Chapter 141: Restless Wuyuan Province, Lu Shishui’s Spirit Awakening

After leaving Zheng Hui’s residence, Lu Yang continued his journey towards Canglan Prefecture.

However, the journey was not entirely uneventful.

During his travels through Wuyuan Province, he encountered one or two cultivators who had taken to the roads as bandits.

Their cultivation was unimpressive, with one having reached the First Stage of Body Tempering Realm and the other the Second Stage of Body Tempering Realm, no threat to Lu Yang.

He dealt with them casually, collected the silver they carried, and continued on his way.

After counting everything, he obtained slightly more than fifty taels, improving his mood slightly.

It was not particularly impressive compared to his earnings now, but something was better than nothing.

However, these encounters left him somewhat contemplative.

In his previous life, Wuyuan Province was an extraordinarily prosperous region.

Its local authorities maintained extensive control over the territory, while the various cultivation factions generally avoided disrupting the stability that benefited them all.

Forget cultivator bandits, even ordinary bandits were almost nonexistent.

Yet now, even cultivators at the early stages of Body Tempering Realm had begun resorting to robbery.

Although their numbers were still small, the change was significant.

A prosperous region did not deteriorate overnight. It usually began with small disturbances, followed by increasingly frequent incidents that people gradually learned to accept as normal.

The Emperor’s suppression of the Wuyuan King had also weakened the latter’s influence.

With the authority of the regional ruler being restricted, certain local forces inevitably gained more room to maneuver.

Some were only taking advantage of the situation a little, but others might have begun harbouring ambitions of their own.

Lu Yang shook his head at these thoughts.

It seemed that Wuyuan Province was no longer as peaceful as he remembered.

...

Lu Yang reached Canglan Prefecture City later that day.

Compared to his previous visits from years ago, the journey had become considerably easier.

After entering the city, he directly went to his father’s residence.

He had not informed his family of his exact arrival time, so there was no one awaiting him.

Nevertheless, he was familiar with the residence and the guards let him enter respectfully.

The first person he encountered was a young man walking through the courtyard.

He was tall and slender, with a graceful appearance and a rather composed temperament. His height was only slightly shorter than Lu Yang’s.

When the young man noticed someone entering, he turned around.

For a brief moment, he was somewhat surprised before his expression brightened.

"Big brother!"

Lu Hanqing approached him with a smile.

Lu Yang looked at his younger brother, examining him briefly.

The little child from back then had now grown into a young man.

This year, Lu Hanqing was eighteen. His facial features had become more defined, and his demeanor was much more mature than before, shedding most of its youthfulness.

Although he did not possess cultivation aptitude, he had received a proper education and grown up in a comfortable environment.

He was no longer the little boy who followed Lu Yang around everywhere.

"Hanqing."

Lu Yang smiled faintly as he spoke.

"Have you grown taller again?"

Lu Hanqing chuckled.

"Perhaps, but you’re still taller than me."

"That’s only natural."

Lu Yang casually patted his shoulder.

The two exchanged a few more words before Lu Hanqing invited him inside.

"Father is currently at home. He should be in the study."

"Then let’s go."

As they walked through the residence, Lu Yang casually asked about his younger brother’s recent circumstances.

Lu Hanqing answered each question without hesitation.

He had been studying regularly and occasionally accompanied their father to official gatherings.

Although he had no interest in becoming an official himself and couldn’t become one even if he wanted to, he understood the importance of maintaining proper manners and relationships.

Lu Yang listened quietly, quite satisfied with his younger brother’s current circumstances.

There was no need for Lu Hanqing to become a cultivator or accomplish anything particularly remarkable.

As long as he could live a comfortable and peaceful life, that was enough.

...

Soon, they arrived at the study.

Lu Hanqing knocked on the door.

"Father, big brother is here."

A brief silence followed before Lu Shishui’s voice came from inside.

"Yang’er? Let him come in."

Lu Hanqing opened the door.

Lu Shishui was seated behind his desk, reviewing several official documents.

Compared to the last time Lu Yang saw him, his appearance had not changed much.

Although he was already past fifty years of age, he still looked like someone in his late thirties or early forties.

His complexion was healthy, his posture upright, and there were only a few strands of grey in his hair.

This was the difference between ordinary people and cultivators.

Once someone entered the Spirit Awakening Realm, their lifespan increased somewhat, and the changes brought about by aging became much less pronounced.

Indeed, Lu Shishui had broken through to the Spirit Awakening Realm two years ago.

"Father." Lu Yang greeted his father.

"Yang’er!"

Lu Shishui immediately stood up, walking around the desk and examining his eldest son with a satisfied expression.

"When did you arrive? Why didn’t you send word beforehand?"

Lu Yang said, "I arrived just now. I thought I’d come directly to see you."

Lu Shishui nodded and then looked towards Lu Hanqing.

"Hanqing, have someone prepare some tea and inform your mother that your elder brother has returned."

"Yes, father."

Lu Hanqing smiled before leaving the study.

Once the door closed, Lu Shishui turned his attention back to Lu Yang, motioning for him to sit.

"How have things been in the Imperial Capital?"

Lu Yang sat down, speaking casually.

"Everything is fine. Grandfather is doing well, and Aunt Lin is healthy."

"That’s good."

Lu Shishui nodded.

He then asked about Lu Hai’s condition, Wen Fanghong, and several other things regarding his days in the Imperial Prison.

Lu Yang answered truthfully, asking questions of his own, and gained a better understanding of what happened this year in Canglan Prefecture.

After his father’s breakthrough two years ago, his ability to protect himself had improved greatly, so Lu Yang was no longer as tense as before.

Since the assassination attempt years ago, Lu Yang had not discovered any further traces of people targeting his family.

However, he had never truly let down his guard even when nothing unusual happened.

Now, with his father having entered the Spirit Awakening Realm, the family’s ability to protect itself was far greater than before, and at least a Spirit Awakening cultivator was required to take him down.

Perhaps that, combined with his current official position as Vice-Prefect, was one reason why no one had attempted anything further.