Chapter 145 - 110: Open Fire, Kill

Chapter 145: Chapter 110: Open Fire, Kill

The only outcome would be to be devoured, leaving not even bones behind.

’That was no path to survival, just a death sentence with a delayed execution.’

’The only way is to throw the Bai Family into chaos, leaving them too preoccupied to bother with anything else, or—to make them collapse entirely.’

Lu Jing’an walked back to his private courtyard with a steady gait, his mind racing like lightning.

’The simplest, most direct method is a decapitation strike.’

If he could kill Commander Bai in one fell swoop, their central command would be lost.

The Bai Family would surely descend into internal conflict over power, and then they would naturally have no time to keep relentlessly pursuing the Lu Family.

However, this was an extremely difficult task.

Commander Bai was stationed at the Defense Command, surrounded by countless elite soldiers and powerful generals.

The entire command headquarters was like an iron fortress, with no weaknesses to speak of.

And even if, by some stroke of luck, he did succeed...

...how could he retreat unscathed, without leaving a single trace?

Once his identity was exposed, the Bai Family’s vengeful wrath would bring utter ruin upon the Lu Family.

Lu Jing’an was lost in thought all the way back, only snapping out of it when he reached the moon gate of his small courtyard.

A familiar, upright figure was already standing quietly beneath the liquid moonlight.

Like a silent statue, it was Chen Xuan.

"Young Master."

Chen Xuan cupped his fist, his voice low and respectful.

The coldness in Lu Jing’an’s eyes melted, replaced by a hint of warmth. He strode forward quickly. "Master, you’ve been waiting. The night dew is heavy and cold; please, come inside to talk."

The two entered the room, where the clever maid, Orchid, had already prepared clear tea and a few delicate refreshments.

The candlelight flickered, and the steam from the tea curled upward, slightly blurring their faces.

Lu Jing’an relayed the information he had obtained from the Anping Bureau during the day, giving a detailed account of the conclusion that the Spirit Nest cannot be destroyed or modified by external forces.

After listening, Chen Xuan’s ink-black eyebrows gradually knitted together, forming a deep vertical line between them.

"If the Spirit Nest truly cannot be destroyed, the Bai Family’s determination to possess the Yin Mountain Spirit Vein will only grow more intense.

At that point, the pressure on you, Young Master, and on the Lu Family...

...will likely intensify until they have complete control."

A helpless smile touched the corners of Lu Jing’an’s lips. "The Bai Family’s pressure is no longer a likelihood; it’s already begun.

Master, you probably don’t know yet, but my time as the head of the Water Patrol Bureau has come to an end."

Chen Xuan’s coarse hand, holding the teacup, tightened almost imperceptibly, sending a ripple across the tea. "When did this happen?"

"Just this evening. The order from the Defense Command was delivered directly to the County Government.

The charge is ’defying dispatch orders and illicitly using strategic resources during wartime.’

Tomorrow, the person the Bai Family sent to take over the bureau’s affairs will arrive in Yin Mountain."

The room fell silent, the only sound being the occasional crackle of the candle flame.

Outside the window, all was quiet. The bleakness of deep winter made the inky black night feel even more oppressive, almost suffocating.

Chen Xuan slowly placed his teacup on the table and raised his eyes.

His gaze, as sharp as a falcon’s, fixed on Lu Jing’an. "Young Master, do you have a plan?"

Lu Jing’an didn’t answer immediately, instead picking up the plain silver teapot.

Unhurriedly, he refilled the teacups before them until they were seventy percent full.

The swirling steam spread between them, blurring their vision.

Behind this warm veil of mist, Lu Jing’an laid out his decapitation plan.

He explained everything to Chen Xuan, including all the risks and rewards.

Chen Xuan listened quietly, the muscles in his face tensed, his expression as hard as pig iron.

He remained silent for a long time after Lu Jing’an finished speaking.

"The plan is risky, but in this desperate situation, it’s the only way to possibly carve out a path to survival."

Chen Xuan finally spoke.

Then, his tone shifting, Chen Xuan continued, "But Young Master, you absolutely cannot get involved in this yourself. This old servant is alone in the world. I am willing to go to the Provincial City and look for an opportunity."

Lu Jing’an shook his head decisively, his gaze as firm as a boulder. "Master, do not bring this up again.

Even if a day comes when we must take such a risk, it is certainly not now.

The Hu Family may be weathering a storm, but an old centipede dies hard. They should have no problem holding out for a few months.

We still have time to make our arrangements without rushing.

We can plan meticulously and find that one-in-ten-thousand, surefire opportunity."

Chen Xuan knew his young master’s character well—gentle on the outside, but iron-willed within. Once his mind was made up, it was difficult to change.

Chen Xuan didn’t try to persuade him further. He simply cupped his fist firmly and said in a deep voice, "Whatever you command, Young Master, this old servant will carry it out, even unto death."

The two then discussed a few subtle points of Martial Arts cultivation for a while before Chen Xuan rose to take his leave.

His figure melted silently into the thick darkness outside, as if he had never been there at all.

Lu Jing’an stood alone in the courtyard for a moment, then raised his hands, sank his shoulders, and slowly assumed a stance.

He performed a set of the Six Harmonies Fist, his movements steady and solid, until his qi and blood surged like a rushing stream.

Only when a pleasant warmth spread through his body and fine beads of sweat appeared on his temples did he conclude his form.

He then bathed in a specially prepared medicinal soup, washing away his fatigue.

Finally, as the night watchman’s clapper sounded in the deepening quiet, he fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, before dawn had broken, the eastern horizon showed only a faint fish-belly white, and a waning, sickle-like moon still hung faintly over the western eaves.

BANG! BANG!

Two abrupt, sharp gunshots exploded, like a pair of cold shears ruthlessly shredding the last vestiges of sleep and tranquility in Yin Mountain County before the dawn.

The sound came from the direction of the city gate, and the sharp, acrid smell of gunpowder quickly spread through the cold air.

At the somewhat worn and ancient gate of Yin Mountain County, two middle-aged men in grey constabulary uniforms lay on the cold, damp flagstones, their heads burst open in a shocking splash of dark red.

Blood gushed out, quickly soaking through their clothes.

It pooled beneath them into a small, alarming dark puddle.

One man’s eyes were wide open, staring at the not-yet-bright sky, filled with lingering shock and confusion.

Beside him stood three men in stiff, ink-black uniforms.

The leader was tall and thin, his features sharp and cold as if carved from a blade.

He was slowly holstering a Mauser pistol, its muzzle still trailing a faint wisp of blue smoke.

On his left breast, embroidered in bright silver thread, was a ferocious, roaring wolf’s head.

Its fangs were bared, its eyes savage, and it looked frighteningly lifelike.

"A mis-misunderstanding... Sirs..." a slightly older constable, his face pale with terror, stammered out, his teeth chattering.

"Defense Command. Bai Lang."

The tall, thin man spoke, his voice devoid of warmth, like scraping pig iron.

"By order, I am here to take command of the Yin Mountain County Water Patrol Bureau. Anyone who dares to obstruct us again will be treated as interfering with the military and delaying a battle opportunity during wartime—and will be killed on sight."

He delivered those final words lightly, but it sent a chill shooting up the spines of every constable present, as well as the few early risers who had been startled awake and were now peeking from a distance.

Behind him, the engines of three military-green canvas-covered trucks rumbled deeply, like three dormant steel beasts.

The trucks were filled with shadowy figures, all clad in the same black, wolf-headed uniforms.

Though they sat in silence, the grim Evil Qi condensed from years of slaughter was so palpable it seemed to freeze the cool morning air.

The crowd silently parted like a receding tide, clearing a wide path.

The three military trucks didn’t hesitate, driving straight over the long, flagstone street worn smooth by time, speeding toward the Water Patrol Bureau.

Along the street, early-rising vendors, farmers with carrying poles, and shopkeepers pushing open their doors all scrambled to get out of the way, their eyes filled with terror.

Behind every door and through every crack in a window, countless frightened, uneasy, and probing gazes followed the ferocious wolf’s head emblem, until the dust kicked up by the convoy slowly settled at the far end of the street.

The echo of the gunshots seemed to still reverberate over the county town, startling a few jackdaws roosting on the eaves. Cawing, they flew in a panic into the gray sky.

This was how the autumn morning began in Yin Mountain County: amidst suppressed whispers and lingering, fearful glances.

Lu Jing’an, for his part, received a report as soon as the shots were fired.

The Bai Family’s domineering actions were not surprising.

After all, in the eyes of the Bai Family, Yin Mountain County was nothing more than a tiny, insignificant place.

Theirs to crush at will.

At the same time, the gunshots were also a warning to the Lu Family.

Lu Jing’an knew he wouldn’t be getting any more sleep. He had Orchid help him into his uniform, then took Chen Xuan with him to the Water Patrol Bureau.