Ambush the Tiger Demon

The next morning, the mist had yet to disperse.

Lu Jing'an tucked a tan file folder under his arm, crossing the damp bluestone street.

The air was thick with the greasy smoke of breakfast stalls and the lingering dampness of the previous night.

He walked quickly, his leather shoes tapping rhythmically against the stone slabs.

The sound startled a stray cat curled up at the mouth of the alley.

As he was a familiar face, no one stopped Lu Jing'an as he entered.

Lu Jing'an headed straight for the side hall.

Wen Ling usually spent her time there organizing files and reading.

Sure enough, after rounding a screen painted with a faded map of mountains and seas, he saw that slender figure hunched over a wide pear-wood desk.

Morning light slanted in through the lattice of the high windows.

It illuminated the dust motes dancing in the air and outlined her focused profile.

She was wearing a moon-white, side-buttoned top today, paired with a dark cyan pleated skirt.

Her hair was loosely pinned in a bun at the back of her head, held by a simple silver hairpin.

A few stray locks near her ears swayed gently with her movements.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw it was Lu Jing'an.

A hint of a smile rippled through those almond eyes, which always held three parts weariness and seven parts spirit.

"Young Master Lu has arrived early today." Her voice was clear and crisp, like melting ice water dripping from the eaves.

Lu Jing'an shook the file folder in his hand: "I've come to return the files."

"And I would also like to borrow the map of the Black Pine Forest."

Wen Ling took it, her fingertips accidentally brushing against the back of his hand—cool and delicate.

"Wait a moment, I'll go get it for you." After saying this, Wen Ling stood up to retrieve the map.

The police station had maps too, but none as detailed as those of the Peacekeeping Bureau.

Looking at the detailed map before him, Lu Jing'an wrote and sketched, refining the plan in his mind.

Wen Ling watched Lu Jing'an as he copied the map and asked, "Preparing to make a move against that Tiger Demon?"

Lu Jing'an nodded: "I had no choice. I originally wanted to delay for a few more days, but the Tiger Demon has set its sights on my family."

"Last night, it even sent a Chang Ghost to raid my home."

"Given the Tiger Demon's personality, it certainly won't stop until it achieves its goal."

"So, I have no choice but to strike first and eliminate it."

The reason Lu Jing'an did not hide this from Wen Ling was that it couldn't be kept secret anyway.

Sooner or later, people would find out.

By speaking up now, he could build a foundation for future cooperation.

Furthermore, the Peacekeeping Bureau usually kept its distance from the government.

Even if the Peacekeeping Bureau found out, Secretary Hu would not necessarily know.

Sure enough, upon hearing Lu Jing'an's words, Wen Ling looked him up and down with concern.

Confirming that Lu Jing'an was unharmed, Wen Ling frowned slightly:

"The Tiger Demon attacked your Lu Family?"

"How is that possible?"

"Wasn't it the Li Family that provoked it?"

Lu Jing'an shook his head slightly:

"Who knows."

"Perhaps Li Zhaolin is just too tough to chew."

"The Tiger Demon must have pinned this debt on my Lu Family instead."

"Pfft!"

Wen Ling couldn't help but laugh at Lu Jing'an's remark, her eyes sparkling.

Wen Ling listened to what Lu Jing'an had to say.

"Still cracking jokes; it seems that Chang Ghost didn't scare you in the slightest."

Lu Jing'an gave a wry smile:

"Would it have let me go if I had been scared?"

Wen Ling nodded.

"True enough. Once that beast marks you, the trouble that follows is endless."

Lu Jing'an nodded, agreeing:

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

"Being targeted by such a thing is like having thorns pricking your back."

"If it only came for the Lu Family, that would be one thing."

"I'm afraid it will target our shop hands and servants who have to walk the streets and frequent the docks."

"They are ordinary people with families to support; they can't withstand such a disaster."

"Therefore, it must be eliminated as soon as possible."

Wen Ling's smile faded as she asked, "Do you have a concrete plan?"

Lu Jing'an nodded, his gaze clear and steady as he looked at Wen Ling: "I have a rough plan. Would you like to hear it, Sister Wen Ling?"

Wen Ling met his eyes for a moment, then slowly shook her head: "It's better if I don't hear about such things."

Lu Jing'an understood Wen Ling's concerns, but he still extended an invitation: "Would you like to come and watch when the time comes, Sister Wen Ling?"

"It might even provide you with some insights for dealing with such demonic beasts in the future."

Wen Ling thought for a moment and said: "That should be fine."

"When do you plan to make your move?"

Lu Jing'an felt a surge of joy and said: "Once everything is prepared, I will send someone to notify you."

Wen Ling nodded: "Very well."

This was Lu Jing'an's second objective in coming to the Peacekeeping Bureau.

He wanted to find a way to probe the Peacekeeping Bureau's opinion on his plan.

Or find a way to lure the Peacekeeping Bureau to the scene.

The text recorded in the archives was dead.

But the Tiger Demon was alive.

Only the Peacekeeping Bureau had fought the Tiger Demon before.

Only they knew the characteristics of the Tiger Demon.

If he could get their guidance, that would be for the best.

But clearly, the first option was a non-starter.

The Peacekeeping Bureau had to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

However, the second option would work just as well.

If the Peacekeeping Bureau were truly on the scene.

If a real crisis occurred, the Peacekeeping Bureau couldn't just stand by and watch.

"You've certainly got a clever scheme, pushing all of us to the front to block the Tiger Demon for your Lu Family while you hide in the back."

There was no one else who could say such a thing but Kui Shan.

Lu Jing'an didn't know why Kui Shan held such deep disdain for a wealthy young master like him.

But fortunately, Lu Jing'an had no intention of having much contact with Kui Shan anyway.

Isn't it much better to interact with the soft and gentle Wen Ling?

Lu Jing'an looked levelly at the entering Kui Shan and said in a calm tone: "I won't be hiding in the back; I will be standing at the front. The Tiger Demon still needs me to draw it out."

Kui Shan couldn't help but look surprised at Lu Jing'an's words.

Wen Ling asked with concern: "Does this Tiger Demon really require you, the eldest young master of the Lu Family, to act as bait?"

Lu Jing'an gave a wry smile: "I don't want to put myself in danger either."

"But the two groups of Chang Ghost from last night."

"Their goal was very clear: they were after the children of the Lu Family."

"I can't exactly use my younger brother and sister, who are still just children, as bait, can I?"

"If I can lure the Tiger Demon into the encirclement as planned, the rest will be much easier to handle."

After hearing Lu Jing'an's words, Wen Ling smiled playfully: "Not bad, brave and resourceful. Sister likes you even more now."

"When you send word, I'll bring a couple of people along to observe and learn."

Lu Jing'an cupped his hands: "Many thanks, Sister Wen Ling."

Before Kui Shan could say anything, Lu Jing'an spoke up, "Sister Wen Ling, there is much to attend to at home, so I won't stay any longer."

Wen Ling replied, "Go on, go on."

Lu Jing'an picked up the map and asked, "Sister Wen Ling, can you sell this to me?"

Wen Ling waved her hand and said, "Your sister here isn't that greedy for money."

"What you gave me the last two times has already solved the Peacekeeping Bureau's problems."

"This one is a gift for you."

Lu Jing'an did not stand on ceremony; he tucked the map away and cupped his hands again, "Many thanks, Sister Wen Ling."

Lu Jing'an took the map and left immediately to see himself out.

He didn't even greet Kui Shan as he passed by.

Wen Ling glanced at Kui Shan and likewise chose to ignore him as she departed.

Kui Shan stared at the empty doorway for a long while before grunting, "When the time comes, I'll go take a look too. I want to see how this playboy young master deals with a Tiger Demon."

With that, he turned and strode away.

After Lu Jing'an returned to the Lu Family with the map, he called his third uncle and summoned him back from the docks.

Lu Huaishan hung up the phone and returned in less than twenty minutes.

"Jing'an, is there news about the Tiger Demon?" Lu Huaishan asked urgently.

Lu Jing'an spread the map out flat and pointed to the specific location he had obtained from the martial artist named He.

"This area is the exact spot where the Tiger Demon is entrenched."

"The terrain here is high in the east and low in the west."

"There is a flat depression here on the west side."

"Our goal is to lure the Tiger Demon here to kill it."

"Third Uncle, take your men and dig a fifty-meter-wide firebreak around this perimeter."

"Then, pile up some dampened hay here on the windward side to the east."

Lu Jing'an explained in detail.

Lu Huaishan took notes earnestly.

After Lu Jing'an finished speaking, Lu Huaishan couldn't help but praise, "Your brain is still the sharpest, Jing'an. If it were me, I couldn't come up with such a brilliant plan even if I died trying."

Lu Jing'an replied modestly, "Third Uncle, you flatter me."

Recalling something, Lu Jing'an warned, "Third Uncle, when you take the men to cut down trees, you must not let them scatter."

"Do not give the Tiger Demon any chance to launch a sneak attack."

"Additionally, everyone must tie a conspicuous red cloth around their arms and heads."

"Anyone without a red cloth who fails to answer a challenge is to be treated as a Chang Ghost. We must absolutely not give the Tiger Demon any further opportunity to kill."

Lu Huaishan patted his chest and said, "Rest assured. I will never give that beast another chance."

With the arrangements for Lu Huaishan settled, news soon came back from Lu Huaiqian.

Secretary Hu had helped find the phosphorus.

And there was nearly one hundred kilograms of it.

Lu Jing'an truly hadn't expected to be able to find so much.

The current industrial foundation of China was extremely weak.

Things like phosphorus basically relied on imports.

Not only was the price expensive, but it was also very scarce.

To be able to help secure one hundred kilograms showed that Secretary Hu's influence was far from ordinary.

At the same time, it also showed how desperate he was for this promotion.

The critical items were ready.

The rest would depend on the actual execution.

Over at the Black Pine Forest.

Lu Huaishan and the Canal Gang were working with feverish intensity.

Following Lu Jing'an's instructions.

During their work, they actually encountered the Tiger Demon spying on them twice.

However, seeing their numbers and weapons, the Tiger Demon took one look and vanished.

They also encountered Chang Ghost twice.

Relying on their superior numbers and the Hanyang Rifle in their hands.

The heads of both Chang Ghost were blasted into mush.

The White Phosphorus was delivered on the third day after Lu Huaiqian finished his phone call.

Returning along with the White Phosphorus.

Were the medicinal herbs Cui Jieyi had entrusted someone to purchase for Lu Jing'an to use in his medicated baths.

Because of the Tiger Demon situation.

Lu Jing'an was in no rush to practice the Six Harmonies Fist.

They spent seven days in busy preparation.

According to Lu Jing'an's plan.

Everything was ready.

The eighth day, early morning.

Lu Huaishan, Lu Huaichuan, and Chen Xuan led the team.

In the front courtyard of the Lu Mansion, three black cars were already idling, emitting a dull roar.

Lu Huaichuan had changed into a crisp martial arts outfit, covered by a dark coat.

The usual scholarly air between his brows was gone, replaced by cold severity.

Chen Xuan had also changed into practical attire.

Lu Huaishan was doing a final headcount, whispering instructions.

Lu Huaiqian remained behind to guard Yinshan County.

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, I'm going with you."

Just as everyone was preparing to depart, Lu Jing'an jumped into the car.

Seeing Lu Jing'an board.

"Jing'an, don't be reckless. Get down immediately. This is to kill a demon, not a game," Lu Huaishan said, moving to push Lu Jing'an out of the car.

Lu Huaichuan also spoke: "Jing'an, get down. Your Second Uncle and Third Uncle are more than enough."

"Don't look at your Second Uncle now, always in a suit and tie; back in the day, he killed even more viciously than your Third Uncle."

Lu Jing'an remained unmoved by this, saying calmly:

"I am the other key to this plan.

Only if I am there will the Tiger Demon enter the perimeter we have set."