214: A tough choice! Lu Xuan makes the decision for his father!

Qingyun County Town!

A month ago, Qingyun County suffered a disaster caused by a Calamity-grade weirdness.

Even now, the county town has not yet returned to its former prosperity and liveliness.

However, the Lu Family Pharmacy in the county town has been providing free medical treatment to the citizens since last month, not charging a single cent.

Of course, these massive expenses were not borne solely by the Lu Family.

The County Office and most of the wealthy merchants and gentry in the county town also secretly provided a large amount of resources to the Lu Family.

Under Lu Xuan's special arrangement, the Baidao Prefecture Office also continuously transported various necessary food resources to Qingyun County.

It was through these actions that the reputation of Master Lu, Lu Jiahe, spread wider and wider.

Titles such as 'Healing the World', 'Benevolent Physician', and 'Highly Respected' were all attributed to Lu Jiahe.

Finally, some citizens even wanted to spontaneously build a temple and sculpt a golden statue for Lu Jiahe, to show that Lu Jiahe's deeds accumulated boundless Karma.

Of course, Lu Jiahe didn't even consider this shocking idea and immediately personally stepped forward to stop this exaggerated act.

How could he, a mere doctor, be qualified to bear the incense of a temple and a golden statue?

Even so, it did not affect the growth of the Lu Family's reputation in the slightest.

The name of the Lu Family was no longer confined to Qingyun County; even the neighboring Dengfeng County largely knew of the Lu Family's deeds.

This also led to most wealthy merchants and gentry, as well as officials of all sizes from various places, wanting to marry their daughters into the Lu Family, attempting to form connections with the Lu Family.

In the main hall of the Lu Family mansion, many people had gathered, all direct descendants of the Lu Family.

Lu Jiahe sat with his eyes closed on the main seat, not saying a word, but from the deep furrow in his brow, it could be seen that he was currently struggling with something.

The people sitting on the chairs on either side in front of Lu Jiahe, besides his second brother Lu Jiaqing, also included his elder cousin Lu Jiayong's entire Family.

To be precise, it was his eldest cousin, Lu Jiayong, who had already separated from the Family.

And their entire Family coming to their door naturally meant there was a huge matter they wanted to ask Lu Jiahe for help with.

"Jiahe, with your current reputation and status in Qingyun County, as long as you speak up, my unfilial son can escape this death calamity."

"He's still young and ignorant. We only have this one son. You wouldn't want me, your cousin, to end up as a lonely old man, would you?"

After Lu Jiayong finished speaking, he gave a look to his wife and daughter behind him.

The next moment, Lu Jiayong's entire Family simultaneously bent their knees and knelt down, bowing and kowtowing heavily towards Lu Jiahe.

And the sound of their kowtowing and kneeling echoed continuously throughout the main hall.

Every sound of kneeling and kowtowing entered Lu Jiahe's ears.

These sounds made Lu Jiahe's heart begin to ache, as if a large hand was constantly squeezing his heart.

However, even so, Lu Jiahe remained unmoved, his closed eyes flickering beneath his eyelids.

After a moment, a line of hot tears flowed from the corner of Lu Jiahe's eyes.

"Cousin, please go back."

"I am powerless in this matter."

"I would rather die myself than absolve Yunfei of his crime."

Lu Jiahe spoke each word as if using immense strength.

Lu Yunfei, his cousin's son, had been pampered since childhood, indulged in his every whim, and had all his demands met.

This led to Lu Yunfei's unruly character, causing trouble and acting recklessly.

However, if these actions were within a certain controlled range, it wouldn't have led to any major disaster.

But what no one expected was that ever since the Lu Family's reputation and status in Qingyun County had risen, even some of Lu Jiahe's cousins who had separated from the Family benefited from this.

Therefore, that beast Lu Yunfei actually became even more brazen at this time, ultimately causing an unforgivable catastrophe.

That beast Lu Yunfei, five days ago, along with two sons from wealthy families in the county town, harmed two young ladies, sisters from a minor wealthy merchant Family.

When those two young ladies resisted, they were accidentally killed by Lu Yunfei and the other two.

Upon learning of this, Ye Qingshan was immediately enraged and promptly arrested Lu Yunfei and the other two.

Apart from Lu Yunfei, the other two were sentenced to beheading by the enraged Ye Qingshan, in accordance with the Great Xia Dynasty law.

As for why Lu Yunfei's verdict had not yet been handed down, it was because his surname was Lu, and he was from the Lu Family Pharmacy.

Therefore, Ye Qingshan also found himself in a difficult dilemma, only able to see how Master Lu, Lu Jiahe, would choose.

For a beast like Lu Yunfei who disregarded human life, Ye Qingshan wished he could eliminate him quickly!

If Lu Jiahe wanted to protect Lu Yunfei, then Ye Qingshan would have to go against his conscience and not sentence Lu Yunfei to beheading.

"Cousin, Yunfei was spoiled by all of you."

"Years ago, I mentioned this to you, but you always dismissed it."

"A life for a life, a debt for a debt; these are natural laws. Don't you understand these principles?"

"Moreover, I am just a commoner. The power to judge Lu Yunfei, in all of Qingyun County, only County Magistrate Ye Qingshan is qualified to do so."

"So, Cousin, please go back. Your cousin is powerless in this matter!"

After saying the last sentence, Lu Jiahe stood up, opened his eyes, which were filled with bloodshot veins.

If it were other minor matters, Lu Jiahe would certainly help his cousin, even if it meant losing face.

However, when it came to such beastly acts, Lu Jiahe still had his conscience and would never condone a murderer.

"Jiahe, our whole Family is kneeling and begging you!"

Seeing Lu Jiahe cruelly refuse him, Lu Jiayong quickly stood up, his face filled with panic, unable to believe that Lu Jiahe would refuse his request.

"Jiahe, how heartless you are! Yunfei used to call you 'Uncle' when he was little, and now you want to personally witness Yunfei being sentenced to death."

"If Yunfei dies, I will have no heir."

"Jiahe, you know, I lost the ability to have children years ago. Yunfei is my only son."

"How can I face my deceased father? If that happens, even if I die, I won't rest in peace!"

Facing Lu Jiayong's various accusations, Lu Jiahe's face suddenly turned pale, and an invisible hot current flowed backward within Lu Jiahe's body.

The next moment, the corners of Lu Jiahe's mouth were slowly stained red by bright, dazzling blood, which then slowly flowed out from his mouth.

Lu Jiahe was overcome with anger, causing some blood to flow backward and spill out.

"Father!"

"Are you alright? Sit down quickly."

Lu Yunan, who had been silently standing by, immediately became flustered and panicked at the sight.

Like a startled bird, he sprang up, wanting to go forward and support Lu Jiahe.

Just at this critical moment, the abnormality within Lu Jiahe's body unintentionally triggered the Gale Force energy that Lu Xuan had left in Lu Jiahe's body.

A purple glow flashed in Lu Jiahe's eyes, and his entire body suddenly emitted a dazzling radiance.

A purple Gale Force shield, emanating a terrifying aura, enveloped Lu Jiahe's entire body.

As soon as this purple Gale Force shield appeared, it instantly isolated Lu Jiahe from his surroundings, making it impossible for even Lu Yunan to approach and touch him.

Lu Jiayong's entire Family was deeply startled by this bizarre situation, even forgetting what they were about to say next.

Especially Lu Jiayong, who was also a Martial Artist who had Cultivated the Martial Dao.

Although he was only a Martial Artist of the Refining Flesh Realm, Lu Jiayong could still feel the terrifying power of that purple Gale Force shield.

However, this scene only lasted for a few breaths of time, and then the purple shield gradually retracted back into Lu Jiahe's body.

And under the nourishment of that purple Gale Force shield, the discomfort Lu Jiahe's body had experienced immediately vanished, and he even felt an inexplicable sense of refreshment.

Is it the power Lu Xuan left behind?

Lu Jiahe felt a mysterious warm current within his body, and his heart finally found some solace.

And Lu Jiayong, across from Lu Jiahe, looked at Lu Jiahe with eyes full of endless envy and jealousy.

Others might not know, but Lu Jiayong knew very well.

The Lu Family's true foundation was Lu Jiahe's most outstanding and astonishing eldest son, Lu Xuan!

Thinking of his own son being in such a state, while his cousin's sons were all more outstanding than the last.

The difference between people was truly like the difference between heaven and earth.

"Alas, Cousin, as things stand, you already understand my resolve."

"Do not mention this matter again!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiayong's heart turned to ashes, his face pale, without a trace of color.

He knew that in the county town, Lu Jiahe was his son's only savior.

If Lu Jiahe was unwilling to intercede, then his son would also be sentenced to beheading, just like those two others!

No!

I cannot become a sinner of the Lu Family.

Otherwise, even if I die, I will not rest in peace!

With this thought, Lu Jiayong seemed to have thought of another remedial method, and a glimmer of hope reappeared on his face.

"Jiahe, since that is the case, I will no longer force you."

"Can you give Yunfei one month? I want him to leave an heir behind!"

As Lu Jiayong spoke, he directly prostrated himself at Lu Jiahe's feet, clutching Lu Jiahe's thigh tightly, completely disregarding his dignity as a man.

Lu Jiahe saw his cousin's miserable and pathetic state and was momentarily unable to make a decision.

Lu Yunfei was currently imprisoned in the County Office's jail, and no one could see Lu Yunfei without the permission of County Magistrate Ye Qingshan.

However, Lu Jiayong's request was equally difficult for Lu Jiahe to decide upon.

At this moment, the main hall became exceptionally quiet, with only Lu Yunfei's biological mother still kneeling there, weeping softly.

Lu Jiahe stood in place, deep in thought, his right hand pressing firmly on the nearby table, as if supporting his body.

At this moment, outside the main hall's entrance, the space inexplicably twisted and deformed.

Accompanied by a dazzling flash of purple light, a figure suddenly appeared outside the doorway, as if stepping out from an unknown dimension.

And the first to discover the person who suddenly appeared outside the door was Lu Yunan, who was standing by, at a loss.

Lu Yunan's eyes widened when he saw the person outside the door.

He stood frozen in place, as if under a petrification spell, unable to move.

"B-b-Brother?" Lu Yunan's voice trembled slightly as he looked at the man outside the door in disbelief.

Yes, the person who appeared outside the door was Lu Yunan's elder brother, and also the young master of the Lu Family Pharmacy, Lu Xuan!

Lu Yunan had no time to be shocked; his body swayed, and he rushed out towards the door.

At this moment, Lu Jiahe, who had not yet made a decision, suddenly noticed Lu Yunan's abnormality and then looked in the direction Lu Yunan ran to.

This sight instantly made Lu Jiahe feel as if he had been struck by lightning, freezing him in place, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Lu Xuan!"

Lu Jiahe spoke these two words almost tremblingly, his voice mixed with an unspeakable joy.

Lu Xuan casually glanced around, and upon seeing the kneeling individuals, his brows slightly raised.

However, Lu Xuan didn't ponder it deeply; instead, he spoke to Lu Jiahe first.

"Father!"

"It's me!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Upon seeing Lu Xuan, Lu Jiahe repeatedly said

good

several times, expressing a joy that came from the bottom of his heart.

At this moment, Lu Jiayong, who was holding onto Lu Jiahe's thigh with both hands, saw that Lu Xuan had returned.

His expression immediately became tense and uneasy, and he quickly released his hands, stood up again, and dared not speak further.

"Big Brother!"

Lu Yunan finally arrived in front of Lu Xuan, shouting excitedly.

"Mm!" Lu Xuan nodded slightly in response, then without any pause, he changed the subject.

"What happened?"

Lu Xuan was very familiar with the people kneeling on the ground before him.

Over the years, although Lu Xuan had been diligently Cultivating the Martial Dao while hidden within the Lu Family, he still had opportunities to meet these people.

When Lu Xuan saw Lu Jiayong, he still had to respectfully address him as 'Uncle'!

But now, this uncle's entire Family was kneeling on the ground.

Lu Xuan knew without thinking that something huge must have happened.

Upon hearing Lu Xuan's inquiry, Lu Yunan did not hesitate and quickly recounted all the events.

However, after Lu Yunan finished speaking, the smile on Lu Xuan's face gradually solidified, and his expression became increasingly calm.

That scoundrel Lu Yunfei had indeed caused a major incident, committing such a heinous act that angered both gods and men.

Five or six years ago, due to Lu Yunfei's character, Lu Jiayong had wanted to entrust him to Lu Xuan for guidance.

However, Lu Xuan would not show mercy; if Lu Yunfei dared to do anything excessive, Lu Xuan would directly choose to act ruthlessly.

More words were useless; broken bones were the best form of instruction!

It's just that Lu Xuan's method of instruction truly terrified Lu Jiayong and his wife; they took Lu Yunfei back that very night.

It was a pity that if Lu Jiayong and his wife hadn't been so soft-hearted back then, Lu Xuan would have already corrected that scoundrel Lu Yunfei's character.

Lu Xuan looked at Lu Jiayong indifferently and spoke expressionlessly.

"Alright, I'll give you one month. After this matter is concluded, you are not allowed to step foot in here again!"

His father certainly couldn't do something that went against his conscience like this, but Lu Xuan didn't mind.

Lu Xuan never explained his actions to anyone.

Moreover, after Lu Xuan helped them, their familial ties would end here; from now on, that Family would not be able to seek help from Lu Jiahe again.