Chapter 007: Dean Roland

Soon, guided by the palace maid, Du Fan met Garfield quickly. In a large hall, Garfield was waiting for Du Fan with a smile on his face.
Upon entering the hall, Du Fan immediately spotted Garfield. Then, a man in his forties standing beside Garfield caught Du Fan’s attention.
This man exuded a sharp, murderous aura! He stood there like a battle-ready spear, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment!
When he saw Du Fan and his group arrive, the man’s eyes began to glow with an unusual light. That gaze was like a spear, stabbing at each member of Du Fan’s group in turn.
When that gaze met Du Fan’s eyes, he felt as though his chest had been struck hard. He quickly focused his energy to protect his heart, and only then did he feel relieved.
After scanning them one by one, the man’s gaze finally settled on Rob’s face. The moment their eyes met, tearing sounds filled the air!
Just a glance between them seemed to trigger an actual battle!
“Huh!” and “Huh!” Rob and the man exclaimed in surprise at the same time, and soon, the situation returned to normal.
Of course, the observant Du Fan immediately sensed that this strange man was most likely also a god-tier expert.
“Haha, Duke Du Fan, I never expected that you would end up in the elves’ territory so quickly and even bring home the elven queen. Haha, why don’t I have such good luck?” Garfield laughed as he saw Du Fan.
“Luck, luck! I think if Garfield happened to be sent to the elves’ territory as well, Your Highness would gain even more benefits than I did,” Du Fan replied with a smile.
As soon as he said this, the Elder Li Luo snorted behind him.
It was clear that Du Fan’s intention of entering the elves’ territory solely for personal gain greatly displeased the Elder Li Luo!
“Your luck isn’t necessarily mine, Duke Du Fan. Many things are already predetermined. What you say makes no sense at all,” Garfield said with a smile.

“You make a good point,” Du Fan said with a smile as well. “By the way, Prince Garfield, why don’t you introduce your friends to us?”
“Haha, I forgot, I forgot. This is my teacher, Dean Jackson. Dean Jackson is the head of Roland Academy—of course, I’m talking about the Roland Academy in our capital city. He’s the supreme head of Roland Academy. Haha, his status is on par with that of the Pope!” Garfield said with a laugh.
The supreme head of Roland Academy!
Hearing such a title, Du Fan’s heart skipped a beat. No wonder just a glance from this person could hurt him—turns out he was the supreme head of Roland Academy, a figure as renowned as the Pope!
“It’s the supreme head of Roland Academy! Pleased to meet you!” Hearing that this was such an important person, Du Fan quickly bowed in greeting.
“It’s an honor to meet Duke Du Fan as well!” Jackson replied immediately. “Today, seeing someone who managed to outwit that fool Bruce—truly impressive!”
“Hehe, my apologies. But what Dean said was quite true—Bruce really is a fool!” Hearing Jackson bring up old matters right away, Du Fan matched his tone without hesitation.
“Haha, you two, stop it. This is the palace, my territory. Please don’t start fighting here!” Garfield said with a smile.
Bruce was also an important figure at Roland Academy, and Garfield had heard about his death.
So, seeing the two about to argue, Garfield quickly stepped in to stop them.
Hearing Garfield’s words, both of them fell silent but grunted in response.
“By the way, Prince Garfield, after we said goodbye that time, how did you get rid of your brother’s pursuit?” Du Fan asked curiously.
“My teacher arrived in time, so I was saved,” Garfield said with a smile.
Glancing at Jackson, Du Fan nodded. With such a skilled expert involved, it wasn’t surprising that Garfield could escape.
“What brings Duke Du Fan here this time?” Garfield asked right away.
Of course, Garfield didn’t believe that Du Fan had come all this way just to see him.

“Hehe, I’m here to see an old friend. By the way, is it true what Your Highness said back then—that once you become emperor, you’ll return all the territories occupied from our Gavin Empire?” Du Fan asked with a smile.
“Haha! Du Fan, well, how about this? If you can help me out, I’ll grant you control over six provinces. How about making you a King of Equal Rank? Talents like yours are truly rare. So, what do you say? Will you pledge allegiance to my Lani Empire?” Hearing Du Fan’s question, Gafield didn’t answer directly but instead tried to tempt him into rebellion.
“Hey, Gafield! Would you really use a traitor?” Du Fan retorted loudly.
“Don’t worry, Duke Du Fan. I won’t treat you as a traitor. By the way, I heard that Fish keeps giving you trouble. Seriously, should you consider coming to my Lani Empire?” Gafield said with a smile.
“Your Highness Gafield, I appreciate your kindness. When the time comes that I want to come to your Lani Empire, I’ll talk to you then. Today, my purpose is to ask—does what you said back then still hold true? That you’d return all the territories occupied from our Gavin Empire?” Du Fan asked.
“Of course, Du Fan. A king should never break his word! You can take back any southern provinces occupied by our Lani Empire at any time,” Gafield replied calmly.
“Great! Truly, a king who keeps his word!” Du Fan laughed.
“However, I have one more condition: these territories can’t be handed over peacefully. My army must attack first, and you should put up a symbolic resistance before retreating!” Du Fan said with a smile.
“Why do that? Wouldn’t it be better if I just handed them over directly?” Gafield asked in confusion.
“Alas, there’s no other way! Our Your Highness Fish played word games with me. Back then, he said that any territory I reclaimed would be granted to me as my own. But once I actually captured those nine cities, he started reinterpreting his order—claiming that only land conquered by my own army could be given to me!” Du Fan said with a smile.
“So, Your Highness Gafield, I hope you can cooperate. Let’s pretend to fight a bit, and then I’ll reclaim our lost lands. What do you think?” Du Fan asked.
“What’s in it for me?” Gafield asked, blinking at Du Fan.

“Ah, Your Highness, as the ruler of a nation, what more could you possibly lack? Stop extorting a poor wretch like me!” Du Fan shouted.
“Tch, you call yourself poor? In my eyes, you’re even richer than your Prince Fischer!” Gafield said disdainfully upon seeing Du Fan’s state.
“How about this? I only want one thing. If you agree to it, I’ll do as you say. Otherwise? Hmph, I’ll just return the three southern provinces to the Gavin Empire, and then our Duke Du Fan won’t receive any rewards,” Gafield said with a smile.
“Alright, tell me what you need,” Du Fan said, taking a deep breath and speaking seriously.
“Du Fan, I heard that your Gavin Empire has developed a wonderful potion recently. Its effects are even better than the legendary Mikra potion—it can transform adults and those who can no longer cultivate into those who can. I’ve also learned that it’s your Green family who supplies this potion. How about this? If you give me five of those potions, I’ll fulfill your request!” Gafield insisted firmly.
“Ah, Your Highness Gafield, isn’t this pure extortion? You should know those potions are already priced at five million gold coins each. Five of them would be twenty-five million gold coins! Isn’t this outright robbery?” Du Fan cried out.
“Haha, Du Fan, I am indeed extorting you. What can you do?” Gafield said with a laugh.
“It’s possible, but although our Green family has developed that potion, its production process is extremely complicated, and the materials required are very precious. So, I can’t carry it with me. How about this? After I return, I’ll send someone to deliver it. Once you receive it, prepare to help me reclaim my territory!” Du Fan said seriously.
“Good, let’s settle it this way,” Gafield said with a smile. “Duke Du Fan, I still say the same thing: as long as you’re willing to come to my Lanny Empire, I, Gafield, guarantee to double all the benefits you’d get in the Gavin Empire!” he added firmly.
“Haha, Your Highness is kind. As long as I can’t stay in the Gavin Empire, I’ll come to you!” Du Fan laughed heartily.
With the main matters settled, and at Gafield’s repeated insistence, Du Fan and his party had a state banquet at the Lanny Palace before returning to Doha City on a green shuttle.

A few days later, an event that shocked the entire continent took place!
The Governor-General of the Gavin Empire’s south, Duke Du Fan, displayed incredible prowess! Within seven days, he won consecutive battles and managed to reclaim all three southern provinces that the Gavin Empire had lost in the last war!
The armies of the Lani Empire were forced back into their war fortresses, too terrified to confront Duke Du Fan’s forces again!
This battle even made Duke Du Fan’s army seem capable of surpassing the northern legions and becoming the strongest fighting force in the Gavin Empire!
……
“What! That kid Du Fan actually reclaimed the three southern provinces in just one go?” Duke Wade demanded frantically from the Lionheart family’s spies.
“Yes, my lord. Just yesterday afternoon, the Lani Empire’s armies were driven back into their own territory. All three southern provinces are now under Duke Du Fan’s control,” said the Lionheart family’s spy.
“The three southern provinces! They were originally territory of my Lionheart family! Du Fan, always that kid Du Fan! It drives me mad! Green family, from now on, my Lionheart family will be at odds with you forever!” Duke Wade said grimly.
“Grandpa, aren’t the troops we’ve secretly stationed in the south these past few months now useless?” Randi, who had lost an arm, asked quickly after hearing the spy’s report.
“Hmph, how could they be useless? Though it seems Du Fan has reclaimed those territories, it’s still unclear who will ultimately control them. Besides, Randi, do you really think Prince Fisher will just sit by and let the Green family grow stronger?” Duke Wade said coldly.
“Of course not,” Randi replied.
“Exactly. Hmph, as long as Old Green suffers a defeat in the north, it will be time for the prince to eliminate the Green family’s forces. Then, our troops in the south will come in handy!” Duke Wade said.