Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

He Yuxiu hadn't expected these fragments to hit Lu Dongliang. Instead, she smashed the table against his body.

That move was just a feint. He Yuxiu knew Lu Dongliang could easily dodge it, and she was still planning her next move.

The next strike had to be a lethal one. In a top-tier confrontation between an Eighth Layer and a Ninth Layer cultivator, there was no such thing as a three-day, three-night battle—the outcome would be decided in the blink of an eye. If she couldn't kill Lu Dongliang with her next move, she had to be prepared to lose her life.

Unexpectedly, Lu Dongliang didn't even manage to dodge the table.

His feet were entangled in spider silk, but it only held him for a moment.

An unexpected setback! I never anticipated an ambush in my own home.

The corner of the table struck Lu Dongliang right in the chest. He took the blow head-on, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.

The strength of an Eighth Layer Martial Cultivator was too great.

He Yuxiu realized something was wrong and quickly retracted her hand, but someone else delivered the finishing blow.

Lu Dongjun, an Eighth Layer Martial Cultivator and Lu Dongliang's own brother, suddenly appeared and threw a punch at Lu Dongliang's back.

The fist went in through his spine and came out through his chest.

Almost simultaneously, Zhuo Yuling flicked her Fatty Peach at her waist, and her long, gecko-like tail shot out from beneath her skirt, turned into a spike, and pierced a hole in Lu Dongliang's forehead.

What just happened?

The attack was so sudden that Lu Dongliang barely reacted. But in the blink of an eye, he understood everything.

Zhuo Yuling attacked me over Lu Xiaolan. Lu Dongjun struck me down for the position of Family Head. He Yuxiu is fighting me to the death to take Lu Xiaolan away. This spider silk... it came from that private detective who reclaims the Wilderness.

Lu Dongliang had a premonition when He Yuxiu was about to strike. Yet, when the others attacked, he hadn't sensed any danger.

They had used Magical Treasures that concealed malicious intent.

Are they in collusion? Not necessarily. Lu Dongjun and Zhuo Yuling might really be in cahoots. The private detective was employed by them. As for He Yuxiu... she wants to take Lu Xiaolan away; she wouldn't collude with Zhuo Yuling. That foolish woman just got dragged into this cluelessly.

What should I do? I can't stay here.

The situation was extremely unfavorable. Lu Dongliang was seriously injured; staying even a moment longer could mean losing his life.

He glanced at He Yuxiu again.

That damn woman! She has to live. Even if I die, there must be a witness to tonight's events!

If only Monkey Qiu were here! I should have had him stay and guard the house. If Monkey Qiu were home, Lu Dongjun and that private detective would never have been able to ambush me in my own house!

Lu Dongliang gently pushed He Yuxiu. The completely bewildered woman immediately flew out of the mansion, hitting the wall behind her and passing right through it.

Lu Dongliang himself also flew out. Reaching the wall of the estate, he passed through it with almost no resistance. This was 'Thousand Mile In A Step,' a Traveling Craftsman Nine-Tier Technique.

Lu Dongliang had always suspected Lu Xiaolan was lying, but he knew some of her words were true.

Zhuo Yuling was dumbfounded.

She remembered Lu Xiaolan's description of He Jiaqing: He Jiaqing just gave a push, and Lu Xiaolan flew away...

Based on this description, Lu Dongliang had deduced He Jiaqing's Taoist Sect. It was also from this account that Lu Dongliang knew He Jiaqing's cultivation level was above Qiu Zhiheng's.

Just like that, the two of them disappeared. Lu Dongjun was left standing there in utter astonishment. Xiao Yeci stood frozen in the corridor. Lu Chunying tugged at her, signaling her to flee for her life.

...

「In the Yuezhou Sanatorium, inside a sickroom.」

He Jiaqing really couldn't hold it in any longer. With He Haisheng and the caregiver both absent, he burst out laughing, sitting up in bed and rocking back and forth with mirth.

PS: Shala couldn't hold back either, laughing out loud at the leaderboard for monthly tickets! Such a good book, I refuse to believe we can't surpass them, dear readers, charge forward with Shala!