110: Chapter 110 Have you ever heard of Chen Fan?

The sound of the zither flowed, washing away all the vanity and clamor within the hall.

It was not merely a technique, but an emotion, a Concept.

At first, it was like melting snow in a spring stream, tinkling and resonant, carrying a trace of coldness and loneliness.

Then it gradually turned sonorous, like a thunderclap on a summer night, with the clash of weapons, sweeping away the pent-up frustrations in one's chest.

Finally, it returned to tranquility, like the autumn moon over a river, with all sounds silenced, leaving only a sense of clarity.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo were already entranced.

They had traveled the Jianghu and seen many strange people and events, but they had never heard a zither melody capable of playing with the human heart so effortlessly.

This music reminded them of the starving people in Shu Province, the slaughter on the mountain paths, and the prosperity and tenderness they had experienced in Jiangcheng over the past few days.

Various emotions churned in their hearts, eventually turning into a silent sigh that dissipated into the ethereal music.

Chen Fan held his teacup, his fingers unconsciously tracing the warm surface of the cup.

This zither music was truly extraordinary.

It did not stir up many memories, but it brought a long-lost touch of feeling to his heart, which had grown increasingly numb from witnessing life and death.

It was as if he had returned to the twenty-first century, to that afternoon when he wore headphones, shutting out the entire world.

The song ended, its lingering notes echoing in the rafters.

The entire hall fell silent for a full three breaths.

Then, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.

"Bravo!"

"Lady Yueji's zither skills are divine; we are honored to have witnessed this in our lifetime!"

Countless tips were thrown onto the high stage by the excited guests; gold, silver, and jewels glittered with a charming luster under the lamplight.

Lady Yueji on the high stage seemed not to hear any of this.

She simply rose slowly, bowed gracefully to the crowd below, and then turned and disappeared behind the backstage curtains, leaving without a trace.

This aloofness only made the crowd admire her even more.

The atmosphere in the hall reached a peak.

Amidst this clamor, a burly Jianghu man carrying a broadsword on his back walked straight to Chen Fan's table, holding a wine cup.

With the characteristic boldness and respect of a Jianghu man on his face, he cupped his hands in a salute to Chen Fan.

"Are you, perhaps, the Jade-Faced Asura, Luo Hengsheng, Master Luo, who demonstrated his might at the Tianchi Mountain sword trial and tops the hero ranking list?"

His voice was loud, and this exclamation immediately caused the discussions at the surrounding tables to cease.

Gazes of curiosity, awe, and scrutiny were cast upon him in unison.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo's hearts both tightened slightly.

Chen Fan did not answer; he simply looked up and regarded the other person calmly from behind his mask.

The man was not embarrassed and laughed on his own: "Master Luo's jade mask is unique in the world; there is no mistaking it! I am Zhang Mang of the Fierce Tiger Hall. I have long admired your name, Master Luo. Seeing you today, I have come specifically to toast you!"

With that, he downed the wine in his cup.

Chen Fan picked up his teacup, using tea as a substitute for wine, and took a sip.

"Something you need?"

Zhang Mang chuckled and rubbed his hands: "Master Luo is a straightforward man! It's like this: our Fierce Tiger Hall has had some friction with the Green Bamboo Gang in the west of the city recently, and we would like to ask Master Luo to step in and help us hold the ground. The price is negotiable!"

"Not interested." Chen Fan set down his teacup.

Zhang Mang's smile froze on his face.

He had not expected the other party to refuse so bluntly, not even bothering to ask about the price.

Where there was one, there was a second.

Soon, several other Jianghu people in different attire came up to chat; some wanted to recruit him, others wanted to ask him to be their patron. Without exception, they were all turned away by Chen Fan using the most concise language.

Watching this scene, the two sisters felt both proud and worried.

They were proud that their man was now a big figure revered by everyone in the Jianghu.

They were worried that his cold and unapproachable attitude would offend many people.

Sure enough, an inappropriate, sneering laugh came from the next table.

"Top of the hero ranking list, what great majesty. It is just a pity that it was achieved by stepping on the corpses of others."

The speaker was a young scholar wearing a green Confucian robe, holding a folding fan in his hand, his face wearing the aloofness and disdain characteristic of a scholar.

"Hero Chen Jinzhong, who upheld justice in Xiushan Province and killed Nie Shu on the ring while wounded—what a heroic figure he was, yet he died inexplicably at the hands of some people. It is truly a misfortune for the Jianghu."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding air instantly turned cold.

The expressions of Zhang Mang and the others as they looked at the scholar were as if they were looking at a dead man.

Mentioning Chen Jinzhong in front of the Jade-Faced Asura? Isn't that like lighting a lantern in an outhouse—courting death!

Hong Shao's pretty face turned cold, and she was about to lash out immediately.

Chen Fan raised his hand and gently pressed down on her.

He did not even turn his head to look at the scholar.

A living person was seeking justice for his own dead self.

Was there anything more absurd in this world?

Seeing that Chen Fan had no reaction, the scholar assumed he had hit a nerve and became even more smug, intending to say a few more words.

A gentle voice, however, came from not far away.

"Brother Li, mind your words."

Everyone looked towards the source of the sound and saw a young Young Master dressed in a white brocade robe, with beautiful jade hanging from his waist, walking over slowly.

He had a handsome face and an extraordinary bearing, with a warm smile on his face that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Behind him followed two guards with steady auras, who were clearly experts at a glance.

When the scholar surnamed Li saw the newcomer, the arrogance on his face instantly vanished; he stood up and cupped his hands somewhat awkwardly.

"Young Master Shangguan."

The young man known as Young Master Shangguan nodded slightly at him, then walked up to Chen Fan's table and smiled apologetically at the few Jianghu people who were still gathered there.

"My elder sister is hosting a banquet upstairs today, so I ask you all to be accommodating; I would like to have a few words with Brother Luo in private."

His words were polite, but carried a weight that could not be refused.

Zhang Mang and the others exchanged glances, then cupped their hands to take their leave, not daring to stay a moment longer.

The scholar surnamed Li sat down dejectedly, not daring to say another word.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Fan's table became quiet.

"I am Shangguan Yun. Greetings, Brother Luo." Shangguan Yun bowed solemnly to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan looked at him.

The number one clan in Jiang Province, the Shangguan Family.

The words of Mr. Know-It-All flashed through his mind.

"Something you need?" He still used those same two words.

Shangguan Yun did not mind; he took out a beautifully crafted gold-stamped invitation from his bosom and handed it over with both hands.

"Three months from now, my elder sister intends to host a literary gathering at our residence and has invited talented individuals from all over Jiang Province. My sister says that the path of the scholar and the path of the warrior lead to the same destination. Brother Luo is a hero of the current age; if you could grace us with your presence, it would certainly add much luster to the gathering."

Another literary gathering.

Chen Fan felt a bit impatient.

"I am just a martial artist; I do not understand composing poetry." He refused directly.

Upon hearing this, a trace of longing and disappointment flashed in both Hong Shao and Qing Luo's eyes.

The Shangguan Family's literary gathering was a grand event famous throughout Jiang Province and even the Jiangnan Circuit. Everyone who could participate was a big figure renowned in their own region.

Their changes in expression naturally did not escape Shangguan Yun's eyes.

He smiled slightly, not discouraged.

"Brother Luo has misunderstood. This gathering is called a literary gathering, but it is actually an elegant assembly. In addition to poetry and songs, there are also tea tasting, sword discussion, and treasure appreciation segments. My sister has long admired your demeanor at Tianchi Mountain and specifically instructed me to ensure the invitation reached you."

He kept his posture very low, and his words were flawless.

Chen Fan glanced at the two sisters beside him, who were full of anticipation, and finally reached out and took the invitation.

"Fine."

Shangguan Yun was overjoyed and quickly added: "Thank you for your favor, Brother Luo!"

It was as if he had completed an important task; he seemed much more relaxed, and his words increased.

"To tell you the truth, my sister loves poetry most in her life, and she is especially full of praise for Chen Fan, who burst onto the scene in Xiushan Province some time ago. She recites that line, 'Clouds remind me of her clothes, flowers of her face,' every day, never ceasing to praise it."

He sighed softly, a look of regret appearing on his face.

"It is just a pity that this person is like a dragon that shows its head but never its tail; my Shangguan Family has exhausted all methods but cannot find a trace of him. If we could invite such a talent to this literary gathering, my sister would certainly be overjoyed."

Having finished, he looked at Chen Fan with anticipation.

"Brother Luo, you have traveled the Jianghu and are widely knowledgeable; I wonder... have you ever heard any news about this Mr. Chen Fan?"

In the hall, the clamor continued.

Chen Fan picked up the teacup in front of him, which had long since gone cold, a strange feeling rising in his heart.