Chapter 35: The Secret of the Wei Family

“There are people here—limit breakers, and not weak ones either.”

Lu Yan woke from his sleep with a start.

The breathing of a limit breaker was distinct from that of an ordinary person. One could tell immediately by listening.

“Is it because of the martial food?” Lu Yan wondered.

He had just bought a hundred catties of martial food during the day, and now, at night, limit breakers had sneaked into his home. Such coincidence was almost impossible—most likely, it was indeed because of the martial food.

But how did they find this place? He had changed directions several times on his way back, ensuring no one was following him.

There was no time to think further. He swiftly got up, moved to the living room, and concealed himself behind it.

Creak.

The living room door was pushed open. Two figures peered inside, then quietly slipped into the room.

Whoosh!

A handful of chili powder scattered directly onto their faces.

“My eyes!”

“Ah...”

The two men cried out in agony.

Bang!

Lu Yan punched the triangular-eyed man in the chest. His fist pierced through the man’s chest, sending him flying over ten meters away, lifeless.

Lu Yan was about to deal with the other when that man’s palms, like a whirlwind, struck at him.

This man was strong, having broken his limits four times.

The Wildfield Twin Fiends—one Four-Breaker, one Three-Breaker.

The Three-Breaker, the triangular-eyed man, had already been killed with a single punch by Lu Yan.

The other was decisive; though his eyes burned and he could not see, he lashed out towards Lu Yan, locating him by sound.

“Fusheng, attack now!” he growled as he struck.

“Damn!” Fusheng cursed inwardly. He had already been considering retreat.

But now, with his name called out, there was no way back. He could only risk everything and kill Lu Yan.

Otherwise, if Lu Yan simply went to the Linglan Guild and inquired, his identity would be exposed.

To ambush and murder a major client of the Linglan Guild—such a thing would never be forgiven.

Fusheng drew his saber, stepped forward, and slashed at Lu Yan.

The blade flashed like a shooting star, slicing through the night, swift as lightning.

Lu Yan dared not meet it head-on; he dodged and struck back with three quick palm strikes.

The surviving Wildfield Fiend, eyes blinded by chili, could not block effectively. Lu Yan landed a palm to his abdomen, sending him staggering back. He collapsed in the living room, coughing blood.

Swish!

A cold gleam of steel slashed at Lu Yan’s neck.

But Lu Yan was faster. His left hand, shaped like a blade, struck the saber’s flat.

The blade quivered with the force. Fusheng’s arm went numb; he nearly lost his grip and staggered back several steps.

He turned and fled.

After just two exchanges, he knew that, even with his fourfold limit break, he was no match for Lu Yan. To fight further would be suicide.

“Yan’er, Yan’er, what’s happening?”

Lu Qingshan and Wang Cui had also been awoken. Their anxious voices called out.

“Father, Mother, stay inside!” Lu Yan replied, his steps unceasing. He powered his legs, chasing after Fusheng like a gale. In a few strides, he caught up, palm crashing down.

Seeing he was slower, Fusheng spun and slashed fiercely.

Though his saber skills were second-rate and quite accomplished, they were still far inferior to Lu Yan's. Lu Yan easily dodged his strikes, seized an opening, and battered the saber repeatedly. The force was so strong that Fusheng finally lost his grip; the weapon flew from his hand.

Lu Yan followed with a palm strike to Fusheng’s chest, making him cough up blood and collapse, unable to fight further.

Lu Yan had held back, otherwise this blow would have killed Fusheng outright.

Crack!

Lu Yan stepped forward and stomped, breaking one of Fusheng’s legs. Fusheng was drenched in cold sweat from the pain.

“Who are you?” Lu Yan asked coldly.

“If I tell you, will you spare me?” Fusheng gave a bitter laugh.

“I can see you’re an old hand in these matters. Why bother asking such questions?” Lu Yan replied.

“Fine. I’ll tell you. I’m with the Linglan Guild. The Head Steward sent me—you must know, behind the Guild stands the Wei Clan of the County City, a master-level noble house. If you kill me, the Head Steward will never let you go.” Fusheng’s mind raced as he spoke.

Since his identity was already revealed, there was no going back to the Linglan Guild. He might as well invoke the Guild to intimidate Lu Yan, hoping to survive.

If he could get through this, he’d flee with his family at once.

He’d completely failed tonight; never had he imagined that a mere fifteen- or sixteen-year-old Scarlet Guard would possess such terrifying strength.

He himself had broken his limits four times and was nearly at peak vitality, yet was utterly helpless before Lu Yan.

Lu Yan frowned.

If the Head Steward of the Linglan Guild had truly sent them, he would have to be cautious.

“Don’t try to fool me. Would a master-clan-run Guild’s Head Steward risk everything over a mere hundred catties of martial food? If that’s how the Linglan Guild operates, it would have gone under long ago.” Lu Yan’s tone was icy.

“Believe what you will.” Fusheng forced a calm expression.

He had no choice but to insist the Head Steward had sent him; only then did he have a sliver of hope.

“There’s another one still alive. I'll question him separately and see. If you’re lying, I’ll make your death miserable.” Lu Yan’s voice was cold as ice. He stuffed a cloth into Fusheng’s mouth, dragged him to the training room, and tied him up with hemp rope.

Once done, Lu Yan returned to the living room and opened the door to his parents’ room.

The couple were pacing anxiously inside, like ants on a hot pan.

If not for Lu Qingshan’s warning, Wang Cui would have rushed out already, even though they’d only be a burden to Lu Yan.

“Yan’er, are you alright?”

Wang Cui looked him over from head to toe for injuries. Lu Qingshan too was full of concern.

“Father, Mother, I’m fine. Just a few petty thieves. I’ve dealt with them—I’ll handle the rest. You two get some rest, don’t come out.”

Lu Yan reassured them.

With the matter settled, the two elders finally relaxed, but it was impossible to sleep after such a shock.

After calming his parents, Lu Yan returned to the living room, shut the door, and sat quietly, waiting.

As for interrogation, it was impossible—the other Wildfield Fiend was already dead from Lu Yan's full-force blow. He had mentioned questioning simply to trick Fusheng.

About half an hour later, Lu Yan returned to the training room, his face dark as water. He pulled the cloth from Fusheng’s mouth and said coldly, “That man confessed everything. It wasn’t the Head Steward who sent you. You acted on your own out of greed and tried to trick me—seeking your own death.”

With that, Lu Yan raised his hand, about to strike.

“Wait, wait! Don’t kill me! Yes, I lied earlier, I acted on my own—but I have a secret, a secret that concerns the very survival of the Liu Clan!” Fusheng cried out in panic, all his earlier composure gone.

So it was true.

Lu Yan relaxed inwardly.

He’d suspected it was unlikely the Head Steward would be involved, though not impossible. He couldn’t take the risk, so he’d tricked Fusheng—and Fusheng had confessed immediately.

“A secret concerning the survival of the Liu Clan? Tell me.” Lu Yan was intrigued.

After all, he worked as a Scarlet Guard under the Liu Clan. Anything that threatened their survival would impact the Scarlet Guards as well.

“You have to promise not to kill me first, then I’ll talk,” Fusheng begged.

“You’re in no position to bargain.” Lu Yan’s gaze was icy, killing intent thick as frost. He raised his palm, ready to strike.

“It’s the Wei Clan—the Wei Clan is plotting to annihilate both great noble houses of Changfeng City!” Fusheng blurted out.

“When will they act?” Lu Yan’s heart pounded, but he feigned calm.

“I don’t know. I’m only a deputy captain of a merchant escort team. I found out by accident. I only know the Wei Clan is already laying the groundwork.”

“Please, don’t kill me—I have a family…”

Crack!

Lu Yan struck, snapping Fusheng’s neck and sending him on his final journey.

“So naïve—or perhaps just too afraid to die. To still wish for mercy in such circumstances—how could that be possible?” Lu Yan murmured.

He searched the three bodies but found nothing of value.

“Right. I was distracted by that secret and forgot to ask how he found me.” Lu Yan slapped his thigh in frustration.

He’d meant to ask, but Fusheng’s sudden revelation about the Wei Clan had thrown him off. In his agitation, he had forgotten.