Chapter 130: Need For Greater Strength

After the guard captain departed, Lu Shishui finally had time to speak with his son at leisure.

The morning passed peacefully.

Chen Yuruo was delighted by Lu Yang’s return, while Lu Hanqing followed his elder brother around as usual, occasionally tugging at his sleeves and asking questions that made little sense.

Lu Yang answered patiently.

Although he still found it somewhat unfamiliar to have a younger brother, he had gradually grown accustomed to the child’s presence over the years.

Compared to the complicated affairs of the cultivation world, such ordinary moments were surprisingly pleasant.

However, his peaceful visit did not last long.

During a conversation with his father, Lu Yang learned that Lu Shishui’s promotion to Vice-Prefect was nearly finalized.

If nothing unexpected happened, the appointment would be issued before the end of the year.

"Father-in-law has already made the necessary arrangements," Lu Shishui explained. "The final decision rests with the Imperial Court, but there should be no major obstacles."

He paused before continuing.

"Of course, I cannot rely entirely on other people’s efforts. If I wish to serve in a higher position, I must also possess the ability to shoulder its responsibilities."

Lu Yang glanced at him.

"Father, are you planning to break through to the Spirit Awakening Realm?"

Lu Shishui nodded.

"That is naturally my goal."

He smiled faintly, though a trace of helplessness could be seen in his expression.

"Unfortunately, cultivation is not something that can be accomplished simply by wishing for it. I have already reached the Ninth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, but the final step is considerably more difficult than I imagined."

He had cultivated for decades, and although his talent was not exceptional, his resources and experience were sufficient to bring him to the absolute pinnacle of the Ninth Stage in time.

Yet, advancing to the Spirit Awakening Realm was another matter entirely.

It required more than just tempering the fleshly body and nurturing Blood Qi. One had to perceive the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth, develop Divine Sense, and establish the foundation necessary to transform ordinary Blood Qi into something much more profound.

Many cultivators spent years at this threshold without making any progress, while some were even trapped there for the rest of their lives.

Lu Shishui was naturally unwilling to become one of them.

"By the time I assume the position of Vice-Prefect, I hope to at least reach the absolute pinnacle of the Ninth Stage Body Tempering Realm."

He said before adding, "If I can accomplish that, I will have a better chance of breaking through to the Spirit Awakening Realm in the coming years."

Lu Yang nodded without commenting further.

He understood his father’s current circumstances.

Lu Shishui had already achieved considerable success in both his official career and cultivation. Compared to ordinary cultivators, his progress was not slow by any means.

However, civil officials of his future rank were generally expected to possess Spirit Awakening Realm cultivation.

Without sufficient strength, even a capable official could find themselves constrained by circumstances beyond their control.

The world was not governed by talent and virtue alone; strength mattered just as much.

...

He stayed in Canglan Prefecture City for several more days.

During that time, the investigation into the five dead cultivators continued, but no meaningful results emerged.

The authorities could confirm that the victims were experienced Body Tempering cultivators, yet they had no reliable way to identify the person who killed them.

On the day of Lu Yang’s departure, Chen Yuruo prepared several things for him to take on the journey, while Lu Hanqing, unlike two years ago, had matured considerably and did not cling to him.

Lu Shishui accompanied his son to the residence gates.

"Take care on your journey. Do not rush just because you wish to return to the capital quickly. Your cultivation and duties are important, but so is your safety."

Lu Yang smiled.

"I understand, father."

After exchanging a few more words, he finally departed.

However, he did not immediately take the road leading to the Imperial Capital.

Instead, after leaving Canglan Prefecture City, he changed direction and made his way towards the Luoyun Prefecture.

...

Zheng Hui received Lu Yang in his courtyard.

"Senior!"

He bowed respectfully before inviting Lu Yang inside, wondering what matter brought him back so quickly.

Lu Yang did not beat around the bush, not even sitting inside as he spoke frankly.

"There has been a change of plans."

Zheng Hui paused at those words.

"A change of plans?"

"Yes. Once your current businesses have established a sufficiently stable foundation, begin expanding as soon as possible."

Lu Yang looked at him and explained.

"You do not need to wait another three years before considering expansion. As long as your businesses remain sound and the risks are manageable, prioritize increasing your profits."

Zheng Hui was slightly surprised.

Previously, Lu Yang had emphasized stability and gradual development. He had even instructed Zheng Hui not to rush into the cultivation market without sufficient preparation.

What exactly happened these past few days for his attitude to change so greatly?

"Senior, may I ask what prompted this decision?"

Lu Yang fell silent for a moment.

He obviously could not tell Zheng Hui that someone had attempted to assassinate his entire family, forcing him to reconsider how quickly he needed to accumulate resources.

After a brief pause, he answered, "My circumstances have changed. I need more money than I originally anticipated, as quickly as possible."

Zheng Hui did not ask any further questions after hearing this.

He was a businessman and understood that his benefactor might possess circumstances he was not qualified to inquire about.

"Understood. I will make the necessary preparations and expand once I am confident that the existing businesses can support it."

Lu Yang nodded.

"Do not mistake urgency for recklessness. I want you to earn money quickly, but I do not want you to destroy the foundation you have spent two years building. If an opportunity is worth pursuing, pursue it, but if the risks are unreasonable, abandon it."

"Yes, senior, I will remember your instructions."

After discussing several practical matters, Lu Yang gave Zheng Hui a few additional instructions regarding the cultivation market and the collection of unusual items.

He did not stay behind for long. Once the conversation was finished, he departed the courtyard and left the county town.

Zheng Hui watched his figure disappear into the distance, his expression thoughtful.

He did not understand why Lu Yang had suddenly become so eager to expand.

Nevertheless, he had no intention of disobeying.

Without Lu Yang’s assistance, his family might still be struggling to survive. The money and opportunity he had received had allowed him to rebuild what others had destroyed.

Whatever the reason for the change, he would do his best to fulfill the expectations placed upon him.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Yang continued along the road towards the Imperial Capital.

The scenery gradually changed as he left the county behind.

He had traveled this route before, and under ordinary circumstances, he would have appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

This time, however, his thoughts were elsewhere.

The assassination attempt did not make him panic much. He had lived through far worse situations in his previous lives.

Yet, even after knowing how dangerous this world was, it was still hard seeing how easily danger could reach the people one wished to protect.

His father was a Ninth Stage Body Tempering cultivator and a respected official, his grandfather possessed considerable influence in the Imperial Capital, and his stepmother’s family also had extensive connections within the Imperial Court.

Even so, someone still dared to arrange their deaths.

Had the assassins possessed slightly greater strength or if Lu Yang had arrived a beat later, the outcome would have been vastly different.

He could not rely on luck every time, nor could he remain content with his present strength just because it was more than enough to deal with ordinary threats.

Lu Yang slowly clenched his fist before relaxing it again.

He needed time and a great deal of resources.

His current cultivation had progressed rapidly compared to his previous lives, but it was still too slow in his eyes, and even faster cultivation required more than just talent and comprehension alone.

To advance further, he needed spiritual materials, cultivation resources, and perhaps opportunities that could not be obtained through ordinary means.

His business with Zheng Hui was precisely for this reason. It would not make him wealthy overnight, but it could gradually provide a steady source of income without requiring him to spend all his time managing mundane affairs.

However, money was ultimately for resources, and those resources would transform into strength.

Only after reaching the Essence Gathering Realm would he possess the strength and standing necessary to provide his family with a much greater degree of security.

Even then, he could not consider himself invincible.

The world was too vast, and the powerful forces within it were too numerous.

But at least in Great Qian, he would no longer have to regard every threat to his family as a potential catastrophe.