Chapter 117: Let Your Father Come and Invite Me Himself

In fact, even Pei Yu felt that if he were in Lu Xingzhou's position, he would also go visit the Huo family.

Because the Huo family is currently on the tip of the spear; no matter what, they dare not invite someone to a meal and then detain or kill them—that would truly be handing a knife to political enemies—so this meal is absolutely safe.

Then one might as well go for a walk and see what explanation the Huo family has.

Who knows, taking advantage of this opportunity, one might obtain a formally recognized identity—most people still believe that what Huo Shang wants is a family identity and even inheritance rights; if it were only for revenge, why create the impression that Huo Yu's death was caused by "demons," and why was Huo Lu merely crippled and not killed?

All sorts of signs suggest that Huo Shang probably wants to "strive for his rightful position," so the act of "fratricide" is half revenge and half removing obstacles, a line of thinking that every family can easily understand.

The reason Lu Xingzhou has been using the Huo Shang identity half-truthfully is precisely to make everyone misjudge this point. The Huo family also thinks he wants family power and wants to trample everyone who bullied him underfoot, so they would not choose to send a top-tier expert to simply cut the roots and eliminate him.

After all, as the identity of "Princess's Assistant," he still seemed to have investment value to the Huo family. If they killed him directly, they would also offend Shen Tang to death, so they would not make such a choice unless absolutely necessary.

Previously sending Yang Dechang to deliver the old mansion to him was also for this reason, to see if "reconciliation" was possible; if Huo Shang were willing to acknowledge his ancestors and return to his clan, that could also be considered.

After all, it is "family business"... even fratricide must be covered up; do you dare to commit patricide? Venting your anger enough is enough.

To this day, no one has thought that Lu Xingzhou truly just wants the entire Huo family dead; even Sheng Yuanyao, who has been eating his drama the whole time, never thought of it.

Therefore, when the Huo family called him back to eat this time, they truly wanted to lay their cards on the table and ask what he wanted, and see if they could negotiate to have Lu Xingzhou eliminate the suspicion that Huo Lu colluded with demonic cultivators; as the person involved, his words carry weight.

Grand Preceptor Huo never thought this fellow would actually refuse, trampling his grandfather's face into the mud in public.

Huo Jin could think of it even less; being refused right in front of Pei Yu, who is already at odds with him, his face is still flushed red, extremely shameful.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger: "You are an adult now, do not only know how to act on impulse. You should know that the family calling you back is a good thing!"

"Let you enjoy this good thing instead." Lu Xingzhou drank wine indifferently: "I only know that a normal adult would not forcibly drag a guest away while others are eating; the Huo family's upbringing has lost face all over the capital, and it is not my fault."

"You!"

Lu Xingzhou said leisurely: "Want to speak up for the Huo Lu colluding with demonic cultivators case? Let Huo Xingyuan or Huo Liancheng come themselves, bringing gifts to beg me! What are you, Huo Jin, worthy?"

"You dare to speak the names of your father and grandfather!"

"Names are meant to be spoken, what's wrong, do Huo family members' names lose face when spoken?" Lu Xingzhou sneered: "Ignorant and presumptuous."

"Good, good, good." Huo Jin's face turned green with anger: "Brother Pei, this man is rude, insulting my grandfather and father; I, your junior brother, want to teach him a lesson, Brother Pei won't stop me, right?"

Pei Yu raised his cup with interest: "Personal grudges; the Pei family will naturally not interfere."

Huo Jin stepped forward quickly, clawing at Lu Xingzhou's shoulder: "Today I will capture you and take you back to be dealt with by my father!"

Lu Xingzhou grabbed casually.

Although it looked like the speed was not fast, it arrived first despite moving later. Huo Jin found he could not dodge at all; his hand reaching for Lu Xingzhou's shoulder seemed as if he was offering it himself, and his wrist was directly grasped.

Immediately, a huge force twisted, and with a "Crack," the forearm was dislocated.

The third-grade Guardian behind him did not expect that Huo Jin, a fifth-grade cultivator, facing Lu Xingzhou, a sixth-grade cultivator, would be injured in one move, like beating a child... wanting to rush forward to rescue was a beat too slow; Huo Jin's hand was already dislocated.

Amidst the screams, Lu Xingzhou casually threw Huo Jin away and said coldly: "I don't understand; the fourth and sixth brothers both suffered greatly at my hands, how dare you still run in front of me and bark like a mad dog."

The Guardian urgently caught Huo Jin, looking at Lu Xingzhou with an utterly incredulous gaze.

They knew Huo Lu and Huo Yu suffered greatly at Lu Xingzhou's hands, but the incident happened outside, and no one knew the details. You could be a trap, a siege, or an ambush; who could have thought it was truly a sixth-grade cripple crushing them in single combat? Huo Jin's strength was not weak, yet he truly could not withstand even one move from Lu Xingzhou.

Lu Xingzhou said indifferently: "This is Pei family territory, and it is a friend treating us; I do not want to see blood. Take your fifth young master and get out."

Huo Jin clutched his arm, covered in cold sweat: "Lu Xingzhou, you are so arrogant; my father will not let you off!"

A-Nuo asked Pei Chuyun curiously: "Sister, how old is this person? Has he not been weaned yet? He comes here and says only a few words, every sentence mentioning his father."

Pei Chuyun couldn't help but laugh: "Yes, maybe he is not even as old as A-Nuo."

Several people at Pei Yu's table were laughing; Huo Jin, both ashamed and angry, turned and left: "Let's go!"

Arriving with fierce momentum, leaving like a homeless dog; the farce ended quickly. Pei Yu had been watching with a smile the whole time; only now did he speak: "Brother Lu, are you really not afraid of Huo family retaliation? If they truly want Brother Lu to die in a dark alley, it is not difficult."

"If they want to kill me, whether I am cautious and humble or arrogant and slapping faces, is there any difference?"

Pei Yu thought for a moment: "If things look acceptable on the surface, they might not kill you."

"But the bigger the fuss I make, the less they dare to kill me."

Pei Yu admitted: "Indeed so. After all, we are under the Son of Heaven; Your Majesty is watching. The Huo family has been troubled enough recently and dares not give us any further grounds for attack."

"You see, since the result is the same, why can't I choose the way that makes me comfortable?"

Pei Yu laughed helplessly: "Correct."

Lu Xingzhou blinked: "Moreover, if I really went back with him, Brother Pei would probably cut ties with me from now on... I am still waiting for Brother Pei to arrange another meeting; I cannot lose out on that meal."

Pei Yu laughed heartily: "Good, good. Since Brother Lu is missing the Huo family banquet, why not come to my Pei family for a home-cooked meal? Hmm, how about tomorrow night?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "It is exactly what I wish."

Beside him, Pei Chuyun held her breath.

Lu Xingzhou quietly pinched her small hand, signaling her to calm down.

Pei Chuyun's face turned slightly red. Taking advantage of the dishes being served, she quietly withdrew her hand and picked up her chopsticks.

Sheng Yuanyao glanced at the two's small movements but did not mind; after all, any family's personal maid is implicitly expected to accompany the bed. She was quite satisfied having eaten her fill of drama and smiled as she picked up a mouthful of food for Lu Xingzhou: "This is the Dragon Fish unique to the capital; taste it."

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "As long as it is not Douzhi."

"What is that?"

"Nothing..." Lu Xingzhou smiled: "You said you didn't want to get involved in my affairs, but being so close to me without avoiding suspicion, will it affect you?"

Sheng Yuanyao made a "Tch" sound: "I am afraid of getting involved in these things, but as long as they are not sick, they won't actively provoke an enemy of my family."

"What if they judge that your family is leaning towards me?"

"What do you have that is worth leaning on?" Sheng Yuanyao suddenly lowered her voice: "No one will think you can represent Shen Tang; to put it plainly, what you represent is ultimately just Huo family's private grudge."

Lu Xingzhou nodded; indeed so.

In the eyes of the Pei family, he was also just a good chess piece to strike the Huo family.

To be honest, Lu Xingzhou did not want to drag Sheng Yuanyao into this muddy water; the Pei family could be considered, but the premise was to ensure that this chess piece of his would not be used as cannon fodder.

The gap in strength was a bit large... if it were not for wanting to enter the Alchemy Academy to gild his Golden Body, coming to the capital at this time was originally too early.

Of course, being early has its own way of playing; at least no family is paying too much attention to him, so he is not placed too much on the tip of the spear.

As for Shen Tang's background, it is not yet decided whether to use it; that could make things more complicated. At least now the Imperial Princes' gazes are not fixed on him, this small nobody, but if they learn that he is not merely a guest advisor, the outcome is unpredictable.

Pondering in his heart, he no longer pursued these serious topics with Sheng Yuanyao, instead chatting casually about the changes in Xiazhou since her departure, about Chen Zhangsi's promotion, and so on; the meal was enjoyed by both host and guest.

From the neighboring table, snippets of idle chatter drifted to his ears from Pei Yu, Chu Qingchen, and others: "Brother Chu, what brings you to the capital this time?"

Chu Qingchen said, "Originally to travel the world and broaden my horizons. Especially to meet the number one on the Newcomer List, Ye Wufeng of the Yanluo Hall. Pity that after wandering the Jianghu for several months, I haven't even seen a shadow of anyone from the Yanluo Hall."

Pei Yu said, "In the past year, the Yanluo Hall has rarely appeared; I wonder if it has anything to do with their Judge leaving."

"The Yanluo Hall doesn't rely on its Judges to go out and assassinate; it should have little connection. Besides, 'rarely appearing' doesn't mean 'never appearing'; didn't Ye Wufeng kill someone in the suburbs of the capital just last month?"

"So, Brother Chu's trip to the capital is mainly to find him?"

"Yes. Does Brother Pei have any news of him?"

Pei Yu laughed: "Being in the suburbs of the capital last month doesn't mean he will always be in the capital. Even the Demon Suppression Bureau hasn't found a trace; my Pei family's intelligence is not as sharp as the Demon Suppression Bureau's."

Lu Xingzhou twirled his wine cup at his lips, a faint, ambiguous smile on his face.

Sheng Yuanyao whispered, "You know this person, right?"

"I know him well," Lu Xingzhou said leisurely. "A fool who is always trying to compete for dominance, thinking himself far superior to me, showing off day after day. I suspect even the Yan Lord might not remember what he looks like."

(End of this chapter)