Chapter 196: Hosting a Banquet

True Master Dan Ding’s expression was conflicted. After a long silence, he said slowly, "This matter is of grave importance, but Xue Chen was my most prized disciple..."

"If what you say is true, I will certainly demand an explanation!"

"Rest assured, True Master."

Shi Tianlei quickly said, "If there is even a single word of falsehood in what I’ve said, may I, Shi Tianlei, die a terrible death! If the True Master needs me to testify, I am ready to confront them at any time!"

Lu Bai frowned slightly and reminded him, "Once you expose yourself, it will be too dangerous."

"I know."

Shi Tianlei seemed to have already considered this. His expression was resolute as he said, "Daoist Xue Chen got dragged into this trying to save me. I can’t let him die without the truth being known."

"As long as I can get justice for Daoist Xue Chen and those thousands of innocent refugees, my death will be a worthy one."

"Good."

True Master Dan Ding nodded and said, "To have such conviction... It seems Xue Chen didn’t save the wrong man."

After some discussion, the two went their separate ways.

For the next few days, nothing happened in Jingzhou City. It was the calm before the storm.

Lu Bai, for his part, had no idea what methods True Master Dan Ding would use to oppose Marquis Jingzhong and his faction.

「One morning.」

Lu Bai was cultivating the Fiery Sun Technique in the Evil Extermination Bureau when someone reported that the Luo Family from Bluestone City had come to see him.

Lu Bai stood up and headed outside.

After securing the Tier Two Profound Iron Ore mine, the Luo Family had been intending to expand their business to Jingzhou City, so their arrival wasn’t a surprise.

However, dark clouds now hung over Jingzhou City, and the situation was perilous. Lu Bai mulled over how to persuade them to put their plans on hold.

When he got outside, he saw Luo Tianxiong, his sons Luo Hongyuan and Luo Yunxuan, as well as Luo Qing, Luo Ben, and Luo Xiao waiting for him.

The two brothers, Luo Ben and Luo Xiao, were holding some gifts.

"Brother Xiaolu!"

Seeing Lu Bai come out, the two brothers’ eyes lit up, and they hurried forward to greet him.

Lu Bai greeted everyone and then asked, "Where’s Third Uncle Luo?"

"Mingzhao is at home recuperating and taking care of business back there," Luo Tianxiong said with a smile. "We came to check out the situation in Jingzhou City first. It was also the perfect time to bring Qing’er to Jingzhou Academy to cultivate the Martial Dao."

In the past few days, Luo Qing had reached the stage of the Nine Acupoints of Inner Strength, qualifying her for admission to Jingzhou Academy.

Lu Bai and Luo Qing exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Oh, right."

Luo Tianxiong said, "Xiaolu, I hear you’ve made quite a name for yourself in Jingzhou City. They say you performed a great service, and even a Marquis of the Wu Dynasty holds you in high esteem."

"Hmm..."

Lu Bai’s brow furrowed slightly.

’News of me killing the Water Ghost reaching Bluestone City is understandable enough.’

’But I’ve only really started dealing with Li Qian in the last few days. How could Luo Tianxiong already know about it?’

"That’s right."

Luo Hongyuan was all smiles, a hint of envy in his voice as he said, "Madam Lu came with us this time. Right after we entered the city, someone from a Marquis’s Mansion came and escorted her away, saying she was invited to be a guest."

Lu Bai’s heart sank.

’Li Qian wouldn’t do something like this without telling me first.’

Lu Bai narrowed his eyes and asked, "Which Marquis’s Mansion?"

"The Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion."

Luo Yunxuan, seeing that Lu Bai’s expression was off, quickly added, "We asked around. It was definitely someone from the Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion. There’s no mistake."

Lu Bai’s face darkened, and he said nothing.

’So, they’ve come for me after all!’

Just then, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the Evil Extermination Bureau. The driver flicked open the curtain, and a young nobleman in brocade robes, holding a folding fan, stepped out.

It was the same brocade-robed youth who had taken an interest in Ah Ming at his stall that day.

The brocade-robed youth smiled faintly. "Lord Lu, we meet again."

"Wu Ziyan?"

Lu Bai raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Lord Lu is certainly well-informed, to have discovered my identity so quickly."

Wu Ziyan smiled, his tone laden with meaning. "Lord Lu, a banquet has been prepared at the mansion. My father requests your presence."

Lu Bai stared at Wu Ziyan without blinking, his expression noncommittal.

Wu Ziyan chuckled. "Heh, rest assured, Lord Lu. They’re all familiar faces. No strangers."

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Bai lowered his gaze and nodded. "I will be at the mansion in an hour."

"Then I shall await your grand arrival! HAHA!"

Wu Ziyan was clearly pleased with himself. He laughed heartily, turned, got back into the carriage, and departed.

Even knowing it was likely a trap, Lu Bai had no way to refuse.

His mother was already in their hands.

He couldn’t blame the Luo Family for this.

Since his enemies had targeted him, it didn’t matter whether the Luo Family came to Jingzhou City or not. With Marquis Jingzhong’s power and methods, they would have found a way to "invite" Madam Lu over eventually.

Luo Tianxiong was a worldly man. The exchange between the two just now had seemed polite on the surface, but he had sensed that something was wrong.

Besides, Lu Bai’s expression was not good at all.

"Brother Xiaolu, what’s wrong?"

Luo Ben and Luo Xiao hadn’t noticed the problem. They held out the gifts and said, "Brother Xiaolu, Dad told us to bring these for you to share with your colleagues at the Evil Extermination Bureau."

"Oh, and these few are some special treats I brought for Brother Dog and Brother Chicken, hehe."

Lu Bai paused for a moment, then suddenly swept his hand, knocking the gifts from Luo Ben and Luo Xiao’s hands. "What is this trash?" he said coldly. "Are you trying to embarrass me by bringing this stuff out?"

The two Luo brothers were stunned, frozen on the spot.

Luo Tianxiong and the others were also startled, not understanding why Lu Bai had suddenly turned on them.

Lu Bai looked at Luo Tianxiong and the others and said coldly, "My mother is getting old. Can she endure the hardship of such a long journey? Who told you to bring her here?"

Luo Qing quickly tried to explain, "Xiaolu, we took very good care of Madam Lu, we didn’t—"

"No need for explanations."

Lu Bai’s face was filled with disgust. He waved a dismissive hand. "I have done more than enough for the Luo Family. From now on, there’s no need for us to associate. As for your business here in Jingzhou City, you can forget about it."

"Xiaolu..."

Luo Tianxiong got one word out, but seeing the icy look in Lu Bai’s eyes, he quickly changed his address. "Lord Lu, is there some misunderstanding? I—"

"Get out!"

Lu Bai barked, then turned and entered the Evil Extermination Bureau, slamming the main doors shut.

’My mother has fallen into the hands of the Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion. I have to cut ties with the Luo Family as quickly as possible to avoid dragging them into this.’

’There’s no time to explain now.’

Lu Bai had more important things to do.

Outside the Evil Extermination Bureau, the Luo Family stood completely bewildered. Passersby who saw the scene began pointing and whispering amongst themselves.

Luo Hongyuan let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Let’s go, Dad. He’s an esteemed guest of the Jingzhou Marquis’s Mansion now. We’re not worthy of his company anymore."

Luo Ben’s fists were clenched, his eyes red-rimmed with unshed tears as he stared at the dust-covered gifts on the ground. He was filled with a sense of injustice, unable to accept what had just happened.

He had always looked up to Lu Bai as a role model and never imagined Lu Bai would say such things to them.

Or rather, he couldn’t bring himself to believe that Brother Xiaolu would change into this kind of person.

"Xiaolu... he’s not that kind of person."

Luo Qing’s delicate brows furrowed. She shook her head, though her tone was uncertain.

Luo Yunxuan sighed. "People change. When you’re older and have seen more of the world, you’ll understand. Look at his status, his position now. How could he possibly be the same as before?"

"He was just using this as an excuse. Even if we hadn’t brought Madam Lu, he would’ve found some other reason."

"No."

Luo Tianxiong murmured softly, shaking his head to himself.

’Lu Bai’s behavior was too abnormal.’

’This might have something to do with the Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion.’

But as for the specific reason, he couldn’t guess.