Chapter 295: Raise the Flag

Li Banfeng stared at Bai Qiusheng in surprise.

Everyone stared at Li Banfeng in surprise.

The girl beside them gasped, clutching her peach.

How did we get here?

Li Banfeng's first thought was that someone had taken the key and brought him to Heishipo.

He searched the workshop thoroughly but found no key.

"Who came here today?" Li Banfeng spoke incoherently in his urgency; the key was one of his most cherished possessions.

"Many people came…" Bai Qiusheng was confused and didn't know how to answer. Only after Li Banfeng calmed down slightly did he understand his meaning.

"Seventh Master, let's find a private place to talk."

In the back courtyard building, Li Banfeng's room still remained, regularly cleaned by someone.

Inside the room, Bai Qiusheng said: "Seventh Master, everyone who came to the newspaper office today is familiar— even the photo models are people we've worked with multiple times."

"No one returned from outside?"

"No, Seventh Master. I was in the workshop taking photos all day. I swear to you."

Li Banfeng couldn't understand: if no outsider came, then who brought the key?

Could the key not have been brought at all?

Could the key still be at Xiaoyao Wu?

Then how did the Personal Dwelling arrive here?

Doesn't the Personal Dwelling always follow the key?

Go back to the Personal Dwelling and check—did something abnormal happen?

Li Banfeng sent Bai Qiusheng away and was about to return to the Personal Dwelling when he fumbled in his pocket for half a minute and found nothing.

He was truly frantic, his mind had gone blank.

Without the key, how could he return to the Personal Dwelling?

Li Banfeng forced himself to stay calm and thought through the possible reasons.

There were only two possibilities for the key's whereabouts: either someone brought it to Heishipo, or it was still left at Xiaoyao Wu.

Li Banfeng called Bai Qiusheng back: "Get me a travel permit and a train ticket—I need to return to Lüshuicheng immediately!"

Bai Qiusheng froze: "Buy a ticket now?"

Li Banfeng nodded: "As soon as possible."

Bai Qiusheng didn't dare delay and hurried to arrange it.

Li Banfeng gave another instruction: "List everyone who entered the newspaper office today—no one can be omitted."

…

At seven p. ., nearly a hundred members of the Lu family's main and branch lines gathered at Lu Maoxian's residence, preparing to avenge Lu Maoxian.

Monkey Qiu glanced at the crowd, frowning slightly.

So many responding to Lu Maoxian's call was expected—he was currently at his peak, and the Lu family had always operated this way.

But gathering everyone at the Lu family mansion was beyond his expectations.

Normally, the main family's key figures would remain at the mansion to coordinate and decide, while others carried out their assigned tasks.

Now, with everyone assembled here in such force, didn't they fear word getting out?

It seemed this old man didn't just want revenge—he wanted to raise his flag.

External matters depend on checkpoints; internal matters depend on flags. Lu Maoxian intended to plant the Lu family's flag firmly within their own household.

If they didn't bring Lu Chunying here today, the Lu family's main line couldn't produce a single person—Lu Maoxian would truly succeed!

But even if Lu Chunying came, would Lu Maoxian acknowledge her?

Lu Dongtang, Lu Maoxian's eldest son, stood in the center of the hall, scanning the crowd with the bearing of a patriarch.

It was natural for him to assume the host's demeanor today—it was to avenge his father—and no other families objected.

Lu Dongtang's gaze settled on Lu Chunying, and he deliberately asked: "Who is this girl?"

Lu Donghui, Lu Dongtang's younger brother, replied: "She's your daughter, Lu Chunying."

Lu Dongtang knew Lu Chunying—she was the daughter officially recognized by Lu Dongliang, and had met the entire household before. His question was meant to humiliate her.

"The daughter of a concubine dares show her face? Has the main line run out of people?" Lu Dongtang sneered.

Monkey Qiu frowned, but before he could speak, Lu Chunying met Lu Dongtang's gaze and replied directly: "Today is to avenge your father. I came out of respect for him—not for you to give orders."

Lu Dongtang's brow shot up: "Who are you speaking to?"

"You!" Lu Chunying showed no fear. "I'm willing to speak to you—that's giving you face!"

Lu Dongtang flew into rage and took a step forward, suddenly feeling his veins throb and a wave of dizziness.

Was he this angry?

Was it really that bad?

Lu Dongtang sensed something was wrong and noticed Qiu Zhiheng watching him coldly.

"What's your meaning? Did you use a technique on me?" Lu Dongtang glared at Monkey Qiu.

Qiu Zhiheng lit a cigarette, his expression calm: "Chunying is the main line's young lady. Speak to her with proper respect."

Lu Dongtang swallowed his rage—he was no match for Monkey Qiu in cultivation or skill.

He turned his gaze to Lu Yuanxin.

Lu Yuanxin was Lu Dongjun's son. Due to Lu Dongjun's past misdeeds, Lu Yuanxin's position in the Lu family was dire—he had lost all property and was treated worse than a branch-line member.

Lu Dongtang looked at Lu Yuanxin: "You came too? Who told you to come?"

Lu Yuanxin lowered his head, face flushed: "Aunt Dongchun asked me to come…"

Lu Dongtang laughed: "She told you to come, and you came? You really have the nerve?"

Lu Yuanxin felt humiliated.

Before Lu Dongjun's downfall, Lu Yuanxin had been a proper Lu family young master. With outstanding talent and ample elixirs, he had reached the third level of Insect Cultivation by his early twenties—a true young prodigy.

In both face and substance, he had never lost to his peers. Now fallen, he had still come tonight for the family's sake—and yet endured this humiliation.

Lu Yuanxin turned to leave, when suddenly Lu Chunying said to Lu Dongtang: "Are we here tonight to avenge your father—or to pad your own pride? If you look down on us, we'll leave!"

Lu Dongtang's brow rose again—this girl's words struck him squarely on the face.

In truth, Lu Chunying was right. Lu Dongtang had staged this display to claim face, and now that his face was lost, he strode straight toward Lu Chunying.

Monkey Qiu extinguished his cigarette and watched Lu Dongtang silently.

As the two were about to clash, Lu Dongchun descended the stairs: "Brother, Father wants you."

Lu Dongtang stormed upstairs, entering Lu Maoxian's bedroom.

Lu Maoxian looked reasonably well—his injuries had healed about sixty percent—but his right hand had not regrown.

He was old and didn't wish to risk himself at Santou Cha. He would wait and find another way later.

"Dongtang, I heard the main line's girl has come?"

Lu Dongtang spat: "A brat from some concubine—Lu Dongliang picked her up from somewhere."

"Lu Chunying," Lu Maoxian remembered her. "I thought Monkey Qiu would bring Zhang Huaiyi. I didn't expect him to bring this girl. Don't quarrel with her now—on a stage like this, verbal sparring gains you nothing."

Lu Dongtang said: "Father, this girl is utterly despicable—a bastard from a concubine—"

Lu Maoxian glared at Lu Dongtang: "Do you not listen when I speak?"

Lu Dongtang fell silent. Lu Maoxian asked: "Has Tan Fu come?"

"He has."

"He rarely shows himself publicly. Are you sure it's him?"

Lu Dongtang replied: "My men have seen him—he stood beside Ma Wu. No mistake."

Lu Maoxian sighed: "That bastard struck me from behind—and now he dares enter my home. Clearly, Monkey Qiu ordered him here to support the girl."

And Ma Wu—he's no ordinary man either. Lu Chunying's backing runs deep."

Lu Dongtang lowered his voice: "Rather than leave a threat, we should just… eliminate her."

"Actions must be taken, but not hastily," Lu Maoxian said calmly. "Tonight's grand display is to raise the flag by seizing Ling Miaoying. To take Lu Chunying's head, we must pin it on Ling Miaoying."

"If we avenge my grudge and uproot the main line's foundation at once, the flag will be planted firmly. Do you understand?"

…

Lu Dongtang returned to the main hall and addressed the crowd: "I've gathered you all tonight for the Lu family's flag, for the Lu family's honor.

My father, the highest-ranking elder in our family, was ambushed by that scum Ling Lao San. Tonight, we must settle this debt."

Lu Donggen, Lu Dongtang's cousin, said: "We must settle the debt, but first we must understand the situation. I've heard of Ling Lao San's methods—fighting him on his own turf, we'd be at a disadvantage."

Lu Dongtang replied: "Rest assured—we won't fight on his turf. Tonight, he's dining with the Checkpoint Commander at Yuelai Restaurant. When the banquet ends, we'll ambush him on the road."

"This is my father's matter. Our family leads the charge. I ask you all to assist—guard every route, every exit. Don't let him escape. Tonight, we take his life!"

The hall buzzed with excitement. Tan Fu whispered to Ma Wu: "Fifth Master, look at this—it's turned into a theatrical performance! Will this work? This old man's really going all-in to raise his flag!"

Ma Wu smiled but said nothing.

He was thinking of something else.

Where was Seventh?

Before tonight's departure, he searched everywhere for Li Banfeng but couldn't find him.

Better he's missing—given the current situation, Seventh should stay far from this mess.

…

Li Banfeng paced frantically at Heishipo. Bai Qiusheng had listed the names—everyone who came to the newspaper office today were familiar faces, none from outside.

The entire newspaper office searched several times but truly could not find the key.

Li Banfeng could only hope the key was still at Xiaoyao Wu.

At eight o'clock, Xiao Chuanzi ran over, gasping: "Seventh Master, there's a fast train tonight to Lüshuiwan."

Li Banfeng said with delight: "Good! Do you have a ticket?"

Xiao Chuanzi shook his head: "It's not a passenger train—it's a coal freight train, and it doesn't go to Lüshuicheng, only to the railway section at the Lüshuiwan border."

"That's fine. What time does it depart?"

"Five in the afternoon."

"Five in the afternoon…" Li Banfeng snapped, "That train already left—why are you telling me now?"

Xiao Chuanzi said helplessly: "Seventh Master, you told me to find you a train today—this is the only one."

Departure at five in the afternoon.

Maybe it's not too late!

Li Banfeng rose to leave, when Xiao Chuanzi asked: "Seventh Master, I've lowered the projector's cost to two thousand. Want to take a look?"

"No need. Lower it further—to fifteen hundred." With that, Li Banfeng left the newspaper office at once, sprinting through the night.

…

At Yuezhou's Third Hospital, He Jiaqing's shirt button trembled.

While He Haisheng was away, He Jiaqing pinched the button, and Wan Jinxian's voice reached his ear:

"Jiaqing, I heard word—the Lu family is going after Ling Miaoying tonight."

This was expected by He Jiaqing: "No problem. As long as Ling Miaoying hides, the Lu family won't find him."

"Ling Miaoying isn't hiding—he's dining with the Border Defense Commissioner at Yuelai Restaurant."

He Jiaqing frowned: "Why is he meeting the Border Defense Commissioner?"

Before Wan Jinxian could explain, He Jiaqing smelled smoke.

He Haisheng had returned.

He Jiaqing immediately severed the connection.

He Haisheng entered the ward, intending to glance at He Jiaqing before heading to the hotel to rest.

He stood beside the bed for a moment and noticed one of He Jiaqing's shirt buttons was loose.

PS: Banfeng is chasing the train.

(End of Chapter)