Harvest 2 [Seeking Follow-up Reads] [Seeking Monthly Votes]

After finishing the discussion regarding Cui Jieyi.

Lu Jing'an retreated to a rosewood armchair on the east side of the hall, remaining silent for the rest of the time.

He was well aware that his primary role right now was to learn.

Deep down, he did not truly yearn to take charge of this massive family enterprise.

The current state of affairs was, for Lu Jing'an, already the best possible outcome.

He had no worries about Qian, and he could spend all his time every day practicing martial arts or doing other things he enjoyed.

This lesson regarding family, connections, and interests lasted until dinner time before finally pausing.

Lu Jing'an ate quickly, his movements crisp and efficient, carrying the unique efficiency of a martial artist.

Setting down his chopsticks and wiping the corners of his mouth with a warm towel, he stood up to take his leave.

"Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Jing'an will head back now."

Lu Huaiqian merely let out a grunt through his nose.

His gaze did not shift from the teacup in his hand, where the leaves of the Biluochun Tea were slowly settling to the bottom.

Lu Huaichuan, however, smiled gently and nodded.

Stepping out of the warm, bustling dining hall, the late autumn night breeze immediately wrapped around him, carrying the last lingering scent of the late-blooming osmanthus in the courtyard.

It slipped into the stand-up collar of his cotton robe, stirring up a refreshing sense of clarity.

He did not look back, his steps steady and swift as he passed through two moon gates.

He walked along the corridor toward his own private courtyard.

Inside the hall, watching his nephew's back disappear beyond the hanging flower gate, Lu Huaichuan wiped his glasses and spoke slowly:

"Big Brother, some things do not need to be rushed."

"The three of us old bones can still hold things together for a few more years."

"Jing'an... he is already very good."

Lu Huaiqian finally lifted his gaze from the teacup and looked out into the deep night beyond the door.

After a long while, he let out a heavy sigh:

"There is one matter I did not mention to Jing'an just now."

"Secretary Hu has dropped a hint."

"He wants to support the Lu Family in vying for the position of Chief of the Public Security Bureau in the new city."

"That's a great thing!" Lu Huaishan's eyes lit up, his voice rising involuntarily before he hurriedly lowered it, "Big Brother, this should be told to Jing'an so he can be happy too!"

There was not a trace of joy on Lu Huaichuan's face; instead, his brows gradually furrowed.

"Is it another case of 'support' with nothing but empty words?"

Lu Huaiqian remained silent and nodded.

The candlelight danced in his eyes, reflecting a darkness like a deep pool.

Lu Huaishan looked at his eldest brother's grave expression, then at his second brother's gloomy face.

He realized the implication belatedly.

Support with only verbal promises.

The meaning could not be clearer.

Secretary Hu intended to use the Lu Family as a pawn to stir up those already murky waters.

If they succeeded, the position of Chief might not necessarily fall into the Lu Family's pocket.

If they failed, the Lu Family would be the ready-made scapegoat, picked clean to the bone.

But if they refused this "goodwill."

With just a slight twist of that Secretary's mouth.

Many of the Lu Family's businesses would likely find themselves in dire straits.

The Lu Family had originally had no intention of occupying such a precarious position.

Lu Huaiqian knew full well that their family's foundation was still shallow.

Like duckweed without roots, even if they were lucky enough to win, they might not be able to hold onto it.

On the contrary, once they failed, the various parties watching like tigers would surely pounce like sharks smelling blood and devour the Lu Family entirely.

"Then could we play along and just go through the motions?" Lu Huaichuan pondered, suggesting a possibility.

Lu Huaiqian slowly shook his head: "I fear it will be difficult. Since Secretary Hu has spoken, it means he wants us to enter the fray with real blades and guns."

Lu Huaichuan fell silent; he could not simply pay lip service to this.

It meant they had to truly invest resources and connections to clash with those deeply entrenched, old-money aristocratic families.

Before those true titans decided the victor.

They would likely join forces first to eliminate the Lu Family, a "nouveau riche" that appeared plump but lacked sharp claws and teeth.

This was an almost foreseeable outcome.

After a long while, Lu Huaichuan slammed his glasses onto the table with a sharp crack.

"Since sticking my head out gets me a blade, and pulling it back gets me a blade too... then let us fight!

Risk it all and fight for that one-in-a-million chance!

What if, just what if, this stroke of luck falls upon our Lu Family?"

"Right! Second Brother is right, let us fight!"

Lu Huaishan puffed out his chest.

"Our Lu Family is not made of mud!"

Lu Jing'an had left the table early, not out of impatience.

It was because the Striving Furnace was about to finish Refining.

Returning to his secluded courtyard, he stood alone in the center.

The moonlight was cold as frost, spilling onto the bluestone slabs and casting a hazy glow.

He took a deep breath, the cool autumn air rushing into his lungs.

Carrying the scent of soil and withered chrysanthemums, it steadied his mind.

He immediately assumed a stance and began practicing his most familiar Tongbei Fist.

Only through martial arts, when his blood surged and his consciousness was clear, could he truly forget those complex schemes and heavy responsibilities.

He felt a sense of pure existence.

Time flowed in the silence.

The countdown hit zero, and a clear prompt appeared:

[Refining complete]

Lu Jing'an focused his mind, banishing all distracting thoughts.

The spoils from slaying that terrifying Tiger Demon were finally about to be revealed.

[Obtained Orange Affix: Mind Control]

[Obtained Green Affix: Mountain Lord Bearing Mountain]

[Obtained Green Affix: Tiger Roar in Mountain Forest]

[Obtained Green Affix: Tiger Back Steel Body]

[Obtained Energy Point: 8 points]

[Obtained one Tiger Demon Memory Bead]

Four Affixes!

And one of them was actually orange!

Even with Lu Jing'an's steady temperament, his chest warmed slightly at this moment.

These gains far exceeded his expectations.

He immediately clicked on them one by one to examine them carefully:

[Mind Control](Orange)

[Note]: By equipping this Affix, you can forcibly control any living creature whose mental power is less than one-third of your own.

If the target's mental power is higher, you may attempt to strike first.

Control can be established after destroying a portion of their mental state.

This Affix permanently increases mental power by 4 points.

[Mountain Lord Bearing Mountain](Green)

[Note]: By equipping this Affix, when you are in a mountain forest environment.

You will receive the "Mountain Lord" blessing.

Defense increased by 50%, speed increased by 50%, and mental power increased by 50%.

In the mountains and forests, you are the invisible king.

[Tiger Roar in Mountain Forest](Green)

[Note]: By equipping this Affix, your vocal cords can simulate the roar of a fierce tiger.

Emit a roar that shakes the soul.

Within a twenty-meter radius, all targets will suffer a mental shock.

Depending on the strength of their mental power, they will fall into a brief state of dizziness.

[Tiger Back Steel Body](Green)

[Note]: By equipping this Affix, you will gain a resilient body like that of a Tiger Demon.

Your blood and energy will be vigorous, and your muscles and bones will be strong.

This Affix permanently increases Attack by 2 points and Defense by 2 points.

"Good!"

These four Affixes provide an all-around boost to his combat power.

Especially on the mental level.

He had personally experienced the terror of that Tiger Demon's mental shock.

Had he not relied on a special method to endure it, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Now, this power was about to be his to command.

And it would be even more subtle, even more impossible to guard against.

Lu Jing'an did not hesitate and equipped all four brand-new Affixes.

The moment the Affixes were added to his body.

Lu Jing'an noticed.

The "+" signs behind the original green Affix [Extraordinary Physique] and the newly acquired [Tiger Back Steel Body] both lit up.

Lu Jing'an was not surprised.

Both of these Affixes focus on tempering the foundation of the physique; it is only natural for them to be of the same origin and merge.

With a thought, he clicked to upgrade.

[Upgrading the Affix requires 5 Energy Point. Do you want to upgrade immediately?]

"Upgrade."

[Upgrade started, estimated time: 4 hours.]

With two green physique Affixes merging, the result should at least be orange, right?

Lu Jing'an felt a hint of anticipation.

For a martial artist, a powerful orange physique Affix is no different from laying a foundation that reaches the heavens.

With such a foundation, his future achievements might truly surpass those of his brilliant and talented master, Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan was strong because his fist techniques were divine and his comprehension was superb.

But his physical talent was merely among the best of the green tier.

After dealing with the Affixes, Lu Jing'an turned his attention to the final, faintly glowing "Memory Bead" from the Tiger Demon.

This was the key to unraveling the greatest mystery in his heart.

Why that Tiger Demon had been fixated on the Lu Family.