Intelligence Summary [Seeking Follow-up Reads]

The next morning, the dining hall was filled with the fragrance of porridge and side dishes.

During breakfast, Lu Jing'an carefully updated Chen Xuan on the progress of his cultivation.

Upon hearing that Lu Jing'an had broken through to the second transformation of Qi and Blood, Chen Xuan showed no sign of surprise.

In his heart, he had long since concluded that Lu Jing'an possessed exceptional martial talent.

With such outstanding talent coupled with abundant resources, he saw this breakthrough as a natural progression.

This was precisely the impression Lu Jing'an had intended to cultivate in Chen Xuan from the very beginning.

After synchronizing his cultivation status, Lu Jing'an casually brought up the matter of finding a new sparring partner.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan set down his spoon and spoke frankly:

"Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing are already the best martial artists in this city. Their foundations and experience are both top-tier. If you wish to find sparring partners who surpass them, it will take some time."

Lu Jing'an understood this logic well.

This matter truly could not be rushed.

After breakfast, Lu Jing'an returned to his routine of solitary training.

In the courtyard, his stance was as steady as a rock as he hammered away at the wooden dummy, refining his basics over and over.

Soon, the wind of his fists rose, and every move and style, though lacking an opponent to respond, remained filled with potent force.

His Qi and Blood surged through his body in an endless flow, following the momentum of his strikes.

Even though he lacked a sparring partner for the moment, he did not slacken for a single second on the hard work required.

Once he finished his training and tidied up, he set out with a few household guards, just as he had in the previous days.

On the long street, whenever he heard people whispering or speaking with even the slightest disrespect toward the Lu Family, he would show no courtesy.

He would lead his men directly over to confront them, often resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement.

Over the past few days, he had vividly portrayed the image of a good-for-nothing playboy who, stung by his family's humiliation, could only vent his frustrations everywhere in a fit of impotent rage.

This caused quite a stir throughout the streets and alleys.

The news naturally reached the ears of Li Jinglin.

Learning that Lu Jing'an had only behaved for one night before reverting to his old ways, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

He felt even more at ease.

The more the Lu Family lost their composure and made a scene in front of others, the more he felt everything was under his control.

The more the Lu Family acted out now, the greater the humiliation they would suffer on the actual day.

When the time came, the contrast would only serve to make the prestige of the Li Family shine even brighter.

Days slipped away quietly like sand in an hourglass.

It had been exactly twenty days since Li Jinglin and his group entered Yinshan County.

Only eight days remained until the wedding date.

When the time came, the eldest young master of the Li Family would personally lead a procession to welcome the bride.

And in order to flaunt the magnificent grandeur of the Li Family, the people brought by Li Jinglin had been spending vast amounts of silver during these days, making lavish preparations everywhere.

Residents along the main thoroughfare of the county.

Every household was required to hang bright red lanterns.

For every one hung, each household would be rewarded with ten silver dollars on the spot.

The surface of the main road also had to be renovated and leveled.

This task naturally fell upon the county magistrate.

It could be considered a generous gift presented to the magistrate in advance.

All to facilitate the Xiaoshan Li Family taking control in the future.

Beyond this, there was the matter of utmost importance.

The security arrangements for the day of the wedding procession.

To this end, Li Jinglin had personally visited the Public Security Bureau.

He held a closed-door meeting with Lu Huaiqian.

What the two discussed, outsiders had no way of knowing.

But after Li Jinglin left, the usually mild-mannered Lu Huaiqian actually smashed a teacup.

However, The storm-like retaliation from the Lu Family that everyone expected.

Did not appear immediately.

Only Lu Jing'an, on that very evening.

Brought his men out to patrol even more diligently.

Other than that, there was no further movement from the Lu Family.

In the eyes of outsiders, the interpretation was quite unanimous:

The Lu Family had completely folded.

Thinking about it, this was understandable.

After all, the Lu Family's roots were still shallow.

They had only recently risen to prominence.

How could they contend with a century-old prestigious clan like the Xiaoshan Li Family?

The scale of Yinshan County was also far from comparable to the wealthy Xiaoshan County.

With such a disparity in strength, avoiding the sharp edge and swallowing this insult seemed the wisest course of action.

The various speculations and gazes from the outside world did not affect the atmosphere deep within the Lu Family residence in the slightest.

At this moment, the doors and windows of Lu Huaiqian's study were tightly shut.

The lamplight cast several figures onto the window paper.

The three brothers, Lu Huaiqian, Lu Huaichuan, and Lu Huaishan, along with Lu Jing'an, were gathered here.

The first to break the silence was Lu Huaichuan.

His voice was not loud, but it was clear and logical, each word landing steadily:

"Most of the assets the Lin Family left in Yinshan County.

Including the grain shops, the wharf warehouses, and the two tea plantations outside the city.

I have already sent men to acquire them in batches at about fifty percent of the market price.

All procedures have been completed.

It did not attract too much attention.

The Lin Family's liquid assets have also been converted into our Lu Family's registered banknotes through several different banks.

The banknotes have already been carried by the two old stewards most trusted by the Old Master of the Lin Family.

They left the city separately early yesterday morning, heading toward the provincial capital."

He paused slightly and continued:

"All the assets sold by the Lin Family, converted into silver dollars, total 1.3 million.

I have already personally made arrangements in the provincial capital.

The cashing of all banknotes involved in this batch.

Must wait until we send word from our side.

Only then can it proceed."

Lu Huaichuan was meticulous.

He clearly recounted the process and results of handling the Lin Family's assets during this period.

Once he had finished speaking.

Lu Huaiqian's gaze slowly shifted toward Lu Huaishan, who was sitting on the other side.

Lu Huaishan's expression was resolute; he nodded in understanding and spoke up:

"Big Brother, according to our previous arrangements.

I have already had my most reliable old brothers.

Take men to block the west and north directions in advance.

Every mountain path and waterway that allows for rapid passage.

At several critical, treacherous locations.

Such as Eagle Ravine and Soul-Severing Slope, we have planted explosives and camouflaged them.

Additionally, I have arranged for two teams of unfamiliar faces.

Disguised as traveling merchants and mountain folk, they left the city the day before yesterday, heading in the direction of Xiaoshan County.

Their mission is very clear.

At any cost, delay and obstruct the Li Family's wedding procession.

We will definitely be able to drag it out until things are settled on our end."

After finishing, Lu Huaishan looked toward Lu Jing'an.

Lu Jing'an met his third uncle's gaze, smiled slightly, and took the initiative to speak:

"Third Uncle, regarding the manpower the Li Family brought this time, you must have investigated them on your end as well.

Why don't you share what you've found first?

We can cross-reference the information from both sides.

Perhaps it will be more comprehensive."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of imperceptible embarrassment crossed Lu Huaishan's face, and he hurriedly waved his hand to deny it:

"Me?

When would I have specifically investigated those experts from the Li Family?

I've been so busy these past few days that my feet haven't touched the ground.

I barely had time to arrange the checkpoints and manpower.

I never specifically made contact with anyone from the Li Family..."

Lu Huaishan's denial was slightly hurried.

To anyone with a discerning eye, his acting was truly quite clumsy.

In the end, it was Lu Huaiqian who spoke up, telling Lu Huaishan to go ahead and speak.

Lu Huaishan did not speak immediately.

Instead, he turned to Lu Jing'an, his expression turning exceptionally serious.

It even carried a hint of apology:

"Jing'an, Third Uncle is absolutely not distrusting you.

It is just that this matter concerns the safety of hundreds of us in the Lu Family.

It even concerns the future of the entire Lu Family clan.

Third Uncle is a rough man; I only know that a little extra caution.

Means a little more security, which is why I privately had people look into it as well."

Lu Jing'an's expression remained calm as he met Lu Huaishan's gaze:

"Third Uncle, I understand.

The matter is of great importance; any slight oversight could lead to a grave mistake.

No matter how careful or cautious one is, it is only right.

That you were able to investigate privately is precisely the prudent course of action."

Relief and approval appeared in Lu Huaishan's eyes, and he nodded heavily:

"Good child, knowing you think this way puts Third Uncle's mind at ease."

He cleared his throat and said solemnly:

"The cultivators the Li Family has placed in the open are only two.

One is that Listening Cultivator.

The other is Lawrence, who stayed overnight at the hall."

Changing the subject, Lu Huaishan continued:

"Besides those two.

Hidden within the wedding procession were three cultivators.

Two of them were martial cultivators, and there was also one smoke cultivator.

Among these five individuals.

The foreigner Lawrence possessed the most imposing aura.

His cultivation base was likely the highest.

Next were the two martial cultivators hidden within the ranks.

The smoke cultivator and the Listening Cultivator seemed to be on par with one another.

Having said this, he cast a slightly apologetic glance at Lu Jing'an.

It seemed he felt he had investigated too thoroughly.

Leaving no room for his nephew to add anything.

Lu Huaiqian waited for him to finish.

He tapped his fingers twice against the smooth rosewood chair armrest.

Only then did he turn his full attention to Lu Jing'an and spoke slowly:

"Jing'an, now, tell us what you have discovered."

Lu Jing'an did not change his posture as he spoke calmly:

"Third Uncle has investigated very carefully; the general situation is indeed as he described.

However, there are some discrepancies regarding the specific numbers and details."

He paused slightly before speaking clearly:

"Beyond the Listening Cultivator and Lawrence who are in plain sight.

There are not three, but five hidden cultivators within the Li Family wedding procession."

"Five?!"

Lu Huaishan raised his eyebrows, unable to hide his surprise.

Lu Jing'an nodded firmly and continued:

"The [smoke cultivator] Third Uncle mentioned.

Should be that gaunt-faced old man in grey robes who is never without his pipe.

The other two martial cultivators are actually twin brothers.

Not only do they look remarkably alike, but their cultivation levels are also quite close.

Both are at the level of the Three Transformations of Blood and Qi.

In addition to these three.

There is another person in the procession disguised as a 'magician'.

The Li Family claims he was hired to perform and liven up the wedding banquet.

This person has clever sleight of hand and is skilled in minor illusions.

His aura is also well-concealed.

Third Uncle's men likely mistook him for an ordinary street performer and overlooked him."

After a brief pause, Lu Jing'an continued: "As for the fifth.

This person has never officially joined the Li Family's wedding procession.

He has always acted alone, and his movements are extremely covert.

But I am certain that after Li Jinglin arrived in this county.

He went out alone at least three times to meet with him in secret.

This person is also a martial cultivator, and his strength is no less than that of Lawrence."

At this point, Lu Jing'an changed the subject:

"He should no longer be in the city at this moment.

He has already left, and his target is clear: it is the Li Family's one million three hundred thousand silver dollars in bank notes."