The Return of the Master

Chapter 17:

Lin Fan and his companions finally arrived at the entrance of the Ning Family's compound. The entrance appeared modest and unadorned, with a slightly ornate wooden gate surrounded by small shrubs. Waiting at the entrance were four individuals clearly anticipating Lin Fan's arrival: two beautiful women and two men.

Since Lin Fan had made no effort to conceal himself, they naturally became aware of his presence through the array surrounding the area.

The first woman was Ning Xia, the young lady of the Ning Family. Her beauty was unparalleled, even more striking than all of Lin Fan's women. She had flawless white skin, long golden hair, and blue eyes, making her one of the most captivating beauties in the empire. The second woman was Li Rou, the young lady of the Li Family. She was slightly less beautiful than Ning Xia, but her overwhelming allure lay in her well-proportioned, voluptuous figure. Her curves and prominent features showcased her femininity exceptionally.

Accompanying them were Ning Hua, Ning Xia's younger brother, a ten-year-old boy, and Li Shen, a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze, the former patriarch of the Li Family and Li Rou's father.

Lin Fan confidently approached them, followed by his four women crawling on the ground. When he finally stood before them, Ning Xia greeted him enthusiastically:

"Lin Fan, you're finally back!"

Standing beside her, Ning Hua called out warmly:

"Big Brother Lin Fan, welcome back!"

Lin Fan gave them a faint smile as he glanced at them, but Ning Xia's attention quickly shifted to the four women crawling behind him. Her eyes filled with shock and disbelief as she stammered:

"Lin Fan...those...what is this?!"

Lin Fan slowly approached her until he was very close, then placed his hand on her waist and said with a calm smile:

"They're just my new pets... Don't worry, you'll soon join them as well."

Ning Xia was stunned by his words. Her face turned pale as she tried to back away, but Lin Fan tightened his grip on her waist, keeping her close. Leaning toward her neck, he began inhaling her fragrance, causing her to push against him with all her might in a desperate attempt to free herself. She spoke in a trembling voice:

"Lin Fan, what...what are you saying?! This isn't you! You're...different!"

Lin Fan replied with an arrogant smile:

"Don't you love me? I'm giving you the chance to be with me. Why are you trying to push me away?"

Ning Xia was dumbfounded, shocked that he knew her feelings for him and by the drastic change in his personality. She stuttered:

"But you're...not the Lin Fan I know. You're...not the same person!"

Lin Fan didn't respond but instead tightened his hold on her, ignoring her emotions entirely.

At this moment, Li Shen hesitantly stepped in, attempting to mediate:

"Master Lin Fan, Ning Xia is the young lady of the family, and perhaps...perhaps we should—"

Lin Fan cut him off with a cold gaze.

"Li Shen, you follow me now. Remember, you submitted to me the moment I granted you the opportunity to reach the Deep Sky Realm. If you're considering defying me, think again." Lin Fan directed his full pressure toward Li Shen as he spoke.

Li Shen's features froze under the overwhelming pressure, and he nodded fearfully.

"Understood, Master."

Since it was Lin Fan who had initially brought Li Shen under his control, his actions weren't seen as a betrayal of Ning Xia.

Li Rou, on the other hand, was watching the scene with evident anxiety. Her eyes darted between Ning Xia, Lin Fan, and the women crawling behind him. She bit her lip, clearly terrified that she might be the next on Lin Fan's list.

At this moment, Ning Hua rushed forward, shouting in anger:

"Lin Fan! Let go of my sister now!"

Lin Fan cast a cold glance at him and muttered in irritation:

"Another nuisance..."

Turning to Li Rou, he spoke in an annoyed tone:

"Li Rou, get this boy out of my sight before I kill him."

Without hesitation, Li Rou obeyed his command. She grabbed Ning Hua, pulling him away while placing a hand over his mouth to silence him.

Ning Xia, still struggling desperately to free herself, stopped immediately upon hearing Lin Fan's words. She began pleading with him in a trembling voice:

"Please, don't hurt Ning Hua! I'll do whatever you ask, just...just don't harm him."

Lin Fan smiled calmly and whispered to her:

"As long as you're obedient, he won't be hurt."

He then continued walking, with everyone following him without further protest.

Upon reaching the meeting hall, Lin Fan took his usual seat. He then placed Ning Xia on his right thigh, her expression still dazed and lost in thought. Turning to Li Rou, who was attempting to sit in her seat, he ordered:

"Come here, sit here." He patted his left thigh with a smile.

After a moment of hesitation, Li Rou stepped forward and sat on his left thigh, which only made Lin Fan's smug smile grow wider.

'Perhaps this is for the best. It might elevate my status and position,' Li Rou thought helplessly, trying to console herself by focusing on the bright side.

As for her father, Li Shen, he dug his nails into his palm to stop himself from doing anything reckless. He knew it was futile, thinking to himself:

'What can I do? What can I do? My daughter will fall into the clutches of this monster at this rate. I must do something, but it's hopeless. Lin Fan could kill me with just a thought!'

Li Shen's tension reached its peak, but in the end, he did nothing but sigh in defeat, silently wishing for the best for his daughter.

As for Lin Fan's four women, they positioned themselves beside him, two on his right and two on his left, on all fours like guard dogs.

After everyone had taken their places, Lin Fan looked around the room calmly and declared with an evil smile:

"Let's begin the meeting."