Hearing Bai Wenrong's words, Cheng Weishan nodded emphatically and swore he would make Wu Xin feel exceptionally pleased.
This meant that with Cheng Yunsu now crippled, he would do everything in his power to help Wu Xin torment her however she pleased.
Smiling and nodding, Bai Wenrong spoke again.
"My dear in-law, there is one more thing I must tell you."
"For my daughter, Bai Xin, to marry your son as his second wife is already a great injustice to her. Therefore, not only must you put all your effort into cultivating Yunxiang, but I also demand that you help my precious grandson, Bai Lu, get into the Imperial Academy."
Cheng Weishan's expression turned ugly. 'Cheng Yunxiang is my grandson; of course, I'll train him.'
'But Bai Lu? What the hell does that have to do with me?'
But in the end, he had no choice but to agree. Who else was he to blame? He was the one asking for the favor.
At this, Bai Wenrong's smile grew even more triumphant.
But just then, Bai Heng's voice crashed in from outside. "Father, Lu'er is dead!"
The smile froze on his face. Bai Wenrong shot to his feet.
Cheng Weishan's eyes widened in shock, but a moment later, a wave of immense satisfaction washed over him.
'Heh heh. My genius granddaughter was turned into a cripple, but your genius grandson dropped dead. Looks like I'm the one feeling good now.'
Just then, Bai Heng burst into the main hall of the Bai Mansion, crying out wretchedly, "Father, Lu'er is dead! He was murdered!"
Bai Wenrong's face went ashen with rage.
Ignoring Cheng Weishan's presence, he roared frantically, "What happened? Weren't you taking Lu'er to the Cheng Mansion to meet your sister and trick Cheng Yunsu out of her Imperial Academy Martial Techniques?"
That was right. Bai Heng and his son had just arrived at the Cheng Mansion with the very intention of deceiving Cheng Yunsu.
Bai Xin was to swindle the bracelet, while Bai Heng and Bai Lu were to swindle the Martial Techniques. Their goal was to squeeze every last drop of value out of Cheng Yunsu.
In their eyes, there was no way Wu Xin would let Cheng Yunsu live.
This was, in essence, exploiting a dead woman walking.
Trembling, Bai Heng quickly replied, "He was killed... at the Cheng Mansion."
The words had barely been spoken when the look of extreme satisfaction on Cheng Weishan's face vanished. He quickly pressed, "Who was it? Who was so audacious?"
'Killed in my Cheng Mansion?'
'This is big trouble. Bai Wenrong will definitely refuse to plead my case with Wu Xin now.'
"It was that country bumpkin! That Life-taking Bone Calamity Star!"
Bai Heng quickly recounted the entire incident, then added frantically, "That Life-taking Bone Calamity Star is too monstrous! Even I was no match for him, and he's only at the Postnatal First Layer!"
As soon as he finished, he seemed to finally notice Cheng Weishan was present.
He erupted in a sudden fury. "Old Cheng, you bastard! You're the one who killed my son! I'll fucking kill you!"
With that, the enraged Bai Heng lunged at Cheng Weishan.
But he was, of course, no match for Cheng Weishan and was instantly knocked back.
Bai Wenrong stopped Bai Heng, then turned to Cheng Weishan, his gaze terrifyingly grim. "Give me an explanation."
His expression flickered wildly as Cheng Weishan muttered, "Impossible... I clearly had that Life-taking Bone Calamity Star locked in the dungeon. Two days ago, he was only at the Qi Gathering Ninth Layer."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Bai Xin rushed in. "It must have been Cheng Chuming! He's the one who let him out!"
Previously, when confronting Cheng Chuming, she had claimed that *she* had been the one to help Cheng Yunsu release Lu Chao; now, she was saying it was Cheng Chuming who had done it.
In any case, Bai Xin was furious—but not because of Bai Lu's death.
It was because she had been beaten by that Life-taking Bone Calamity Star, and her own husband, Cheng Chuming, hadn't stood up for her.
She was determined to take a vicious bite out of him, even if he was her husband, just to vent her spleen. So Bai Xin recounted the prior events again, adding plenty of embellishments.
Finally, Cheng Weishan let out a furious roar.
"That rebellious son!
"My dear in-law, please, come with me to the Cheng Mansion. I will give you a proper explanation."
And so, Cheng Weishan, Bai Wenrong, and the others stormed back to the Cheng Mansion.
When they learned that Lu Chao had already escaped the Cheng Mansion with Cheng Yunsu, their rage soared to the heavens. The two great families of Yangzhou City immediately issued orders in unison to pursue the pair, while also sending someone to report the matter to the City Lord's Mansion.
Afterwards, they went to the dungeon and found Cheng Chuming.
"Rebellious son."
"Rebellious son-in-law."
Cheng Weishan and Bai Wenrong were practically radiating killing intent.
In response, Cheng Chuming simply closed his eyes, presenting the image of a man ready to be slaughtered.
...
「In a dilapidated, abandoned hut somewhere in Yangzhou City.」
Lu Chao let out a long breath, a smile gracing his lips. "The repairs are finally complete. The Heavenly Destiny Bright Eye Bone is truly miraculous."
He stood up and gazed deeply at the still-unconscious Cheng Yunsu.
Then, he gently pulled down the cloak that was wrapped tightly around her face, revealing the same shocking burns.
Every glance felt like a drop of blood from Lu Chao's heart.
Every glance reminded him of the scene from over a month ago: Cheng Yunsu, beneath the Blood Stele, being scorched by raging flames.
Suddenly, Cheng Yunsu murmured, "Water... water..."
Lu Chao tensed and quickly found some water to give her.
"COUGH! COUGH! COUGH..."
After drinking the water, Cheng Yunsu coughed a few times before falling back into a deep slumber.
The revival of the meridians in her eyes was consuming a great deal of her energy. In her current fragile state, it was unlikely she would awaken right away.
"Lu Chao... Lu Chao..."
Suddenly, Cheng Yunsu cried out, her hands flailing.
Lu Chao quickly grasped her hands. "I'm here, I'm here..."
"Lu Chao, you can't die! I will never let you die! Even if you are wicked beyond redemption, I will bring you back to life."
"I have to hurry to the Hundred Countries Battlefield, or it will be too late!"
"You are not an unpardonably evil man. I firmly believe that..."
"My mother told me that people with pure eyes are good people. When you gave me the steamed bun that saved my life, I saw your eyes. I've memorized every word of every letter you've ever sent me."
"How could someone who writes such heroic and magnificent words in their letters possibly slaughter innocent commoners?"
All of this was just Cheng Yunsu talking in her sleep...
Clinging tightly to her hands, Lu Chao's eyes turned red. A warmth spread through his chest, yet his heart felt as if it were being torn apart by a knife.
Eventually, Cheng Yunsu's sleep-talk faded into unintelligible mumbling before she finally sank into a deep sleep.
Night fell in the blink of an eye, and only then did Lu Chao release Cheng Yunsu's hands.
He got up, set various traps around the hut, and after making sure Cheng Yunsu was well hidden, he stepped outside.
'Xiao Su'er, I swear I'll have you recovered for the wedding in three days.'
'I want you to appear before everyone, stunningly beautiful.'
'I will reach the Postnatal Fifth Layer in a short time and devour the Star Heavenly Destiny Bone that can heal your burns.'
Reaching the Postnatal Fifth Layer in three days would be impossible under normal circumstances. But Lu Chao was a Reincarnator. He could use Spirit Medicine to force his advancement. That was why he had temporarily left the hut.
When he reappeared, he was on the most prosperous commercial street in Yangzhou City.
Before him stood a trading company—the most famous one in the Great Wu Empire: Qianling!
This was the Yangzhou City branch of the Qianling Trading Company.
As Lu Chao walked in, an Attendant immediately stepped forward to ask, "Honored guest, how may I help you?"
Lu Chao looked up and spoke slowly, "I want... the Bone-Nourishing Spirit Pill!"