Chapter 28 Lu Clan of Yingxiu
The reaction of this freelance cultivator was actually unexpected to Wang Shouzhe. His expression immediately turned dark. “Seems like the crime you committed in the Yingxiu really isn’t minor.”
“Lord, it’s my fault. I was too greedy.” The freelance cultivator cried and confessed, “The few of us were all traveling merchants who traveled in groups. When we passed by Yingxiu, we saw a wealthy businessman’s family getting married. Originally, the few of us wanted to leave after asking for a cup of wine, but we didn’t expect to find that the family’s dowry was so generous. Just the gold numbered over a hundred, and there were also two century-old ginsengs of great value. We were moved to evil intents for a moment, and sneaked into the wealthy businessman’s house to burglar it at night…” As the confession went on, Wang Shouzhe’s face grew darker and darker. These freelance cultivators were too bold. After their theft was discovered, they actually dared to murder people to silence them and plunder wealth.
Fortunately, internal strife arose among the few freelance cultivators due to their greed. In the end, this freelance cultivator was the last one standing. However, he was very unlucky. He was tending to his wounds in the sparsely populated forest when he was unexpectedly run into by Wang Shouzhe and the others.
“Lord, as long as you swear to spare my worthless life,” the freelance cultivator begged desperately, “I’m willing to give you the location of the stolen goods. I’ll offer everything to you.”
This freelance cultivator seemed to know some of the Arcane Martial Clans’ ways of doing things very well. If Wang Shouzhe swore in front of his subordinate clan guards, he definitely would not go back on his word. Otherwise, how would these clan guards feel if a dignified patriarch could just casually break his vow? Would they still be able to believe the words of the patriarch in the future?
Wang Zhong and the other clan guards also directed their gazes to Wang Shouzhe. There was a hint of hope in their eyes. The value of the stolen goods was not small. If they could obtain it, it could alleviate the Wang Clan’s shortage of funds.
Wang Shouzhe only thought for a brief moment before getting on his horse. “Bring him along and let the Lu Clan of Yingxiu deal with him.”
“Yes, Patriarch.” Wang Zhong was only stunned for a moment before he fulfilled his mission loyally. He stuffed the freelance cultivator’s mouth and tossed him onto the horse, ignoring all his cries and struggles.
“Giddy up!”
The coachman Wang Laoshi whipped the horses. The carriage pulled by two ordinary horses slowly traveled along the rugged and muddy road.
After traveling for a short while, Wang Zhong spurred his horse behind Wang Shouzhe and asked in a low voice, “Patriarch, are we really going to give up on that batch of stolen goods? If you’re afraid of dirtying your hands, your subordinates can go and deal with it. As long as you give me some time, I guarantee that he’ll spit out the location of his hiding place.”
“Our time is very precious, and we don’t have the time to play treasure hunting games with a mere freelance cultivator,” Wang Shouzhe said indifferently. “Also, Wang Zhong, as a member of an Arcane Martial Clan, you have to look further into the future. There are no impenetrable walls in this world. If we offend the Lu Clan because of this, the losses we suffer will be ten times, even a hundred times that of this sum of money! Most importantly, if we go against our conscience and seize the stolen goods for ourselves, and release that thief and murderer, how can we face Ancestor Zhouxuan, who established the clan by pioneering territory? How can we face Ancestor Longyan, who has protected the clan for decades by herself?”
This was a question of the clan’s faith. The greatest faith for most clans was the founding ancestors of the clan.
Wang Zhong’s body shook, and he said in shame, “I understand. I was blinded by the profits.”
“It is human nature to greed, but how to curb greed is very important,” Wang Shouzhe said indifferently. “Just look at that group of freelance cultivators who could not control their greed and joined forces to commit crimes, then fought among themselves because they could not control their greed. With such a lack of self-discipline, even if they were lucky enough to escape this time, could they possibly escape a second or a third time?” “Family Head, if those freelance cultivators managed to escape after succeeding the first time and never committed crimes again, won’t they be fine?” Wang Yong rode over and said.
11
“There may be such people, but there would be very few of them,” Wang Shouzhe said with a smile. “Think about it. If they can’t even resist the first temptation, how can they resist the second one after already having tasted the profits from their first success? That kind of greed will destroy them sooner or later. It’s not that I don’t want the money, it’s just that I don’t dare to take it, because I’m afraid that I won’t be able to control my own greed and gradually bring the clan to ruin.”
The few clan guards were all lost in thought. Their gazes were filled with reverence for Wang Shouzhe.
Wang Zhong said with emotion, “Patriarch, this subordinate has a feeling that our Wang Clan of Ping’an will definitely rise to greatness in your hands.”
“Heh, although your flattery is crude, this patriarch likes it very much.”
“Patriarch, I wasn’t trying to flatter you. I honestly think that.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Patriarch, we think so too.” The other clan guards echoed their agreements.
At the same time…
In the carriage, Wang Luojing had already woken up and witnessed everything. Her eyes lit up while she seemed to be in thought. Being with Fourth Brother always made her feel safe and at ease.
‘If for nothing else, even if it’s just for Fourth Brother. Luojing, you must work hard to share the burden on Fourth Brother’s shoulders.’
In less than an hour…
Wang Shouzhe and the others traveled out of the forest and onto the wide path.
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The first thing that came into view was the vast and boundless Lake Yingxiu. The towering Dragon Ridge Mountain’s reflection landed in the water, dyeing the lake water a dark green. Wind from the lake filled with water vapor assaulted their faces. It was chilly in this early summer season.
From time to time, a huge fish leaped up on the wide lake, causing a huge splash. Various water birds swam in the dense reeds.
Without a doubt, not only was Lake Yingxiu beautiful, its natural resources were also rather abundant. Compared to the magnificence of unceasing and rapid waters An River, Lake Yingxiu was more luxuriant and graceful.
At this moment, a group of riders galloped over on their horses and stopped in front of Wang Shouzhe and the others.
“Huff!”
The person in the lead was a man in tight-fitting martial clothes in his thirties. He carried a strongbow on his back, and a saber hung at his waist. His bearing was extraordinary. When he saw Wang Shouzhe, he was first stunned, but then he laughed happily and said, “Zhe’er, it’s only been a couple of days since we last met, and you’ve become much more valiant. Looks like after becoming the patriarch, your temperament has changed.”
“Uncle, how could I trouble you to come and pick me up personally?” Wang Shouzhe hurriedly cupped his hands.
This man was the biological younger brother of Wang Shouzhe’s mother, Lu Mengxue-Lu Zhengjie, the mainstay among the younger generation of the Lu Clan of Yingxiu. He was only in his thirties, but he had already reached the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm. He was someone with a chance of breaking through to the Spirit Tower Realm.
Some time ago, he had specially rushed to Ping’an Town to attend Wang Dingyue’s funeral. Naturally, he had just parted ways with Wang Shouzhe.
“I didn’t come specially to pick you up.” Lu Zhengjie’s smile froze on his face. “A few days ago, a gang of criminals disguised as traveling merchants annihilated seven people from a wealthy businessman’s family. We followed the clues and found that they had escaped in the direction of Shanyang. We’re currently investigating this matter. I’ve already heard about the report of your visit to Yingxiu. You can go ahead and visit your Eldest Uncle yourself. I don’t have time to accompany you back now.”
“What a coincidence,” Wang Shouzhe smiled and said, “I just came from Shanyang and happened to catch a criminal on the way. From the initial interrogation, he should from the gang Uncle is talking about.”
“What?” Lu Zhengjie was slightly surprised.
Then, Wang Shouzhe handed the criminal to Lu Zhengjie and explained the entire situation to him. “I’ll leave the offender to Uncle, but he has already hidden the stolen goods. It’s not appropriate for me to interfere in this matter. Uncle, you can send someone to interrogate him yourself.” “That’ll save us a lot of trouble. Lu Yi, I’ll leave the rest to you. Try your best to get your valuables back and give the survivors of that wealthy businessman’s family an explanation,” Lu Zhengjie instructed in pleasant surprise.
Arcane Martial Clans had all sorts of privileges locally, but they also shouldered the responsibility of protecting the civilians. “Yes, Second Master.” A man with a somewhat sinister and ferocious expression stepped forward and gave a savage smile. “This bastard is really bold. He actually dares to commit crimes in the territory of our Lu Clan. If he falls into my hands, I guarantee that he will suffer a fate worse than death.”
Such vicious words made even Wang Shouzhe give him a second glance.
“Lu Yi has some experience in torture,” Lu Zhengjie said with a smile. “You can send a clan general with some talent to learn something.”
Wang Shouzhe did not comment on this.
If it was purely about torture, Wang Shouzhe’s “knowledge” was rather rich. His accumulated knowledge in this area was rather mixed. After all, modern criminal investigation dramas, spy dramas… There were too many similar scenes, and those methods were quite scientific.
He did not dwell on this matter for long. Since the mission to capture the fugitive had been completed, Lu Zhengjie personally led Wang Shouzhe back to the main residence of the Lu Clan of Yingxiu.
Compared to the Gongsun Clan of Shanyang, which had built their main residence on the mountainside in an impregnable form, the main residence of the Lu Clan of Yingxiu was established on the peninsula of Lake Yingxiu. It was surrounded by water on three sides and could be defended by a small force holding the pass.
In terms of blood relations alone, Wang Shouzhe had a deep relationship with the Lu Clan. Naturally, he would receive high-level hospitality here.
Before he entered the door, a young lady in a red dress rushed out and plunged into Wang Shouzhe’s arms. “Cousin Shouzhe, Xiaoxiao misses you so much.” Lu Xiaoxiao!
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The current patriarch, Lu Zhengxiong, had a daughter when he was old, and she was the most doted on.
However, before Wang Shouzhe could say anything, Wang Luojing, who was hiding behind him, suddenly grabbed his hand. “Fourth Brother, Jing’er feels a little unwell.”
Unwell?
Wang Shouzhe was stunned. He hurriedly held her small hand and asked in concern, “Where is Luojing feeling unwell? Could it be when you were sleeping in the carriage…”
He was only halfway through his sentence when he realized that the two girls’ eyes had met. They did not conceal their hostility at all, and sparks flew.