42: Barbarian attack

A few days later, rumors spread among the county's elite that a concubine-born son had been expelled from the Wang Family.

As for why he was expelled—have you ever seen a child of a prominent Family marry without a banquet, only to be kicked out with his new bride immediately after?

It was said that when that concubine-born son married, there was no banquet. Wang Yuanhua simply took his concubine and other concubine-born son to have a meal with the bride's Family, and that was it. He didn't even let his primary wife attend.

After they served tea the next morning, the concubine-born son and his new bride were driven out. No one knew where they ended up.

"Young Master, you see? Grandmaster Wang still favors you. That Wang Weifeng was kicked out immediately after marrying. I heard he has nothing but a few hundred taels of silver his mother gave him."

"Exactly. He didn't even have a banquet. He's worse off than those of us from the Branch Families, let alone compared to you, Young Master."

"Right? I even heard that the Madam wanted to go, but Grandmaster Wang simply said it wasn't necessary. He even left halfway through the meal."

Wang Chenfeng, Wang Yuanhua's eldest son, could hardly suppress the smirk on his face.

He didn't have the slightest bit of affection for his concubine-born brother. Moreover, he had two younger brothers and a sister of his own, and his mother often filled his ears with hostile talk.

He had originally planned to deal with Wang Weifeng himself after becoming the Family Head, but he hadn't expected his father to take care of it beforehand.

This was fine too. As long as he never appeared before him again, he would let them be. After all, they no longer belonged to the same world.

On the official road of Pingze County, a carriage trundled along.

Although his father and mother had already explained things to Wang Weifeng—and his mother had been talking to him about it constantly for the past few days—he still felt a sense of loss now that he had actually married so simply and left the Wang Family in disgrace to head for the Lu Family his father had mentioned.

He was still in a bit of a daze.

"Hu... Husband, have some water."

Wang Weifeng hadn't had a drop of water since they left this morning, and Shen Shishi was a little worried.

This past month had felt like a dream to her as well. It had taken only a month from the marriage proposal to the wedding, and she had only seen her husband three or four times.

Wang Weifeng snapped out of his daze at Shen Shishi's soft call.

Looking at her delicate form and remembering their intimacy from the previous night, he couldn't help but gently pull her into his arms.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking about my father's words."

"As long as you're alright, Husband."

Looking at the wife in his arms and recalling the instructions from Wang Yuanhua and his mother, Wang Weifeng pulled himself together, feeling a glimmer of confidence in the future.

"Lu Xuan, the Lu Family... let me see exactly what it is about you that my father admires so much."

..."Family Head, a carriage has arrived at the foot of the mountain. The people inside say they are descendants of a friend of the Wang Family."

Upon receiving the notice from Lu Dafu, Lu Xuan was surprised that Wang Yuanhua was so impatient to send his son over. He had only just married yesterday; Lu Xuan had expected it to take a few more days.

"Bring them to see me. Then, prepare a courtyard. Once they arrive, they won't be leaving."

Lu Dafu was full of questions but obeyed nonetheless.

Before long, Wang Weifeng arrived at the main hall.

He had no way back now; his only choice was to bet everything on Lu Xuan.

He knelt as soon as he entered.

"This humble one, Wang Weifeng, greets the Family Head."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Lu Xuan's eyes. This younger son of Wang Yuanhua wasn't as foolish as the eldest.

"Rise. I assume your father told you everything. From now on, you are a Vassal of my Lu Family."

"Family Head, my father has explained it all. This humble one will serve you with utter devotion, even unto death."

Anyone could say pretty words. Lu Xuan didn't take Wang Weifeng's declaration to heart. For someone like him, only time could truly win his loyalty; there was no other way.

"Very well. First, familiarize yourself with the surroundings."

"Xiao Lei!"

"Family Head!"

"Take him to get acquainted with the place. Afterward, have him join the Family guards and assist Wen Tao in managing them for the time being."

...Over a month had passed since Wang Weifeng's arrival.

That night, Lu Xuan was awakened by a commotion.

"Family Head."

While he was wondering what was happening, Lu Dafu came running in from outside. He restrained himself from entering the inner courtyard and instead shouted from outside.

Hearing the voice, Lu Xuan didn't dare delay. He knew that unless it was an absolute emergency, Lu Dafu wouldn't come looking for him at this hour.

"Da Fu, what's wrong?"

Lu Xuan dressed as he walked. Upon reaching the main hall, he saw a sweat-drenched and anxious Lu Dafu standing there.

"Family Head, dozens of Barbarians have charged down from the mountain. There are Martial Artists among them."

Thinking back, Lu Dafu still felt a lingering fear. Ever since he had received the tip from Lu Xuan, he had remained vigilant and arranged for the men in the house to take turns on night watch.

As soon as the Barbarians came down the mountain and made a noise, the watchman woke them. He immediately arranged for everyone to head toward the Lu Family residence while he left the main group to deliver the news alone.

Lu Xuan's eyes sharpened at the news. The opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived.

"Da Fu, immediately arrange for the guards to take up arms and prepare to counterattack. However, keep the counterattack measured. Protect the Lu Family's property and people—especially the people!"

Lu Dafu naturally understood what Lu Xuan meant by a "measured" counterattack.

"Yes!"

He didn't argue. As long as they could survive, he could accept anything else.

Lu Xuan narrowed his eyes and leaped onto the roof. Looking at the soaring flames in the distance, he knew that while his strength was enough to easily wipe out this group of Barbarians, what would happen after?

He wanted a unified West Mountain Village. Only when West Mountain Village was unified under the Lu name would the path ahead be smooth.

As for the casualties, he didn't think about them, nor did he want to.

Wang Weifeng soon headed out with eighty percent of the Martial Guards, armed and ready.

This was his first battle since arriving here. These were bloodthirsty Barbarian Soldiers; even as a Martial Artist, his palms couldn't help but sweat.

Lu Xuan just watched them leave quietly. He wasn't a nanny, and these Martial Guards weren't watchdogs—they were the sharp blade in his hand, they were wolves.

If a few deaths could stimulate their bloodlust and ambition, Lu Xuan felt it was a worthwhile trade... Wang Weifeng led dozens of men, weapons in hand, charging into the crowd like Heavenly Gods descending to earth.

"Everyone, run toward the Lu Family residence!"

These Barbarians wore various animal skins, their bodies painted with complex and eerie runes. Their skin was dark, their hair coarse and wild, and every one of them was significantly stronger than the average villager.

They were currently brandishing their weapons, rampaging through the village.

They slaughtered the elderly, abducted the young, and raped the women on the spot, acting like savage beasts.

Wang Weifeng had never seen such a scene. His eyes turned bloodshot as he prepared to charge, but fortunately, Lu Dafu held him back.

"There are too many of them. We must evacuate the others first, then organize the village men for a counterattack."

Although Lu Dafu was uneducated, Lu Xuan had already made arrangements before he arrived. He only needed to follow the plan.

Wang Weifeng had no choice but to comply.

The leader of the Barbarians naturally noticed this group of armed men.

After barking out a series of unintelligible orders, a small squad of thirty men charged toward them.

"Prepare to face the enemy!"