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Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Reclaiming the Lu Family

"Doooonnnngggggg..."

The stone's force instantly shattered the long sword.

Duna was saved, and everyone displayed expressions of astonishment. What happened? Who saved Duna? In an instant, all eyes turned to the two figures who had suddenly appeared on the outskirts: Zhong Shan and A Da.

"A Da, continue recording," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Yes," A Da responded, taking the Memory Crystal.

Zhong Shan walked forward slowly with A Da following, recording the scene behind him. It was a very strange sight, but the others didn't recognize the device in A Da's hand.

"Who are you?" Young Master Zhao shouted angrily. The group of black-clad men behind him grabbed their weapons, ready to rush forward.

Zhong Shan smiled coldly and ignored them, walking straight toward the Lu residence.

Old Master Lu looked at Zhong Shan with a mixture of surprise and composure, while Duna stood behind him.

"I'm talking to you! Who are you?" Young Master Zhao's expression turned more sinister.

Zhong Shan still ignored him.

"Kill him!" Young Master Zhao roared.

Turning his head, Zhong Shan glared at Young Master Zhao and with a flip of his hand, shot a palm strike directly at him.

"Boooommmmmm..."

A palm-shaped qi blast sent Young Master Zhao flying over twenty meters. Mid-air, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest charred black and his bones shattered. His life was effectively over.

Zhong Shan's one move had left everyone in awe. They all stared in shock at Zhong Shan. One palm strike, just one, producing qi energy?

The hired thugs of Young Master Zhao suddenly froze in their tracks. None dared to advance.

One palm strike—that was a skill at the level of the Zhao family's patriarch. Who would dare to charge forward now? Especially when the opponent seemed to strike so effortlessly.

Everyone was stunned. Where had this expert come from?

With his Golden Core fourth stage cultivation, dealing with these mere postnatal and innate cultivators was as easy as flipping his hand.

Looking at the lifeless Young Master Zhao, who was still spewing blood, Zhong Shan said, "Heaven's justice is clear; evil will be repaid. It's not that it hasn't been repaid, but the time hasn't come yet."

Young Master Zhao, just helped up, was so enraged by Zhong Shan's words that he spat out another mouthful of blood. His subordinates were filled with uncertainty, not knowing whether to charge forward or to quickly escape.

"Get lost!" Zhong Shan's eyes glared fiercely.

Terrified, everyone picked up the severely injured Young Master Zhao and fled. They even abandoned the flower palanquin. In a matter of moments, they were gone.

"Thank you, senior, for saving our lives," Old Master Lu said immediately.

By then, Zhong Shan had already signaled A Da to stop recording. It was enough. With what had been recorded, Zhong Shan could accomplish a lot.

Turning to look at the Lu family members, aside from Old Master Lu and Duna, everyone else was gazing at him with eyes full of admiration.

Old Master Lu was uncertain of Zhong Shan's intentions, his mind swirling with both doubt and hope.

"Are you at the peak of the Houtian stage?" Zhong Shan asked softly, looking at Old Master Lu.

"Yes," Old Master Lu replied immediately.

"Take this," Zhong Shan said, flipping his hand to reveal a pill.

"A Barrier-Breaking Pill?" Old Master Lu exclaimed with joy.

Seeing the pill in Zhong Shan's hand, Old Master Lu quickly grabbed it. The calm and dignified demeanor he had displayed earlier vanished. The resolve to sacrifice himself for the greater good now seemed like a distant memory. He didn't care whether Zhong Shan was friend or foe, and without hesitation, he swallowed the pill and sat cross-legged.

Observing Old Master Lu's actions, Zhong Shan smiled faintly. Old Master Lu reminded him of his younger self. The Barrier-Breaking Pill had been his obsession back then, a demon in his heart. When he was stuck in his cultivation, unable to progress, he was willing to risk everything. But now, with the pill, he was driven to madness in his desperation to break through.

Old Master Lu was certainly in a similar state. His hair had already turned white, and like Zhong Shan back in the day, he was nearing the end of his life.

The Lu family members waited patiently. After an hour, Old Master Lu's hair had turned black again, and he looked much younger, appearing to be around forty years old.

"Thank you, senior," Old Master Lu said respectfully, standing up and bowing deeply to Zhong Shan.

"In Sky City, I once had the pleasure of meeting Lu Jianping. I didn't expect to encounter his family here in Qili Town," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Senior, you've seen Jianping? Is he really in Sky City?" Duna stepped forward excitedly, her eyes full of hope, and the other Lu family members shared her eager expression.

"Senior, please come inside," Old Master Lu, ever the gracious host, quickly said.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded and followed Old Master Lu inside, with A Da trailing behind.

Although the Lu family members were eager for news about Lu Jianping, Old Master Lu's longstanding authority kept them from becoming unruly.

In the Lu family's main hall, servants quickly prepared tea for Zhong Shan. Meanwhile, a commotion could be heard from outside once again.

"A Da, go and deal with it," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes," A Da responded immediately, following the Lu family members towards the entrance.

The Zhao family had come to avenge Young Master Zhao.

In the hall, only Zhong Shan and Old Master Lu remained.

"Dare I ask, senior, is Lu Jianping in Sky City?" Old Master Lu inquired.

"Indeed. But I fear it won't be long before he's in danger," Zhong Shan replied thoughtfully.

"Danger? Why?" Old Master Lu's previous excitement instantly turned into worry.

"Why did Lu Jianping suddenly acquire cultivation methods? Why has he been out of contact for so many years? And where did your own cultivation techniques come from?" Zhong Shan asked, his gaze fixed on Old Master Lu.

"I... I don't know," Old Master Lu stammered, shaking his head as he met Zhong Shan's eyes.

Zhong Shan sighed softly. "The person who gave him the techniques is about to be wiped out, and if Lu Jianping went to support them, he might not escape unscathed."

Zhong Shan was using his assumptions to fish for information.

"That can't be. Jianping won't be harmed," Old Master Lu immediately shook his head in denial.

"Heh, if I can see it, do you think others can't? Once the blame is cast, not only will Lu Jianping be in trouble in Sky City, but his family here will also be obliterated—exterminated for collective guilt," Zhong Shan said, his expression suddenly grave.

Old Master Lu struggled internally, his mind caught in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke with resolve, "Senior, I must apologize for not being entirely truthful earlier. Please forgive me. Since you already seem to know a great deal, it would be improper for me to conceal anything further. Ten years ago, when Jianping left, he mentioned that he was going to assist his master. He hasn't sent any word since then. He is either dead or unable to return."

Hearing Old Master Lu's confession, Zhong Shan's interest piqued. "Master? Helping his master?" It seemed his earlier speculation was correct. Wu Wanli was likely Lu Jianping's master. As the overseer of the Daluo Heavenly Dynasty, Wu Wanli must have imparted his teachings to Lu Jianping. Even if Wu Wanli couldn't be persuaded to join, Lu Jianping would still be valuable for the Daxia Empire's cause.

"Senior, given your extensive knowledge, you must be a person of considerable standing. I implore you to help Jianping," Old Master Lu pleaded, rising to bow deeply.

Zhong Shan gently helped him up, an idea forming in his mind. "You don't need to bow. If I didn't intend to help Lu Jianping, I wouldn't have come here."

"Thank you, senior," Old Master Lu said gratefully.

"Let me think for a moment," Zhong Shan replied.

"Of course," Old Master Lu stepped aside respectfully, waiting patiently.

Zhong Shan analyzed the situation, weighing his options carefully. After a while, he asked, "Do you trust me?"

Old Master Lu hesitated but quickly nodded. "If it weren't for you, senior, the Lu family would already be in ruins. Whatever you ask, I will do my utmost to fulfill."

"How many people are in your Lu family?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Counting Duna, there are eighty-three of us," Old Master Lu answered.

"Would you be willing to abandon your home and leave this place?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"Leave?" Old Master Lu was taken aback.

"Yes. I can rescue Lu Jianping, but if your family remains here, he will not be willing to leave because of you all," Zhong Shan explained.

Reflecting on how Lu Jianping had risked everything to help his master without complaint for ten years, Zhong Shan was certain that such a person, one who valued loyalty and gratitude, would not abandon his family.

After a moment of contemplation, Old Master Lu nodded firmly, "We can do that."

"Good. I will give you four months. Here are some pills to help you. Use this time to break through and aim for everyone to reach the Xiantian stage of cultivation," Zhong Shan said, laying out a row of pills on the table.

"This... this..." Old Master Lu was stunned, his eyes wide as he looked at the unexpected array of pill bottles.

With a slight smile, Zhong Shan produced two Spirit Orbs and a half-height Xu Mi Stone, saying, "You should know how to use a storage bracelet, right?"

"Yes," Old Master Lu replied, his face glowing with excitement.

"During these four months, gather supplies sufficient for a year or more, enough for your entire family's needs. When Lu Jianping returns, you will all leave with me," Zhong Shan asserted.

"Understood, senior," Old Master Lu replied, almost dizzy with the good fortune that had befallen them.

Xu Mi Stone? Storage bracelets? These were treasures only possessed by the Zhao family patriarch!

"Keep this plan a secret. No one outside the family should know," Zhong Shan warned sternly.

"Yes," Old Master Lu responded enthusiastically.

"Four months from today, head to the northern mountains," Zhong Shan instructed.

"The northern mountains? Senior, the mountains are teeming with fierce beasts. Even if most of us reach the Xiantian stage, we might still..." Old Master Lu voiced his concerns.

"At that time, wolves will come to guide you. Follow them," Zhong Shan said.

"Wolves?" Old Master Lu was bewildered.

"Don't worry, they won't harm you. They will protect you. Just follow them," Zhong Shan assured him.

"Understood," Old Master Lu nodded.

Seeing so many precious pills, Old Master Lu couldn't imagine any reason why Zhong Shan would wish them harm.

In the following days, Zhong Shan took decisive action in Qili Town. With a single gesture, he eradicated the Zhao family, removing all threats to the Lu family and ensuring their safety for the next five months. During his patrols with A Da, he sent A Da away briefly and summoned a large wolf from the nearby mountains. He negotiated with the wolf, offering it some pills in exchange for its help in summoning other wolves. The wolves were to escort the Lu family to a distant valley specified by Zhong Shan. Only then did Zhong Shan continue his journey with A Da.

With a month left until the Great Yu Emperor's birthday celebration, Zhong Shan returned to Sky City.