Chapter 344: Chapter 201: The Annihilation of the Lu Family (Part 2)

The butler noticed the change in the Patriarch’s tone and seemed to understand something. He cupped his hands and said, "Yes, sir. And what about those from the Lu Family?"

"Send them over too. They’re trash. Keeping them around is just a waste of food!"

He Shuijun couldn’t even be bothered to speak with them.

The butler smiled. "Yes, sir."

He Shuijun suddenly asked, "Besides the Xu Family, who else got involved?"

"Well..."

Just then, a guard came running from the front courtyard, panting, but was stopped by the guards on duty.

"Butler, there’s been a development with the Xu Family!" the messenger guard said.

"Let him through," the butler said immediately.

The guard immediately hurried over from the front courtyard. After cupping his hands and bowing to He Shuijun, he reported, "Patriarch, our men just sent word. The Xu Family has withdrawn all their people, and everyone they captured has been released!"

At this, He Shuijun turned his head, seeming to understand. He sneered, "This Xu Tieshan is really something else. Quick on his feet, too."

He had just been thinking about paying the Xu Family a visit, but he never expected them to back down first.

The butler then cupped his hands and said, "Patriarch, it was my failure in management. I have delayed your important affairs!"

From the moment he discovered the Patriarch’s non-stop Cultivation in the courtyard, he had sensed a change and immediately sealed off the residence, barring anyone from entering the rear courtyard to prevent the news from leaking.

But he never imagined the Xu Family would find out so quickly.

’Clearly, there’s still a Xu Family spy in the residence!’

He Shuijun waved his hand. "It’s fine. Go on, there’s still much to be done."

The guard cupped his hands and left at once.

But then, the butler suddenly said:

"Patriarch, now that you’ve broken through to the Sixth Grade, shouldn’t you report to Li Mingxin at the Li Courtyard?

Also, should we send word to the main family? Let them know, so they can make some changes. Perhaps the position of He Clan Leader should be yours now?"

They knew the rules. If he concealed his breakthrough and was discovered, the consequences would be severe.

As for the main He Family, He Shuijun was just a descendant from a side branch. Now that he had become the strongest member of the clan, the He Family could be promoted to the ranks of a Middle Third Grade Family. In that case, it was only natural that his position should change.

"You may leave for now. I will handle it." He Shuijun waved his hand dismissively, not giving a direct answer.

"Yes, sir."

The butler cupped his hands and immediately left.

He Shuijun, of course, understood the rules. Once his family became a Middle Third Grade Family, as long as the Lower Three Grade Families didn’t move against him, he couldn’t take the initiative to deal with them.

As for the clan...

His eyes flickered as a thought crossed his mind. ’Everything I have now, I fought for myself. What does it have to do with the clan? I’m already established in Jade Peak County. I can found my own branch entirely and cut ties with the main clan. I just need to bring my parents over.’

With this in mind, he formed a plan. But there was no rush. First, he had to deal with a few people!

He was planning to use the cover of night to slaughter Cheng Zongyang!

That bastard had provoked and threatened him time and time again! If he didn’t kill him, he would never be able to vent this rage.

As for reporting his breakthrough, he could do it tomorrow. The excuse would simply be that he was worried about disturbing Li Mingxin’s rest.

So, after giving some instructions, he swapped his weapon for a Fine Steel Fan and left.

His business with Cheng Zongyang was just a personal grudge, unrelated to clan struggles.

A clan struggle would involve a conflict of interests. By having someone send all the Lu Family’s resources over, he had an excuse.

As long as he took care of Cheng Zongyang, he refused to believe the rest of the Cheng Family wouldn’t show themselves.

When He Shuijun found Cheng Zongyang’s residence, he discovered he wasn’t home. Only a few servants and a butler remained.

He didn’t bother with these ordinary people; it would be pointless. So, he headed for the Celestial Break Gang.

As it turned out, aside from Li Lu managing affairs, there was no sign of Cheng Zongyang there either.

This left him quite puzzled.

’Could he have gone to the village outside the city?’

He still needed to make use of the Celestial Break Gang, so he didn’t make a move against Li Lu.

He then rushed to Tiantuan Village without a moment’s rest.

After striking down several patrol members in succession, only to be told by each that Cheng Zongyang was not with the Celestial Break Gang, he left in a rage!

After his breakthrough, he had wanted to kill someone to establish his dominance, but the Xu Family had preemptively withdrawn and released their captives. Now he was looking for Cheng Zongyang, but Cheng Zongyang seemed to have vanished!

This feeling of having strength with no outlet and anger with nowhere to vent made him even more furious!

He immediately turned back to the city and charged into the Lu Family’s estate, personally eliminating those who were still putting up a futile resistance!

The remaining members who were unwilling to surrender to the He Family fled, heading for the Celestial Break Gang, the Xu Family, and other such families.

But those families, not wanting to attract trouble by accepting a few ordinary Martial Artists, politely turned them away.

In the end, all the escapees arrived at the Celestial Break Gang. Li Lu neither refused nor accepted them, simply arranging a room for them to stay in for the time being, pending Cheng Zongyang’s decision.

And so, overnight, the Lu Family was annexed and eliminated by the He Family. He Shuijun himself killed nearly all the members of the Lu Family’s Direct Lineage.

Others were allowed to live, but of those with Lu Family blood, he didn’t spare a single one he could find.

At the same time, cart after cart loaded with resources like grain, money, medicine, and Weapons was sent to the Celestial Break Gang under the cover of darkness.

Li Lu had already received instructions from Cheng Zongyang, so he had the resources stored in houses designated as warehouses. Along with them were over twenty captured Ninth Grade Martial Artists.

He Shuijun’s face remained dark from being unable to find Cheng Zongyang, right up until the sky began to brighten. Then, he prepared to go to the Li Courtyard to report his situation.

「Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Celestial Break Gang’s headquarters on Southwest City Street」

Cheng Zongyang was listening to Li Lu’s summary of the previous night’s events.

"...A total of six men were killed. I’ve already had the Xuanwu Hall handle the arrangements and provide compensation to their families according to our rules. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

What should be done with the resources in the warehouses now?"

Cheng Zongyang’s expression was calm as he considered this. Last night, he had specifically entered the Wilderness World to avoid He Shuijun, precisely to prevent that bastard from killing him.

’His value hasn’t been fully realized yet; how could I let him die so easily?’

From Li Lu’s report this morning, he knew he had made the right choice.

But as for the score for the six Celestial Break Gang members who had died, he would settle that with He Shuijun later!

"As for those resources, you and Li Yihuo can decide what to do with them," Cheng Zongyang said. "Also, regarding the Martial Artists who want to join the Celestial Break Gang, don’t worry about it. Anyone who genuinely wants to join just needs to sign the Oath Contract. If they can’t sign it, don’t accept them. You can handle the arrangements."

"Alright," Li Lu agreed. With Cheng Zongyang’s approval, he could use the resources without worry. As for that bizarre Oath Contract, he still couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Some people could sign it, while for others, their names would vanish after they wrote them.

The only explanation given was that ’sincerity is key,’ and that was it.

To this day, he still found it incredibly strange and baffling.

Just then, Cheng Zongyang suddenly asked, "Regarding that batch of resources, did the He Family say how much it was? Was it just the Lu Family’s assets, or did it include the half of Northwest City Street’s profits for the next three years?"

Li Lu frowned. "The former. But calculating half the profits for the next three years wouldn’t be easy, would it?"

Cheng Zongyang said, "It’s not easy to calculate, which is why I just asked for ten thousand taels of silver. Didn’t they send it?"

Li Lu shook his head. "I’m not sure. Among the resources they sent over, there were only fifty thousand taels of silver. I don’t know if the ten thousand taels are included in that."

Cheng Zongyang understood. He said:

"It’s fine. The agreement gives him three days. But he probably won’t wait that long. The guy is more focused on trying to kill me than handling his actual business.

Also, once the news is out, keep an eye on the Li Courtyard, and see what changes occur within the He Family.

If He Shuijun can’t restrain himself and makes a move on you, then tell him where I am."

"Alright," Li Lu agreed.

Cheng Zongyang stood up, preparing to go to a private residence in West City to lie low for a couple of days.

According to the rules, He Shuijun would have to go and report his breakthrough to get it on record.

He wouldn’t show his face for these two days.

However, just as he was about to leave, Zhao the Seventh rushed in.

"Sir! Gang Leader!" Zhao the Seventh cupped his hands and reported, "Gang Leader, someone from the Lu Family wishes to see you."

This startled both Cheng Zongyang and Li Lu. The latter asked:

"Weren’t all of the Lu Family killed? There are survivors?"

Zhao the Seventh said, "Yes. She was among the people who want to join our gang. She’s a sixteen-year-old girl who snuck in wearing a disguise. She revealed her identity herself during a later inspection. Her name is Lu Wushuang."

"What’s her name?" Cheng Zongyang asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.