Chapter 618: All Old Acquaintances

Seeing Hong Zhong’s expression, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Would this proud guy actually have something he needed help with?

However, since Hong Zhong hadn’t spoken yet, Xiao Yufan naturally couldn’t say anything either. Although Hong Zhong was somewhat of a romantic rival, he was still someone worth befriending. Most importantly, the guy wasn’t scheming or manipulative.

“Brother, I guess you could say we’re friends who got to know each other through fighting. If I have something I need your help with, you wouldn’t refuse, right?”

Hong Zhong shifted his gaze toward Xiao Yufan with a slightly awkward expression, licking his lips. He looked rather honest and straightforward. Yet, anyone familiar with him would be shocked to see Hong Zhong acting this way. Since when had this martial arts fanatic become so easygoing?

“Not sure yet…”

Xiao Yufan wasn’t foolish. If he agreed before even knowing what Hong Zhong wanted, he might end up in a difficult position later, unable to back out or move forward.

“Direct enough!” Hong Zhong was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Xiao Yufan to be so straightforward. After all, this wasn’t Britain; even if he was a formidable newcomer, he still needed an ally. Especially since he had made enemies shortly after returning to China.

“Hey, when did you become so indecisive? It’s one thing to be good-looking, but acting all shy and hesitant like a girl?”

Seeing Hong Zhong’s odd expression, Hu Yingluo pouted. Hong Zhong hated being compared to a woman. If it had been anyone else, he probably would have already lost his temper. But this was the little princess of the Hu family.

“Hey, what can I say? It’s not my fault I was born good-looking. It’s all thanks to my parents…”

Although Hong Zhong was annoyed, he couldn’t show it. He was in a bad mood, especially since he needed Xiao Yufan’s help. Finding a reliable ally would make things much easier for him.

Seeing Hong Zhong’s expression, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Could this arrogant guy actually have something to ask of him?

However, since Hong Zhong hadn’t spoken yet, Xiao Yufan naturally didn’t say anything. Although Hong Zhong could be considered half a rival in love, he was still someone worth befriending. Most importantly, this guy didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives.

“Brother, you could say we got to know each other through a fight. If I ever need your help with something, you wouldn’t refuse, right?”

Reluctantly shifting his gaze to Xiao Yufan, Hong Zhong licked his upper lip, appearing quite sincere. However, anyone who knew him well would be shocked to see Hong Zhong acting so amiable. When had this martial arts fanatic ever been so good-tempered?

“I don’t know…”

Xiao Yufan wasn’t foolish. If he agreed before Hong Zhong even said anything, he would be putting himself in a precarious position, unable to advance or retreat.

“Straight to the point!” Hong Zhong was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting Xiao Yufan to be so blunt. After all, they weren’t in England anymore. Even if he was a fierce dragon crossing the river, he still needed allies, especially since he had already made enemies upon returning to China.

“Hey, when did you become so wishy-washy? You’re already so good-looking, and now you’re acting all shy like a girl!”

Seeing Hong Zhong’s strange expression, Hu Yingluo couldn’t help but pout. Hong Zhong hated being compared to a woman, and if it were anyone else, he would have already lost his temper. But he was facing the young princess of the Hu family.

“Damn it, is being good-looking a crime? It’s all thanks to my parents…”

Although Hong Zhong was annoyed, he couldn’t show it. After all, he needed Xiao Yufan’s help. If he could find a reliable ally, he wouldn’t have to fear those guys.

“Since you and Yingluo are close, if you’re in any trouble, I might be able to help!”

Xiao Yufan had expected Hong Zhong to show some displeasure, but his expression remained largely unchanged. This made Xiao Yufan appreciate Hong Zhong even more. Such a man was indeed upright.

“Actually, it’s nothing major. I just got back to the country and found a few people really annoying, so I taught them a lesson. Now I’ve made some enemies.”

Hong Zhong spoke somewhat sheepishly. He knew Xiao Yufan was strong and had a deep background, which was why he had come to him. As for those guys who annoyed him, he could handle them, but they had allies too.

“I suppose those people aren’t simple either. If even the young master of the hidden Hong family needs help, they must be from either a hidden family or the Guardian Temple.”

Xiao Yufan was amused. It seemed this guy was looking for a fighter. Causing trouble right after returning to the country, Hong Zhong was truly something. Naturally, those who made Hong Zhong wary weren’t pushovers either.

“Probably not just one hidden family. Just a bunch of guys who deserve a beating…”

“Not just one hidden family? How many people did you piss off? Do you think this is your Hong family, where you can do whatever you want?”

Xiao Yufan almost fainted. This guy was truly an oddball. He had just returned to the country and already made so many enemies. If this were at the Ancient Martial Arts Conference, he would probably offend even more people. After all, those who could attend the conference were all from powerful hidden families.

“About four or five. If they came at me one by one, I’d make them all lie down. But the problem is, they don’t fight fair. Last time, several of them ganged up on me.”

Thinking about the fight he had with those guys the other day, Hong Zhong felt a surge of anger. Those guys were too much, ganging up on him. Even though their individual strengths were at the initial stage of Condensing Power or the peak of Condensing Force, together they were quite formidable.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so humiliated. The key was, they also had allies who were no weaker than him…

“If they couldn’t beat you in a one-on-one fight, they’d be idiots to try. Tell me, who are these people you’ve made enemies with? I need to know if I should help you or not.”

Xiao Yufan wasn’t afraid of trouble, but he didn’t want to get into unnecessary trouble by helping Hong Zhong. This guy might just pack up and return to England one day, and those people wouldn’t chase him all the way there.

“There’s someone from the hidden Gong family, Gong Hao and Gong Luotian. Then there’s someone from the hidden Luo family, Luo Feng. The strongest one is called Situ Xuan. If it really came to a fight, I probably wouldn’t be able to handle him.”

Mentioning these people made Hong Zhong’s teeth itch, especially that Situ Xuan guy. Next time they met, he would definitely give that guy a good beating…

“Gong Hao, Situ Xuan? They’re actually old acquaintances!”

Xiao Yufan looked surprised. He realized how small the world was. He hadn’t had time to deal with these two before, and now they had popped up again. They were probably here for the Ancient Martial Arts Conference.

“Oh, you know them?” Hong Zhong noticed Xiao Yufan’s expression and asked, puzzled. If any of those guys were friends with Xiao Yufan, his plan would be ruined.

“I guess you could say we know each other. We have some history…”

Xiao Yufan glanced at Lan Yue and Huangpu Xian’er, smiling, but received two eye rolls in return. His past conflicts with Gong Hao and Situ Xuan were all because of these two women.

He wasn’t too concerned about Gong Hao, but Situ Xuan left a deeper impression. As a member of the hidden Situ family, he could be considered Xiao Yufan’s distant relative. However, it seemed Situ Xuan harbored some hostility toward him, probably not because of Xian’er.

“So there’s some history. That’s a relief. If there’s history, then there won’t be any hesitation when it comes to a fight!”

Hong Zhong laughed. If Xiao Yufan had a history with those guys, things would be much easier. Together, they could even take on a true Postnatal Realm expert. Among the younger generation, there probably weren’t many Postnatal Realm experts.

“Did I say I would help you?” As soon as Hong Zhong finished speaking, Xiao Yufan’s words dashed his hopes…

“For Yingluo’s sake, would you really let me get ganged up on?”

Hong Zhong immediately put on a pitiful expression, looking at Xiao Yufan expectantly. To gain a reliable ally, he was willing to humble himself. If the girls who had a crush on him saw him begging like this, his image would surely take a hit…

Xiao Yufan had expected Hong Zhong to show some displeasure, but he didn’t even change his expression much. This made Xiao Yufan appreciate Hong Zhong more. Such a man was indeed upright.

“It’s not a big deal, really. When I just got back, I saw a few people I didn’t like and gave them a lesson, so I ended up offending them.”

Somewhat embarrassed, Hong Zhong knew Xiao Yufan’s strength was formidable and that he had deep connections, which was why he had come seeking help. As for those annoying guys, he could handle them, but they had allies too.

“I suppose those people aren’t ordinary either. If they’ve forced Hong family’s young master to seek help, they must be either hidden aristocrats or members of the Guardian Temple!”

Xiao Yufan almost smiled. So this guy was looking for a bodyguard. Getting into trouble right after returning to China—Hong Zhong was definitely no ordinary person. Naturally, those who could make Hong Zhong cautious weren’t easy to deal with either.

“They aren’t even from a hidden aristocratic family, just a group of guys who deserved a beating…”

“Not from a hidden aristocratic family? Just how many people did you offend? Do you think you’re still in your Hong family mansion, where you can do whatever you please?”

Xiao Yufan almost fainted. This guy was truly unique—offending so many people right after coming back. At the upcoming martial arts competition, he would probably offend even more people. After all, the participants were all from powerful hidden aristocratic families.

“About four or five. If they fought me one by one, I’d send them all back lying down. But the problem is they don’t play fair. Last time, several of them ganged up on me!”

Thinking back to the fight from a couple of days ago, Hong Zhong felt anger rising. Those guys had been too unfair, ganging up on him even though their strength was at the early and peak stages of condensing energy. Together, their combined power was formidable.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a mess. The worst part was that they had allies who were nearly as strong as him.

“If they fought you one by one when they couldn’t beat you, they’d be the real fools. Tell me who you’ve offended, so I can decide whether to help you or not!”

Xiao Yufan wasn’t afraid of trouble, but he didn’t want to get dragged into unnecessary problems by helping Hong Zhong. After all, this guy might just pack up and return to Britain one day, while those enemies would hardly follow him all the way there.

“There’s Gong Hao and Gong Luotian from the hidden Gong family, Luo Feng from the Luo family, and the strongest one, Situ Xuan. If it really comes to a fight, I’m afraid I wouldn’t stand much of a chance against him.”

Mentioning those names made Hong Zhong clench his teeth, especially that Situ Xuan. Next time they met, he would definitely make that guy pay.

“Gong Hao, Situ Xuan? They’re actually old acquaintances!”

Xiao Yufan’s expression turned slightly surprised. He realized how small the world was. He hadn’t had time to deal with these two before, and now they had resurfaced. They would probably attend the upcoming martial arts competition as well.

“You know them?” Hong Zhong noticed Xiao Yufan’s expression and asked curiously. If any of those people were friends with Xiao Yufan, his plans might fall apart.

“I know them, though we have some unfinished business…”

Xiao Yufan glanced at Lan Yue and Huangpu Xian’er before smiling. The two women responded with annoyed glares. His past conflicts with Gong Hao and Situ Xuan were all because of these two women.

He wasn’t particularly worried about Gong Hao, but Situ Xuan left a deeper impression. As a member of the hidden Situ family, he was technically a relative of Xiao Yufan’s. Yet, judging from the hostility Situ Xuan showed him, the reason might have something to do with Xian’er.

“Oh, so you have unfinished business with them! For a moment there, I was worried. If we have a fight, there won’t be any hesitation then!”

Hong Zhong laughed. If Xiao Yufan had conflicts with those guys, things would be much easier. Together, they could probably challenge even a true expert at the Post-Heaven stage. Besides, among their generation, how many Post-Heaven experts could there really be?

“Did I say I’d help you?” As soon as Hong Zhong finished speaking, Xiao Yufan’s words immediately shattered his hopes.

“Considering how close you are with Yingluo, could you really bear to let me get ganged up on?”

Quickly switching to a pitiful expression, Hong Zhong looked at Xiao Yufan hopefully. To gain a reliable ally, he was willing to swallow his pride. If those young girls who secretly admired him knew how humbly he was begging someone else now, his image would definitely take a serious hit…