Chapter 23 – A Place of Poetic Serenity

The atmosphere shifted abruptly into one of chilling hostility. The gentle breeze after the rain turned into a biting wind, laced with a penetrating cold. Moonlight glinted off the arrowheads, each one gleaming with a frigid radiance, like venomous serpents lurking in the dark, silently locking onto their prey. Within the traditional Chinese garden, only the soft murmuring of flowing water could be heard. The air was deathly still—so silent that even the fall of a needle could echo.

"How dare you!"With a delicate hand resting on the armrest of the wheelchair, Ning Zhao's expression froze over like a winter frost. Her cherry lips parted slightly, issuing a cold rebuke. Buzz!With a metallic ring, a cicada-winged sword shot out from the handle, landing in her grasp. She stepped lightly forward, blocking Lu Fan with her flowing gown swirling, her long black hair drifting like mist.

Nie Changqing, his face expressionless, gripped a butcher's knife and pressed it against a servant's throat. Though outwardly calm, veins bulged faintly on the back of his hand, as though he could snap the man's neck with a single motion. The servant, who had been screaming moments before, now dared not utter a sound. Even though blood gushed from the wound on his thigh, he kept deathly silent, not daring to cry out in pain.

"How interesting."Moonlight pierced through the clouds and spilled onto Lu Fan's form, who reclined lazily in his wheelchair. His crimson lips and pristine teeth shone softly under the silver light, as if veiled in mist."So this is how you wish to force my father into launching a military campaign against the Chen family?" Lu Fan clapped softly and chuckled, breaking the frozen stillness that had gripped the air.

Truthfully, Lu Fan was curious—why hadn't Lu Changkong simply labeled the remaining three noble clans as traitors, seized them with overwhelming force, and taken their properties by decree? It might have caused temporary unrest among the populace, but in the long run, it would have solved many hidden dangers.

Clatter.The guards with drawn bows slowly stepped aside, forming a path. A group of scholarly figures in long robes emerged, leading the group was a young man in a teal robe, hair tied up with a jade hairpin into a scholar's topknot. He bore a fine beard, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, a yellow pearwood sword case strapped to his back.

"Oh dear, so it's Young Lord Lu—what a misunderstanding this all is…""To be visited by Young Lord Lu so late at night—our humble Chen estate is truly honored.""These unruly servants mistook you for the rebels who've been stirring chaos in Northern Luo City."The man in the teal robe chuckled softly, stroking his fine beard. He raised a hand gently, and the guards lowered their bows in unison.

"I am Chen Beixun of the Chen family," he said, cupping his hands toward Lu Fan. His starry eyes shimmered faintly with a hidden glow, locking onto Lu Fan's gaze.Lu Fan leaned lazily in his wheelchair, propping his chin on his hand, eyes cool yet curious as they examined Chen Beixun.

Chen Hè, the family head, had been slain—Lu Fan had assumed the Chen residence would be thrown into chaos. Yet not only was everything eerily calm, not even the cries of grieving women could be heard. The orderliness was almost frightening.

So this Chen Beixun… might just be the key.

"Chen Beixun…" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Did the Chen family always have someone like you?"He rubbed his slender fingers casually, tossing out the question.

Chen Beixun smiled and swept his sleeves. "I was sent to train in swordsmanship at Mount Zhongnan from a young age. I've only just returned yesterday. It's no surprise Young Lord Lu doesn't recognize me. But I've long admired your brilliance—from overcoming your infirmity to earning the national preceptor's esteem—you are a paragon among scholars."

Within the garden, Chen Beixun's words rang with clarity and force. His flattery was so straightforward it felt oddly sincere, and his face remained composed, as if his admiration were genuine.

Lu Fan's lips curled faintly. So much for swordsmen being blunt by nature—Chen Beixun was so blunt, he was downright honest."Mount Zhongnan… the Sword Sect?"Nie Changqing's gaze sharpened. The Hundred Schools of Thought—Sword Sect! As a former member of Daoist Orthodoxy's top ten, he was naturally no stranger to it. The Sword Sect was no ordinary group; being part of the Hundred Schools signified power and mystique.

"I like honest people like you," Lu Fan said, rubbing his fingers and smiling meaningfully.So this Sword Sect, perhaps, was the shadowy force behind the noble clans, the very reason his father hesitated to act.

Raising his eyes, Lu Fan studied Chen Beixun anew. The man's background surprised him—the Sword Sect's influence was clearly vast, and it seemed their plans had begun long ago. Northern Luo City, being one of the empire's six key defense cities, was of immense strategic value. If the Sword Sect sought to control the three noble families, their intentions were clear.

Lu Fan could only wonder—had his father already noticed and prepared accordingly?

"You flatter me," Chen Beixun replied calmly.

"Old Nie, let him go. We came to collect rent, not start a bloodbath," Lu Fan turned to Nie Changqing and said.Nie Changqing silently sheathed his butcher's knife. The trembling servant clutched his bleeding leg and crawled toward Chen Beixun in panic.

"Many thanks, Young Lord Lu. Would you honor us by stepping inside for a warm drink? The night is cold—I shall have plum wine heated at once for your comfort," Chen Beixun offered courteously, though his eyes flicked to Nie Changqing, whose body still bore fresh wounds yet exuded a chilling composure.He's still alive?Did Daoist Orthodoxy's Ninth, Han Lianxiao… fail?Was he stopped by Lu Fan?

Shock rippled through Chen Beixun's heart, but his smile remained undiminished.

Lu Fan waved a hand. "No need for wine. My father sent me to collect rent. Let us speak of serious matters."

"Since the City Lord has issued an order, how could the Chen family refuse?" Chen Beixun sighed. "I only just returned to find my father had consorted with traitorous rebels. My heart is heavy. Fortunately, the City Lord acted decisively and eliminated the threat, sparing Northern Luo from disaster. I, Chen Beixun, am deeply grateful. The Chen family shall conduct thorough self-reflection.Servants, bring forth one thousand taels of silver!"

He stroked his beard and gave the command. Soon after, two servants emerged from the depths of the residence, carrying two large chests of gleaming silver into the moonlit garden. The light reflected sharply off the precious metal.

Lu Fan yawned, resting his chin on his hand. His expression was unmoved.

"Young Lord Lu, is this rent… sufficient?" Chen Beixun asked with a bright smile, while the surrounding scholars eyed Lu Fan and Ning Zhao with cautious reverence. Just days ago, Ning Zhao had wrought havoc atop the city walls—the memory still fresh and haunting.

"A true noble house indeed… so lavish," Lu Fan said lightly, stroking the woolen blanket on his knees. His smile then faded."That day atop the city walls, the noble scholars of the three great families mocked me as a cripple. The ridicule wounded me deeply. Even now, the memory burdens my spirit. A mere thousand taels cannot mend the hurt."

Chen Beixun's smile froze. So… it's not enough?

"Bring another thousand taels!" he barked, his tone light but firm.

"Wait…""Ah, young Chen, it's not really about the money," Lu Fan said suddenly, his smile sincere under the moonlight."I was born with a disability, unable to move freely, always relying on others. My lifelong wish has been to own a house of my own, a place to live out my days in peace…""You and I speak so agreeably, and I find you rather likable. Don't you think…?"

Chen Beixun's expression twitched. He looked at Lu Fan, whose gaze gleamed with genuine sincerity under the moonlight.

"Say no more. A house, is it? The Chen family has plenty to spare. If it pleases Young Lord Lu, what's one more gift?"Chen Beixun burst into laughter, radiating boundless generosity. Then, with a grand sweep of his hand—"Fetch another thousand taels, and bring the deed as well!"

His words sent ripples through the gathered scholars, but no one dared object. For now, Chen Beixun held absolute authority in the Chen household—his backing by the Sword Sect the sole reason the Chen family still held sway in Northern Luo.

And thus, two more chests of silver were soon brought forth…