It wasn't long before there were cheers and applause, as the rchants on tiptoes peered into the distance and indeed saw a luxurious carriage slowly approaching from outside, surrounded by a guard of battle-hardened soldiers.
Lu Zhang looked up at the ancient plaque of Yuzhou City and couldn't help but sigh, "When I left, I thought I would never have the chance to return here again!"
"This must be the fortune that cos after adversity. General, having survived such a calamity, your fortune is thriving—this is a great ti to make your mark!" Chang Chunzi said, smiling with his festive chubby cheeks.
Hearing this, Lu Zhang naturally rejoiced, "Taoist is right, all is past now, Yuzhou City will surely welco better developnt."
Amidst the crowd's shouts, Lu Zhang and his companions slowly made their way to the front of the Yuzhou Governnt Office.
Once the residence of the Governor of Yuzhou, after being occupied by Lu Zhang it had beco their office, leaving only a small courtyard in the back as the family dwelling.
At this ti, the civil and military officials of Yuzhou had already gathered at the entrance of the mansion, led by the Princely Heir Lu Chengqian, each with a radiant smile on their faces—for them, the backbone of Yuzhou had returned.
"Son welcos father and mother ho!" Lu Chengqian, still young, perford the ritual with precision.
"You've had a hard ti during this period!" Lu Zhang, looking at his son's tender face showing a weariness beyond his years, said with heartfelt pity.
These simple words nearly brought tears to Lu Chengqian's eyes. With his father and mother away, he had struggled to bear this heavy burden alone and was almost at his breaking point.
"I'm not suffering, father; it's you who are unwell and still had to travel far for the ancestral rites—that's truly hard work!"
Lu Zhang looked at his eldest legitimate son with satisfaction. He was the fruit of his and his wife's love, as well as the heir in whom he placed great hopes. Although he had barely escaped death this ti, the boy proved capable of carrying a heavy load, which pleased him deeply.
"This is Chang Chunzi, the Taoist. He will be our Yuzhou's Mage from now on. Co and pay your respects," he said.
Lu Zhang's words drew everyone's attention to the portly Taoist, who, thick-skinned, showed no sign of embarrassnt. Instead, he adopted an air of a lofty sage and nodded in greeting to everyone with a smile.
Just then, a servant ca running out of the Governnt Office in a hurry, whispering a few words to the leading old scholar with a wrinkled face. The elder's brows furrowed, making him appear even more aged.
"Mr. Hu, has sothing happened in the mansion?"
This elder, nad Hu Shengliang, had been a starving commoner rescued by Lu Zhang during chaotic tis, who turned out to be extraordinarily talented, versed in astronomy and geography. Since then, he had served as Lu Zhang's advisor and overseen various affairs in the mansion, becoming a famous Chief Steward in Yuzhou. Few things could make him frown like this.
"It's sowhat embarrassing to ntion right now, but so unworthy descendant from my family, having heard I've settled here, has co knocking. Relying on his slight magical prowess, he's been throwing his weight around in our mansion."
Hearing this, Lu Zhang looked curious. He knew the old man was no pushover—certainly not soone who would spare the rod, and anyone with mana was unlikely to be just an ordinary person.
"Even if he has so magical prowess, with your skills, Mr. Hu, I doubt you'd be so hesitant to act?"
"General, you don't understand; the fellow is easy to deal with, but he has an elder with sky-high magic power who is extrely protective. I fear if she is provoked to co here, it would spell great disaster."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the fat Taoist's eyes lit up. This was an excellent opportunity; he was ready to show off his skills and make Lu Zhang realize his worth.
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"Hmph! You old man clearly look like a half-demon by birth, and if I'm not wrong, that descendant of yours is a demon!" Chang Chunzi stared piercingly at Mr. Hu as he spoke.
Hu Shengliang looked at Chang Chunzi in astonishnt; he had not expected his own follower to be so directly exposed by such an apparently unserious Taoist, and he quickly put away the underestimation he'd held before.
"This Taoist priest does indeed have insightful eyes, but I wonder if he can handle this karma." Hu Shengliang had long regarded Lu Zhang as part of his family; he needed to test the depth of the Taoist to prevent major trouble that he could not deal with later.
The plump Taoist replied with absolute confidence, "Even if it's a huge karmic debt, I, the Taoist, will take it on for you to see!"
Turning to Lu Zhang, he saw a reassuring look in his eyes. Having known each other for many years, they had developed an understanding, and he naturally guessed that Lu Zhang had encountered a great opportunity on this trip, so he no longer obstructed and led Lu Zhang and Chang Chunzi rushing towards the mansion.
By this ti, Lu Mansion was already in chaos. A young man dressed in brocade clothes was rampaging around the yard, smashing things and loudly shouting.
"Call out that useless Hu Shengliang to see , tell him to quickly present beautiful won to this young master, or I'll smash this Governnt Office to pieces."
Hu Shengliang's veins popped, his gaze fixed on the crazed young man, his eyes filled with icy murderous intent.
As soon as Lu Zhang entered the yard, he slled a strong scent of alcohol and frowned as he sized up the brocade-clothed young man.
He saw an extrely handso youth, especially those eyes that were brimming with bewitching allure, and knowing from Chang Chunzi's earlier words that this fellow was a demon.
"Who are you to make such a racket in my ho!" His words carried an unintentional aura, which instantly provoked a reaction from the Dragon Qi, and an imnse Fortune and Destiny descended from the sky, sobering up the drunken and frenzied youth a bit.
"You... who are you to ddle in this young master's business?"
"You have been living in my ho for quite a while and still don't know who I am?" Lu Zhang laughed in anger, as the youth in front of him was either a fool or recklessly fearless.
"Oh! You are Lu Zhang. You have co just in ti, hurry up and provide beautiful won to this young master, and I'll spare your life!" The youth, bolstered by the alcohol, spoke wildly.
"Hmph! A re fox spirit dares speak so insolently to General Lu, truly reckless and ignorant of life and death." Chang Chunzi too was taken aback by the young man's disregard, as even a Primordial Spirit True Man wouldn't dare such words upon seeing soone with such dense Fortune and Destiny as Lu Zhang, not to ntion how much liquor this fellow must have consud to be so irrational.
But this fit his desires perfectly, so he said no more. With a wave of his hand, Mana surged through his body, and a blazing Heavenly Thunder struck down from the heavens, accurately hitting the youth.
A miserable scream echoed, and the struck youth instantly revealed his true form, indeed a gray fox with two tails.
At this mont, the fox, provoked by the thunder, charged with red eyes towards the plump Taoist, opening its large mouth, aiming to swallow the one who had hurt it.
There was a clang sound as if an invisible shield had risen in front of the Taoist, and simultaneously a flash of golden light enveloped him; the Taoist raised a fist wrapped in golden light and landed a punch on the fox's head.
Dizziness surrounded the fox as it staggered and then collapsed onto the ground, its mouth gradually oozing fresh blood.
The intense pain brought a brief return to its senses; it realized it was no match for the Taoist in front of it, so it quietly crushed a Jade Slip hidden among its fur, a life-saving item given to him by his maternal aunt. Once crushed, his aunt would imdiately sense it and co to his rescue.
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