Chapter 218: Unexpected Guest
“Reporting to Your Majesty, regarding what that grave robber said, that tomb is extremely grand. Should this old minister bring more manpower?” Zuo Yanqing asked softly, “And should we first deploy troops to secure the surrounding area?”
The Initial Emperor pondered for a long time before slowly shaking his head. “Don’t make such a big fuss yet. Wait until we confirm there really is a treasure vault before deploying troops.” He sighed listlessly, “In the end, it’s still because my strength is insufficient. If there’s too much commotion, the situation might spiral out of control.”
“This old minister understands.” Zuo Yanqing acknowledged, then said with some concern, “However, now all the various clans have already heard the news and mobilized. Even if we are extremely cautious, this trip probably won’t be peaceful.”
“Mm.” The Initial Emperor nodded, expressionless. “We can’t stop those who want to get involved. As long as we confirm the treasure vault truly exists, I have ways to make them only able to look on enviously!” He glanced at Du Hui and said, “You should also get moving. Go with Eunuch Zuo.”
“This old slave obeys.” Du Hui responded softly.
“Go.” The Initial Emperor’s gaze drifted, his expression dim, as if he had already lost the excitement from just learning of Gaozu’s Treasure Vault appearing.
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The various clans had deep roots in the capital city, their eyes and ears no less than Shang Yun’s. A little later, they all successively received the news that the grave robber had been captured first by the Investigative Bureau.
Pei Clan, Tie Xue Hall.
“If the news is true,” Pei Yunan reported in a deep voice to several giants in the clan, “His Majesty and the Investigative Bureau will definitely take immediate action.”
“Mm.” Pei Qiu nodded, fully approving of his nephew’s judgment. After pondering for a long time, he looked up at everyone and said, “The Xiahou Clan has replied, saying it’s not advisable to mobilize a large force. It seems the Old Grand Tutor judges that His Majesty, at least at the start, won’t send too many men.” He then made up his mind and said, “We’ll do as the Grand Tutor says. Ninth Brother, Yuqiu, I’ll trouble you two this time, along with four or five grandmasters from our clan. This way we can advance or retreat, which is the safest.”
Like the Initial Emperor, Pei Qiu had calmed down after the initial excitement, placing safety and prudence first.
The two Earth Rank Grandmasters Pei Bang and Pei Yuqiu nodded together to accept the order.
“That’s excellent,” Pei Jiao also agreed. “Anyway, our goal is those secret manuals and blueprints. Sending more people won’t help.”
“Indeed.” Pei Qiu nodded and sighed. “It’s also because the matter has caused such a stir throughout the city that we have to act low-key.”
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Lu Clan, Small Bamboo Forest.
Lu Kan came on the Clan Leader’s orders to report intelligence on Gaozu’s Treasure Vault to Lu Xian. At the end, he smiled at Lu Xian. “Second Brother, can’t you take your brother along to have a look?”
“Burden.” Lu Xian used the same excuse. These past few days, Lu Wei and others had all come to him, and Lu Xian had mercilessly blocked them all with the same word.
“Second Brother, you always need someone to run errands.” Lu Kan still wouldn’t give up. “When the time comes, everyone else will have attendants front and back, just you all alone—how undignified.”
“I already have someone to run errands.” Lu Xian said flatly.
“Who?!” Lu Kan was stunned, then immediately saw Lu Yun standing by with a smile, suddenly realizing. “So it’s this kid!” He said with great dissatisfaction, “Second Brother, this kid is too green, not reliable.”
“I wouldn’t dare trouble the esteemed Steward Lord.” Lu Xian ignored him and continued to hurt Lu Kan. “Besides, you might not be as reliable as him.”
“Sigh…” How could Lu Kan not understand Lu Xian’s implication? Seeing that neither soft nor hard pleading worked, he could only leave awkwardly.
“Go back and call Lu Xin. We’ll set off.” After Lu Kan left, Lu Xian said to Lu Yun, then closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, clearly not daring to be the slightest bit careless about the upcoming trip to Mount Mang.
Lu Yun acknowledged and left the Small Bamboo Forest, returning to Jingxin Ward to notify Lu Xin. By now it was getting dark; Lu Xin should have returned home from the yamen and was waiting quietly for his news.
As soon as Lu Yun returned to Jingxin Ward, the neighbors cautiously and respectfully gathered around to talk to him as usual. Lu Yun politely responded to each one, but his steps didn’t slow at all. He soon reached his own doorway, pushed open the half-closed gate, and quickly walked inside.
Closing the gate, Lu Yun let out a soft breath. Although he was trying hard to adapt, he still wasn’t quite used to this kind of empty courtesy with the clan members.
The next moment, he felt something strange—there wasn’t a single shadow in the courtyard. Looking further inside, he saw Lu Xiang, Lu Xin, Lu Ying, and even Madam Lu all sitting upright in the hall, accompanying a middle-aged Daoist priest who was talking there.
‘What important guest actually has the whole family attending?’ Lu Yun wondered, walking casually to the corridor under the eaves. Suddenly, without reason, a chill ran down his spine…
At that moment, the middle-aged Daoist priest turned his head. His face was strikingly handsome, with a flowing long beard and an air of immortal poise. He smiled mildly at Lu Yun. “You must be Lu Yun. Come in and sit together.”
Lu Yun’s feet remained rooted, his gaze quickly sweeping over his family. Although none of them looked at him, when the Daoist priest called his name, they all visibly trembled. He could see they were trying their utmost to shake their heads but couldn’t move at all…
Lu Yun instantly understood—they wanted him to escape. Lu Xin was an Earth Rank Grandmaster, yet rendered completely helpless by the opponent. That Daoist priest’s strength was obvious—heavenly rank grandmaster!
Absolutely not something Lu Yun could match!
The Daoist priest glanced at them from the corner of his eye, still smiling warmly at Lu Yun.
‘Flee, or stay?’
The next moment, Lu Yun made his decision. He casually took off his shoes and stepped into the hall.
.
As soon as he entered the hall, Lu Yun saw the family’s guards and servants all lying motionless at the feet of Lu Xin and the others…
Seeing Lu Yun enter, Lu Xiang, Lu Xin, and Lu Ying all cast grieved and indignant gazes at him, clearly resenting why he hadn’t fled.
But Lu Yun seemed to freeze in fear, trembling there at a loss.
“Stop acting.” Unexpectedly, his deception was seen through by the Daoist priest. “The Young Master Yun who remained calm before tens of thousands of rioters and single-handedly blocked hundreds of enemies shouldn’t be this fragile.”
Lu Yun’s scalp went numb—the opponent knew him so well that even his last chance to disguise oneself as a pig to eat the tiger was gone.
“What did you do to my grandfather and the others?” Lu Yun dropped the pretense and asked coldly.
“No need to worry. This poor Daoist doesn’t enjoy killing.” The Daoist priest smiled. “I merely sealed their acupoints.” He smiled and added, “Of course, if anyone makes this poor Daoist’s mood sour, that’s another story.”
“I haven’t asked for Your Honor’s name.” Lu Yun had already unlocked the acupoint in the center of the forehead at his glabella, but raising his vital energy took a bit of time.
“This poor Daoist is Sun Yuanlang.” The Daoist priest smiled freely, his flat tone carrying innate pride, as if everyone who heard his name would naturally feel awe.
Sure enough, Lu Yun’s expression changed, as if deflated. He forced a difficult smile. “To think the Taiping Dao Sect Leader has come in person. Our humble home is truly honored.”
“This poor Daoist naturally doesn’t visit without reason.” This Daoist priest was precisely Sun Yuanlang, whom the Saintess had welcomed out of the city a couple days ago. At that time, he had repeatedly said to ignore the imperial seal matter and focus fully on investigating Gaozu’s Treasure Vault. Who knew that as soon as he turned around, he appeared in Lu Xin’s home.
Sun Yuanlang smiled at Lu Yun, then suddenly raised his hand without warning, shooting several streams of forceful energy toward him.
As the whooshing sounds rang out, the streams of forceful energy reached an inch before Lu Yun’s body. Instinctively wanting to dodge, Lu Yun’s body was forced still by his reason, allowing them to strike the acupoints on his chest. Immediately, like Lu Ying and Lu Xin, he couldn’t move…
