Chapter 22: Patriarch’s Crisis, Attentiveness

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Patriarch’s Crisis, Attentiveness

"This is where your son’s brilliance shines.

"Why do you think I was distilling liquor a couple of days ago?"

Lu Yuan proudly recounted how he had won over Wu the Cripple. Of course, he conveniently omitted the fact that his strength had grown by leaps and bounds over the past two days, which was the *actual* reason he had caught the man’s eye—or so he assumed!

"It was that simple? Just a bit of liquor and a few pounds of meat, and he recommended you?" Wei Huiling was incredulous, brimming with suspicion.

"It really was that simple!" Lu Yuan nodded affirmatively.

"Ah, the process isn’t important. What matters is that your son is now officially a member of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

"How about it? Are you happy? Thrilled?

"Are you completely surprised?"

Saying this, he pulled out the uniform and token issued by the Demon Suppression Bureau to show her. Wei Huiling ran her fingers over the items, finally convinced. They were indeed from the Demon Suppression Bureau. She also knew her son was clever and quick-witted, so...

"Not bad. My son has finally made something of himself."

"Hehe." Lu Yuan smiled smugly.

"I honestly thought you had acknowledged that man as your godfather and privately promised to care for him in his old age," Wei Huiling muttered to herself.

"What?" Lu Yuan’s mind went blank. He felt as if someone had smashed him over the head with a heavy mallet.

"Am I that kind of person? Someone who would stoop to anything to achieve their goals?

"Mother, what are you thinking? How could I possibly do that?

"Even though a Sixth Grade Martial Artist is already incredibly strong and Wu the Cripple seems like a decent guy, I would never acknowledge someone as a godfather unless they had Third Grade or Second Grade strength!"

"Alright, enough bragging. Third Grade, Second Grade... you’re just daydreaming," Wei Huiling rolled her eyes. "If he really was a Sixth Grade Martial Artist in the past, you wouldn’t be losing out by acknowledging him. In fact, you’d be taking advantage of a huge opportunity."

To ordinary people, a Sixth Grade Martial Artist was absolutely a high-ranking figure, a true big shot. In reality, the most powerful individuals the vast majority of people ever encountered were Seventh Grade, or even Eighth Grade. The Lu Family had some foundation, but it wouldn’t be easy for them to get acquainted with, let alone curry favor with, a Sixth Grade Martial Artist.

"Mother, do you believe that I’ll reach the Second Grade in the future?" Lu Yuan suddenly felt a surge of ambition.

"I do not!" Wei Huiling shook her head. "If you can reach the Second Grade in the future, I’ll dig up the eighteen generations of ancestors of the Lu Family and worship them properly!"

"Ah, please don’t. Just let the ancestors of the Lu Family rest in peace." Lu Yuan hurriedly waved his hands. He broke into a cold sweat, realizing he had nearly caused his ancestors’ graves to be dug up.

"Your joining the Demon Suppression Bureau is a joyous occasion. I’ll go prepare." Wei Huiling headed to the kitchen to take a look. Whether she liked his new job or not, it was already set in stone, and they needed to celebrate. Besides, in this life, when was anything ever smooth sailing? What endeavor didn’t involve a bit of danger?

"Young Master, you’re amazing!" Yaoyao praised once again.

"Once your body is fully recovered, I’ll teach you how to cultivate," Lu Yuan said, rubbing Yaoyao’s little head.

"Really?" Yaoyao’s eyes immediately shone with longing and pleasant surprise.

"Of course. Your young master never lies," Lu Yuan smiled.

With her Demon Blood Ancestor constitution, she was guaranteed to reach at least the Seventh Grade in the future. She would be able to protect the family.

"Young Master! From now on, Yaoyao will fight the bad guys with you!" Yaoyao said solemnly and seriously.

"Alright, go play now." Lu Yuan shooed the little girl away.

He continued to practice his martial arts. Just as he was running out of resources, someone had conveniently delivered a Pill and some silver coins to his doorstep. After giving his mother fifty taels, he still had fifty taels and a Qi Nourishing Pill left.

Lu Yuan practiced for another half hour, swallowed the Qi Nourishing Pill, and continued.

"Lu Yuan! Lu Yuan! I’m back! Haha, did you miss me?" Lin Siheng jumped over the wall and laughed loudly.

"No one missed you. What are you getting so worked up about?" Lu Yuan rolled his eyes.

"You didn’t miss me? I don’t believe you!" Lin Siheng immediately glared at Lu Yuan. "I’ve been gone all day. Didn’t you feel miserable without someone to practice with? Don’t you really want to know what I was up to?"

"No!" Lu Yuan shook his head, took a sip of water, and caught his breath.

"Then don’t even think about me telling you where we went today or who we hung out with." Lin Siheng put on a haughty act. He crossed his arms over his chest and stood proudly, ignoring Lu Yuan.

"That’s fine. I’ll just ask your second sister later," Lu Yuan replied, completely unfazed.

"Ah? You..." Lin Siheng’s defenses instantly crumbled. With Lin Siyao around, he really had no leverage over Lu Yuan. "We went out of the city to hunt with Sister Mu today. I shot several rabbits, three pheasants, and even a fox!"

"Oh." Lu Yuan suddenly understood. That made sense. It could only be Mu Lingyan. After all, the Lin Family didn’t have any other friends or relatives in the Capital City.

"You shot all that game, and you didn’t even think to bring a couple over for me and my parents?"

"Ah?" Lin Siheng froze, suddenly scratching his head in embarrassment. "It didn’t cross my mind. I forgot."

"You little ingrate. All the food you’ve eaten at our house was completely wasted on you," Lu Yuan scolded.

"It just slipped my mind for a moment!" Lin Siheng was so embarrassed and anxious that he started stomping his feet. "I’ll definitely bring you some next time! Definitely!"

"Next time? When is next time?" Lu Yuan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Lu Yuan..." Lin Siheng looked at him in disbelief. "Are you really in that much of a rush? It’s just a bit of game, isn’t it? A few pounds of meat?"

"What I mean is, did Mu Lingyan invite you out again? Is she always this persistent?" Lu Yuan clarified.

"Ohhh..." Lin Siheng came to a realization. "I don’t know either. She just mentioned doing it again next time, maybe hunting or some other activity."

"Someone being overly accommodating usually has ulterior motives. You and your sister should be careful," Lu Yuan warned.

"I know," Lin Siheng nodded. He trusted Lu Yuan completely. At the very least, if it came down to choosing between Mu Lingyan and Lu Yuan, he would definitely side with Lu Yuan. "My sister is smart; she won’t be easily fooled. Besides, my mother went along too."

"Mhm." Lu Yuan nodded.

His future mother-in-law might not like him, but she would absolutely never allow Lin Siyao to mingle with other young, talented men while she was already engaged. Moreover, Lin Siyao was still young; she was only fourteen, so there was no need to rush. For those with exceptional talent, it was generally better to marry later in life. It was even considered perfectly normal to never marry at all.

"Lu Yuan, how about we spar a bit? I learned a new move today, and it’s really powerful." Lin Siheng’s hands suddenly itched for a fight.

Lu Yuan glanced at his system interface, but there were no prompts. "I’ll pass. Fighting you is no fun; you’re far too weak. We can talk after you break through to the Ninth Grade."

"I’m weak? You..." Lin Siheng’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was too insulting! How was he weak? "I’ll break through to the Ninth Grade tomorrow!"

"Alright, I’ll be waiting," Lu Yuan waved him off dismissively.

"Hmph!" Lin Siheng immediately spun around and vaulted back over the wall to his own house.

A short while later, Lin Siyao appeared.

"Brother Yuan..."

SWISH!

Lu Yuan darted over to the base of the wall. "What did Mu Lingyan want with you?"

"Nothing much. We were just hanging out and hunting," Lin Siyao said with a bright smile.

"You know how to hunt?" Lu Yuan was curious.

Lin Siyao suffered from a congenital illness and hadn’t fully recovered yet. She was usually too frail to draw a bow, and besides, she abhorred killing.

"I just watched them hunt," Lin Siyao said, tilting her head.

"Were there a lot of people? Anyone else besides Mu Lingyan?" Lu Yuan reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Lin Siyao’s forehead.

"Brother Yuan, what are you trying to ask?" Lin Siyao blinked her large, innocent eyes.