Chapter 175 - 119: Commander Bai’s Secret

Chapter 175: Chapter 119: Commander Bai’s Secret

When the time comes, we will have Mr. Chen accompany you.

With him there, your safety will be guaranteed."

Lu Jing’an listened quietly, not speaking for a long moment.

The air in the study seemed to freeze. The light from the charcoal brazier cast a trembling shadow on his lowered eyelashes.

Seeing his silence, Lu Huaichuan explained gently, "Jing’an, it’s not that your father, your third uncle, and I think you aren’t important to the Lu Family. Quite the opposite..."

Lu Jing’an looked up, interrupting his second uncle.

A faint, knowing smile touched his lips:

"Second Uncle, I understand.

If I go to the Hu Family and the plan succeeds, that would be for the best.

But if it fails...

With me in the hands of the Hu Family in the Provincial City, Bai Ting might be forced to tread carefully.

And the Hu Family, considering their future dealings with my Lu Family, would be unlikely to harm me immediately.

I would, ironically, be the one most likely to survive.

Perhaps even the only spark of the Lu Family left to carry on."

Lu Huaichuan looked into his nephew’s clear, perceptive eyes and nodded, not denying it. "Yes."

Lu Jing’an gently placed the secret letter back on the desk and stood up straight.

Outside the window, the first snowflake drifted silently down.

It landed on the cold glass and instantly melted away.

"Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Jing’an is grateful for your intentions."

Lu Jing’an’s voice was not loud, but every word was clear, carrying an unshakeable resolve.

"But I am not one to passively place my life in the hands of others, waiting for an outcome, good or bad.

I would much rather hold the hilt of the blade that decides victory or defeat myself."

Lu Jing’an paused, his gaze sweeping over his three elders. "Therefore, I cannot go to the Hu Family."

As his words fell, silence once again descended upon the study.

Only the sound of Lu Huaisan’s heavy breathing and the faint crackle of the charcoal fire could be heard.

Finally, Lu Huaisan broke the silence by slapping his own thigh.

"Good! Eldest Brother, since Jing’an wants to decide the outcome himself, let’s do it his way!

A son of our Lu Family ought to have this kind of courage!

As for the Hu Family, send Jinglin and Jinhao!

They are also from the Lu Family’s main lineage. Their status is sufficient!"

Lu Huaiqian looked at his determined son, then at his third brother’s approving expression.

Seeing his second brother nod slightly as well, the last trace of hesitation in his heart vanished.

Lu Huaiqian let out a long, heavy breath, as if expelling all the worries that had been weighing on his chest.

"Good!"

Lu Huaiqian slammed his hand on the desk.

"We’ll go with Jing’an’s plan. Send Jinglin and Jinhao to the Hu Family."

With the decision made, Lu Huaiqian no longer hesitated and turned to Lu Jing’an. "What do you need from the Hu Family?"

Lu Jing’an had already thought it through and immediately replied:

"First, the Hu Family must provide conclusive evidence.

Proof of how they determined that Bai Ting will absolutely pass through Muddy Dragon Beach on Little New Year’s Eve, and that he will be there in person.

Second, I want detailed files on Bai Ting and all key personnel around him.

Guards, advisors, personal attendants, and even any family members who might be traveling with him... detailed information on all of them.

The more detailed, the better, including their Cultivation paths, the characteristics of their Cultivation Techniques, their personalities, and their habits.

Third, the Hu Family’s detailed plan for this operation, including personnel assignments and individual tasks.

As well as the post-operation escape routes and extraction arrangements."

A look of approval appeared in Lu Huaiqian’s eyes.

These three demands were all crucial, striking at the very heart of the matter.

"I’ll summon the messenger from the Hu Family right now."

A few moments later, the old butler pushed open the door and entered.

"Go and invite that Mr. Xu from the Hu Family. Tell him we have finished our discussion and ask him to join us in the study."

"Yes, Master."

The old butler bowed and retreated.

Before long, the sound of unhurried footsteps could be heard from outside the door.

The study door was pushed open again, and a middle-aged man in a gray cotton long-robe, wearing round-rimmed glasses and dressed like a scholar, walked in.

He appeared to be around forty years old, with a gaunt face and a refined, scholarly air.

A gentle smile always seemed to play on his lips.

But the eyes behind his lenses were exceptionally bright and sharp.

His gaze swept over the people in the room, finally landing on Lu Jing’an, who sat to one side, lifting a copper kettle to refill his own tea.

This was the Qilin son of the Lu Family, whose fame had recently soared throughout the province.

Yin Mountain City’s youngest Patrol Chief—Lu Jing’an.

Mr. Xu had naturally done his homework before coming and knew it was this very young man...

...who had recently made the Bai Family suffer a silent, substantial loss, costing them both Bai Lang and control of the Water Patrol Bureau.

For the various families in the Provincial City, who had been suffocating under the Bai Family’s pressure, this was nothing short of a thunderclap.

Lu Jing’an felt the scrutinizing gaze and merely lifted his eyes for a moment.

He gave Mr. Xu a slight nod before returning his focus to the teacup in his hand.

He used the lid of the cup to gently skim the foam from the tea, his movements calm and unhurried.

"Mr. Xu, please sit." Lu Huaiqian gestured with his hand.

Mr. Xu said his thanks and sat down in the chair opposite Lu Huaiqian.

His posture was relaxed, not at all constrained.

"Mr. Xu, we have finished our discussion."

Lu Huaiqian got straight to the point.

"The Lu Family agrees to cooperate with the Hu Family’s operation.

However, Jing’an is responsible for the crucial Defense of Yin Mountain City.

Many matters require his personal attention, so he cannot leave for the Provincial City.

When the time comes, the two sons of my third brother, Jinglin and Jinhao, will accompany you to the Provincial City as guests."

Hearing this, Mr. Xu showed no surprise.

He simply turned his gaze to Lu Jing’an again, seeing that the young man was still looking down, sipping his tea, his expression as calm as still water.

He pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Acceptable."

That he agreed so readily gave Lu Jing’an pause.

Lu Jing’an put down his teacup and, for the first time, truly looked at this Mr. Xu.

’This man is no ordinary messenger. His position in the Hu Family must be quite high.

He can even make decisions on the spot without needing to ask for instructions.’

"You are a straightforward man, Mr. Xu," Lu Huaiqian continued.

"Since that’s settled, we have a few questions we’d like to ask you."