Chapter Twelve: Reminiscence

In Lu Tianhong’s study.

Lu Tianhong stared at the secret message in his hand. It contained the results of the Lu Family’s investigation over the past three days. According to their findings, on the day Lu Tianhong attended the auction, Lu Tianlin had taken his son, Lu Ran, to Morning Star City, claiming he was uneasy about Lu Ran going to Lin City alone. Family disciples, Lu Cheng and Lu Kun, could both vouch for this.

“Eldest brother, are you constructing your own alibi? By the timeline, you and Lu Ran should have returned by now. Do you think I’m blind to your little maneuvers these years? Is it all because of what happened back then? Hmph, you’d better hope I never find proof. Otherwise, even if father emerges from seclusion, I’ll make sure Han’er gets justice.” Lu Tianhong hadn’t slept in days investigating this matter. Meng Wan’er was still lying bedridden, her tears unending. He knew, in his heart, that his eldest brother, Lu Tianlin, was involved—everything about that day was too much of a coincidence. Yet, he had no evidence.

In a hidden, shadowy chamber, a few candles flickered, their wax dripping with a faint hiss.

“Haha… Brother Lu, your schemes are truly brilliant. Here, let me offer you a drink.” In the left corner, a shadowy figure lifted a cup of wine in salute to the man before him.

“All this is just to make Lu Tianhong obediently hand over the Xuanjin Blade in three months, giving me a rightful reason to make him step down. Besides, that boy is always an obstacle. This time, it’s all thanks to your Nurturing Spirit Pearl, Brother Li—otherwise, Lu Tianhong would never have left the family estate. Rest assured, Brother Li, once I take the position of head of the family, I will keep every promise made to you.” The man sipped his wine.

He continued, “By now, I should be heading back to the Lu family. Farewell.”

The chamber door opened, and the man hurried away.

“Lu Tianlin, do you really think I’m only after the little benefits you’ve promised? In three months, it won’t just be your Lu family—the Lie family will fall as well.” The man still seated at the table said coldly.

As he turned, it was clear—who else could it be but Li Zhengcheng, head of the Li family?

“Master, the eldest young master and Young Master Lu Ran have returned. Shall I…” Uncle Fu inquired.

“No need. If I’m not mistaken, he’s back.” Before Uncle Fu could finish, Lu Tianhong interrupted him.

Sure enough, not long after, Lu Tianlin appeared at the study door.

“Second brother, I just returned and heard that something’s happened to young Han’er?” Lu Tianlin’s voice reached Lu Tianhong before he even entered.

Lu Tianhong sat expressionless in the grand armchair. No one could tell what he was thinking.

“Yes, eldest brother. Han’er said he was going to Cold Abyss Forest to gather Purple Spirit Flowers. You’ll understand when you read this letter.” As Lu Tianlin entered, Lu Tianhong handed him the note.

Lu Tianlin read it, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in his eyes before he calmly folded the letter and returned it to Lu Tianhong.

“Second brother, what is this Purple Spirit Flower? I’ve never heard of it. Did you send anyone to investigate Cold Abyss Forest?” Lu Tianlin feigned confusion.

“Eldest brother, I’ve never heard of this flower either. The mission hall claims they never issued such a task. So where did Han’er learn about it?” Lu Tianhong studied his brother’s face, searching for any sign of guilt, but was disappointed.

Lu Tianlin was no novice to storms of intrigue; he betrayed nothing. “Second brother, after you left for the auction that day, Ran’er had a family mission in Morning Star City. It’s out of the way—I was uneasy, so I accompanied him. Alas, it’s my fault. If I’d stayed home, perhaps none of this would have happened.”

“Han’er was destined to face such a calamity. Who could want to harm him? If the culprit leaves me proof, I’ll make him wish he were dead. Eldest brother, you should go back. I want some time alone.” Lu Tianhong rubbed his temples. He hadn’t found the slightest flaw in Lu Tianlin’s story, and indeed, Lu Tianlin had been to Morning Star City.

“Father, how did it go?” As soon as Lu Tianlin returned home, Lu Ran hurried to ask, worry etched on his face. He’d heard from the family that before leaving, Lu Han had given a letter to the gate guard—if it mentioned him, he’d be implicated.

“Ran’er, I was concerned at first. But the letter only mentions the Purple Spirit Flower and the family mission. Rest easy—there are no living witnesses now. Second brother, I know you suspect me, but what can you do without proof? Ha… you have no proof! In three months, I’ll reclaim everything that’s mine. Just wait!” Lu Tianlin had hurried to question Lu Tianhong about Han’s situation because he, too, had been worried. He hadn’t expected Lu Han to leave a letter—it gave him a fright. Fortunately, it didn’t mention Lu Ran; otherwise, both father and son would have been implicated.

The truth was, Lu Han hadn’t thought that far—he was in a hurry to reach Cold Abyss Forest and so left out the part about collecting the mission token from Lu Ran, mentioning only the gathering of the Purple Spirit Flower and the matter with Lie Xiong. If not for the incident with Lie Xiong, Lu Han likely would have left only a brief message with the gate guard.

While father and son discussed, Lie Ruge arrived at the Lu household.

The Lu family’s guards had uncovered nothing new in three days; thus, Lu Tianhong decided to summon Lie Ruge for her account of that day.

Lu Tianhong knew that the chances of Lu Han surviving were slim. The bloodstains showed he’d already been injured. With such a high cliff—even a Xuan Lord would be unlikely to survive, let alone Lu Han, whose cultivation was only at the sixth layer of the Acquired Realm. Still, he couldn’t accept Lu Han dying in such obscurity; he had to find the truth, to know what happened.

“Uncle Lu, Uncle Fu said you have urgent business with me.” Lie Ruge entered the study and saw Lu Tianhong lost in thought, gazing out the window.

Lu Tianhong recounted what had happened to Lu Han…

“What? Brother Lu Han fell from a cliff—he’s as good as dead!” Lie Ruge’s voice broke with tears.

Lu Tianhong knew Lie Ruge couldn’t accept this, and neither could he. “As good as dead” was putting it kindly—it was certain death unless a miracle occurred.

“It’s all my fault—if I hadn’t told him about my father, he wouldn’t have gone to Cold Abyss Forest.” Lie Ruge’s tears fell uncontrollably as she gazed at the letter Lu Han had left.

“No, Brother Lu Han must be waiting for someone to save him at the foot of the cliff—I have to go.” With that, she ran outside.

“Uncle Fu, stop her—don’t let her do anything foolish. I’ll see how Wan’er is doing.” Watching Lie Ruge run out, Lu Tianhong knew he’d learn nothing more from her—the investigation would have to continue within the family.

Consoled by Uncle Fu, Lie Ruge returned to the Lie household, her eyes empty as she sat in her boudoir, remembering the first time she’d visited the Lu family.

Eight years ago, her first trip to the Lu family with Lie Xiong…

“Father, I want to go with you. I don’t want to stay home alone.” A girl of seven or eight, her hair in twin braids, tugged at a middle-aged man’s sleeve.

“All right, you can come with Father.” The man bent down and picked her up. Her mother had died giving birth, so he’d cherished her like a treasure ever since.

“Haha, Brother Lu, my daughter wanted to see your family, so I brought her along.” At the Lu gates, Lie Xiong greeted Lu Tianhong with cupped fists.

“Lie Xiong, if I recall correctly, your precious daughter and my Han’er were born the same year—Han’er is a few months older. Uncle Fu, call Han’er—let him show his little sister around. Lie Xiong, let’s talk inside.” Having business to discuss, Lu Tianhong left the children to play.

In the main hall, Lu Tianhong and Lie Xiong were deep in conversation when Uncle Fu rushed in. “Master, something’s happened! Young Master Han and Miss Ruge went to the street, and now Miss Ruge’s been seized. The culprit is demanding to see the head of the Lie family.”

In the street before the Lu family gates, a crowd had gathered, pointing and whispering. A gray-robed man held Lie Ruge in one hand, a boy pinned beneath his foot, unable to move. “Go! Bring Lie Xiong here. Quickly!”

“My friend, I am Lie Xiong. What is the meaning of this? Release my daughter and Nephew Lu—we can talk this out.” Forcing his way through, Lie Xiong’s face was grim; who wouldn’t be, seeing their child in such a state?

“Father, I’m scared!” Lie Ruge sobbed in the gray-robed man’s grip.

“Let her go? Impossible. What you did to my brother, I will repay in kind upon your daughter.” The gray-robed man’s emotions were wild—he roared in rage.

“My friend, you must be mistaken. I don’t know you.”

“Mistaken? Not at all. Do you recall, half a year ago, crippling a man’s arm and dantian on Yin Mountain?” The man’s face twisted with hatred.

“Half a year ago… ah, I remember. The man claimed to be one of the Twin Fiends of Yin Mountain. He robbed our arms convoy. I captured him—crippled his dantian to stop him from harming others, and his arm was injured in the struggle. I spared his life; that was mercy enough.” Lie Xiong recalled the incident.

“For a martial artist, having the dantian destroyed is as bad as death. My brother killed himself after returning home. I am his brother—the other of the Twin Fiends. Lie Xiong, I know I’m no match for you, but I’ve waited beside your house these past six months for a chance at revenge. You crippled my brother’s arm, so I’ll cripple your daughter’s.” The gray-robed man raised his palm to strike.

At that moment, Lu Han, drawing on a strength unknown, pushed himself up, shielding Lie Ruge and taking the blow. Both children collapsed to the ground.

The gray-robed man snapped back to his senses, reaching for Lie Ruge—but a voice thundered in fury, “How dare you harm my son? Die!” Before he could react, the man took a palm to the forehead and fell back, lifeless.

“Han’er, Han’er, are you all right?” Lu Tianhong gathered Lu Han in his arms, checking him over. Fortunately, the gray-robed man had only intended to cripple, not kill; otherwise, Han’er’s small body could not have withstood the blow.

“Father, didn’t you teach me that boys shouldn’t let girls be hurt? I did it…” Lu Han mumbled before fainting.

Lie Ruge’s sobs ceased as she gazed at the unconscious Lu Han. Her small eyes blinked, “Brother Lu Han…”

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