Chapter 510: I

"You keep mentioning this matter before you again and again, as if you're deliberately teasing you? What sort of position does Lv Qianhu hold, and if the two of them didn't have any certainty, how could they possibly use Lv Qianhu to tease you?"

Luo Lekang hummed, he knew Yuan Ziming's thinking; at first he also held a supportive attitude, but after he finished examining Wang Ping'an, he discovered that his idea and Yuan Ziming's idea were wrong. Seeing Liu Dongzhu unwilling to take the seven‑star jade pendant, he hurriedly said:

"Madam, this seven‑star jade pendant of mine is not a precious object, just a small gift. If your child carries it, at most it can only strengthen the physique, and even in a critical moment when a fatal blow strikes, the power of the seven stars will protect your child's life. Please accept it!"

He didn't know whether Lü Tu taking this child as a disciple was true or false, but he knew that Lü Tu must value this child greatly; however, whether he intended to take the child as a disciple remained unknown.

He knew Lü Tu's temperament, but he couldn't guarantee that, once Lü Tu learned that this child harbored an accompanying artifact, whether he would have ill intentions toward the child—in precise terms, toward that accompanying artifact.

Lü Tu is the Thousand Commander of the Demon‑Suppression Office in Fengyin County, whose duties are to uphold Heaven's way and slay demons.

In theory, he shouldn't think ill of Lü Tu, but his knowledge of the accompanying artifact forces him to view Lü Tu unfavorably.

"Sir..."

Liu Dongzhu wasn't foolish; despite Luo Lekang's simple words, Yuan Ziming had just been shocked when Luo Lekang produced this pendant, so she could not possibly be unaware of its preciousness.

Although.

She cared deeply about Wang Ping'an's safety, but his neck was already laden with life‑preserving treasures; adding Luo Lekang's seven‑star jade pendant wouldn't be much, yet lacking it would be a lot. She didn't want to become entangled with Luo Lekang over this pendant.

She despised Yuan Ziming, and that hatred extended to his master Luo Lekang as well.

"Madam, do you look down on the pendant I gave, or do you look down on me?"

Luo Lekang's face darkened, and he interrupted in a dissatisfied tone: "To be frank, I gave your child this pendant out of respect for Lv Qianhu's face, hoping to use this to make Lv Qianhu think well of me. If you, madam, try to stop it..."

He didn't utter the rest, but from his tone and expression, it was clear what Luo Lekang intended to say next.

Nothing but coercion and inducement!

It was Liu Dongzhu's first time encountering someone coercing and enticing her to accept a gift; she grew even more resentful toward Luo Lekang, but considering Yuan Ziming's status—Luo Lekang being qualified to be Yuan Ziming's master, not an ordinary person—she could only swallow her refusal.

"A countrywoman without any discernment!"

When Luo Lekang saw Liu Dongzhu reluctantly reaching out to take his seven‑star jade pendant, he couldn't help but mutter inwardly: given the pendant's rarity, countless people beg for it; even if they offer a hefty price, he is reluctant to give it away, yet he gave it to Liu Dongzhu for free, and she refused, forcing him to coerce and entice before she would accept.

If he hadn't had his own agenda, he wouldn't even consider giving Liu Dongzhu a seven‑star jade pendant; given her attitude toward the pendant, he almost wanted to crush this unperceptive countrywoman into mush.

"Madam, quickly place this seven‑star jade pendant on your child's neck—cough cough, putting it on the wrist is fine too!"

Luo Lekang spoke instinctively, but before finishing his sentence he suddenly recalled that Wang Ping'an's neck was already almost covered with items, fearing there would be no room for his seven‑star jade pendant. Seeing Wang Ping'an comply, he placed the pendant on Wang Ping'an's wrist, then continued:

"Madam, the next time you see Lv Qianhu, I must speak highly of myself before Lv Qianhu. I am Luo Lekang, an Imperial Attendant in the Junshoufu of Fengyin County!"

"I will!" Liu Dongzhu nodded.

"Fine, since that's the case, I won't bother you and your family any further!"

Luo Lekang gave Yuan Ziming a glance, then rose and left.

Yuan Ziming dared not bring up the purchase of the white lion again. After Luo Lekang's verification, this inconspicuous youngster was indeed favored by Lü Tu; he is the son of the Fengyin County governor, but if he dared to provoke Lü Tu, even without shedding a single skin, he would receive no good outcome.

"I told you, if this were an ordinary household, how could they have such a bizarre lion? I didn't expect it to be linked to Lü Tu's mad dog. Perhaps this white lion was given by Lü Tu—no, given to this youngster. I just don't know what extraordinary quality this youngster possesses that attracted Lü Tu's mad dog to take him as a disciple?"

Yuan Ziming awkwardly followed Luo Lekang, a flood of thoughts swirling in his mind. Suddenly a weak voice called his name; turning his head, he saw Ji Nian being supported by two swordsmen, limping toward him. In a flash of anger, he kicked Ji Nian hard, sending him sprawling, and shouted:

"You damned dog, you've ruined me. Do you know who you provoked? Because of you, I almost got on Lv Qianhu's bad side. Get out! Our Junshoufu doesn't need a mad dog like you that bites indiscriminately!"

"Young master..."

Ji Nian stared wide-eyed, fixedly watching Yuan Ziming, never having expected Yuan Ziming to say such words.

"If you don't leave now, do you believe I'll cut you down on the spot and then apologize to Lv Qianhu?"

Yuan Ziming let out a cold snort, completely forgetting that he had just forced a purchase; it wasn't Ji Nian who had beguiled him, but the white lion beneath Liu Dongzhu's rear that had drawn his attention.

This novel you...

However.

At this moment, Yuan Ziming seemed to have completely forgotten that matter, shifting all blame onto Ji Nian.

"Hiss!"

Yuan Ziming drew a guard's sword from beside him, coldly pointing at Ji Nian and said angrily:

"I am kind‑hearted; you've been in my household for many years, and even without merit you have labored. This time you offended the family of Lv Qianhu's disciple; I will not settle this with you on equal terms. If you don't leave, do you believe I will end you with a single slash and take your dog's head to Lv Qianhu to apologize?"

"Young master, young master, don't act rashly, I'll leave right now, I'll leave right now!"

Ji Nian's complexion changed drastically; he knew exactly who Yuan Ziming was, having served as his personal guard for many years. Though his heart harbored resentment toward Yuan Ziming, he dared not show it, forcing a flattering smile as he limped away with his severely injured body.

(End of chapter)