Chapter 378 - 203: It Seems I’ve Come at a Bad Time

Chapter 378: Chapter 203: It Seems I’ve Come at a Bad Time

Luoyun Manor, Main Hall.

The hall was brightly lit, the light illuminating a tense atmosphere within.

Manor Master Lu Canghai sat high in the main seat, his fingertips tapping a dull, soft rhythm against the smooth rosewood armrest. His brow was furrowed in what appeared to be deep thought.

Below, Luoyun Manor’s two Mystic Realm experts—First Elder Lu Qingfeng and Second Elder Lu Guangting—as well as Lu Maozhi, sat on either side. Their expressions varied, but all were silent.

Just an hour ago, Wangqingshan had brought back a message from Chen Sheng.

If Luoyun Manor wished to resolve the enmity, they would have to offer up eight drops of Cold Marrow, plus two hundred Elemental Crystals.

Eight drops of Cold Marrow was nearly seventy percent of the manor’s entire stock, a fortune in and of itself.

Two hundred Elemental Crystals was also no small sum.

The price was, one could say, exorbitant.

But if these material goods could truly be used to settle the life-and-death feud with Chen Sheng and preserve Luoyun Manor’s two-hundred-year foundation...

...Lu Canghai felt it was acceptable. A fleeting thought that it might even be a bargain crossed his mind.

However, the thought was just that—fleeting.

In its place came a deeper suspicion and unease.

Lu Canghai understood Chen Sheng. In his eyes, the man was vengeful over the smallest slight, his methods brutal. He always planned before acting, and his decisiveness bordered on cold-blooded cruelty.

Would such a person, now holding the upper hand and the justification of the Government Office, really be satisfied with some meager resource compensation? Would he simply let go of a blood feud born from repeated attempts on his life?

From the bottom of his heart, Lu Canghai didn’t believe it.

"Uncle."

Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Lu Maozhi, who was seated below, couldn’t help but speak up.

"I believe that if Chen Sheng can truly honor his promise and let this matter rest, then this deal is worth making."

Lu Maozhi undoubtedly hated Chen Sheng deeply, but as Chen Sheng revealed his extraordinary power and status, that hatred had gradually transformed into terror.

He wanted nothing to do with antagonizing the man ever again.

Lu Canghai raised his eyelids and glanced at him, forcing a reassuring smile and nodding slightly.

"What Maozhi says is not without reason. If Chen Sheng truly keeps his word, what would it matter if I gave him all our Cold Marrow?"

But then, Lu Canghai’s tone shifted.

"However... this matter concerns the very survival of our manor. We cannot rely solely on Wangqingshan’s account. Maozhi, you will leave for the Iron Sword Sect at once and meet with Sect Leader Lu.

You must find out exactly what Chen Sheng’s attitude was at the Yunze City Lord’s Mansion yesterday, and how much of what Wangqingshan said is true. I... need irrefutable news!"

"Yes, Uncle, rest assured! I will get to the bottom of this matter!"

His spirits lifted, Lu Maozhi rose abruptly. He gave a cupped-fist salute to the two elders and quickly exited the main hall.

The sound of Lu Maozhi’s footsteps faded completely.

The forced smile on Lu Canghai’s face vanished without a trace, replaced by an icy gravity. He looked down at the two elders, whose expressions were equally grim, and spoke slowly, his voice low:

"Chen Sheng... I’m afraid he’s already decided to make his move!"

Second Elder Lu Guangting’s brow tightened.

"Manor Master, what makes you say that? Didn’t Wangqingshan relay that Chen Sheng has named his price and is willing to reconcile?"

"Things are never as simple as they appear on the surface."

Lu Canghai shook his head slowly, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"I may not have dealt with this young man much, but from what I’ve seen of his methods, he is not the type to swallow insults or back down when he has the advantage. Luoyun Manor has a blood feud with him.

The White Tiger Hall’s assassination, the conspiracy with the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance... each and every one was a deadly plot. Now that Chen Sheng’s power is established, with authority in his hands and astonishing strength, how could he possibly pass up such a golden opportunity to take revenge and establish his dominance in Ning’an over a few paltry resources?"

"As I see it, there are only two possibilities. First, Wangqingshan has been in cahoots with Chen Sheng all along. His visit was nothing more than a smokescreen to lull us into a false sense of security and create an opportunity for a surprise attack.

Second, Chen Sheng has deceived even Wangqingshan, intentionally creating the illusion of reconciliation to make us lower our guard while he secretly marshals his forces for a thunderous strike!"

A murderous glint flashed in First Elder Lu Qingfeng’s eyes.

"In that case, why not strike first and gain the upper hand? We can gather the manor’s forces, call upon a few old friends, and find an opportunity to take that boy out..."

Lu Canghai raised a hand to interrupt him, a bitter smile on his face.

"First Elder, times have changed. This young man is no longer the junior at the Innate realm we could once manipulate at will. He was able to kill Zhou Kuohai, and regardless of whether he used trickery or external forces to do so...

...it’s enough to prove that his combat prowess has firmly entered the top ranks of Ning’an. You want to kill him? It’s easier said than done! Unless we can lay an inescapable trap and force him into a desperate situation, it would be... as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"I predict that the news Maozhi brings back from the Iron Sword Sect will be identical to what Wangqingshan told us, nine times out of ten. But the more that’s the case, the more we cannot afford to be careless!"

"What about Golden Spring Temple?"

Lu Guangting asked, "Those bald donkeys probably want Chen Sheng dead even more than we do. Can we borrow their blade?"

"Borrow their blade?"

Lu Qingfeng snorted coldly. "Those bald donkeys are master schemers. Their greatest skill is sitting on the mountain to watch the tigers fight, waiting to pick up the scraps. You want them to directly confront Chen Sheng and the Government Office, when he’s at the height of his power?

Difficult."

Lu Canghai nodded in agreement.

"The First Elder is absolutely right. We cannot pin our hopes on Golden Spring Temple."

"Then... in your opinion, Manor Master, what should we do now?" Lu Guangting looked at Lu Canghai.

Lu Canghai leaned forward slightly. His fingers stopped their tapping, and a grave look flashed in his eyes.

"For now, our only strategy is to ’counter action with inaction, and remain outwardly relaxed but inwardly vigilant’."

"Please enlighten us, Manor Master."