Lu Changsheng followed the fourth elder to the deepest part of the Qingzhu Valley, where the Lu Family ancestral hall was located.
It was his first ti visiting the Lu Family ancestral hall.
After all, such places were considered forbidden grounds of the Lu Family and were not usually accessible to outsiders.
The atmosphere around the Lu Family ancestral hall was very tranquil.
The entire hall was not particularly large in size.
It didn’t look very magnificent, rather simple and plain.
But it emitted a solemn and ancient aura.
As Lu Changsheng entered the gate of the ancestral hall, he saw ancient trees reaching for the sky and lush green bamboo.
It gave off a sense of simple tranquility amidst the solemnity.
However, now, cries were heard, breaking the solemn atmosphere.
“Wu wu wu, father, mother!”
“You left and left your son Yang alone, letting an outsider bully Yang.”
Lu Changsheng imdiately recognized the voice as that of Lu Miaoyang.
For a mont, he couldn’t connect this distressed voice with the arrogant deanor he had seen from Lu Miaoyang before.
“Lu Miaoyang isn’t lacking in brains at all; he clearly has his own reliance and fears nothing.”
Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
Before, he thought Lu Miaoyang was a brainless playboy.
But from his current behavior, he felt that Lu Miaoyang had confidence and believed that the Lu Family would favor him.
“The ancestral land should not be so noisy; this is simply outrageous!”
The fourth elder also heard the voice and her face showed anger.
Then, fearing that Lu Changsheng might worry too much, she reassured him, “It’s okay, Changsheng.”
She then led Lu Changsheng into the Lu Family ancestral hall.
Inside the hall, Lu Miaoyang’s face was swollen and bruised like a pig’s head, his body wrapped in bandages, and there was a clear blood mark on his neck.
His appearance was extrely miserable. He was holding a spirit tablet in his arms and crying loudly.
It could be said that seeing him was heartbreaking, making onlookers shed tears.
It was like seeing two completely different people compared to when Lu Changsheng first t him.
“Miaoyang, rest assured, we will handle this matter according to the clan rules, and there will be no bias towards anyone.”
“Yes, let’s talk it out. Stop crying.”
“Everyone is here. If you keep making a scene like this, what will happen?”
Several elders of the Lu Family were comforting and persuading him.
“Alright, Lu Miaoyang, Lu Changsheng is here now.”
“I will handle this matter in front of your parents as a witness!”
At this ti, Lu Yuanding also coughed twice, with a dignified look and a steady voice.
“Thank you, Patriarch!”
Upon hearing this, Lu Miaoyang stopped crying and thanked Lu Yuanding.
Then he looked at Lu Changsheng with eyes full of resentnt.
He couldn’t believe that after so many years in the Lu Family, he had never been humiliated like this before.
“Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoyang claims that you ca to his door intending to kill him. Is this true?”
At this point, Lu Yuanding also looked at Lu Changsheng and spoke with authority.
“The matter between and Lu Miaoyang is that he was at fault first.”
“He coveted my family’s spiritual pet, bullied my son with power, and when angered by embarrassnt, he even wanted to harm my son. This shows the shalessness of his actions and the maliciousness of his intentions.”
“Even if he was bitten by my cherished beast, it was his own fault!”
“This ti I returned, intending to settle things peacefully by visiting him, but he insisted on being aggressive. So I acted out of anger to teach him a lesson.”
“I didn’t kill him; that was already considering the kinship within the clan. If I truly wanted to kill him, he would be dead by now.”
“Furthermore, when I used the flying sword, it was because Lu Miaoyang first harbored intentions to kill .”
Lu Changsheng spoke with a serious expression.
“Nonsense! You clearly have no intention of reconciliation!”
“And even if I used the flying sword first, it was because you attacked first!”
Lu Miaoyang imdiately retorted angrily.
Pointing at the marks on his face and the bloodstains on his neck, he cried out, “Uncle Yuanding, Grandpa Lin, Grandpa Guang, look at my face, and here, here, all of this was caused by Lu Changsheng’s beating!”
“Dad, Mom, why did you leave Yang alone! Wu wu wu!”
Lu Miaoyang cried out miserably.
The other Lu Family elders and the fourth elder couldn’t help but shake their heads when they saw the two of them.
Lu Changsheng remained calm and recounted the situation.
While Lu Miaoyang acted unruly and stubborn, instantly making the judgnt clear.
“Lu Miaoyang, silence!”
“This matter will be judged by the clan rules, and your disturbance will not be tolerated!”
Lu Yuanding rebuked.
“Patriarch, the truth of this matter is complicated, and I do not wish to argue too much.”
“Although I am not a direct descendant of the Lu Family, after more than seven years in the Lu Family, I consider myself a part of the family and am willing to abide by the clan rules.”
“So I ask the family to make a fair judgnt on this matter!”
Lu Changsheng said in a deep voice.
He didn’t want to argue too much.
Mainly because of Lu Miaoyang’s attitude, there was really nothing worth arguing about.
It was clear that he just wanted to cause trouble and play the victim.
He couldn’t start crying and lanting about how he had been in the Lu Family for these years, could he?
“Very well, since that’s the case.”
“I, as the Patriarch, will make the judgnt according to the clan rules!”
Lu Yuanding nodded upon hearing this, but he didn’t imdiately announce the verdict.
Instead, he looked at the fourth elder, as well as several other elders and clan mbers.
It was evident that they were communicating through telepathy to decide the outco of the situation.
During the process, Lu Yuanding and several Lu Family elders seed to have heard so astonishing news, and their eyes showed surprise, amazent, and shock.
“Regarding the matter between Lu Miaoyang and Lu Changsheng, I, Patriarch, will announce the verdict!”
Patriarch Lu Yuanding spoke with authority.
“Lu Miaoyang, a descendant of the Lu Family, provoked a conflict in the Qingzhu Valley and fought with Lu Changsheng, causing a dispute. He is sentenced to one year of salary deduction, three years of house arrest, and ditation!”
“Lu Changsheng, due to improper supervision of the spiritual pet, which bit Lu Miaoyang, and engaging in another fight with him, is fined three hundred spirit stones and sentenced to three years of hard labor.”
“But considering that he did not actively provoke the incident and still needs to continue managing the family business and craftingtTalisman, the three years of hard labor will be commuted to three years of salary deduction!”
“Do you accept this verdict?”
Lu Yuanding spoke with authority.
“Patriarch, I refuse to accept it!”
“My parents shed blood for the family, contributed to the family’s success, and ultimately sacrificed themselves for the family. Yet now, you are biased towards Lu Changsheng, and favoring an outsider!”
However, as soon as the verdict was announced, Lu Miaoyang imdiately shouted.
“Lu Miaoyang!”
Lu Yuanding and the fourth elder shouted in unison.
Lu Changsheng was standing right here, yet Lu Miaoyang referred to him as an outsider.
It was important to note that Lu Changsheng was not only the son-in-law of the Lu Family but also a high-grade talisman master now!
“I refuse to accept it! I am unwilling! Lu Changsheng is just a burden to the family. If it weren’t for our Lu Family taking him in, he wouldn’t be where he is today!”
“Now he has beaten like this and almost killed , yet the family actually sides with him, helping an outsider bully their own people!”
“Ancestor, I want to see the ancestor! Wu wu wu, if the ancestor knew that you were helping an outsider bully his own people!”
Lu Miaoyang ignored the reprimands and continued to cry out loudly.
“Lu Miaoyang, Miaoyang.”
Several elders nearby saw this situation and tried to drag him away.
But Lu Miaoyang clung tightly to two spirit tablets, making it difficult for the elders to intervene.
Lu Changsheng watched this scene, feeling speechless.
He thought the Lu Family was quite tolerant.
They could tolerate soone like Lu Miaoyang causing such a scene.
If soone like him appeared in his family, they would have been slapped directly.
“No, I won’t leave. You are favoring an outsider to bully !”
“Dad, Mom, why did you leave alone, wu wu wu, I want to see the ancestor, let the ancestor make the judgnt!”
Lu Miaoyang was being dragged away, crying loudly.
However.
Just at this mont, unexpectedly.
“You rascal!”
Suddenly, a voice as ancient and deep as a bell echoed in the void.
Imdiately after, Lu Miaoyang was sent flying backward.
And the two spirit tablets in his hands floated calmly and landed above the ancestral hall, placed neatly in the positions where rows of spirit tablets were placed.
“Ancestor! Ancestor!”
“We pay our respects to the Ancestor!”
Upon hearing this voice, everyone in the ancestral hall, including Lu Yuanding, the fourth elder, and all the clan elders present, bowed in salute.
“Lu Family Ancestor!”
Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but be surprised.
He turned his head and imdiately saw an elderly man in a Qingzhu robe, with both white hair and a youthful appearance, exuding dignity, approaching.
He quickly bowed in respect.
It was his first ti seeing this Lu Family Ancestor.
Even when he married Lu Miaoyun, only the Lu Family elders ca, and he did not see this Ancestor.
He didn’t expect that things would escalate to the point where even the Lu Family Ancestor appeared.
“You rascal, is the ancestral hall a place for you to cause trouble?”
The Lu Family Ancestor looked at Lu Miaoyang nearby and directly reprimanded him.
“Ancestor, I…”
Facing the Lu Family Ancestor, even Lu Miaoyang was frightened and dared not cause any more trouble.
After all, the Lu Family Ancestor was the sky of the Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family.
He dared to act unruly and throw tantrums because of the affection the Lu Family Ancestor had for him and the debt owed to his parents.
Now that the Lu Family Ancestor had truly appeared, he didn’t dare to continue throwing tantrums.
“Yuanlong has a great reputation in his life, how could he give birth to such a disappointing thing like you!”
“If it weren’t for respect for the Yuanlong, I would have slapped you to death.”
The Lu Family Ancestor said with disappointnt.
“Don’t embarrass yourself any further.”
“Just as Yuanding said, let him reflect on his actions at ho.”
“If he dares to cause trouble again, he will be severely punished!”
The Lu Family Ancestor said directly.
“Yes, Ancestor!”
Lu Yuanding imdiately nodded respectfully.
“Yes, Ancestor!”
Two other Lu Family elders imdiately stepped forward and escorted Lu Miaoyang out of the ancestral hall.
“You are Lu Changsheng, aren’t you?”
At this mont, the Lu Family Ancestor looked at Lu Changsheng beside him and spoke.
“Lu Changsheng pays respects to the Ancestor.”
Lu Changsheng looked at the elderly man with white hair in front of him, unsure why he suddenly turned his gaze towards him, and imdiately bowed respectfully.
Although the Lu Family Ancestor in front of him had a calm deanor and didn’t exude much aura, just standing there gave him a profound and unfathomable feeling.
It was nothing like what Yun Ningrong had described, that this Lu Family Ancestor looked like he had at most ten years left to live.
Moreover…
In front of this Lu Family Ancestor, he couldn’t help but feel a prickling sensation on his back, as if the Lu Family Ancestor could see right through him.
At this mont, Lu Changsheng wasn’t sure if the jade pendant given to him by the woman in colorful robes would be of any use.
Would his cultivation level, aura, and situation be seen through by this Lu Family Ancestor?
After all, the Lu Family Ancestor before him was a foundational-stage cultivator.
“A foundational-stage Ancestor, so terrifying!”
“If he sees through and it’s dangerous, I don’t know if I’ll have ti to call for help.”
Lu Changsheng nervously thought.
He dared to lay hands on Lu Miaoyang in the Lu Family because he had so confidence in his strength.
He felt that there was no need to continue to yield unconditionally and could be a bit more assertive.
But he didn’t expect that this matter would escalate to the point where even the Lu Family Ancestor would appear.
Facing this Lu Family Ancestor, he couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.
After all, his confidence ca from the second-tier talisman and the second-tier puppet.
However, the power of the second-tier talisman was only equivalent to a casual attack from an early-stage foundational cultivator.
And the second-tier puppet couldn’t possibly be a match for a foundational-stage cultivator.
As for activating the jade pendant and seeking help from the woman in colorful robes…
But in front of such a foundational-stage cultivator, he didn’t know if he would have ti to do so.
“Well, young man, you’re quite good.”
“Since you’re my Lu Family son-in-law, you can treat this place as your own ho.”
A faint smile appeared on the elderly face of the Lu Family Ancestor.
His dry palm gently reached out and patted Lu Changsheng’s head.
This gesture made Lu Changsheng slightly startled.
He didn’t know what the Lu Family Ancestor ant.
But he cald his heart, pursed his lips, and nodded, “Yes, Ancestor.”
“I’ve always treated this place as my own ho.”
Lu Changsheng said respectfully.
“Hehe, that’s good.”
The Lu Family Ancestor chuckled and withdrew his sowhat rough hand before leaving.
“Farewell, Ancestor!”
“Farewell, Ancestor!”
“Farewell, Ancestor!”
The people present all bowed and saluted.
“Phew!”
Seeing the Lu Family Ancestor leave, Lu Changsheng also breathed a sigh of relief.
In this short mont, he felt a cold sweat break out on his back.
“What’s the situation with this Lu Family Ancestor?”
“Did he see sothing from ?”
Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but wonder.
He couldn’t understand why this Lu Family Ancestor would pay attention to him.
“Changseng, everything’s fine now.”
At this mont, the Fourth Elder looked at Lu Changsheng and smiled. Then she whispered, “When the ti cos for the family to impose that spirit stone penalty, Grandma will take care of it for you.”
“It’s okay, Grandma.”
Lu Changsheng cald his mind and gently shook his head. He could sense that the judgnt was already biased in his favor.
He speculated that the Fourth Elder might have inford Lu Yuanding about his promotion to a high-tier Talisman Master.
“You should, this little amount of spirit stones is nothing to Grandma.”
The Fourth Elder waved her hand and said warmly.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Seeing this, Lu Changsheng didn’t insist any further. He knew it was a gesture of goodwill.
“Well, it’s getting late. You rushed back in a hurry and have been busy all day. Go back and rest early. If you have anything, just co and tell Grandma.”
The Fourth Elder led Lu Changsheng away from the Lu Family Shrine and spoke out.
“Yes, Grandma.”
Lu Changsheng nodded slightly and walked towards ho.
He was still pondering over the matter of the Lu Family Ancestor, wanting to know why he had taken an interest in him.
“Anyway, for now, this Lu Family Ancestor doesn’t seem to harbor any hostility towards .”
Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
He didn’t dwell too much on it and quickly headed ho.
After all, worrying about this was just inviting trouble for himself.
If a foundational-stage cultivator truly harbored ill intentions towards him, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
He couldn’t just cast the Demonic Curse of Fate on the Lu Family Ancestor tonight, could he?
When Lu Changsheng returned ho, he imdiately saw a group of wives waiting for him in the courtyard.
“Husband, how did it go?”
Lu Miaoyun and the other wives approached him, their eyes full of concern.
“It’s all settled now,” Lu Changsheng waved his hand and briefed Lu Miaoyun on the outco.
“This matter wasn’t our fault to begin with. Moreover, my husband is now a high-tier Talisman Master. Even if the family imposes a penalty according to the rules, they will consider my husband’s status!” Lu Miaoyun said, linking arms with Lu Changsheng.
“You’ve worked hard, husband.”
“We haven’t even congratulated my husband on becoming a high-tier Talisman Master!”
“Yes, congratulations, husband, on becoming a high-tier Talisman Master!”
“Congratulations, husband!”
“Congratulations, husband, on advancing further on the path to immortality!”
The other wives also congratulated him one after another.
“Alright, alright, let’s celebrate properly tonight!” Lu Changsheng exclaid, waving his hand. After all, becoming a high-tier Talisman Master was indeed sothing worth celebrating.
Upon hearing Lu Changsheng’s words, the wives couldn’t help but blush slightly.
In a secluded corner of Qingzhu Valley, in a courtyard filled with spiritual energy and the fragrance of flowers, the Lu Family Ancestor was reclining on a lounge chair, resting with his eyes closed, while listening to Lu Yuanding report on the situation of the Lu Family.
Several Lu Family elders were waiting nearby.
“As for the Chen Family, it’s ti to strike back. Otherwise, they’ll all think I’m on my last legs. Establishing authority is necessary and will save us a lot of trouble,”
The Lu Family Ancestor said calmly.
“Yes, Ancestor,”
Lu Yuanding imdiately nodded in agreent.
“By the way, tell more about this Lu Changsheng,”
The Lu Family Ancestor suddenly asked, as if he had just rembered sothing.
Everyone was sowhat surprised that the Ancestor was inquiring about Lu Changsheng’s situation.
Imdiately, Lu Yuanding explained Lu Changsheng’s situation, and the Fourth Elder supplented it.
“It seems that this young man is a person with great fortune and luck,”
The Lu Family Ancestor said, opening his eyes and speaking leisurely.
Today, he had co to the Lu Family Shrine on a whim after hearing the commotion.
But when he saw Lu Changsheng, he found that he couldn’t see through him.
This surprised him greatly, causing him to take a few more glances.
He knew that there was a secret fortune accompanying the young man.
With Lu Yuanding and the Fourth Elder’s words at this mont, he was almost certain that Lu Changsheng was a person of great fortune.
“A person of great fortune!”
Upon hearing these words, everyone looked at each other in astonishnt.
They hadn’t expected the Lu Family Ancestor to praise Lu Changsheng in such a manner.
The concept of fortune and luck was mystical, but it undeniably existed in the cultivation world.
So people faced nurous calamities throughout their lives, while others enjoyed continuous strokes of luck.
Those who experienced such extraordinary luck were often referred to as individuals of great fortune.
For individuals like this, even if their aptitude wasn’t exceptional, they could still rise to prominence with the support of their extraordinary luck and fortuitous encounters.
In the cultivation world, anyone who could make a na for themselves could be considered a person of great fortune.
“If this young man truly possesses great fortune, he will undoubtedly achieve significant accomplishnts in the future. If he can fully integrate into our Lu Family, he could also lend his strength to our family,”
The Lu Family Ancestor said slowly.
Then, he sighed and added, “However, you all need to make good use of your ti. I won’t be able to protect you for much longer. If you haven’t reached the Foundation Establishnt stage yet, it might be best to leave Qingzhu Mountain and start your own lives separately, lest…”
“Ancestor!”
“Ancestor, you’re still in the pri of your life. How could you say such things?”
“Yes, Ancestor!”
Everyone hurriedly spoke up, but they couldn’t help feeling a sense of lancholy in their hearts.
They were well aware of the Lu Family Ancestor’s situation. Although his injuries had healed, his lifespan was already limited.
That night…
“After you asked today, what Yun’er would choose if you wanted to leave,”
Lu Miaoyun nestled in Lu Changsheng’s arms, her eyes filled with tenderness as she said softly, “Since Yun’er is married to you, if you truly want to leave the Lu Family, Yun’er will naturally go with you.”
“I was just asking casually, I didn’t an to leave,”
Lu Changsheng replied gently, knowing that his dayti inquiry had unsettled her.
“If I were to leave, where else could I go? You don’t need to worry.”
In truth, he didn’t expect Lu Miaoyun to make a firm decision to leave the Lu Family with him just because he ntioned it.
If it were that easy to persuade soone to leave, then marrying won from the Lu Family would be aningless, and it would only add another layer of constraint.
After all, families like the Lu Family instilled in their mbers the notion that they should prioritize the interests and risks associated with the family. Such ingrained beliefs were not easily reversed.
“Okay,” Lu Miaoyun murmured softly, then suddenly gasped, “Mm… husband, I’m feeling unwell. You should go find the others… sisters…”
Before she could finish her sentence, her voice beca intermittent and incoherent.
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