Chapter 113 - 97: Holding a Press Conference to Announce the Li Family’s Sins

Chapter 113: Chapter 97: Holding a Press Conference to Announce the Li Family’s Sins

Lu Huaiqian sat in the main seat, holding a celadon teacup.

The lid scraped lightly against the rim, making a soft, crisp sound.

Lu Huaichuan stood by the window, staring blankly at the withered chrysanthemums in the courtyard.

Chen Xuan sat in a subordinate seat, the old whip laid across his lap. His fingers unconsciously traced the cracks on its surface.

The two little ones were held by their mother’s side, but their small heads kept peeking out.

Lu Jing’an stepped into the hall, bringing with him the morning dew and the damp air of the river wind.

His gaze swept over everyone, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a relaxed smile:

"Such a grand welcome. I’m quite flattered."

Before the adults could speak, the two little ones could no longer contain themselves.

Lu Jinglin ducked out from under her mother’s arm, her eyes shining:

"Big Brother, did you really catch the Water Demon?

What does it look like? How big is it?

Is it bigger than a house?"

Although Lu Jinhao didn’t speak, he clenched his small fists and stared eagerly at his older brother.

Lu Jing’an smiled and ruffled both their heads.

His hand was still cool from the river water.

"I caught it. The Water Patrol Bureau is moving it to the warehouse now."

He paused deliberately, lowered his voice, and put on a mysterious expression.

"But let me warn you, that thing has a green face and long fangs.

Eyes like bronze bells, and claws this long."

He gestured to show the length.

"If you see it and have nightmares and wet the bed, don’t blame me."

Lu Jinglin lifted her chin, her two small braids swinging. "I’m not scared! Second Brother is scared!"

Lu Jinhao, however, shrank back, his small hand quietly tightening its grip on his mother’s sleeve. He was clearly a little hesitant.

"Coward," his sister scoffed, but without noticing, she herself edged closer to her mother.

"What are you looking at! Is that something for you to see?"

Their Third Aunt grabbed Lu Jinglin by the ear and hauled them both toward the back courtyard.

"Your big brother has been busy all night and has important matters to attend to. Don’t cause trouble here!

Go back and copy the *Thousand Character Classic* three times!"

"Mother!"

"Three times!"

The two little ones were led away, clutching their bottoms and looking thoroughly wronged.

The other women of the family also took their leave one by one.

Soon, only Lu Huaiqian, Lu Huaichuan, Lu Huaisan, Chen Xuan, and Lu Jing’an remained in the hall.

The door was gently closed, shutting out the morning light.

The hall fell quiet for a moment, with only the GURGLE of a copper kettle on a small red-clay stove and the wisps of steam rising from it.

The atmosphere grew solemn.

"Jing’an, what are your plans now?"

Lu Huaichuan was the first to speak, turning from the window and sitting down across from Lu Jing’an.

"According to the original plan, we execute the Water Monkey in public and hold a press conference to announce the matter."

Lu Jing’an’s voice was steady. He took a pocket watch from his coat and glanced at it.

"Twelve o’clock, the execution at the docks.

After the execution, we’ll hold a press conference on-site at the docks."

Lu Jing’an paused.

"I’ll respond according to the outline Secretary Hu provided and be sure to ’specially thank’ him for the Water Mines."

This was the script he and Secretary Hu had tacitly agreed upon earlier.

The prerequisite was that Lu Jing’an had to succeed.

If he failed, the script would be rewritten.

And Secretary Hu would naturally deny everything; those Water Mines would have never left the armory.

Lu Jing’an paused again, his fingertip tracing the rim of his teacup, and continued:

"Furthermore, I plan to publicly expose the Li Family’s actions at the press conference."

CRACK.

A faint cracking sound came from the old whip on Chen Xuan’s lap.

His hand clutching the whip suddenly tightened, his knuckles turning white.

Chen Xuan quickly interjected, "Young Master, the matter with the Li Family... can be considered at length. I... I can wait."

"Master, you may be able to wait, but I don’t want to let the Li Family off so easily."

Lu Jing’an’s tone was calm but resolute.

Lu Jing’an looked at Chen Xuan, his gaze falling on the hand stroking the whip.

Chen Xuan wanted to persuade him further, but Lu Jing’an raised a hand to stop him.

"Unless you knock me unconscious right now, Master, I will expose what the Li Family has done at that press conference."

The hall fell silent.

The water on the stove boiled, lifting the kettle’s lid with a soft PUFF, PUFF.

Chen Xuan looked to Lu Huaiqian, his eyes pleading:

"Patriarch, this matter is of grave importance. I implore you to dissuade the Young Master."

Lu Huaiqian did not answer immediately.

He slowly set down his teacup. The base made a soft tap as it touched the mahogany table.

His gaze rested on a point in the empty air, as if he were weighing something, or as if he had already weighed it all long ago.

After a moment, he spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but every word was clear:

"I support Jing’an."

Chen Xuan was stunned.

As Chen Xuan stared in astonishment, Lu Huaiqian continued to explain, his tone as even as if he were making small talk:

"There are two reasons.

First, Mr. Chen has protected the Lu Family for twenty years, diligently and selflessly, risking life and limb.

The Lu Family is honor-bound to repay that debt."

He looked at Chen Xuan, his gaze warm and kind.

"These twenty years have been hard on you. There is truly little the Lu Family can do for you, sir."

Chen Xuan’s lips moved, but no sound came out.

"Second!" Lu Huaiqian continued:

"The position of chief of the Police Department... it might not be a blessing for the Lu Family to hold it.

The three-county merger may seem glorious on the surface, but it’s rife with undercurrents.

Secretary Hu can offer a ladder today, but he can just as easily pull it away tomorrow. Not to mention the Li Family’s Commander Bai is behind all this."

He withdrew his gaze and let it fall on Lu Jing’an’s face, a profound look in his eyes.

"If this affair results in someone else taking that seat, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

Sometimes, taking a step back opens up a much wider world."

Lu Jing’an met his father’s gaze. In those steady eyes, he saw understanding and support.

A warmth spread through his heart. He nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Father."

Chen Xuan’s throat bobbed violently. He abruptly stood up and was about to bow deeply to the ground.

But Lu Jing’an had already stepped forward to catch his arm.

"Master, you protected me and taught me. It is only right for me, your disciple, to do this."

Lu Jing’an’s voice was soft, but every word was distinct.

"If you bow, it means you do not see me as your disciple."

Chen Xuan’s arm stiffened for a moment, but in the end, he did not complete the bow.

"Thank you, Young Master."

The hall was silent once more.

Outside the window, birds chirped. The morning light streamed past the lattice.

It cast mottled patterns of light and shadow on the green brick floor, dust motes dancing in the sunbeams.

「At ten in the morning, Yin Mountain County was already in an uproar.」

News that the Water Patrol Bureau had eliminated three Water Demons overnight spread through the city like wildfire.

In teahouses and taverns, on streets and in alleys, everyone was whispering.

At first, some didn’t believe it, but hundreds of pairs of eyes at the docks had seen it for themselves.

The two mountain-like Demon Corpses were now lying in front of the Water Patrol Bureau’s warehouse.

Covered with white cloths, the stench of blood could be smelled from across the street. It was impossible not to believe.

Shortly after ten-thirty, the Water Patrol Bureau issued another notice.

Soldiers in brand-new uniforms went through the streets, striking Copper Gongs and shouting, pasting yellow paper notices on the city gates, in front of the yamen, and at the market entrances:

"At high noon, the Water Demon will be publicly executed at the docks!

Following the execution, the Water Patrol Bureau will hold a press conference in its assembly hall to detail the operation!"

The notice board in front of the Water Patrol Bureau was surrounded by an impenetrable crowd.

Those who could read recited it aloud, while those who couldn’t craned their necks to listen.

In the teahouses, storytellers were already slamming down their gavels, weaving "Director Lu Slaying the Demon on the River" into their newest tales, spittle flying as they spoke.

Reporters from every newspaper scrambled into action, slinging cameras over their shoulders and carrying notebooks.

They rushed to the docks early to get the best spots. This was a story that could shake the entire province.

It was major news that could even startle the Provincial City. One more photo meant more sales.

The news traveled on the wind, as if by express horse.

In less than an hour, it had reached the Li Family’s grand residence in Xiao Mountain and the Liu Family’s ancestral hall on Lou Mountain.

For them, however, this was anything but good news.

「Xiao Mountain, in the Li Mansion’s study.」

CRASH!

An antique blue-and-white porcelain lidded bowl was viciously smashed onto the floor.

Shards flew everywhere, and tea splashed across the imported carpet, soaking it.

The Li Family Patriarch’s hair and beard were standing on end, his face pale with fury.

He clutched a newly arrived message, his grip so tight his knuckles cracked.