Sitting in a wheelchair, Lu Fan looked like a graceful young man with a friendly smile. But in the eyes of Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan, this smile was extremely sinister. The perennially reclusive leg-disabled young master of the Lu family... was he really this terrifying?
"Lu... Lu Shao."
Liu Ye forced out a smile uglier than crying.
Zhu Yishan opened his mouth, wanting to say something. He originally wanted to introduce himself, but in the current situation, introducing himself was useless, and perhaps... would lead to a faster death.
Chen Beixun appeared quite composed, sitting upright on the floor of the prison cell covered in weeds, closing his eyes to rest.
Even if Lu Fan declared a massacre, he wasn't afraid.
He was not only a member of the Chen family in Beiluo, but also a disciple of the sword sect. If Lu Fan tried to harm him, what needed to be considered was the sword sect and whether they would turn Beiluo City upside down.
Lu Changkong endured not provoking the three major families because of this.
Therefore, Chen Beixun remained calm and composed.
He wouldn't be in this prison cell for long. As long as he didn't plead guilty, Lu Fan would naturally send him back to the Chen residence.
The breathing of Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan became low and muffled.
Lu Fan sat in his wheelchair with a calm expression.
After killing the Confucian scholars of the Iron-Blooded Army, they all gathered behind Luo Cheng, and when Luo Cheng lightly pressed down on his sword, the Iron-Blooded Army quieted down as well.
The prison cell was filled with a strong smell of blood and a sense of solemnity and killing.
Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan had long been scared to the point of weakness in their legs.
Chen Beixun still kept his eyes closed.
He appeared calm, but in reality, he was extremely anxious.
Lu Fan's ferocity and decisiveness exceeded his imagination.
These were dozens of Confucian scholars who held official positions, yet Lu Fan said he would kill them all.
Once this news got out, the entire Da Zhou Dynasty would be shaken!
The prominent Confucian scholars in the court would surely impeach Lu Fan and Lu Changkong madly.
Finally, in the quiet prison cell, Lu Fan started to laugh.
Then, the wheelchair turned automatically, with Lu Fan's back facing Liu Ye, Chen Beixun, and Zhu Yishan.
"I know what gives you confidence... The Sword Sect, right?"
"Luo Cheng, escort them."
Lu Fan said.
Luo Cheng complied and sent people to escort the three of them.
Yueyi pushed the wheelchair, walking gracefully.
Behind them, Luo Cheng led the Iron-Blooded Army, and rope collars were placed around the necks of Liu Ye, Zhu Yishan, and Chen Beixun, preventing them from making any movements.
They left the Lu residence prison and arrived at the main axis of Beiluo City, the Long Street.
On the Long Street of Beiluo City, the confused citizens retreated to both sides of the street, watching the procession with curiosity and awe.
On the Long Street...
The Iron-Blooded Army still had traces of the blood from the Confucian scholars.
Pressing down on their swords, they walked in a neat formation. With each step they took, it seemed like the ground trembled.
Their destination was clear, heading straight for the three major families.
The mansion of the Liu family was as luxurious as the Chen family's residence.
Yueyi's face carried a cold sternness as she pushed the wheelchair neither hurriedly nor slowly.
Nie Changqing walked beside Lu Fan with a sword on his back, while Ni Yu held a chessboard and supported herself with an umbrella. She didn't dare to make any fuss. She knew that the young master seemed to be planning something big.
Luo Cheng led the Iron-Blooded Army by Lu Fan's side.
In front of the Liu residence, it was eerily quiet.
The group came to a stop.
Lu Fan supported his chin with one hand and raised his eyes slightly, looking forward calmly.
The gate of the Liu family mansion was tightly closed.
Like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Suddenly.
A chaotic sound echoed on the Long Street. In the distance, there was a dark crowd of people carrying farming tools and holding woodcutting knives, walking on the spacious street.
Luo Cheng's gaze narrowed, stepping forward to stand in front of Lu Fan.
Yueyi's face filled with a fierce light, her delicate hand resting on the long whip at her waist.
The Iron-Blooded Army also tightened their grip on their weapons.
This was a group of people under the command of merchants, carrying farming tools and woodcutting knives. They gathered together, filled with righteous indignation. Among them were several Confucian scholars with red eyes, their faces full of righteousness as they spoke.
In general, they were accusing Lu Fan of indiscriminate killing of Confucian scholars, wanting to seize control of the industries in Beiluo City, causing the people to be displaced, and so on.
The anger of the crowd was ignited.
Various slogans were shouted loudly.
On both sides of the Long Street, some curious onlookers who weren't clear about the truth also had their emotions aroused and joined in the condemnation. If something could really happen, they would have something to boast about later.
What was initially only a few hundred people quickly doubled, nearly reaching a thousand.
A thousand people shouting together, their voices shaking the sky, almost blending into one.
Like thunder exploding, intimidating people's hearts.
"How dare you!"
Luo Cheng drew his long sword, glared angrily, and let out a roar.
Yueyi's face turned ugly as she tightened her grip on her whip.
Nie Changqing was also somewhat shocked.
Lu Fan, on the other hand, remained calm, watching this group of people who seemed to be on the verge of rebellion with a hint of playfulness.
...
Chen residence.
On a round table made of nanmu, exquisite fine wine and delicacies were placed.
Various dishes filled the table.
Several people sat around the table, holding wine glasses and toasting each other.
Among them were several individuals carrying sword scabbards, with swords concealed inside. They exuded a strong aura.
"The Lord's Mansion is coming fiercely, but water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Hasn't there been situations where the people in the thirteen counties of Da Zhou rebelled and killed officials?"
"After Lu Changkong left the city for the capital, Beiluo City is now without a master. That disabled son of his actually dare to brazenly show off, oppress the scholars in Beiluo City, occupy the Zui Dust Building, and even capture the heirs of the three major families. He has done all kinds of evil deeds..."
"Heh... he is seeking death."
A middle-aged scholar carrying three swords on his back finished his drink in one gulp and smiled faintly.
Laughter echoed on the dining table.
On the table, there were representatives from the Liu and Zhu families, numerous experts from the sword sect, as well as many small and large merchants who were closely related to the livelihoods of the people in Beiluo City.
The representatives of the Liu and Zhu families had smiling faces. With the backing of the sword sect, the Chen family, and now Lu Fan directly arresting Liu Ye, Zhu Yishan, and Chen Beixun, the faces of the three major families were completely torn apart.
Now they could only use their own means to deal with Lu Fan.
They joined hands with various merchants and spent a lot of money to hire ruffians and gangs within Beiluo City, as well as some idle tenants, to cause trouble on the street.
If they could kill Lu Changkong's disabled son in the chaos, it would be even better.
They were not unfamiliar with such things. Nowadays, chaos frequently occurred in the Da Zhou Dynasty, and there were cases of local officials being beaten to death by angry crowds. Of course, most of these incidents were orchestrated by influential families behind the scenes.
Around the Nanmu round table, everyone exchanged smiles and raised their cups.
...
A dense crowd of people.
Some of them, looking cunning and unscrupulous, were hired by merchants and did their duty diligently. They raised their arms and shouted loudly, fueling the growing emotions of the crowd.
Unknowing and without reasons, more people joined in, making the torrent even stronger.
Lu Fan sat in his wheelchair, playing with a chess piece. He glanced at the leading Confucian scholars and intellectuals, a cold smile curling up at the corner of his mouth.
Hiring so many thugs has led to this grand spectacle.
The three major influential families must be bleeding heavily.
Suddenly, Chen Beixun, who was being escorted, burst into laughter.
His beautiful beard fluttered in the wind.
"Lu Ping'an, have you seen it...this is the price we pay and the outcome when someone challenges us!"
"The various schools of thought have taken control of the major fortified cities, and the Beiluo City will be run by the sword sect. This is the overall trend of the world, and you cannot stop it!"
Chen Beixun laughed arrogantly.
Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan seemed to see hope too; their eyes became bright.
Their spines gradually straightened.
They seemed to have found their confidence as well.
Waiting for Lu Fan to succumb to the pressure brought by the sword sect and send them back to their influential families.
On the wheelchair.
Lu Fan didn't even look at Chen Beixun.
He just turned his head and looked at Luo Cheng.
"Do these people...have any guilt?"
Lu Fan said calmly.
Luo Cheng narrowed his eyes, a glint of coldness flashing in them.
Lu Fan had said that what he was going to do next...would be ruthless.
So...
Luo Cheng placed his hand on the long knife at his waist, raised his head, and looked at the numerous crowd. His gaze gradually became indifferent.
"Carrying deadly weapons, conspiring against the government, is a serious crime!"
Luo Cheng's words fell.
The bustling crowd on the street quieted down slightly as their voices were suppressed.
After a while, the thousands of people gathered together suddenly exclaimed.
Most ordinary people did not have the courage to bear the crime of treason.
Those people who joined in just for the excitement, wanting to brag and have something to talk about, turned pale with fear. Many of them ran away, crawling and rolling.
The crowd dwindled significantly.
Those remaining were mostly thugs hired by the three major influential families and united merchants.
The leading Confucian scholars and intellectuals felt a tremor in their hearts.
They shouted angrily, "We gather here only to seek justice! Lu Ping'an forcibly occupied the Drunken Dust Pavilion. Today, he seizes the Drunken Dust Pavilion; tomorrow, he may seize other businesses and restaurants. Isn't there still rule of law in this world? Our actions are not treacherous! The law does not punish the masses; it is justice..."
On the wheelchair.
Lu Fan looked up, his gaze falling on the Confucian scholar who spoke.
His hand paused while touching the chess piece.
His face was as smooth as jade, and a slight smile appeared. He exhaled lightly and said:
"If I say you are conspirators, then you are conspirators..."
"You think you deserve justice?"
"Lao Luo, what should be done if they are truly traitors?"
Luo Cheng's gaze was as sharp as fire. He slowly drew out the long knife from his waist, the sound of the blade against the scabbard piercing their ears.
"Their crime...shall be punished!"
Four words burst out of his mouth.
Lu Fan chuckled.
"Then...let's punish them all."