Chapter 121 - 100: Ambush at the Entrance

Chapter 121: Chapter 100: Ambush at the Entrance

At this point, he still didn’t know the details of the phone call between his father and Secretary Hu.

Chen Xuan briefly recounted the matter: Secretary Hu had made an overture of goodwill, Lu Huaiqian had seized the opportunity to request resources for Lu Jing’an, and Secretary Hu had generously gifted them a Fist Manual.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jing’an understood. A smirk played on his lips:

"It seems Secretary Hu is paying us more and more generously for ’setting the stage’ this time."

"As for Zhou Renli, I’ve received confirmed news.

He will arrive in three days and will bring that Fist Manual as a ’greeting gift’,"

Chen Xuan continued.

"Also, there’s the team we sent out to follow the leads.

According to the date on the last encrypted telegram, they should arrive by tomorrow at the latest.

To be safe, I’ve sent a competent team six miles out of the city to meet them, ensuring the safe return of both the Fist Manual and our people."

Lu Jing’an nodded, his fingers unconsciously drumming on the rosewood tea table beside him.

"Zhou Renli’s itinerary won’t change again this time, will it?"

Chen Xuan said with certainty, "He said three days from now. There shouldn’t be any more changes this time.

If he delays any longer, the appointment from the Provincial City will be nothing but empty words.

It would make Secretary Hu look bad, too."

Lu Jing’an thought for a moment, then said:

"I was originally debating whether it was worth wasting my Cultivation time to go outside the city and welcome him.

But now that he’s bringing such a ’precious’ gift...

It’s only right that I go and welcome him personally."

「The next day, before dawn.」

The first team sent to find the Fist Manual returned to Yin Mountain County, travel-worn.

They brought back a sealed copper box, which contained the third Six Harmonies Fist Manual—Flowing Cloud Fist.

The Fist Manual was made of simple, ancient silk. The corners were frayed, but the text and diagrams were still clear.

Its core principle emphasized "flowing like clouds and water, avoiding the substantial to strike the insubstantial."

It greatly boosted the agility of one’s Body Skill and the fluidity of one’s techniques.

The Fist Manual contained six forms in total: Cloud-Enveloped Body, Water Flows Through Stone, Wind Scatters the Clouds, Hidden Strike in the Mist, Cloud Hand Pushing the Moon, and Hundred Rivers Return to the Stream.

According to the trusted subordinate who returned to report, the manual was purchased for a hefty sum from the master of a martial arts school in a remote county town in a neighboring province.

At first, the master insisted it was a family heirloom and refused to sell it at any price.

Not until the Lu Family’s men offered a sky-high price that would ensure his family’s prosperity for three generations—enough to buy vast fields and numerous shops locally.

Only then did the master "reluctantly" and "with some hesitation" agree.

This was perfectly in line with the strategy Lu Jing’an had set beforehand: if money could solve the problem, there was no need for unnecessary complications.

’So-called "not for sale" usually just means the price isn’t tempting enough.’

With the Flowing Cloud Fist Manual in hand, Lu Jing’an was not in a hurry to begin his Cultivation.

He stored it away with his other Fist Manuals and calmed his mind to regulate his breathing.

Because Zhou Renli would be arriving the day after tomorrow, and he would very likely bring another Fist Manual.

He planned to compare the two, studying and cultivating them together, hoping it would be twice as effective with half the effort.

And so, another two days passed in a state of seemingly calm anticipation.

On this day, the sky was gloomy.

Leaden-gray clouds hung low, so oppressive it was almost hard to breathe.

Yet, the temporary clearing outside Yin Mountain County Town was quite lively.

Lu Jing’an, Lu Huaiqian, the magistrate of Yin Mountain County, and nearly all the county’s prominent gentry and Commerce Association representatives had gathered here, ready to welcome the incoming Zhou Renli.

Thanks to the county magistrate’s tireless efforts, the scene was arranged with considerable pomp:

A red banner inscribed with "Warmly Welcome Minister Zhou to Yin Mountain" fluttered in the cold wind.

Two rows of police officers in brand-new uniforms stood at attention, rifles in hand,

and a gong and drum troupe hired from the town’s opera company waited off to the side.

The musicians were so cold their faces had turned blue, but they didn’t dare to slack off.

The county magistrate himself wore a thick cotton robe, covered by a slightly oversized black woolen overcoat.

He wore a formal hat, constantly rubbing his hands together and breathing out puffs of white air, his expression a mixture of anticipation

and a subtle, triumphant satisfaction at soon having a powerful backer.

As a county magistrate appointed by the Provincial City, he was part of Secretary Hu’s faction.

In a place like Yin Mountain, where the power of local magnates was deeply entrenched, facing a behemoth like the Lu Family,

he had always been one to forbear when he could and concede when he must, keeping a low profile.

Now that Zhou Renli—one of "his own," his future direct superior—was coming,

he felt he could finally stand a bit straighter and was therefore putting in extra effort,

wishing for nothing more than to make this welcoming ceremony absolutely perfect.

Regarding the magistrate’s bustling arrangements, Lu Huaiqian simply stood at the front of the crowd with his hands clasped behind his back.

His expression was calm, his gaze distant, as if the commotion before him had nothing to do with him.

’He knew in his heart that this type of official had likely bought his way into office.

His thinking was always a bit naive, to actually believe that the arrival of one Zhou Renli

could change the power structure of Yin Mountain County, which had been established for decades?’

Time passed amid the howling of the cold wind and the soft stamping of feet from the crowd.

The scheduled arrival hour had passed, but the end of the dirt road leading toward the Provincial City

remained empty, with no sign of any cars or horses.

After a long, fruitless wait, the members of the gong and drum troupe were frozen stiff, huddling together for warmth.

The anticipation on the county magistrate’s face gradually gave way to anxiety. He shuffled over to Lu Huaiqian’s side.

He lowered his voice, his tone consultative, even pleading:

"Director Lu, you see... it’s been a while past the appointed hour.

Do you think Minister Zhou and his party might have been delayed on the road?

Should we... send a car ahead to meet them?"

Lu Huaiqian glanced at him but didn’t refuse. He just gave a slight nod and murmured a few words to a trusted subordinate behind him.

Soon, a black Ford sedan pulled away from the crowd, kicking up dust as it sped back in the direction they had come from.