Chapter 774: with translation of chapter title

A few days ago, the government suddenly went mad and began massacring Jianghu Persons extensively; even my Fire Cloud Mountain Villa was not spared.

Xu Shaoshang heaved a deep sigh, 'Fortunately I discovered it in time and sent a large number of disciples up into the mountains beforehand; otherwise, the Fire Cloud Mountain Villa would likely have ceased to exist.'

The Lu family elder frowned slightly, 'Since you've hidden everyone away, why come looking for us?'

'We have hidden them, but the government still refuses to let up.' Xu Shaoshang's face was full of regret, and he was also somewhat panicked.

In the Peaceful Land, Rivers and Lakes sects are numerous; upon learning that the government intended to act against Rivers and Lakes people, initially everyone didn't take it seriously, even wanting to oppose the government a bit. But who would have thought they would directly dispatch a large army; the army entered the territory and, without distinguishing friend from foe, captured and slaughtered everyone.

We have fought them several times, suffering heavy defeats; all sects had no choice but to seek other means of survival, hiding in the mountains and wilderness. Yet the government troops pursued relentlessly, extensively sealing off the mountains, and those who refused to surrender were simply burned out by setting the mountains on fire.

Lu family third elder stared at Xu Shaoshang with an expression like constipation, 'You've been speaking so incoherently since you were little?'

Xu Shaoshang was taken aback, 'I thought I was speaking quite clearly!'

'Clear your mother's leg!' Lu family third elder cursed disparagingly.

You mean the government now refuses to let you go, insisting on killing you dead or alive, is that correct?

Xu Shaoshang nodded, 'Exactly so!'

All the Rivers and Lakes sects of the Peaceful Land united, yet they couldn't wrest even a sliver of survival from the government's grasp; now that you've come to us, what use could you possibly have? Lu family third elder retorted, 'This isn't a desperate grasp at straws, is it? Right now, you should be going to pull strings with government officials instead.'

You've been local tyrants in the Peaceful Land for how many years; you must have some connections with government officials, right?

Xu Shaoshang wore a mournful face, shook his head, and said, 'Don't hide it from you two seniors; indeed we used to have, and our dealings with the government were quite harmonious.'

But now this isn't just a case of overturning heaven and earth, is it? Our new Regional Inspector Commander has replaced everyone in Nan Jun from top to bottom with his own confidants in a bloody purge. In a great city like the Peaceful Land, all positions are filled by his cronies; we... currently can't say much.

Lu family third elder blinked, 'I had actually forgotten about this; staying in the village for so long, we forgot that the outside world now has a new ruler.'

Xu Shaoshang gave an embarrassed smile and nodded, 'I truly have no other recourse now; in my desperation I thought of you two seniors, and I earnestly ask you to lend a hand, to find a way for our Fire Cloud Mountain Villa to survive, so that its lineage is not cut off.'

Lu family third elder glanced at the Lu family elder, 'Your amorous entanglements are your problem to sort out; anyway, I have no ideas.'

'Lao Zamao, can't you speak seriously?' the Lu family elder said angrily.

'Then I'll put it another way: your debts, you figure them out!'

The Lu family elder scratched his head as if it had been fiercely kicked by an old hen, and asked doubtfully, 'Why has the government suddenly targeted the Rivers and Lakes people out of nowhere?'

Xu Shaoshang shook his head, 'There were no prior rumors about this; I am also completely in the fog.'

He paused, then sighed, 'Perhaps it's because the new Lord of Nan Jun, after unifying Nan Jun, has taken a dislike to us Rivers and Lakes people.'

Lu family third elder suddenly chuckled, 'Hey, how coincidental; I happen to know about this.'

'You know why I don't?' the Lu family elder retorted.

'It's a trivial matter not worth mentioning; why do you need to know?' Lu family third elder said, matter-of-factly and confidently.

The Lu family elder instantly blew his beard and glared, 'Do you still see me as your clan chief in your eyes?'

'Enough, don't put on airs with me.' Lu family third elder raised his hand.

'I also just learned of this; I was joking with you, old thing, look how you're getting worked up again.'

The Lu family elder rolled his eyes in anger, his hands already itching to act, but restrained by the presence of outsiders, he forcibly suppressed his urge and snapped, 'What exactly is going on?'

'It's self-inflicted!' Lu family third elder concluded tersely.

The Rivers and Lakes people of Nan Jun have lately grown increasingly bold, even daring to openly place bounties on the head of the Regional Inspector Commander.

The Lu family elder frowned, 'Is this really anything new? It's happened before; is that why you're bringing it up?'

'Chen Wuji, because some Jianghu Persons have placed a bounty on him, wants to slaughter the entire Rivers and Lakes? Old thing, do you even know what's going on? This has been going on for some time; what's so new about it?'

'Wait till I finish speaking!' Lu family third elder snapped displeasedly.

What I just said was only the beginning; Rivers and Lakes people openly organized personnel to raid the enemy's Daying for assassination, and even intercepted the Military Governor's scouts. I heard the scale was enormous, to the point that the scouts of the tens-of-thousands-strong army dare not venture out of camp at will.

Now it seems they are also preparing to carry out assassinations in Zhuque City, and the scale appears not small either.

The Lu family elder suddenly fell silent.

After a while, he looked at Xu Shaoshang and asked, 'Did your Fire Cloud Mountain Villa also take part?'

Xu Shaoshang hesitated, not knowing what to say, then after a long pause he muttered, 'We're not doing it for the reward money; Chen Wuji has openly rebelled, and although we are Jianghu Persons, we also wish to contribute our share to the state.'

The Lu family elder's gaze turned sharp, and he asked coldly, 'Is that your reason?'

... Yes.

'Get lost!'

Xu Shaoshang started, 'Senior, you once personally promised that if I...'

'I don't recognize it now!' the Lu family elder said, his eyes sharp as a sword.

'What does what I gave your father back then have to do with you? And you still want to threaten me? You little brat, do you believe I could dig a hole and bury you in it right now?'

Xu Shaoshang was startled, hurriedly saying he didn't dare, and bitterly pleaded, 'Two seniors, I know you are recluses of great skill; please save the Rivers and Lakes from dire peril. Chen Wuji's actions like this are about to cut off the very root of the Rivers and Lakes people.'

'What does it have to do with us? Get lost! If you utter another word of nonsense, you'll die here!' the Lu family elder said coldly.

A chill ran down the back of Xu Shaoshang's neck; seeing the hostile looks of the two old men, he swallowed the words he had been about to say.

He dared not doubt their words.

'I... take my leave.'

Although Xu Shaoshang was unwilling, he could only take his leave.

The deeds of Lu Jia Village, he had heard a few mentions from his father back then; there were several grand masters, not to be provoked.

Watching Xu Shaoshang and his group depart, the Lu family elder gave a cold snort, 'A bunch of clueless fools, actually thinking people are made of mud and still trying to overturn heaven and earth with Rivers and Lakes methods—serves them right.'

'However, that Chen Family brat's methods are indeed rather brutal, aren't they? Trampling the Rivers and Lakes under horse's hooves!' Lu family third elder sighed lightly.

The Lu family elder rose, brushed off the dust on his body, and said indifferently, 'This murky and pestilential Rivers and Lakes ought to have been cleaned up long ago; eradicate it and bring tranquility.'