Bab 20: 20. The Hidden Power Crushes the Heart
Meanwhile, at the Patrol Bureau, Wang Dezhi was enjoying his leisure time at a teahouse, surrounded by several of his useful subordinates. They all speculated about what kind of connections the Liao Family could muster to clear their path.
"After Mr. Liao died in battle, the Liao family's previous contacts have all been severed. I doubt they could find any strong backing."
"Not necessarily, after all, they were connected to the Governor-general of Liangjiang. They should still have their pride even in death."
"The Governor-general of Liangjiang? Mr. Lin himself met the grim fate of being exiled to a remote frontier. Who would owe him any favors now? At best, they could probably appeal to the authority of the city governor."
"That might at most grant them a few days of clemency, which isn't of much use."
As they were chatting, suddenly a black lacquered carriage arrived. In those days, having a carriage meant one was no common folk, and pedestrians quickly scattered in all directions, causing quite a commotion.
This was the Patrol Bureau's official carriage, and Wang Dezhi hurriedly went to greet it, opening the carriage door with the utmost respect.
A figure dressed in brocade stepped down, a defiant expression on their face, bringing orders from above—the closure of the Liao Family's martial arts school was to be overturned!
Wang Dezhi nodded and bowed, accepting the order without daring to raise the slightest question. This person was a close follower of the "Commander," which meant the person was his superior's superior!
Everybody watched, and took a sharp breath of relief, glad that they had held back earlier and hadn't burned all bridges.
After returning to the group, Wang Dezhi said with a lingering sense of trepidation,
"Although those who were involved in the opium suppression met a miserable end, there's no lack of support for them, both overtly and covertly. There could be some high-ranking official backing them; we must never offend such people in the future!"
The crowd unanimously agreed.
~~~~~~~~
When Lu Yao and his companions returned to the martial arts school, it was still light out.
Wang Dezhi had been waiting for a long time, and he approached them respectfully, saying, "My lord, I have received orders from the Commander that the sealing of the martial arts school was a misunderstanding, and I hope you won't take offense."
Lu Yao acted as if he couldn't care less, "Inspector Wang is merely fulfilling his duties; how could we blame you?"
Wang Dezhi smiled and said, "If that's the case, then all is well. I shall take my leave since the matter has been settled."
Lu Yao hurriedly spoke up, "Wait a moment! I have a few questions."
"This..." Wang Dezhi was about to reserve his thoughts, but then he noticed a faint silver glint in Lu Yao's hand.
They shook hands again, friendlier than before, and another half tael of silver exchanged hands!
Wang Dezhi didn't hurry off any longer. After pondering for a moment, he spoke up,
"Young Master Lu, I know what you want to ask, but I'm afraid I hardly understand it myself, as I received the orders only recently. However... the death of that young man named Han Fang was very mysterious. The coroner, after examination, claimed the cause of death to be—bone-shattering intense pain leading to a heart ailment, but I think it's more like 'Inner Breath Heart Crush'."
Inner Breath Heart Crush is a technique used by Organ Refining martial artists and above, manipulating their Inner Breath in various tricks, but it's not something just anyone can achieve.
With this information, one could almost pinpoint the culprit behind the scenes!
"Thank you very much!" Lu Yao bowed, then once again took out another half tael of silver, "For your hard work, please treat everyone to tea."
Wang Dezhi accepted the silver, noting his subordinates clearly pleased. He couldn't help admiring Lu Yao's thoroughness, making sure he took care of even the ordinary Patrol officers.
He then bowed deeply, "Thank you for your understanding, Young Master!"
Lu Yao returned the bow and took his leave.
Wang Dezhi gazed at the signboard of the Liao Family's martial arts school and mused, "With money and influence, plus the power of an 18-year-old Organ Refining martial artist to cement their position, the Liao Family seems set to soar to great heights!"
A few close subordinates echoed, "It's not a bad thing for someone like Master Liao to rise."
"With Master Liao on this street, it's the most peaceful area around."
"Indeed, much better than those martial artists who collude with gangs and open opium dens."
~~~~~~~
Back at the martial arts gym, the sisters were already waiting. Under the gaze of their beautiful eyes, Lu Yao relayed the information he had gathered.
"This is the situation. Someone plotted against us, intending to challenge the gym directly, but didn't expect to be defeated by Liao Ya. In a panic, they resorted to murder and framing. The opponent doesn't have strong connections in official circles, they just took advantage of the situation."
After listening to Lu Yao's analysis, Liao Ya nodded thoughtfully.
The sight of the young girl tilting her head in contemplation was endearingly cute, and after a moment's thought, she said, "There are three martial arts schools in Yunzhou capable of the internal force heart-crushing move. I think I know who it is."
Liao Ya tossed her braid behind her and said, "Junior Brother, accompany me to the Golden Tiger Martial Arts School tomorrow. The disciples involved in the challenge might know something."
Lu Yao nodded, "No problem."
Liao Ya looked at his pale complexion and spoke softly, "Junior Brother, you must be exhausted. Having you here today... allowed us to resolve everything so smoothly, I'm really grateful to you."
"Family doesn't speak of two households, no need for courtesy. Right, we need to get the medicine ready quickly, don't delay the cultivation."
Having said that, Lu Yao turned to start operating the medicine boiling machine.
Liao Ya smiled with increasing satisfaction at her junior brother, thinking to herself that taking him in was an incredibly wise decision!
Liao Qe watched Lu Yao busy himself, her face filled with admiration, feeling that the junior brother was the most capable man she had ever seen in her life.
Rich and young, witty and humorous, he could handle any situation with composure; there was no better person than him!
The girl suddenly thought—within a sect, it was common for senior and junior brothers and sisters to marry, a tradition known as "union within the sect".
At that thought, Liao Qe's cheeks flushed red, and her long, straight legs were tightly clamped together.
~~~~~~~~
The following morning, after a good night's sleep, Lu Yao woke up feeling invigorated and radiant, as if reborn.
With his increased mastery of the Spirit Refining Method, the effects of his nourishment regimen became more prominent. Had his body not still been weak, Lu Yao would have even believed his illness was healed.
Outside the house, Liao Ya, dressed in a martial outfit, was waiting for him.
Leaving Liao Qe to watch the house, the two headed to the Golden Tiger Martial Arts School together.
The two gyms were very close, and it took less than 15 minutes to arrive.
At that time, the Golden Tiger Martial Arts School was extremely noisy, filled with various sounds of arguing and squabbling.
There were ordinary students demanding tuition refunds, senior students wishing to leave and pursue their own futures, and even butchers and pharmacists coming to collect debts. The chaos was indicative of the "scattered monkeys at the fall of a tree."
So much so that when the pair entered the main hall, nobody came to greet them.
Lu Yao exchanged a glance with his senior sister, and as if by telepathy, Liao Ya instantly understood his intentions.
The girl abruptly threw a punch, causing a loud boom and a shower of dust to fall from the ceiling, instantly quieting the room.
Lu Yao stepped forward and said with composure, "Good morning everyone, you're quite busy early in the day."
The disciples of the Golden Tiger Martial Arts School looked very troubled; they all recognized Liao Ya. They had just challenged her gym, and she must have come for retaliation!
After exchanging glances, the eldest brother, Qi Lang, had no choice but to stand forth although reluctant.
Qi Lang, around 30 years old, had served beside his master during the challenge.
Just one day later, from an energetic young man, he had turned into a disheveled and pale shadow of his former self, middle-aged and unwell. He managed to say with forced calm, "Master Liao, you've already killed my master, what more do you want? The Great Shun Dynasty has laws! Aren't you afraid of being sent to the frontlines?"
Liao Ya stood tall and silent, letting Lu Yao speak for her:
"That's too harsh. The Imperial Court treats martial artists with consideration. To send an Organ Refining Martial Artist to the frontlines would require a crime as serious as annihilation of an entire household. My senior sister is not a cruel person, she wouldn't do such a thing."
The crowd had just heaved a sigh of relief when they heard Lu Yao continue, "So today we are just here to issue a challenge, and incidentally break each of your legs. Don't worry, your lives are not in danger."
Hadiah
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