Visiting the Lu Family!

"How was it? What rank did you get in the Martial Examination?" Wang Chen pressed on.

Lu Feng pretended to sigh. "Ah, there were quite a few experts in this Martial Examination, but I still managed to take first place."

The first half of his words made Wang Chen think he hadn't achieved much, but the second half left Wang Chen stunned.

"What did you say?! You got first place in the Martial Examination?!"

Lu Feng smiled back. "Mm, that's right! First place in the Martial Examination!"

Upon receiving his confirmation, Wang Chen's eyes flew wide open.

Earlier, Wang Chen had predicted Lu Feng's results, thinking he could at least break into the top ten, but whether he'd make the top three was uncertain.

Yet now Lu Feng claimed first place—a result that completely exceeded Wang Chen's expectations.

After a moment, Wang Chen burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! Excellent! As expected of Brother Lu Feng, the County Magistrate truly didn't misjudge you."

As a retainer of the Wang Family, Wang Chen naturally prioritized the family's interests above all.

With Lu Feng taking first place in the Martial Examination in Baiyue County, County Magistrate Wang Lichuan would also earn some credit.

In his delight, Wang Chen even took the initiative to treat Lu Feng to a hearty meal, celebrating his first-place achievement in the Martial Examination.

Lu Feng didn't refuse, so the two headed to the Yunwei Pavilion and ordered a full table.

During the meal, Lu Feng also shared the task assigned to them by Prefect Xu.

Wang Chen was startled at first, then said, "Lu Feng, the danger level of this mission to encircle the Northern Wei scouts is no small matter. You must be cautious above all else. If you notice anything off, remember to flee immediately—don't try to be a hero."

Lu Feng nodded. "Brother Wang's words are reasonable. Lu has taken them to heart!"

Afterward, the two ate and drank their fill before returning to the inn. Lu Feng then pondered what gift to bring to the Lu Family tomorrow.

"Hm?! The Lu Family is a noble family in the county seat—they surely lack neither gold nor treasures. So I'll have to give this instead."

With that, he borrowed paper and brush from the innkeeper and recorded some insights from his martial arts training.

This manuscript wasn't a Martial Arts Manual, but it described special realizations from cultivating a Cultivation Method to the Mastery Realm and Transcendent.

Such a manuscript was rarely given away lightly by martial practitioners, usually reserved only for direct disciples.

After finishing his notes, night had already fallen. Lu Feng tidied up and went to sleep.

The next morning, Lu Feng washed up briefly, practiced in his room for a while, and when the time reached the second ke of the Hour of the Snake, he set off toward the Lu Family estate in the county seat.

A quarter-hour later, a massive courtyard appeared before Lu Feng, with a plaque on its gate bearing the words "Lu Residence."

"Mm, this should be the place!"

Lu Feng straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and knocked on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock!~"

The next moment, the door slowly opened, revealing a middle-aged man in servant's attire.

He sized up Lu Feng, then his eyes lit up. "May I ask if you are Lu Feng?"

Lu Feng nodded. "That is Lu."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged servant immediately put on a smiling face. "So it's Young Master Lu. The young lady has instructed that you are an honored guest. Please, come in!"

Lu Feng said nothing more and followed him into the Lu Residence.

Once inside, he noticed not only the estate's vast size but also the lavish decoration and furniture.

Moreover, the Lu Residence had no shortage of servants and maids, all of whom greeted him with proper bows—a clear sign of good family upbringing.

"No wonder they're an ancient noble family—they really do have something to them," Lu Feng thought to himself.

Before long, he followed the servant into a large hall.

The middle-aged servant clasped his hands in a salute. "Young Master Lu, please wait here a moment. If you need anything, you may inform the attendants in the hall."

Lu Feng gave a slight nod. "Good, much obliged."

With that, the middle-aged servant left the hall, while Lu Feng sat in a grand armchair and observed his surroundings.

He noticed two maids in the hall, one of whom brought him a cup of hot tea and a plate of pastries.

Lu Feng picked up the teacup and took a sip, finding the flavor somewhat similar to the tea leaves Lu Yan had given him.

Just as he was savoring the tea, two figures slowly entered the hall.

Lu Feng looked up and saw that the newcomer was Lu Wei, while the other was a middle-aged man in ornate robes.

Seeing this, he immediately rose and clasped his hands. "Miss Lu, Lu has come to impose on you—please forgive the intrusion."

Lu Wei's expression was calm as she nodded. "Young Master Lu is too polite. You are here at my invitation—how could it be an imposition? Ah, and this is my father, the head of the Lu Family."

At that, Lu Feng turned and clasped his hands to the middle-aged man in ornate robes. "This Humble One is Lu Feng. Greetings to the Family Head Lu!"

The middle-aged man in ornate robes scrutinized Lu Feng carefully, then stroked his beard and chuckled. "Hehe, Young Master Lu need not stand on ceremony. Let us sit and talk first."

After they sat down, the two exchanged pleasantries, and then Lu Wei spoke seriously.

"Young Master Lu, what do you think of this mission to encircle the Northern Wei scouts?"

Turning to business, Lu Feng thought for a moment and replied, "Though this matter is quite dangerous, if we succeed in the encirclement, it will eliminate no small threat to our Baiyue County."

Lu Wei continued, "Then what do you think is Prefect Xu's reason for having us take on this task at this very moment?"

Hearing this, a flicker of doubt passed through Lu Feng's eyes—he truly hadn't given it much thought.

"Miss Lu, what do you mean by that?" Lu Feng asked curiously.

Lu Wei glanced at her father seated in the main seat, and the Lu Family Head slowly spoke, "Young Master Lu, in truth, Prefect Xu assigning you Martial Scholars this task was an order handed down from above."

After hearing this, Lu Feng's confusion deepened. "Family Head Lu, are you saying this encirclement mission wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision by the Prefect?"

"Exactly! Now that the Northern Wei Army is pressing the border, the entire Beiyuan Prefecture is in turmoil. Countless people have been displaced, fleeing the northern territories, and among them are no small number of local garrison troops," the Lu Family Head said gravely.

Lu Feng knew this well—there had been many refugees outside Baiyue County City before.

And most of the local garrison soldiers were recruited from among the common folk. Since the people wanted to flee Beiyuan Prefecture, it stood to reason that many of their family members serving in the army would run off with them.

Thinking this over, Lu Feng suddenly realized a serious problem: the garrison troops in every county and city of Beiyuan Prefecture had likely already lost a great many men.

"Family Head Lu, are you saying that Baiyue County City no longer has many garrison troops left? That's why the higher-ups arranged for us Martial Examination candidates to go after the Northern Wei scouts?" Lu Feng asked in surprise.

"Mm, that's right. Originally, Baiyue County City had ten thousand garrison troops, but now there are fewer than three thousand. And it's not just Baiyue County City—the other counties and cities nearby are the same."

Lu Feng frowned slightly. "In that case, do the people of Beiyuan Prefecture truly not believe that Yingmen Pass can hold back the Northern Wei Army?"

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing track next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.