Aristocratic Clans

Join the Lu aristocratic clan? That choice had never really been within Chu Danqing's considerations.

But things were different now. He had saved a Lu clan daughter, which gave him a greater advantage than joining the government or the Way of Peace.

As for Lu Qiaoyun's stated reasons, Chu Danqing did not care much about them.

More than likely, she was merely following along with what he had said.

After washing their clothes clean in the washing machine and drying them along the way, the two headed together for Yangxian County.

Along the way, Chu Danqing also inquired about Yangxian County's situation. After a great snowfall, there were suddenly many more disaster victims.

The government was providing relief, and the Way of Peace was distributing talisman water, yet they still could not stop people from dying every day.

Only people from great aristocratic clans like Lu Qiaoyun remained unaffected.

Meanwhile, Chu Danqing was considering how he might offer what little help he could.

But after looking over what he had on hand, he truly lacked the means. It would be all too easy for his good intentions to backfire and drag himself into the mess as well.

Thus, he could only let the matter rest for now and observe first.

Upon entering Yangxian County, he safely escorted her to the entrance of the Lu residence.

"Where has Elder Sister gone to enjoy herself? Your little brother has been waiting here for quite some time."

A voice came from behind the residence gates. It was not loud, and it sounded somewhat weak.

A servant-like man pushed a plain carriage—a wheelchair.

Seated in the plain carriage was a frail-looking youth, dressed in thick brocade robes and a great fur cloak, cradling a small brazier to warm his hands.

He seemed to have been waiting for quite a while.

His gaze first settled on Lu Qiaoyun, then shifted to Chu Danqing and Da Bao.

"Little Brother Yin, why are you here?" Lu Qiaoyun frowned. "Your body is weak. What if the wind and snow of this bitter winter harm you?"

"It is nothing." The youth did not care in the slightest. "It is not as if I have never been blown by the wind in previous years."

"I am simply curious. Why did Elder Sister head out so early in the morning?"

Lu Qiaoyun's eyes flickered as she offered an explanation. "I heard that an extraordinary person had come to Yangxian County, so I rose early to recruit him."

As she spoke, perhaps because she was lying, her gaze unconsciously darted toward Chu Danqing.

"This must be the gentleman, then." The youth smoothly steered the conversation toward Chu Danqing. "I am Lu Yin. Thank you, sir, for protecting my elder sister on her journey home."

Lu Qiaoyun did not notice the problem in those words, but Chu Danqing did.

"It was merely a convenient matter, not worth thanks." Chu Danqing sensed that this Lu Yin was no simple character.

The other man clearly knew about Lu Qiaoyun's elopement.

"To tame such a strange beast, sir's reputation as an extraordinary person is no empty name. It is rare for my elder sister to show such discerning judgment even once."

"Inviting sir into the Lu residence is also a blessing for our Lu family." Lu Yin did not know Chu Danqing's circumstances, but since he had come here, he had presumably agreed already.

Chu Danqing's eyelid twitched. As expected of siblings—they both wanted to tie him down.

After pondering it over, he ultimately decided to speak honestly. "I came to Yangxian County intending to join the government and earn a living, while also seeking some heavenly treasures to make up for Da Bao's congenital deficiencies."

"With the two of you inviting me, I had intended to refuse. But then I thought, with people around, things are easier to handle."

"Therefore, let us be villains before gentlemen. If I serve the Lu clan, what benefits can I receive?"

Lu Qiaoyun, standing beside Lu Yin, pointed at Da Bao. "He is Da Bao. He is a person, not a beast."

Hearing this, Lu Yin merely felt that Chu Danqing was an honest man.

"Though my elder sister is not the eldest legitimate child, my father has only this one daughter."

"Moreover, sir is a man of genuine ability. If you are willing to enter the Lu residence, you will certainly be treated generously."

"The Lu clan's prospects and official career cannot compare to the government's, yet the government is riddled with intertwined roots. It is naturally not difficult for sir to earn a living there, but seeking heavenly treasures would not be as convenient as it is through our Lu clan."

Hearing Lu Yin say this, Chu Danqing did not know whether it was true or false, so he glanced at Da Bao from the corner of his eye.

Da Bao gave a slight nod, feeling that there was no problem.

"Then I will rely on your guidance from now on." Chu Danqing directly chose to join the Lu aristocratic clan.

One thing Lu Yin had said was right: joining the government was easy, but climbing upward was far from easy.

How difficult was it to obtain a promotion?

As for the Way of Peace, it was ultimately an outsider.

The Lu clan offered a better path upward, so there was no need for Chu Danqing to give it up.

You have joined the Lu aristocratic clan's faction

Trial Mission completed. You have received: Paradise Points ×500

Next-stage mission activated

Trial Mission: Become a Lu Clan Retainer within seven days

Trial difficulty: D-rank (Normal)

Trial reward: Paradise Points ×1000, Attribute Points +1

Trial failure: Paradise Points -2000

There were actually Attribute Points in a D-rank Trial Mission? Was that reasonable?

That was not reasonable at all, was it? An A-rank evaluation only gave 2 Attribute Points. This was simply turning heaven and earth upside down.

But he quickly came to his senses. At this stage, for Reserve-grade Dimension Apostles, even a C-rank could be presented as an achievement on their record.

If missions did not award Attribute Points, most Apostles would have no way to obtain them.

All he could say was that Paradise was truly generous.

The most valuable thing in the settlement is the evaluation itself, not Paradise Points or Attribute Points. Chu Danqing understood the reason.

But even so, it was not so easy for Apostles to complete D-rank missions.

"Sir, please come into the residence for a talk. There is no need to stand outside in the wind." After saying this, Lu Yin turned to Lu Qiaoyun. "Mother was just calling for Elder Sister. It is not too late to go now."

Lu Qiaoyun gave an "Ah!" and, after telling Lu Yin to receive Chu Danqing properly, entered the residence ahead of them.

Lu Yin did not neglect propriety. He led Chu Danqing into the Lu residence, introducing him to quite a few things along the way.

"As for my elder sister's matter, the great righteousness sir displayed is something the Lu clan dares not forget. It is only that sir is, in the end, too softhearted."

"The Lu clan has already handled the aftermath and cleaned up the loose ends for sir." Lu Yin suddenly said.

Chu Danqing was not surprised that Lu Yin knew about the matter, but he was puzzled. "Miss Lu is your elder sister. You simply watched her be deceived like that?"

"A blade is sharpened on stone; a person is tempered through affairs." Lu Yin said, "If Elder Sister does not suffer once, there will be another time."

"I hope sir will not spread word of this matter. Let it pass as though it never happened." Lu Yin further instructed Chu Danqing.

"Rest assured, I am not a gossip." Chu Danqing would hardly go around talking. It concerned someone else's reputation.

"Sir has traveled far and must be weary. Rest for now; I will obtain a retainer position for you." With Chu Danqing's assurance, Lu Yin offered him a tangible benefit.

Chu Danqing had not expected the second-stage Trial Mission to be completed so easily.

The only thing left was to wait for time to pass.

"Then many thanks, Young Master Lu." Chu Danqing did not know the requirements for becoming a Lu Clan Retainer, but with Lu Yin helping him skip the intermediate steps, his advantage in taking the initiative would be even greater.

"What is there to thank me for? I should be the one thanking sir." After arranging everything, Lu Yin left directly.

However, he did not leave Chu Danqing alone. He left behind two maids to attend him, whom Chu Danqing could directly instruct if he needed anything.