Chapter Six, how can it bend my will

The land of Shu has enjoyed a long period of peace, yet the people's character has become timid, unable to endure such a state any longer

Having walked more than ten zhang away from Lu's residence, under the shade of several locust trees, Xu Zhubo said with a stern expression: "Old Chen, why did you hold me back just now? If it weren't for your intervention, I would have ordered Zhang Long and Zhao Hu to execute that arrogant young man on the spot"

With a single command from the chief clerk, there was an immediate intent to draw a sword and seize the person

Upon hearing Lu Bei inquire about Xu Dian's identity, he quickly changed to a fawning expression and said

Upon hearing these words, Chen Qingshan's face turned an uncertain shade of pale, and his deeply sunken eyes were filled with a mix of shame and anger. He finally understood from Lu Bei's words, which were as piercing as a tear in a mask, that the young man before him was not an ignorant child easily deceived, but rather someone who had already seen through his intentions.

The two individuals reached an agreement, and Xu Zhubo then accepted Chen Qingshan's invitation to visit his home in Wuliu Village as a guest

At this point, I recalled the pathetic performance of the two brothers, Long Zhao and Hu, behind me. Turning around with a cold expression, I said in a stern voice: "You two useless fools, how can I rely on you two good-for-nothing brothers for protection when your bones are already turned to dust"

Chen Qingshan confidently assured, "My lord, this matter is not the first time for me; it is certain to succeed."

Lu Bei felt a wave of nausea upon hearing this. Who the hell do you think is your child

Under the broad-mindedness of the esteemed official, he unexpectedly included a couple of literary phrases

This is the chief registrar of our county, Mr. Xu Dian, Xu Wenhui, and Mr. Xu. He has come to our Wuliu Village today to retrieve the land contracts and to redo... what was it again?

"Please calm down, it is better to consider this matter carefully," Chen Qingshan said as he stepped forward to mediate, seeing Xu Zhubu reprimanding Zhang and Zhao.

"Get lost," Lu Bei said coldly

In the land of Bashu, I govern according to the laws and regulations of the previous Han court. As the son of a talented individual, if one observes filial piety for three years, the granted educational fields shall not be reclaimed. What Lu has done is in accordance with Han law. May I ask, Sir Xu, which dynasty's laws do you adhere to?

Even though the aura of killing one possesses cannot be compared to the bloodshed of the cold weapon era, where every blade meets flesh in close combat, it is still not to be underestimated

Lu Beixin felt even more displeased and coldly sneered in his heart: "You think you can call me Xiao Bei?"

In the end, he chuckled sinisterly and said: "It is commonly said that as a person ages, they become cunning, and as a horse ages, it becomes sly; the ancients truly do not deceive me."

"Who are you again?" Lu Bei said disdainfully

Xu Dian seemed to recall Lu Bei's recently chilling gaze, and he forced himself to argue, "Then are we to let that child go just like this?"

A cold wind blew through the courtyard of the Lu family, and for some reason, a slight chill rose in Chen Qingshan's heart

Before Lu Bei could glare at him, the corpulent clerk Xu Dian cleared his throat twice and snapped at Chen Qingshan: "What the hell are you beating around the bush for? Get to the point, hurry up."

Lu Bei was on that Earth of his past life, where he faced execution by firing squad. Over the course of five years of slaughter, he took the lives of more than a hundred individuals under the muzzle of his gun

At this moment, Xu Dian spoke up to advise, "You are called Lu Bei, right? How can you speak like that? Quickly apologize to Chief Chen."

"Who dares to step forward? Is it possible that Lu's sword is not sharp enough?" Lu Bei's eyes were filled with a surge of killing intent, a manifestation of the iron-blooded slaughter from his five years as a veteran in his past life, now beginning to reveal its brilliance in this world

Lu Bei took the document, glanced at it for a moment, let out a cold laugh, folded it up, and with a swift motion, tore it into pieces. He then tossed it into the air, transforming it into a flurry of snowflakes that scattered in all directions

Chen Qingshan was interrupted by Xu Zhubu, which left him quite embarrassed, but he then said: "Xiao Bei, your father was a talented scholar in the prefecture during his lifetime and was supposed to enjoy two hundred and thirty mu of school land. However, with his passing, the situation has changed. The county's intention is to reclaim it and allocate it to some refugees who have come to Shu to seek shelter"

Lu Family

A line of four people left the Lu residence in a state of deep gloom, as if they were about to shed tears, their figures appearing exceedingly disheveled.

Xu Zhubo said in a deep voice: "Lu Bei, since you are here, then please affix your seal to this document."

Xu Zhubo saw Chen Qingshan's solemn oath and was already convinced by seventy to eighty percent in his heart

Xu Zhubo's fair complexion was marked by a mix of pale and bluish hues, his plump hands trembling as he coldly twitched the corners of his mouth, just about to utter a harsh remark, when he was interrupted by Chen Qingshan beside him, who tugged at his sleeve and gestured with his eyes to dissuade him

Lu Bei lightly tapped his sword and murmured, "Indeed, regardless of time or place, strength is fundamental"

"Indeed, archiving and cataloging." These few words seemed to provide Chief Chen with extraordinary motivation, and his frail, hunched figure inadvertently appeared much more upright.

Upon hearing the reprimand, the two young men in black robes turned red in the face, responding meekly and not daring to utter another word

"You dare to deceive someone so young, are you not aware of the law? This document is merely a product of your usurpation of power; how could I possibly sign it?" Lu Beimu's gaze was piercing, and he coldly rebuked without any sign of fear

"Then what do you suggest? I have never suffered such a loss. I can forgo the several hundred acres of land belonging to the Lu family, but I must have that young Lu's good looks." Xu Zhuobu said with a cold laugh.

Chen Qingshan thought that Lu Bei was merely feeling down due to the misfortune of his parents, and he did not take it to heart. Even though Lu Bei's tone was indifferent, Chen Qingshan, being shrewd and cunning, let out a long sigh and looked at Lu Bei with a tone of pity befitting an elder, saying: "Your parents have unfortunately fallen victim to a calamity caused by demons, poor child you are..."

Before the words had left his mouth, Lu Bei's feet were already in motion, the sword's edge was activated, and his figure moved in succession. The momentum of the sword was like autumn rain, its continuous and unending intent spread forth. In an instant, a cold light flashed, and a chill swept through the small courtyard, causing the blades of grass to whirl and rise.

Chen Qingshan felt disdain in his heart, knowing that this Lord Xu valued his reputation. In truth, he was already filled with immense fear. If it were not so, he would not have referred to himself as 'I' just now, instead of calling himself 'this official'.

Xu Dian's flesh on his face trembled twice, and in a fit of anger, he exclaimed: "You insolent brat, arguing without reason. This person shows contempt for the authorities; seize him at once.

Chen Qingshan tightened his sleeves, forcing a smile onto his face, which resembled the dry and wrinkled bark of a dead tree, and spoke in as gentle a tone as possible: "You must be that child from Xiaobei."

Upon hearing these words, the two young men in black robes took up the ropes at their waists and were about to step forward to subdue Lu Bei

Chen Qingshan noticed that Xu Dian's expression had slightly improved, and continued, "Just now, that little brat from the Lu family was holding a deadly weapon, his gaze was quite menacing. If we push him too hard and he becomes enraged, acting out of a common man's fury, and injures an adult, what should we do?"

Saying this, he took a document and a seal box from the hands of a young man in a black robe beside him and handed them to Lu Bei

Seeing the atmosphere in the venue was tense, Chen Qingshan stepped forward and awkwardly smiled, saying: "Well, Lu Bei, today Uncle Chen was reckless. You just returned home, so let's discuss that matter in a few days."

"Archive and catalog." Xu Zhubu added with a cold expression beside him

At this moment, Chen Qingshan also suppressed his anger and waved his hand, saying: "Enough, enough, for the sake of your father Lu Xun, I shall not hold it against you."

With a sound of "clang," the three-foot-long azure blade was drawn, flashing a chilling light that left the two men stunned in place.

Lu Bei coldly watched the performance of the officials before him, a sneer of disdain lingering in his heart

Responding in a neither warm nor cold manner: "Chief Chen may as well speak frankly, as I, Lu, still need to sort through the belongings of my late relative and do not have time to entertain you all"

These words, delivered in a solemn and righteous tone by Lu Buyi, resonated like the sound of metal and stone, each word falling heavily upon Xu Zhubo's heart.

With a three-foot green blade in hand, how can my will be subdued

Speaking, he leaned in closer and whispered a scheme into Xu Zhubo's ear, causing Xu Zhubo to frown repeatedly and question in confusion, "No matter how I hear it, this matter seems utterly unreliable, doesn't it?"

"Young child, I, an old man, kindly explain the situation to you, yet you insult me. Truly, you are unworthy of being a son." Chen Qingshan's goat-like beard bristled as he scolded in anger

"You... you audacious rogue, how dare you be so insolent?" Xu Dian's expression changed dramatically as he pointed his right index finger at Lu Bei and shouted furiously

Chen Qingshan said with a bitter smile: "Lord Xu, this old man has navigated through Wuliu Village for half a lifetime, and has managed to gain the esteemed reputation of 'Chen Bancun' from merely a few dozen mu of family land. What is the reason behind this? It is precisely due to this careful and prudent approach"

Lu Bei coldly smiled

Those two men in gray robes were merely local ruffians posing as officials. They usually brandished their knives to intimidate the common people, but how could they withstand the murderous aura of Lu Bei, who had survived countless battles? Seeing Lu Bei standing with his sword drawn, his expression calm yet imposing, his cold eyes filled with bloodshot intensity, resembling a fierce tiger ready to pounce on its prey, they felt an inexplicable chill in their hearts and dared not meet his gaze.

Lu Bei let out a cold laugh, and without beating around the bush, he directly said in a cold voice: "Chief Chen, my father's body has not yet grown cold, and you are already committing such acts of forceful seizure and plunder. Are you not afraid of divine retribution?"

The two officials in white robes also became tense, tightly gripping the handles of their knives at their waists

Upon hearing that Xu Zhubo was willing to relinquish the Lu family's estate, Chen Qingshan felt a surge of joy in his heart, though he did not reveal a hint of it on his face. After pondering for a moment, he said with a sly smile: "My lord, regarding this matter, I have already made my calculations."