The County Lieutenant's Special Gift!

When news spread through the county yamen that Lu Feng had gravely wounded Li An and captured him, many constables and yamen runners found it hard to believe.

In their minds, Lu Feng was nothing more than an ordinary, mediocre constable.

Aside from gambling and drinking in brothels, he had never shown the ability to deal with an expert like Li An.

But the reality stood before them, and many struggled to accept it.

When Lu Feng arrived at the yamen room again, those same yamen runners and constables actually took the initiative to greet him.

And their faces all wore expressions of surprise and fawning.

Seeing this, Lu Feng responded briefly, maintaining his usual demeanor.

After signing in, he left the county yamen and continued his patrol of West Street.

But when he reached the West Street docks, the Caobang disciples' gazes toward him became evasive.

To this, Lu Feng only gave a cold smile. This so-called Caobang, on the surface, was a legitimate gang managing the docks and river transport.

In reality, they were nothing but a bloodsucking mafia.

This bunch collected fees from passing boats while also squeezing the dock coolies for their hard-earned money.

For every ten coppers a dock coolie earned, they took four.

Before, these matters had nothing to do with him. But now that Caobang had provoked him, once his strength and status rose, he would eventually uproot the entire gang.

Soon, the afternoon street patrol ended without any special incidents. When he returned home, however, he saw Captain Fang standing outside waiting for him.

Lu Feng didn't know much about this captain; they had no real connection.

He only knew that the other was also an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, and Lu Yan had said this man belonged to the county lieutenant.

Seeing him appear, Captain Fang immediately smiled and walked over. "Lu Feng, Fang has been waiting here for you for some time."

Lu Feng cupped his hands in greeting. "So it's Captain Fang. May I ask what business you have with me?"

"Heh, it's not me looking for you—it's the county lieutenant who wishes to see you!"

"The county lieutenant?!" Lu Feng raised an eyebrow, thoughts stirring within.

"Correct! The county lieutenant has already prepared a banquet at Hongman Tower. Would Constable Lu be willing to grace us with your presence?"

Lu Feng thought briefly, then nodded. "Since the county lieutenant has invited me, I naturally won't refuse."

"Heh, then please follow me, Constable Lu."

With that, Lu Feng followed Captain Fang all the way to a private room in Hongman Tower.

As soon as he entered, he saw a vigorous man around thirty years old sitting in the host's seat, drinking tea.

This man was none other than Qinglu County's County Lieutenant, Li Muyuan.

Lu Feng stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Subordinate Lu Feng pays respects to the county lieutenant!"

Li Muyuan set down his teacup, looked him over carefully, and then said with a smile.

"Lu Feng, no need for such formality. Sit down first, and we'll talk."

Once Lu Feng was seated, Li Muyuan spoke again. "I heard that today on West Street, you gravely wounded Li An and captured him, bringing him back to the yamen. Is that correct?"

Seeing him ask about this, Lu Feng wasn't sure what the county lieutenant wanted with him.

He had never had any connection with this man, not even a single conversation.

Of all people, he knew the least about this county lieutenant.

Lu Feng nodded. "Yes, my lord. This morning while patrolling West Street, I was attacked by Li An. I had no choice but to defend myself, and the rest followed from there."

"I see. But that you could gravely wound Li An was unexpected to me. Now that the county yamen is electing a new captain, do you have any thoughts on it?"

Lu Feng frowned slightly. Li Muyuan kept testing him with words but never stated the real reason for summoning him, leaving him unable to guess the man's intentions.

"In reply, my lord, I do have thoughts on the new captain position, and I have already registered."

Li Muyuan smiled faintly after hearing this. "Mm, it's right for a young man to have drive. But do you know whose man Li An is?"

Lu Feng pretended not to know and shook his head. "I do not, my lord."

"Heh. Li An and Caobang are backed by County Assistant Zhou Yongsi. By capturing Li An, you've offended this man. Do you understand?"

After saying this, Li Muyuan stared intently at Lu Feng's expression, but the latter remained calm, as if unconcerned about offending the county assistant.

"Lord Li, I was merely enforcing the law impartially. Someone tried to kill me, so I naturally wouldn't just stand by! As for who I might offend by doing so, I don't care," Lu Feng replied.

At these words, Li Muyuan raised an eyebrow. "What you say is true, but Zhou Yongsi is not only the county assistant—his Zhou Family is also a prominent clan. Aren't you worried about them retaliating against you in private?"

Hearing this, Lu Feng had already guessed what Li Muyuan wanted. He was simply trying to recruit him into his own faction.

So Lu Feng spoke directly. "Lord Li, if you have something to say, just say it plainly. There's no need for all this testing."

Li Muyuan didn't take offense but instead laughed. "Heh, very well, then I'll speak plainly! The reason I called you here is to invite you to join my side. If you agree, I can guarantee that no one will dare touch you—not even the county assistant."

Lu Feng thought it over briefly and replied, "I thank the lord for thinking so highly of me, but I need to consider this matter carefully."

Li Muyuan gave a slight nod. "Fine. When you've made your decision, you can find Captain Fang anytime."

"Yes, your subordinate has it noted!"

With that, Lu Feng rose to leave the private room, but Li Muyuan spoke again. "Lu Feng, this official has one more gift for you."

Lu Feng paused mid-step as Captain Fang handed over a bundle.

"Lu Feng, this bundle was obtained a year ago when the County Lieutenant suppressed the nearby mountain bandits."

Lu Feng took the bundle and opened it. Inside lay a book and a jade pendant.

The book appeared to be a martial arts secret manual, one he had never seen before, but the jade pendant was all too familiar.

Looking at the tiny chip on the pendant, he could confirm with absolute certainty that it belonged to the Original Owner's father.

"Lord Li, where did you get this?" Lu Feng asked, turning to Li Muyuan.

Though the original body was dead, the memories of his father still lingered in this flesh.

Now that this jade pendant had appeared before him, as the inheritor of this body, he naturally had to ask for clarity.

However, Li Muyuan did not answer his question directly. Instead, he chuckled. "Heh, the next time we meet, this official will naturally tell you the origin of this item."

With that, the man rose and left the private room. Lu Feng stared at the bundle in his hands, lost in thought.

The meaning of his words was simple: he would only reveal the pendant's origin once Lu Feng joined his camp.

Seeing the two leave, Lu Feng did not linger. He tucked the bundle into his chest and hurried back home.