...
The reaction of this loose cultivator was indeed somewhat unexpected to Wang Shouzhe, and his face immediately turned gloomy: "It seems that you've committed quite a crime in Yingxiu."
"Sir, it's my fault, I was greedy." The loose cultivator tearfully confessed, "We were a group of traveling merchants who passed by Yingxiu and saw that a wealthy family was getting married. Originally, we just planned to have a cup of wine and leave, but when we discovered their dowry was quite lavish, with over a hundred Qian Gold and two valuable Centennial Ginseng, we were tempted. That night, we snuck into that wealthy merchant's house to steal..."
With the confession made, Wang Shouzhe's face grew darker and darker. This group of loose cultivators were truly audacious. To not only steal but also resort to murder and plunder to silence witnesses.
Fortunately, those loose cultivators had internal conflicts due to greed, and ultimately this one laughed until the end. But he was unlucky, trying to treat his wounds in a sparsely populated forest, only to run into Wang Shouzhe's group.
"Sir, if you swear to spare my life as a dog," the loose cultivator pleaded desperately, "I am willing to reveal the location of the hidden stolen goods and offer it all to you."
This loose cultivator seemed to know well the mannerisms of the Black Tortoise Clans. If Wang Shouzhe swore in front of his Household Generals, he would not break his oath.
Otherwise, if a dignified Patriarch could casually betray his word, how would the Household Generals feel? Could the Patriarch's words be trusted in the future?
Wang Zhong and the other Household Generals also turned their attention to Wang Shouzhe, with some hope in their eyes. Those stolen goods were valuable, and acquiring them could alleviate the Wang Family's financial woes.
Wang Shouzhe only pondered briefly before mounting his horse: "Take him and hand him over to the Yingxiu Lua Family for disposal."
"Yes, Patriarch." Wang Zhong only hesitated for a moment before faithfully carrying out his duty, gagging the loose cultivator and throwing him onto the horse despite his calls and struggles.
"Giddy up!"
The carriage driver Wang Laoshu cracked the whip, and the two tired horses slowly pulled the carriage along the rugged, muddy road.
After a small while, Wang Zhong rode up behind Wang Shouzhe and asked in a low voice, "Patriarch, are we really going to give up that stash of stolen goods? If you're worried about dirtying your hands, let me handle it. Just give me some time, and I'll ensure he reveals the hiding place."
"Our time is precious; we have no leisure to play a treasure-hunting game with a mere loose cultivator," Wang Shouzhe said calmly, "And Wang Zhong, as members of the Black Tortoise Clan, our vision must be long-term. There are no secrets forever kept; angering the Lua Family would cost us tenfold, a hundredfold of that stolen bounty! Most importantly, if we let greed blind us to steal those goods and release the main culprit, how can we face Ancestor Zhou Xuan, who established our clan with hard work? Or Ancestor Longyan who has defended the clan tirelessly for decades?"
This is a matter of family faith, and for most families, the greatest faith lies in their founding ancestors.
Wang Zhong's body shook with shame, "I understand, Patriarch. I was blinded by greed."
"Human nature is greedy, yet controlling that greed is critical," Wang Shouzhe calmly responded, "Just like those loose cultivators who let greed drive them to crime, then couldn't control it and turned on each other. With such lack of self-control, they might escape this time, but can they escape a second, a third time?"
"Patriarch, if those loose cultivators succeeded once and refrained from further crimes, wouldn't they be fine?" Wang Yong approached on horseback and asked.
"There might be, but they are sure to be few." Wang Shouzhe smiled, "Imagine if they couldn't resist the first temptation, especially after tasting the second temptation's sweetness? Such greed is bound to lead to their ruin sooner or later. It's not that I don't want those stolen goods, it's purely that I dare not take them, for fear that I won't be able to control my greed eventually leading the clan to decline."
The Household Generals fell into thought, looking at Wang Shouzhe with eyes full of respect.
Wang Zhong remarked with emotion, "Patriarch, I have a feeling that our Ping'an Wang Family will surely rise under your leadership."
"Haha, though your flattery is clumsy, it does mean a lot to me as Clan Leader."
"Patriarch, I'm not flattering you, I truly believe this."
"Indeed, indeed, Patriarch, we all believe this." The other Household Generals chimed in with agreement.
Meanwhile.
Inside the carriage, Wang Luojing, who had long awakened and witnessed and heard everything, had eyes gleaming with enlightenment. Being with Fourth Brother always felt safe and secure.
For nothing else, even if just for Fourth Brother, Luojing, you must work hard to share the burden on his shoulders.
...
In less than half an hour.
Wang Shouzhe and his party emerged from the forest, arriving on a wide road.
The first thing that caught the eye was the vast and boundless Yingxiu Lake, with the towering Dragon Ridge Mountain reflecting on the water, turning the lake a deep green. The lake breeze, mixed with water vapor, blew over, bringing a chill in the early summer season.
On the wide lake surface, large fish occasionally leaped out, splashing water everywhere. Among the dense reed beds, various waterfowl were swimming.
Undoubtedly, not only is Yingxiu Lake picturesque, but its natural resources are also quite abundant. Compared to the ceaseless and majestic Anjiang, Yingxiu Lake is more resplendent and graceful.
At this moment, a group of riders galloped from afar and reined in their horses in front of Wang Shouzhe's party.
"Whoa!"
The leader was a man in his early thirties, dressed in sturdy attire, carrying a strong bow on his back and a Treasure Saber at his waist, exuding an extraordinary aura. Upon seeing Wang Shouzhe, he was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing, "Zhe'Er, it's only been a few days, and you've become even more valiant. It seems that after becoming the clan leader, your demeanor has changed."
"Uncle, why did you trouble yourself to come in person?" Wang Shouzhe hurriedly cupped his fist.
This man was Lua Zhengjie, the blood brother of Wang Shouzhe's biological mother, Lua Mengxue, and a pillar among the young and middle-aged generation of the Yingxiu Lu Family. Though just in his early thirties, he had already reached the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm, with the potential to break through to the Spirit Platform Realm.
Some time ago, he had specifically traveled to Ping'an Town to attend Wang Dingyue's funeral, so naturally, they had just parted not long ago.
"I wasn't here just to welcome you," Lua Zhengjie's cheerful expression grew stern, "Recently, a group of bandits disguised as traveling merchants wiped out a wealthy merchant's family of seven. We've been tracking them and found they escaped towards Shanyang. I'm investigating this matter. Your visit to Yingxiu, I heard from the Household Generals, you can go see your uncle yourself. I don't have time to accompany you back right now."
"What a coincidence." Wang Shouzhe laughed, "I just came from Shanyang, and on the way, I happened to capture a criminal. Initial interrogation suggests he's from the same group you mentioned, Uncle."
"What?" Lua Zhengjie was slightly surprised.
Subsequently, Wang Shouzhe handed the criminal over to Lua Zhengjie and recounted the series of events: "I'll leave the criminal to you, Uncle, but he's hidden the stolen goods. I won't interfere in this matter; have someone handle the interrogation."
"That makes things easier. Lua Yi, the rest is up to you. Try to recover the stolen goods and provide an explanation to the survivors of that merchant family." Lua Zhengjie instructed jubilantly.
The Black Tortoise Clan enjoys various privileges locally but also bears the responsibility to protect the civilians under their jurisdiction.
"Yes, Second Commander." A man with a somewhat sinister and fierce appearance stepped forward, let out a cruel sneer, "The audacity of this thief to commit crimes on our Lu Family's territory! He's going to regret falling into my hands; I'll make sure he's unable to live or die."
Such fierce words made Wang Shouzhe take an extra look at him.
"Lua Yi is quite adept at interrogation," Lua Zhengjie said with a smile, "You could have a Household General with some talent sent to learn a thing or two."
To this, Wang Shouzhe remained noncommittal.
As far as interrogation goes, Wang Shouzhe's "knowledge" is quite extensive, exploring a wide variety of ancillary topics. After all, modern detective dramas, spy thrillers... have plenty of similar scenes, and the methods are fairly scientific.
No longer dwelling on this matter, as the task of capturing the fugitives was already complete, Lua Zhengjie personally led Wang Shouzhe back to the main residence of the Yingxiu Lu Family.
Compared to the Shanyang Gongsun Family's main residence built halfway up the mountain, with a seemingly impregnable stance, the Yingxiu Lu Family's main residence was built on a peninsula in Yingxiu Lake, surrounded by water on three sides and easy to defend.
By blood relation alone, Wang Shouzhe had deep ties with the Lu Family, and as such, he naturally received a high level of hospitality.
Before even entering the door, a girl in a red dress bolted out, throwing herself into Wang Shouzhe's arms: "Cousin Shouzhe, Xiaoxiao missed you so much."
Lua Xiaoxiao!
The present Clan Leader Lua Zhengxiong had a daughter late in life, who was most cherished.
But before Wang Shouzhe had time to speak, Wang Luojing, who was hiding behind him, suddenly grabbed his hand, "Fourth Brother, Jing'Er feels a bit uncomfortable."
Uncomfortable?
Wang Shouzhe was taken aback, hurriedly grabbing her small hand with concern: "Luojing, where are you uncomfortable? Could it be from sleeping in the carriage…"
Halfway through his words, he noticed the two girls locked eyes, their mutual hostility unmasked, sparks flying.
...