The Helian Clan's Sincerity

Lu Yuan, who was drinking in the private room, raised an eyebrow. He twirled his wine cup, a playful expression on his face.

Old Huang and the others beside him stopped what they were doing and looked toward him.

Zhou He pursed his lips, a flicker of worry in his eyes. The Helian Clan coming at a time like this could only mean they were here to poach talent.

A moment later, Lu Yuan said, "Guests have arrived. Let them in."

Outside, a flash of joy crossed Helian Black Fox's face before he stepped inside.

After pushing the door open, he took in the scene before him.

He bowed to Lu Yuan and said, "Lord Lu has a refined taste."

Once he finished speaking, he pulled a box from his robes and presented it.

"This is a gift from our Captain to congratulate you on your recent victory."

Lu Yuan took it and opened it casually. Inside lay a pitch-black fruit, emitting a rich, fragrant aroma.

"This is a Mystic Tendon Fruit. It is most effective for experts in the Tendon Refining Realm."

Although those in the room had never seen one, they had heard of the Mystic Tendon Fruit. It was said to be the best medicine for tendon refinement, usually reserved for the disciples of noble families.

Ordinary silver could not purchase it; a single fruit cost eight thousand merit points.

It was definitely a generous gesture.

Helian Black Fox continued, "Lord Lu, our Captain intends to form an elite unit second only to the Silent Cavalry. We are currently lacking a suitable Centurion. If you are willing, you can take up the post as soon as you arrive at Yellow Sand City. Furthermore, we guarantee you will be promoted to Chiliarch within a year. The Helian Clan will cultivate you with all our might, and all resources will be supplied to you on a priority basis."

After he finished speaking, he looked up at Lu Yuan, his eyes filled with earnestness.

If this were any other Centurion, this steward of the Captain's Mansion would not have been so respectful; he wouldn't even have spared them a glance.

He was a man of the Helian surname with the blood of a military family. While not of the direct line, he was not someone a low-level officer could easily trifle with.

Moreover, he was the steward of the Captain's Mansion.

Even an ordinary Chiliarch would maintain a respectful attitude in his presence.

He was, without a doubt, a big shot in Sai City.

But Lu Yuan was different. Not only had he wiped out the elite cavalry of the Manyan Tribe, but he had also just annihilated a unit of Silver-Armed Iron Sparrowhawks. This was hard-earned military merit, and furthermore, he had caught the eye of the Marquis. Such a person was not someone he dared to underestimate in the slightest.

Besides, the Helian Clan was currently bent on poaching him.

If he truly offended Lu Yuan and ruined the plan due to his own arrogance, the consequences would be dire.

At this moment, the men under Lu Yuan kept their heads down in silence. Even the reckless Wei Yong was only concerned with his drink.

In short, their mindset was that wherever Lu Yuan went, they would follow.

Only Zhou He felt his worry deepen. He was a member of the Zhou Family; if Lu Yuan really left, he certainly could not follow.

Other places might be manageable, but the Helian Clan was out of the question.

However, the conditions offered were indeed tempting. If it were him, he might not have been able to resist.

A single Mystic Tendon Fruit was enough to allow any Tendon Refining expert to push their cultivation to the peak before breaking through.

Then there was the promise of becoming a Chiliarch within a year, which essentially meant the Helian Clan's cultivation resources would be tilted in his favor, guaranteeing a breakthrough to the Organ Refining Realm within a year.

As for forming an elite unit, that went without saying. This represented a concept where Lu Yuan would continue to grow stronger, and military merit would become something easily within his grasp.

In a few years, he could even reach a height he currently couldn't even imagine.

The implication was clear: the Helian Clan intended to support Lu Yuan with all their power.

How could he not be worried?

"I appreciate Captain Helian's kindness, but I, Lu Yuan, started from nothing. If not for the Zhou Family, I would not have been able to get ahead. To change my allegiance now would be unjustifiable."

"Lord Lu..."

"Steward Helian, say no more. My mind is made up." Lu Yuan's resolute words made Zhou He's eyes redden, his heart deeply moved.

"Then I shall take my leave and stop bothering you, Lord Lu." After the steward finished speaking, he turned to leave.

Lu Yuan picked up the box from the table and said, "Steward Helian, take this back as well. I do not accept rewards without merit."

With that, he pressed the Mystic Tendon Fruit back into Helian Black Fox's hand.

The man took it and opened his mouth to speak, but after meeting Lu Yuan's firm gaze, he had no choice but to leave in frustration.

After he departed, the atmosphere in the room grew lively once more.

The girls waiting outside swarmed in.

Lu Yuan knew that Helian Black Fox had already settled the bill, so he didn't say anything more; there was no need to dwell on such trivial matters.

However, this allowed Wei Yong and the others to have a grand time, and they didn't leave until late into the night.

He walked toward his home.

However, after Zhou He stepped out, he did not head straight home.

After hesitating for a moment, he turned and walked in the direction of the City Defense Battalion.

He had to tell his uncle about this matter as soon as possible; since the Helian Clan had already reached out their hands, the Zhou Family could not let Lu Yuan suffer a loss.

Although he could not make the decision himself, the Captain needed to be aware of the situation; they could not let Lu Yuan feel disheartened.

He had no way to see Zhou Hongling directly, so this matter still had to be handled by his uncle.

Thinking of this, he no longer cared about the late hour.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan, unaware of Zhou He's thoughts, prepared to head home after entering the alley.

However, just as he passed by Xiao Hua's front door.

A crisp voice drifted out from within: "Brother Yuan, you're back?"

The sound caught Lu Yuan by surprise; why was this girl not asleep in the middle of the night?

Still, he stopped his footsteps and said, "Yeah, I'm back. I just went out for a bit of wine."

"Creak!"

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and a small head peeked out. Her fair skin was dazzling under the moonlight, and her cherry lips were slightly parted, as if she had something to say but held back.

Seeing her like this, Lu Yuan smiled and asked, "Is something the matter?"

Xiao Hua twisted the hem of her clothes, gathered her courage, and said, "Brother Yuan, from now on, just come to my place for dinner when you get back. It's not good to go to places like the Spring Breeze Pavilion too often."

"Haha, so you heard me talking to Old Huang and the others? I just went for a drink; where did your mind wander off to? Staying up so late just to tell me this? Go back and get some rest. Don't go around opening the door at night; it's too dangerous."

"I only opened it because I knew it was you. Alright, I'm going back." Hearing that Lu Yuan had only gone for a drink, Xiao Hua seemed to heave a sigh of relief before closing the courtyard gate.

Under the moonlight, a blush crept up her cheeks.

At the same time, she complained to herself, you all were shouting so loudly when you mentioned going to the Spring Breeze Pavilion, it would have been hard for me not to hear.

Lu Yuan shook his head, opened his own courtyard gate, and went straight inside to rest.

At that same moment, inside the Captain's Mansion, Zhou Hongling was just preparing to rest after the banquet had concluded.

A guard hurried over.

"My Lady, Centurion Zhou Xiong requests an audience."

Zhou Hongling was somewhat puzzled; why was he here so late?

Still, since he was from the main family, she said, "Tell him to go to the front hall."

After speaking, she watched the guard depart.

She then made her way toward the front hall of the Captain's Mansion.