Laying the Trap

Chapter 39: The Setup

The Third Prince?

Lu Zhaojin recalled that Xu Huan had also mentioned something about a Third Prince before he died.

Behind the rectification of Mount Qi, it wasn't just the imperial dynasty pushing things; it seemed this Third Prince was also involved.

This Qi Yanqiu before him was also one of the Third Prince's men. And what was his objective in Luoxia City?

Qi Yanqiu's words and actions were all aimed at helping him control the Li Family, or rather, the Brocade Merchant Guild.

So, Qi Yanqiu's appearance in Luoxia City must be for Li Xiufang.

Then how would they deal with Li Xiufang?

Send someone to assassinate her?

Doing so would only enrage the Li Family. If they then launched a full-scale investigation to find the killer, it would be inconvenient for them.

Moreover, Li Xiufang would definitely have experts protecting her.

Lu Wenxiu was likely just a visible guardian; the number and strength of those hidden in the shadows were still unknown.

If they were to fail due to unforeseen circumstances, the losses would outweigh the gains.

So, they intended to make a move against the Brocade Merchant Guild?

Lu Zhaojin remembered Niu Hang mentioning the Exquisite Treasure Tower, which was similar in nature to the Brocade Merchant Guild. It was practically a copy. Thus, with proper handling, it could indeed replace it.

However, due to Lu Zhaojin's appearance, the Chen Family's plan seemed to have been stillborn.

But the Exquisite Treasure Tower still stood and operated without the Chen Family, indicating that the Chen Family was merely the figurehead. A massive shadow loomed behind the Exquisite Treasure Tower.

Lu Zhaojin looked at the middle-aged man in the long gown before him and didn't need to guess further. The mastermind behind all this must be that Third Prince.

Lu Zhaojin pondered for a moment and said, "I killed Xu Huan, which disrupted the Third Prince's arrangements at Mount Qi. Even so, the Third Prince is still willing to help me?"

Qi Yanqiu said heartily, "The Third Prince is benevolent and magnanimous. Naturally, he wouldn't blame you. On the contrary, Xu Huan was careless in his actions and short-sighted, only thinking of personal revenge. How could he achieve great things?"

He was indifferent to Xu Huan's death, "It's better that he's dead; it saves me some effort."

Lu Zhaojin only listened to Qi Yanqiu's praise of the Third Prince. If he took it seriously, he wouldn't know how he died. "Allow me a few days to consider."

Qi Yanqiu nodded, "This is no small matter. It's right for the young hero to take a few days to consider."

A dangerous glint flashed in his narrow phoenix eyes, "However, I hope the young hero considers carefully. Time waits for no one."

Lu Zhaojin didn't take the threat to heart. Instead, he thought that once he broke through to the Sixth Rank, the first person he would kill was this Qi Yanqiu.

As for the City Lord Cheng Yan, Lu Zhaojin planned to stay in Luoxia City for now. When night fell, he would deal with him and then leave under the cover of darkness.

The two watched Lu Zhaojin's departing figure.

Cheng Yan, who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but say, "Lord Qi, why bother telling him all this? This brat is a threat. He should have been killed on the spot."

Qi Yanqiu's smile faded. He clasped his hands behind his back and said sternly, "Why do you think Lu Zhaojin came to see me so fearlessly?"

Cheng Yan shook his head, indicating he didn't understand.

Qi Yanqiu narrowed his eyes slightly. "I sensed a terrifying power within Lu Zhaojin, like a fierce wind, like thunder. If we provoke him, none of us will fare well."

He looked at Cheng Yan, "You might even die."

Cheng Yan knew Lu Zhaojin was strong from last night, but he hadn't expected him to be so formidable that even Qi Yanqiu found him troublesome. "Then aren't we nurturing a tiger by keeping him alive?"

Qi Yanqiu's gaze drifted towards the door. "Has the Chen Family found Lu Jinlin?"

Cheng Yan replied, "They've located him, but Lu Jinlin's strength is not to be underestimated. The people the Chen Family sent were almost wiped out by him. However, the Dingshan Sect also has a grudge against Lu Zhaojin. An elder from the Dingshan Sect intervened, which is why the Chen Family suffered such heavy losses."

Qi Yanqiu strode away, his parting words echoing in Cheng Yan's ears, "Since that's the case, to ensure everything goes smoothly, I'll make a trip to Mount Qi myself."

Lu Zhaojin walked from the city tower towards the Brocade Building.

This time, Lu Wenxiu was also present, but his complexion was grim. His upper body was bare, with white gauze wrapped around his right shoulder to cover the wound.

Seeing Lu Wenxiu injured, Lu Zhaojin asked, "What happened?"

Lu Wenxiu exhaled deeply, his voice weakened slightly. "Don't mention it. On the way back, I ran into someone blocking my path. They were powerful, and I wasn't their match. If it weren't for my talent in movement techniques, I wouldn't have escaped alive even with my full effort."

Lu Zhaojin hadn't learned any movement techniques. "Brother Lu, would you be willing to let me study your movement technique?"

Lu Wenxiu was much older than Lu Zhaojin, but he didn't mind being called brother. Instead, he felt a sense of closeness. "Brother Lu, you're too polite. It's not a particularly remarkable movement technique anyway, so there's no reason why I wouldn't share it. I'll go get it for you."

Lu Wenxiu sat up from the bed, and the movement pulled at his wound, causing him to gasp in pain. Just then, Li Xiufang pushed the door open, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup. The moment she saw Lu Wenxiu sitting up, her eyes sharpened slightly. "Who told you to sit up? Your injury isn't healed yet. Lie down properly."

Li Xiufang placed the medicinal soup on the table beside the bed and helped Lu Wenxiu lie down. She then looked at Lu Zhaojin, "You don't know how to take care of the injured. What are you doing here?"

Lu Zhaojin shrugged. He indeed didn't know how to care for people; he only knew how to kill. However, he didn't argue with Li Xiufang, as she was genuinely concerned about Lu Wenxiu's injury. "I just came from the City Lord's mansion."

Li Xiufang's delicate eyebrows furrowed. "What did Cheng Yan say to you?"

Lu Zhaojin shook his head. "It wasn't Cheng Yan, but I met someone else. Cheng Yan called him Lord Qi."

Li Xiufang pondered for a moment but couldn't figure out who this Lord Qi was. There were quite a few officials with the surname Qi in the imperial dynasty, so she didn't dare to guess randomly. If she guessed wrong and the Li family wrongly accused someone, the repercussions wouldn't be good.

Besides, her Li family had no one serving in the imperial court. This was a rule left by their ancestors: merchants do not enter the court.

She hadn't understood before why such a rule existed. But ever since she started working for the family's merchant guild these past few years, having frequently interacted with high-ranking officials and influential figures, she discovered that the court was far, far deeper than the world of merchants—a bottomless abyss.

She considered herself quite skilled in commerce, but in the imperial court, it was like showing off your carpentry skills in front of Lu Ban.

Lu Zhaojin didn't dwell on Qi Yanqiu any further. Instead, he asked about the Li Family, "The Li Family's current situation must be quite dire, right?"

Li Xiufang didn't answer directly. "This isn't something you should concern yourself with at your age. You should focus on how to help your father bring my sister out of the Li Family."

Lu Zhaojin replied, "My father said he wants to do it himself and doesn't need my help."

Li Xiufang scoffed. "I don't know what my sister was thinking, choosing such a proud man."

Lu Zhaojin glanced at Lu Wenxiu. Although he didn't know Lu Wenxiu's relationship with Li Xiufang, judging by the worry in Li Xiufang's eyes and the bowl of medicinal soup on the table, they were likely more than just ordinary friends.

Lu Wenxiu took a sip of the medicinal soup. The effects were excellent, and his complexion had improved considerably. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and then spoke, "Brother Lu, I'm unable to move around easily, so I'll have to trouble you to get it yourself. That Movement Technique is in the cabinet. If you look around, you should be able to find it."