Chapter 449 - 208: Rendezvous

With Hu Wanshan’s help running interference, Jiang Ran finally got a moment of peace.

Men in black were still active in the courtyard, so after handing his captive over to Hu Wanshan, Jiang Ran went back outside.

This time, after completely dealing with all the men surrounding Wanshui Manor, both inside and outside the courtyard, Jiang Ran finally went to pick up Hua Yuerong and returned to Wanshui Manor.

The main hall of Wanshui Manor was called [Leisure Hall].

Inside Leisure Hall, everyone had already taken their seats, hosts and guests alike.

Besides Hu Wanshan, his entire extended family was also present.

Most of them looked as though they had survived a catastrophe, having narrowly escaped death.

But the thought of tonight’s events still sent a shiver of lingering fear through them.

If Jiang Ran hadn’t arrived in time, it was likely that not a single person present would have survived.

Hu Wanshan clasped his fists together and said to Jiang Ran:

"Hero Jiang, I am indebted to you for saving our lives. I truly don’t know how I could ever repay you."

"Patriarch Hu, you’re too kind."

Jiang Ran waved his hand. "You already thanked me once before. There’s no need to mention it again."

Earlier, Hu Wanshan had led his entire family, young and old, to kowtow to Jiang Ran in gratitude for saving their lives.

To be honest, Jiang Ran was still not quite comfortable with such scenes.

Now, seeing Hu Wanshan bring it up again, and seeing that the rest of his extended family looked ready to rise and kneel once more, Jiang Ran quickly waved his hands to stop them.

He immediately changed the subject:

"Patriarch Hu, do you have any idea why the Setting Sun Sect would suddenly attack you so viciously?"

"The Setting Sun Sect..."

At the mention of this, Hu Wanshan indeed forgot about kneeling. He just gritted his teeth and said:

"The Setting Sun Sect has always been mysterious, and they even parade themselves as enforcers of heavenly justice. I have long suspected that they were no good, and now it seems I was right.

"First, the entire Qin family was annihilated, and now my Hu family was nearly wiped out over baseless accusations.

"But to say... to say that my Hu family did something to offend them... that, that’s simply not possible.

"We can’t even find them, so how could we possibly have offended them?"

"Every action has a purpose."

Jiang Ran mused, "There is no shortage of slaughter in the Jianghu, but very little of it happens without a reason."

"Hero Jiang is absolutely right."

Hu Wanshan nodded. "But sitting here and speculating will likely get us nowhere.

"However, the fact that they used Demon Sect martial arts is no small matter.

"In my opinion, we must announce what happened tonight to the entire Jianghu! I imagine that with the disaster at Wanshui Manor as a precedent, the Setting Sun Sect will no longer be able to hide their previous deeds.

"The methods they used to kill the entire Qin family are exactly the same as the methods they used to frame me today.

"This cannot be allowed to happen again. We absolutely cannot let them continue to act so wantonly!!"

As Hu Wanshan spoke, he carried the air of a venerable senior of the Jianghu.

Jiang Ran nodded as well.

"Patriarch Hu is right. Regardless of their motives, we cannot allow them to act so unscrupulously.

"My words carry little weight. This is a matter that Patriarch Hu will have to handle."

"Hero Jiang, you are too humble."

Hu Wanshan laughed. "Hero Jiang, your martial arts are unparalleled. After that battle on Sunset Plateau during the Tea and Zither Appreciation Meet, the entire Jianghu knows the fame of the Shocking God Saber!

"To be honest, I was a bit unconvinced before. After all, you’re about the same age as that worthless son of mine. Even if you knew some martial arts, how good could you possibly be?

"But I never expected... A great reputation is truly well-deserved. It’s really better to meet you in person than to just hear about you.

"Hero Jiang, your martial arts are likely far more profound than the rumors say.

"When I make the comparison... ah, that worthless son of mine... I wish I could just beat him to death and be done with it."

"Father!!"

Hu Wanshan’s son was named Hu Nan.

Hearing this, he couldn’t help but take a step forward. "If you want to praise Hero Jiang, then praise Hero Jiang! Why drag me into it and parade me around for shame?

"Let’s not even talk about me. How do you stack up against Hero Jiang yourself?

"I’ve never been embarrassed by you, so how can you have the nerve to be embarrassed by me?"

As soon as he said this, the hall erupted in laughter.

Hu Wanshan was normally a very dignified man, his clothes, hair, and beard always meticulously groomed.

But now he was so angry his beard was bristling and his eyes were wide, yet he was utterly helpless against his own son.

Finally, with a helpless, apologetic smile, he said to Jiang Ran:

"My apologies for that display, Hero Jiang."

"Your son is candid and straightforward. Why would I laugh?"

Jiang Ran waved his hand. "Everyone has had quite a scare tonight, so let’s not stand around chatting. You should all get some rest... However, there is one thing I must ask of you, Patriarch Hu."

"Hero Jiang, please speak your mind. You saved all of our lives. Everyone in this humble manor is eternally grateful. Whatever you ask, we will not refuse."

Hu Wanshan immediately replied in a serious tone.

Jiang Ran chuckled.

"Patriarch Hu, you exaggerate. It’s just that it’s gotten late, and I was hoping to borrow a room for the night here at Wanshui Manor...

"I will leave first thing in the morning."

"Aiya, what kind of talk is that!"

Hu Wanshan shot to his feet. "Hero Jiang, you are an honored guest we couldn’t hope to invite even if we begged! Forget borrowing a room for one night—what if I gave you all of Wanshui Manor?"

"There he goes talking nonsense again... Wanshui Manor is the ancestral home. If you dared to give it away, Grandpa would break your legs," Hu Nan muttered under his breath.

"You, shut your mouth!"

Hu Wanshan looked embarrassed again. He gave Jiang Ran a dry laugh and said:

"But the boy does have a point. Wanshui Manor indeed cannot be given away. My tongue got ahead of me just now.

"But my other properties can be.

"I have some humble properties in the area. I will prepare a list and have it sent to you, Hero Jiang..."