The Li Family's Probing [Seeking Follow-up]

Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing both wanted to pretend they hadn't seen or heard a thing.

But since Lu Jing'an had acted this way, it was impossible for them to truly ignore it.

The heart-palpitating silence lasted only a moment.

CRACK—!

Lu Jing'an suddenly snatched up the mutton-fat jade wine cup from the table and, without even looking, smashed it fiercely against the floor!

The crisp sound exploded, and shards of porcelain mixed with leftover wine splattered everywhere. A few droplets even landed on the tips of Situ Yiyun's polished leather shoes.

"A pack of ungrateful wolves, the lot of them."

Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing stood to the side, silent as cicadas in winter. They couldn't tell if he was talking about them or the Lin Family.

The brief, deathly silence was suffocating.

In the end, Situ Yiyun was the first to break. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he steeled himself to step forward, bowing so low his waist was nearly parallel to the ground. His voice carried just the right amount of deference:

"Please calm your anger, Young Master Lu. If there is any way I, Situ, can be of service, pray, just give the command!"

Chen Heqing snapped out of his daze and hurriedly followed suit, offering a deep bow with a strained voice:

"I am but a simple martial artist with no other talents, but I am at your disposal, Young Master Lu. I will follow any order without question!"

Lu Jing'an acted as if he had just realized they were there, his tone turning calm:

"What is the meaning of this, you two masters? I wasn't targeting you just now. I was talking about those ungrateful wolves in the Lin Family. The Lin Family has thrived these past few years by relying on my Lu Family, and now that they've used us up, they intend to just walk away? It is nothing short of ungrateful."

Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing chimed in with repeated, sycophantic agreement.

Lu Jing'an shifted his tone again: "Although this matter has nothing to do with you two, I am still very moved by your stance just now. On behalf of my father, I thank you both."

Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing could only continue to echo his sentiments. "You are too kind, Young Master Lu! Too kind!" As for how bitter they felt inside, only they themselves knew.

Lu Jing'an's attempt to win over these two masters was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. When Chen Xuan had brought the two of them over, Lu Jing'an had already made up his mind. He even suspected that Chen Xuan bringing them here was a deliberate move by him and his father to hand him an opportunity to recruit them. After all, these two were not yet worth Lu Huaiqian's personal intervention.

With the people from the Xiaoshan Li Family having arrived, the waters of Yinshan County would never be calm again. From here on out, it was time for the Lu Family to sit back and watch the show.

Still, the stage had been overturned by someone else.

Reduced to a mere spectator.

Everything now depended on the methods of each party.

Yinshan County might look like it was dominated by the Lu Family.

But in reality, undercurrents were surging.

Otherwise, no one would have dared to set their sights.

On the crown prince of Yinshan County himself.

Come to think of it, the Lu Family's foundation was still too shallow.

Tying Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing to the Lu Family's war chariot in advance.

Would settle more than half of the martial arts world in Yinshan County.

The sparring continued in the afternoon.

The threat from the Li Family felt like a thorn in his back.

Lu Jing'an had to race against time to improve his strength.

Lu Jing'an naturally hoped he would never have to enter the fray himself.

But if the moment truly came when he had no choice but to act.

He had to possess the power to maintain absolute control over the situation.

After an afternoon of practice.

Lu Jing'an's experience in execution had clearly improved significantly.

When seeing Situ Yiyun and the other off.

Lu Jing'an had his men prepare one thousand silver dollars for each of them as a gratuity.

With this.

Neither Situ Yiyun nor his companion felt bitter anymore.

They both left satisfied.

Lu Jing'an stood under the porch, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.

Just as he was about to turn around, the conversation of two idlers at the mouth of a nearby alley.

Drifted into his ears on the wind.

"Look at the Li Family's display!

Two whole trucks full of betrothal gifts.

Silks, foreign goods, and wooden crates packed to the brim.

It's blinding under the sun!"

"Isn't that the truth? The most extravagant display in all of Yinshan County!

Miss Lin is truly blessed; the face they're giving her, tsk tsk..."

Lu Jing'an said to the person beside him:

"Grab those two, beat them up, make it look miserable, and then dump them at the Lin Family's doorstep."

"Yes, Young Master."

The servant did not question Lu Jing'an's order at all.

He immediately took men to seize them.

The two passersby.

Suddenly grabbed.

Panicked instantly, and in their terror, they shouted loudly:

"What right do you have to arrest us?"

"We were just passing by!"

"What law have we broken?"

Hearing this, Lu Jing'an turned around slowly.

Unhurriedly.

He pulled a gleaming.

Golden Western pocket watch from his inner jacket pocket.

The chain dangled lightly from his fingertips.

With a cold gaze, he flicked his wrist.

The pocket watch traced a short arc.

Click!

The pocket watch landed precisely into the open coat pocket of one of the men.

"You two stole my pocket watch; now you can fight."

The two men turned pale as ghosts, their souls fleeing in terror.

They had indeed taken the money.

They were stationed here to intentionally say those things within Lu Jing'an's earshot, hoping to get under his skin.

The person who paid them had sworn up and down.

Young Master Lu cared too much about his status and would never resort to violence.

But right now.

Lu Jing'an truly intended to beat them to death.

"Young Master Lu, Young Master Lu, we know we were wrong."

"We were blinded by greed; we shouldn't have taken someone else's money to intentionally disgust you."

"Young Master Lu, please spare us."

Lu Jing'an, however, couldn't be bothered to listen any longer.

It was as if he had merely brushed a speck of insignificant dust from his sleeve.

He turned and walked straight back to the mansion, leaving the shrill pleas for mercy behind him.

For such petty scoundrels who hid their heads and showed their tails, daring only to provoke with words.

A beating was the most direct and effective lesson.

Lu Jing'an's actions were naturally reported to Lu Huaiqian.

However, Lu Huaiqian did not react to this in the slightest.

As for the two men ordered to be beaten by Lu Jing'an.

After being pummeled by the Lu Family guards for half an hour.

Until they were black and blue, barely recognizable as human.

They were tossed like tattered sacks in front of the grand gates of the Lin Mansion.

This attitude from the Lu Family truly gave Lin Shouxin quite a fright.

Because of this matter.

Lin Shouxin hurriedly sought out the person in charge sent by the Li Family.

The person sent by the Li Family to deliver the betrothal gifts and oversee affairs.

Was a strategist under the Li Family, serving a role equivalent to a private advisor.

Many of the Li Family's affairs were orchestrated by this advisor.

Sending this advisor here this time.

Showed just how much the Li Family valued this marriage alliance.

Of course, what they valued was certainly not the Lin Family, but the Lu Family.

This time, the Li Family intended to use this marriage alliance.

To break the spine of the Lu Family.

To make the Lu Family completely lose their prestige.

To completely strip them of the ability to compete for the position of Commissioner.

At the same time, for the Li Family, after securing the position of Commissioner.

It would serve as a head start to turn around and swallow the Lu Family whole.

Inside the side chamber, Li Jinglin listened to what Lin Shouxin had to say.

Far from being anxious, he gave a faint smile instead.

"The Lu Family beating those men is a good thing."

"I don't fear the Lu Family striking back."

"I only fear the Lu Family remaining still and swallowing their pride."

"Now that the Lu Family has made a move."

"It shows that the Lu Family is burning with anger."

"The current Lu Family can only use such methods to display their authority."

Lin Shouxin listened to Li Jinglin's words.

Although he felt it made sense.

But what if the Lu Family truly decides to jump over the wall like a cornered dog?

If they come directly to strike the Lin Family.

Then it is they who will suffer the pain when the time comes.

Li Jinglin seemed to perceive the worry in Lin Shouxin's heart.

"Master Lin, set your heart at ease."

Li Jinglin set down his teacup lid, his voice steady and carrying the composure of one who controls the situation.

"For now, let the Lu Family toss and turn as they please.

The more they jump, the greater the commotion they make.

The harder their faces will be slapped when the time comes."

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and dropped a bombshell:

"I will not hide it from you, Master Lin; in two days, I shall spread the word.

Our Eldest Young Master Li will personally come to Yinshan County to welcome the bride."

"Wh... what?!"

Lin Shouxin's eyes widened abruptly, and he became incoherent with excitement.

"Eldest Young Master Li... coming personally to welcome the bride?

Th-this... what virtue or ability does my daughter possess to deserve such an honor!"

Li Jinglin watched Lin Shouxin's display.

He could not help but feel disdain in his heart for Lin Shouxin's lack of worldly experience.

Eldest Young Master Li coming in person.

Naturally, it was not for a mere Lin Qingyi.

It was to personally suppress the Lu Family.

As soon as this news was released.

The more unyielding the Lu Family acted now.

The more ridiculous and pathetic they would appear when faced with the magnificent momentum of Eldest Young Master Li's arrival.

Unless the Lu Family truly wished for an irreconcilable feud with the Li Family.

Otherwise, they would never dare to do anything more excessive to the Lin Family under the very eyes of Eldest Young Master Li.

Could they really dare to present the Li Family with a corpse?

If that were the case, it would be a situation of life and death.

Having received a definitive answer from Li Jinglin.

Lin Shouxin no longer harbored the slightest bit of worry in his heart.

As long as Eldest Young Master Li came in person.

The Lu Family would certainly not dare to do anything to his Lin Family.

Lin Shouxin eventually took his leave and departed from Li Jinglin's room.

Not long after Lin Shouxin left.

Another person silently slipped into Li Jinglin's room.

This person had a lean build, and his earlobes were larger than those of an ordinary person.

His eyes contained a hidden glimmer of light; he was one of the cultivators Li Jinglin had brought from Xiaoshan.

A Listening Cultivator skilled in eavesdropping and reconnaissance.

The Listening Cultivator came before Li Jinglin and spoke respectfully:

"Steward Li, there is a martial arts expert of unknown strength at the Lu Family residence."

"I had just intended to listen in when I was discovered by the other party."

"They locked onto me instantly; had I not retreated quickly, I fear I would have been exposed."

Li Jinglin heard the words of his subordinate, the Listening Cultivator.

He did not feel the slightest bit surprised.

It was clearly impossible for the Lu Family to have risen so quickly without the protection of a great expert.

Li Jinglin had not truly expected to be able to find out anything anyway.

"Go and rest, and do not approach the old Lu Family residence again."

"Follow the previous plan and go elsewhere to collect the key intelligence needed to take over Yinshan County in the future."

Watching Listening Cultivator hesitate, Li Jinglin couldn't help but ask, "Has something happened on Lawrence's end?"

Seeing Li Jinglin inquire, Listening Cultivator no longer held back.

"Lawrence went straight to the hall as soon as he arrived."

"He booked ten girls in one go."

"Your subordinate is worried that he is too conspicuous and will alert the Lu Family."

Hearing Listening Cultivator's words, Li Jinglin's brows furrowed slightly.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Jinglin finally said:

"Let him be. Given his strength, unless that martial cultivator from the Lu Family takes action personally, ordinary people cannot get close to him."

Pausing for a moment, Li Jinglin asked, "Is there anything else?"

Listening Cultivator shook his head, then left Li Jinglin's room.

The room returned to silence.

Li Jinglin sipped his tea alone.

He gazed at the deepening twilight of Yinshan County outside the window.

His fingers tapped silently on the tabletop as he deduced various possibilities in his mind.

About half an hour later.

In a private room on the second floor of Yuelai Restaurant, two streets away from the Lin Mansion, the window facing the street was open.

Lu Jing'an placed a few silver dollars on the table.

Accompanied by two seemingly ordinary attendants.

He walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace.

Merging into the thinning crowd on the street, he headed toward the Lu Mansion.

Just moments ago, he had been in this restaurant.

He [heard] the news he wanted to hear.

And he [saw] the person he wanted to see.

On the chessboard, the opponent's pieces were already in place.

Now, it was his turn to make a move.