Chapter 55: Clan Extermination and Guilt by Association, A Woman’s View

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Clan Extermination and Guilt by Association, A Woman’s View

"I’m not too sure either. Let’s wait a while and see," Lu Yuan said. Empty words were no proof; it was better to wait until he had actually acquired some skill before proving it.

"Hmm, that works." Yan Qing nodded. "Go back and practice hard. I’ll be waiting to hear your good news."

Watching the two leave, Yan Qing couldn’t help but look at the white-haired elder. "Uncle Yuann, how much truth do you think there is to what Lu Yuan said?"

"What are you doubting?" Uncle Yuann chuckled. "Do you find it hard to believe that there is another genius in this world with the same Weapon-Forging talent as you?"

"No." Yan Qing hadn’t thought that way at all. "I just don’t believe in such a coincidence, that I’d happen to run into one right here in the Jade Capital."

"The Jade Capital gathers the fortune of the entire Daqian Dynasty and produces all kinds of exceptional talents. What’s so strange about encountering a Weapon-Forging genius?" Uncle Yuann spread his hands.

"Hmm, true." Yan Qing thought about it and nodded. The Demon Suppression Bureau was one of the gathering places for martial arts geniuses in the Jade Capital, and this one just happened to be interested in Weapon-Forging. Looking at it this way, it was quite normal. "It seems I was overthinking it."

"We’ll see." Uncle Yuann closed the main door.

"Brother Lu, are you also a Weapon-Forging genius?" Liu Zhi turned his head and asked.

"I don’t know, I haven’t even practiced yet." Lu Yuan shook his head.

"Hmm, fair enough," Liu Zhi nodded. "Still, you might genuinely have a talent for Weapon-Forging."

"Heh, it’s too early to say anything." Lu Yuan waved his hand.

Liu Zhi’s gaze grew complex. Initially, he thought Lu Yuan was just a lucky kid from a minor Seventh Grade family who had a bit of talent and got in through the back door. To his surprise, Lu Yuan turned out to be a Saber Technique genius. Then he discovered the kid had a real knack for interpersonal relations. After that, he was revealed to be a Hidden Weapon prodigy. Now, he might even have a talent for Weapon-Forging. The more time they spent together, the more virtues he discovered; the kid was like a treasure trove. He had a premonition that this boy was going to be extraordinary in the future.

"Alright, I’m heading back." Lu Yuan and Liu Zhi parted ways to go home.

As soon as he arrived at the Lu Family home, he found his father, Lu Ming, standing in the courtyard with lowered eyelids, deep in thought.

"You’re back."

"Yeah, were you waiting for me specifically?" Lu Yuan asked in confusion.

"There’s a matter to attend to." Lu Ming leaned in and lowered his voice. "Go to your maternal grandfather’s house after dinner."

"What’s wrong?" Lu Yuan frowned. This sudden instruction felt a bit off.

"Your second uncle might be connected to an Evil Cult," Lu Ming transmitted his voice secretly.

"What?" Lu Yuan’s expression changed drastically. Being involved with an Evil Cult was a crime punishable by clan extermination and guilt by association. "Are you sure? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

"I’m not certain yet, which is why I’m having you go and investigate," Lu Ming said.

"Oh." Lu Yuan understood. His father was a Chief Constable; it was inconvenient for him to go, and it would cause too much of a stir. Lu Yuan, however, was different. Although he had joined the Demon Suppression Bureau, he was still just a child in the eyes of most, and his Martial Arts were not considered highly formidable.

"I’ll go right after dinner."

"Hmm." Lu Ming nodded and went inside the house with Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan knew that he absolutely could not breathe a word of this to his mother.

Halfway through dinner, Lu Yuan spoke up. "I’m going to drop off some wine for Grandfather later."

"Hmm? Going so late? Are you off work tomorrow?" Wei Huiling asked in confusion.

"No, it’s just been a long time since I’ve seen them, and I miss them. I’ll stay over at their place tonight," Lu Yuan said with a smile.

"Oh, then I’ll go with you." Wei Huiling immediately perked up.

"I have to work overtime tonight," Lu Ming interjected. With him away and their son out, someone needed to watch the house.

"Overtime again. Overtime, overtime, why do you have so many extra shifts? And I don’t see you bringing back a single extra penny," Wei Huiling complained. His announcement ruined her mood to visit her maiden home with her son.

Lu Ming remained silent. He knew his wife was just venting, so he let her complain. He truly owed her too much.

SWISH. Lu Yuan pulled a silver note worth a hundred taels from his pocket and placed it in front of Wei Huiling.

"Hmm?" Wei Huiling was taken aback, then startled. "Where did you get so much money?" He had just given her fifty taels the day before yesterday.

"Isn’t it easy for your son to make money?" Lu Yuan smiled. As he spoke, he took out a Pill from his pocket and showed it to her. "I got this during last night’s mission. If I were to trade it, selling it for several hundred taels wouldn’t be a problem at all."

GASP. Wei Huiling drew a sharp breath, her face lighting up with pleasant surprise. "The Demon Suppression Bureau really does have great benefits. This is too generous."

Even Lu Ming’s expression couldn’t help but change. Compared to that, the compensation he received as a Chief Constable was far inferior. "Missions like this don’t even come around a few times a year."

"Even once a year is much better than you," Wei Huiling immediately retorted. She then cast a complicated look at her husband. With his Seventh Grade Cultivation, he could have also joined the Demon Suppression Bureau. In fact, someone from the Bureau had extended an olive branch before, but he had rejected it. Otherwise...

"A woman’s perspective. So short-sighted," Lu Ming snorted coldly.

"What did you say?" Wei Huiling immediately jumped up, putting one hand on her hip and pointing at Lu Ming with the other. "Who is short-sighted? Say that again!"

"Alright, alright, there’s no need to argue over such trivial matters," Lu Yuan hurriedly pulled his mother back down to her seat. It was just a minor squabble; why bother?

"Hmph!" Wei Huiling dropped the issue right away. She suddenly took a porcelain bottle from her pocket. "Someone delivered this today. She said she was a maid serving Siyao’s older cousin."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, took it, and opened it to take a look. It was a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill. Mu Lingyan had actually had someone deliver it. This woman was truly true to her word. However...

"A Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill!" Lu Ming frowned. This Pill cost hundreds of taels of silver each, and it was just given away so casually? Siyao’s older cousin? Did the Lin Family have relatives in the Jade Capital? "And you actually dared to accept it, kid?"

"It was already delivered, why wouldn’t I dare?" Lu Yuan stuffed it straight into his pocket along with his other Pills. He knew gifts required reciprocation, but he was no longer afraid of that. In truth, he was a little hesitant to actually consume this Pill right now. Who knew if Mu Lingyan had tampered with it? He could sell it to Liu Zhi and exchange it for a fresh one if he needed to use it.

"As long as you’ve thought it through." Lu Ming didn’t say much more. He knew his son had a sense of propriety, and saying too much would fall on deaf ears anyway. Besides, it was just a single Pill; the Lu Family could still afford to pay it back.

Half a quarter-hour later.

"I’m done." Lu Yuan put down his bowl and chopsticks, then went into his room to safely store away the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill. He checked his gear, grabbed his saber and two bottles of wine, and set off.

The Wei Family was also an old clan in the Jade Capital, having been established for hundreds of years. Their estate was located outside the Third Ring, about four or five miles away from the Lu Family.

Night fell when Lu Yuan was halfway there. However, it didn’t affect him. He hadn’t changed out of his Demon Suppression Bureau uniform; he merely wore a coat over it.

SWOOSH. Lu Ming appeared, landing beside Lu Yuan. "If you discover anything, don’t act rashly. I’ll be outside providing backup."

"Mm, don’t worry, I won’t alert the enemy," Lu Yuan nodded. That was his grandfather’s home, and the matter concerned his second uncle. If he didn’t have concrete evidence, he wouldn’t step out of line.

WHOOSH. Lu Ming vanished into the shadows.

Because it was dark, the number of people on the streets rapidly dwindled. Only a few inns and taverns that offered lodging remained brightly lit. Before curfew, Lu Yuan arrived at his grandfather’s house...