Chapter 360: Chapter 229: Highs and Lows (Part 2)

Lu Zhongping felt as if his spine had been removed, collapsing instantly.

He never imagined that what he boarded was not the pirate ship of the Four Reversals Sect, but rather the treacherous den of the White Sun Sect.

...

...

On the Mandarin Duck Tower, He Jingfeng’s throat was dry, as if he couldn’t believe it. The Lu family, which had taken root in Yihai Prefecture for a full century, spanning three or four generations, collapsed just like that?

"Colluding with the White Sun Sect?"

The Seventh Young Master He blankly looked at Bai Qi, who was eating heartily, his thoughts swirling like entangled threads he couldn’t unravel.

Killing Zhu Shou Rang could be attributed to borrowing the strength of Master Li and the name of Ninghai Zen.

But to bring about the downfall of the Lu family overnight, what did he rely on?

"The Lu family brought about their own destruction, I just happened to be there when it happened."

Bai Qi ate with satisfaction. The exquisite delicacies made from Spirit Beasts and Monsters quickly converted into Qi and Blood Power in his stomach, a warm and cozy sensation like drinking strong liquor.

In the Thirteen High Gates of Yihai Prefecture, there are not many whose roots are clean. These Daoist Officials were originally raised as cattle and sheep, fattened up to be slaughtered.

Thus, these gentries tried every means to establish connections in the Prefecture City, even risking execution by secretly colluding with Evil Demon Heterodox Sects.

"Being moderately wealthy is safe; getting too big makes it hard to feel secure. With such a huge family business, it must be passed down through generations. Starting a business is hard, maintaining it is even harder.

The main branch expands, while the side branches prosper, more mouths to feed, yet the pot remains the same size... Brother Jingfeng, you should understand deeply."

Bai Qi wiped his mouth, poured himself a cup of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea to rinse his mouth, and sighed:

"Such extravagance, a pot costs fifty taels of silver."

He Jingfeng sighed deeply:

"Why do the descendants of the main branch in the Thirteen High Gates all practice Taoism to compete for scholarships?

Apart from being beaten down by Master Ning to extinguish their ambition, it’s more about seeking better opportunities for advancement through Taoism.

No matter how talented a Martial Artist is, it’s hard to make a name without a noble backing.

Be it the ’Silver Hammer Grand Protector Pei Yuanqing,’ the ’Black-faced Tai Sui Xue Wentong,’ or the ’Little Spear King Luo Chengfeng’... all those who ascended to the Simurgh Platform have power figures behind them."

Xu Zirong, who had been eating and watching silently, nodded, seemingly in deep agreement:

"Brother He speaks the truth. My father in Weinan Prefecture is financially powerful and influential, but to ensure the family’s prosperity for generations, he’s determined to send me to the Capital City, to marry a Commandery Princess who’s lost her husband and become a Commandery Prince Consort!"

A Commandery Princess’s soft meal isn’t to be eaten?

Bai Qi was surprised, it seemed Brother Rich Man had some backbone.

"Brother Bai, you don’t know, the royal family’s bowl is hard to hold."

Xu Zirong shook his head, pouring out his grievances:

"I specifically inquired, that Commandery Princess is eccentric, especially fond of handsome youths, who knows how many favorites she keeps.

If I agree, I fear I won’t be able to wear enough hats to keep my neck from being sore.

My father is truly pushing his own son into the fire pit."

Bai Qi sympathetically patted Xu Zirong on the shoulder; being a live-in son-in-law is indeed not easy.

"Especially fond of handsome youths?"

He Jingfeng’s eyes lit up upon hearing this:

"Brother Xu, if you disdain it, you might as well let me have a go!"

Bai and Xu both ignored the Seventh Young Master He. After all, the Commandery Princess wasn’t blind, and He Jingfeng’s looks were at most half a ’handsome,’ totally unrelated to ’beautiful.’

When only remnants of the feast remained, and the excitement was over, the three descended the stairs.

The Mandarin Duck Tower stood in Xingqing Square, not far from the Lu Mansion. Such a big move tonight had long startled the other high gates of the Thirteen High Gates.

Yet none of the gentries stepped forward to speak for the Lu family or rashly inquire into the situation.

Bai Qi walked down the steps and happened to encounter a Bearer of the Tripod in a Cyan Daoist Robe escorting the Lu family’s main branch. Lu Zhongping, who was so spirited during the day, was shackled in Iron Shackles, followed by his wife and children bound in Iron Chains.

At first glance, it was rather poignant.

That cold and aloof Bearer of the Tripod suddenly paused in his steps, smiled, and cupped his hands toward Bai Qi standing at the entrance of the Mandarin Duck Tower:

"Could it be Bai Qilang of Black River County before me!"

Bai Qi was startled, then nodded in return:

"Yes, it is I."

The Bearer of the Tripod looked deeply at him, raising his voice:

"Truly extraordinary! Worthy of Daoist Official’s favor! Appraised as ’Talent for Attaining Dragon Court’s Record’!"

Lu Zhongping, still bewildered and unaware of why his family fell to such a state overnight, was utterly astonished:

"Dragon Court? Attaining Record? Bai Qilang?"

The Bearer of the Tripod turned back with a cold sneer, raising his cupped hands high, and said with pride:

"Just so you know, Daoist Xuanji recently used the ’Observation Candle Technique’ to select the best seedlings within a thousand miles around Yihai Prefecture.

Bai Qilang undoubtedly took the top spot, with nine-inch purple glow, a talent fit to attain the record!

His brother Bai Ming, slightly inferior, with a seven-inch purple glow, is also a fine jade!

It’s comical you had eyes but failed to recognize a pair of juvenile qilins hidden in the fields!"

Am I really that incredible?

Juvenile qilins?

If you can talk, please say more!

Bai Qi’s eyes flickered; he was well aware of Bai Ming’s outstanding talent in Taoist cultivation.

But he never expected himself to surpass his brother, truly an unexpected surprise.

"Bai Qilang, tomorrow morning, we shall prepare a sedan chair to escort you and your esteemed brother to the Daoist Temple, do not miss the auspicious time."

The Bearer of the Tripod in the Cyan Daoist Robe said politely, then tugged on the chain in his hand, continuing to escort the Lu family across Xingqing Square.

"Nine-inch purple glow, a talent fit to attain the record, it’s the best qualification in Yihai Prefecture in fifty years! Bai Qilang is going to become a Daoist Official..."

Lu Zhongping’s heart was a mix of emotions; if anything could be more devastating than the calamity befalling his entire family, it was the fact that the Fisherman he once looked down upon had soared to great heights.

The gap between them was enough to make him want to spit out a mouthful of blood.