Chapter 217: Reclaiming the Lu Family

Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Reclaiming the Lu Family

Old Master Lu was too late, and Young Master Zhao was too late as well. But that didn't mean everyone was too late—at least Zhong Shan wasn't. As the Memory Crystal recorded this moment, Zhong Shan's heart surged with excitement. These people were simply delightful, and this was precisely the kind of content he needed.

When Duna uttered those tragic words, Zhong Shan already sensed her next move. He picked up a stone and flicked it toward the distance.

"Doooonnnngggggg..."

The stone's force instantly shattered the long sword.

Duna was saved, and everyone displayed expressions of astonishment. What happened? Who saved Duna? In an instant, all eyes turned to the two figures who had suddenly appeared on the outskirts: Zhong Shan and A Da.

"A Da, continue recording," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Yes," A Da responded, taking the Memory Crystal.

Zhong Shan walked forward slowly with A Da following, recording the scene behind him. It was a very strange sight, but the others didn't recognize the device in A Da's hand.

"Who are you?" Young Master Zhao shouted angrily. The group of black-clad men behind him grabbed their weapons, ready to rush forward.

Zhong Shan smiled coldly and ignored them, walking straight toward the Lu residence.

Old Master Lu looked at Zhong Shan with a mixture of surprise and composure, while Duna stood behind him.

"I'm talking to you! Who are you?" Young Master Zhao's expression turned more sinister.

Zhong Shan still ignored him.

"Kill him!" Young Master Zhao roared.

Turning his head, Zhong Shan glared at Young Master Zhao and with a flip of his hand, shot a palm strike directly at him.

"Boooommmmmm..."

A palm-shaped qi blast sent Young Master Zhao flying over twenty meters. Mid-air, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest charred black and his bones shattered. His life was effectively over.

Zhong Shan's one move had left everyone in awe. They all stared in shock at Zhong Shan. One palm strike, just one, producing qi energy?

The hired thugs of Young Master Zhao suddenly froze in their tracks. None dared to advance.

One palm strike—that was a skill at the level of the Zhao family's patriarch. Who would dare to charge forward now? Especially when the opponent seemed to strike so effortlessly.

Everyone was stunned. Where had this expert come from?

With his Golden Core fourth stage cultivation, dealing with these mere postnatal and innate cultivators was as easy as flipping his hand.

Looking at the lifeless Young Master Zhao, who was still spewing blood, Zhong Shan said, "Heaven's justice is clear; evil will be repaid. It's not that it hasn't been repaid, but the time hasn't come yet."

Young Master Zhao, just helped up, was so enraged by Zhong Shan's words that he spat out another mouthful of blood. His subordinates were filled with uncertainty, not knowing whether to charge forward or to quickly escape.

"Get lost!" Zhong Shan's eyes glared fiercely.

Terrified, everyone picked up the severely injured Young Master Zhao and fled. They even abandoned the flower palanquin. In a matter of moments, they were gone.

"Thank you, senior, for saving our lives," Old Master Lu said immediately.

By then, Zhong Shan had already signaled A Da to stop recording. It was enough. With what had been recorded, Zhong Shan could accomplish a lot.

Turning to look at the Lu family members, aside from Old Master Lu and Duna, everyone else was gazing at him with eyes full of admiration.

Old Master Lu was uncertain of Zhong Shan's intentions, his mind swirling with both doubt and hope.

Zhong Shan gently helped him up, an idea forming in his mind. "You don't need to bow. If I didn't intend to help Lu Jianping, I wouldn't have come here."

"Thank you, senior," Old Master Lu said gratefully.

"Let me think for a moment," Zhong Shan replied.

"Of course," Old Master Lu stepped aside respectfully, waiting patiently.

Zhong Shan analyzed the situation, weighing his options carefully. After a while, he asked, "Do you trust me?"

Old Master Lu hesitated but quickly nodded. "If it weren't for you, senior, the Lu family would already be in ruins. Whatever you ask, I will do my utmost to fulfill."

"How many people are in your Lu family?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Counting Duna, there are eighty-three of us," Old Master Lu answered.

"Would you be willing to abandon your home and leave this place?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"Leave?" Old Master Lu was taken aback.

"Yes. I can rescue Lu Jianping, but if your family remains here, he will not be willing to leave because of you all," Zhong Shan explained.

Reflecting on how Lu Jianping had risked everything to help his master without complaint for ten years, Zhong Shan was certain that such a person, one who valued loyalty and gratitude, would not abandon his family.

After a moment of contemplation, Old Master Lu nodded firmly, "We can do that."

"Good. I will give you four months. Here are some pills to help you. Use this time to break through and aim for everyone to reach the Xiantian stage of cultivation," Zhong Shan said, laying out a row of pills on the table.

"This... this..." Old Master Lu was stunned, his eyes wide as he looked at the unexpected array of pill bottles.

With a slight smile, Zhong Shan produced two Spirit Orbs and a half-height Xu Mi Stone, saying, "You should know how to use a storage bracelet, right?"

"Yes," Old Master Lu replied, his face glowing with excitement.

"During these four months, gather supplies sufficient for a year or more, enough for your entire family's needs. When Lu Jianping returns, you will all leave with me," Zhong Shan asserted.

"Understood, senior," Old Master Lu replied, almost dizzy with the good fortune that had befallen them.

Xu Mi Stone? Storage bracelets? These were treasures only possessed by the Zhao family patriarch!

"Keep this plan a secret. No one outside the family should know," Zhong Shan warned sternly.

"Yes," Old Master Lu responded enthusiastically.

"Four months from today, head to the northern mountains," Zhong Shan instructed.

"The northern mountains? Senior, the mountains are teeming with fierce beasts. Even if most of us reach the Xiantian stage, we might still..." Old Master Lu voiced his concerns.

"At that time, wolves will come to guide you. Follow them," Zhong Shan said.

"Wolves?" Old Master Lu was bewildered.

"Don't worry, they won't harm you. They will protect you. Just follow them," Zhong Shan assured him.

"Understood," Old Master Lu nodded.

Seeing so many precious pills, Old Master Lu couldn't imagine any reason why Zhong Shan would wish them harm.

In the following days, Zhong Shan took decisive action in Qili Town. With a single gesture, he eradicated the Zhao family, removing all threats to the Lu family and ensuring their safety for the next five months. During his patrols with A Da, he sent A Da away briefly and summoned a large wolf from the nearby mountains. He negotiated with the wolf, offering it some pills in exchange for its help in summoning other wolves. The wolves were to escort the Lu family to a distant valley specified by Zhong Shan. Only then did Zhong Shan continue his journey with A Da.

With a month left until the Great Yu Emperor's birthday celebration, Zhong Shan returned to Sky City.