Lu Family Banquet

King Wu's face was extremely displeased.

Though he appeared calm, turbulent undercurrents raged in his heart.

His fingers kept tapping on the table.

Finally, the tapping stopped, and Manager Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Gathering his courage, he asked. "My lord, has Fang Zheng personally gone to Haiyuan City?"

"Even if he has, it doesn't matter. He might get in, but he won't necessarily get out!"

"Why not take this opportunity to..."

Manager Chen made a vicious slashing gesture across his neck.

King Wu frowned. "Killing him wouldn't be difficult, but if he dies in Haiyuan City, Imperial Brother will surely be furious and might send troops to take Haiyuan City directly. When that happens, heh, would our people still remain loyal?"

Manager Chen's eyes darted around. "My lord, even if he goes, he might not discover our connection, and Lu Young Master has always been cautious. Without our message, Xie Xian should still be inside Haiyuan City."

King Wu shook his head slightly and stood up. "This matter carries too much risk."

Alliances formed for profit naturally crumble when profits are threatened.

If the Lu family leaves witnesses, they'll likely confess everything to save themselves.

"Heh... heh, this king has schemed for so many years, only to be disrupted by Fang Zheng! Time and again!" As he spoke, King Wu's face showed anger, and he slammed his fist on the table.

Killing them would be pointless. The emperor would certainly continue his investigation, and killing would solve nothing.

If they didn't kill them, Xie Xian had already infiltrated Haiyuan City and accessed some information, which was also troublesome.

A difficult choice lay before him either way...

King Wu sighed dejectedly, looking at the various decorations in the room with a hint of confusion in his eyes, mixed with determination.

"Make arrangements. We're going to Haiyuan City!"

Inside Haiyuan City.

Xie Xian and the others gathered in a side room.

He appeared noticeably thinner.

After all, drinking tea every day and repeatedly "conquering the female spy" consumed a lot of energy!

The rest of the group looked enviously at the slimmed-down Xie Xian.

They all felt the urge to lose weight.

Zhou Tie held his teacup, looking listless, and complained. "I say, Old Xie, it's been almost two months, hasn't it? The Lu family still won't let you leave the city. How long will they keep us hanging?"

Xie Xian sighed. "I don't know. Every day I go to the Lu family, it's just eating, drinking, and having fun. Exhausting! Really exhausting!"

Everyone immediately glared at him in anger!

"But from the looks of it, this Young Master Lu is very cautious, not trusting me at all."

"But from what Du Lingfeng implied, the Lu family has asked him to investigate my background. Fortunately, Du Lingfeng seems to trust me, so once my 'family' arrives in Haiyuan City, I should be allowed out."

"I've already told Master in my letter, so people should be on their way. Don't forget to keep an eye on Nong Yu."

Zhou Tie crossed his arms and said enviously. "Why is it always you who gets to enjoy the good life? Last time in Jianjiang, you were feasting on meat and fish, and now this. It's so unfair! The rest of us brothers are cooped up in the room all day, bored to death."

"Education changes fate!" Xie Xian stood up, shaking his sleeves with a proud expression. "But I feel like things should wrap up soon. During the first few days, Lu Renjie was very warm toward me, but he seems to have cooled off these past few days."

"Oh? How so?" Zhou Tie asked curiously.

Qian Desheng interrupted. "What else could it be? This is the art of managing subordinates. Of course, you first show a good face, then use methods to suppress and subdue them!"

Xie Xian nodded in agreement. "Correct. First wine and dine, then behead, and finally collect as a dog. Master uses the same approach."

"Is that so... you scholars have so many tricks. Why didn't Master invite me for a meal when I first came to the county?" Zhou Tie seemed lost in thought.

Qian Desheng didn't miss a chance to mock him, immediately saying in a weird tone. "You went straight to being a dog! Why waste a meal? Deserter!"

"I'll kill you!"

Just as the two were about to fight again, everyone rushed to pull them apart.

Xie Xian wore a bitter expression. If he had known, he wouldn't have brought these two hotheads. They fought from morning till night and didn't seem to be of much use.

"Master Xie! Du Lingfeng has arrived and is waiting for you outside!" someone called.

Xie Xian said. "Hey! Stop fighting, I'm getting ready to leave."

Zhao Lie approached Xie Xian with a bag of items.

Three guns, fire sticks, and signal fireworks for emergency use.

Xie Xian had several hidden pockets sewn into his clothes, just enough to hold these items.

After getting dressed, he pushed open the door and went out.

Seeing him arrive, Du Lingfeng immediately broke into a smile.

In Haiyuan City, he only enjoyed talking with Xie Xian.

Somehow, Brother Xie gave him the impression of being well-traveled and knowledgeable, and his speech was sincere and manner gentle.

Though the Lu mansion was a merchant family, its hierarchy was strict, with superiors treating subordinates like dogs, which was quite oppressive!

Staying in Haiyuan City for so long, being able to drink tea and discuss literature with Xie Xian was a pleasant diversion.

"Brother Xie! Let's go for tea!" Du Lingfeng said.

Xie Xian was surprised, looking up at Du Lingfeng on horseback. "Didn't you say we were going to see Young Master Lu?"

Du Lingfeng smiled. "It's still early! They told me evening. Let's go have some tea first!"

"We'll probably drink ourselves silly tonight, better line our stomachs with something first."

Xie Xian didn't ask further, mounted his horse, and accompanied Du Lingfeng to the teahouse.

At the teahouse, they ordered a few small dishes and a pot of clear tea. Du Lingfeng eagerly said. "Brother Xie, last time you were telling me about Journey to the West. Let's continue!"

"Where did I leave off?"

"The White Bone Demon married Sun Wukong, and she calls him 'Kong Kong,' while he calls her 'Jing Jing'..."

Uh... Xie Xian was speechless for a moment, unable to remember.

Method had only told him half the story, and at this point, he couldn't continue.

The beginning had been quite normal, so how did it suddenly turn into a romance?

"Brother Du! Let's not talk about this for now. I'll tell you about Water Margin later! First, tell me what we're doing at the Lu family tonight."

"Previously when Young Master Lu summoned me, it was always during the day. Is there an important guest coming today?"

"Um... that..." Du Lingfeng looked embarrassed. "Not really, just a regular banquet."

"Several newly promoted salt merchants have arrived in Haiyuan City. Young Master Lu, seeing that most people are here, invited everyone to get acquainted."

Noticing his strange expression, Xie Xian pressed. "Brother Du, from your face... this dinner seems unusual."

Du Lingfeng forced a smile and lowered his voice. "The Young Master likes women, you know. With so many newcomers this time, naturally women won't be absent from the banquet."

"Some things... you and I might not like, but we have to endure!"

Xie Xian frowned. "What things? Why so secretive?"

"Just... men and women... a group of people..." The more Du Lingfeng tried to explain, the more uncomfortable he looked.

This kind of thing was really difficult to talk about!