I Can Merge Techniques

Though she feigned a calm tone, the suppressed fury was impossible to hide. "Everyone, my apologies."

"An Elder of my Carefree Sect is about to arrive. We ask that you wait a moment."

It wasn’t as if they were entirely brutish and unreasonable; they understood the principle of starting with courtesy before resorting to force.

But this courtesy was laced with an unassailable arrogance.

The pomp and circumstance was all a bit much, a bit too postured.

Mo Yunzi’s lips curled into a bloodthirsty sneer. Just as she was about to retort with a sarcastic jab, she felt a gaze as deep and still as an abyss fall upon her.

Her body went rigid. Looking up, she saw it was just a faint glance from Chu Fan.

The look held no trace of reprimand, yet it possessed a heart-stopping authority, as if to say, ’Be patient.’

Mo Yunzi’s throat bobbed. In the end, she swallowed the taunt that had risen to her lips and resumed her cold, detached demeanor.

Just as tensions reached a breaking point, the sound of footsteps rose from the bottom of the stairs.

They were steady and rhythmic, echoing slowly up the staircase, carrying an air of undeniable presence.

A peerlessly beautiful woman with a voluptuous, enchanting figure ascended the stairs gracefully, clad in a boldly tailored, vibrant red gown.

Her hair was swept up into a high chignon, pierced by a slanted golden hairpin. Her seductive eyes were like silk threads, and her every glance was radiant. With each frown and smile, she exuded the fatal allure unique to a mature woman.

Behind her followed a group of guards whose auras were even more profound. Each wore a solemn expression, clearly the cream of the crop.

This woman was the very Elder these Carefree Sect disciples had been waiting to respectfully receive.

The woman wore a faint smile, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding silence and awe. Led by a handmaiden, she was about to head toward a private room prepared for her in advance.

However, when her gaze swept past Chu Fan’s table, those soul-stealing, captivating eyes suddenly froze. The elegant smile on her face stiffened, replaced by sheer, undisguised astonishment!

And then—

She actually hitched up her skirt, completely disregarding the dignified bearing of an Elder, and hurried over to Chu Fan’s table. Her voice overflowed with unrestrained surprise and excitement. "Bene... Benefactor? Is it really you?!"

Chu Fan slowly raised his head to look at the beautiful, yet vaguely familiar, face before him. He finally understood why the name "Carefree Sect" had sounded familiar.

The woman before him was none other than the Carefree Sect Elder he had encountered back when he killed Mo Daozi—Liu Qingwu!

Back then, he and Mo Yunzi had lured Mo Daozi into a trap to kill him, only for three Acupoint Realm experts to show up unexpectedly.

Liu Qingwu had been one of them.

"It’s you."

Chu Fan’s reaction was flat, almost cold. He gave a slight nod, showing no intention of rising to greet her. He merely jutted his chin toward the two female disciples still standing by the table, their faces now deathly pale.

He spoke casually, "Do me a favor and tell these two disciples of yours to leave. They’re ruining our meal."

At his words, all the blood drained from the faces of the two Carefree Sect disciples. A chill ran down their spines, cold to the bone.

They never imagined that their respected Elder would be so deferential to this seemingly ordinary young man, or that they had inadvertently offended such an important figure.

Sure enough, the look of joyous surprise on Liu Qingwu’s beautiful face instantly turned to ice. Her gaze, now filled with chilling killing intent, raked across the two disciples like a blade, causing them to tremble uncontrollably.

"Hey, forget it." Chu Fan waved his hand dismissively. "It’s no big deal," he said languidly. "No need to make things difficult for your subordinates. If we’re placing blame, shouldn’t it be on you?"

"You’re the one who made such a grand entrance, causing this whole commotion. We just want to order some food, but we have to wait for your ladyship to slowly make her way up."

His tone was light and nonchalant, yet it carried an undercurrent of undeniable reprimand.

"Yes, yes, you’re right! It is Qing Wu’s fault! I was inconsiderate! Your rebuke is justified, Benefactor!" Liu Qingwu hurriedly bowed in apology, her posture exceptionally humble.

Then, she turned to the waiter, who was frozen in place with fear, and announced loudly, "This man is my, Liu Qingwu’s, benefactor! Young man, what are you gaping at? Get a move on!"

"Bring out all of Moon Viewing Tower’s finest wine and best dishes for our Benefactor! Put everything on the Carefree Sect’s tab—pay every last cent!"

The waiter, looking as if he’d just received a royal pardon, bowed and scraped, a fawning smile plastered on his face, before scurrying off to the kitchen to relay the order.

"My thanks, then," Chu Fan finally said, giving a lazy, cupped-fist salute, his expression as nonchalant as ever.

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face. Since she had humbled herself so completely, he couldn’t bring himself to be too harsh.

"There’s no need to be so polite, Benefactor..."

Liu Qingwu’s alluring eyes glimmered as she gazed ardently at Chu Fan. She ventured an invitation, "I was actually planning to pay you a visit at the Seven Stars Gang in the coming days. I never expected to run into you here..."

"I’ve reserved an elegant private room. It’s quiet, comfortable, and has a much better view. Perhaps you’d care to join me there? You could dine in peace."

"Not necessary." Chu Fan waved a hand, cutting her off. "I’m fine here with my brothers. It’s lively, and we’re comfortable."

The atmosphere grew a little awkward. Liu Qingwu stood frozen, unsure whether to press the issue or retreat.

Just then, the top of the staircase suddenly fell silent—even more so than when Liu Qingwu had first arrived. You could hear a pin drop; even the sound of breathing was distinct.

Another set of footsteps rang out. This time, the sound was crisp and forceful, carrying an air of indisputable authority and a sharp edge.

Everyone instinctively turned to look. A young woman in the jet-black uniform of the Demon Suppression Bureau was ascending the stairs. She cut a heroic figure, her bearing sharp and imposing. Flanked by two equally capable female Demon Suppression Guards, she walked up at a steady pace.