Chapter 427: Digging a Pit

"I, Dai Zhishang, this household has rendered a life‑saving favor to me!"

Dai Zhishang replied.

"Qingyang County, surname Dai?"

Lü Tu muttered to himself, a flash of insight flickering in his mind before vanishing, and asked curiously: "In Qingyang County, the Dai family—how are Dai Tianli and you related?"

Dai Zhishang answered again: "He is my younger brother!"

"So you are the incompetent older brother of Dai Tianli!"

Lü Tu's face startled. He is a Thousand Commander of the Demon Suppression Office in Fengyin Commandery; Qingyang County falls under Fengyin's jurisdiction. In Qingyang County a peerless prodigy—Primordial Sword Body Dai Tianli—was noticed by a Grand Elder of the passing Nine Heavens Sword Sect, who took him as a disciple. Not even he, let alone a three‑year‑old child, would know this.

Who knows how many people envy Dai Tianli, and even more so the Dai family!

They suspect whether the current head of the Dai family performed a monumental good deed in a past life; otherwise how could such a qilin child descend upon the Dai family and become his child?

The Dai family of Qingyang County is merely a local wealthy clan; among the powerful families of Fengyin Commandery, hardly any regard the Dai family.

In every county town under Fengyin Commandery's jurisdiction, which one lacks a local wealthy clan like the Dai family?

Beyond their own tiny plot of land in their home county they have a little face; in Fengyin Commandery they are not even a whiff.

But the Dai family of Qingyang County is different. Since they produced the qilin child Dai Tianli and became linked with the Nine Heavens Sword Sect, everyone knows clearly that with the sect's support, the Dai family of Qingyang County is a rising new star; how far it can rise depends on Dai Tianli's growth.

Nevertheless, the foundation is to become the dominant clan of Fengyin Commandery; becoming one of the foremost families in the entire Prefecture Capital is not impossible.

How could the noble families of Fengyin Commandery not be envious?

If their family produced a heavenly talent like Dai Tianli, they believe their clan could achieve even greater things.

Dai Zhishang nodded, and did not deny it.

In the past.

When he was still young, with Dai Tianli behind him, people knew he was Dai Tianli's older brother and envied him. At that time, deep down he felt very unwilling, wanting to strive and prove that he was not inferior to Dai Tianli.

He harbored a dream that in the future people would envy Dai Tianli for having such a brother, rather than him having such a younger brother.

But.

After repeatedly failing the imperial examinations, the harsh blows made him realize clearly that effort is worthless before talent; he gradually accepted that having a genius younger brother like Dai Tianli, he no longer sought to prove himself.

In fact.

Being a playboy son isn't all that bad!

Moreover.

With Dai Tianli as a younger brother, his parents and even the clan elders placed little demand on him; perhaps the only hope was that he would be obedient, whether to the elders' words or his brother Dai Tianli's.

Dai Zhishang looked at Lü Tu's envious gaze and paid it no mind; having seen such looks countless times, he said, "Thousand Commander Lv, what do you think of this child? Have you considered taking him as a disciple?"

"I…"

Lü Tu was about to speak, his words unfinished, when Wei Yuan's expression changed; he hurried forward and said, "Thousand Commander Lv, you must never take this child as a disciple!"

"Ha! Why can't I take this child as a disciple?"

Lü Tu sneered, and after a careful examination he found that the child Wang Ping'an was quite promising; inheriting his skills, if trained from youth he could surely surpass him, he jested:

"Is it that this child is unfit, or that I am unfit, lacking the right to take him as a disciple, or perhaps someone has designs on this child?" Wei Yuan sensed the sarcastic tone in Lü Tu's words and was about to explain, when Yu Die, expressionless, said:

"Thousand Commander Lv, to be frank, I have designs on this child, but I lack the ability. I once considered taking him as a disciple, even recommending him to the clan elders, but later, due to certain circumstances, I gave up. Lv, if you have the skill and the courage, I suggest you take this child as a disciple!"

"Ha! As for skill, I would say I do have skill!"

Lü Tu, expressionless, said, "I just don't know, Yu Hundred‑Commander, what you mean by courage?"

Yu Die smiled without saying a word.

Although she can keep her emotions hidden, it doesn't mean she has no temper; because of her situation, Lü Tu repeatedly mocked her, and she refuses to engage with him on equal terms.

Yet Lü Tu, unaware of his mistake, kept up his sarcastic tone; not that she isn't a saint, even if she were, she could not tolerate his endless sarcasm.

Therefore.

She is preparing to dig a pit for Lü Tu!

She actually wants to see whether, after learning the child's identity, Lü Tu has the courage to offend the Prime Minister; if Lü Tu dares to offend the Prime Minister, and later continues his sarcasm toward her, she will no longer engage with him on equal terms.

If he doesn't dare…

This novel, you have reached

Then don't blame me for retorting!

"Thousand Commander Lv, don't act rashly!"

Wei Yuan saw Yu Die's malice at a glance; his face was full of gloom, yet he also knew it was hard to blame Yu Die.

Given Yu Die's status, being able to repeatedly endure Lü Tu's sarcasm, bluntly put, Yu Die gave Lü Tu a face.

If it were the second‑generation heirs he had seen, not even a repeated cold mockery like Lü Tu's—perhaps just a wrong glance—could provoke fierce retaliation from them.

Yu Die.

One could say she is the most generous second‑generation he has ever seen!

However.

Lü Tu, unaware of propriety, after gaining a benefit still wants more, continues his sarcasm toward Yu Die; Yu Die digging a pit for him is deserved.

If it weren't for a mysterious person by his side, making him uneasy, his own life safety, still hoping Lü Tu would protect him, he would be eager to have Yu Die dig a pit for him, give Lü Tu a good beating, and watch the spectacle.

"Wei County Magistrate, say whatever you have to say directly!"

Lü Tu looked at Wei Yuan approaching, intending to whisper something in his ear, and said in an unfriendly tone.

"Damn, how could there be such a brainless thing!"

Wei Yuan couldn't help muttering a curse; he intended to whisper into Lü Tu's ear, softly recount Wang Ping'an's background, to save Lü Tu face, but

he himself gave no face to himself, and said speechlessly:

"Thousand Commander Lv, do you know that this child's biological father is the current top scholar Wang Ruhai, the Imperial Examination's Triple Flower?"

"Wei County Magistrate, you mean this child's father wants him to study, not to practice martial arts?"

【61】 Lü Tu, subconsciously, opened his mouth, but before finishing his words, he suddenly realized and his complexion changed slightly.

Fengyin County finally produced a Third‑ranked scholar after much difficulty; not to mention him, it seems the whole of Fengyin County has no one who isn't paying attention, for that is a great event that brings honor to one's ancestors, let alone this year's Third‑ranked scholar is also involved with the Prime Minister's Office. He instantly understood what Yu Die meant by "courage."

To take this child as a disciple, one truly needs courage!

(End of chapter)