Chapter 120 - 100: Ambush at the Gate

Chapter 120: Chapter 100: Ambush at the Gate

The establishment of Xin City had set various factions astir, their minds awash with surging undercurrents. It would be no exaggeration to say that each harbored their own ulterior motives.

This was true even for the Lu Family, who had long since chosen their side.

Beneath their veneer of loyalty, they harbored their own deeply hidden calculations and meticulous plans.

But with so many players in this game, until the very last moment...

...it remained to be seen who would have the last laugh.

The Lu Family never lifted a finger, from beginning to end, to partake in the division of the Xiaoshan Li Family’s remaining forces and resources.

Their posture was deliberate and clear,

as if the Lu Family were purely Secretary Hu’s most loyal vanguard.

Their only duty was to blast open the city gates; once the walls were breached...

...they would stand respectfully aside, not taking a single coin of the treasures scattered within, leaving everything for the commander behind them to tally.

The Lu Family’s "good behavior" actually made Secretary Hu feel a little awkward.

If he didn’t share even a small taste of the spoils, it would make him seem harsh and ungrateful.

So, Secretary Hu took the initiative to call Lu Huaiqian.

He offered many words of encouragement and took the opportunity to ask Lu Huaiqian to raise any potential difficulties Xin City might face after its establishment that would require support from above.

After a moment of thought, Lu Huaiqian seized the opportunity to propose the idea of expanding the staffing for the Xin City Public Security Bureau.

Secretary Hu did not refuse; on the contrary, he readily agreed.

This was already part of his plan, as he needed to install his own people to take over key positions.

Expanding the staff was a necessary step, and Lu Huaiqian bringing it up now...

...saved him the trouble of having to hint at it himself.

Besides this, Lu Huaiqian also casually requested some resources for Lu Jing’an’s Martial Arts cultivation.

Secretary Hu was not stingy with this, either.

After all, in an era where guns and cannons reigned supreme, the significance of individual Martial Cultivators was dwindling by the day.

In Secretary Hu’s eyes, those resources were far less valuable than hard currency and military might.

Seeing that Lu Huaiqian stopped after only these two requests, Secretary Hu made a grand gesture.

He approved a large sum of additional special funding.

Secretary Hu’s "generosity" was, of course, partly a show for others.

After all, the Lu Family was not the only one gathered under his banner.

If others saw that the Lu Family, who had performed the great service of breaching the city, couldn’t even get a decent share of the spoils...

...who would be willing to risk their lives for the Hu Family in the future?

The days passed one by one in a state of subtle calm and surging undercurrents.

「Seven days later.」

On the day Zhou Renli was supposed to arrive and take up his post, he was nowhere to be seen.

It wasn’t that the provincial government had suddenly changed their choice. Rather, the Zhou Family was hosting a massive, ongoing banquet in their hometown.

They were celebrating Zhou Renli’s promotion, and the social obligations had delayed his journey.

Lu Huaiqian not only expressed his understanding of the situation,

but even sent someone to deliver a generous monetary gift. His etiquette was thorough and impeccable.

During this time,

Lu Jing’an still hadn’t reported for duty at the Water Patrol Bureau.

With even the River Demons of the Canglan River having vanished without a trace, the Water Patrol Bureau had no real urgent business.

He was happy for the leisure, spending all his days deep within the Lu Mansion.

He was catching up on all the cultivation he had missed due to various miscellaneous tasks.

"Hah!"

A low, guttural shout echoed through the warm training hall.

Lu Jing’an finished a set of the Six Harmonies Fist, settling into a concluding stance.

White vapor swirled above his head as steam rose from his body.

Fine beads of sweat trickled down the contours of his lean muscles.

The training hall was fitted with modern radiators, making it as warm as spring.

It was a world apart from the dreary, cold weather outside.

Although Yin Mountain was in the South, winter had already set in.

After days of overcast gloom, the cold outside was bone-chilling, and one’s breath turned to frost.

"Young Master, wipe your sweat."

Orchid, who had been standing quietly in attendance, stepped forward lightly.

She wore a well-tailored, slate-blue maid’s uniform.

Her long hair was tied up, and her legs were clad in sheer stockings.

She felt no chill in the cozy warmth of the room, her hands holding a clean white towel that had been soaked in hot water and wrung out until just damp.

Lu Jing’an took it, casually wiped his face and neck, and handed the towel back.

Just as he did, the heavy wooden door to the training hall was pushed open.

His master, Chen Xuan, walked in, bringing a gust of cold air from outside.

The moment the door opened, a cold draft took the opportunity to sweep in.

It raised goosebumps on Orchid’s exposed neck, and she gave a slight, almost imperceptible shiver.

"Young Master, I have definite news about the Six Harmonies Fist."

Chen Xuan closed the door behind him, shutting out the cold, and got straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Lu Jing’an’s eyes.

A genuine ripple of emotion finally broke the surface of his face, which had been as calm as still water for days. "Master, this is the best news I’ve heard in a long time."

’All the praise from the outside world, whether genuine or not, was just empty noise to him.’

’Only the whereabouts of the Six Harmonies Fist, the very foundation of his Martial Arts, was his true concern.’

’This was a tangible opportunity, a crucial stepping stone for him to ascend to a higher realm.’

"Have you located both volumes?" Lu Jing’an pressed, his voice filled with anticipation.

A faint smile touched Chen Xuan’s lips as he shook his head. "No. Three volumes, actually."

"Three volumes!"

Lu Jing’an’s voice rose slightly. This was truly an unexpected delight.

’The Six Harmonies Fist was divided into six parts, and he had already obtained two by a stroke of luck.’

’Chen Xuan had known of clues to two other parts from his earlier years, but he had assumed finding the final two would require a great deal of time and effort.’

’He never expected to get a lead on an additional part this time.’

’If he could gather five of the six parts, even if he couldn’t immediately achieve the title of "Boxing Champion"...’

’...no one could argue against him being called a "Half-Step Boxing Champion."’

"Master, where did you find this third volume?" Lu Jing’an asked calmly, suppressing the joy in his heart.

Chen Xuan explained, "The Hu Family sent someone to deliver it on their own initiative."

"Secretary Hu?"

Lu Jing’an had been engrossed in his cultivation for the past few days and hadn’t concerned himself with matters outside the Lu Mansion.