27: Subduing Lu Dayou

July's heat faded, and the weather began to cool.

Several months had passed since the demon slaying.

That day, Lu Xuan had originally intended to go into the city to gather information, but he found that the gates of Pingze County city were tightly shut, prohibiting entry or exit. Furthermore, County Soldiers were maintaining order outside the city; anyone causing trouble was suppressed immediately, and if they resisted, they were killed on the spot.

Seeing this situation, he could only return empty-handed.

Over the past few months, Lu Xuan had been leading his household servants to begin developing the mountainous land on Azure Cloud Mountain.

Perhaps because of its proximity to the Green Wave River and the influence of that rain, the vegetation had become extremely lush. There had even been several incidents of fierce beasts descending the mountain to attack villagers.

This made Lu Xuan feel increasingly uneasy and more pressed for time.

“Patriarch, we have already cleared three hundred Mu of mountain forest. Should we continue?”

Lu Xuan stood in the field, looking at the neatly plowed mountainous land, and then calculated the number of people he had at hand.

“Let's stop here for now. We'll continue cultivating later.”

Originally, Lu Xuan planned to slowly lay low and develop, but that rain had too great an impact.

“Wen Tao, go invite Old Lu here. Tell him I have important matters to discuss.”

“Yes!”

He returned home ahead of time and had Su Jing prepare tea.

Before long, Old Lu arrived at the main hall.

With a look from Lu Xuan, Ye Wentao withdrew, leaving only Old Lu and himself.

“Lu Xuan, why have you sought this old man?”

“Elder Lu, I'll speak frankly. Since the demon slaying a few months ago, the world has changed. Although there are no obvious major differences yet, I believe Elder Lu must have noticed the subtle details.”

“Take, for example, the fierce beasts attacking villagers. In the past decade or so, excluding encounters deep in the mountains, how many times have beasts actually descended the mountain? Yet, this has happened no less than five times in just the past few months.

Also, regarding the county city: since that incident, it only opens for seven days each month for people from the towns and villages to trade. I trust you are aware of these changes.”

“Young Lu, I know. Just tell me what your plans are.”

“Then I'll be blunt: I want your Lu Family to become a vassal of my family.”

“This...”

Old Lu was startled and looked at Lu Xuan with a face full of shock.

“Whether you agree or not is up to you, Elder.”

“Then this old man has only one question, Young Lu: what is your strength level?”

“Peak First-rate. I can enter the Innate realm in a year at most.”

Lu Xuan understated his cultivation level slightly. In such a small place, Peak First-rate was already enough.

“No wonder, no wonder!”

“Alright, I agree.”

Old Lu believed that he had never misjudged a person in his life, and this time would be no exception.

When he was young, he served in the military. There, he had seen not only First-rate Martial Artists but even Grandmaster Martial Artists.

But he admired the temperament Lu Xuan possessed, and he also believed Lu Xuan could lead the Lu Family to become a new Aristocratic Family.

After all, in just a few years, he had gone from being dirt poor to owning a large compound, and from an ordinary youth to a First-rate Martial Artist.

“Elder Lu, you don't need to agree so quickly. The rest of your family must also agree.

After all, once you become a Vassal Family of my Lu Family, if anyone commits an act of betrayal or disloyalty, I, Lu Xuan, am not a kind person.”

Lu Xuan first laid out the stakes, ensuring that things were clear before they proceeded.

“Alright. This old man will go back and convince the entire family. If anyone opposes, this old man will divide the family and property.”

Old Lu quickly settled into his new role and status.

“Elder Lu, there's no need for that. You are an elder, and you will always be my elder. Others call me Patriarch, but you don't have to; just call me Lu Xuan.”

“Propriety cannot be abandoned, Patriarch. This old man will return home now, and you will have an answer tomorrow.”

“Very well, I await your good news.”

Watching Old Lu leave, Lu Xuan also breathed a sigh of relief.

With Old Lu's help, he could use his family's name to handle many matters.

After all, he still remembered the Zhao Family in the county city whom he had offended. Although they hadn't retaliated yet, he didn't believe those people had kindly let him off.

However, Lu Xuan was worrying needlessly. Since the demon slaying, all the great aristocratic families in the world were focusing on the movements in the Imperial City, or rather, the movements of the Immortals on Jade Emperor Mountain outside the Imperial City. They hadn't remembered a small figure like him... Old Lu walked along the road. The journey that took the time of one stick of incense coming took him half an hour going back.

With his hands behind his back, he pondered how to broach the subject with his family. As for becoming a Vassal Family, even if he had to choose again, he would still agree without hesitation.

When he returned home.

“Grandpa, you're back.”

His little grandson ran to his feet.

“Grandpa, hug.”

This was his youngest grandson, who had just turned four this year.

“Gou Wa, come down, don't hurt your grandpa.”

Madam Tian stepped forward and picked up Gou Wa.

“Father, you are getting old, be careful.”

“Hahaha, I'm old and useless now.”

“Father, your daughter-in-law didn't mean it like that.”

Old Lu waved his hand.

“It's not your fault. Go tell them to cook something delicious tonight, stir-fry a few meat dishes, and bring out the jar of Daughter's Red wine I hid.”

“Father, is today a special occasion?”

“Don't ask too many questions. Go.”

After speaking, Old Lu returned to his room and sat on a chair... Lu Xuan naturally did not know what Old Lu had told his family.

He only knew that the next day, Old Lu brought his eldest son to Lu Xuan's house.

They immediately knelt on both knees, cupped their fists, and bowed their heads.

“Patriarch!”

“Elder Lu, why go to such lengths?”

Lu Xuan quickly helped Old Lu up.

“Propriety and law cannot be abandoned. From now on, the lives and fortunes of the dozen or so members of my Lu Family are fully entrusted to the Patriarch.”

Lu Xuan saw Old Lu's persistence.

“Alright, stand up, both of you.

Sit!”

Lu Xuan gestured with an open hand.

“Since you have joined my Lu Family, although you are vassals, you are considered our own people.

The world is undergoing tremendous change now, and we are merely grouping together for warmth amidst this upheaval.

From now on...”

Lu Xuan first clarified the rules and established the rewards and punishments.

“You still have time to regret it now, but if you harbor any disloyalty after today, I, Lu Xuan, will certainly not forgive you.”

“We respectfully obey the Patriarch's command.”

Old Lu and his son spoke in unison, without the slightest hesitation.

Lu Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then asked gently.

“Elder Lu, I recall you have three young boys in your family who are six years old or older?”

“Reporting to the Patriarch, there are indeed three naughty grandsons.”

“Starting tomorrow, send them to my home. Ye Wentao has a set of Martial Arts techniques, which he can teach them.

As for your sons, the youngest is twenty-eight. They can work when busy and practice Martial Arts when idle. What do you think?”

Before Old Lu could say anything, his eldest son was utterly thrilled, unable to contain the joy in his eyes.

“Thank you for the gift, Patriarch.”

A stick and a carrot.

This was considered the initial step in winning over Old Lu's family. The rest depended on the benefits provided to them later.

After all, he wasn't some novel protagonist who could attract followers just by activating his Kingly Aura; he had to rely on a combination of benefits and military strength to maintain control. As for truly devoted loyalty, that would take time.

Even Old Lu was probably feeling anxious, unsure if his choice was correct.

But since he had taken them in, Lu Xuan believed that as time passed and he grew stronger, these people would ultimately follow him wholeheartedly.