Killing the Heart

Li Zhaolin, having taken a slap, felt a burning, stinging pain across his face.

Yet, compared to the stifled frustration and resentment in his heart, this pain was nothing.

Since Li Zhaolin had made such a request, Lu Jing'an naturally found it difficult to refuse.

Besides, Lu Jing'an had intended for them to take the corpses away from the start.

"Of course."

Lu Jing'an raised his hand slightly.

The security officers behind him retreated silently to both sides, clearing a path.

Li Zhaolin kept his head low, avoiding Lu Jing'an's expression, and waved his hand through gritted teeth.

Then, Lu Jing'an watched the Li Family subordinates with cold eyes.

Silently and swiftly, they moved the corpses that had been scattered across the courtyard.

One by one, they carried them out.

They loaded them onto the truck covered with a tarpaulin.

Bloodstains dragged across the bluestone floor, leaving dark red trails.

Under the somewhat bleak afternoon light, they were exceptionally jarring.

Seeing that Li Zhaolin was only focused on moving the Li Family's corpses, Lu Jing'an spoke in a low voice, yet clear enough for everyone to hear:

"Lin Qingyi, after all, did accept your Li Family's betrothal gifts.

She counts as a member of your Li Family now.

Take her along as well; it will make things easier to explain when you return."

There was no discernible emotion in Lu Jing'an's words.

Yet, they were like a thin needle, pricking the most painful spot in Li Zhaolin's heart.

Li Zhaolin's body stiffened, and he squeezed a cold snort from his throat:

"I don't need you to remind me."

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his palms.

Only then did he manage to suppress his surging rage, ordering in a hoarse voice: "Bring those two up as well!"

In the end, the back of the truck was packed to the brim.

The heavy stench of blood could be smelled even from a distance.

The truck, laden with corpses, slowly started up.

It drove heavily away along the main road, which was still hung with bright red lanterns.

The road that should have been filled with festive joy.

The people on both sides of the road, who had been peeking and hoping to watch the spectacle, now held their breath, watching this eerie convoy in horror.

The light from the bright red lanterns reflected off the cold truck body.

It shone upon the outlines of faces that were either deathly pale or stained with blood.

It formed a scene that was both incredibly ironic and heart-stopping.

Li Zhaolin sat in the newly purchased wedding car, which now looked exceptionally garish.

His face was so gloomy it seemed as if water could be wrung from it.

The light and shadows outside the window flickered, passing over his taut jawline.

The convoy had not long left Yinshan County.

As they reached a secluded dirt road, Li Zhaolin suddenly ordered in a hoarse voice:

"Stop the car!"

The convoy came to an abrupt halt.

"Go, bring that one in the grey robe over to me."

He pointed to one of the corpses, the very same mysterious Martial Cultivator.

His subordinates dared not delay.

They followed his orders and carried the already stiffening body before Li Zhaolin.

Li Zhaolin crouched down, staring fixedly at the corpse's abdomen.

A final, desperate glint of ferocity flashed in his eyes:

"Cut open his stomach."

Though the subordinates were shocked and suspicious, they obeyed.

A sharp blade sliced through flesh, and a thicker, more pungent stench began to permeate the air.

Several men endured their discomfort, rummaging through the chaotic mess of viscera for a long while.

Yet, the Wax Pill that Li Zhaolin had spoken of was nowhere to be found.

"Young Master, it's not here..." one man reported, his voice trembling.

"Useless trash, move aside!"

Li Zhaolin shoved his subordinate away violently.

He began to dig through the gore himself, disregarding the filth.

Warm, cold, and slick textures pressed against his fingertips.

His breathing grew heavy, and his gaze shifted from urgency to panic, finally turning utterly ashen.

"Thud!"

Li Zhaolin, his hands coated in scarlet, viscous gore, collapsed backward onto the cold earth as if his strength had been sapped away.

He stared at his blood-stained hands.

The last shred of hope flickered out like a candle in the wind.

This was truly the end.

He had endured slaps to the face, suffered every humiliation, and shouldered everything.

His greatest hope had been to bring these corpses back.

Especially this one, which Li Jinglin had privately told him about before he arrived.

Li Jinglin had claimed that a Wax Pill containing proof of a massive sum of money from the Lin Family was hidden inside this person's body.

It was worth over a million silver dollars.

At the time, Li Jinglin had said this was their final contingency.

However, in Li Zhaolin's eyes now, this had been his last chance to turn the tables.

But now, there was nothing.

Absolutely nothing!

"Could it be... he didn't swallow it?"

Li Zhaolin muttered in a daze, but immediately dismissed the thought.

He knew Li Jinglin; he was meticulous and never spoke empty words.

Since he had said it, there must have been an arrangement.

If the Wax Pill had been swallowed but was now nowhere to be found, there seemed to be only one answer.

Lu Jing'an.

He had discovered it long ago and had taken it a step ahead of them.

Li Zhaolin suddenly began to laugh in a low voice, the sound suppressed at first, then growing louder and louder.

In the empty wilderness, it sounded shrill and desperate:

"Lu Jing'an, I truly underestimated you!

No, all of us underestimated you!

What a masterful stroke of psychological warfare."

He laughed for a long while before stopping to catch his breath.

His gaze swept over Elder Lu and Elder He, who had been guarding him in silence.

These two experts sent by the Li Family stood with calm, rippleless eyes, merely fulfilling their duty as guards.

A surge of absurd envy suddenly welled up in Li Zhaolin's heart.

In the Lu Family, Lu Jing'an's words were commands that truly carried weight.

But in the Li Family, what was he, Li Zhaolin?

Nothing more than a pawn that could be replaced or held accountable at any moment.

"Young Master, it is time to go."

Elder Lu's voice sounded flat, devoid of concern or urgency; it was merely the statement of a fact.

Li Zhaolin wiped his face, the bloodstains smearing into a streak across his cheek.

He braced his knees and stood up, swaying slightly.

He looked toward the north, in the direction of his family, his eyes hollow:

"Yes, it is time to be on our way."

With the dust settled, there was a sense of "detachment" that bordered on exhaustion.

Inside the study of the Lu Family mansion.

Lu Jing'an took the massive bank draft he had obtained from the mysterious Martial Cultivator.

He did not keep it for himself, but instead handed it over to his second uncle, Lu Huaichuan, exactly as it was.

Lu Huaichuan took it and used the Western-style lighter on the table.

With a "click," he ignited a flame.

Without a moment's hesitation, he brought the corner of the bank draft to the fire.

The flames instantly swallowed the document, turning it into wisps of gray ash that drifted and fell.

With the bank draft destroyed, the Lin Family's debt of 1.3 million silver dollars naturally vanished into thin air.

The Lu Family had taken over the Lin Family's vast assets without spending a single cent.

And this was merely the appetizer.

The Qian Family had also been wiped out in this thunderous operation.

The wealth and territory they had accumulated over many years were all absorbed into the Lu Family's pockets.

From this point on, over eighty percent of the currency circulation and commercial trade in Yinshan County would have to pass through the hands of the Lu Family.

Even if the Lu Family were to rule by doing nothing in the future, the "grease" they skimmed off each year would be enough to make them incredibly wealthy.

However, the more important harvest was not these visible riches and properties.

After this battle, the Lu Family's title as the [Number One Family of Yinshan County] had been forged in iron and blood, and no one would dare to question it again.

More importantly, by clashing head-on with a century-old established family like the Li Family and emerging victorious, they had undoubtedly declared to everyone that the Lu Family's foundation and methods were far deeper and more ruthless than the outside world had guessed.

The reputation and implicit deterrence this brought were a form of [heritage] that no amount of money could buy.

Furthermore, this battle was like a giant boulder thrown into a deep pool.

The ripples it stirred would inevitably attract the gaze of those in higher places.

Danger certainly followed such attention.

But without the qualification to be seen, one would never be able to touch the opportunities and resources of the next level.

The Lu Family's harvest from this campaign far exceeded their initial expectations.

"Big brother!"

Third uncle Lu Huaishan's voice was like a booming bell, his face filled with unbridled satisfaction:

"I believe this top merit belongs to none other than Jing'an!

Strategizing and delivering the critical blow—it was all his planning!"

Lu Jing'an quickly stated that he hadn't even entered the fray to fight, so he could not accept this top merit.

However, Lu Huaichuan said:

"Although Jing'an did not personally enter the fray, the pivot of the entire situation rested solely on him.

This top merit is indeed well-deserved."

Lu Jing'an bowed slightly, his attitude humble:

"Second uncle, third uncle, you overpraise me.

Jing'an was merely one link in the execution of the plan; if not for the family as a backing, and the hard fighting of all the elders, uncles, and brothers, this victory would never have been possible.

I truly dare not accept the title of top merit."

The family head, Lu Huaiqian, sat at the head of the table.

Watching his steady, composed, and unpretentious son, a trace of gratification flashed in his eyes as he spoke slowly, delivering the final verdict:

"Jing'an, your planning this time was thorough, and your contribution is immense.

You deserve this top merit without question."

"In that case... thank you, Father, Second Uncle, and Third Uncle, for your affirmation."

Lu Jing'an said no more, cupping his hands in agreement.

Next, the three elders began to discuss the aftermath.

As well as the potential fallout from the Li Family or other parties.

These tedious yet vital family affairs.

Lu Jing'an had little interest in participating at this moment.

Seeing that the main matters were settled, he found an excuse and respectfully took his leave.

Leaving the study, Lu Jing'an's pace quickened.

Whatever credit or praise there might be, to him.

It was far less tangible than the spoils currently lying quietly within his Striving Furnace.

That was his own personal, true harvest.

Back when he captured and killed the foreign cultivator Lawrence.

Lu Jing'an had already chosen to refine his soul.

Just now in the study, the prompt had already appeared in his mind: [Refining Complete].

Returning to his quiet room, he closed the door.

Lu Jing'an composed his mind and focused his attention on his gains.

[Refining Complete]

[Obtained Green Affix: Combat Supremacy]

[Obtained Green Affix: Battle-Hardened]

[Obtained one Lawrence Memory Bead]

He already possessed the Combat Supremacy affix.

Although this one was of a higher grade, he figured it wouldn't be much different.

Lu Jing'an's gaze focused on the newly generated green affix.

With a flicker of his intent, its detailed information appeared.

[Battle-Hardened] (Green)

[Note]: When equipped with this affix, the longer a battle lasts.

The consumption rate of physical stamina and true qi will be slowed.

Resilience increases over time.

When all attribute states drop to ten percent of their peak due to consumption.

A full recovery effect lasting thirty minutes will be triggered.

"A weapon for sustained combat..."

A sharp light flashed in Lu Jing'an's eyes.

In a war of attrition or a critical moment, this affix was equivalent to an extra insurance policy.

As for the bead carrying a portion of Lawrence's memories and experience.

It was even more extraordinarily valuable.

Perhaps he could glimpse the mysteries of the Western cultivation system, or uncover some hidden intelligence.

And there were still four such souls waiting for Lu Jing'an to refine.

This was a truly bountiful harvest.