There's a saying that with age cos cunning.
Luo Yunhai was just such a man.
Having spent his entire life navigating the treacherous halls of power, treading on thin ice for decades, his ability to sense and predict danger far exceeded that of ordinary people.
The Wang Family had been annihilated, and the Falcon Master had been injured.
All these signs indicated that the Forr Chief Military Commander had not settled down after the end of that national war. Instead, he continued his campaign of slaughter against the noble families.
Rumors even circulated that the Forr Chief Military Commander had drawn up a list and planned to deal with each person on it one by one.
He didn't even need to guess. Luo Yunhai, and the entire Luo Family, were surely on that list. Luo Chen's death was rely the beginning.
「Tomorrow.」
It was the day of Luo Chen's funeral procession, and the morial service would be held concurrently.
As one of the preeminent and powerful families in Cangyun City, their slightest move beca the focus of public attention. With Luo Chen having been publicly executed and so much ti passing without the culprit being brought to justice, the Luo Family had already suffered a great blow to their reputation.
In an effort to reverse their fortunes, Luo Yunhai had decreed that the funeral must be an extravagant affair. Distinguished figures from all circles would be in attendance, all to help the Luo Family regain so face. But if any disturbance or ruckus occurred at the funeral, it would not just be a matter of losing face. The entire Luo Family would beco a laughingstock.
In addition, Luo Yunhai's eldest grandson was soon to be married. If the funeral were canceled, the damage to their reputation would be the least of their worries. Invitations had already been sent out, and a sudden cancellation would be a show of disrespect to the upper-echelon guests who had already agreed to attend.
Therefore, the funeral had to go on! And it had to be a grand one!
Since he was so concerned, he had to ensure the funeral proceeded as planned, no matter the cost.
"In my entire life, what storms have I, Luo Yunhai, not weathered? Chen Yang, you may be powerful, but I am no pushover!"
"With one foot already in the grave, at this final stage of my life, surely I, Luo Yunhai, won't capsize in the gutter?"
「As night fell.」
The snowstorm reached its peak.
Luo Yunhai stood at the entrance of the main hall, one hand behind his back and the other holding a teacup. He appeared as calm as still water, but his heart was roiling with anxiety.
He had thought he could simply enjoy his twilight years in peace. But now... This was infuriating!
Luo Chen's death ant little to the Luo Family as a whole, but... he was afraid. Afraid that this was only the beginning! Afraid that the Forr Chief Military Commander's sword was now pointed at him, Luo Yunhai, and at the entire Luo Family.
After all, he, Luo Yunhai, was the commander-in-chief at the start of the national war. It was he who had pushed for Chen Jian's promotion despite the opposition. And the result? Battle after battle was lost, costing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Martial Guards. Given the Forr Chief Military Commander's attachnt to the Martial Departnt and his way of doing things, a disaster was likely looming.
"Master, the air is heavy with cold. You should rest early," an old butler prompted in a low voice as he draped a cotton coat over Luo Yunhai's shoulders.
Luo Yunhai remained silent. The fierce winds drove the snow at a sharp angle. At this mont, he had lost his forr vitality, replaced by a desolate solitude. It was as if he stood at the crossroads of his very survival.
"Have the four great imperial clans sent their people?" Luo Yunhai suddenly asked.
"Representatives from the Southern Imperial Clan have arrived and confird they will attend tomorrow. The other two clans we contacted have yet to respond."
Luo Yunhai nodded. "Good, that's good." He clenched his teacup tightly and added in a solemn tone, "Also, I want you to go personally and invite every top Fist Master in Cangyun City. Spare no expense."
The implication was clear: use money to overwhelm them. Every single one he could hire was another layer of protection. His innate vigilance told him one imperial clan alone was not enough to give him a true sense of security.
It's just money. As long as the funeral goes off without a hitch, any price is worth paying.
"Very well, Master," the butler agreed, but he couldn't help but ask, "Master, is it really necessary to make such a fuss over a *re* Forr Chief Military Commander? It's not even certain he would dare to show up."
"'re'?" Luo Yunhai laughed. "Without him, there would have been no chance of winning that national war! And you use the word 're' to describe a man who dares to confront the four great imperial clans head-on?"
"Even if there's only a one percent chance he'll co, I must make ten-thousand-percent preparations. You don't understand how formidable that man is."
If he could do it all over again, would he still have chosen to oppose him after becoming the Great Elder?
Staring out at the raging snowstorm, Luo Yunhai narrowed his eyes.
He didn't know the answer. But now, he certainly felt a twinge of regret.
The next day, the snowstorm still raged over Cangyun City.
"Did you hear? The Luo Family spent a fortune hiring countless local masters. They claim it's to 'enhance the funeral's prestige,' but it's obvious they're preparing for soone to cause trouble."
"And yesterday, Luo Chen's wife was killed in the hospital. Countless people saw it happen!"
Early in the morning, the gossip about the Luo Family was rampant.
Luo Yunhai had intended to keep things as low-profile as possible, but matters had spiraled out of his control. Reluctantly, he could only set the stage. There was only one path forward now: to lure the snake out of its hole.
「Huangshan Road.」
The only main thoroughfare leading to the Luo Family estate.
From a bird's-eye view, a procession of luxurious cars entered in an orderly fashion. Both sides of the road were lined with a sea of black umbrellas. Many wished to ingratiate themselves with the Luo Family but lacked the status to enter. They could only stand in the snowstorm, a silent display of their sincerity.
The dark, dense crowd snaked along the road like a long black dragon. This small glimpse alone was a testant to the Luo Family's influence in Cangyun City.
「Inside the Luo Family Ancestral Mansion.」
White Banners fluttered in the wind. A funeral bell tolled. The air was thick with the haze of funeral incense.
mbers of the Luo Family, dressed in hemp mourning clothes, stood in neat rows on both sides of the main gate to receive the guests.
Luo Yunhai stood in the rear hall. On the table, his phone was playing the video of Luo Chen kneeling to apologize and confess his misdeeds.
BANG.
With a single palm strike, the phone and the table beneath it shattered into splinters.
The video—a clip he had personally seen banned—was once again spreading across the internet. It was an unmistakable signal.
CLICK.
Pacing back and forth, Luo Yunhai lit a cigarette. But his thoughts churned too violently for any respite. He took only two drags before forcefully snuffing out the fla.
Outside, the snowstorm grew more ferocious. Inside the rear hall, the atmosphere was frozen solid. Luo Yunhai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, utterly silent. Only his cold eyes darted about, glinting with anger, killing intent, and an overwhelming sense of unease.
He's really coming.
Despite all his preparations, Luo Yunhai couldn't calm the disquiet in his heart. His eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably.
Taking a deep breath, Luo Yunhai instructed the old butler, "Have Changyao see to the guests. I will be out shortly."
"Yes, Master!"
Luo Yunhai lit another cigarette. He looked out at the snowstorm that had been raging for two straight days, squinting as he took a slow drag.
His hands trembled uncontrollably.
...
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