Why do I feel like a husky that wandered into a wolf pack...
Lu Sui looked touched, but thought to himself.
Apparently, none of the Lu family were lamps that burned little oil.
His great-great-grandfather Lu Ping'an had started with nothing and, for reasons unknown, come upon a fortunate opportunity, becoming the "richest man" in Mute Village.
By his grandfather Lu Dacheng's generation, the family had founded the Ganzi Gang and sunk deep roots into Changle County.
By the time his nominal father Lu Yulin took over, he was already chairman of the Yongning Prefecture Merchant Guild, a figure who could turn clouds and summon rain in the Land Beyond the Pass.
"Zhan'ao."
Lu Yulin put away his smile, returning to his habitually composed expression.
"From now on, train properly under Master Tan. Our Lu family has yet to produce a formidable martial arts master."
"I won't disappoint you, Father."
Lu Sui lowered his head as he answered.
This conversation between father and son did not last very long.
Lu Yulin did not explain how he intended to "pull out the nail" in three days, only chatting idly for a little while to show his concern.
Lu Sui knew how to take a hint and excused himself.
As he left the front hall, his ears twitched slightly, catching Lu Yulin's voice through the wall:
"...Shopkeeper Luo from Yihe Workshop is here? Show him to the outer study and have him wait a moment. I happen to have something to discuss with him."
Luo Dongsheng's father, Luo Youxian?
Lu Sui's eyelid twitched.
According to Xiaotang, this Shopkeeper Luo had served Lu Yulin for over a decade and could be considered one of his most capable men.
Of the eight branch stores under the Dacheng Trading Firm, Yihe Workshop was also the strongest.
Three days, huh...
Lu Sui pondered, waiting to see what methods his nominal father had.
The outer study.
Lu Yulin had only just reached the doorway when his hearty laughter entered the room ahead of him.
"Brother Youxian, you've come at just the right time!"
Luo Youxian, who had been sitting bolt upright, hurriedly rose as though a spring had been fitted beneath his backside.
He strode quickly forward, hurrying to the door:
"Boss, I've made a terrible mistake! I nearly ruined the Dacheng Trading Firm's golden reputation. I'm utterly ashamed to face you!"
Lu Yulin seemed to put on an entirely different face, waving a hand expansively:
"That's going too far, Brother Youxian! We're sworn brothers. Talking like that only puts distance between us!
"Besides, it's only five cartloads of goods. I'll spend ten thousand taels of silver to replace them. How could that ruin the Dacheng Trading Firm's reputation?"
Lu Yulin took Luo Youxian by the arm, and the two crossed the threshold.
Such warmth was exceedingly rare.
"Boss, please don't say that! Blame my greed, blame my blindness. I knew this shipment was urgently needed, that nothing could go wrong and I had to be careful, but I was tempted by the profits..."
Sitting to one side, Luo Youxian still wore a look of remorse as he spoke of the matter, even slapping himself several times with alternating hands, each blow ringing crisply.
"Brother Youxian, what are you doing?"
Lu Yulin reached out to stop him, his tone displeased:
"Do you think I, Lu Yulin, have crawled into a coin's hole? That I'd blame you over a mere ten thousand taels?
"When I opened a store at West Mountain back then, the Chai Gang took advantage of my being a newcomer. They laid a Hongmen banquet for me, taking turns to put on ruthless displays.
"I remember one man copying the street toughs of Jinhai inside the pass. With iron nails between his lips and a hammer in his hand, he nailed all five fingers to a plank, then tore them free. It made my heart pound with fright."
Lu Yulin looked at Luo Youxian's swollen cheeks and said with heartfelt sincerity:
"I was making my way alone back then, without anyone to watch my back. You were the one who stepped forward, Brother Youxian, and swiftly opened six holes in your own body with a dagger. You were practically drenched in blood, yet your expression never changed. Only then did the Chai Gang back down, allowing my store to open safely."
Luo Youxian shook his head:
"Those are old sesame seeds and rotten grain. Why bring them up again, Boss?"
Lu Yulin's eyes shone, his words ringing with conviction:
"Ever since then, I've regarded you as my right-hand man. We share our wealth and honors!
"When my father was alive, he always said, 'A thousand gold is easily gained; loyalty and friendship are hard to find!' I've never forgotten it all these years!"
"Boss..."
Luo Youxian's lips trembled several times. He seemed about to say something, then hesitated.
In the end, however, he lowered his head:
"Have you found any leads on those five cartloads? I can guarantee that unless those thieves sprouted wings and flew into the sky, there's no way they could have left Changle County!"
Lu Yulin lowered his eyelids, concealing his eyes.
Sitting sideways, he clasped Luo Youxian's hand:
"I was just going to tell you. Fusheng has been running around making inquiries for me. Through our connection with the Beggars' Sect, he found those thieves' nest.
"You guessed right, Brother Youxian. They never left Changle County at all. Five cartloads are far too conspicuous. Whatever road they take, they can't hide from the Ganzi Gang."
Luo Youxian's throat tightened, and he said hoarsely:
"Boss, why not let me handle it? This happened because of me, so naturally I should clean up the mess."
Lu Yulin laughed heartily:
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear, Brother Youxian. Fusheng has to purchase replacement goods, and Uncle Wen is old and hasn't taken action in years. Thinking it over, you're the only one who can lend a hand and ease my burdens."
Luo Youxian looked ashamed.
"Only Fusheng and I know those thieves' whereabouts. We haven't told anyone else. Don't let it slip and rustle the grass to startle the snake."
Lu Yulin said softly:
"In three days, I intend to lead men there myself and catch them all in one net."
Two incense sticks later.
Lu Yulin personally saw Luo Youxian out, smiling as he watched him climb into his carriage.
Once the curtain dropped, Luo Youxian slowly leaned back inside the carriage, as though he had finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Cold sweat plastered his inner robes to his body, making him quite uncomfortable.
After returning to the residence where he was staying, he immediately ordered the servants to heat water for a bath.
Once he had washed and changed, Luo Youxian sat alone in the reception hall and asked the steward beside him:
"Where's the young master?"
The steward bowed as he answered:
"The young master left right after you did, sir. He didn't say where he was going, only that he'd be back later."
Luo Youxian's face darkened:
"Understood. You may go."
The sun sank in the west, its lingering glow fading away.
Luo Youxian remained seated in the reception hall, as though he had never moved.
The meal had long since been laid out on the table: four dishes and a soup, as usual.
By the time the night drifted like thin gauze over Changle County,
the residence's reception hall was pitch-black as well.
The steward approached on quiet feet and asked:
"Sir, the food has gone completely cold. Shall I have it reheated, or have the cook prepare a fresh table?"
Luo Youxian said expressionlessly:
"No need."
The steward withdrew outside with his head lowered, only instructing the maids to light the lamps.
The candles burned long and then short, their wicks forming knots and shedding them, before sounds finally came from the main gate.
Luo Dongsheng staggered into the reception hall, swaying three times with every step. Seeing the lights still burning inside, he froze.
Then he looked at the figure seated in the chair, and more than half his drunkenness instantly vanished.
"Father? It's so late. Why haven't you gone to bed?"
"Kneel."
Luo Youxian's voice was hoarse.
"Father..."
"Kneel!"
Luo Youxian's eyes flew wide. A teacup smashed at Luo Dongsheng's feet with a crack, shattering to pieces.
Seeing his father's fury, Luo Dongsheng shuddered in fright.
His knees sank, and he promptly knelt on the icy floor tiles of the reception hall.
Luo Youxian's voice carried the frustration of seeing iron fail to become steel:
"When I told you to study, you said books were full of empty words that couldn't be used to get things done, that studying them was useless;
"When I told you to practice martial arts, you had neither the patience nor the focus and learned only half a bucket's worth;
"Accomplished in neither letters nor martial arts, you could at least have taken over from me and become a shopkeeper.
"But you simply can't rein in that self-important urge to show off! You always think everyone else is shortsighted, and you're the only one who sees through things!"
Lu Yulin's sincere face flashed through Luo Youxian's mind, followed by those words: "A thousand gold is easily gained; loyalty and friendship are hard to find."
Pain actually surfaced on his face, as though he were struggling intensely.
He raised a hand to his chest, took a moment to recover, and continued:
"I put you in charge of purchasing because I wanted you to learn how to deal with people, to hear more of both human talk and ghost talk.
"But look at you! Those medicine shop owners and mountain bosses flattered you until you forgot yourself!
"They grant your every request. Do you really think it's because they admire your abilities? They went from haughty to deferential toward you. Do you really think it's out of respect for your talents? You fool!
"It's because your father runs Yihe Workshop! And whose sign hangs over Yihe Workshop? The Dacheng Trading Firm's!
"The banner planted in Changle County bears the name 'Lu,' not 'Luo'!"
Luo Youxian grew more heated as he spoke, rising to glare down at Luo Dongsheng kneeling on the floor.
"Dongsheng, I'll ask you one more time. Think carefully before you answer.
"Did you ever tell anyone else which warehouse those five cartloads were going into, or which road they would take?"
Luo Dongsheng was about to swear oaths and offer assurances when his thoughts suddenly turned a corner.
He had never seen his father so furious. Something had to be wrong.
"Father..."
Luo Dongsheng abruptly looked up, shuffled forward on his knees, and grabbed Luo Youxian's trouser leg:
"I was a fool! I shouldn't have hidden it from you!"
Luo Dongsheng was no good at anything else, but his acting could be called superb. He immediately gave himself several hard slaps and said with utter remorse:
"When I was purchasing those five cartloads, a mountain boss I knew introduced me to a woman. I was plied with drink and mentioned some things I shouldn't have..."
"Only after I learned the goods had been robbed did I finally realize that woman was a mounted bandit! She'd come specifically to plant herself among us and scout the target!"
Luo Youxian swayed twice before barely steadying himself, his face ashen:
"I could tell something was wrong with you lately. Especially after we came to Changle County, you became even more furtive. You even made a special visit to the eldest young master, deliberately currying favor..."
By now, Luo Dongsheng was sixty or seventy percent certain his father had caught wind of something.
He hugged Luo Youxian's leg and wailed:
"Father, I know I was wrong! I was only afraid that if it came to light, the boss would blame you! That he'd remove you as head shopkeeper of Yihe Workshop!"
Luo Youxian narrowed his eyes, watching Luo Dongsheng's face smeared with tears and snot.
Alas, he was his own flesh and blood, after all.
A moment later, a trace of weariness appeared on his face:
"Dongsheng, get up. The floor is cold."
"...Get up. The floor is cold."
Inside his room, Lu Sui toyed with the jade cicada.
Using it as a medium, he picked up Luo Dongsheng's voice.
Compared with his previous use of [Sound Listening], this attempt was much harder.
Chiefly, without Calamity Qi to guide him, the dense jumble of noise had to be filtered away layer by layer, consuming a great deal of the internal Qi he had accumulated and nurtured.
Had his progress in the Heavenly Sight and Earthly Hearing Great Art not advanced somewhat, he might not have been able to lock on so precisely.
"Luo Dongsheng doesn't sound like he's telling the truth."
Lu Sui frowned. For now, Luo Youxian seemed unaware and had not colluded with that shameless pair.
A foolish son dragging his father into a pit?
Lu Sui pondered as he continued using [Sound Listening].
If Lu Yulin dealt ruthlessly with Luo Dongsheng,
how could Luo Youxian, head shopkeeper of Yihe Workshop, stand by and do nothing?
But if he dealt with Luo Youxian as well, the other head shopkeepers would inevitably feel disheartened, which could easily shake his foundations.
After all, the man truly had shed blood and rendered service for the Dacheng Trading Firm.
This nail doesn't look easy to pull.
Lu Sui thought to himself.
Elsewhere.
After a long silence, the Luo father and son moved elsewhere, entering a room that resembled a study.
Luo Youxian said quietly:
"The boss has already found those thieves' nest. Those five cartloads of goods never even left Changle County.
"If those people survive and spill the whole story of the robbery, you and I are bound to be implicated.
"So you must get there first and silence every last one of them!"
Luo Dongsheng said:
"How did the boss find out...?"
Luo Youxian sighed:
"In his younger days, the boss loved roaming the world. He liked making friends and spent generously. That was how he acquired his four capable lieutenants.
"Second Steward Duan, nicknamed the 'Mud Buddha,' came from the Swindlers' Sect, one of the lowly trades. He holds considerable seniority and commands quite a reputation.
"Even the beggars you see every day have their affiliations. They belong to the Beggars' Sect and often serve as eyes and ears for various factions.
"If the boss wants to find someone in Changle County, he can scrape the earth three feet deep and dig them out."
Luo Dongsheng said hesitantly:
"Father, why don't we tell him the truth and beg him for mercy...?"
Whoa! This lad was clever. He even knew to loosen the reins before reeling someone in!
Lu Sui raised his eyebrows. Luo Dongsheng was clearly retreating to advance, testing Luo Youxian's attitude with that remark.
Because he was the "nail" planted in their midst who had colluded with that wretched couple.
"Fool!"
Luo Youxian said sternly:
"Do you take the boss for some great philanthropist? I've followed him for years. No one knows his temperament better than I do. He's suspicious and distrustful, and he takes risks and makes unexpected moves.
"This isn't just about five cartloads of goods. If the boss decides I've been biting the hand that feeds me, or even suspects I staged this to force his hand and seize power... both of us will lose our lives!"
Luo Dongsheng appeared to panic, blurting out in his agitation:
"Father, in that case, why don't we go all the way and...?"
Luo Youxian cursed furiously:
"How did I end up with a fool of a son like you? If your mother hadn't been so ugly that she could hardly have sent a red apricot branch over the wall, I'd truly wonder whether you were my seed!"
"Don't be fooled by how the boss has seemed to live on vegetarian meals and Buddhist prayers these past few years. He only took charge of the Ganzi Gang after wresting power from the old master!"
There was a story like that too?
Lu Sui perked up. More juicy gossip!
Could the Lu Family practice Xuanwu Gate-style succession too?
"...The old master moved out of Mute Village and put down roots in Changle County. His business kept growing, but somehow, a brothel girl bewitched him.
"At the time, he had no elders left to keep him in check, and his first wife was gravely ill. He and that brothel girl were like honey mixed with oil, carrying on for two or three years.
"Perhaps he drank too much of her bewitching brew. His first wife had barely passed away before he wanted to marry the brothel girl."
Luo Youxian sighed:
"When the boss got word, he hurried back overnight from Guandong. With a steel saber in hand, he first went to the brothel and chopped the girl's head off with one stroke. Then he threw her head before the old master and asked whether he wanted the Lu Family line to continue or wanted revenge for his lover.
"The old master cursed the boss for being rebellious and unfilial, but there was nothing he could do.
"After that, the boss kept the old master in the rear courtyard, took over himself, and led the Ganzi Gang to greater heights.
"The old master was a womanizer all his life. He slept with a sea of women, but none of them left him any offspring. That shows you just how ruthless the boss's methods were, and how hard his heart was."
Luo Youxian's words brimmed with awe. His fear of Lu Yulin ran right down to his bones:
"Outsiders call the Lu Family three tigers and one savage tiger cub. Lu Ping'an was benevolent. His own brothers drove him out when he was young, but after he made his fortune, he let bygones be bygones and treated them generously all the same;
"Lu Youde valued loyalty. He was the timely rain of the outlaw world, and nearly squandered the Lu Family's entire fortune helping his sworn brothers;
"Lu Dacheng was a womanizer, but he could preserve the family's achievements. He founded the Ganzi Gang and spread its business throughout Guanzhong.
"Of those four generations, our boss alone is the most ruthless. He ventured into Shaqing Pass and brought back a wife, then swept up the Wind and Sand Saber, who had gathered in force across Guandong, in a single net. None of the Lu Family's other branches, nor any of his relatives, ever dare bristle in front of him. Why?"
Without waiting for Luo Dongsheng to answer, Luo Youxian said helplessly:
"Because the boss never indulges anyone. Whoever angers him gets planted in the fields that very night, grown like ginseng."
"That's why they say, 'Three generations of the Lu Family all became tigers, only to raise Yulin, a single savage tiger cub.'"
His bargain father really did have a fearsome reputation.
Lu Sui clicked his tongue as he listened. No wonder he had planted the Lu Family's banner throughout Guanzhong and swallowed up Guandong.
Then he had climbed higher, step by step, to become chairman of the Yongning Prefecture Chamber of Commerce.
"Father, I understand."
Luo Dongsheng seemed to have taken it to heart and said obediently:
"I'll find a way to kill those thieves right away. Not one will be left alive."
Seemingly exhausted in body and spirit, Luo Youxian cautioned him:
"Dongsheng, make sure it's clean. Leave no traces! I'll be at the boss's side these next few days, with little room to maneuver. It's all up to you."
Luo Dongsheng patted his chest and promised:
"Don't worry, Father! Just watch. Your son will handle this beautifully!"
Over the next few days.
Lu Sui practiced his standing stance and martial arts as usual, breathing in and out to nourish his Qi, acting as though nothing had happened.
Until the third day.
Just after nightfall, Xiaohuan came with a message: the master was waiting in the front hall.
When Lu Sui arrived, Lu Yulin was sitting in a grand armchair, drinking tea.
Seeing him arrive, he set down his teacup and said with a smile:
"Zhan'ao, come along. Your father's taking you out."