…
To make sure this transition went as smoothly as possible,
He Chaojun smiled and said, “Investigator Lu, what a coincidence—it just so happens that a few of my family mbers who had corpse-cave slots this year have all co down with serious illnesses.”
“They won’t be able to go to the Water Corpse Cave.”
“Since you’re already here, why don’t you three take the opportunity to experience it for yourselves?”
And just like that, he started investing early.
But Lu Ding didn’t accept rewards he hadn’t earned.
If he could get in with his own skills, there was no need to accept anything from others.
Wutian chid in from the side: “Amitabha. This little monk will pass.”
He wasn’t part of 749—how would it look if he started accepting gifts too?
Not to ntion whether he even wanted to go in.
If he did want to go—
Could the three big families of Heishuifang stop him?
One slap for anyone in the way, two slaps for anyone who tried him.
Yan Feifan also knew better than to casually accept favors.
He was just about to decline when—
Lu Ding beat him to it: “We can’t handle that many spots. One is enough.”
He and Wutian could fight their way in if they wanted.
Yan Feifan’s fists weren’t quite up to par.
So having him go in on a valid slot wouldn’t leave room for gossip.
He Chaojun didn’t press it: “Eh, eh, actually, there’s one family mber of mine who's really sick. The other two could push through it.”
“I see it’s getting late today—why don’t you three stay at my place until the Water Corpse Cave opens? Then we can all go together.”
Well, that worked—secured a place to stay.
Lu Ding didn’t hold back: “Then I’ll thank you in advance, Patriarch He.”
By this point—
Given He Chaojun’s attitude,
Lu Ding figured it was ti to leave himself so backup options.
“Patriarch He, no one can guarantee how things with the Huang family will turn out. From what you’ve said, Heishuifang doesn’t seem to be treating the He family too kindly.”
“Why not expand your business elsewhere?”
“Oh? Would Investigator Lu be kind enough to light the way for ?”
He Chaojun’s eyes lit up as he said this.
He might’ve looked impressive on the outside, but the He family was basically stuck in Heishuifang.
If they could develop outward, that’d be sothing.
But they’d need an olive branch from the outside to make it happen.
“Yunhai. Yunhai’s a good choice—big city, strong economy, lots of people, and a ton of Qi Refiners.”
Having said that, Lu Ding stood up.
He Chaojun hurriedly led the three of them to the door.
Seeing that the youth at the door was holding a tray of grapes, Lu Ding casually picked up a bunch.
“Thanks.”
The boy shook his head. “Please, help yourself. No need to be polite.”
…
After settling the three of them in,
He Chaojun left the courtyard and walked into the main hall.
He had just sat down when the sa boy from before ca in holding a teacup.
He called out, “Dad, here’s your tea.”
He Chaojun responded with a flat “Mm.”
He Gu watched his father sip tea, then said, “Dad, the day after tomorrow we’re going into the Water Corpse Cave, right? I wanted to ask if I could borrow…”
Before he could finish,
He Chaojun cut him off: “He Gu, you’re not going to the Water Corpse Cave.”
The boy’s expression froze. He lowered his head silently.
He didn’t understand. Couldn’t make sense of it.
Why was the spot he worked so hard to earn suddenly taken away—just like that?
Why not take away soone else’s slot?
Wasn’t he He Chaojun’s son too?
Bitterness welled up in his heart.
Mom… Dad still doesn’t care for . No matter how much I do, he never likes .
Since that’s the case, maybe it’s ti I struck out on my own.
He nodded. “Got it.”
“Then can I go out for a bit?”
He Chaojun raised his cup. “At a ti like this, where are you going?”
“I want to go to Yunhai.”
Hearing those two words again,
He Chaojun lost all interest in drinking tea. He gave his illegitimate son a surprised look.
“What made you suddenly think of going to Yunhai? You know soone there?”
“I do. Dad, don’t you rember? When I was out collecting mountain goods, I t a treasure diver from Yunhai—his na’s Cao Ying.”
“We got along well. He’s taken over his family’s business now. A while back, he invited to co visit.”
“But because of the Water Corpse Cave, I turned him down. Now…”
What He Gu was really thinking was: if the He family didn’t want him, then he’d go find Cao Ying.
With his underwater skills, he could definitely beco a treasure diver and make his own way.
After all, Cao Ying had made his na as a diver before going back to take over the Cao family.
“You’re unhappy with my decision?”
He Chaojun’s voice was cold.
He Gu quickly lowered his head. “No. I wouldn’t dare be unhappy with Father’s decision.”
He Chaojun was going to say more but changed tack.
“Here’s what. Ask your friend about a 749 investigator in Yunhai with the surna Lu.”
“Hmm… He’s really handso, speaks with flair, handles things with vision, but has an arrogant gaze—doesn’t like looking people in the eye. Be polite when you ask, don’t give anyone a reason to complain.”
“This Investigator Lu is very important to the He family.”
“If you handle this well, I’ll let you go. If not, you’ll stay put at ho.”
From Lu Ding’s whole vibe, He Chaojun knew he wasn’t ordinary.
But as for what kind of extraordinary exactly, he couldn’t say.
So he needed to find out—give himself so peace of mind.
“I’ll ask now.”
He Gu pulled out his phone and typed in his dad’s description.
【Big Brother Cao, I’d like to ask—do you know soone in Yunhai who’s...】
The reply ca almost instantly.
【Cao Ying: ?】
【Cao Ying: Why are you asking about him?】
【He Gu: My father asked to. Said he’s very important to the He family.】
He Gu wasn’t stupid. He phrased it that way on purpose. From Cao Ying’s tone, he could already sense sothing was off.
If sothing bad ca out of this, then his father could take the heat.
He was just the ssenger.
Almost at the sa ti, Lu Ding received a ssage from Cao Ying.
After getting Lu Ding’s go-ahead,
Cao Ying replied to He Gu with the full details.
Screenshot after screenshot ca flying in.
He Gu’s eyes went wide.
Then Cao Ying added a final note.
【Cao Ying: That’s my Brother Lu. Yunhai’s Corpse-Shattering Taishui. Everything in Baofan District is under him. I eat thanks to his cover.】
Seeing that,
He Gu hurried to show his phone to his dad—but discreetly deleted the line saying “my father asked to.”
“Dad, look.”
He Chaojun took the phone and read through every detail.
His expression was as flat as usual—
But his heart was pounding at Lu Ding’s terrifying track record.
Solid!
This was locked in!
The He family finally grabbed a big thigh to cling to!
That record, that talent, the status and perks he held in Yunhai’s 749…
Wasn’t he practically the Crown Prince of Yunhai?
The lines on his face, smoothened by shock, got scrunched up again by his wide grin.
“Hahahahahaha! Son!”
“Daddy’s good son! Co, sit by your father.”
He Gu: ………
He obediently sat down.
He Chaojun went on, “So, how close are you and this Cao Ying guy?”
He Gu could sense the shift imdiately and replied, “We’re like brothers.”
Of course He Chaojun didn’t believe him—but that was fine.
“Hahahaha, good, good, good. Just now Daddy was being forgetful. Been too busy lately, too many things going on. My old eyes got blurry and I mistook you for your brother He Shanhai.”
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