These past few days, Lu Jingteng and Lu Jingwu had been busy arming the Lu Family forces and handling business for the Lu Family Trading Company.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingyao was always busy elsewhere. His Da Xin Publishing House had recently been actively reaching out to like-minded patriots across the country.
Every so often, Da Xin Publishing House would publish articles that could ignite the fighting spirit of the Daxia people.
Just then, Lu Fu strode in from outside. He walked up to Lu Yun, bowed, and said, "Master, Chen Baitong and Chen Yuyu have been captured and brought back."
Hearing this, Lu Yun spoke without a change in expression. "Ah Fu, you and Jingjun go and identify them."
"If it’s them, take them to where they belong."
Lu Jingjun and Lu Fu, of course, both understood what that meant.
Inside the main hall of the old estate, Zhou Lie and his men sat bolt upright, their postures rigid. They looked like entirely different people from how they had been outside.
It was no wonder. With an old monster like a Grandmaster of Divine Intent presiding over the residence, what foolhardy bastard would dare to act presumptuously here?
Before long, footsteps sounded from outside, and Lu Fu and Lu Jingjun entered the main hall, one walking in front of the other.
Lu Jingjun’s gaze swept over Zhou Lie and his entourage before he performed a cupped-fist salute. "Gentlemen. I am Lu Jingjun. My father is Lu Yun, the Governor of Yun Port City."
Seeing this, Zhou Lie also stood and returned the salute. "This old one is Zhou Lie!"
"Elder Zhou, do you and your men need a doctor? Rest assured, the Lu Family will cover all expenses."
Zhou Lie was momentarily stunned by Lu Jingjun’s directness, then a flash of admiration appeared in his eyes.
’Worthy of the son of a Grandmaster of Divine Intent,’ he thought. ’This young man is humble and courteous, completely lacking the dissolute air of other officials’ sons. He’s sincere and clearly well-bred.’
’It’s true what they say, other people’s children are always better.’ Zhou Lie thought of his own good-for-nothing sons back home and was suddenly filled with a towering rage.
’Those little brats do nothing all day but eat, drink, make merry, and cause trouble. I’ll have to teach them a harsh lesson when I get back!’
At that very moment, far away in Shun’an Province, several wealthy young men were living it up, women in each arm, completely oblivious that their distant father had just marked them for a beating.
The next moment, Zhou Lie collected his thoughts and said, "Then I shall trouble you."
He then pointed to the two figures on the floor, who were bound tightly with black hoods over their heads. "Oh, and I’ve brought the people Elder Lu requested!"
Lu Fu, who was standing to the side, silently stepped forward, squatted down, and yanked off their hoods.
Chen Baitong and Chen Yuyu’s eyes flew open, and they stared fixedly at the achingly familiar face before them.
It was Lu Fu. For decades, he had been the Lu Family’s old butler, Lu Yun’s most trusted man, and the person the brother and sister knew best.
In fact, in their hearts, Chen Baitong and his sister saw Lu Fu as more of an adoptive father than Lu Yun.
For over a decade, Lu Fu himself had taught the pair their martial arts. He was the one who tended to them when they were punished, sick, or injured.
But now, Lu Fu’s aged face was completely blank, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a stranger.
He turned and nodded at Lu Jingjun. Upon receiving Lu Fu’s confirmation, the killing intent in Lu Jingjun’s eyes became almost tangible.
"Uncle Fu."
Though he only spoke two words, Lu Fu understood exactly what he meant.
He grabbed one in each hand and dragged Chen Baitong and Chen Yuyu out of the main hall onto the open ground outside.
Then, Lu Fu took a waiting broadsword from a nearby Lu Family guard.
With a single flash of the blade, two heads rolled across the ground, their eyes wide in disbelief. Even in death, the brother and sister never got to see their adoptive father, Lu Yun, one last time.
They had hoped to at least plead for mercy, only to find they weren’t even granted the chance to see him again.
Lu Fu tossed the blade aside, bent down to pick up the two heads, and strode toward the rear courtyard.
The innocent people they had murdered five years ago were buried there. Today, their heads would finally serve as an offering to the dead.
Before Lu Fu had gotten far, several Lu Family guards who had been waiting nearby hurried forward to drag away the two headless bodies.
Other servants appeared with buckets, rinsing the ground again and again.
Soon, not a single trace remained on the ground, as if nothing had ever happened.
Back in the main hall, Lu Jingjun suppressed the churning emotions in his chest, a gentle smile returning to his face.
"Elder Zhou, please come with me."
He then turned and called to the Lu Family servants outside the hall. "Someone! Go fetch a doctor to see to the wounds of these brave men."
"And prepare a fine feast to host our guests."
Zhou Lie stood up and grinned. "In that case, it would be rude of this old one to refuse."
He followed Lu Jingjun out of the main hall alone, while his disciples were led by servants to a side hall to rest.
Lu Jingjun and Zhou Lie passed through a series of covered walkways, heading toward a villa.
Before long, Zhou Lie stepped into the villa. He finally saw the person he had been longing to meet.
Lu Yun, hailed as the first Grandmaster of Divine Intent in Daxia.
The light in the living room was soft. A man sat quietly on a plush white sofa.
He wore a black Zhongshan suit, his hair was salt-and-pepper, and his face was as serene as still water, betraying no emotion.
Zhou Lie gazed at that face, and his heart inexplicably began to beat faster. ’So this is the man,’ he thought. ’This is the Grandmaster of Divine Intent who shook the entire New Capital of the Daxia.’
He cupped his fists and bowed deeply. "This junior, Zhou Lie, pays his respects to Elder Lu!"
Lu Yun gave a slight nod in response. "Yes. You’ve gone to great trouble. Please, have a seat."

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