"Young Master, no!"
"Liugou Village is dangerous. Young Master Yun Feng got into trouble because of it."
"The Master has already ordered us to forbid setting foot in Liugou Village again because of this."
Li San immediately became anxious, hastily trying to persuade Lu Xuan to abandon this idea.
Even his superior, Li Mingzhong, the head guard of the Lu Family and a Martial Artist in the Refined Flesh Realm, avoids speaking of Liugou Village.
Let alone himself; he's just barely reached the Skin Refining Realm.
The young master, although diligently practicing his swordsmanship since childhood, is still too young to understand the dangers of the outside world.
Seeing Lu Xuan unmoved, Li San continued his last-ditch effort to dissuade him, speaking earnestly.
"Young Master, regarding Young Master Yun Feng, we can inform the county office directly and have the officials there take revenge for him."
"Your life is invaluable. You mustn't risk yourself."
Li San determinedly believed that the young master intended to investigate the truth in Liugou Village and avenge Young Master Yun Feng.
Liugou Village had become a nightmare for Li San, and he'd rather die than return there.
If the young master insisted on going, he would rather leave the Lu Family altogether.
There might still be a sliver of hope!
"Hmph!"
"These matters are not for you to consider. I have my own plans."
A dull roar filled the Lu Family hall, an unseen wind arose, and an overwhelming pressure descended upon Li San like a tidal wave.
Li San suddenly felt an invisible force pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe, and he collapsed to the ground.
Then, this unbearable pressure on Li San, as quickly as it had come, vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.
As if all that had happened was nothing but an illusion.
"Here's ten taels of silver, take it and consider it your reward."
Immediately, a silvery object flew through the air, landing precisely in Li San's arms.
Upon seeing the silvery object clearly, Li San's face lit up with joy. He quickly took it, stood up, and bowed deeply to Lu Xuan.
"Li San thanks the young master!"
Ten taels of silver!
Li San's annual income amounted to only three taels of silver, so this gift represented over three years of earnings.
No wonder Li San, without regard for his image, looked as though he'd won the lottery.
People die for wealth, just as birds do for food.
At this point, Li San had no intention of dissuading Lu Xuan further because Lu Xuan had given him far too much.
So much that Li San couldn't refuse.
Of course, there was another reason: Li San felt his back drenched in sweat.
He was shocked to realize how terrifyingly powerful the young master was.
With just a hint of anger from the young master, Li San felt immense pressure, as if he were standing before a prehistoric beast, utterly insignificant.
The young master's power and the ten taels of silver in his hands urged Li San to muster his courage.
What was there to fear about mere Liugou Village?
"Well, go and prepare now."
"Remember, the matter of going to Liugou Village is known only to you and me."
"Even if the Master asks, you mustn't reveal it and just say I am going on a trip."
"Yes, young master, I'll prepare the carriage at once."
Li San's attitude toward Lu Xuan became even more respectful than before.
Lu Xuan quietly watched Li San's departing figure without a word.
During their conversation, he had been closely observing Li San's every move.
All his actions, expressions, and heartbeat matched the usual, without any deviation.
This proved that Li San hadn't lied or concealed anything from him.
It wasn't without reason that Lu Xuan was cautious; after all, he was about to face something beyond ordinary comprehension, so it was never too much to be cautious.
Liugou Village!
I hope it won't disappoint me, as it is crucial for the System Points.
...
Night fell, yet the Lu Family hall remained brightly lit with candles. Two people sat in the hall.
They were the Lu Family Patriarch, Lu Jiahe, and Lu Xuan.
"What!"
"Xuan, are you leaving the county? Why so suddenly? Where are you planning to go?"
Lu Jiahe was filled with worry, looking at Lu Xuan with an unusually concerned expression.
"Father, there's no need to worry. I have honed my martial arts for a long time and will not encounter any danger."
"I will return in a few days."
Seeing Lu Xuan's determined look, Lu Jiahe had no choice but to let go and abandon his attempt to dissuade him.
He then said to Lu Xuan:
"Xuan, then take the Lu Family guards with you as a precaution."
"The world outside the county is dangerous, and having more people with you will help."
"No need, Father. Bringing Li San is enough. I'm only going out to gain experience, and I'll be back soon."
"Alright then, Xuan, be careful."
Having said all this, Lu Jiahe couldn't say much more.
Xuan had always been steady and careful since childhood, and since he said so, he must have thought it through.
Thinking of this, Lu Jiahe didn't stop Lu Xuan anymore, but he did give a final piece of heartfelt advice.
"Xuan, although you are strong in martial arts, beware of the wickedness of human nature and be careful in all things."
"I understand, Father."
...
The next day!
The county gates swung open, and a constant stream of people and vehicles moved in and out, while street vendors eagerly called out to passersby.
At this moment, a simple-looking carriage drew near, with a man sitting on either side.
One was Li San and the other a seemingly honest, large man.
The large man was also a Lu family servant responsible for driving the carriage.
Sitting inside the carriage was a young man, Lu Xuan.
As the carriage slowly traveled along the county's cobblestone roads.
It came to a halt at the county gates.
A long line of people, all wishing to leave the county, stretched before them.
As time passed, it came to be Lu Xuan's turn. The coachman guided the carriage and stopped before the gate guards.
In the blink of an eye, Li San, with quick reflexes, pulled out a wooden token from his bosom, with "Lu Family Pharmacy" engraved upon it.
He held it with both hands, smiling as he presented it to the gate guards.
"Officer, this is the carriage of the Lu Family Pharmacy; inside is the young master of Lu Family Pharmacy, please have a look."
"The young master of Lu Family Pharmacy?"
The guard at the gate, upon hearing Li San's words, became serious and also extended his hands to receive the token from Li San.
He certainly knew of the Lu Family Pharmacy.
It was the largest pharmacy in the county, and the old master of the Lu Family was the most esteemed and skilled physician in the county.
Even he had received the old master's treatment in the past.
However, the young master of Lu Family Pharmacy was not someone he recalled being particularly noteworthy.