72: Chapter 72 A Big Shot from the Imperial City

"Hahaha, if you can think this way, I am relieved."

"You are right. There are so many heroes in the world; a seventh-rank Martial Artist is truly nothing in front of a real Genius."

He changed the subject, carrying a hint of self-mockery.

"Therefore, we don't think about the Dragon and Tiger Ranking, and we are not qualified to think about it either."

"But the hero ranking list is different." Master Liu Cang's breathing became rapid again. "True Prodigies look down on the hero ranking list. Those competing on it are all second-line Disciples of major Schools, or those Loose Cultivators with some talent."

"For our Longxing Sect, this is the best opportunity!"

Chen Fan finally understood.

To put it plainly, the Dragon and Tiger Ranking is for immortals fighting.

The hero ranking list is just weaklings pecking at each other.

However, he, Chen Fan, was currently that weakling.

Going to peck a bit didn't seem to be a problem.

"This Disciple understands." Chen Fan nodded in agreement.

Master Liu Cang nodded with satisfaction, as if he had finally settled a worry. He picked up the wine pot, poured himself another cup, and as if remembering something, spoke again.

"By the way, there is one more thing."

"After your injuries heal, there is a task in the School that you need to do."

Chen Fan's heart stirred.

"What task?"

"An escort task." Master Liu Cang put down the wine cup, his expression becoming serious. "Next month, a big shot from the Imperial City will come to inspect Yanzhou."

"At that time, the Yanzhou government office will select a group of skilled and trustworthy Disciples from various Schools to be responsible for the escort work along the way."

"You are one of them."

A big shot from the Imperial City?

Chen Fan was a bit curious.

"I wonder which lord it is?"

Master Liu Cang shook his head and lowered his voice.

"The identity is confidential; I don't know either."

"In short, be sharp when the time comes, just follow orders, and do not make any mistakes."

"If this errand is done well, it will have huge benefits for you and for our Longxing Sect."

Since Master Liu Cang had said so, Chen Fan did not ask any further.

Anyway, he would deal with whatever came his way.

He bid farewell to Master Liu Cang and turned to leave.

The setting sun pulled his shadow very long.

Returning to that familiar small courtyard in the south of the city, he pushed open the door, and the aroma of food rushed towards him.

Lin Wan was carrying a plate of green vegetables out of the kitchen. Seeing him return, a gentle smile immediately bloomed on her plain, clean face.

"You're back, wash your hands and eat quickly."

That smile seemed to be able to dispel all exhaustion.

Chen Fan walked forward, said nothing, just opened his arms and gently embraced that slightly thin body.

Lin Wan's body stiffened, and her cheeks instantly flushed red.

She gently pushed him away, carrying a trace of reproach.

"What are you doing? The child is still watching."

Chen Fan looked down and sure enough, saw Nuannuan in the cradle, opening her big, dark eyes, looking at them curiously.

He laughed, let go, and sat down at the table.

During the meal, the atmosphere was warm.

Chen Fan took the initiative to bring up the matter of next year.

"After the New Year, I might need to go to Jian Prefecture."

Lin Wan's action of picking up food suddenly paused.

She raised her head, and in those almond-shaped eyes, the light that had just gathered dimmed instantly, replaced by an lingering worry.

"Go... go to do what?"

"To compete in the arena and vie for a ranking." Chen Fan said lightly.

Lin Wan's breathing, however, became a bit rapid.

Competing in the arena.

She, a weak woman, did not understand the affairs of the Jianghu.

But she knew that it must be very dangerous.

Her hand holding the chopsticks tightened unconsciously.

"Must you go?"

Chen Fan looked at her nervous expression, and his heart warmed.

He reached out and covered the back of her cold hand.

"Rest assured, it's just going through the motions; there won't be any danger."

"I promise you, I will definitely come back safely."

His words carried a power that put people at ease.

Lin Wan looked at his serious expression, and the fear in her heart was gradually smoothed away.

She didn't say anything else, just nodded silently.

The following days passed peacefully and comfortably.

The injuries from the caning, under the careful care of the medicine and Lin Wan, healed in just ten days.

Afterwards, Chen Fan honestly went to the Cultivate room in the School, began to calm his mind and Cultivate, and his entire aura became increasingly steady and restrained.

It took three days to completely stabilize the eighth-rank Realm.

On the day he returned home, Lin Wan had already prepared a rich meal early.

Nuannuan also seemed to recognize him; as soon as she saw him enter the door, she opened her chubby little hands, babbling and wanting him to hold her.

Life seemed to have returned to the right track.

During the day, Chen Fan would practice the martial arts of the Longxing Sect in the courtyard.

From fist techniques to movement techniques.

He practiced without haste or impatience, striving for every movement to be standard.

Nuannuan sat in the cradle, watching her father's figure, waving her little fists from time to time, giggling straight away.

Lin Wan sat on the side, doing her needlework, occasionally raising her head to look at the pair of father and daughter in the courtyard, and a happy, faint smile would unconsciously bloom on her lips.

When night came.

It was time that belonged only to the two of them.

Lin Wan would boil hot water to wipe the sweat off his body.

Then, she would blow out the oil lamp.

Under the hazy moonlight, she would take off her clothes and crawl into that warm embrace.

At first, she still carried a bit of girlish shyness and passivity.

Gradually, she also learned to take the initiative to respond.

That warm, soft body and that lingering tenderness were enough to turn any tempered steel into soft silk.

A gentle hometown is a hero's grave.

Chen Fan was immersed in it, enjoying himself so much that he forgot to return home.

The more comfortable his days were, the more he cursed Chen Jinzhong for being a beast in his heart.

With such a wife and daughter at home, he still insisted on being a simp for a Saintess; he really wasn't a human being!

This night.

The clouds gathered and the rain stopped.

Chen Fan embraced his fragrant, sweat-drenched wife, feeling that both his body and mind had received great satisfaction.

Lin Wan rested on his arm, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his chest.

"Husband." She spoke suddenly, her voice carrying a trace of lazy hoarseness.

"Hmm?"

"I feel like I'm dreaming."

"Hmm? Why do you say that?" Chen Fan asked, puzzled.

Lin Wan pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes looking at the man beside her.

"Nothing... just suddenly felt like it was a dream."

She said timidly, as if she were afraid of breaking the dream.

"It's okay, rest assured and sleep."

Chen Fan stroked Lin Wan's head, comforting her.

Lin Wan nodded, leaned into Chen Fan's embrace, and slowly closed her eyes.

Chen Fan looked at Lin Wan who was gradually falling asleep, and in his heart, he once again cursed Chen Jinzhong for being a beast.