Chapter 123: Nighttime Vendetta
After chatting with Lu Ying for a while, Lu Yun went to see Lu Xin.
“How did it go? Quite a harvest, right?” There wasn’t the slightest dejection on Lu Xin’s face; clearly, he didn’t want to affect Lu Yun.
“Watched the bamboo for half a day…” Lu Yun gave a bitter smile.
“And then?”
“Then I came back.”
“Uh…” Lu Xin was stunned for a moment, then laughed in surprise: “No wonder Older Brother said the Vice Sect Master is almost becoming an immortal.” He restrained his smile and said: “But surely there is profound meaning in it. For now, just keep patience; there will be gains.”
“Yes.” Lu Yun nodded. Being able to receive guidance from a Heavenly Rank Grandmaster was a rare opportunity he sought; even if he couldn’t figure it out, he would persist.
“By the way, the river channel case has been judged.” Lu Yun said somewhat incredulously: “Huang Yun was exterminated of three kin, Gao Guangning was also confiscated and dismissed from office, demoted to commoner, never to be employed again.”
“Oh?” Lu Yun said in surprise: “Why is it so different from before?”
“It’s said that disaster victims heard the news and petitioned outside Ziwei City,” Lu Xin replied: “His Majesty and the Grand Tutor, to quell public anger, thus gave heavy sentences.” He paused and added: “Of course, the inside story is probably not that simple.”
Lu Yun nodded and said softly: “Since it’s heavy sentencing, why exterminate three kin for one, and merely dismiss the other from office?”
“I heard the Xiahou Clan donated four million guàn of money to help disaster victims rebuild homes.” Lu Xin said knowingly: “Probably Gao Guangning’s blood money.”
“When did Gao Guangning leave the capital?” Lu Yun asked again. Officials dismissed for crimes must, by law, return to their native place and cannot stay in the capital city.
“Setting off tomorrow.” Lu Xin replied.
“Will the Xiahou Clan send people to escort him?” Lu Yun asked.
“That’s unknown.” Lu Xin glanced at Lu Yun and said: “Even without escorts, who would dare touch Xiahou Clan people?”
Lu Yun nodded and said nothing.
“It’s late; go rest. Tomorrow you still need to continue cultivation.” Lu Xin said warmly.
“Father,” Lu Yun hesitated, then asked softly: “Is it true about Lu Jian making a comeback?”
Lu Xin gave a bitter smile, nodded and said: “I originally didn’t want to tell you. Today the Great Steward talked to me; the pressure from the Elder Council is too great, and the Clan Leader will agree soon.”
Lu Yun’s gaze sharpened, and he said coldly: “Even if he makes a comeback, he won’t bounce around for many days.”
“Don’t act rashly.” Lu Xin knew Lu Yun was planning to act against Lu Jian again. He couldn’t help frowning and said: “Your most important task now is next year’s Grand Competition at the beginning of the year. Father’s matters are small; don’t lose the big for the small.”
“Father, rest assured; your son won’t proactively provoke Lu Jian.” Lu Yun subconsciously touched his nose and said softly: “Just afraid that the tree wants stillness but the wind doesn’t stop…”
“You mean Lu Jian will seek revenge for Lu Feng’s matter?” Lu Xin shook his head: “He also needs to keep a low profile and act like a man; he shouldn’t act rashly.”
“Hopefully…” Lu Yun smiled bitterly inwardly. If it were just making Lu Feng ruined in reputation, Lu Jian might not retaliate immediately. But now, Lu Jian should know Lu Feng has been turned to ashes; he has only that one son—how could he endure it?
.
The next day at dusk, Lu Yun returned from Lu Ward and said apologetically to Lu Ying who came to greet him: “Elder Sister, tomorrow… I must go out to handle something.”
“…” Disappointment appeared on Lu Ying’s face, and she pouted: “Fine. Go busy yourself; just let Elder Sister suffocate at home.”
“Elder Sister…” Lu Yun hurriedly apologized carefully, promised her several things, and only after a good while did he appease Lu Ying.
Accompanying Lu Ying talking until late at night, Lu Yun returned to his own room. After silent sitting for a moment, he changed into night clothes, slipped out the back window silently like a nimble cat, leaped onto the courtyard wall in a few bounds, and then flew across the rooftops of Congshan Ward noiselessly.
At this time the ward gate was long closed, but the over two-zhang-high ward wall couldn’t stop Lu Yun at all. He climbed hand and foot like a gecko on the wall, reached the empty top of the ward wall, then ran wildly.
After running for the time of a cup of tea, Lu Yun didn’t know how many wards he crossed, finally reaching the end of the ward wall. He abruptly stopped, hid in the darkness, and peered ahead. He saw countless lanterns hanging high on the tall city wall ahead, illuminating the four-to-five-zhang-wide open ground between the ward wall and city wall as bright as daylight.
On the city wall, official soldiers patrolled densely; anyone trying to approach would be discovered by them.
But Lu Yun wasn’t doing this for the first time. He pinched a stone, aimed at a string of windproof lanterns hanging high on the left front gate tower. Seeing a team of official soldiers walk under the light, Lu Yun channeled true qi and shot the stone out!
The stone hit the hanging rope of the windproof lanterns squarely, instantly snapping the rope in two; the string of lanterns fell with a clatter right on the heads of that team of official soldiers!
“Ouch!” The team of official soldiers, caught off guard, immediately scattered in chaos, shouting and jumping while holding their heads; their voices were especially piercing in the quiet night.
The other patrolling official soldiers came over upon hearing, and seeing it was just lanterns falling, everyone laughed loudly: “Cowards smaller than mice; thought you were hit by rolling stones or pounding logs!”
“Damn it!” Those official soldiers flushed red, cursing loudly: “The Military Armory Ward people deserve to die; they inspected these lanterns just the day before yesterday, and today they fall and hit me!”
“This is nothing; the river embankment just repaired last year collapsed this year.” Someone nearby laughed heartily: “The entire Ministry of Works is the same; yesterday, their Minister was the one chased out of the capital from here…”
“Should vivisect him alive!” The official soldiers muttered curses.
“Alright, alright, hurry back to patrol!” The leading officer dispersed the gathered official soldiers, not forgetting to instruct: “All avoid the lights.”
After the small interlude, the city wall quieted down again, and the official soldiers resumed patrolling. No one noticed that while they were watching the fun, a black shadow rapidly crossed the open ground under the city wall, climbed the city wall in a blink, crossed the city head, and disappeared into the night.
.
After leaving the city, Lu Yun ran eastward along the official road. He had opened the Ren and Du Meridians, with stamina far surpassing a warhorse; only his running speed was slightly inferior.
After the time of a cup of tea, Lu Yun had reached Dingjia Ferry of the Luo River twenty li away.
This ferry was used by commoners to cross the Luo River during the day; at this deep night, the ferry was naturally empty, with only a small boat moored alone at the simple dock.
Lu Yun slowed his steps, arrived at the dock, and lightly imitated a nightingale calling three times.
From the small boat soon came three calls of a night owl. Then, Uncle Bao emerged from the cabin.
Speaking of which, since Lu Yun instructed Uncle Bao to spread rumors, the two hadn’t met for a long time. Lu Yun, considering he was becoming more noticeable, and with enemies like Lu Jian and Xie Tian staking out in secret, had been contacting Uncle Bao through subordinates indirectly this whole time…
“Young Master!” Uncle Bao excitedly came forward, rasping: “We’re finally going to take revenge!”
“Merely a Gao Guangning is just testing the blade.” Lu Yun said coldly: “Where is he now?”
“Gao Guangning has luggage and baggage, traveling slowly. Left the city at noon yesterday; currently overnighting at Liujia Village eighty li away.” Uncle Bao said in a deep voice: “However, during the stakeout, this subordinate discovered others secretly following him!”
“Xiahou Clan people?” Lu Yun asked.
“Investigative Bureau people.” Uncle Bao rasped: “The leader is an old acquaintance of this subordinate, so I recognized them.”
“Investigative Bureau?” Lu Yun was stunned: “What are they up to?”
“Won’t they be thinking the same as us…” Uncle Bao laughed.
But Lu Yun shook his head, pondered for a moment and said: “No, the Investigative Bureau is likely protecting him in secret!”
