A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1709

"Ye... Ye Fan?"

Ye Qingtian was absolutely dumbfounded the moment he recognized the familiar face.

Yet, he was not the only one bewildered. The big shots from Jiangdong who attended the funeral were equally taken aback.

Each of their eyes bore into the man as if they had just seen a ghost.

Ye Qingtian even started rubbing his eyes, wondering if he was hallucinating.

However, the figure remained there no matter how many times he tried to confirm his existence. Next, the figure started approaching him.

Just then, Ye Fan's usual lines rang clearly in his ears.

"What's wrong? Does the War God Castle want me dead so badly? Go back and convey my message to Sword Saint and the rest of the peeps that I'm alive and kicking!"

Then he added, "Also, I do not wish to see anyone from the War God Castle stepping foot into Jiangdong ever again, especially the Supremes who are deemed as the pillars of China. Otherwise, don't blame me if things turn ugly."

Instead of catching up merrily over a drink, the reunion of two old friends ironically involved only hostile comments and scornful expressions.

Hearing this, Ye Qingtian froze. The pleasant surprise turned into an awful one almost instantly.

Soon enough, he was able to wrap his head around Ye Fan's evident antagonism against the War God Castle.

"Ye Fan, your safe return is the outcome both China and the War God Castle yearned to see most. Sword Saint and peeps have updated me about the incident at Mount Chumen. At that desperate moment, they had no other choice but to prioritize the bigger picture."

Ye Qingtian continued explaining, "Ye Fan, you're a Supreme Grandmaster who leads at the forefront of this world. In fact, I can confidently proclaim that you're positioned at the topofthe chain of command in China. You can't be narrow-minded. At our level, we can't be self-centered when making a decision. A lot of times, we need to consider the different needs and perspectives. We need to think about what's best for a person, a matter, the entire race, for China, and millions in its population too!"

The War God had reprimanded Sword Saint for what happened at Mount Van, to the extent that the former wanted to strike the latter.

Even though Ye Qingtian was aware of that, he could not say anything bad about Sword Saint. The only thing he could do was to explain to Ye Fan on Sword Saint's behalf.

After all, both Sword Saint and Ye Fan were undoubtedly the most powerful assets in the martial arts world of China.

Considering that they were the pillars of China, Ye Qingtian did not want to intensify their rivalry. He tried to appease the situation and resolve the conflict between them, knowing that the future of the martial arts circles would be bright should its members be united.

As much as he abhorred what Sword Saint did, Ye Qingtian still had to justify for him.

Over the years, the War God had been playing the role of a parent, taking care of the nation and its people.

In this regard, War God and Sword Saint were very similar.

Their only difference was that War God was a visionary, but Sword Saint saw only what was beneficial in the short term.

War God planned ahead for what was to come for China in ten years or even decades.

From this incident, one could see that Sword Saint was afraid of being avenged by the Chu family if Ye Fan were to drag him down in the quandary.

On the other hand, War God valued what Ye Fan would become in ten or twenty years' time. He knew that Ye Fan had what it took to develop Chinese martial arts and make them the best in the world. The difference between the two of them was indeed a vast gap.

That was why Sword Saint was only the Hall Master of the War God Castle, whereas War God Castle was regarded as the guardian of the nation. He was the symbol of religion among martial artists. "Narrow-minded?" Ye Fan guffawed at that comment.

"Sorry, that's me." His tone carried with it hints of mockery and disdain.

"War God, I've told you a long time ago that we aren't the same. Your parents and friends have passed on. You are all alone. Besides national affairs, you have nothing else to worry about. This isn't the case with me. I have my family, wife, and parents. In the future, I'll have my own children and even more comrades. My world is very small, and that's as big as my mindset can get."

Ye Fan lamented, "Whoever that treats me well, I'll repay his kindness in ten folds. I'm sorry, I'm not a saint, and I don't want to be one either. I can't repay evil with good for those who did me wrong. I'm just a mere mortal, one who repays his favors but also holds grudges. You don't have to speak for Sword Saint. He's not at fault. In fact, no one was."

In the end, Ye Fan concluded, "Anyways, I've got nothing to do with War God Castle since the very beginning. I'm certain that there won't be any more connections between us in the future. Let's walk our separate ways and not cross paths ever. Since we're from completely different worlds, there's no need to work together. Gaius, show the guest the door."

Ye Fan was exhausted. He wanted to cut off ties with

Ye Qingtian as well as War God Castle.

All he wanted to do was to recuperate and spend quality time with friends, family, wife, and kid.

Oh right, I don't have a child yet, but there's no harm to imagine so.

Upon clearing the air, Ye Fan felt a great burden lifted off his shoulders. His countenance was also much more relaxed.

I'd rather focus on the worthy and enjoy doing things that I like. There's no point in wasting any more time on these irrelevant people.

"Why are you doing this, Ye Fan? I know that you're extremely upset about how heartless the War God Castle was. Not only did they refuse to lend a hand when you were on the brink of death, they also messed with your state of mind. I don't mind making Sword Saint and the rest of them apologize to you personally. We're from the same county, and we carry the same title for China. We used to fight alongside each other, but look at us now? How did we end up like this? Must we sever ties with each other?" Ye Qingtian got all worked up as he tried his best to persuade Ye Fan.

The latter was not interested to carry on with the conversation. He turned and made his way back home.

Ye Qingtian wanted to chase after him, but he was stopped by Gaius.

"War God, kindly see yourself out."

"Move away!" Enraged, the desperate Ye Qingtian lashed his palm out.

Gaius, Owen, and several others quickly retaliated to defend themselves. Thump!

A few thuds ensued, and both parties took a few steps backward collectively.

"Hmm? Supreme Grandmaster?"

Ye Qingtian was busy explaining himself to Ye Fan earlier on. As a result, he did not notice that the few men who returned with Ye Fan were Supreme Grandmasters.

One of them was Su Muqiu, the Ice Emperor and Supreme Grandmaster of China.

"Peeps, this is a family affair among us from China. Don't you think that outsiders like you should refrain from interfering?"

Displeased, War God frowned at Gaius.

Crossing his arms, Gaius let out a smirk. "You missed the point, War God. Ye Fan is our Dragon Master, and we have been under his lead for almost ten decades. In fact, we're like brothers. Therefore, things concerning Dragon Master are naturally our problems too. We even defeated the Chu family alongside Dragon Master. If we're still considered outsiders, then what are you? An alien?" Gaius said sarcastically. "Whatever it is, War God, heed our advice and go back. If you pursue further, it will only make Dragon Master loathe the War God Castle even more. In addition, you have revoked his title as a Supreme. With that, Dragon Master has outrightly nothing to do with the War God Castle anymore. In other words, he's no longer a member of the martial arts circles in China. Don't make this any harder for everyone," Gaius said earnestly.

Ye Qingtian tensed up upon hearing that. Fixing his gaze on Gaius, he asked, "What? What did you say? You guys are... Ye Fan's men? Aren't you from Chu Sect? No, that's not right. If you were from Chu Sect,

you wouldn't have followed Ye Fan back to China."

Ye Qingtian was rather confused.

He had seen Gaius and the gang before. It was during the time when the War God Castle besieged Tang Yun.

At that time, Sword Saint and he both had the impression that they were fighters sent by Chu Sect to save Tang Yun.

But now, he realized that his assumption was wrong.

These aren't followers from the Chu Sect. They are Ye Fan's men. Who would have thought that an unknown young man from Jiangdong would possess so much power and authority?