Chapter 2229
Chapter 2229
The resigned voice of China's representative sounded from the phone's speaker.
Chu Tianfan had always been one of China's symbolic figures, as his name could invoke fear and respect toward China's martial artists among the elite foreign fighters.
It could be said that his name even significantly boosted the pride and dignity of China's martial artists for a period in the past.
However, Chu Tianfan became a source of humiliation and calamity for the nation overnight.
If given a choice, China's representative within the International Martial Arts Union would not hope for that motion to pass.
Not only would that decision tarnish the country's reputation, but China would also lose a top fighter.
Still, the representative could do nothing about it, as he had to follow Moryana's instructions.
Moreover, what difference would it make if he had opposed that motion?
China's sole opinion was insufficient to defy the majority's will, not to mention Moryana and Chen Jiuzhou supported the idea of apprehending and killing Ye Fan.
The outcome was fixed, and no one else could change it, not even the War God, Ye Qingtian.
After hearing all that, Ye Qingtian felt as if he was instantaneously drained of all strength.
Disheartened, he even spoke in a markedly diminished voice.
It was beyond his expectation that the situation would progress in such a direction.
A few months ago, Ye Fan was still the nation's hero and the world's savior. In the blink of an eye, he became the devil everyone in the globe loathed.
“I only have one last question. Which country voted against the motion, and which country abstained from voting?” Ye Qingtian asked.
China's representative on the other end of the line responded remorsefully, “War God, Japan voted against the motion, while India abstained from voting. During the meeting, Japan's representative said their mightiest god, Tsukuyomi Tenshin, will side with Ye Fan no matter what.”
Subsequently, a long silence ensued.
After an indeterminate time, Ye Qingtian laughed self-deprecatingly and said, “Who would've thought an elite from China would one day require another country's protection for survival.”
Deep mortification filled his laughter.
Ye Qingtian was acquainted with Ye Fan for many years.
He could not agree with Ye Fan on many of the latter's actions and decisions, and he even attacked Ye Fan when the latter attempted to destroy Dragon Gate previously.
Nevertheless, to Ye Qingtian, their differences in opinion were not a reason to dictate Ye Fan's survival.
At the end of the day, he did not hope for Ye Fan's death.
Ye Qingtian did not make many friends in his life, but Ye Fan was undoubtedly one of them.
He admired and desired the qualities the latter possessed, from his gifts and talents to his arrogance and perseverance.
Ye Qingtian had lived his life with too many worries, restrictions, and burdens that bogged him down.
Therefore, when he met a carefree and free-spirited person like Ye Fan, he could not help but feel fondness toward him because that man had lived his life the way he yearned for.
As such, it was no wonder Ye Qingtian felt sorrow to see Ye Fan meeting such an inescapable, terrible end.
“By the way, War God, I know you're closely acquainted with Chu Tianfan, but I hope you'll prioritize your duty to the country this time and not provide any assistance or protection to him. Otherwise, China's martial arts world may be dragged into this matter, damaging War God Castle's reputation. Chu Tianfan is now universally acknowledged as a criminal, so it will be best for us to distance ourselves from him,” the representative advised over the phone.
Ye Qingtian did not respond. Instead, he merely hung up the call.
Then, he left Mount Yan.
Ye Qingtian was not the only person who saw the news.
Meanwhile, at Yanjing, the morning meeting had just ended when Xu Lei's phone rang from the notification of a news update.
The news title was: General Green Dragon, Chu Tianfan, committed inhumane crimes and has been sentenced to death and three-generational familial extermination by the International Martial Arts Union.
Xu Lei was dumbfounded as a buzzing sound echoed in her brain.
She did not know if that was true, so she immediately made some calls to inquire about that matter further until she finally acquired an affirmative response.
Upon learning that matter, Xu Lei immediately wanted to rush to Jiangdong.
However, her subordinates stopped her.
“Ms. Xu, don't go. The top fighters of every nation are heading toward Jiangdong as we speak.”
“It is said that the four elites on the Empyrean Ranking will personally attend to that task as well.”
“In fact, China has already prepared a nuclear bomb. There's nothing you can do even if you go there now. You'll only lose your life for nothing.”
The people around her persuaded her tirelessly, but Xu Lei disregarded them.
She wanted to meet with Ye Fan. Her resolution was firm.
I've already lost him once; I don't want to lose him for the second time. So what if I die? To be able to perish by the side of someone I love can also be considered a blessing.
No one could stop Xu Lei, who had strengthened her resolve, from leaving.
However, just as she reached the doorway, a white-haired elderly man rushed over from outside.
“Han, where is Ye Fan? I want to meet with him,” Xu Lei anxiously asked when she saw the newcomer.
Han took in her demeanor and let out a sigh. “Stay. You won't be able to find Master even if you go there. Master left. He'd departed from Jiangdong. Before taking his leave, Master left a message for you.”
Sharing Xu Lei's despondency, he handed her a letter.
She promptly tore the envelope open and saw Ye Fan's handwritten letter: Lei, I'm sorry that I can only say my goodbyes to you in this manner. I thought about bringing you along to leave this place, but after thorough consideration, I decided not to drag you into this mess. I'm now a sc*m of society and am
regarded by everyone with enmity. I've already dragged three generations of my family members into this matter, so there's no need to involve you as well. I'm leaving now, but don't worry about me. No one in this world is capable of killing me. On the other hand, I can't stop worrying about you. Lei, if possible, I still wish for you to find a better man. Be with someone who can make you happy instead of a man like me. I will only bring you misfortune and agony. I thought my presence would bring joy into your life. However, I've come to realize now that my existence only brings about endless pain to others around me... I was once a passionate man who dedicated my all to this world, but my fervor was always reciprocated with others' ruthlessness and ingratitude... I'm now everyone's common enemy. There's no longer a place for me in this world, so perhaps leaving is the only thing left for me to do... No matter what others think of me, I, Chu Tianfan, have a clear conscience as I've done nothing to wrong this world. The only people I've mistreated are you, Mucheng, Eigetsu, and Junie, the people who love me and those I cherish deeply... Given a chance, I hope you'll relay my apology to them... Regards, Ye Fan.
Looking at Ye Fan's signature at the bottom of the page, Xu Lei lost control of her emotions.
She wailed, tears streaming down the corner of her eyes like a leaking dam. “Why? Why is this happening? Why is this the outcome? Everything had already ended. Everything had turned for the better... Chu Yuan is dead, and Chu Sect has been eliminated, so why is there still no place for Ye Fan to survive in this world?”
Xu Lei bawled her eyes out hysterically.
A few days ago, she even planned to go to Yunzhou to meet with Ye Fan and celebrate his birthday.
She had just learned to make a new dish and wanted to let him taste her cooking.
He had also yet to see the new clothes she had recently bought.
I have so many things I haven't accomplished. Why did everything change overnight? How did the nation's great hero suddenly turn into an inhuman devil?
“Ms. Xu, I don't know the reason either, but Master had already given the orders. Dragon God Hall has been disbanded, and everyone is forbidden from interfering in this matter...”
Han's eyes turned red. He, too, did not expect the once supreme Dragon Master to face a precipice someday.
“No. I don't want to hear that... I want to look for Ye Fan... How can he be so selfish? Who is he to abandon me?”
Xu Lei pushed everyone aside, still determined to hurry over to Jiangdong. The chilly wind blew against her face, dispersing the tears streaming down her cheeks.