October 1st, Suitable for Weddings and Funerals! [Seeking Follow-ups]

Listening to Lu Jing'an's words.

The most shocked person was Lu Huaishan.

In Lu Huaishan's view.

His investigation had already been meticulous.

He even felt that even professional secret agents.

Would likely be no better than this.

Yet Lu Jing'an.

Not only had he investigated the number of people clearly.

But he even had a precise grasp of their appearances.

And their movements.

Lying?

Making it up?

Lu Huaishan felt it was unlikely, and impossible.

Lu Jing'an's tone was steady, his eyes revealing certainty.

Moreover, in a matter of such importance concerning the survival of the family.

He believed Lu Jing'an would never dare to lie.

Then, how did Lu Jing'an investigate it to be even more detailed than his own?

Lu Jing'an's voice continued.

Only this time, it was no longer about the Li Family.

"Second Uncle, there is no need to send any more silver to Huagui Street."

"That is a trap Lin Shouxin set for you."

Lu Huaichuan's expression turned stern upon hearing Lu Jing'an's words:

"How do you know about the situation at Huagui Street?"

Lu Jing'an smiled, acting mysterious, and said: "Naturally, Lin Shouxin told me."

Lu Huaishan immediately looked at his second brother: "Second Brother, what arrangements do you have at Huagui Street? Why didn't I know about this?"

Since Lu Jing'an had pointed it out.

Lu Huaichuan no longer hid it.

"When I was investigating the movement of the Lin Family's funds."

"I accidentally learned a piece of news."

"It was said that Lin Shouxin was secretly keeping a mistress on Huagui Street."

"And she even bore Lin Shouxin a son."

"I thought I would make use of this information."

"I found someone to bribe this woman."

After finishing, Lu Huaichuan gritted his teeth and said: "I didn't expect her to dare to deceive me."

Lu Huaichuan had not told anyone about this matter.

That Lu Jing'an could speak of it.

Was enough to prove that all of Lu Jing'an's investigations were true.

This was somewhat terrifying.

According to Lu Huaichuan's understanding.

During these days.

Lu Jing'an had done nothing but beat people up and drink at brothels.

Yet the things Lu Jing'an had ultimately investigated.

Were more than what they had.

And even more lethal!

Lu Huaichuan did not ask how Lu Jing'an had managed it.

Instead, he complained to Lu Jing'an:

"You just watched your Second Uncle spend a fortune only to be played like a monkey.

And you didn't even think to give your Second Uncle a heads-up."

Lu Jing'an smiled: "Second Uncle, if I had pointed it out earlier.

You would have become cautious."

If you remain cautious, the Lin Family will naturally rein themselves in as well.

Only by letting them believe they have succeeded will they reveal more of their flaws.

Lu Huaichuan was merely speaking his mind.

Losing some money or face meant nothing to Lu Huaichuan.

Now that it had been confirmed that all of Lu Jing'an's intelligence was accurate, the next step was how to respond.

The gunmen from the Lin Family and Li Family were of no concern.

The truly troublesome ones were the experts brought by the Li Family.

Among them, the foreigner Lawrence and another mysterious martial cultivator were the most significant.

However, that was precisely where the problem lay.

Originally, the Lu Family had assumed there was only Lawrence, who could simply be left to Chen Xuan.

Now, another martial cultivator had appeared, one whose strength was in no way inferior to Lawrence's.

Setting aside whether Chen Xuan could handle both of them at once, what would the Lu Family do if the two were to act separately?

They could throw money at the problem and hire another expert on short notice; that path was not impossible.

But someone found in such a rush would have an unclear background and questionable loyalty.

This battle concerned the fate of the Lu Family for the next several decades, so they could not afford even the slightest negligence.

Just as Lu Huaiqian and the other two were arguing without reaching a conclusion, Lu Jing'an spoke up again: "You can leave Lawrence to me to deal with."

"Absolutely not!"

Lu Huaichuan and Lu Huaishan shouted in unison.

Although Lu Huaiqian remained silent, his furrowed brows and suddenly rigid posture made his disapproval clear.

Lu Huaishan spoke with a stern expression:

"That Lawrence's strength is undoubtedly that of someone who has broken through the Blood Barrier."

"How long have you been practicing martial arts, Jing'an? You haven't even reached the entry level yet. You couldn't possibly be his match!"

Lu Huaichuan added from the side, "Jing'an, this is not up for discussion."

After saying this, Lu Huaichuan kept glancing at his eldest brother, signaling him to stop Lu Jing'an.

Lu Huaiqian pondered for a moment before saying to Lu Jing'an, "Tell us your plan."

Lu Jing'an nodded and said, "First, I must correct a mistake of Third Uncle's."

"I haven't been practicing for long, but I have already reached the Second Transformation of Blood and Qi."

Upon hearing Lu Jing'an's words, the three men were all visibly shaken.

They all understood exactly what the Second Transformation of Blood and Qi entailed.

How long had Lu Jing'an been training with Chen Xuan?

Was it even a full month?

Even if Chen Xuan had taught him everything he knew and the Lu Family had been willing to spend the money, reaching the Second Transformation of Blood and Qi in a single month was still far too shocking.

They knew better than anyone that Lu Jing'an had absolutely no foundational training from childhood.

"Jing'an, have you really reached the Second Transformation of Blood and Qi!?" Lu Huaishan's tone was filled with shock and disbelief.

Lu Jing'an nodded, "You can verify this with Uncle Chen Xuan."

"You... how did you cultivate so quickly?"

Lu Jing'an repeated the same explanation he had given Chen Xuan to his father and the other two:

"Uncle Xuan said I likely possessed great martial talent all along.

It's just that I was too caught up in pleasure-seeking these past few years, letting my potential go to waste."

"Now, I have finally mended my ways."

"And allowed my talent to shine once again."

Since it came from Chen Xuan, the three men naturally had no reason to doubt him.

However, the matter of Lawrence still required Lu Jing'an to provide clarity.

Even if Lu Jing'an was now at the second transformation of Blood Qi, he still stood no chance against Lawrence in a direct confrontation.

Lu Jing'an continued to explain, "The most formidable aspect of Western martial arts is Battle Qi."

"And Battle Qi relies heavily on emotion and seizing the initiative."

"As long as I prevent him from getting worked up and stop him from seizing the initiative,"

"I will have already won half the battle."

He paused for a moment before adding:

"Of course, I don't intend to go head-to-head with him."

"I will need a squad of men."

"They must be marksmen with exceptional accuracy."

"Furthermore, I never planned on killing Lawrence."

"Buying enough time for Uncle Xuan to arrive is sufficient."

Having heard Lu Jing'an's plan, although they still felt it was far too risky, they could see the logic in it.

The candlelight in the room flickered, casting the long shadows of the four men against the wall.

Afterward, they finalized the various details of the operation.

It wasn't until the first light of dawn appeared, turning the sky outside the window a pale, fish-belly white, that everything was finally arranged.

In the days that followed, the entire Yinshan County was immersed in the clamor of the Li Family wedding.

The main thoroughfares had long since been renovated.

Residents along the streets were rewarded with silver dollars, and every household hung bright red lanterns under their eaves.

Even the trees lining the roads were wrapped in layers of red silk, looking like winding crimson dragons from afar.

Such extravagance and bustle were rarely seen in Yinshan County, even during the Lunar New Year.

The Lin Family had been the center of attention these past few days.

Lin Shouxin wore a constant smile, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seeming deeper than usual.

A steady stream of people arrived at the Lin Family estate every day to deliver gifts.

These people were all there to curry favor with the Lin Family.

By now, everyone could see it clearly: the Lu Family intended to swallow their pride and accept the situation.

In their eyes, this was the beginning of the Lu Family's decline.

Those with access to inside information had already heard rumors of the three-county merger.

The Lu Family's current retreat was tantamount to voluntarily abandoning their bid for the position of Commissioner.

Giving up a high position was understandable, as the Lu Family's foundation was still shallow.

But now that the Li Family was riding roughshod over them, and the Lu Family was still swallowing their anger, it was hard to say whether Yinshan County would belong to the Li Family or the Lu Family in the future.

Establishing a good relationship with the Lin Family now was certainly the right move for those who came to offer their allegiance.

The Lu Family had noted every single one of them down.

It was simply not yet time to settle the score.

Time passed day by day just like that.

Soon, the joyous day agreed upon by the Lin Family and the Li Family arrived.

The first day of the tenth lunar month!

The almanac read: Suitable for weddings, burials, digging graves, and relocating tombs.

Before the sky had fully brightened, the Lin Mansion was already ablaze with lights, shadows of people flitting to and fro.

Today was the day the Lin Family would climb to a higher branch.

It was also the beginning of the Lin Family's rise.

The eldest young master of the Li Family would personally travel from Xiaoshan County to welcome the bride.

What an immense honor this was.

From this day forward, the status of the Lin Family would be completely different.

It was not just the Lin Family that rose early.

Many households in Yinshan County also pushed open their windows one after another.

Some stood on their doorsteps, waiting to catch a glimpse of this rare and grand event.

Along both sides of the street, even the beggars had claimed their spots early.

They waited eagerly to collect the coins scattered by the Lin Family and the Li Family.

Yet, they did not receive any reward money.

What they got instead were squads of Public Security Bureau officers, fully armed and loaded.

They advanced rapidly along the long street, clearing the area while shouting commands.

For those who moved a little too slowly, rifle butts struck them without the slightest hesitation.

In less than half a cup of tea's time, the entire street had fallen into a deathly silence.

Yet, these security officers did not stop their pace.

They continued to march swiftly toward the direction of the Lin Mansion.

Their rhythmic footsteps struck the bluestone slabs, echoing with a dull thud.

Every step exuded a biting, murderous aura.

At the end of the long street, the red silk hanging before the Lin Mansion swayed slightly in the morning breeze, looking like a splash of blood.