Chapter 123 - 100: Ambush at the Gate

Chapter 123: Chapter 100: Ambush at the Gate

The thought struck like a venomous snake, instantly sinking its fangs into his reason.

"Get the car ready, now! Take me to the scene!"

The words flew from Lu Jing’an’s mouth as he spun around, heading for the Lu Family’s car.

He had to see for himself—to confirm if the Fist Manual was still there, if it had been overlooked in some forgotten corner!

"Jing’an, you will stay here."

Lu Huaiqian’s steady voice rang out as a broad, strong hand pressed down on Lu Jing’an’s shoulder.

The pressure was firm, conveying a message that brooked no argument.

Lu Jing’an stopped in his tracks and looked back at his father.

Lu Huaiqian’s gaze was deep and calm. He gave his son an almost imperceptible shake of the head and said in a low voice,

"Our opponents chose this location to make their move. It’s a show of force, but it’s also a baited trap.

The situation is unclear. We’re exposed while they’re in the shadows. If you rush over there now, you’ll be walking right into their trap.

Zhou Renli and his guards were not weak, yet they were all wiped out. Our enemy’s strength is considerable, and they may have even stronger forces lying in wait.

You are the future of the Lu Family. You absolutely cannot expose yourself to this danger."

Lu Jing’an took a deep breath. The frigid winter air flooding his lungs helped to calm his roiling emotions and quell his anxiety.

’Father is right. This is very likely a trap aimed at the Lu Family, and at me, Lu Jing’an, in particular.’

’They dared to strike this close to the city, perhaps just to provoke me.’

’Or to lure an important member of the Lu Family out of the relative safety of the county town.’

’The Six Harmonies Fist Manual is important, to be sure, but not when compared to my own life and safety.’

’Or to the Lu Family’s overall position. Now is not the time for rash action.’

He forced himself to calm down. The urgency in his eyes slowly receded, replaced once more by a calm as deep and still as a quiet pool.

He glanced at the county magistrate, whose face was still pale, and at the anxious-looking gentry gathered around them, then turned to Lu Huaiqian.

"Father, we shouldn’t linger here. We must be wary of the assailants returning or having another ambush set up.

We need to immediately dispatch more police to blockade all roads leading to the scene. At the same time, we must send a detailed report to the provincial department and to Secretary Hu at once.

As for the crime scene... I’ll ask the County Magistrate to select some reliable men to investigate, but only under heavy armed guard."

A flash of approval appeared in Lu Huaiqian’s eyes. He nodded and turned to the county magistrate, who was still trembling slightly.

"County Magistrate, did you hear that? Do as Jing’an says.

Immediately deploy all personnel from your county police department. They will coordinate with my men from the Public Security Bureau to seal off the area.

As for investigating the scene, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the team personally.

Be thorough. Not a single clue can be overlooked.

I will send two of my most capable men to assist you.

I must return to the city at once to report this to the provincial authorities."

The county magistrate was in a complete panic. Hearing this, he latched onto the words as if they were a lifeline, saying repeatedly,

"Yes, yes, of course, Director Lu. Rest assured... I... I will handle it properly, I’ll investigate with the utmost care!"

With that, he turned and scurried off, shouting orders to gather his men and arrange for vehicles.

Lu Huaiqian then gave a few quiet orders to Chen Xuan, who acknowledged them with a nod.

Chen Xuan quickly selected several of the Lu Family’s best men, and they drove off ahead in the direction of the scene.

Their purpose was twofold: to provide reinforcements and to get a firsthand, accurate assessment of the situation as quickly as possible.

The frigid wind still howled, kicking up dust and dead grass from the ground.

Beneath the leaden sky, what had been a lively welcoming ceremony was now nothing but a scene of suppressed panic and chaos.

Lu Huaiqian and Lu Jing’an settled into the back seat of their car. The door shut, sealing them off from the noise outside.

"It was the Bai Family," Lu Huaiqian said, his voice low and certain.

Lu Huaiqian continued his analysis, his fingers drumming softly on his knee.

"To strike so close, and with such brutal methods...

They’re sending a message to us, and to Secretary Hu, about Yin Mountain and the future Xin City.

They’re making it clear that the question of who’s really in charge is far from settled."

Lu Jing’an gazed out the window at the bleak winter landscape rushing by. "They succeeded. They wanted to intimidate us, and they did. Father, how should we respond?"

Lu Huaiqian closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat. "We wait," he said slowly. "We wait for the provincial government’s reaction, and for Secretary Hu’s instructions.

In the meantime, we investigate with everything we have. I don’t care if they’re supposedly ’mountain bandits’—I want them found."

The car’s engine roared to life as it sped toward Yin Mountain County Town.

Left behind them was the still-panicked crowd and a single red banner, fluttering forlornly in the cold wind.

In the distance, dark clouds gathered, hinting at a much larger storm on the horizon.