Chapter 471: Chapter 301: Neither Rest Nor Respite!

Lu Dongsheng had seen a lot in his time, but when he saw the man who walked in, his expression was still one of shock, and he nearly shattered the teacup lid he was holding in his hand.

“Uncle, long time no see.” The man walked up to Lu Dongsheng and bowed respectfully.

Lu Dongsheng stared at Lu Yu with wide eyes, a myriad of things suddenly clicking into place for him—mysteries that had previously puzzled him now had answers.

“Lu Yu?!” Lu Dongsheng said in a heavy tone.

This was his nephew, one of the people he valued and held most dear.

Yet now, he seemed so unfamiliar.

His transformation was so drastic, his frame lean and hunched over, his back severely bent forward.

His hair was fine, long, and lifeless, streaked with an abundance of gray among the black.

His face was lined with wrinkles, deeply etched, making him appear much older than his actual age.

Lu Dongsheng held a high position and took care of his appearance, looking tall and robust, in the prime of life.

It was no exaggeration to say that now, Lu Yu looked more like Lu Dongsheng’s uncle.

“What has he experienced all these years outside?”

Lu Dongsheng felt both heartache and pity.

This was Lu Family’s most outstanding talent, the brightest young star in Star Sky—how could he have fallen into such a wretched state?

Lu Yu flashed a smile and said, “What’s wrong? Uncle, don’t you recognize me?”

“The change is too great.” Seeing his smile, Lu Dongsheng felt an even greater sourness in his heart and asked, “When did you come back?”

“I’ve been back for a while now,” Lu Yu said.

There was no need to hide such things; having chosen to stand in front of his uncle, he was determined to be as transparent as possible.

Because this was obvious at a glance, Lu Zhiyong would have known if he just asked.

“Been back for a while?” Lu Dongsheng’s brows furrowed as he asked, “Why only tell me now? What is it? Am I not considered Lu Family anymore?”

Lu Qingshan lay in his wheelchair, breathing heavily; with each breath, the nutrient tank behind his wheelchair bubbled and gurgled.

He showed no intention of making excuses for his son; having caused the trouble himself, it was up to him to figure out a solution.

“Uncle, I didn’t know what identity to use to face you all,” Lu Yu said in a low voice, his face filled with shame, “I didn’t even know if I should appear before you.”

Lu Qingshan’s eyelids twitched, but ultimately, he remained silent.

“You carry the blood of the Lu Family, why shouldn’t you appear before us?” Lu Dongsheng raised his voice, “What? Abandoning your parents and family, abandoning the clan too?”

“I am a criminal.”

“Bullshit.” Lu Dongsheng waved his hand emphatically, rebuking, “What really happened? Outsiders may not know, but do you think we don’t understand? Tang Li was just too formidable, his accomplishments eclipsed those above, and the Royal Family feared they couldn’t control him, so they purged his entire faction…”

“What wrong did Tang Li do? What wrong did Tang family commit? Because he won thirty-one consecutive victories, becoming the national hero and god of war? Because they defeated the Aus Empire so thoroughly, they couldn’t even raise their heads and were forced to cower in the Chaotic Star Abyss? Because he dispersed and pained the Risley Nine Countries Alliance Army, to the point where they had no choice but to establish the Federation for self-preservation?”

“If you are criminals, then what is the Royal Family? What about those Executioners who aided tyranny?” Lu Dongsheng, getting emotional himself, raised his voice, “At the time, you wanted the family to step in to help Tang family, and we refused. To insist on doing something clearly impossible, that’s not loyalty, that’s stupidity.”

“The Lu Family has stood tall for a thousand years, not just because of our technology, but also because we know how to gauge the times and situations. If we just blindly barged ahead, the Lu Family would have been finished long ago. How many people covet what we have? The Royal Family wants to take down the nine major families, so why target the Lu Family first?”

“Because they know they have to bring down the Lu Family first to feel secure. They’re worried we’ll stab them in the back…”

Lu Qingshan interrupted and said, “We’re getting off-topic. Is this why we came together today?”

“I just mean to say, we did not help Tang family, we didn’t do the deed, but does that mean Lu Yu is no longer part of our Lu Family? That’s nonsense.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Lu Yu said gratefully.

“Don’t talk about such empty things,” Lu Dongsheng waved his hand, looking at Lu Yu and asking, “Is that Tang kid yours? Did you bring him back from Old Land?”

“He’s my man, but I did not bring him back.”

“What do you mean? It wasn’t your doing? Is it really as the rumors say, just a coincidence that he saved the Princess?”

“It’s exactly as so.”

“Heh heh…” Lu Dongsheng gave a wry laugh and said, “How come I just don’t believe it? Isn’t that a bit too coincidental?”

“It is somewhat coincidental.”

“If I didn’t know Tang Fei was connected to you, I might have doubts too. But now, knowing Tang Fei is your man, I don’t believe it for a second,” Lu Dongsheng said, looking at Lu Yu, “You’ve always been scheming. Tang Li’s rise to such heights is inseparably linked to you. Too early for the Princess to face danger, too late for her to face danger, but then she suddenly faces danger in Old Land?”

“Desolate places are suited for action.”

“That makes sense,” Lu Dongsheng nodded, continuing, “But Old Land is so vast, how did it just happen to occur right under that kid’s nose? Look up, and a Little Princess falls from the sky… Heh heh heh, do you expect anyone to believe that?”

“…”

Lu Dongsheng’s face darkened as he looked at Lu Yu and asked in a stern voice, “Lu Yu, what exactly are you planning to do with that kid here?”

Lu Yu remained silent.

Lu Dongsheng only stared at Lu Yu with sparkling eyes, waiting for an answer.

The only sound in the room was Lu Qingshan’s heavy breathing.

——

Is Wang Wenyou pitiable? Pitiable indeed.

But sympathetic? Not in the least.

Tang Fei wasn’t the kind of person whose heart overflowed with love, easily empathizing with others; on the contrary, his early life experiences had hardened his heart to be even colder and more merciless.

If you’ve done something wrong, you have to admit it; when you’re getting beaten, you stand straight.

Everyone was originally either a hunter or prey. The hunters have finally caged the prey, yet they look sadly at the poor little animal and say how pitiable it is.

Are they sick?

Tang Fei believed in the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest. He knew that if he were in Wang Wenyou’s position, his methods might be even more brutal.

“Do you think that by arranging a safety net for your wife and children, all you have to do is spend a few years in here and then you can continue to enjoy the warmth of your family?”

“Do you think that by taking on the crimes of others, they’ll feel indebted to you and remember your kindness? Or perhaps, before you came in, someone made you a promise?”

“I believe they will honor their promise, and I’d like to believe they are grateful people. But… have you ever thought about how your family might change during the years you’re locked up?”

“You’ve seen it yourself, your wife… she already has her new life. Of course, such a woman isn’t worth our longing, let alone sacrificing anything for her.”

“But what about your son? When your wife is rolling in the sheets with that buff fitness coach, in the car, in the hotel room, what happens to your son?”

“He’s not even five years old, is he? Is he getting enough to eat? Is he warm? Does anyone care about his life? Can anyone reach into his inner world?”

“Stop talking. Stop talking,” Wang Wenyou, with tears in his eyes, pleaded and howled, covering his ears, refusing to listen to Tang Fei’s words, “I beg you, stop… stop talking…”

“What if your wife and the fitness coach truly have feelings for each other? They decide to be together? What happens to your son then? Let me say something alarming… maybe even your son’s safety would be an issue.”

“After all, you’ve left them such a huge fortune. Anyone who sees it would be tempted… I’m just making a comparison, don’t read too much into it… but would they try to get rid of your son, who is in their way?”

With bloodshot eyes, Wang Wenyou glared at Tang Fei and shouted, “What do you really want? What the hell do you want?”

Smack!

Tang Fei threw a blank sheet of paper in front of Wang Wenyou and said without any expression, “I’m giving you another chance.”

He paused, then added, “This is your last chance.”

Wang Wenyou looked at the blank sheet of paper in front of him, his expression fierce, as if he was facing some great calamity.

——

While Tang Fei was sleeping soundly in his office chair, Lin Hai pushed the door open and came in, saying, “Captain, Wang Wenyou has confessed.”

Ever since Shen Yan and Wang Chao were shot, the members of the Supervision Bureau Fifth Division’s second team hadn’t returned.

They all worked overtime in the office, conducting interrogations and investigating to find the mastermind behind the shooting.

Everyone was determined to solve the case as soon as possible.

Wang Chao was dead; Shen Yan was seriously injured…

If they didn’t avenge their brothers, then who would stand up for them when they found themselves in the same situation?

As the captain of the second team, Tang Fei naturally had to lead by example.

Shen Yan was lying in the hospital and hadn’t come out, so Tang Fei hadn’t gone home from the Supervision Bureau.

He had been busy running around, working day and night on the case.

When he was tired, he’d take a rest on the office chair.

Rubbing his eyes, Tang Fei asked, “Did he confess everything?”

“I think it’s pretty much there,” Lin Hai looked at Tang Fei with more respect than the others, and said, “He’s eager to get out and has spilled a lot.”

“Did you write up the statement?”

“We did.”

“And the video statement?”

“We did that too.”

Tang Fei nodded and said, “Call the guys, we’re going to make an arrest.”

“Yes, captain,” Lin Hai replied respectfully.

——

Lu Yunhang, a core direct descendant of the Lu Family, one of the nine major families, and the head of the Mechanical Design Institute, was taken back by the Monitoring Bureau just four days after he had walked out safely from their premises.

The entire Phoenix City was buzzing, everyone knew that the Monitoring Bureau was relentless in their pursuit against the Lu Family.

And that youthful executioner was once again thrust into the eye of the storm.