"Stop trying to scare me with your cousin. You are a member of my Red Butterfly Association, and I have every right to discipline you according to our Association's rules."
"This is an internal family matter of the Red Butterfly Association — no one else has any right to interfere," the Association Master said.
"Family matter? Heh heh, fine then — go ahead and kill me. Kill my son. Kill my grandson. I'd very much like to see whether the Sunset Valley, a second-tier power, can interfere in the family matters of the Red Butterfly Association, a mere third-tier power," Zhao Ruofan said.
"Sunset Valley?" Upon hearing those three words, many of the elders' expressions changed dramatically, their faces filling with fear and dread.
At that moment, even the Association Master of the Red Butterfly Association was left at a loss for words. Meanwhile, the killing intent she had displayed earlier was slowly receding.
"Sunset Valley?"
And this was the second time Zhao Ruofan had brought up Sunset Valley. Chu Feng had long since figured out that Sunset Valley appeared to be the trump card Zhao Ruofan was relying on.
"
"In the
"The strength of Sunset Valley is formidable — far beyond what our Red Butterfly Association can compare to. Even Lu Yang Pavilion is subservient to that massive entity."
"And Zhao Ruofan has a distant relative — the very cousin he keeps mentioning — who is a presiding elder of Sunset Valley."
"It is precisely because of this cousin that the Association Master has shown him every courtesy." Liu Chengkun explained all this to Chu Feng through voice transmission.
"No wonder he dares to be so arrogant — he really does have someone backing him." Chu Feng's brows furrowed slightly. Although Zhao Ruofan was a despicable sort, the fact that he had such powerful backing made him difficult to deal with. After all, this concerned the survival of the entire Red Butterfly Association, not just Chu Feng's own life.
"Hmph." Seeing that the Red Butterfly Association members had all lost their nerve, the smug look on Zhao Ruofan's aged face grew even more pronounced.
"You two — get up. Stop embarrassing our Zhao family." Zhao Ruofan barked at his son and grandson.
Hearing this, Zhao Xuan and Zhao Xiao quickly scrambled to their feet. The two of them, who had been trembling with terror just moments ago, now seemed to find their courage again.
"Zhao Ruofan, someone of your character will no longer be employed by the Red Butterfly Association. However, considering your past contributions, I will not punish you too harshly today."
"But you and Zhao Xuan are to leave the Red Butterfly Association effective immediately," the Association Master said coldly.
"
"Did you really think the Red Butterfly Association could stand up to Lu Yang Pavilion and survive to this day all on its own? It was entirely because I, Zhao Ruofan, was here," Zhao Ruofan sneered.
"Stop trying to intimidate me with your cousin. To this day, your cousin has never done a single thing for our Red Butterfly Association," the Association Master retorted.
"Then go ahead and try to kick me out. But… bear the consequences yourself," Zhao Ruofan said self-righteously.
The Association Master's brow furrowed. She didn't dare take that risk. For a moment, she truly didn't know what to do.
She had been intimidated by Zhao Ruofan.
"Liu Xiaoli, allowing me to remain in the Red Butterfly Association is nothing but pure benefit with zero harm for us."
"Now, young friend Chu Feng's art of sealing is indeed superior to mine, so it's perfectly reasonable for him to go to Cloud Crane Mountain. But his sealing arts are certainly superior to yours as well."
"So why not simply let me go to Cloud Crane Mountain together with young friend Chu Feng?" Zhao Ruofan proposed.
The moment these words left Zhao Fuofan's mouth, the presiding elders present immediately broke into heated discussion.
He had actually dared to pressure the Association Master into surrendering a slot — this was utter insubordination, a subordinate defying his superior. It was truly an unforgivable offense.
"Can you guarantee that if I give you the slot to Cloud Crane Mountain, Sunset Valley will be willing to take our Red Butterfly Association as a vassal force? That they will help us eliminate Lu Yang Pavilion?" the Association Master asked.
"Of course I can guarantee it. If I make a promise and fail to deliver, you can always kill me then," Zhao Ruofan said confidently.