22: Return to the Lu family, the desire for strength!

Seeing this, the Second Master on the side put away his short sword and stepped over the corpses on the ground, walking directly towards them.

"These good-for-nothings are truly useless; they can't even handle such a small matter."

"Second Brother is right; these good-for-nothings are nowhere near as good as our brothers back in Black Wind Stronghold."

"Sigh! Third Brother, if only our Black Wind Stronghold was still around, we wouldn't have to follow Master, hiding and dodging for so many years."

The Third Master's words seemed to remind the Second Master of past events, and a look of melancholy appeared on his face.

"Second Brother, it seems we can't stay here much longer. Master said we need to retreat as soon as possible."

Some time ago, they occupied the mountains here, robbing and plundering passing travelers.

Their reckless behavior naturally attracted the attention of the Qingyun County government.

The Magistrate of Qingyun County sent several hundred soldiers to patrol the mountains and suppress bandits, and also dispatched the Chief Constable Chen Shi from the county yamen to lead the team.

Facing the Qingyun County government's mountain patrol and bandit suppression, the two of them initially didn't take it seriously.

They were both Bone Refinement Realm Major Achievement martial artists, and they had also sent people to investigate the strength of the Chief Constable of the Qingyun County yamen.

A Bone Refinement Realm Completion martial artist—with their tacit understanding and strength, they were already enough to contend with him.

However, what they didn't expect was that this Chief Constable of the county yamen had hidden his true strength, and they eventually discovered he was a Marrow Refinement Realm martial artist.

The two of them were caught off guard and almost died at his hands.

In the end, it was Master who intervened in time and forced the opponent to retreat.

The Second Master nodded, agreeing with what the Third Master said.

"Unfortunately, Master was severely injured due to the events of that year. Otherwise, how could a mere Marrow Refinement Realm martial artist possibly have survived and returned?"

Although Master's intervention forced the opponent to retreat, it also meant that their location had been exposed.

Having repelled the Qingyun County government this time, the other party would definitely report it to the prefecture, and then they would be noticed by those people.

Those people had been pursuing them all along, making them hide like street rats for many years.

"Blackbird Guard!"

As this name was uttered, the hands of both the Second Master and the Third Master involuntarily clenched.

It was unclear if it was anger or fear, or perhaps both!

..........

Qingyun County City!

The city gate was as bustling as ever, with crowds jostling and bustling, and an endless stream of market vendors lining the pathways inside.

Not far outside the city gate, several men dressed in the uniforms of Yamen Runners were riding horses towards the city gate, looking dusty from their journey.

Behind them, a carriage followed closely, moving slowly and steadily.

It was Lu Xuan and his party.

"Young Master, we've reached the city gate."

At this moment, Li San, who was sitting on one side of the carriage, suddenly spoke, softly addressing the person inside the carriage.

Liang Cheng, who was at the very front, looked at the familiar city gate, breathing a sigh of relief, his exhausted body feeling much lighter.

"Finally, I've returned alive!"

Liang Cheng was filled with emotion; this journey had been incredibly arduous and had also updated his worldview.

Who would have thought that what was originally just an investigation into a murder case would turn out to be so dangerous?

Not only did he encounter the terrifying and sinister evil entity in Liugou Village, but he also had a life-and-death struggle with those vicious mountain bandits.

Liang Cheng stated that he was just a small Yamen Runner, and he truly couldn't bear such a heavy burden.

If he hadn't coincidentally met his cousin Lu Xuan, his life would have been lost long ago in that sinister Liugou Village.

With Liang Cheng and his companions leading the way, Lu Xuan quickly arrived at the Lu Family Residence.

"Xuan Ge, I won't go in. I still need to rush back to the county yamen to report to the Magistrate. Please convey my regards to Uncle for me."

After Liang Cheng escorted Lu Xuan to the gate of the Lu Family Residence, he said a few words to Lu Xuan and then quickly left with the other Yamen Runners.

"Li San, tell Master Lu that I will be in secluded cultivation for a few days and that he doesn't need to worry."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Lu Xuan spoke to Li San, who was standing nearby, and after speaking, he strode directly through the main entrance of the Lu Family, then walked further into the Lu Family compound.

"Good day, Young Master!"

Along the way, every household servant who saw Lu Xuan greeted him.

As for his father, Lu Jiahe?

Lu Xuan knew without thinking that his father would not be at home during the day, but rather at the Lu Family Pharmacy, seeing patients and treating illnesses.

This was also the reason why his father, Lu Jiahe, was highly respected by the city's common people.

"Healing the world," "highly virtuous and respected," and "miraculous hands bringing spring" were all praises given to Lu Jiahe by the city's common people.

After returning to the Lu Family, Lu Xuan didn't think about resting; he was preparing to go into secluded cultivation for a few days.

Lu Xuan's heart was already impatient, filled with a craving for powerful strength.

Along the way, Lu Xuan walked quickly, reaching a heavily guarded courtyard.

This courtyard was not far from Lu Xuan's own residence and was the most important place in the Lu Family.

It was where the Lu Family Pharmacy stored a large amount of medicinal ingredients—the Lu Family Pharmacy's medicinal ingredient warehouse!

Guarding the main entrance of the courtyard were four tall, robust-looking guards.

The moment Lu Xuan appeared, the four of them noticed him, immediately reacted, and quickly greeted Lu Xuan.

"Young Master!"

Lu Xuan calmly nodded at their reaction, then slowly spoke.

"Mm."

"Open the door, I need to go in and get something."

The Lu Family warehouse was the most important place in the Lu Family; anyone entering had to obtain permission from Master Lu, Lu Jiahe.

Of course, this restriction did not include Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan had already obtained Lu Jiahe's permission long ago and could freely enter and exit to take medicinal ingredients and highly nourishing items without any restrictions.

"Yes, Young Master!"

After the warehouse door was opened, inside was a spacious courtyard with three more guards standing there, scanning their surroundings.

In the same manner, the three of them also quickly greeted Lu Xuan upon seeing him.

Lu Xuan waved his hand and walked forward quickly with steady steps.

He arrived at the room in the very center of the courtyard, which was where the medicinal ingredients and tonics of the Lu Family Pharmacy were stored.

Creak!

Lu Xuan raised his hand and gently pushed open the closed door, then stepped inside.

A strong scent of medicinal ingredients wafted over, a fragrance that was a mixture of freshness, pungency, and bitterness.

Inside the room, there were several wooden cabinets made of fine sandalwood, with many small compartments where the medicinal ingredients and tonics were placed.

"Young Master, you've arrived."

In the middle of several large wooden cabinets, there was a large table, and a somewhat weathered middle-aged man was sitting on a chair next to the wooden table.

The moment he saw Lu Xuan walk in, the middle-aged man immediately stood up.