C9 Cooperation

In the study of the Tang residence, Tang Ming gazed at Tang Mei'er with a furrowed brow and inquired, "Mei'er, have you managed to learn anything from Lu Chen yet?"

Tang Mei'er looked at her father, her mouth opening as if to speak, but ultimately, she swallowed her words and gently shook her head, murmuring, "No."

"That boy is quite the master at concealing things. Mei'er, you must act quickly and win him over. The Lu family has begun to exert pressure on our Tang family, and our time is running short."

At that moment, Tang Ming's demeanor shifted from genial to stern, "Lu Wuya stole the Divine Weapon Fragment from me ten years ago, and I've harbored this grudge ever since..."

Tang Ming's revelation was startling.

Members of the Lu family, including the current patriarch, Lu Hong, were only aware that Lu Wuya had fortuitously found a Divine Weapon Fragment on an excursion. They were unaware that there were two people present at the discovery, the other being Tang Ming himself.

After a fierce struggle, Lu Wuya emerged victorious, claiming the Divine Weapon Fragment for himself.

This had left Tang Ming with a deep-seated resentment. The story he had spun about Lu Wuya saving his life and his subsequent vow of gratitude was a fabrication.

His intention was to deceive the Lu family, providing a justifiable pretext to take Lu Chen with him.

As anticipated, the Lu family, believing his actions were driven by a sense of indebtedness, did not press the issue. However, as time went on, they grew restless...

This urgency was also why he was desperate to learn the location of the Divine Weapon Fragment.

"Yes, Father," Tang Mei'er replied, her eyes reflecting a touch of sadness as she nodded in assent.

Unaware of Tang Mei'er's disheartened look, Tang Ming pressed on, "If persuasion fails, we may have to resort to more forceful measures. I hope that young man will be wise enough to cooperate!"

...

As a new day dawned, Lu Chen concluded his morning cultivation to find two guards stationed outside his courtyard. Stepping outside, he was confronted by the guards blocking his way.

Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat, and his face darkened as he demanded icily, "What is this about? I need to step out for a moment."

Today was the day he had planned to venture into the Deep Blue Mountain Range, an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.

"The Patriarch has ordered us to be on the lookout for you. It would be in your best interest, Young Master Lu Chen, to stay indoors," the guard said with a respectful tone that nonetheless carried an undercurrent of firmness and threat.

Lu Chen felt a heavy weight settle in his heart, easily picking up on the veiled threat in the guard's words.

His brow furrowed, and his hands clenched tightly within his sleeves. The guard's demeanor gave away an unusual tension, a looming danger, and a palpable malice emanating from the Tang family.

His expression darkened, and a subtle glint of lethal intent flickered in his eyes. The guards stationed were merely two practitioners at Layer Six of the Body Refining Stage. He was confident he could dispatch them in a heartbeat, escaping the Tang Mansion before Tang Ming could even react.

"Wait, there are others present."

As Lu Chen was about to act, his keen mental prowess detected three elusive presences outside the courtyard. Judging by their strength, he estimated that the individuals belonged to at least Layer Eight or possibly Layer Nine of the Body Tempering Realm.

"Three warriors, each at least at Layer Eight of the Body Tempering Realm, just to confine me? That's quite the commitment."

In River City, being at Layer Eight of the Body Tempering Realm was a mark of a true powerhouse. A careful tally would reveal that the entire city boasted no more than a hundred such individuals, with those at Layer Nine being even rarer.

It was common knowledge that the elders of the three major families were at the eighth or ninth layers, while the family heads were formidable Essence Gathering Stage practitioners.

"With that in mind, I shall return to my room."

Lu Chen offered the guards a slight smile before turning on his heel and heading back to his quarters.

Once inside, his mood turned somber.

The surveillance around the small courtyard confirmed beyond a doubt that the Tang family had ill intentions toward him.

"Tang Ming had rescued me, claiming it was to honor a debt owed to my father for saving his life years ago."

However, I've never heard my father mention saving Tang Ming. Besides, the Tang and Lu families are among the three great families of River City, and they've always been competitors. Why would my father save an enemy?

Also, I've been exiled from the Lu family for six years, and during that time, they haven't offered me any assistance.

Lu Chen took a deep breath, steadying himself as his mind raced, quickly pinpointing the inconsistency.

Perhaps Tang Ming's act of saving me was motivated by the Divine Weapon Fragment. There's nothing else I possess that he could possibly covet.

The more Lu Chen mulled it over, the more convinced he became of his theory. "I can't stay at the Tang residence any longer. I must leave today."

Just then, the door swung open, and Tang Mei'er entered, a smile playing on her lips and carrying a tray of food.

"Brother Lu Chen, please don't be troubled by the guards outside. Father says the Lu family is pressuring the Tang family to kill you. The guards are there for your protection," Tang Mei'er spoke softly to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen responded with a smile, "How could I be? I'll forever be grateful for Uncle Tang's kindness."

Yet, unbeknownst to Tang Mei'er, his smile held a trace of coldness.

"That's a relief." Tang Mei'er visibly relaxed at his response, then beamed, "Brother Lu Chen, I've personally prepared some dishes for you. You must be starving—please, have a taste."

Lu Chen hesitated, not out of fear of poison in the food, but contemplating whether to take Tang Mei'er hostage to ensure a smooth departure from the Tang estate.

"Brother Lu Chen!" Tang Mei'er's smile widened, her gaze flitting to meet his.

Their eyes locked, brimming with allure.

Suddenly, an anomaly occurred. A faint red glimmer flashed in Tang Mei'er's eyes, and Lu Chen was suddenly overcome with an intense sleepiness, his eyelids growing unbearably heavy, yearning to close.

"Oh no, I've been ensnared!" Lu Chen inwardly cried out in alarm. He tried to avert his gaze, but no matter how hard he struggled, his eyes remained locked onto Tang Mei'er's, as if a magnetic force was pulling him into a state of intoxication.

Slowly, his consciousness began to fade, and he was on the verge of succumbing...

"Buzz!"

Just then, the Artifact Spirit within the depths of his consciousness quivered, sending a cool wave of energy throughout his body. This jolted Lu Chen awake with a start.

"Pfft!"

As Lu Chen regained his senses, Tang Mei'er staggered as if struck by an invisible force. Her complexion turned ghostly pale, and a startling trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

"You..." Lu Chen said, his expression darkening as he fixed his gaze on Tang Mei'er.

His suspicions were confirmed. The Tang family's actions were all for the Divine Weapon Fragment he carried.

Otherwise, Tang Mei'er wouldn't have resorted to using "hypnosis" on him.

With this realization, Lu Chen's demeanor grew icy.

Under his frosty stare, Tang Mei'er lifted her now pallid face. The warmth in her expression had vanished, replaced by a chilling resolve. "Lu Chen, surrender the Divine Weapon Fragment, and I can plead with my father to spare your life."

Unbeknownst to Lu Chen, Tang Mei'er's delicate hand was clenched tightly within her sleeve, betraying her inner turmoil.

"Haha..." Lu Chen let out a cold laugh, dismissing Tang Mei'er with a wave of his hand. He turned to look outside the door and called out boldly, "Tang Ming, since you're here, why not come in?"

No sooner had Lu Chen's words fallen than the door swung open, and a middle-aged man entered. It was none other than the patriarch of the Tang family, Tang Ming.

Without mincing words, Tang Ming got straight to the point. "Lu Chen, you know full well that the Divine Weapon Fragment isn't meant for you. Hand it over."

"Do you take me for a fool?" Lu Chen scoffed. "If I hand over the Divine Weapon Fragment, do you honestly think I'll be able to leave the Tang Residence alive today?"

"So, you refuse to surrender it?" Tang Ming's voice grew colder, and a menacing aura of lethal intent radiated from him.

"Kill me, and you'll never get your hands on the Divine Weapon Fragment. Instead..."

Lu Chen paused, glancing at Tang Ming, who remained silent, indicating no intention of cutting him off. Encouraged, Lu Chen continued, "Why not assist me in taking down the Lu family? Once that's done, I'll gladly present the Divine Weapon Fragment to you. What do you say?"

"Don't rush to say no. The biggest beneficiary of the Lu family's downfall wouldn't be me; it would be you. Naturally, when that time comes, you could even team up with the Chen family."

Tang Ming didn't outright reject the proposal, clearly intrigued by the idea.

After all, not only would he gain the Divine Weapon Fragment, but he'd also eliminate a rival. It seemed like an opportunity too good to pass up.