Niu Dagang and his two companions at their side also chimed in excitedly.
Niu Dagang puffed out his chest and said with righteous indignation, "Master! Jingyao is right! We’ve seen plenty in France these past few years!"
"Those Westerners are so arrogant. We Daxia People over there often can’t even hold our heads high! Even the Westerners in the concessions dare to run rampant on our own land!"
"Our Daxia New Country has to change! We can’t go on like this!"
Seeing his senior brothers’ support, Lu Jingyao grew even more spirited. He turned to Lu Yun. "Dad, Brother Niu and the others are right! In this day and age, just learning martial arts to strengthen the body, medicine to save people, or even mastering any specific skill is just treating the symptoms, not the root cause!"
"What the Daxia People need to change most right now isn’t their bodies, nor their skills, but... their mindsets!!"
"So, Dad, now that I’m back, I plan to start a new publishing company, and I’ll call it Da Xin Publishing House! I’ll use it to collect and publish articles from all the ambitious and insightful people in the land..."
Listening to his youngest son’s grand vision, the expression on Lu Yun’s face faded away, leaving only a deep, bottomless calm.
"Jingyao, you’re an adult now. There are some things you can decide for yourself."
"But you must remember not to act too hastily. Take too big a step, and you’ll fall."
"More importantly, don’t let your actions affect the Lu Family, or your big brother and second brother."
"Your big brother and second brother just want to live ordinary, peaceful lives."
"Some things, once done, cannot be undone. People will die, and it might not be just you. You’d best... be mentally prepared for that."
Hearing this, Lu Jingyao became even more determined. He nodded firmly and replied in a deep voice, "Dad, I know what to do. I understand the stakes, and I won’t act recklessly."
Seeing his son wasn’t just a reckless hothead, Lu Yun’s expression relaxed slightly. He nodded. "Good. That you can think this way is for the best."
"Since you have this idea, and the determination to see it through..."
"Then as for the specifics of what you want to do, and what help you need... you can go find your Cousin Fa Cai. Let him help you solve those problems."
At these words, Lu Jingyao’s face lit up with joy, knowing this was his father’s tacit approval and immense support. "Okay! Thanks, Dad! I’ll discuss it thoroughly with Cousin Fa Cai."
Lu Yun waved his hand, his expression softening further. "You’ve had a long journey. Go get washed up, change into some clean clothes, and get some proper rest."
"Your big brother should be back soon. The family will have a reunion dinner tonight."
He then looked at Niu Dagang and the other two. "You three have worked hard as well. Go get settled in."
"Yes, Dad."
"Yes, Master!"
Watching their departing figures, Lu Yun sat alone in the vast, empty hall.
’Lu Jingyao was right. Sometimes, if you really want to change the world, brute force alone isn’t enough...’
"Forget it..."
Lu Yun finally let out a soft sigh and shook his head.
’It wasn’t his business anymore. He had already made immense efforts and shed enough blood back in the day.’
’In any case, the number of Wa Country people, Westerners, and those vile collaborators who had died at his hands was in the hundreds, if not a thousand.’
At this thought, Lu Yun collected himself and called toward the door, "Ah Fu."
The old butler, Lu Fu, entered at the call. "Master."
"Go and take out all the remaining potent medicinal herbs from the storehouse. We’re holding a welcome banquet for Jingyao and the others tonight, so make it a lavish one."
"Yes, Master. I’ll make the arrangements right away." Lu Fu bowed, accepted the order, and withdrew to see to it.
「The next morning. Hai Cui Bay Pier.」
A crisp river wind, heavy with moisture, swept across the pier. The docks were already bustling with activity.
Lu Yun stood alone on the shore, gazing out at the vast, misty river. Yesterday’s family banquet had used up all the remaining potent medicinal herbs in the storehouse, causing his modified value to increase again.
[Extreme Blue Martial Arts Modifier]
Name: Lu Yun
Sex: Male
Realm: Grandmaster of Huajin (Late-stage)
Cultivation Technique: Mountain-Breaking Inch Force Fist 2nd Floor (Perfected), Hard Qigong 1st Floor (Perfected)
Modified Value: 10
It had increased from 4 points to 10. The "clear out the inventory" feast had provided 6 points of modified value.
’Not enough... It’s still far from enough.’
For Lu Yun, who had already reached Late-stage Huajin and had perfected his cultivation techniques, this small amount of modified value was just a drop in the bucket.
To advance Hard Qigong to the 2nd Floor, "Steel Bone," or to push Mountain-Breaking Inch Force Fist to an even higher level, would clearly require a massive amount of modified value.
Lu Yun stood quietly at the edge of the pier, waiting for the final preparations of the cargo ship and other accompanying personnel.
They would be taking a large cargo ship from the Lu Family Trading Company. Their route would take them upstream along the Hongjiang River Basin, which connects Yun Port to the interior, all the way to the provincial capital’s pier in Yifeng Province.
Just then, Lu Fu walked over, leading a man in his forties. He was sturdily built, with dark skin and sharp, capable eyes.
"Master, the ship and crew are all ready," Lu Fu reported.
Lu Yun’s gaze fell on the man. The Lu Family owned five cargo ships, and he knew most of their five longtime captains, but this one was unfamiliar.
Lu Fu, reading his master’s expression, quickly explained, "Master, Captain Gong, who used to run this route, is suffering from his old rheumatism. The pain in his joints became unbearable, so the Eldest Young Master had him go home to recuperate."
"This is Tang Dahua, Captain Tang. The Eldest Young Master personally recruited him from the River Boat Gang a year ago. He’s a skilled hand, very experienced at the helm, and a reliable man."

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