Harvest 1 [Please Follow] [Please Vote]

The matter of the Tiger Demon had finally come to an end.

For the Lu Family, this meant more than simply having an answer for their superiors.

It also lifted a heavy mountain from their hearts.

From then on, they no longer had to spend every day guarding against thieves.

That taut, invisible string could finally slacken a little.

Of course, Lu Jing'an had yet to claim the full rewards of this trip. That would take some time.

Lu Jing'an looked down at the people who were still busy.

He made a rough calculation and even he thought the expenses this time had been staggering.

That was without counting the cost of personnel.

The scales and ammunition alone had cost nearly a hundred thousand silver dollars.

Including personnel costs, the total would have easily exceeded a hundred thousand silver dollars.

As for the Tiger Demon, there wasn't much to squeeze out of its carcass.

Its flesh and blood were highly toxic to ordinary people.

Even for cultivators, the disadvantages outweighed the benefits.

The only useful part was its hide.

But it had been battered full of holes, so it probably wouldn't fetch much.

"War really is the biggest money-burner." Lu Jing'an couldn't help feeling a little wistful.

Though it burned through money, in Lu Jing'an's view,

if a problem could be solved with money, it was best to solve it with money.

Who'd risk their life if they had money?

Lu Huaishan had to escort the Tiger Demon's corpse, so he didn't return in the same car as Lu Jing'an and Chen Xuan.

Wen Ling and the other two members of the Peacekeeping Bureau rode in a separate car.

Inside the car, Chen Xuan kept his fingers on Lu Jing'an's wrist, carefully examining him.

Chen Xuan's fingers rested on Lu Jing'an's pulse, steady as the roots of an ancient mountain vine.

Not the slightest fluctuation escaped his notice.

"Master, I'm really fine now." Lu Jing'an spoke again, his voice steady.

Chen Xuan slowly withdrew his hand, but kept his gaze fixed on Lu Jing'an's face.

It was as though he meant to see through his flesh and inspect the depths of his soul.

"When we get back, Doctor Cui will have to examine you carefully again."

"All right. I'll do as you say, Master."

Lu Jing'an agreed, then asked,

"Master, do we Martial Cultivators have any special techniques for dealing with spiritual attacks?"

Chen Xuan replied, "Martial Cultivators aren't skilled at injuring others with their minds. There are only a few unorthodox sonic techniques that can shake a person's spirit."

Then Chen Xuan continued,

"But when it comes to guarding the soul, few at the same level can break through a Martial Cultivator's mental defenses.

Martial cultivation is a process of enduring a thousand trials and ten thousand blows. The tempering of one's will runs through the entire journey.

That's why a Martial Cultivator's soul is naturally more resilient than other people's, like steel tempered a hundred times."

Lu Jing'an considered this. "So those with exceptional talent may have an easier road early on.

But they might be lacking when it comes to tempering their will?"

"That's right. But only in the early stages." Chen Xuan nodded.

"Then in the later stages of martial cultivation, are there special techniques for tempering the spirit?" Lu Jing'an grasped the key point.

"There are, but they're still far beyond your reach."

Chen Xuan spoke frankly, then added,

"Still, if you want to temper your martial will now, there is a way."

"Please guide me, Master."

"Fighting to the death."

Chen Xuan uttered the four words, each one heavy and deliberate.

"Tempering your spirit in a desperate situation is the fastest way."

Lu Jing'an's gaze sharpened. He clasped his hands and said, "Then please arrange it for me, Master."

Lu Jing'an wanted to fight to the death, but his foremost reason wasn't to temper his spirit.

He could raise his spirit with Energy Points.

What Lu Jing'an truly craved was the battle experience and ability to adapt that could only be forged through countless real fights.

The status panel couldn't grant him those directly.

"All right." Chen Xuan gave him a deep look and agreed.

The car rattled through the increasingly bustling streets before finally stopping in front of Lu Mansion.

Lu Huaiqian wasn't at home; he was still at the Security Station handling the aftermath.

As soon as they reached the room, Chen Xuan immediately instructed Lanhua, who was standing nearby, "Go fetch Doctor Cui."

Lanhua answered, "Yes," and hurried off.

Before long, Cui Jieyi arrived with Lanhua.

After Chen Xuan explained the situation, Doctor Cui solemnly sat down across from Lu Jing'an.

She didn't take his pulse right away.

Instead, she carefully observed Lu Jing'an's complexion and eyes before extending three fingers

and gently placing them on his wrist.

Her fingers were long and fair, their tips cool against his skin.

After feeling his pulse for a while, she asked Lu Jing'an to tilt his head back.

She placed both thumbs gently on his temples.

She slowly massaged them, closing her eyes and focusing as if sensing something.

Her expression was intent, her long lashes lowered, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes.

After a while, she withdrew her hands and opened her eyes. A clear note of surprise flickered in them.

"How is he?" Chen Xuan pressed.

Cui Jieyi examined Lu Jing'an's pupils carefully once more before answering slowly,

"Young Master Lu was indeed affected by a spiritual attack. His pulse and the traces left in his Spirit Court both confirm it.

"But..."

She paused, as if gathering her thoughts.

"This attack not only failed to weaken Young Master's soul,

it actually made it more powerful.

In all my years as a doctor, I've never seen anything like this."

Lu Jing'an thought, Of course. It's the effect of spending points.

But he wore a suitably puzzled expression. "Could Doctor Cui have made a mistake?"

"I checked three times, and the result was the same each time."

Cui Jieyi sounded certain, with the particular rigor of a doctor.

Chen Xuan pondered. "Could the Tiger Demon have left part of its spiritual essence in Jing'an's sea of consciousness, intending to control him, and caused this unusual change?"

Cui Jieyi shook her head. "I considered that possibility too.

"But after examining him carefully, I found that Young Master's Spirit Court was clear.

There wasn't the slightest trace of the obscurity that would suggest a foreign soul remained, nor any sign of erosion or parasitism."

Lu Jing'an guided the conversation at the right moment, speaking thoughtfully.

"Then... could it have left something behind after all?

But because its true body was destroyed, and Master had already examined me earlier,

you may have inadvertently wiped away the Tiger Demon's will within it.

Could the remaining spiritual essence, now without an owner, have become nourishment for my soul?"

At his words, Cui Jieyi looked even more thoughtful. After a moment, she slowly nodded.

"What Young Master Lu says... does make some sense.

"The ways of the spirit are profoundly mysterious. This kind of transformation is rare, but not impossible."

Lu Jing'an gave a faint smile. "Then it seems I've turned misfortune into fortune and gained spiritual cultivation for nothing."

Cui Jieyi nodded. "Perhaps."

After a pause, Cui Jieyi added, "To be safe,

"I'll still need to examine your pulse and check on you every day for the next few days, until we're certain there are no hidden problems."

Lu Jing'an had no objection and replied frankly, "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Cui."

"It's my duty." Cui Jieyi smiled faintly. Then, remembering something, she added,

"I've prepared the medicinal bath for your Six Harmonies Fist. However, I recommend waiting another couple of days before you begin training."

Lu Jing'an nodded. "All right."

Lu Jing'an happened to want to see what reward the Tiger Demon had given him.

Then something suddenly occurred to him.

"The Tiger Demon's corpse will be brought back soon. Doctor Cui, if you need any medicinal herbs or materials,

you can go take a look first. Feel free to take anything useful."

Cui Jieyi's eyes brightened. "All right, I'll go have a look in a little while."

Just then, a servant's voice came from outside the door. "Young Master, Master asks you and Military Officer Chen to go to the study."

"Understood."

Lu Jing'an stood up and straightened his clothes.

The atmosphere in the study was completely different from before.

The sunlight streaming through the windows seemed much brighter.

Even the dust motes drifting through the air seemed to carry a hint of languor.

Lu Huaiqian sat behind the broad desk, with Lu Huaichuan and Lu Huaishan seated on either side.

As soon as Lu Jing'an entered, Lu Huaishan leaned forward in his chair, concern plain on his face.

"Jing'an, I heard that the Tiger Demon attacked you with a spiritual technique.

"How are you feeling now?

"Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?"

He had been at the machine-gun emplacement and hadn't witnessed it firsthand.

When he'd heard about it afterward, it had chilled him to the bone.

"Thank you for your concern, Third Uncle. I'm fine now. Doctor Cui just examined me carefully." Lu Jing'an replied with a smile.

At his words, the three men in the room visibly relaxed.

Lu Huaichuan chimed in, his tone reproachful, though mostly with lingering fear.

"Jing'an, don't put yourself in such danger again.

"We old bones aren't all dead yet. There's no need for you to be the one at the front."

Lu Jing'an knew he was worried and didn't argue. He simply answered obediently,

"Yes, Second Uncle. I'll remember."

Chen Xuan spoke up as well, guilt on his face. "This time, I failed to protect Young Master properly and let him get into danger."

"Master, you take it too hard," Lu Jing'an hastily said. "It happened suddenly, and the demon was cunning. How could you be blamed?"

Lu Huaiqian also spoke gently.

"There's no need to blame yourself, Mr. Chen. Jing'an is right.

"The demon was cunning and hard to guard against. Being able to resolve the matter successfully was already a great blessing."

He waved a hand, then changed the subject. "I called you here because there are two pieces of good news."

Lu Huaiqian's tone grew more relaxed, carrying a hint of relief.

"I've spoken with Secretary Hu by telephone, and he's very satisfied with the outcome.

"Soon, he'll apply for a special military-supplies allocation to make up for our losses.

"He's also approved doubling the Security Station's authorized personnel."

At this, Lu Huaishan and Lu Huaichuan both looked delighted.

In this era, firearms were subject to strict controls.

The Lu Family had money, but every effort to legally expand its armed forces ran into obstacles.

The authorities were supplying firearms and ammunition and allowing them to expand their ranks.

It was as good as handing the Lu Family a sword of imperial authority.

Their strength could increase openly and legitimately. That was a boon money alone could hardly buy.

"What about the Li Family?" Lu Jing'an asked casually.

Lu Huaiqian lifted his teacup and took a small sip. "Secretary Hu will 'have a word' with them."

Lu Jing'an understood and asked no more.

Next, Lu Huaichuan gave a rough account of the expenses this time.

Lu Huaiqian had called Lu Jing'an in so he could learn about all of it.

So Lu Jing'an listened very attentively.

"The White Phosphorus cost a total of fifty-seven thousand silver dollars."

"Personnel and ammunition expenses came to roughly seventy-five to eighty thousand silver dollars."

Lu Huaiqian listed the expenses one by one.

The final total came to nearly one hundred and fifty thousand silver dollars.

That was a little more than Lu Jing'an had estimated.

And that was just for hunting one demon beast.

After his second uncle, Lu Huaichuan, finished speaking, Lu Jing'an casually said, "Second Uncle, I'm afraid we took a loss this time."

At that, Lu Huaichuan's face broke into the shrewd smile unique to a businessman.

He tapped a finger lightly against the armrest of his chair.

"A loss? With me around, how could I let the family make a money-losing deal?"

"Never mind everything else. The Tiger Demon's flesh and blood alone will be enough to recoup our costs, with plenty left over."

"The Tiger Demon's flesh and blood?" Lu Jing'an feigned surprise. "That stuff is poisonous, but someone still wants it?"

Lu Huaichuan chuckled, his eyes glinting. "We may have no use for it, but others will treat it like treasure.

"Those Western merchants, and certain foreign schools in the concessions doing 'biological research'—they're desperate to get their hands on the bodies of such powerful demon beasts.

"Before we set out, I got in touch with two foreigners. They were willing to pay a hundred silver dollars per catty.

"That Tiger Demon had at least several thousand catties of flesh and blood on it. We can sell it for at least several hundred thousand silver dollars.

"As for its heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and the rest, we'll sell those separately.

"We can get eight or nine hundred thousand silver dollars for one Tiger Demon, no problem.

"If we get a few more chances like this, the Lu Family's wealth could double.

"In short, with your second uncle here, the Lu Family will never make a money-losing deal."

Hearing that the foreigners were buying it for biological research, Lu Jing'an couldn't help furrowing his brow.

In the end, though, Lu Jing'an didn't look into it any further.

Still, Lu Jing'an added, "By the way, Second Uncle, I'll have Doctor Cui take a look at the Tiger Demon tomorrow and see if there's anything she can use."

Lu Huaiqian said, "Sure. Let her pick whatever she likes. Better yet, let her take the best parts."