Protect Our Clan Leader

The reaction of this independent cultivator took Wang Shouzhe somewhat by surprise, and his face immediately darkened: “It seems you have committed no small crime in Yingxiu.”

“Sir, I’m to blame, I was overtaken by greed.” The independent cultivator confessed in tears, “We are a group of peddlers traveling together. We just passed by Yingxiu and saw a wealthy family marrying off a daughter. We had intended to leave immediately after a drink or two, but noticed that the wedding gifts were extremely substantial. There were hundreds of Qian Gold pieces and two hundred-year-old ginseng plants that were worth a fortune. We had a terrible idea and sneaked into the wealthy family’s house and committed robbery…”

Throughout his confession, Wang Shouzhe’s face became darker. This group of independent cultivators had the audacity to silence anyone who discovered the theft and then seize the goods.

Luckily, these cultivators started to quarrel due to their greed. In the end, the one who had been laughing last was this independent cultivator. It’s just that he had some bad luck. While treating his wounds in a dense forest with few people around, he ran into Wang Shouzhe’s group.

“Sir, as long as you swear to spare my life,” the independent cultivator pleaded, “I’m willing to reveal the location where the stolen goods are hidden, and offer everything to you.”

The independent cultivator seemed to know something about the way the Profound Martial prominent families operate – if Wang Shouzhe swore in front of his subordinates, he wouldn’t break his word.

Otherwise, how would a head of a household who could abandon his vows at will make his subordinates feel? Would they be able to trust the head of household’s words in the future?

Wang Zhong and the other subordinates also turned their eyes on Wang Shouzhe, with some anticipation in their eyes. The stolen goods were quite valuable. If they could get them, it would help alleviate the Wang family’s financial strain.

After a brief thought, Wang Shouzhe mounted his horse: “Take him with us, hand him over to the Lu clan in Yingxiu for their disposal.”

“Yes, head of the household.” Wang Zhong was slightly stunned but carried out his order faithfully. He gagged the independent cultivator’s mouth and threw him onto the back of the horse, ignoring his cries and struggles.

“Go!”

The coachman, Honest Wang, cracked his whip, and the two sturdy horses pulled the carriage slowly along the rugged and muddy road.

After a short while, Wang Zhong rode up to Wang Shouzhe and asked in a low voice, “Head of the household, are we really giving up those goods? If you don’t want to dirty your hands, I can take care of it. Just give me some time, and I assure you, he’ll spit out the hidden location.”

“Our time is precious. We have no time to play treasure hunting games with an independent cultivator,” Wang Shouzhe said lightly. “And remember, Wang Zhong, as a member of the Profound Martial prominent families, we should take a long-term view. There is no wall that doesn’t leak. If we upset the Lu family because of this, our loss will be ten, even a hundred times this loot. Most importantly, if we undermine our conscience, embezzle the loot, and let the criminals go, how can we face our Old Ancestor Zhou Xuan, who expanded our territories and established our family? And how can we face our Old Ancestor Longvan, who protected our family single-handedly for several decades?”

This is an issue of family belief, and the greatest belief for most families is their founding ancestor.

Wang Zhong shuddered, full of shame, “I understand, sir. I let my judgment be clouded by personal gain.”

“Greed is human nature, but how we restrain it is very important,” said Wang Shouzhe calmly. “Take those independent cultivators for example. They couldn’t control their greed and committed a crime together, and then they couldn’t control their greed and started fighting amongst themselves. If they lack such self-discipline, can they escape a second, third time?”

“Head of the household, if those independent cultivators commit a crime once and escape, won’t they be fine if they don’t commit a crime again in the future?” Wang Yong rode over on his horse and chimed in.

“There may be such people, but they are very few,” Wang Shouzhe smiled. “Imagine, if they couldn’t resist the temptation for the first time, how could they resist the second time once they’ve tasted the sweetness? That kind of greed will eventually lead them to their doom. I don’t want the stolen money, not because I simply don’t want it, but because I’m scared. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control my own greed and gradually lead our family to decline.”

The subordinates all fell into deep thought, showing admiration in their eyes as they looked at Wang Shouzhe.

“Head of household, I have a feeling that our Wang family of Ping’an will rise under your leadership,” Wang Zhong said with emotion.

“Ha, your flattery might be a bit clumsy, but I do enjoy it.”

“Head of household, I’m not trying to flatter you. I sincerely believe so.”

“Yes, yes, we also believe so,” agreed the other subordinates, chiming in one after another.

Meanwhile…

Inside the carriage, Wang Luo Jing, who had already awakened and witnessed all of these, glowed with anticipation and deep thought. She felt safe and steady whenever she was with her fourth brother.

For nothing else but for her fourth brother, she thought to herself, “Luo Jing, you must work hard to share the burden on the shoulders of your fourth brother.”

Less than an hour later…

Wang Shouzhe and his group emerged from the forest and walked onto the wide highway.

First to meet my eyes is the expansive and boundless Yingxiu Lake, where the tall reflection of the Longji Mountain falls into the water, staining it an inky green. The lake breeze bundles with mist, repeatedly blowing with a coolness amidst the start of summer season.

Upon the vast lake, large fishes occasionally leap up, splashing a great spray of water. Various aquatic birds frolic in the thick reeds.

Without any doubt, not only does Yingxiu Lake possess a beautiful landscape, but it also has abundant natural resources. In comparison to the rivers of Peace River that are in continuous torrent, the enchanting elegance of Yingxiu Lake is more subtle and refined.

At this moment, a knight team hastily gallops from afar, and halt their horses down in front of Wang Shouzhe and his companions.

“Huff!”

The leading rider is a vigorous man in his thirties. Carrying a strong bow on his back and a treasured blade at his waist, he radiates an extraordinary aura. Upon seeing Wang Shouzhe, he first hesitates, quickly followed by hearty laughter: “Zhe Er, it hasn’t been much time since we last met, yet you’ve already grown more heroic. It seems like becoming the Clan leader has changed your temperament significantly.”

“Uncle, why did you personally come to receive us?” Wang Shouzhe responded hurriedly with a salute.

This man is Lu Zhengjie, direct younger brother of Wang Shouzhe’s biological mother, Lu Mengxue — he is the pillar of strength amongst the young generation of the Lu Clan of Yingxiu. At only a little over thirty, he has already achieved Level Eight of Qi Refinement Realm, making him a likely candidate to break through to Spiritual Platform Realm.

Just a little while ago, he rushed to Ping’an Town to attend Wang Dingyue’s funeral, hence his recent separation from Wang Shouzhe.

“It’s not specifically about receiving you.” Lu Zhengjie’s smiling face instantly freezes. “Recently, some bandits who disguised themselves as peddlers wiped out a rich merchant’s family, killing seven people. After investigating, we discovered they fled towards Shanyang. We are still tracking these culprits. I heard from the head of household about your arrival in Yingxiu. Go ahead to meet your elder uncle. I currently don’t have time to accompany you back.”

“This is quite a coincidence,” laughed Wang Shouzhe. “I just came from Shanyang, and along the way, I happened to catch a criminal. After an initial interrogation, he seems to be part of the same gang of criminals uncle mentioned.”

“What?” Lu Zhengjie is startled.

Following this, Wang Shouzhe hands the criminal over to Lu Zhengjie and narrates the details of the events: “I’ll leave this criminal in your care, uncle, but he’s already hidden the stolen goods. I don’t think I should interfere with this matter. You can send your own people to interrogate him.”

“Looks like it’s going to save us some trouble then. Lu Yi, I entrust the handling of this matter to you. Try your best to recoup the stolen property and provide an explanation for the surviving members of the rich merchant’s family,” Lu Zhengjie exclaimed gleefully, ordering the assigned man.

The Profound Martial prominent family has many privileges locally, but they also bear the responsibility of protecting the common people under their rule.

“Yes, Deputy Leader,” a man with a somewhat grim and fierce face stepped forward, grinning cruelly. “This thief is really audacious, daring to commit crimes on our Lu family’s territory. If he falls into my hands, I guarantee he’ll be begging for death but won’t receive it.”

This savage statement actually prompts Wang Shouzhe to take an extra look at him.

“Lu Yi is quite adept at interrogations,” Lu Zhengjie says with a smile. “You can send some qualified leaders from your household to learn from him.”

To that, Wang Shouzhe gives a non-committal response.

If it’s purely about investigation, Wang Shouzhe’s ‘knowledge’ is quite substantial. His understanding of different methodologies in this area is broad, accumulated from various modern crime dramas, spy dramas…such avenues where the means are scientific.

Not dwelling much on the topic, as soon as the task of capturing the fugitives had been accomplished, Lu Zhengjie personally led Wang Shouzhe back to the Lu family’s main residence in Yingxiu.

Contrary to the Gongsun Clan of Shanyang, who has built their main residence halfway up the mountainside, assuming an impenetrable fortress-like mentality, the Lu family’s main residence in Yingxiu is somehow placed on a peninsula in the lake, with the waters forming a natural defensive moat on all three sides.

Based purely on blood relations, Wang Shouzhe’s connection to the Lu family is very deep; therefore, he is naturally provided with high-level hospitality.

Before he even enters the door, a young girl dressed in red rushes out, flinging herself into Wang Shouzhe’s arms: “Cousin Shouzhe, Xiaoxiao missed you so much.”

Lu Xiaoxiao!

The current Clan Leader Lu Zhengxiong’s beloved daughter, conceived in his old age.

However, before Wang Shouzhe can respond, Wang Luo Jing, hidden behind him, suddenly clutches his hand: “Fourth Brother, Jing’er is feeling a little unwell.”

Unwell?

Wang Shouzhe is taken aback, quickly grasping her little hand out of concern: “Luo Jing, where do you feel unwell? Is it possible that you…”

Before he can continue his sentence, he notices the glaring hostility between both girls as their eyes lock onto each other, their animosity completely unhidden and sparks flying.