Chapter 018: Uninvited Guests

The knights approaching from afar slowly came to a halt ahead.
Du Fan suddenly smiled and said, “Gentlemen, since these are guests who have traveled far, I suppose I should go up and greet them. As for the hunting activity, let’s postpone it for now. We can start after I’ve exchanged a few words with our esteemed guests.”
Though they said so, none dared object.
Allen lowered his voice and whispered in Du Fan’s ear, “Third brother, do you need me to accompany you?”
Du Fan sneered and replied, “No need. In such an occasion, if the Berlinger family dares to play any tricks, are our thousand cavalry outside just for show? Second brother, don’t worry. Just keep a close eye. Today, I’ll make them understand what price it takes to target my Green family.”
With that, Du Fan spurred his horse, which let out a loud neigh before charging forward. When he reached the Berlinger family’s group, he pulled the reins, and the horse stopped.
Du Fan rode slowly in place for a few steps. Moments later, his gaze fell on a person at the front of the group—a person with a delicate face, almost feminine, short hair streaked with white, and a prominent lion’s head emblem on his pure white armor, just like those on the banners held by the cavalry behind him.
It was none other than the genius of the Imperial Capital, the pride of the Berlinger family, and an eighth-level powerhouse—Lord Aldas.
Du Fan stared at his face, their eyes locking in midair, as if two waves of murderous intent were colliding.
But after a moment, Du Fan burst into laughter and said, “So it’s Lord Aldas who has come all this way. Why didn’t you let us know in advance, Lord Aldas? It’s also thanks to my useless subordinates for being blind and failing to recognize your identity, yet still daring to block you. They really don’t know the rules!”
At that, Du Fan roared, “Someone here!”
Dozens of cavalry from the Northern Legion surrounding the Berlinger family replied in unison, “We’re here, sir!”
Du Fan, furious, demanded, “I ask you! Were you the ones who blocked Lord Aldas’s path just now?”
“Yes!”
“Then I ask again! Don’t you know Lord Aldas’s identity? Who is he? He’s the genius of the Imperial Capital! The pride of the Berlinger family! An eighth-level powerhouse! If you offend him, you’ll all be sentenced to death! Do you understand?”
“We understand, sir!”

“Very good,” Du Fan sneered. “Then don’t blame me at all.”
As he spoke, Du Fan glanced at Aldas and said, “Young Master Aldas, these subordinates lack manners. Please forgive them, Young Master Aldas! But rest assured, I will surely give you an explanation…”
Aldas felt a bitter smile as Du Fan kept referring to him as “young master” over and over. Though he hated Du Fan deeply, he couldn’t show it under such circumstances. He could only bow slightly and say, “Young Master Du Fan, you’re joking. It’s my fault for showing up uninvited. The blame should lie with me, not those subordinates.”
“Is that so?” Du Fan smiled faintly. “Young Master Aldas is truly magnanimous! But it was indeed my negligence for not inviting you. By the way, how did you end up in the Northlands? If I had known earlier, I would have definitely sent you an invitation. This is clearly my fault—I’m truly sorry!”
Aldas replied calmly, “Young Master Du Fan, you’re joking. I just came on a whim. I heard you were holding a hunting party, so I couldn’t resist coming to take a look. I was even afraid you wouldn’t welcome me.”
“What are you saying, Young Master Aldas?” Du Fan smiled faintly. “I’d be grateful if you’d come. How could I not welcome you? Hahaha…”
As they spoke, they exchanged another glance. It seemed as if there were sparks flying in the air. The meaning behind that glance was immense.
Du Fan thought to himself, “Aldas, Aldas… I spared you back at the Temple and let you live, but you turned out to be so ungrateful. Don’t blame me today…”
Aldas’s eyes were filled with hatred. “Du Fan, Du Fan… If I let you leave this hunting ground alive today, then the name ‘Aldas’ will be read backwards…”
The grudges and emotions between the two couldn’t be fully expressed in just a few words. Yet they could roughly guess each other’s thoughts—such a level of telepathy was truly rare and precious.

After finishing his polite words, Du Fan seemed to remember something and suddenly said, “By the way, given my poor memory, you all…” He pointed at the cavalry of the northern legions. “Since Young Master Ordas is willing to forgive you, I won’t make things difficult for you. But though you may escape the death penalty, you can’t avoid lesser punishments. Just remember, all of you must memorize Young Master Ordas’ appearance and then find an artist to paint his portrait, which will be hung in my house. Remember, you must worship it day and night throughout the year, just as if worshipping ancestors! Do you understand?”
“Understood!” Dozens of cavalrymen nodded seriously, then quickly retreated at Du Fan’s gesture.
The dozens of people behind Ordas turned pale. By asking those soldiers to worship Ordas, wasn’t Du Fan cursing him to death?
Yet Ordas remained calm. Though furious inside, he spoke calmly on the surface, “Young Master Du Fan is joking… Since Young Master Du Fan is so polite, how can I not be polite in return? Someone, donate ten thousand gold coins to the Holy Church and secure the best spot. I think Young Master Du Fan will need it soon… Young Master Du Fan, I haven’t given you anything since we met. Please don’t refuse this gift of mine!”
Ordas wanted someone to buy a memorial slot for Du Fan in the Holy Church—what else could it mean but cursing him to death?
But Du Fan seemed unaware of this, instead wearing a holy smile as he said, “Young Master Ordas has truly given a wonderful gift. There’s a saying in the distant Eastern world: ‘It’s impolite to give without receiving in return.’ Since Young Master Ordas has given such a generous gift, how could I, Du Fan, fail to reciprocate? But I’m just a poor priest with nothing to offer. How about this? I do have some reputation within the Holy Church and have held a few funerals in my free time. When Young Master Ordas needs it, I’ll serve you for free… Don’t worry, Young Master Ordas. With my blessings, anyone can return to the Lord’s embrace immediately… Hehehe…”
The two clashed verbally, each word a subtle insult. The nobles who had come hunting felt their hearts pounding, thinking, They had heard that the Green family and the Belinger family were at odds, but they never imagined it had gone this far!

Some more astute individuals couldn’t help but secretly speculate whether this hunt was orchestrated by Young Master Du Fan specifically to lure out Young Master Aldas. Of course, no one dared ask for the truth behind it, but many realized that these two families hadn’t come just for a hunt—they needed to be careful lest they get caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, while the nobles here had their own agendas, Du Fan and Aldas had already finished exchanging polite remarks. Having received top-tier education since childhood, both understood that arguing in such an occasion would be highly inappropriate. After exchanging a few polite words, Du Fan gave a gesture and returned to his seat first. Then he pointed at Joshua and said, “Come, let me introduce you to Young Master Aldas. This is Lord Joshua. You’re both geniuses and unparalleled masters; it would be good to get to know each other if you have time!” Joshua smiled faintly and said, “Du Fan, you’re joking again.” Then he bowed to Aldas and said, “Young Master Aldas, it’s been so long. I didn’t expect your skills to have improved so much!” Aldas, not daring to neglect this powerful figure from the Holy Church, bowed carefully and said, “It’s really Lord Joshua. Meeting here in this distant northern land is quite a strange coincidence!” Joshua replied calmly, “Young Master Aldas, you’re too kind. But I heard Lord Bruce has also come to the north. Why isn’t he here today?” Aldas smiled and said, “Teacher Bruce never likes such occasions, so he didn’t come today. If he knew Lord Joshua was here, he would definitely come. How about I send someone to bring him a message?” Joshua smiled and said, “It’s better not. There will be another chance to meet in the future.” Aldas didn’t insist and said, “Lord Joshua is right… But then again, with Lord Joshua’s protection, no wonder Young Master Du Fan was so bold today. By the way, Young Master Du Fan, I was deeply impressed by your ghostly performance last time!”

Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Which incident is Aldas referring to? If it’s the one in the north, then I’m truly sorry. I originally planned to have those people die completely, but unexpectedly, a few managed to escape. But don’t worry, Young Master Aldas—this time I definitely won’t fail… Of course, if necessary… Hahaha… Alright, alright, it was just a joke… Come, Young Master Aldas, let me introduce you. This is my second brother, Allen. I’m sure you’ve heard of him before, right?”