The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The gentle breeze that had just rained turned into a cold wind filled with chilling coldness.
Moonlight shone on the tips of the arrows, with a cold glint, like venomous snakes hiding in the shadows, staring coldly at their prey.
In the Chinese-style garden, only the sound of flowing water and clinking wine glasses remained.
The air was extremely quiet.
So quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
"Bold!"
Princess Ningzhao, with her delicate hands resting on the handle of the wheelchair, suddenly turned cold as ice, her cherry lips slightly parted as she reprimanded.
Buzz!
With a clang, the Winged Sword at her side suddenly flew out and was caught by Princess Ningzhao.
She took light steps and stood in front of Lu Fan, her long skirt fluttering and her black hair swaying.
Nie Changqing held the pig-slaughtering knife without expression, pressing it against the neck of the servant.
However, the veins on the back of his hand were slightly raised, as if ready to burst with force and cut off the servant's neck.
But the servant who had been screaming in pain no longer dared to make a sound, wide-eyed and unable to catch his breath under the oppressive atmosphere.
Even though the wound on his thigh was continuously bleeding, he dared not even whimper.
"Interesting."
Moonlight pierced through the dark clouds and fell on Lu Fan, who was lazily leaning on the wheelchair.
His fair and handsome face was illuminated, sparkling like a veil.
"So, you're forcing my father to wage war against the Chen family?"
Lu Fan clapped his hands and chuckled lightly.
His words broke the frozen silence.
Actually, Lu Fan was curious.
Why didn't Lu Changkong just accuse the remaining members of the three major families of rebellion and throw them all into prison, violently seizing their assets? Although it would cause temporary turmoil in people's lives, in the long run, it would solve many underlying problems.
Splash.
The guards who were pulling bows and shooting arrows stepped aside to create a path.
Several Confucian scholars in long robes walked out.
Leading them was a young scholar in a green robe with a jade hairpin holding up his cap.
He had a beautiful beard and a pair of sharp eyebrows, carrying a sandalwood sword box on his back.
"Oh, it turns out to be Young Master Lu. It's all a misunderstanding, truly a misunderstanding..."
"Young Master Lu's late-night visit has truly brought glory to our Chen Mansion."
"These servants don't know any better. They mistook you for those rebels who caused chaos in Beiluo City."
The Confucian scholar in the green robe smiled lightly and straightened his beautiful beard.
He raised his hand slightly and the guards lowered their bows.
"I am Chen Beixun from the Chen family."
The Confucian scholar in the green robe bowed to Lu Fan, his starry eyes seemed to have a glimmer of divine light, staring at Lu Fan intently.
Lu Fan lazily leaned against the wheelchair, his hand supporting his chin, looking at Chen Beixun with faint curiosity in his eyes.
Lu Fan thought that by now, the Chen family should be in chaos after the murder of Chen Helong.
But unexpectedly, everything seemed calm and orderly, even without the sound of women crying, which was frightening.
Now it seemed that this Chen Beixun might be the key.
"Chen Beixun..."
Lu Fan squinted his eyes.
"The Chen family has someone like you?"
Rubbing his long fingers, Lu Fan casually asked.
Chen Beixun laughed, his green robe sleeves swaying.
"Since I was young, I was sent by my father to study swordsmanship in Mount Zhongnan. I just returned yesterday. It's normal for Young Master Lu not to know me. But I have long admired Young Master Lu's reputation. Even though Young Master Lu has a disability, your talent is unparalleled, with the spirit of a dragon. You were even appreciated by the national master. You are the role model for scholars like us."
In the garden, Chen Beixun's words were powerful and sincere, without any pretense.
Chen Beixun maintained his composure, as if he truly admired Lu Fan.
The corner of Lu Fan's mouth curled up. They say those who learn swordsmanship have straightforward personalities.
Now it seems... it's really true. Look at Chen Beixun, blabbering about the truth...
"Mount Zhongnan... Sword Sect?!"
Nie Changqing's gaze suddenly narrowed.
The various schools of philosophy... Sword Sect!
As the former tenth disciple of the Daoist Sect, Nie Changqing was naturally familiar with the Sword Sect.
The Sword Sect is not an ordinary sect. Its ability to incorporate various schools of thought is enough to demonstrate its strength and mystery.
"I like people who speak the truth."
Lu Fan rubbed his long fingers and smiled.
His smile was meaningful.
The Sword Sect?
Could it be the force behind the three major families that made his father so cautious... the Sword Sect?
Then, he lifted his eyes slightly and looked at Chen Beixun. It was surprising to see that Chen Beixun came from the Sword Sect.
It seemed that the Sword Sect had been preparing and laying out a long time ago.
As one of the six guardians of Beiluo City, which held a strategic position as part of the imperial capital, its importance was crucial.
If the Sword Sect were to control the three major families, their intentions would be obvious.
It remained unclear whether his father was aware of this and had made arrangements in advance.
"Young Master Lu praises me too much." Chen Beixun remained composed.
"Old Nie, release the person. We are here to collect rent. We need to reason with people." Lu Fan turned his head to Nie Changqing.
Nie Changqing fell silent and put away his pig-slaughtering knife.
The servant trembled and crawled towards Chen Beixun, clutching his bleeding thigh.
"Thank you, Young Master Lu. Young Master Lu, please come to my mansion for a small drink. It's late and cold, I'll immediately have someone bring plum wine to warm you up." Chen Beixun saw the wounds all over Lu Fan's body but noticed that Nie Changqing was calm and composed.
This person... is still alive?
Did Han Lianxiao, the ninth disciple of the Dao Sect, fail?
Was he stopped by Lu Fan?
Chen Beixun was shocked, but he maintained a smiling face.
Lu Fan waved his hand. "Let's forget about the drink. My father sent me to collect rent. Let's get down to business."
"Since the city lord has ordered, my Chen family dare not disobey. Beixun will return home. Upon learning that my father conspired with bandits, I was deeply saddened. Fortunately, Lord Lu, you are wise and brave. You extinguished the source of evil and saved Beiluo City from disaster. I, Chen Beixun, greatly admire you. Next, my Chen family will duly rectify itself and turn over a new leaf. Please bring a thousand taels of silver." Chen Beixun stroked his long beard and turned to the guards behind him, giving them instructions.
Soon, two servants carried two boxes of silver into the garden.
A gentle breeze blew, and the moonlight was cold.
The silver in the open boxes was dazzling.
Lu Fan sat in his wheelchair, resting his chin on his hand, and yawned.
Facing two boxes of silver totaling one thousand taels, his heart remained unmoved.
"Young Master Lu, is this rent enough?" Chen Beixun had a smile on his face.
The Confucian scholars of the Chen family watched Lu Fan with some awe, as well as his maid, Ning Zhao. They still remembered her ruthless massacre on the city walls a few days ago.
"Not bad for a wealthy family...," Lu Fan chuckled lightly, stroking his woolen blanket.
Then, the smile gradually disappeared from his face.
"On the city walls that day, scholars from the three major families laughed at my half-paralyzed state, dealing a severe blow to my spirit. Even now, thinking back to it, I still feel depressed. One thousand taels of silver cannot soothe the wounds in my heart." Lu Fan said calmly.
Chen Beixun's face froze. Was it not enough?
"Bring another thousand taels of silver!" Chen Beixun's expression softened, and he adjusted his luxurious beard as he smiled.
"Wait..."
"Xiao Chen, money doesn't matter." Lu Fan suddenly interrupted.
He had a smile on his face, looking sincere under the moonlight.
"Since I was young, I have had a disability that makes it difficult for me to move and live independently. My lifelong wish has always been to have a house of my own to retire in..."
"Today, our conversation has been pleasant. I find you quite pleasing. How about this..." Chen Beixun's expression stiffened.
He looked at Lu Fan and found sincerity shining in his eyes under the moonlight.
"Well, it doesn't have to be a manor. The Chen family has many houses, so if it makes you happy, I don't mind giving it up." Chen Beixun suddenly burst into loud laughter, filled with pride.
Then, he waved his hand.
"Continue to bring out another thousand taels of silver, and also bring the land deeds!"
Chen Beixun shouted.
Everything went along with Lu Fan's wishes.
The scholars of the Chen family were taken aback.
However, as the one who held the greatest power in the Chen family, Chen Beixun had the support of the Sword Sect, which was the key to the continued existence of the Chen family in Beiluo City.
Soon, another two boxes of silver were brought, and a stack of land deeds was delivered by a maid.
Watching the thick stack of land deeds in Chen Beixun's hands, the corner of Lu Fan's mouth twitched... What a nouveau riche!
Chen Beixun looked through the land deeds and then walked toward Lu Fan with a measured pace.
Ning Zhao stepped forward, her sword poised like a cicada's wings, blocking Chen Beixun with a frosty demeanor.
"Stop."
With the tip of her Cicada Wing Sword hanging down, Ning Zhao halted Chen Beixun's approach with an icy expression.
"Xiao Ni, go and get the land deeds," Lu Fan patted Ni Yu's head, who cowered next to him.
Ni Yu responded with a sound and quickly ran to get the land deeds.
Taking the land deeds from Chen Beixun's hand, Ni Yu returned to Lu Fan and handed them over.
Lu Fan looked at the stack of land deeds and took a deep breath.
The land deeds included both residential and commercial properties, involving various industries and interests, intricately intertwined.
Chen Beixun's purpose in presenting them was not simple. He wanted to remind Lu Fan that the Chen family could not afford too much turmoil, otherwise Beiluo City would suffer.
This was something that Lu Changkong was also concerned about. The three major families had vast business networks and influence that ran deep.
The atmosphere fell silent.
The water in the garden's pond shimmered under the moonlight and the blowing wind.
Lu Fan sat in his wheelchair, quietly flipping through the land deeds in the moonlight.
Everyone dared not make a sound.
Chen Beixun's face was full of smiles. "Take your time, Young Master Lu. It is our pleasure that you find joy in our offerings."
Suddenly, Lu Fan's eyes lit up. He took out one deed from the stack and placed the rest on his lap.
Holding the deed, Lu Fan brushed it lightly and carefully examined it before a slight smirk appeared on his lips.
"Here, I've made my choice. This one." Lu Fan handed the deed to Ni Yu.
Chen Beixun cupped his hands and chuckled, "Young Master Lu, did you make your decision so quickly? With a thousand shops and a hundred mansions, wouldn't you like to take a look further?"
"I wonder where this lucky place that caught Young Master Lu's eye is?" Chen Beixun said.
Lu Fan handed the deed to Ni Yu.
Then, he leaned back in his wheelchair and closed his eyes.
Ni Yu received the deed and squinted under the moonlight.
"The place Young Master chose is... Zui Chen Ge on Beiluo Lake's Heart Island."
Ni Yu's voice echoed with clarity. After finishing her words, her chubby face turned red.
The smile on Chen Beixun's face froze.
Nie Changqing and Chen Changqing were also bewildered.
Ning Zhao's hand on the sword trembled.
Not only them but also the Confucian scholars of the Chen family wore strange expressions of astonishment.
Did this guy really mean it?
They never expected that Lu Fan would choose such a place.
Zui Chen Ge, although it sounded poetic and full of artistic charm, in essence...
It was a brothel for **!
This son of a bitch wanted to retire...in a **?!