’I could wait for a higher price, or save it for our family’s disciples to use at a critical moment.’
’Looks like I’ll have to think of another way.’
’Immortal Flesh is undoubtedly the better choice. That time with Zhao the Third was a stroke of incredible luck. Who knows how long it’ll be until I run into it again; I can only leave it to fate.’
’And then there are those "vengeful spirits and fierce ghosts"... I’ll have to find a chance to go back and investigate Ghost Wail Ridge in a few days.’
Just as Lu Yun’s thoughts were racing, the soft sound of footsteps and conversation drifted in from outside the living room.
His eldest daughter-in-law, Shen Luoying, appeared, leading a few female servants. Behind her followed a bald, white-haired, and white-bearded old man leaning on a simple wooden cane.
Trailing the old man was an earnest-looking middle-aged couple in their forties, along with a child who looked to be in their early teens.
Shen Luoying walked in quickly and said gently to Lu Yun, "Dad, these guests say they’re from the Lu Family Mansion. They specifically asked to see you."
"I figured you might know them, so I had them shown in."
Lu Yun’s gaze fell upon the white-bearded old man, and a rare look of surprise appeared on his face.
He scrambled up from the sofa. "Brother Sheng? What brings you here in person?"
Hearing him say "Brother Sheng," Shen Luoying and the servants, who had been about to leave, were taken aback. They subconsciously slowed their steps.
’What’s this? Looks like there’s some serious tea to be spilled.’
They knew all too well what Lu Yun’s status in Yun Port City was now. He was a bona fide Grandmaster of Huajin and a consultant for the Martial Arts Demonstration.
’What kind of person could command such respect from him?’
Shen Luoying quietly remained in the hall. The servants, however, didn’t dare to linger and listen, quickly bowing their heads and hurrying out.
"Hahaha!"
The old man laughed heartily, patting the arm Lu Yun extended to help him. "Xiaoyun, it’s been a good many years! You’re still as sharp as ever, you rascal! No, even sharper than you were back then, and with more presence!"
He looked Lu Yun up and down, his pride unconcealed. "I’ve heard all about the storm you’ve been kicking up in Yun Port City lately!"
"Good! Excellent! You’ve truly lived up to your name as the most promising disciple to ever come out of our Lu Family Mansion! Even I, Lu Sheng, get to bask in your glory when I’m out and about!"
When Lu Yun had been reborn into this world, his parents were already long dead. He and his younger brother had only each other to rely on, living in the Lu Family Mansion on the outskirts of the city, a compound that housed countless impoverished members of the Lu clan.
Those were truly difficult times, living with nothing but four bare walls and never having enough to eat.
And this man, Lu Sheng, had been just an ordinary carpenter back then, with little to spare himself.
Yet he would often save his own rations and secretly give them to the Lu Yun brothers, who were emaciated and sallow from hunger.
To the Lu Yun of that time, Lu Sheng was more than just a clan elder; he was a father and a mentor.
"Please, sit! Brother Sheng, have a seat!"
Lu Yun dared not show any neglect. He personally helped Lu Sheng to the seat of honor on the sofa, then sat down right beside him.
Then, Lu Yun naturally picked up the pack of cigarettes from the coffee table, placed one between Lu Sheng’s lips, and with a CLICK, flicked open a lighter, cupping his hand around the flame to light it for him.
Lu Sheng took a deep drag, his eyes squinting as the wrinkles on his face smoothed into a satisfied smile. He teased, "You still get me, you rascal. You know I have a soft spot for these."
"Tsk, tsk. To have the renowned Grandmaster of Huajin of Yun Port City, our very own Elder Lu, personally light my cigarette... I, Lu Sheng, can die a happy man now!"
"If word of this gets out, I’ll be considered a big shot in Yun Port City! Hahaha!"
Lu Yun smiled and lit a cigarette for himself as well, joining Lu Sheng in reminiscing about the old faces and old times at the mansion.
When Lu Sheng had finished his cigarette and gently stubbed it out in the ashtray, the smile on his face slowly faded.
"Xiaoyun, for me to swallow my pride and come all the way to this grand villa of yours, you can probably guess why I’m here."
"As the saying goes, I wouldn’t show up at your door unless I needed something."
The smile on Lu Yun’s face softened as well. He put down his cigarette and looked at Lu Sheng earnestly.
"Brother Sheng, there’s no need for such formalities between us. If it weren’t for the food you shared with us back then, my brother and I might have starved to death in some alley corner long ago."
"I’ve never forgotten that kindness. Whatever the trouble is, you only have to ask."
"Good... good! That’s a great relief to hear you say that!"
Lu Sheng let out a long sigh first. "These days, nearly every able-bodied young person from our Lu Family Mansion has a proper job at your trading company."
"They have full bellies, warm clothes on their backs, and can even save a little money. That’s a blessing no one in our Lu Family Mansion has known for generations, and it’s all thanks to you."
"By all rights, after receiving such great kindness from you, we shouldn’t be here bothering you and adding to your burdens..."
"But this time... we’re really at our wit’s end. Yu Yuan, you and your wife, come over and explain the situation to Lord Lu again."
The middle-aged couple—the husband named Lu Yu Yuan—quickly pulled their son forward, approaching with trepidation.
The man, Lu Yu Yuan, was around forty-three years old, with the dark, rough skin typical of a dockworker.
He wrung his calloused hands and bowed deeply to Lu Yun. "Lord Lu, it’s my fault for being so useless, and my fault for being a clumsy speaker. I couldn’t talk any sense into my good-for-nothing son!"
Lu Yu Yuan continued, "My boy’s name is Lu Hai City. He’s twenty-four this year. Ever since he learned a few punches and kicks, he’s forgotten his place in the world!"
"He said he ’didn’t want to rely on Lord Lu’s charity to live a comfortable life’ and insisted on going out to make a name for himself!"
"So he ended up running with a bunch of other arrogant young punks and formed some kind of ’treasure hunting team’."

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