Chapter 3: The Missing Steward

Lu Xingzhou took a roasted sweet potato from the Little Daoist, eating it slowly: "Originally, given our shared connection, I had no intention of pursuing your illegal occupation of this land—cohabitation was fine… But since you're all so eager to drive me out, I'm sorry, but turn left at the gate, go down the slope—that's your territory. Don't see me off."

Liu Yan'er snapped: "Even if the land is yours, the house was built by us—why should we leave!"

"Oh?" Lu Xingzhou laughed. "A house built on someone else's land—do you think our dynasty's laws protect it?"

Everyone looked at Sheng Yuanyao; Sheng Yuanyao's expression was unreadable.

Judging by her demeanor, the law clearly sided with Lu Xingzhou—even if they tore down their house, it would be wasted effort. Liu Qingcang's face flushed red then pale; after a long silence, he forced out: "I'll buy it from you—name your price."

"Now do you understand why I stayed here?" Lu Xingzhou smiled. "Actually, I suggest you change your name to Ruyan—that way, your aura would rise, and you'd seem more ordinary."

Liu Yan'er didn't understand a word, looking bewildered.

Lu Xingzhou finally spoke plainly: "So this is my home. Not for sale."

"You!"

"Cough." Sheng Yuanyao finally spoke a fair word: "Look, tearing down the house is one thing, but you can't just claim it as yours outright… Since I've happened upon this matter, I'll mediate. You should negotiate among yourselves."

Lu Xingzhou gave Sheng Yuanyao a wounded look; she turned her head away.

No wonder they say even looking at a dog can seem heartfelt.

That glance made it feel as if their relationship was deeply close, and not standing by him was a betrayal—his gaze stirred the heart… But what relationship do we even have? I'm here to investigate your murder case!

How did it come to this? Good looks are truly cheating.

Liu Qingcang finally said: "Still, Commander Sheng is fair. Xingzhou, we'll pay double market price for the land deed—no loss to you. What do you say?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled faintly: "Five times. And I want equivalent spirit stones—not silver or gold."

Liu Qingcang flew into rage: "Are you being too unreasonable!"

Lu Xingzhou spoke coolly: "Let Master Liu understand one thing… You need this land, not I need the house. Had I not respected Commander Sheng, I could've torn this down and built a Daoist temple instead—what's there to negotiate?"

The Liu father and daughter's faces turned purple with fury.

In truth, the Danxia Sect could afford five times market price. But upon careful calculation, it seemed Lu Xingzhou's earnings for the Danxia Sect over the past half-year would be reclaimed in full.

Back to the days before Lu Xingzhou.

Had he planned it? Even Sheng Yuanyao's unexpected appearance here—was it part of the scheme?

A chill rose in Liu Qingcang's heart; he glanced at Bai Chi's grim expression.

This was no longer the early days of starting from nothing. The Danxia Sect's alchemy apprentices had already been trained by Lu Xingzhou—from gathering herbs to formulation, refining, and quality inspection—all systems perfected, formulas intact, and now with Bai Chi, whose alchemy surpassed Lu Xingzhou's, regaining profits would be swift. Better to pay the price now and buy the land, avoiding endless hassle.

Thinking this, Liu Qingcang declared firmly: "Five times it is. Take the money and leave!"

"Not so fast," Lu Xingzhou smiled sweetly. "There's another compensation to discuss with Master Liu."

This world didn't recognize severance pay; Liu Qingcang's voice trembled with rage: "What else do you want?"

Lu Xingzhou spoke languidly: "Master Liu forcibly demolished my Daoist temple without permission to build your sect's base… The timber used was top-grade, and the temple held personal relics imbued with sentiment—of immeasurable value to me…"

Liu Qingcang choked, nearly unable to speak. Everyone knew the temple had long been dilapidated, worthless—how could he prove it now? Especially these so-called relics—were they not whatever he claimed them to be!

"Pfft…" Sheng Yuanyao held back, but one of her male subordinates burst out laughing.

Pulling up the bridge after crossing—deserved retribution. It was satisfying to watch.

They'd forgotten they were here to investigate Lu Xingzhou's murder suspicion.

Lu Xingzhou spoke calmly: "My demand isn't high… Your sect was already called Danxia before fully settling here, right? Because your original base was just outside the mountain—yes, next to the Huo family's old mansion. That place is small, low in spiritual energy, long neglected, not valuable—hand it over to me, how about that?"

Again, the Huo family… Sheng Yuanyao's heart stirred; she studied Lu Xingzhou's face for a long while—he showed no sign of anything unusual.

………

Liu Qingcang agreed to this compensation.

The Danxia Sect had always been small, its original base accommodating only a few hundred. Long neglected, the beams were worm-eaten, on the verge of collapse—already slated for disposal. Since this could rid them of Lu Xingzhou, he gladly accepted the exchange.

He stuffed the spirit stones and new land deed into his ring; the Little Daoist pushed the wheelchair, and the master and disciple departed the Danxia Sect with smiles, ignoring the Liu family's murderous stares, leaving behind a trail of sweet potato peels.

Glancing back, the Liu father and daughter looked as if they were about to shatter, smoke practically rising from their heads.

Lu Xingzhou heard Liu Qingcang's voice whisper in his ear: "Don't think Sheng Yuanyao can protect you forever! I'll make you regret today's performance soon!"

Lu Xingzhou smiled faintly: "I'll be watching."

The Little Daoist turned and stuck out his tongue playfully, then pushed the wheelchair away, utterly unconcerned.

Throughout, Lu Xingzhou never once looked at Bai Chi.

Sheng Yuanyao was deeply curious about the master and disciple; she suspected Lu Xingzhou's true target was that old, dilapidated mansion. She wanted to follow and ask questions, but she had to suppress her curiosity and focus on the case.

The case had little to investigate: yesterday at the hour of Wei, Lu Xingzhou had indeed returned to Huishan, witnessed by countless Danxia Sect disciples. The Liu father and daughter had no chance to fabricate an alibi—they couldn't frame him.

Sheng Yuanyao felt irritated, as if she'd merely come to lend Lu Xingzhou her support—used completely. Without her here, what good was his land deed? He'd have been buried under the mountain long ago. In the cultivation world, sect rivalries—who cares about the law?

But this could only be coincidence—could he have planned it? Who knew when the Liu father and daughter would come to drive him out? How could the timing be so precise?

Yet something felt off, especially his demand for the sect's old base—next to the Huo family. Something was amiss. Sheng Yuanyao stopped bothering to investigate further in the Danxia Sect; she ordered two subordinates to continue gathering evidence, then hurried down the mountain to chase after Lu Xingzhou.

She chased all the way to the mountain's foot but saw no one—could a little Daoist pushing a wheelchair be this fast?

Sheng Yuanyao puzzled, then tried following the direction of the Danxia Sect's original base.

Near the road to the Huo family's old mansion, Sheng Yuanyao's heart leapt; she widened her eyes.

The so-called "missing" Huo family steward staggered into view, ragged, covered in wounds, dried blood streaking his body, terrifying to behold.

He chattered madly: "It's him—he's back! He's come for vengeance!"

Immediately, the Zhenmo Bureau's subordinates surrounded him, restraining him: "Who are you talking about?"

The old steward stared blankly, as if unable to recall anything, then clutched his forehead in pain, struggling desperately: "It wasn't me! I didn't kill you back then! Go find the Grand Master!"

He was completely insane.

The Zhenmo Bureau subordinate raised his head, pained, seeking help from Sheng Yuanyao, who stood silently frowning at the roadside.

Sheng Yuanyao turned and entered the house, fetched paper and brush, and swiftly sketched a portrait of Lu Xingzhou—uncannily lifelike: "Was the one who returned this man?"

The old steward stared blankly for a long while, then muttered only: "It wasn't me… it wasn't me…"

If the killer were truly Lu Xingzhou, this portrait should have triggered a stronger reaction—but this response was truly unconvincing. Sheng Yuanyao's head throbbed; she ordered her subordinates: "Keep him under close watch, send for healers. Dispatch teams to question elderly locals—what major events happened in the Huo family years ago? Who did they anger?"

I had thought it was an ordinary murder case, which would have been easy enough to explain. But now it seems to involve the Huo family's past, and that is troublesome.

The Huo family is no ordinary household — the Old Patriarch Huo is the Grand Preceptor of the court, and the current family head holds a first-rank marquis title. Can the old affairs of such a noble house really be investigated at will?

She had originally planned to wait until the case was solved before writing to inform Jingcheng, but now that wouldn't do. Sheng Yuanyao took up her brush and wrote a letter, ordering someone to deliver it to the Huo family in the capital. She lifted her head and looked out the window at the gradually slanting setting sun, and the figure of Lu Xingzhou still rose in her mind.

She always felt that the clues to this case could still be sought from him… and even if they couldn't, couldn't she at least have him treat Old Steward Huo's madness?

Thanks for everyone's ocean of tips and rewards — I've already bent over and presented my backside~

Speaking of which, yesterday was the first day the book launched, and the alliance group chat exploded… Any wandering alliance leaders who see this, find me or Sumu or Mushroom to return to the group.

New book period convention is two chapters a day, averaging around 3k per chapter.

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(End of this chapter)