Chapter 10 - 9: Knock on the Mountain to Frighten the Tiger

Chapter 10: Chapter 9: Knock on the Mountain to Frighten the Tiger

Lu Huaiqian had given instructions.

From now on, nothing regarding the Lu Family was to be kept from Lu Jing’an.

Therefore, Chen Xuan wouldn’t hide anything from Lu Jing’an either.

"That’s right. Third Master’s side has found a trace of Nine-fingered Yama."

Lu Jing’an grew a little nervous when he heard that Nine-fingered Yama had been found.

"Master, be careful tomorrow."

"There’s no need to leave someone like him alive."

"Use whatever means necessary. We have the numbers."

Chen Xuan chuckled. "I’m not that old-fashioned."

"Besides, he was already shot while he was being surrounded."

"He’s at the end of his rope now."

"I’m just going tomorrow to provide support and prevent him from escaping, just in case."

Hearing this, Lu Jing’an was instantly relieved.

Chen Xuan suddenly thought of something and said to Lu Jing’an, "The Patriarch said you wanted to see this Nine-fingered Yama?"

Lu Jing’an nodded and explained, "That’s right. I want to see what the man who tried to kill me looks like."

Of course, Lu Jing’an couldn’t tell Chen Xuan the truth.

He couldn’t tell Chen Xuan that he actually wanted to see if the man had any entries.

Chen Xuan listened without asking further questions and nodded. "Once this is over, I’ll have someone bring you there."

"Thank you, Master," Lu Jing’an said again.

After that, Lu Jing’an spent another two hours practicing Long Arm Fist by himself.

Chen Xuan, meanwhile, took it all in.

He grew more and more satisfied with Lu Jing’an as his disciple.

Lu Jing’an was working so hard, of course, because he coveted that red entry.

The Qi Blood First Transformation was already complete. Next was 100 hours of Practicing Boxing.

Once he achieved that, he would obtain the red entry: [Master of Boxing].

This was an entry that could grant an extra 10 points of Attack Power.

Late that night, Lu Jing’an finally returned to his room to rest.

Lying in bed, Lu Jing’an once again summoned his attribute panel.

[Name: Lu Jing’an]

[Attack: 5]

[Defense: 5]

[Agility: 1]

[Spirit: 3]

[Cultivation Technique: Earth Posture (Entry Level) (Attack +1+1, Defense +1+1, Spirit +1+1), Long Arm Fist (Entry Level) (Attack +3)]

[Entries: As Clear as Daylight (Green), Extraordinary Physique (Green) (Attack +2, Defense +2)]

’Entry Level Long Arm Fist, when used, grants an extra 3 points of Attack Power.’

’If I can get the bonus from the red entry, that would be 13 points of Attack Power.’

’Add my original 5 points, and that’s 18 points of Attack Power.’

’To put it simply, that’s equivalent to the Attack Power of 18 of my past selves.’

’Just thinking about it is exhilarating.’

The night passed without incident.

「The next day.」

Lu Jing’an woke up early as usual to perform his Posture Stance and practice his boxing.

As for the matter of Nine-fingered Yama, Lu Jing’an wasn’t too worried about it.

His Third Uncle had formidable Red Sticks under his command, and the Public Security Bureau had armed officers.

On top of that, the man was already injured.

Under these circumstances, it would be a miracle if Nine-fingered Yama managed to escape.

A man like Nine-fingered Yama was only truly dangerous when lurking in the shadows.

Once exposed to the light of day, his threat became virtually nonexistent.

Sure enough, around noon, someone came to the courtyard to pick Lu Jing’an up.

Lu Jing’an had been waiting.

He changed into a well-fitting set of clothes, got into a car with the person, and left.

The car wound its way through streets and alleys.

It finally stopped at an intersection.

Lu Jing’an got out, glanced around, and muttered:

"Wenhua Street. Where the rich people live."

The wealthy of Yin Mountain County were all concentrated around Wenhua Street.

The wealthy *and* powerful, however, lived near Cloth Alley, where the Lu Family resided.

The poor and the common folk, on the other hand, lived in places like Guihe Road.

It had to be said, people really do pursue what they lack most.

Following the guide in front of him, Lu Jing’an soon arrived before a mansion that was surrounded by several layers of people.

Seeing Lu Jing’an arrive, the crowd automatically parted to form a path.

He passed through the crowd.

The first person Lu Jing’an saw was Chen Xuan.

"Master, are you all right?" Lu Jing’an asked with concern.

Chen Xuan shook his head. "The guy was shot full of holes like a sieve. I didn’t even have to make a move."

Lu Jing’an thought that made sense.

They had overwhelming superiority in both numbers and firepower.

’Who would play the hero and fight him one-on-one?’

"Master, where is he?" Lu Jing’an asked.

Chen Xuan pointed to a spot not far away that was covered with a white cloth.

Lu Jing’an walked closer.

He ordered someone to lift the white cloth.

It was just as Chen Xuan had said.

The body was nearly torn to shreds.

There were at least a few hundred bullet holes, big and small, on the body.

Lu Jing’an glanced at the right hand; sure enough, it only had four fingers.

Just as Lu Jing’an finished observing the right hand...

...the prompt he had been waiting for appeared before his eyes.

[Refinable/Restorable Divine Soul detected. Collect?]

Lu Jing’an’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the prompt.

’This isn’t quite what I was expecting.’

Lu Jing’an had originally thought he would be able to collect an entry.

’But what does this prompt mean?’

Although he didn’t understand what it meant, Lu Jing’an still chose to collect it.

The moment Lu Jing’an made his choice...

...he saw a black shadow being absorbed directly into the Zhengqi Furnace from the mangled corpse.

Then, a new prompt appeared.

[Refine] or [Restore].

Seeing the prompt, Lu Jing’an didn’t choose immediately.

This was a bit different from what he’d predicted.

Lu Jing’an was worried there might be other changes.

So he decided to wait until he got home to make a choice.

His purpose had been achieved.

Lu Jing’an had someone cover the body with the white cloth again and turned to leave.

However, just as he turned, he heard someone calling out to him.

"Nephew Lu, Nephew Lu, wait, wait..."

Lu Jing’an looked toward the voice.

He saw a portly, middle-aged man in a silk brocade magua jacket with a floral pattern, being held back firmly by two Public Security Bureau officers.

His face was pale, his head covered in sweat, and he was waving frantically in their direction.

It was none other than the Lin Family Patriarch, Lin Shouxin.

The very same Lin Shouxin who was so eager to marry his daughter into the Lu Family.

Lu Jing’an looked up, his gaze sweeping over the [Lin Mansion] plaque hanging above the residence’s entrance, and a playful smirk touched his lips.

’So this is where they closed the net,’ he realized.

Forcing Nine-fingered Yama to the gates of the Lin Mansion before killing him.

This relentless pressure was undoubtedly a show of force meant for the Lin Family.

’Father and Third Uncle are truly shrewd in their methods.’

Even though they had said they wouldn’t move against the Lin Family for now and would wait for them to expose themselves...

...that didn’t stop them from giving the family a harsh warning to make them sweat day and night.

Lu Jing’an waved his hand, and only then did the officers let the man through.

As if granted a pardon, Lin Shouxin scrambled over, practically tumbling as he ran.

His steps were unsteady, and he nearly slipped on a patch of blood on the ground, cutting a pathetic figure.

He rushed up to Lu Jing’an, not even bothering to straighten his disheveled clothes.

He pulled out a handkerchief and continuously wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling noticeably.

"N-Nephew Lu, you must speak up for our Lin Family! Put in a good word for us with Director Lu!"

He pointed at the white cloth on the ground, his finger shaking.

"This damned wanted criminal! He was just desperate, with nowhere to run, and happened to die at my doorstep!"

"My Lin Family has been innocent for generations! We have absolutely no connection to this desperado! The heavens can be my witness!"

Lu Jing’an’s expression was indifferent. He calmly watched Lin Shouxin’s performance and said slowly,

"Uncle Lin, the Public Security Bureau will handle this matter according to the law."

"I’m just an ordinary person; I can’t make any decisions."

"I only came today to put a matter to rest."

"To see with my own eyes the final fate of the man who tried to take my life."

After a pause, Lu Jing’an continued,

"As for why he happened to flee to Uncle Lin’s mansion..."

"...I’m sure the Public Security Bureau will investigate thoroughly until the truth comes to light."

Lu Jing’an’s tone was steady, but every word was clear.

"When the Public Security Bureau handles a case, they never wrong an innocent person, nor do they ever let a guilty one go."

Hearing this, the color instantly drained from Lin Shouxin’s face.

The cold sweat poured down, almost soaking his collar.

He was so anxious he nearly stomped his foot. "Nephew Lu!

"H-How would I know why he ran to my house?

"This is purely a coincidence, a massive coincidence!

"Our two families have known each other for years. Even if my Lin Family had all the nerve in the world..."

"...we wouldn’t dare—we couldn’t possibly—be involved with a villain who tried to assassinate you, Nephew!"

Lu Jing’an had no desire to speak with him further and simply repeated, "Uncle Lin, please calm down. Trust that the Public Security Bureau will uncover the truth and give the Lin Family justice."

Just as Lu Jing’an finished speaking...

...he heard a string of indignant foreign words.