Chapter 95 - 91: Dogs Also Choose Their Masters

Chapter 95: Chapter 91: Dogs Also Choose Their Masters

Lu Jing’an coveted the abilities of a Fate Cultivator.

The power to glimpse the threads of fate, to even briefly influence a person’s luck... if he could make that his own.

It would be another trump card in the games to come.

That was why he eagerly anticipated what kind of entries he could get from Refining the Fate Cultivator’s Divine Soul.

But due to an unforeseen complication, Lu Jing’an would have to wait a while before he could perform the Refining of the Fate Cultivator’s Divine Soul.

Of course, this complication was, for Lu Jing’an, a welcome one.

Lu Jing’an didn’t need to give any orders for what came next.

Chen Xuan would naturally take care of everything.

The Li Family’s outer circle would be eliminated. The assassin’s family in Xiao County would also be wiped out.

This was a simple task for the Lu Family’s agents in Xiao County.

After all, the assassin was dead, but Lu Jing’an was very much alive.

Thus, from the Li Family’s perspective, protecting the assassin’s family was now a pointless endeavor.

Without protection, they would be easy targets for anyone.

In these chaotic times, a human life was sometimes worth less than that of a stray dog.

With business in Jinshan Village concluded, Lu Jing’an prepared to depart.

As for Jinshan Village itself, Lu Jing’an had no intention of interfering.

It could remain as it was.

The Lu Family couldn’t spare the resources to manage Jinshan Village at the moment.

The outlaws of Jinshan Village watched as Lu Jing’an led his large retinue in an orderly withdrawal.

Over twenty men in black formed two groups, front and rear, escorting Lu Jing’an’s car in their midst.

The thud of hooves and boots beat a dull rhythm on the frozen earth. Inside Jinshan Village, its motley crew of ruthless bandits and wanted criminals collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Figures peeking from behind windows quietly drew their tattered cotton curtains.

The men squatting under the old locust tree at the village entrance finally dared to exhale their smoke rings with a bit more ease.

Watching Lu Jing’an’s party depart, Smiling Tiger leaped down from the half-collapsed fighting stage.

He bounded forward, his fleshy bulk jiggling with every step.

Like a rolling ball of flesh, he quickly gave chase, his feet kicking up fine shards of ice.

"Director Lu, Director Lu—"

His voice, with its deliberately drawn-out final syllable, carried far in the frigid air.

Hearing Smiling Tiger call out from behind, Lu Jing’an halted.

Smiling Tiger had barely gotten within five meters of Lu Jing’an when Black Bear’s massive frame blocked his path.

The shadow cast by Black Bear’s body completely enveloped him.

Smiling Tiger looked at the man who was once his attack dog, a bitter and helpless feeling welling up inside him.

With a hint of bitterness, Smiling Tiger muttered, "What an ungrateful bastard. All those years I fed him for nothing."

Hearing this, Black Bear’s face remained expressionless as he rumbled, "I belong to the Young Master. I must protect him."

Just as an awkward silence fell over Smiling Tiger, Lu Jing’an’s voice drifted from behind the massive guard. "It’s fine. Let him approach."

At Lu Jing’an’s command, Black Bear opened a path.

He only took half a step aside, however, remaining coiled and ready to spring at a moment’s notice.

Smiling Tiger moved past Black Bear and came to stand before Lu Jing’an.

He wore his signature, sycophantic smile, the deep wrinkles around his eyes looking greasy enough to be squeezed for oil.

He rubbed his hands together, his breath turning to white frost on his stubble. "Director Lu, forgive my intrusion, forgive my intrusion."

Lu Jing’an was the first to speak. "Chasing after me so eagerly... are you hoping I’ll wipe out that den of thieves you call a village?"

Hearing this, the smile on Smiling Tiger’s face didn’t falter in the slightest. In fact, it grew wider, and his voice rose a few pitches.

"Director Lu, how could you say such a thing!

With the three counties merging, this place will be under the Lu Family’s jurisdiction sooner or later. Why would you need to wipe it out?

Just say the word, Director Lu, and I’ll march everyone in to surrender myself.

It would save you a few bullets, wouldn’t it?"

He patted his chest as he spoke, his flab quivering in response. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Lu Jing’an couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle at Smiling Tiger’s fawning speech.

"Speaking of which, I haven’t properly thanked you."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Smiling Tiger’s face.

"First, for delivering Black Bear into my hands, and then for passing along such crucial intelligence."

Smiling Tiger waved his hands dismissively, his palms so plump his knuckles were barely visible.

They looked like a pair of swaying steamed buns.

"You’re too kind, Director Lu, far too kind!

You won Black Bear fair and square. That was your own skill!

And as for this business, it would have been easy enough for you to investigate even without my help.

In your eyes, the Li Family’s little schemes are nothing more than child’s play, are they not?

I can’t take any credit for that."

As he spoke, his eyes narrowed to slits, but his gaze darted across Lu Jing’an’s face, trying to catch the slightest change in his expression.

Lu Jing’an said, "Don’t be so modest. You did indeed render a service this time."

Lu Jing’an pulled a flat, silver cigarette case from the inside pocket of his overcoat.

He flicked open the lid and held it out to Smiling Tiger.

Flattered, Smiling Tiger bowed slightly and accepted a cigarette with both hands.

Lu Jing’an took one for himself, and Smiling Tiger immediately produced a box of matches from his coat.

With a HISS, he struck a match, cupping his hands around the flame as he offered the light.

Lu Jing’an leaned in to light his cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a stream of pale blue smoke from his nostrils.

After a moment, Lu Jing’an spoke.

"However, you’ve offended the Li Family this time. I doubt they’ll let this go."

When Lu Jing’an mentioned the Li Family, Smiling Tiger spat on the ground.

"The Li Family? Those sons of bitches don’t count for anything. How could they possibly compare to you, Director Lu?"