Chapter 1188: Showcasing My Skills, Next Time You Speak to Me, Please Use an Honorific

"Here's what happened."

"Without my knowledge, your father's death occurred, and for that, I am truly sorry."

"I bear responsibility."

"But these items are not compensation in the surface sense. Life is priceless. This is merely one of the many ways I express my apology. For your father's death, I am deeply sorry."

"So, I will wait for Shen Lingfeng to finish handling matters on his end, then have him restore your father's freedom, so he will no longer be of servile status..."

Listening to Lu Ding's words, Wu Yong, who had remained silent, let tears fall one by one, striking the ground.

He held the items in his hands.

Then knelt before Lu Ding. Though Lu Ding reached out to support him, Wu Yong pressed downward against the assistance, actively dropping his body, forcing Lu Ding to withdraw his helping hand.

Three resounding kowtows hit the ground.

Only then did Wu Yong speak: "I beg the Immortal Master to forgive Wu Yong for the offense of secretly speculating about the Immortal Master in my heart."

"Wu Yong and my father are both servants. A servant's death means nothing to his master, nothing to someone as exalted as the Immortal Master."

"But the Immortal Master told me all this."

"Life is priceless... Wu Yong... Wu Yong... I fear my words are inadequate to express what I feel inside."

He had received respect.

What Lu Ding had given him was no longer "compensation."

It was a show of attitude.

Though Wu Yong had not witnessed the scene firsthand, someone like Lu Ding, with his status, would never deceive him.

At this moment.

A single thought blazed in his heart: "To repay the sovereign's golden terrace favor, to bear the jade dragon and die for my lord!"

RESPECT!!!

He had received respect from someone who stood far above him!!!

After he finished speaking.

Lu Ding finally reached out to lift him up: "Alright, we don't do this sort of thing on my side."

Wu Yong nodded, wiped away his final tears, and stepped aside.

Lu Ding looked at another Shen Family servant. He genuinely didn't know how to address him. He couldn't just blurt out a presumptuous title like the locals did.

Except for enemies, Lu Ding never casually insulted people.

So he spoke: "Young man, let me ask you, among the powers in this city, which ones are clean, and which ones have problems?"

The servant addressed was flattered beyond measure.

He was about to answer.

But Wu Yong seized the opportunity to answer first: "Immortal Master, I know the city's situation in detail. Perhaps I should answer for you?"

Lu Ding looked at the servant who had been addressed first. The man was too nervous to speak, laughing awkwardly as he stepped back.

Lu Ding then said: "Very well."

Wu Yong began introducing the situation of each powerful family in Wushuang City.

Who was relatively clean, and who was black through and through.

Overall, not a single one was completely innocent. This actually pleased Lu Ding, because in his worldview, evildoers didn't necessarily need punishment—he might not have the time to deal with them all—but good people absolutely should never be harmed.

Lu Ding now had a clear picture. He had asked precisely to establish his standards of conduct for what came next. If there were good ones, he would show restraint toward them. But since there wasn't a single good one, then there was nothing more to discuss.

At this moment.

Wu Yong added: "But the Shen Family might be different. Although the Family Elders and others may not be entirely clean, including this humble servant myself, who has done immoral deeds..."

"But my Shen Family's Immortal Lord is completely clean. The Immortal Lord doesn't enjoy conflict. He loves puppets. Though he has minor faults that are unavoidable, he has committed no major transgressions."

They hadn't even mentioned the Shen Family, yet he managed to circle back to the Shen Family and Shen Lingfeng. That was genuine loyalty.

Lu Ding: "Alright, I understand. There's truly nothing more this time. Go attend to your duties."

Wu Yong took his leave.

Beside him, Secretary Qiu reminded: "It's about time."

Lu Ding rose: "Then let's go."

Secretary Qiu followed in perfect sync, without suggesting they bring anyone else along.

Just the two of them.

No, to be precise, if not for the miscellaneous matters that needed handling afterward, Lu Ding alone would have been more than enough.

Secretary Qiu's purpose was to show his face, to let others know this person existed, so that the embassy could be properly established in Wushuang City later!!

.....

At this moment.

At the finest tavern in Wushuang City, the Celestial Immortal Residence.

The assembled magnates of Wushuang City gathered in the best private room of the Celestial Immortal Residence, whispering among themselves, conspiring, discussing Lu Ding's purpose.

Everyone had their own guesses.

Some said: "Perhaps this Immortal Master has matters requiring our cooperation, just as we need the cooperation of those villagers when we venture outside the city."

"Hahahaha... well, sometimes those villagers don't fare too well."

"It's different, isn't it? They're just ignorant folk, while we are magnates. If we cooperate well with the Immortal Master, perhaps there's a chance to ride the wind."

"Anyway, as long as it's not too excessive, whatever the Immortal Master says, I'll comply. We came prepared."

"This is an extremely rare opportunity to establish a connection with a Lü Mountain Immortal Master. Lü Mountain values fate most highly. Perhaps later... hahahaha..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood the implication.

Soon.

Secretary Qiu followed in perfect tacit understanding, without suggesting they bring anyone else along.

Everyone rose.

They looked toward the door.

The swaying sleeves were the first thing to catch their eyes.

They all cried out in unison: "We welcome the Immortal Master Lu's grand arrival!"

"The Immortal Master Lu's arrival truly brings radiance to Wushuang City!"

Someone said something different from the rest.

Lu Ding walked in, directly taking the seat of honor at the head. He pulled out the chair beside him for Secretary Qiu to sit.

Then he looked at the magnate who had spoken differently, the one trying to play clever, and said: "Are you the master of Wushuang City?"

The Garden Master of Zhuang Family Garden's face changed instantly: "N-no... I'm not..."

"Then why did you speak words of greeting on behalf of the host?"

The man stepped back, his face stiff.

Others hurriedly tried to laugh things off, attempting to take their seats while easing the atmosphere.

Lu Ding's voice rang out again: "If anyone here thinks they're qualified to sit on equal footing with me, then go ahead and try sitting."

Instantly.

The already delicate atmosphere froze solid.

Lu Ding leaned back in his chair, sweeping his gaze over the fearful crowd: "Today, I called you here for no other matter. I'll just say a few points."

"First, this area of Wushuang City will hereafter bear the surname of Han."

"Second, there are too many factions in the city. That's not conducive to governance."

Secretary Qiu tossed out the documents he had compiled while listening to Lu Ding and Wu Yong's conversation: "The list of factions qualified to remain in Wushuang City is all here. You may take a look."

Immediately, people scrambled to grab the documents for inspection. Of the vast Wushuang City, only three factions remained permitted to stay.

They were the Lei, Lu, and Fei families—three families of middling-to-upper strength but with relatively good reputations.

Seeing that his own family wasn't on the list, the Xie Family Patriarch asked excitedly: "Th-then what about those not on the list!?"

Lu Ding rose and walked over. Though he didn't outwardly exude his aura, that pressure made the Xie Family Patriarch's back crawl with fear, his clothes soaked through with cold sweat.

"The next time you speak to me, please include a proper honorific. Though 'Immortal Master' is acceptable, I'm more accustomed to being called Grand Duke Lu."

Xie Duan nodded with difficulty, adding: "Gr... Grand Duke Lu."

The next second.

Xie Duan shattered in place. The splattering flesh and blood painted evenly across the walls and onto the bodies of the assembled magnates. They dared not shield themselves, dared not flee.

Xie Kai, Patriarch of the Xie Family—murderer, bandit, colluder with demons, usurper of resources, exterminator of entire households. His crimes were too numerous to record. Even just the single charge of colluding with demons made Lu Ding's stomach turn.

"I forgot to mention to everyone, back in my hometown, my full honorific is Corpse-Shattering Tai Sui."

As Lu Ding spoke, he spread his hands wide to display his work and craftsmanship. It had been a long time since he'd done this.

"Just now, the Xie Family Patriarch's question was quite good. The reward has already been distributed. Dying by my hand will be his honor. Now let me complete the answer."

"For those factions and families present that are not on the list, I'll give you one day to move out of Wushuang City. Go anywhere you like, but you cannot stay here. However, ten to eight-tenths of your ill-gotten wealth must be left behind."

"Of course, not for me. Don't misunderstand, everyone. I never line my own pockets."

"The property you leave behind will be used for the future construction of the Han Embassy and the development of Wushuang City. After all, this will be the city where the Han Embassy resides. If it remains as dilapidated, chaotic, and miserable for the common folk as before, that would somewhat tarnish the embassy's image."