Chapter 20: Auspicious Signs

A dignified middle-aged man entered the rice field.

He was none other than the head of the Lu family estate, the biological father of Lu Qian’nan.

Lu Tianxing!

Miao Yuanzheng furrowed his brow slightly.

“Is it him?”

If the traitor truly was Lu Tianxing, then many things would make sense.

After all, Lu Tianxing was the master of the Lu estate, commanding considerable respect within the village.

Moreover, his father held the position of Divine Envoy, granting him significant influence within the Taiping Sect.

If he had indeed turned traitor and colluded with outsiders, then he could have orchestrated the recent actions.

Lu Tianxing quickly strode up to Liang Jin, his eyes shining with excitement.

“Great Virtuous Master, there appears to be a divine omen descending from the Yellow Heaven outside the estate. Everyone is uncertain about the situation.”

“I humbly request that you go and take a look, to clear up the confusion.”

Liang Jin smiled faintly.

Lu Tianxing was clever; knowing he was feigning divine phenomena, he deliberately used such words to make it difficult for Liang Jin to refuse.

What was his purpose?

Of course, to lure Liang Jin outside the estate.

Inside, the estate was fortified with walls and houses serving as defenses, and many of the villagers were trained fighters.

If the enemy launched a direct assault, they would suffer heavy losses.

Therefore, drawing Liang Jin out was the perfect opportunity to strike.

Liang Jin did not ask what the omen was.

He knew Lu Tianxing must have prepared his response well in advance.

He simply looked at Lu Tianxing calmly.

“Master Lu, your illness has been cured, and the people of the Lu estate have all been saved.”

“What is it that you are still dissatisfied with?”

“Is it that you think I have taken over the Lu estate? Or that I will bring disaster upon it?”

The excitement on Lu Tianxing’s face stiffened.

A flicker of panic briefly flashed in his eyes.

He dared not meet Liang Jin’s gaze, feeling as though Liang Jin’s eyes could see straight through his soul.

Especially now, Liang Jin’s words sent a cold sweat down his spine, as if his thoughts had been laid bare.

Just then, a sudden exclamation rang out:

“Great Virtuous Master, the omen is truly divine!”

“It must be a sacred artifact descended from the Yellow Taiyi! Everyone outside is waiting for you to come and see for yourself!”

A stout, wealthy-looking merchant hurried forward.

His name was Xu Gui, a well-known businessman from Taiyang County.

Having recently joined the Taiping Sect, he had donated generously to help many patients and was well regarded within the sect.

Miao Yuanzheng whispered:

“Another one, unexpectedly.”

Xu Gui’s timely appearance to support Lu Tianxing, who was visibly nervous, clearly marked him as an accomplice.

Liang Jin then asked:

“Xu Gui, I recall your family’s illness has not fully healed, correct?”

Xu Gui answered respectfully:

“Thanks to the Great Virtuous Master’s talisman water, my family’s condition has stabilized and will soon be cured.”

“This recovery may not only be due to the talisman water but perhaps also related to the divine omen outside the estate.”

Xu Gui’s words steered the conversation back toward the omen.

With Xu Gui by his side, Lu Tianxing regained his composure and spoke amid the chorus of agreement.

At that moment, Lu Qian’nan, dressed in red, was drawn over.

“Father, what omen? Where is it?”

“I’ll go take a look and bring it back to show the Great Virtuous Master.”

Lu Tianxing’s expression grew flustered as he scolded her:

“Such a sacred omen is not something you are fit to see!”

“Take the villagers back to their rooms to sleep; it’s already late at night.”

Lu Qian’nan looked puzzled.

Sleep? Her duty was to protect the Great Virtuous Master and the Taiping Sect, and she was to lead patrols later. How could she go to bed so early?

She was about to question further, but Liang Jin raised his hand to interrupt.

“Qian’nan, don’t ask.”

“Let’s not waste time circling around with Master Lu and Xu Dongjia.”

“The only ones who could make these two cooperate willingly are the officials of Taiyang County.”

“Let the officials’ leaders come forward and speak openly.”

Lu Qian’nan was confused, clearly not understanding Liang Jin’s meaning.

Meanwhile, Lu Tianxing and Xu Gui’s expressions changed drastically.

Liang Jin’s words struck at the secret they tried to hide.

At this moment, both found it hard to maintain composure and involuntarily stepped back several paces.

Suddenly, the sharp whistle of an arrow pierced the night air.

“Whoosh!”

The piercing sound exploded overhead.

In the next moment, burly men hidden among the patients surged forward, drawing their blades.

Simultaneously, soldiers appeared from the dense woods behind the estate and outside the estate gate.

This sudden development startled everyone within the Lu estate.

Lu Qian’nan quickly shouted:

“Protect the Great Virtuous Master!”

At her command, the villagers snapped back to attention, hurriedly grabbing their spears and rushing forward.

More patients also gathered, and even people outside the estate were roused.

The soldiers numbered over a hundred, while the burly men counted in the dozens.

Such numbers were insignificant against the people of the Lu estate.

Seeing themselves outnumbered, a burly man raised his blade and pointed at the crowd.

“I am the head constable of Taiyang County’s office, here to arrest criminals. Who dares cause trouble?!”

Among the soldiers, a bearded man stepped forward, roaring:

“I am the county lieutenant of Taiyang. What are you trying to do? Rebel?!”

Their shouts struck fear into the crowd, causing hesitation.

Officials inherently held an oppressive aura over the common people.

Accusing someone of rebellion only deepened their panic.

Lu Qian’nan was not intimidated.

She snapped sharply:

“You corrupt officials, who refuse to heal the people but seek to harm the Great Virtuous Master!”

“You should ask everyone here who has been saved by the Great Virtuous Master if they agree with you!”

With Lu Qian’nan leading, courage began to swell among the people.

They pressed closer, shrinking the space between themselves and the soldiers.

Seeing this, Xu Gui tapped Lu Tianxing, signaling him to act.

Lu Tianxing forced himself to shout at Lu Qian’nan:

“Qian’nan, stop making mistakes!”

“Come to me quickly.”

“The court wants to capture this demon. Don’t associate with this demon, or you’ll be implicated!”

Lu Qian’nan turned her head and saw Lu Tianxing standing with the officials.

She immediately understood the situation.

Anger and resentment flared across her face.

“Father, the one making the mistake is you!”

“Don’t forget who cured your illness and everyone else’s!”

“It was the Great Virtuous Master, not those corrupt officials!”

She gripped her red-tasselled spear, standing resolutely beside Liang Jin.

Liang Jin nodded slightly, pleased that the young girl had not betrayed his trust.

The scene grew increasingly chaotic.

Many patients outside, having heard the news, surged forward in anger.

The Taiping Sect’s numerical advantage grew.

The soldiers tensed and formed tight ranks, preparing for the impending clash.

Lu Tianxing and Xu Gui wore anxious expressions.

They had intended to lure Liang Jin out and use the soldiers to capture him swiftly before anyone could react.

But the situation had spiraled beyond their control.

At that moment, Liang Jin rose from his seat.

He raised his hand slightly, and the uproar among the villagers and patients quickly subsided.

The once noisy scene fell into sudden silence.

This stunned the soldiers and constables.

Who would have expected this demon to wield such authority and influence among the patients?

If this demon gave the order to attack—

Tonight, many would surely perish!