Demonic Beasts [Seeking Follow-up Reads]

Lu Jing'an's expression showed little surprise when he heard the news of Li Zhaolin's death.

Only, It had happened far too quickly.

Was the Li Family truly that ruthless?

"The Li Family acted fast."

Lu Jing'an's voice was faint, as if he were merely commenting on an inconsequential trifle.

Lu Huaiqian, however, shook his head, his expression carrying a hint of inscrutable gravity:

"The Li Family didn't kill him."

"He was killed by a demonic beast in the wilderness."

"The Li Family noticed he hadn't returned and sent people out to search."

"They found a heavily wounded guard who had fallen unconscious."

"Only then, from the guard's own mouth, did they learn they had encountered a demonic beast on the return journey."

This outcome.

Truly caught Lu Jing'an off guard.

Li Zhaolin buried in the maw of a demonic beast.

Lu Jing'an had never considered such a way to die.

Lu Jing'an was naturally aware that demonic beasts roamed the wilderness.

But having grown up in the city since childhood, He had never seen those legendary demonic beasts with his own eyes.

The world outside the city was perilous.

Lu Jing'an had no desire to go looking for trouble.

Yet, for Li Zhaolin to die in the jaws of a beast, The whole affair felt steeped in an inexplicable strangeness.

Li Zhaolin had been accompanied by two Martial Cultivator guards who had broken through the Blood Barrier.

The wedding procession itself consisted of seventy or eighty men.

With no fewer than forty or fifty long and short spears between them.

With such a formation, even if they did encounter a demonic beast, The beast should have been riddled with spears and killed; how could the entire party have been wiped out instead?

The demonic beasts of this world.

Were not the spirits of folklore capable of summoning wind and rain, shapeshifting, or speaking human tongues.

Such existences only circulated in street legends; no one had ever seen one.

True demonic beasts.

Were merely wild animals with larger frames, thick hides, astonishing strength, and slightly higher intelligence.

Occasionally, there were variants that possessed strange and unpredictable special abilities.

But in the end, they remained beasts.

Against ordinary commoners, they might be considered terrifying.

But against a scion of a noble family like Li Zhaolin, surrounded by guards, Even a demonic beast with special abilities would not dare to provoke them lightly.

After all, at that level, a beast's intelligence was not to be underestimated.

They were best at distinguishing strength from weakness and picking their battles.

Unless Li Zhaolin had actively intruded into its lair or deliberately provoked it, Why would a demonic beast throw itself into the fray to die?

If one were to say the Li Family had done it themselves, intentionally feeding Li Zhaolin to the beasts, To grant him a decent death, It might barely make sense.

But such a method was far too clumsy, and the traces left behind were too obvious.

Therefore, this entire matter reeked of something suspicious.

As his thoughts raced, Lu Jing'an spoke again:

"So, is the Li Family using this to demand an explanation from us?"

His conjecture was not without foundation.

If the Li Family didn't seize this opportunity to make a scene, he wouldn't have been summoned to the study at this hour.

Since the person is already dead, they must naturally squeeze out every last bit of value.

This is the cold indifference and calculation of a great family.

Lu Huaichuan took over the conversation, his tone deepening:

"The Li Family has taken this matter to the higher-ups. They have reprimanded your eldest brother for his failure to maintain public order and ordered him to slay that murderous beast within a set deadline."

Lu Jing'an understood immediately.

It was still about that position as the head of the Public Security Bureau.

Since they failed to assassinate him, they found another way, making an issue out of administrative incompetence.

It is just that this time, the one who died happened to be one of their own.

He originally wanted to say that since they did not covet the position of bureau chief, they could simply ignore the beast.

But the words died on his lips, and he swallowed them back.

If he could see through such a simple logic, how could his father and two uncles not know it as well?

There must be a hidden agenda behind this.

Lu Jing'an pondered for a moment and probed:

"Is there someone above us whom we cannot defy, someone who has issued a death order, insisting that we must eliminate this beast?"

Lu Huaichuan nodded, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes:

"Yes! Secretary Hu from the provincial government spoke personally, demanding that we resolve the issue with that beast within the deadline."

"Secretary Hu?" Lu Jing'an had no impression of this name.

Lu Huaichuan explained in a low voice: "Secretary Hu is essentially the umbrella for the Lu Family in the provincial government. Every year, we offer him a sum of money. If we encounter any minor troubles, he helps us navigate them, such as matters regarding military pay and equipment. But when a major crisis arises, we still have to rely on ourselves."

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"Moreover, Secretary Hu protects more than just the Lu Family. In the past, we didn't even rank on his list, and he didn't think much of the Lu Family."

Lu Jing'an immediately followed up:

"Is it because we handled things beautifully this time that he feels the Lu Family is useful, and he wants to use this matter to test our mettle? If we handle it well, he will push us to take the position of the head of the merged Public Security Bureau?"

Lu Huaichuan grunted in agreement, but there was no joy on his face:

"That is what he said. But such verbal promises cannot be taken at face value. The difficulty lies in the fact that we cannot figure out what he truly wants."

He furrowed his brows and continued:

"We have entrusted several channels to inquire in the provincial capital, but none have brought back any reliable information. Your second sister also went to deliver money. He accepted the money, but she didn't get to see him."

Hearing this, Lu Jing'an also slightly frowned.

This was becoming troublesome.

To say this is a matter of money is because the other party accepted the payment yet refused to show themselves, likely finding the sincerity insufficient.

However, the amount required to bridge that gap is likely not something the Lu Family can easily afford.

To say it is not a matter of money is because the other party did, after all, accept the payment.

This indicates that their intention is not to bring down the Lu Family.

Rather, it means that if the Lu Family handles this matter, it will be beneficial for everyone.

As for that beast.

Being able to nearly wipe out Li Zhaolin's entire team, its strength is absolutely not to be underestimated.

To suffer such a loss of one's own strength at this precarious juncture is by no means a wise move.

Lu Jing'an fully understands the hesitation of his father and uncles.

"What can I do regarding this matter?"

Lu Jing'an raised his eyes, his gaze calm as he looked at Lu Huaiqian behind the desk.

Lu Huaichuan glanced at his elder brother and took over the conversation:

"Jing'an, the three of us have discussed this for a long time, yet we still have no foolproof plan.

We called you here because we wanted to hear your perspective.

To see if there is any way to break this deadlock."

Lu Jing'an was silent for a moment.

The information he possessed was far too scarce.

Back when he managed to topple the Lin Family, it was only after a month of secret investigation and mastering every critical detail that he was able to lay out his plan.

As for this current matter, he only knew the surface, so he dared not make any rash judgments.

"The useful clues are indeed too few,"

Lu Jing'an said slowly, "It is difficult to formulate a definitive plan at once. However, there are a few things that can be done right now."

Lu Huaichuan's eyes flickered: "Speak."

"First, have the Li Family hand over all clues and intelligence regarding that beast.

They are the victims and the first to discover it; they must have the details in their hands.

If the Li Family does not cooperate, we shall ask Secretary Hu to step in.

Since this matter also concerns his interests, I believe he would be happy to give the Li Family a warning.

If the Li Family still tries to shirk responsibility, then even if things go wrong later, it will not be entirely the Lu Family's fault."

Upon hearing this, Lu Huaichuan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he clapped his hands:

"What a brilliant way to shift the burden! Big brother, Jing'an's method is feasible!"

He turned to look at Lu Jing'an, his gaze filled with undisguised admiration:

"Jing'an, if this succeeds, you shall be credited with a major contribution."

Lu Jing'an merely shook his head slightly: "Second Uncle is too kind; it is merely thinking in line with the situation."

In his heart, he did not think this strategy was particularly clever; it was simply a response based on common logic.

His father and uncles had not thought of it earlier, likely because they harbored reservations about Secretary Hu and dared not include him in their calculations.

Lu Jing'an, however, had no such qualms.

In his eyes, as long as something is useful, it can be used as a piece on the board.

Lu Huaiqian pondered for a long time before finally speaking, his voice as steady as ever:

"Huaichuan, go and find a way to gather more information, then organize it and send a copy to Jing'an's courtyard."

"Understood." Lu Huaichuan replied, casting a gratified look toward Lu Jing'an.

Seeing there was nothing else, Lu Jing'an rose to take his leave.

"Jing'an,"

Lu Huaiqian called out to him, his tone softening slightly, "I have cleared out some items from the Qian Family and the Lin Family that will be useful for your martial arts cultivation.

I have already had them sorted and sent to your villa."

Lu Jing'an paused, a flicker of genuine pleasure finally crossing his eyes.

This was exactly what he most wanted to hear at the moment.

"Thank you, Father." He bowed, his voice soft yet clear and sincere.

As he turned to exit the study, the twilight outside the window had grown thick.

A streak of residual red on the distant horizon looked like an indelible bloodstain.