Chapter 2110

The three brothers exchanged glances, and Lu Zhenxian spoke first: "Seek aid from Cangyan State."

The brief five words left Lu Zhensheng stunned: "What did you say?"

"The newly risen great power to the east, Cangyan State, has long-standing grievances with Ya State." Lu Zhenxian said, "Since its founding, it has sought revenge. If we ask for its aid, it will surely send troops."

"Absurd, how do you know?" Lu Zhensheng sneered, "You write a letter to He Xiong, and he just agrees?"

His words dripped with contempt, yet Lu Zhenxian nodded and continued: "Exactly. Cangyan State's army is already on its way to Bailie!"

Lu Zhensheng leapt to his feet, pointing at his brother's nose: "You!"

Lu Qingan spoke before his father could: "Sixth uncle, my father is the patriarch—how dare you seize power and override the master?"

Lu Zhenyuan, the second brother, drawled: "Mou State has withdrawn its troops, and we cannot defeat Ya State. Besides sacrificing Ah Bin, does your father have any other plan?"

Lu Zhenxun, the third brother, added: "Seeking aid from Cangyan State is nothing shameful. I don't believe the eldest brother hasn't considered it. But why hasn't he acted?"

"You're serious?" Lu Zhensheng glared, gesturing eastward with his hand, "He Xiong's so-called 'Dragon God Army' was recently beaten by Ya State like a dog! Such reinforcements..."

"Better than nothing!" Lu Zhenxian cut him off, "Are you really going to let Bailie sit and wait for death without even trying?"

Lu Zhenyuan said solemnly: "We all know the eldest brother once had a feud with He Xiong, but that's in the past. He must prioritize Bailie's greater good and the safety of these millions of civilians."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhensheng's anger flared. The second brother always liked to stab him in the back, and now he opens his mouth again to judge him?

"You went behind my back to seek aid from him? Then tell me—what terms did you offer him?" Lu Zhensheng looked at them with the eyes of one who despises iron for not becoming steel, "From the moment he began purchasing the Yangshan Islands, I saw this man harbored ill intent. Dealing with him is like making a pact with a tiger—there can be no good outcome!"

Feiyan, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject: "So letting Ya State's iron hooves trample Bailie is the good outcome?"

Lu Qingan snapped at her: "Shut up—what right do you have to speak here?"

Feiyan retorted, never yielding: "What, just because you can shout down my father?"

Lu Zhenxun said: "If the eldest brother has decided He Xiong cannot defeat Ya State, then whether he is a tiger or a wolf—what difference does it make?"

These three brothers had come together to force the palace, and Lu Zhensheng chuckled: "Well then, let's hear—what terms did you promise He Xiong behind my back?"

"Quite simple." Lu Zhenxian fixed his gaze on him, "If he can repel Ya State, then the tribute we once gave to Mou State will henceforth be given to Cangyan State."

Lu Zhensheng and his son could scarcely believe their ears.

Transfer tribute? The words were spoken so euphemistically—it meant Bailie would henceforth serve Cangyan State as a vassal!

Lu Zhensheng could bear it no longer, slamming the table and rising: "Outrageous! How dare you!"

What strength does Mou State possess, and how dare Cangyan State compare to it? For Bailie to abandon strength for weakness—is that not seeking death?

"Bailie faces imminent disaster, Mou State withdraws and watches, only Cangyan State offers aid." Lu Zhenxian spread his hands, "We have no choice."

Lu Zhenxun said calmly: "Eldest brother, what do you fear? If Cangyan State loses, it won't take the tribute; if it wins, giving the tribute is just and proper."

Vassalage to the strong is the survival law for the vast majority of small states in this world.

Lu Zhensheng endured, saying: "You've never personally dealt with Mou State—you don't know how strict it is! Even if Cangyan State wins, once we transfer tribute to Xiong as overlord, Mou State will surely not let it rest, and we border Mou State—we'll only invite disaster!"

Lu Zhenyuan said darkly: "Has the clan head forgotten we also border Ya State? Don't speak of the future—disaster awaits us now!"

Late death or early death—you must choose one, after all?

We can't even survive now—what's there to discuss about the future?

"Even if Cangyan State's aid is a cup of poison, we now have no choice but to pinch our noses and drink it!"

Lu Zhensheng laughed in fury, casually smashing the cup to the ground: "Shut up! This matter absolutely cannot proceed!"

Smashing the cup as signal! As soon as the crisp sound of shattering porcelain sounds, Lu Zhensheng's forces hidden outside the garden will rush in immediately.

Bailie's capital is Lu Zhensheng's domain—from city guards to official offices, all are his men. Once the Lu three brothers enter Lu Fu together, Lu Qingan has already had reinforcements steadily increased inside and outside the manor to over a thousand, surrounding the place completely.

Once talks collapse, we'll seize the Lu three brothers all at once!

But who knew—a flash of shadow, and before the cup even hit the ground, someone snatched it up!

That crisp sound never came. Instead, from opposite came a few whistles, and several bamboo joints were thrown over, inside which red smoke hissed and curled.

Lu Zhensheng startled, simply opening his mouth to shout loudly: "Come here!"

But before his mouth fully opened, a blast of mixed pungent, rancid gas—ten times more foul than rotten toe jam—hit his face. Lu Zhensheng's words barely reached his throat before he was choked back.

Everyone was caught off guard, coughing violently, unable to straighten their waists.

Lu Qingan knew things were bad, wanted to shout "Guards," but his body honestly bent over and he vomited.

This poison smoke—Dong Rui himself had tried it and found it harsh; afterward he personally improved it, turning it into a concealed weapon that explodes on contact, spreads widely, stabilizes well, and fears no strong wind.

Thick smoke rose, and naturally someone took advantage of the chaos to fish in troubled waters.

The Lu three brothers themselves held their breath and retreated swiftly, but over a dozen shadows behind them surged forward instead.

These men wore guard uniforms, originally keeping their heads down as they followed them into Lu Zhensheng's manor, but now they unfurled their protective gangqi, held their breath, and charged into the red mist.

The Lu three brothers only heard a commotion in the red mist—someone shouting, someone cursing, someone wailing, and the clash of weapons.

Not long after, someone emerged—

Their men.

No, should say—men lent to them.

Lu Zhensheng was dragged out by them!

The Lu three brothers were overjoyed.

Several guards of Lu Fu with solid cultivation rushed forward in pursuit, but were blocked by the men of the Lu three brothers.

The one who had snatched the porcelain cup earlier now held a blade to Lu Zhensheng's neck: "Step back, or the Lu patriarch's head falls!"

The patriarch was seized!

The surrounding guards stared at each other, then all turned to look at Lu Qingan.

The eldest son made the decision—what should we do now?

Under the gaze of all, Lu Qingan, though unwilling, had to shout: "Hold your fire, everyone stop!"

Outside, shouts rang to the heavens, followed closely by Lu Fu's troops retreating inward, with Lu Qinhang's Bailie troops pressing hard behind them.

Today's "overreach"—Lu Zhenxian and his son split their forces into two routes.

This is the standard: a great flood has rushed into the Dragon King Temple.