Chapter 113: Long’er
Lu Yi returned to the Clan Leader’s Courtyard and presented Lu Yun’s article to Du Hui, forcing a smile as he said, “This young man from my family’s article is quite good. I have already designated him as first place. I hope it will not disappoint Your Majesty.”
“I don’t understand it either,” with Lu Yi’s words, it was enough. Du Hui took Lu Yun’s article, casually put it into his sleeve, then got up to take his leave and said with a smile, “We’ll have to wait until His Majesty sees it before I know if it’s good or not.”
“Old Du, you really need to read more,” Lu Shang said with a smile as he saw Du Hui off, teasing him.
“My old eyes are blurry, why go through that trouble?” Accompanied by Lu Shang and others, Du Hui left the Clan Leader’s Courtyard, got into a blue felt sedan chair, cupped his hands at Lu Shang and said with a smile, “Please go back. I’ll find time to visit you, Duke, for tea another day.”
“You are always welcome,” Lu Shang watched Du Hui’s sedan chair leave, then glanced at Lu Yi and said, “You’re still quite clever, knowing to designate Lu Yun’s article as first place first.”
A chill ran down Lu Yi’s back. He knew very well that although Lu Shang’s words seemed to praise him for dealing with Du Hui effectively, they were actually mocking the charade he and the Great Elder had put on.
It was clear that although Lu Shang had been accompanying Du Hui, he was fully aware of what was happening outside.
“Go back,” Lu Shang, supported by Lu Xiu, turned to return to his own courtyard. He said slowly to Lu Yi, “Why are you still standing here?”
Watching Lu Shang’s retreating back, Lu Yi’s face underwent a series of intense changes. Finally, gritting his teeth, he quickly followed.
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Beside the fish pond, under the trellis, Lu Shang looked at Lu Yi kneeling before him and said with a calm expression, “What is it? Does my nephew have anything else to say?”
“Clan Leader, I was muddled for a moment and almost couldn’t withstand the Great Elder’s pressure!” Lu Yi touched the ground with his forehead, saying with deep grief and indignation, “Now I know I was wrong. I beg the Clan Leader to forgive me this once!”
“Oh?” Lu Shang said with a confused expression, “Nephew, why don’t I understand what you’re saying?”
‘The old fellow is still playing dumb!’ Lu Yi cursed inwardly. In his opinion, today’s competition, the rivalry between Lu Yun and Lu Xi, was a power struggle between the Clan Leader and the Great Elder, a preview of the future struggle for Clan Leadership!
In Lu Yi’s view, the entire affair was a demonstration of the Clan Leader’s complete suppression of the Great Elder with just a few casual words. The power displayed by both sides was simply not on the same level! He interpreted the appearance of Lu Bai and the other two, the four Princes, and the Initial Emperor as all being Lu Shang’s doing…
From this perspective, the Clan Leader’s long period of forbearance was not due to a lack of strength, but rather to lure the enemy out!
Lu Yi then realized that his previous belief that the Clan Leader’s era was coming to an end was completely mistaken. Therefore, he hurried to follow, bracing himself and begging for the Clan Leader’s forgiveness.
“The reason the Clan Leader hasn’t acted until now is because the Elder Council’s arrogance was overwhelming, so I thought I would feign cooperation with them for a while, waiting for the Clan Leader to make a move!” With this thought, Lu Yi’s demeanor became even more humble and respectful. He swore to the heavens, “But from beginning to end, I have never had any intention of colluding with the Great Elder!”
Lu Shang then understood that Lu Yi had attributed all of today’s events to him. He didn’t expose the misunderstanding, but simply smiled faintly and said, “Hehe, I just wanted to see the diverse behaviors of everyone in our Lu Clan.” He paused and added, “A strong wind reveals strong grass, and times of trouble reveal loyal officials. If this hadn’t happened, how would I know who is useful and who is not?”
A strange glint flashed in Lu Xiu’s eyes, then returned to normal.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yi hurriedly expressed his utmost loyalty to Lu Shang, repeatedly emphasizing that he had never harbored any thoughts of betraying the Clan Leader.
“Alright, put your mind at ease. It’s also my fault for not clarifying things with you,” Lu Shang said with a smile, letting Lu Yi straighten up. “I watched you grow up, and I still trust you.”
“When I return, I will cut ties with them immediately!” Lu Yi said, moved to tears.
“No need, you should continue to associate with them as usual,” Lu Shang shook his head.
Lu Yi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, “Does the Clan Leader want me to lie low among them, and wait for the right time?”
“That’s right,” Lu Shang nodded, his words profound. “The original intention of our ancestors in establishing the Elder Council was to provide a place for respected elders in the clan to offer advice and suggestions, assisting the Clan Leader in developing the clan. Now, some individuals mistakenly believe they can override the Clan Leader, or even aspire to dictate the succession of the Clan Leader. Such an Elder Council has completely deviated from its original purpose and has become a major tumor in our clan!”
Lu Yi nodded hurriedly in agreement. “What the Clan Leader says is absolutely correct!”
“Firstly, for the reputation of our clan,” Lu Shang said coldly, “and secondly, there may be great changes in the Capital City. Perhaps in a few years, the various clans will face an unprecedented crisis. I worry that our clan will be consumed by internal strife and fall into an abyss from which there is no recovery. That is why I have tolerated them temporarily, waiting for the optimal moment.”
“The Clan Leader’s foresight and his endurance of humiliation are profound,” Lu Yi said with a moved expression. “Your nephew is willing to swear his life to follow the Clan Leader, and will spare no effort!”
“Your words are enough,” Lu Shang nodded and said gently, “You may go down now. It’s not good to stay here with me for too long.”
“Nephew understands.” Lu Yi then departed as if granted a general amnesty.
After Lu Yi left, Lu Xiu quietly asked, “Father, did you really invite Eunuch Du and his men?”
Lu Shang shook his head and sighed softly, “I only instructed Lu Bai to bring people to support Lu Xin and his son, to show my support for them.” He then gave a self-deprecating smile, “I didn’t expect them to have such influence, to actually bring reinforcements from the Royal Family.”
Lu Xiu nodded, feeling embarrassed by his father’s thick skin.
“Actually, I could help him too, but that would clash with the current tone of showing weakness,” Lu Shang said without any self-awareness. “However, it’s best if Lu Xin can resolve it himself. The sharper this knife becomes, the greater its use will be when the time comes!” As he spoke, he looked deeply at his eldest son, “With him paving the way for you, I can smoothly send you to the throne of the next Clan Leader!”
Lu Xiu looked at his father with complex emotions, feeling like he was a stranger.
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Huaxia is vast, spanning thousands of miles north to south. While Luodu City was still scorching under the summer sun, the heat in Liaodong had already dissipated.
Inside Taiping City, located by the sea in Liaodong, the common people had already changed into autumn attire and were busy preparing for the long winter ahead. This city, with a population of one hundred thousand, seemed no different from other prefectures and counties of Great Xuan. However, Taiping City was not actually within the territory of Great Xuan.
The entity ruling this city was the black Daoist temple located in the center of Taiping City. It was as grand as a palace, yet simple and ancient, showing no trace of ostentation!
This was the main headquarters of Taiping Dao.
A carrier pigeon, pure white in color, flew across thousands of mountains and rivers. Upon reaching the skies above Taiping City and seeing the black Daoist temple, the tired pigeon swooped down and landed in the dovecote where it was born and raised.
The Old Daoist Priest tending to the dovecote quickly caught the carrier pigeon, untied the small bamboo tube bound to its leg. He then handed the pigeon to a young Daoist beside him, instructing him to care for it well. Clutching the bamboo tube, he left the dovecote, where thousands of carrier pigeons cooed, and walked quickly towards the Sanqing Hall located at the center of the Daoist temple.
In front of the Sanqing Hall, Sun Yuanlang, dressed in hemp clothing with silk ribbons tied around his head, was calmly watching a young man in a brocade robe practice swordplay on the large flat ground in front of the hall.
The young man, of similar age to Lu Yun, wielded his sword with unparalleled ferocity, forcing the several sword-wielding Daoists acting as sparring partners into desperate and chaotic situations.
The young man still seemed to have energy to spare. His peripheral vision caught sight of the Old Daoist bringing the message, and he let out a sharp shout, “Break!” His voice was hoarse, as if his vocal cords had been burned by fire, a stark contrast to his handsome, jade-like appearance!
Following this shout, the long sword in the young man’s hand suddenly emitted the sounds of dragons and tigers, transforming into a scorching inferno that enveloped his opponents.
Amidst screams, the sparring Daoists were struck at their vital points almost simultaneously. Had the long sword not been blunted, they would have surely lost their lives. Even so, they were not spared broken bones and torn muscles, spitting blood as they collapsed in pain.
The young man indifferently tossed aside the practice iron sword, ignoring the sparring partners, and walked directly towards Sun Yuanlang.
Sun Yuanlang had finished reading the message. Seeing the young man approach, he looked up and said, “Long’er, you were too heavy-handed.”
“Adoptive Father once taught me that martial arts are meant for killing,” the young man called Long’er replied dismissively. “Therefore, I believe that even during practice, one should go all out, so that when facing enemies in the future, one will not regret a moment of carelessness!”
“…” A bitter smile appeared on Sun Yuanlang’s lips. He ordered someone to carry the Daoists away for proper medical treatment, and then said to the young man, “Your Senior Sister wrote that the Imperial Seal is likely in the Capital City.”
Upon hearing the words “Capital City,” intense hatred flared in the young man’s eyes, and he gritted his teeth, saying, “Adoptive Father, allow me to go to the Capital to help Senior Sister and reclaim the Imperial Seal!”
