Chapter 2197
Chapter 2197
Jin Bao and Yin Bao shouted heroically, expressing their will to follow Ye Fan to dominate the world.
After all, if Ye Fan could become the supreme ruler of the global martial arts world, Jiangdong wouldn't have to endure such grievances like now.
In Jin Bao and Yin Bao's opinion, the position of the king of the world should be filled by someone capable like Ye Fan, similar to how the formidable ancient sovereign had conquered lands and ruled over a kingdom.
In contrast, Li Er who was standing at one side merely kept quiet.
He stared at Ye Fan the whole time, waiting for the latter's reply as he knew the opinions of subordinates like them weren't important at the end of the day.
The most crucial thing was still Ye Fan's standpoint.
Ye Fan smiled faintly.
“Time flies, don't you think that's a waste if we spend all our time fighting for fame and glory?”
Jin Bao and the others were stunned after hearing that.
Although Ye Fan didn't provide a straightforward response, Li Er and the rest could vaguely guess his answer.
“So, Mr. Chu, are you planning not to fight for the position?” Li Er asked with an undertone.
Ye Fan took a few sips of tea before saying, “Li Er, you've served me for so long. I don't know if you understand me. Actually, I don't have big dreams or grand ambitions. Even when I held authority, my only goal was to protect those I wished to keep safe, such as my family, friends, and lover. That was
my greatest aspiration. I repeatedly visited the Chu residence and wiped out Chu Sect with the sole intention of seeking justice for my mother. I was never interested in accumulating wealth or attaining fame and glory. Now that I've resolved this long-lasting grudge in my chest, I think it's time for me to take my leave.”
What?
Jin Bao and Yin Bao shuddered.
Li Er's pupils constricted as well.
“Take your leave? Mr. Chu, w-what do you mean by that? Where are you going?” Jin Bao asked anxiously.
Panic brimmed in Yin Bao's eyes while indescribable emotions filled Li Er's gaze.
The experience was similar to how a small plant surviving next to a big tree would feel when it suddenly realized the tree that had always been shielding it from storms was about to disappear.
The dread and uneasiness churning within Li Er and the others' hearts were undoubtedly difficult to put into words.
“I've yet to figure out where to go, but from now on, I'll probably thoroughly fade out of the martial arts world. I won't participate in any more power struggles and disputes of the mundane world. I'm genuinely getting a little tired after all these years. I want to try living a different life in the future.”
Ye Fan recalled Qiu Mucheng had once pleaded with him to stop with tears in her eyes. His mother also hoped he would let go of his hatred. Tang Yun persuaded him to forget the grudges and restart a new life as well.
However, at that time, he was blinded by his desire for revenge and turned a deaf ear to their advice.
Now that Chu Yuan had gone six feet under and Chu Sect was eliminated, Ye Fan got his revenge.
Still, inexplicably, he couldn't bring himself to feel happy.
He reckoned perhaps that was because he paid too dear a price in exchange for accomplishing his revenge.
Countless of his comrades were sacrificed on the battlefield, his mother was missing, not to mention how Qiu Mucheng had become utterly disheartened and was unwilling to return to Jiangdong anymore. Also, he figured Tang Yun would also never forgive him.
Sometimes, Ye Fan wondered what he had ultimately achieved by choosing the path of revenge.
In the end, he merely hurt those who truly cared about him, causing them to worry about him and long for his safe turn all the time, and finally harbored nothing but disappointment toward him.
Ye Fan spent the last few months recuperating, but he had also mulled over plenty of things and started having thoughts of going into seclusion.
Angie's illness prompted Ye Fan to make up his mind.
He simply wanted to live in peace for the rest of his life, focusing on his bucket list and never bothering himself with matters of the mundane world anymore.
“What about Dragon God Hall? What about all the comrades who have pursued you for so many years? Mr. Chu, are you really planning to leave all of these behind?” Jin Bao and Yin Bao asked Ye Fan with reddened eyes.
Li Er gazed at Ye Fan intently.
He thought he had waited so long for the latter's glorious return.
Unexpectedly, it was an occasion for Ye Fan to bid his farewells.
“I've given that matter some thought. Dragon God Hall was established to oppose Chu Sect in the first place. Now that Chu Sect has been destroyed, Dragon God Hall no longer needs to exist. We'll disband as those elders at International Martial Arts Union wish. In the future, all of you won't have to live your lives warily and be rebuffed by everyone. You don't have to worry about Jiangdong too. I'll visit the War Gods before I leave. No matter what, I, Ye Fan, have saved China's martial arts world and am considered the nation's savior. The people from War God Castle should still treat me with respect. You can stay here in Jiangdong carefree under War God Castle's protection.”
Ye Fan sorted everyone's future paths as if he was expounding his will.
“No! You cannot do this, Mr. Chu. Dragon God Hall is the fruit of your blood, sweat, and tears. How can you disband it just like that? Our comrades at Dragon God Hall will never agree to this. Besides, you founded the business here in Jiangdong. Are you going to hand it over to someone else just like that? We refuse to accept this!” Jin Bao gritted his teeth as tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably.
Yin Bao suppressed his emotions while clenching his fists.
Ye Fan comforted them, “Who said I'll be handing over the business to others? Even after I'm gone, you guys will remain in Jiangdong, isn't it? You all can continue to manage Mufan Group.”
“But—” Jin Bao wanted to speak further, but Li Er halted him right after he parted his lips.
Yin Bao helped Li Er, whose eyes were brimming with tears, to stand up. “Since Mr. Chu has decided to leave, I'll respect your decision. However, before you depart, I have a request to make. I hope we can host a banquet beside Yunwu Lake tomorrow morning to send you off. You can think of this as a gesture to put a full stop on our master-servant relationship.”Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
Ye Fan smiled. “You old, sentimental fool. You've always been fond of hosting these fancy events. Fine. We'll do as you say, but there's no need to make too big of a fuss over this. It'll be sufficient for the few of us old friends having a meal together.”
Li Er nodded and responded tersely. “Okay.”
The next morning, Li Er heeded Ye Fan's reminder and didn't organize a gathering with great fanfare.
Only Li Er and a few close acquaintances came to see Ye Fan off at the side of Yunwu Lake.
On the pavilion beside the ancient walkway, Ye Fan and Li Er sat across each other and savored some wine.
“Mr. Chu, I, Li Er, thank you wholeheartedly for your care all these years. Without you, I'll never attain my current social status. I'll toast you with this glass of wine. Thank you for your companionship all these years. I hope you'll take good care of yourself in the future, Mr. Chu!”
Then, Li Er took the initiative to raise his glass.
He gulped the content, imagining the glass was filled with a mixture of wine and all his reluctance and sentiments.
“Farewell, Mr. Chu!”
“Farewell, Mr. Chu!”
Li Er and the others got to their feet and shouted in reverence as they saw Ye Fan off.
Before he knew it, tears began to stream down the corner of Li Er's eyes. Perhaps we'll never meet again after this. Zhao Hongtu and the others probably won't let me off the hook so easily.
“Mr. Li, why did you keep quiet? Why didn't you tell Mr. Chu how those ungrateful b*stards from War God Castle are sending men to target us?” After Ye Fan's figure disappeared from their fields of vision, Jin Bao and Yin Bao asked Li Er with tear-stained faces.
“We'll only trouble Mr. Chu if we inform him about this matter. He should just depart quietly under such circumstances. Mr. Chu had lived a turbulent life and suffered too much agony. By allowing him to leave without worry, we are granting him the chance to conclude this chapter of his life with a better ending.”
Li Er just knew Ye Fan's personality too well.
Once the latter knew about the things the members of War God Castle had done at Jiangdong, he would definitely go on a killing spree again.
If that happened, another series of bloody messes would ensue.
The situation might even spiral out of control and cause Ye Fan to be caught in the tight spot of having to take a stand against the entire world a second time.
After all, the elders from Martial Arts Security Council were yearning for an excuse to make Ye Fan's life miserable.
“But are we going to give up our business in Jiangdong and surrender it to Journey Group just like that?” Weeping, Yin Bao was unwilling to accept that outcome.
Li Er shook his head. “Of course not! Naturally, we'll have to help Mr. Chu safeguard his business. If he ever returns here one day, we must ensure Jiangdong remains the same just like before.”