Chapter 63 - 62: Returning Home in Glory

Chapter 63: Chapter 62: Returning Home in Glory

Lu Jing’an genuinely had no intention of hunting for bargains. This current situation was purely a stroke of luck falling right into his lap. Over the past seven days, he hadn’t set foot in Jinshan Village, choosing instead to dedicate himself to Practicing Boxing tirelessly from dawn until dusk in the courtyard of his home.

With the support of ample silver coins, Cui Jieyi worked with extreme efficiency. By the third day, she had prepared the second half of the Secret Medicine for Black Bear. The mountain-like, robust man had been soaking in the medicinal broth for four full days. In just one more day, he would break through and emerge.

After finishing his morning practice, Lu Jing’an was sitting in the parlor having breakfast. A few sparrows perched on the old locust tree outside the window, letting out a series of CHIRPs that carried the chill of early autumn. Orchid walked in quietly, placing two newspapers on the rosewood table next to him. One was the Yin Mountain Decade Report printed by the County Magistrate’s Office, and the other was the Jianghuai Morning News published in the Provincial City.

Newspapers in this era lacked any real timeliness. The events published were at least a week old, sometimes even a month, entirely dependent on the editor’s whims. To boost sales, they mostly featured scandalous anecdotes and street gossip. Where a new top courtesan had emerged, which singer had been abandoned by a wealthy merchant, shocking sightings of Demon Beasts in the deep mountains, midnight hauntings in an old mansion west of the city... Meanwhile, important political news was relegated to the corners, printed in tiny, faint font.

Lu Jing’an usually didn’t read these. The Lu Family had their own intelligence channels that were both fast and accurate. If they relied on newspapers to catch wind of the news, the Lu Family would have been swallowed alive long ago. Yet, for the past two days, he had been reading them carefully. It was simply because they contained what he was truly waiting for.

Skimming past the sensationalized, scandalous gossip, Lu Jing’an slowly moved his finger across the page and finally found it near the bottom fold of one section. The headline was relatively inconspicuous: "Anping Bureau Slays Demon in Yin Mountain, Shocking Discovery of Voiders’ Experiment Traces."

The article was penned by Wen Ling herself, harboring a blade-like restraint between the lines. It first detailed how the Anping Bureau tracked the demon’s traces into the treacherous ridges, and how they fought a bloody battle against the frenzied Demon Beast, written with an iron-clad solemnity. Then, the tone shifted, describing the steel ring engraved with Void World text taken from the beast’s corpse. It went on to elaborate on the bizarre devices and surgical stitches embedded within its flesh... Despite not containing a single word of direct condemnation, reading it sent a chill down one’s spine. If an ordinary citizen read this, they would likely curse out loud on the spot.

Shortly after breakfast, the telephone let out a loud RING. It was Lu Huaiqian calling from the Public Security Bureau. His voice over the receiver was somewhat hushed, yet his tone revealed a sense of relief.

"The province just called. Secretary Hu dialed personally," Lu Huaiqian paused, as if weighing his words. "They were furious, saying our county’s supervision was incompetent. Since we caused such a disturbance, they’ve ordered us to resolve it within a strict deadline."

Gripping the receiver, Lu Jing’an’s eyes were as calm as a deep pool. "How did Father reply?"

"I brought up that plan." Lu Huaiqian’s voice carried a hint of a smile. "First, we give the Anping Bureau a car as a provincial commendation for their merit in slaying the demon. The county will provide the car, and the province will issue the commendation. Then, we have the newspaper publish a clarification, stating that the previous day’s report lacked verification..."

"Secretary Hu agreed?"

"More than agreed," Lu Huaiqian’s smile widened. "He praised me for handling things well, and he conveniently approved the documents for that batch of firearms you requested earlier."

Lu Jing’an tapped his knuckles lightly against the tabletop. One stone, three birds. The first two birds had already landed. The third was a hidden trap he and the Anping Bureau had laid together. Wen Ling had personally spiked the Ghost-faced Ape’s corpse with some special "ingredients." If those Voiders truly used the Demon Beast’s flesh and blood for some mass Demon Creation experiments, using this meat would show them the true meaning of "accelerated growth" and "frenzy." Once the Demon Beasts went berserk and turned on their creators, not a single one of those white-coated researchers would escape. This method could only be used once. The Voiders were not stupid; after suffering a loss, they would definitely be on high alert in the future. But once was enough.

After hanging up, Lu Jing’an personally went to the warehouse to retrieve the car. When the brand-new black sedan drove across the bluestone street and stopped steadily outside the dusty courtyard gates of the Anping Bureau, the people inside all poked their heads out. Dressed in a lotus-root-colored cheongsam, Wen Ling stood on the steps, watching him step out of the car with a beaming smile.

"Sister Wen Ling, I didn’t disappoint," Lu Jing’an said as he handed the keys over.

"Thank you for being so thorough, Young Master Lu." Wen Ling took them, her fingertips lightly brushing over the cold teeth of the keys.

Kui Shan also strolled out, a rare, lively expression breaking through his usually solemn face. He circled the car twice, his rough hands carefully stroking the hood before quickly withdrawing them. He let out a light cough, attempting to regain his profound, dignified demeanor.

Lu Jing’an couldn’t help but laugh. "Elder Kui, is this iron contraption easier to figure out than the Earth Vein?"

Kui Shan stiffened his old face, but he couldn’t hide the gleam in his eyes. He only gave a vague grunt of acknowledgment.

As everyone chuckled softly, Wen Ling took two steps closer and lowered her voice so only Lu Jing’an could hear. "The batch of meat we sent out has echoed back."

Lu Jing’an’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

"In the early hours of the morning, a disturbance broke out in the back alley of that Voiders’ hospital in the western suburbs of the Provincial City," Wen Ling said, her tone calm but her words ice-cold. "Twenty-three researchers died. All of them were torn to shreds. The authorities suppressed the news, claiming a wild beast broke in."

Lu Jing’an slowly nodded. All three birds had fallen, each arrow piercing straight through the heart.

"I won’t stay long. So many eyes are watching this place right now; we shouldn’t let a good deed turn into a disaster." With the car delivered, it was time for Lu Jing’an to leave. Otherwise, it would genuinely arouse suspicion.

Wen Ling understood and smiled with a nod. "Once the heat dies down, I will visit your home to thank you properly."

The next day, Black Bear broke through.

The moment the medicinal barrel shattered, billowing white mist filled half the room. A figure as imposing as an iron tower stepped out from the fog. His entire skeleton let out loud CRACKs and POPs, sounding like rolling thunder. His frame had grown nearly a foot taller and broader than before, and his blood surged furiously beneath his bronze skin. Even from a few steps away, one could feel that Scorching oppressive aura.

Lu Jing’an stood in the courtyard, looking him up and down before smiling. "Come, let’s test your skills."

Black Bear scratched his head, his voice booming like a giant bell. "Young Master, I feel like my power has grown a lot. I’m afraid I might not be able to hold back."

"If you can manage to hurt me," Lu Jing’an flicked his sleeves, "I’ll reward you with two hundred silver coins."

Black Bear shook his head, a rare look of simpleminded anticipation appearing in his eyes. "Young Master, I don’t want the money. If I win, can you take me to eat those half-cooked Voiders’ steaks again?"

Lu Jing’an was momentarily stunned before letting out a hearty laugh. "Deal!"

On the Martial Arts Arena, their figures blurred as they clashed. Black Bear’s punches were like sledgehammers, striking the air until it let out a low HUM and vibrated, shattering the bluestone tiles beneath his feet into spiderweb-like cracks. Lu Jing’an, however, was like a willow catkin in the wind, shifting and evading with effortless grace. Every time the fist was about to strike him, he would smoothly slide away, occasionally countering with a palm strike. Astonishingly, he forced Black Bear’s massive frame to stagger backward.

Skin Refining against Bone Cultivation was supposed to be a massive disparity. However, with the enhancement of his entry, Lu Jing’an’s blood and qi circulated in perfect harmony. His ingenious use of penetrating Power repeatedly broke through Black Bear’s rigid Defense. Half an incense stick’s time later, Black Bear took a palm strike to his shoulder well. Half his body went numb, and he finally conceded defeat while panting heavily.

"Young Master, your skills... I yield."

Lu Jing’an retracted his stance, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on his forehead, but his smile deepened. "Let’s go. Time for steaks."

Inside the Western restaurant, the crystal chandeliers shone brightly. The moment Black Bear squeezed his mountain-like body into the velvet seat, the entire dining hall instantly went silent. A few Voider guests cast sidelong glances and frowned. The Voider manager behind the counter turned pale, but ultimately didn’t dare to step forward. Who in Yin Mountain County didn’t recognize Young Master Lu?

The steaks were served, still showing traces of blood. Black Bear stabbed a huge chunk with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth. After chewing a few times, he gave his muffled verdict, "It’s pretty much like what I ate back in the mountains at home—neither is cooked through."

Lu Jing’an swirled his red wine, chuckling softly without saying a word.

Dusk gathered on their way back.

In the car, Lu Jing’an gazed at the passing street scenery outside the window and suddenly spoke, "Tomorrow, you’re coming with me to Jinshan Village."

Black Bear turned his head, the gradually brightening streetlights reflecting in his large, bell-like eyes.

Lu Jing’an’s lips curled up slightly, a faint but sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. "Gaining wealth and honor without returning home is like walking in the dark wearing brocade. We have to let Smiling Tiger see... exactly what you look like now."