’No way. Does this old man have some legendary body-protecting skill?’
’Forget a person—even a rock would have a few scratches on it after taking a claw from that weasel.’
’But for him, it seemed like the weasel’s sharp claws were just giving him a little scratch.’
Lu Yun released Lu Hai City’s wrist and quickly focused part of his consciousness inward.
[Extreme Blue Martial Arts Modifier]
Name: Lu Yun
Sex: Male
Realm: Grandmaster of Huajin (Late Stage)
Cultivation Technique: Mountain-Breaking Inch Force Fist 3rd Floor (Initiate), Hard Qigong 2nd Floor (Initiate)
Modified Value: 64
points.
Seeing this number, Lu Yun’s heart stirred. The two possessing weasel spirits had given him a total of 20 modified value points, an average of 10 points each.
This was a considerable gain, equivalent to the total energy of twenty Centennial Ginseng Kings.
These mountain weasels were known to travel in packs and rarely appeared alone.
Since these two had managed to come out here and harm someone, there were likely more of them back in the mountains.
’If I could find their lair...’
Just as he had this thought, Lu Yun pulled his mind back to the present. He stood up impassively and gave a slight nod to the still-dazed Chen Shouzhuo.
"Master Chen, please take another careful look at the boy and see if there’s anything left behind. I’ll also leave his subsequent recovery to you."
Chen Shouzhuo snapped out of his daze as if waking from a dream. He nodded quickly, reaching out to check Lu Hai City’s pulse while saying, "Rest assured, Lord Lu, I understand! I understand!"
He checked the pulse for a moment, then lifted Lu Hai City’s eyelids to take a look before letting out a long sigh of relief and speaking in a relaxed tone.
"He’s fine now! The malevolent energy has been completely cleansed, not a trace is left. It’s just that his body is severely weakened."
"He hasn’t had any food or water for two days and two nights, and on top of that, he was tormented by that filthy thing. Even a man of iron wouldn’t be able to endure it."
"We’ll get him some chicken soup and minced meat later. Feed him slowly, and he’ll be fine after a few days of rest."
Lu Yun opened the door to the room. Lu Yu Yuan and his wife were standing by the threshold, not daring to enter rashly until they heard Chen Shouzhuo say, "He’s fine now."
Their knees buckled almost simultaneously, and they bowed deeply to Lu Yun, their voices choked with emotion. "Lord Lu, thank you! Thank you for saving our son’s life!"
After accepting their bow, Lu Yun stepped aside to clear the way. "There’s no need for that," he said calmly.
Only then did the couple wipe away their tears and hurry into the room, collapsing by the bed, crying and laughing at the same time.
In the courtyard, Lu Sheng watched this scene, a gratified smile spreading across his wrinkled face.
Leaning on his cane, he walked over to Lu Yun’s side and clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
It was just like more than fifty years ago in that dilapidated old mansion, whenever he got a mouthful of food to share, he would pat the skinny boy’s shoulder in the same way.
"Xiaoyun, it’s been a long time since we brothers had a drink together. This is a rare occasion. How about you have a drink with Brother Sheng?"
"Alright."
Lu Yun was thinking the same thing. For one, he wanted to catch up with Brother Sheng. For another, he needed to wait for Lu Hai City to wake up so he could ask him in detail about the situation in the mountains.
These 20 modified value points were just the beginning. If he could truly find the spirits’ lair, or perhaps dig up some wild old ginseng along the way, that would be a real "bountiful harvest."
Just then, Lu Yun glanced at his tattered sleeve and thought, ’Good thing I have a spare set of clothes in the car.’
The deepest part of the Lu Family Mansion was a small, independent courtyard, situated in the best location of the new residence with the most serene environment.
It had blue bricks and black tiles, and the courtyard was bright and spacious. Pushing open the back window revealed a view of the Lu Family Ancestral Hall with its upturned eaves not far away.
Lu Sheng had originally refused to move in, no matter what. He felt, ’What’s a decrepit old man like me doing living in such a nice place? It should be left for someone who needs it more.’
However, no one in the Lu Family Mansion would agree to that, because they all believed that only Lu Sheng was qualified to live there.
Of course, Lu Sheng knew what everyone was thinking. In the Lu Family Mansion, he was the only one who could truly speak with Lu Yun.
It was because of this special bond that no one in the entire Lu Family Mansion dared to neglect him, nor would they allow Lu Sheng to suffer the slightest grievance.
Inside the house, a table was filled with steaming hot dishes. It wasn’t a banquet of exotic delicacies, but simple, home-style food that Lu Sheng had asked the auntie next door to prepare.
Braised pork belly, steamed fish, a plate of stir-fried greens, and a pot of aged yellow wine bought from the mouth of the alley.
Lu Sheng raised his wine cup, squinting as he sized up Lu Yun, who sat across from him. The more he looked, the more amazed he felt.
"Hahaha, Xiaoyun, you rascal, you’re looking younger and younger these days!"
"Look at that complexion, that vitality! You’re just as vigorous as I was when I was forty, if not more so!"
"Tell me, did you take some kind of miraculous Spirit Pill, or do you really possess the ability to reverse aging?"
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation began to flow freely.
After a long while, Lu Sheng put down his chopsticks, his smile fading slightly as he began to speak carefully, "By the way, Xiaoyun, there’s something else Brother Sheng needs to tell you."
He paused, as if a little embarrassed. "Your god-granddaughter, that girl Nianshu, she’s eighteen now, the age to be married."
"I asked someone to find a family for her. It’s Boss He from the flour mill in the south of the city."
"Their family is well-off and they’re good, honest people. His eldest son studied in the Western World. His name is He Zhongpeng. A few months ago, a matchmaker introduced them, and the two kids met..."
As Lu Sheng spoke, a satisfied smile couldn’t help but appear on his face. "They hit it off right away. The He Family is very fond of Nianshu, and while that girl Nianshu doesn’t say it, as her grandfather, I can tell she’s willing too."
"So, the two families discussed it and decided to hold the wedding at the end of this month."
At this point, he looked up at Lu Yun. "Xiaoyun, if you’re free, would you do us the honor of coming?"
"You wouldn’t have to trouble yourself with anything. Just be a witness for the two kids, sit for a bit, and show your face."
"Of course, you’re a big shot in Yun Port City now, busy with a thousand things a day. If you really can’t get away, please don’t force yourself. Brother Sheng will understand..."
Hearing this, Lu Yun put down his wine cup. "Brother Sheng, why are you being so formal with me? Besides, Nianshu is my god-granddaughter. How could I possibly not be there for her wedding?"
"I, Lu Yun, am always free."
Lu Sheng froze for a moment, then his eyes reddened slightly, and it felt as if something was caught in his throat.
He opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything. He just nodded forcefully, raised his wine cup, and drained it in one gulp.
In truth, this one sentence was all Lu Sheng had wanted to hear.
He was just a decrepit old man with no great accomplishments in his life. The only thing he could do was use what little influence his old face still had with Lu Yun to secure a measure of "dignity" for his granddaughter’s marriage.
Although the He Family were respectable merchants, people in the business world were always sizing others up.
If Lu Yun made an appearance at the wedding, his presence would carry more weight than any dowry.
He didn’t voice these thoughts, but of course, Lu Yun understood them perfectly.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps and faint laughter came from outside the courtyard.
A young man and a young woman walked side-by-side down the corridor. The girl was eighteen, dressed in a simple yet elegant floral dress, her black hair loosely tied with a light-colored satin ribbon.
The young man beside her was in his early twenties, wearing a crisp suit. His hair was impeccably combed, and he wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.
Many Lu Clan Members were still gathered outside the courtyard corridor. The sharp-eyed ones immediately recognized the newcomers and greeted them with smiles. "Oh, Nianshu is back!"
"What great timing! It’s wonderful news! Your god-grandfather is inside having a drink with your grandfather!"
"That’s right! Why don’t you hurry in and see? He’s the biggest figure in our Yun Port City! Other people can’t even dream of meeting him!"
Lu Nianshu stopped in her tracks, a blush instantly rising to her cheeks.
’God-grandfather...’
Of course, she remembered him. Although they had hardly seen each other in recent years, the memory of the figure who would smile and stuff candy into her hands, who personally brought her new clothes and stationery for the New Year, remained deep in her mind.
The young man beside her, however, was a bit confused. He pushed up his glasses and asked in a low voice, "Nianshu, you have a god-grandfather? How come you’ve never mentioned him to me?"
Lu Nianshu didn’t answer. As if she hadn’t heard him, she simply lowered her lashes and gently bit her lip.
A moment later, Lu Nianshu looked up again. "Zhong Peng, you should head back first. I’ll explain it to you in a few days."
Without waiting for a response, she lifted the hem of her dress and trotted toward the courtyard.
He Zhongpeng stood where he was, watching her hastily retreating figure with a slight frown.
"Strange..."
He muttered to himself, but quickly shook his head, suppressing the strange feeling.
’Forget it. I’ll go back for now. I have more important things to do these days.’
The article he had been rushing to finish, which he planned to submit to Da Xin Publishing House, was not yet complete.
The thought of it seemed to inject He Zhongpeng with a shot of adrenaline. He turned on his heel and strode away.
The people of this land have been asleep for too long, and he would use his pen to awaken them, one by one.

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