this go because we respect Mr. Xia Sr.!” Zhang Ao instinctively caught the small porcelain bottle, his voice laced with suspicion and alarm.

Huang Liu and the other two exchanged a glance, also growing tense.

“These are some Qi Replenishing Pills I recently refined. There are four left. Take them for your injuries,” Lin Fan said calmly, his expression indifferent. “I caused this whole mess, so don’t hold a grudge against the Old Commander. If you want revenge, come for me.”

What? Qi Replenishing Pills worth hundreds of millions? He’s just giving them away?

BOOM!

Zhang Ao and his three companions froze in shock, staring utterly dumbfounded and unable to process what had just happened.

What is this? Offering a carrot after the stick? Dammit, what does he take us, the Four War Gods of the Imperial Capital, for? As if we’d want his charity!

“You don’t want it? Then give it back,” Lin Fan said with a shake of his head, holding out his hand.

“Hmph! You northerners are so stingy. Who asks for something back after giving it away?” Zhang Ao’s face tightened as he hurriedly stuffed the small porcelain bottle into his pocket.

Huang Liu and the other three put on a proud air, turning their heads away with taut expressions. But the irrepressible smiles creeping onto their lips betrayed them completely.

“Ying Bufan, don’t get cocky! Once we four brothers have recovered, we’ll find you for a proper rematch!” Zhang Ao shouted through gritted teeth, then prepared to lead his men away.

“Do me a favor. Find out where the young master of the Guxin Group, a guy named Kim something Hwan, is staying,” Lin Fan said, his lips twitching slightly. He chose not to expose their act, his tone becoming serious. “Asking you for help doesn’t break those three rules, does it?”

“…Fine. Wait for our news.”

Having accepted the pills, their hands were tied. Zhang Ao clutched the small porcelain bottle in his pocket, exchanged a look with the other three, and nodded in agreement. As long as Lin Fan didn’t cause any more trouble, gathering a bit of information wasn’t a big deal for them.

“Come on, let’s go home! Bingbing has been nagging me about you since midnight. If I don’t bring you back, she’ll fight me to the death.” The sea of black-uniformed warriors gradually receded like the tide. Mr. Xia Sr. watched Zhang Ao’s group leave the corridor before turning his gaze to Lin Fan.

“…With my status, is that appropriate?” Lin Fan’s gaze grew distant, and a bitter smile touched his lips.

“What’s appropriate or not? You’re a soldier I trained! If the Ying family doesn’t want you, then the Xia Family Mansion is your new home!” Mr. Xia Sr. scowled, grabbing Lin Fan’s hand.

“I’ll go get the car.” Tie Hao secretly wiped a tear from his eye and strode away.

He soon drove Mr. Xia Sr.’s vehicle to the airport exit. The old man and the young man got into the car and headed toward the Xia Family Mansion, leaving behind only the curious onlookers at the airport exit, craning their necks to watch them go.

「」

“Who in the world is that Lin Fan guy?”

Inside a white BMW, Kim Sooeun murmured in astonishment as she watched the military vehicle with the black license plate drive away.

“The airport was suddenly locked down… Surely it couldn’t have all been for him, right?” Huang Xiaoya, in the driver’s seat, sat with her mouth slightly agape, unable to close it for a long time.

Both of them had been incredibly curious and had waited outside the entire time. Seeing Lin Fan leave unharmed, escorted by a military vehicle, was almost too hard to believe.

“Forget it. Don’t worry about that annoying jerk. I’ll take you to meet Jiang Taizhong oppa!” Kim Sooeun pouted, naturally unwilling to believe Lin Fan could be anyone important. She then smiled and patted Huang Xiaoya’s slender shoulder, pointing toward the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym.

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