Lu Yun and Lu Jingteng settled into the back seat of the black sedan. Yan Lintong, who had been waiting outside, quickly hopped into the front passenger seat and quietly instructed the driver to go.
Leaning on his Wisteria Spirit Staff, Lu Yun rested against the leather seat and was the first to break the silence.
"Jingteng, you cannot act as recklessly as you did today ever again."
"I can’t be there to protect you all the time."
Before, he had been old and frail, his vitality fading, so he hadn’t had the energy to plan too much for his children.
But things were different now. The miraculous effects of the Immortal Flesh showed Lu Yun that it was possible to increase his three sons’ strength and improve their ability to protect themselves.
’It seems that if I find more Immortal Flesh in the future, I’ll need to set some aside for my three sons.’
Sitting beside him, the fury Lu Jingteng had felt in the banquet hall gradually subsided, and he regained the calm, composed demeanor of the Lu Family Trading Company’s chairman.
He gave a bitter laugh. "Dad, you’ve always known my temperament. I don’t like conflict. I just want to protect our Lu Family’s assets, do business honestly, and let our family live in peace."
"But... Dad, you saw what happened!"
"Given what happened today, never mind me—even a saint would lose their temper!"
"That damn old bastard Wang Weijing, just to suck up to those people from the Wa Country, actually spouted all that bullshit in public, betraying his heritage and twisting the truth!"
The more Lu Jingteng spoke, the angrier he became. "And from what I’ve heard these past two days, he’s using the territory and docks he seized from Yishun Hall to double down on his vile and wicked deeds!"
At this, he took a deep breath to calm himself, then said with disappointment, "The most infuriating part is the people in charge."
"Those officials throw their weight around on a daily basis, but when something comes up that they actually need to handle, they all turn into spineless cowards. A bunch of useless vermin!"
"The people from Wa Country just had to show their faces and offer a little support, and it scared those officials out of their wits. They didn’t even dare to investigate the scene."
"Sigh... Now I’m starting to understand why Third Brother came back to do what he’s doing."
"He might be right. In this world, relying on business, martial arts, or even guns sometimes just isn’t enough."
"It’s like the fighting spirit in many people has fallen asleep, and someone needs to wake them up."
Just then, Yan Lintong turned around from the passenger seat, his expression worried. "Master, Jingteng publicly embarrassed Wang Weijing and those people from Wa Country today. I’m afraid they won’t let this go. They’ll probably look for an excuse to come after our company’s business at the docks."
"Should I start recruiting more reliable men and purchase a new batch of quality weapons to strengthen the defenses at all our key locations?"
This speculation sobered Lu Jingteng out of his reverie. He nodded with a grave expression. "Brother Lintong is right. Since we’ve already broken all pretenses, we have to be ready for them to do something desperate."
"Money isn’t an issue; the Lu Family can afford it. We have to hire more skilled men as soon as we get back and make sure we’re well-armed. We can’t give them any openings."
Listening to the discussion between his son and his disciple, Lu Yun’s face remained impassive. He simply gave a soft "Mm."
"You two can discuss and decide on these matters."
As the saying goes, revenge shouldn’t wait till morning. This was the most effective rule of the martial world.
In the past, when he was old, frail, and plagued by hidden injuries, he had been forced to be patient and defensive, surrounded by powerful enemies and facing troubles both within and without the family.
But now, things were different.
’Honestly... why do you people have to force my hand?’
’Since you’re courting death, you can’t blame me for what happens next.’
Lu Yun slowly closed his eyes. He wouldn’t wait. He wouldn’t wait for his enemies to come knocking on his door, armed and ready.
’Kameida Koji, Wang Weijing... I, Lu Yun, will be taking your lives.’
Almost at the same time as Lu Yun returned home, the news of his return began to spread rapidly, reaching every corner of Yun Port City.
On a quiet and secluded street near the Wind-Splitting Falcon Xingyi Fist Martial Arts Hall, which Gong Ning had successfully challenged...
A brand-new plaque had just been hung before the gate of an impressive blue-brick mansion with front and rear courtyards. On it were two large, powerfully-written characters.
"Gong Family"
This was the very place the Gong Family, having traveled all the way from the Eastern Province, had recently purchased at great expense to serve as their new base.
The inner study was brightly lit, and two people sat behind a mahogany desk.
In the seat of honor sat a man in his fifties. He wore a fine, black long-robe, and his square-jawed face radiated an aura of authority. This was the Patriarch of the Gong Family, Gong Yuanshan.
Seated below him was a young woman with a slender figure and a cool, stunning beauty. It was none other than Gong Ning, the one who had killed Ma Sanlie. As usual, she wore a black dress tailored for ease of movement.
A series of light footsteps came from outside the study, and then a figure stopped respectfully outside the door and began to report in a clear voice.
"Reporting to the Patriarch, Sect Leader! The Martial Arts Demonstration’s advisor, Elder Lu of the Lu Family, has returned to Yun Port City today!"
Gong Yuanshan’s expression did not change. He just nodded slightly. "Mm, understood. You may leave."
After the figure departed, Gong Ning looked at her father and declared with absolute confidence, "Father! Advisor Lu is back! I’ll go to the Lu Family tomorrow and deliver a formal letter of challenge!"
"I am confident that I have no equal below the rank of a Grandmaster of Huajin! Even against an expert like you, Father—someone who broke through to Huajin long ago—I can exchange over a hundred blows without being defeated, as long as you don’t use your Huajin!"
Her eyes burned with ambition, as if she could already taste victory. "This Elder Lu only broke through to Huajin a mere two months ago. There’s no way he can compare to you, Father."
"This challenge is the perfect opportunity for our Gong Family to establish a foothold and flourish in Yun Port City! I will definitely succeed!"

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