Chapter 55 - 54: Delivering a Car

Chapter 55: Chapter 54: Delivering a Car

Lu Jing’an turned around and looked at Lin Qingya. His gaze was peaceful, yet it made her subconsciously shrink back, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her theatrical robe. If she hadn’t been so intensely curious, someone with her timid nature would never have taken the initiative to ask. Seeing this, a gentle smile graced Lu Jing’an’s lips. He patiently explained, "I previously read about a type of ’Test Monkey’ in the newspaper."

He paused. Seeing Lin Qingya staring at him with her almond-shaped eyes, looking as if she only half-understood, he slowed his speech and explained in greater detail. "These ’Test Monkeys’ are captured by the Voiders for their research institutes to be used in various bizarre experiments. The appearance and condition of those monkeys are extremely similar to the Ghost-faced Ape we saw today."

Seeing Lin Qingya nod, Lu Jing’an continued, "Therefore, I figured that if I had you dress up as one of those researchers, it might trigger the deep-seated fear in the Ghost-faced Ape’s bones and successfully subdue it."

Seeing that Lu Jing’an was still looking at her after he finished speaking, Lin Qingya hurriedly nodded and then leaned back a little further.

Wen Ling had been listening quietly all this time. Now, she slightly furrowed her slender eyebrows. After carefully searching her memory, she looked up at Lu Jing’an and asked in confusion, "There was such a report in the newspaper? Why do I have absolutely no impression of it?"

Lu Jing’an’s expression remained unchanged as he casually replied, "I can’t remember clearly which newspaper I saw it in either. Perhaps it was an out-of-town paper, or a past issue."

Of course, Lu Jing’an would not say that he was able to recognize it as a Test Monkey because of the knowledge and experience from his past life.

Hearing Lu Jing’an’s explanation, Wen Ling did not continue to pursue the matter. Although she was a Literature Cultivator, it was impossible for her to know everything.

"Does Sister Qingya have any other questions?" Lu Jing’an asked Lin Qingya.

Hiding behind Wen Ling’s shoulder, Lin Qingya quickly shook her head, a strand of hair at her temples trembling slightly.

Lu Jing’an smiled and said, "Since there are no other questions, I will head back first. I’ll send someone to deal with this place later. Farewell, everyone."

"Take care, Young Master Lu." Yin Futou and the others hurriedly cupped their fists in return, their tone quite warm and enthusiastic.

Lu Jing’an followed Chen Xuan all the way back. The path was crowded with confused monkeys. It was obvious that with the loss of the Ghost-faced Ape, they had lost their backbone. They were completely at a loss as to what they should do next.

Chen Xuan protected Lu Jing’an, and they quickly returned to their sedan.

"Let’s go back," Chen Xuan said, continuing to stare vigilantly at their surroundings. It wasn’t until the car drove onto the main road leading to the county town that he finally relaxed. "Young Master, it would be best if you involved yourself less in such matters in the future," he reminded him.

Lu Jing’an looked at the scenery rapidly receding outside the window and smiled. "Don’t I still have you, Master?"

Seeing that his master did not respond, Lu Jing’an added, "I was also thinking of cooperating with the Anping Bureau. On one hand, by slaying Demons and eradicating evil, I can accumulate a good reputation for the Lu Family. With such public support, anyone who wants to touch the Lu Family will have to think twice.

"On the other hand, it can also accumulate more wealth for the Lu Family. Many times, when people say it isn’t about the money, it probably is entirely about the money. The only issue is simply not having enough of it."

Of course, Lu Jing’an did not mention the most important point.

The Divine Soul of the Demon Beast.

This was the most crucial part.

Hearing Lu Jing’an’s explanation, Chen Xuan did not try to dissuade him any further, merely urging him to be more careful.

The car soon returned to the county town. Lu Jing’an had the driver head straight to the docks. Inside the largest freight company at the docks, named ’Lu Lutong’, Lu Jing’an found Lu Huaisan, who was frantically checking the account books.

"Uncle Huaisan," Lu Jing’an called out.

Lu Huaisan raised his head. As soon as he saw Lu Jing’an, he looked as if he had seen a savior and hurriedly waved him over. "Jing’an! You’re finally here. Quick, come help me look at these accounts. They’re making my eyes blur!"

Lu Jing’an had run his own company in his past life. He could handle basic accounting with ease. The docks’ accounts mainly consisted of the inflow and outflow of goods and the circulation of silver coins. The items were complicated, but they were clearly organized and not difficult to understand.

Before long, he pointed out several vague entries and potential errors, asking Uncle Huaisan to have someone verify and correct them.

Lu Huaisan delegated the correction work and let out a long sigh of relief. He wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and laughed. "I’ve finally made some sense of this. Jing’an, you really saved my life."

Lu Jing’an asked in confusion, "Uncle Huaisan, hasn’t my aunt always managed the docks’ account books? Where is she?"

Lu Huaisan replied, "Isn’t it because of the Tiger Demon incident last time? The two little ones were terrified. Although Doctor Cui checked them and said they were physically fine, psychological trauma can only be healed with companionship. Your aunt is at home keeping the two little ones company."

After hearing this, Lu Jing’an said to Lu Huaisan, "Uncle Huaisan, isn’t this simple? You can just ask my second uncle to temporarily send a reliable person to help you keep the accounts."

Lu Huaisan slapped his forehead in sudden realization. "Look at my brain, getting all muddled when I’m busy! Right, right, I’ll call your second uncle right now." Saying this, he reached for the telephone on the desk.

However, Lu Jing’an reached out and gently pressed down on the receiver. "Uncle Huaisan, it won’t be too late to make the call later. Right now, there is an urgent matter that requires you to make immediate arrangements."

"What is it?"

"First, send some capable men and dispatch a truck to the Old Crow Forest in the west of the city immediately." Lu Jing’an lowered his voice. "There is the corpse of a Demon Beast there that I hunted down in cooperation with the Anping Bureau. It needs to be transported back and processed as soon as possible to avoid any unexpected complications."

Hearing that Lu Jing’an had gone hunting Demon Beasts again, Lu Huaisan immediately became nervous. "Jing’an, why did you go hunting Demon Beasts again? Don’t you know how dangerous it is?"

Lu Jing’an explained, "Uncle Huaisan, this time the Anping Bureau was in charge. I just provided some materials and watched them take action from the sidelines. My master and I didn’t participate."

Hearing this, Lu Huaisan felt relieved. "Leave this matter to me, Jing’an. I’ll arrange for people to go to the Old Crow Forest and collect the corpse right now."

With the matter of the Ghost-faced Ape’s corpse resolved, Lu Jing’an and Chen Xuan returned to the Lu Family estate.

After returning home, Lu Jing’an had a simple lunch and continued Cultivating the Six Harmonies Fist. When it came to Martial Cultivation, Lu Jing’an never slacked off.

Chen Xuan stood under the corridor with his arms crossed, watching quietly. It was already rare for this disciple of his to have such high aptitude. What was even rarer was his temperament—disciplined, hardworking, yet not lacking in flexibility and adaptability. Given time, he would definitely not be someone confined to mediocrity.

After practicing for two hours, Lu Jing’an finally withdrew his stance and exhaled, his entire body steaming with heat. Cui Jieyi had already prepared a medicinal bath for him. He soaked himself in the scalding bathtub that emanated a rich herbal scent. Closing his eyes, he regulated his breathing and felt the Medicinal Power seeping into his exhausted Tendons and Bones bit by bit.

While he was soaking, a servant reported in a low voice outside the door, "Young Master, Ms. Wen Ling from the Anping Bureau has come to visit. She is waiting in the tearoom."

Lu Jing’an responded and quickly dried his body. He changed into a clean, pale-white long gown and headed to the tearoom.

In the tearoom, Wen Ling had already changed into her usual plain-colored qipao, which accentuated her elegant figure. She was sitting upright, sipping tea. Seeing him enter, she looked up and smiled faintly, looking as beautiful as a lotus blooming in clear water.

"Sister Wen Ling," Lu Jing’an stepped into the room and praised sincerely, "this qipao really suits you best."

Wen Ling smiled faintly but didn’t pick up on the compliment. Instead, she took out a small celadon jar, about the size of a palm, from the cloth bag she carried with her. She placed it gently on the tea table and pushed it toward Lu Jing’an. "This is for you."

Lu Jing’an took the small jar. It felt slightly cool to the touch, and the body of the jar was smooth and delicate. He looked puzzled. "Sister Wen Ling, this is...?"

"Tea leaves from the Plant People," Wen Ling’s voice was soft and clear. "After discussing it, everyone unanimously decided to give them to you."

Lu Jing’an opened the lid of the jar. Suddenly, a clear, profound, and indescribable tea aroma wafted into his face. He instantly felt his Spirit lift. The slight exhaustion left over from Practicing Boxing in the afternoon dissipated like snow meeting the morning sun, leaving his entire body feeling comfortable and relaxed.

At the same time, a notification also emerged.

[Refining/Repairable item detected. Please choose?]

Although there was a notification, Lu Jing’an did not make a choice immediately. Instead, he politely declined, "Sister Wen Ling, isn’t this too precious?"

There were probably dozens of tea leaves in this jar. One must know that although Lu Jing’an had drunk this tea the few times he visited, he was only given a tiny leaf each time. This time, there were dozens of leaves. Lu Jing’an was even worried that they had plucked the Plant People bald.

Wen Ling looked at Lu Jing’an earnestly and said, "This was a unanimous decision made by everyone after a discussion. Not only did you provide the White Phosphorus this time, but your reminder at a critical moment saved all of us."

Lu Jing’an closed the lid and pushed it back, saying, "Sister Wen Ling, like I said, it was just an offhand remark."

Wen Ling maintained her serious expression. "It was exactly your offhand remark that saved all of us. You shouldn’t decline this."

"Since that’s the case, I won’t be polite." Lu Jing’an paused for a moment and added, "Sister Wen Ling, when you go back, submit a report. I will have the Public Security Bureau dispatch a car for you guys."

Before Wen Ling could refuse, Lu Jing’an continued, "This is fair, reasonable, and compliant with the regulations. The Anping Bureau is a department under the jurisdiction of the Public Security Bureau. As long as the report you submit is reasonable, it’ll be fine. Even if people shout it from the rooftops, no one can claim that we are colluding with each other."