Chapter 286: Setting Out Again

The one who stood up to speak was Lu Yuanfeng. Seeing Lu Yuanfeng take the initiative to take responsibility, Lu Xingde, who had just wanted to speak, really found it difficult to continue, and could only close his mouth with some unwillingness.

The reason Lu Xingde wanted to plead for mercy was, on one hand, that a traitor from his own family had already been executed on the spot by him, and he didn't want this matter to be made public, causing the Lu family's prestige to suffer another blow. On the other hand, it was because the person kneeling below was a talent in the Lu family who managed important family affairs. Losing this person's help, the Lu family's path ahead would likely become increasingly difficult.

One of the people kneeling below was also a disciple under Lu Yuanfeng. Since someone was willing to destroy their own kin for the sake of justice, Gao Jinhe naturally had nothing more to say and nodded in agreement.

Under Lu Yuanfeng's announcement, considering that the two of them had not committed the crime intentionally, their death sentences were commuted, and they were sentenced to twenty years of mining in Fengtou Mountain. Their crimes were posted at the marketplace gate to inform the public.

Regarding the Lu family, who had committed the main fault this time, Lu Yuanfeng also made a punishment, confiscating two of their shops in Qinghefang and bestowing one shop each to the Gao family and the Song family, who had contributed the most to defending the marketplace this time.

Facing this expected punishment, Lu Xingde also had unspeakable bitterness. He had focused too much on his own cultivation over the years, exploiting the entire family's resources for his own use. In order to let the cultivators below work well for him, he had been too indulgent with them. Today, he had finally reaped the bitter fruit of his own actions.

After having people take the two away, Lu Yuanfeng spoke to everyone again: "Today, I called you fellow Daoists over, besides dealing with the traitor in the marketplace with everyone, it is also to discuss with you all when we should set out to conquer Eagle Nest Ridge and avenge the fellow Daoists who died in battle this time."

In the few days since the marketplace was breached, there had been no movement from Qinghefang. This was mainly because everyone knew there was a mole, and acting rashly would certainly alert the enemy, repeating the mistakes of a few years ago. By the time they reached Eagle Nest Ridge, the other party would have long since fled.

Now that the hidden danger of the mole had been eliminated, the next step was naturally to launch revenge against Eagle Nest Ridge. Without completely rooting out this scourge, the people of the entire Qinghefang would not be able to sleep soundly in the future.

"This matter must be done quickly. I think Fellow Daoist Lu's previous plan was very good. We should still gather a portion of our elite to take the first step."

Although Gao Yubai's injuries had not yet fully recovered, he was the most eager among everyone present to seek revenge on Eagle Nest Ridge.

"To be safe, we should still send a message to the Cao family in Pingyang County to see if they can send more people to act together. After all, our extermination of Eagle Nest Ridge is also something they want." Huang Shengxin said, stroking the beard at the corner of his mouth, and turned to look at Lu Yuanfeng.

Qinghefang was not just a matter for the families of Qinghe County; a portion of the shares belonged to the Xiaoyao Sect. The greatest enemy Cheng Yilong and the others offended by attacking Qinghefang was naturally the Xiaoyao Sect. As the person in charge here, Lu Yuanfeng naturally had to shoulder this responsibility. This was also why he was so eager to discuss the counterattack on Eagle Nest Ridge with everyone.

Lu Yuanfeng nodded to Huang Shengxin and said: "Fellow Daoist Huang's words are reasonable. If everyone has no objections, then we will use the previous plan. Three days later, everyone will gather at Mount Funiu. I will also immediately write a letter to Pingyang County, asking them to send some people to act with us."

Seeing that everyone had no objections to this arrangement, Lu Yuanfeng spoke again: "Fellow Daoist Qingyu's injuries have not yet recovered. I think you should stay in Qinghefang to hold the fort. The marketplace formation has not been fully repaired. I will greet Brother Ma from Fengtou Mountain and ask him to help look after things. If you encounter anything, just transmit a sound to Fengtou Mountain!"

"My injuries here will not affect my ability to fight now. Why don't I go to Eagle Nest Ridge with everyone? One more person means one more bit of strength."

Seeing Song Qingyu actually refuse Lu Yuanfeng's kindness in letting her stay, Song Qingming was also a bit puzzled, not knowing what she wanted to do.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyu, we would naturally accept such a heart, but there must always be someone to hold the fort in Qinghefang. If you don't stay, it wouldn't be good for me, the commander-in-chief, to stay behind!"

Hearing Lu Yuanfeng's words, Song Qingyu could only sigh and agree.

Ending the meeting, after walking out of the marketplace council hall, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu came to the Song family shop.

After this turmoil, the two main people in charge of the Song family in the marketplace, Fourth Uncle Song Zhangqiu, had died in battle, and Second Sister Song Qingwan was still recuperating. The Song family members left in the marketplace to manage the shop suddenly lost their backbone.

In the past few days, besides helping Song Qingyu with her closed-door healing, Song Qingming had spent most of his time here managing these trivial matters. He had already sent a message home, but Sixth Uncle had not yet replied. Song Qingming also knew that he might not have found a suitable person for the time being.

"Fourth Uncle is gone, and your Second Aunt is injured. You must also pay more attention to the affairs of the marketplace. Don't always just know how to follow behind others. I am going home tomorrow. You manage the affairs here first. If there is anything difficult to decide, just go and ask your Aunt Qingyu directly."

Song Xinhu lowered his head, listening to Song Qingming's reprimand, nodding from time to time.

Having cultivated for so many years, under the protection of the Song family, Song Xinhu had never performed any relatively dangerous tasks. When the marketplace was attacked a few days ago, he was also lucky; he just happened not to be in the marketplace, accompanying Li Hongyu to Mount Yunwu to find food for the Skyfire Peng.

Returning to Qinghefang the next day, seeing those rows of corpses and the other tragic sights in the marketplace, especially after seeing with his own eyes the somewhat broken corpse of Third Brother Song Xinjue, whom he had grown up with, Song Xinhu had also grown up a lot internally.

"Seventh Brother, you didn't see that Xinhu hasn't had a smile on his face for the past few days. Why do you keep reprimanding him? He didn't leave the marketplace on purpose that day." After Song Xinhu left, Song Qingyu finally couldn't help but remind Song Qingming.

"I am not reprimanding him because of this, but I hope he can grow up quickly. You also know that this world will not always be peaceful, and it is not something that can be avoided just by hiding in Qinghefang."

"It was all because my ability was insufficient, and I couldn't hold out until you arrived, causing Fourth Uncle not to have a good end."

Song Qingyu said, her eyes turning red again. Fourth Uncle Song Zhangqiu was a kind-hearted person who had taken care of every junior who came to Qinghefang, naturally including Song Qingyu, who liked to sneak to Qinghefang the most back then.

"Qingyu, if there is a next time you encounter such a dangerous thing, I hope you can protect yourself first."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 287 =====