Chapter 61: Cunning and Sly, Empty Threats and Intimidation

Wei Zhaoting had no complaints about Magistrate Qu asking her to act as an intermediary.

The Wei family was located right here in Nanhe City. The magistrate might be a local official, but as the Prefect of Nanhe City, Magistrate Qu was the highest authority in these parts.

She had originally intended to scheme for some personal gain from Lu Wu, but though that attempt had fallen through, she had managed to achieve her goal through a roundabout way by basking in Magistrate Qu's grace. Though it was merely a minor errand, when she stepped out of the Prefect's Residence, she found a group of her Wei clansmen waiting to welcome her out of nowhere.

These relatives had completely discarded their usual sharp and sour expressions, their faces now beaming with warmth. They looked at her as if she were their own beloved daughter, making Wei Zhaoting feel rather unaccustomed to the sudden affection. Had the errand not been urgent, these uncles and elders would no doubt have insisted on throwing a welcoming banquet for her.

"Well, this prefect certainly has some courage," Lu Wu said after listening to Wei Zhaoting's message. "Very well, then we shall meet. Tell Prefect Qu that I am waiting for him here."

The Prefect's Residence, back garden.

"Did Lu Wu truly say that?" Qu Wenyi asked, frowning as he looked at the deferential Wei Zhaoting before him.

"I stake my life on it, every single word is correct," Wei Zhaoting replied.

Lu Wu's tone had been unmistakably hostile. If she relayed the wrong message and caused Magistrate Qu to misjudge the situation, not just she alone, but the entire Wei clan would face execution.

"Hahaha, truly a reckless madman," Qu Wenyi laughed. "I understand. You may withdraw and collect your reward."

"To serve the Prefect is this humble person's fortune; how dare I covet a reward?" Wei Zhaoting said hastily.

Though she had failed to attach herself to Lu Wu's powerful backing, latching onto the Prefect's patronage was clearly much safer.

"To render service without reward goes against the law—go," Qu Wenyi said gently.

Once Wei Zhaoting had departed, Qu Wenyi turned to his old friend with a smile and said, "That man is indeed just as the legends describe. He holds no reverence for authority whatsoever, and even harbors a touch of murderous intent toward me."

"This trip should carry no danger," Qu Wenyi remarked.

Having earned a reputation for wisdom in the State of Chu while effectively managing state affairs, Qu Wenyi possessed an exceptionally keen grasp of human nature. Having heard only the two sentences relayed by Wei Zhaoting, he was able to deduce Lu Wu's mindset with considerable accuracy.

Of course, this was also related to the fact that Lu Wu was barely twenty years old and a formidable expert devoted entirely to the martial path. In other words, he believed Lu Wu was likely a straightforward and single-minded individual.

Reading between the lines, Lu Wu's brief remarks began with a compliment regarding his courage. While the words themselves seemed fine, the tone was dripping with condescension.

In other words, this person never placed himself in the position of a junior, showing no awe whatsoever for seasoned elders of high virtue and prestige.

Had they attempted to approach this meeting with the condescending attitude of elders offering guidance, they would likely have been publicly humiliated on the spot.

"I shall accompany you," Xu Yang said.

"Brother Ziteng, why must you risk your life with me? If this Prefect's Residence were truly safe, I would not bother going to meet him," Qu Wenyi dissuaded him.

Generals who excelled in martial combat typically favored direct, head-on assaults and powerful offenses, lacking subtlety in profound assassination arts.

However, everything depended on who one was comparing them to. While such martial artists fell far short of grandmasters, they were vastly superior to ordinary innate realm experts.

Since he had previously ordered an interception and assassination attempt against this man, given Lu Wu's temperament, the likelihood of him storming the residence was extremely high—otherwise, why would Lu Wu have been in such a hurry to send someone for communication?

"Haha, Brother Qu, I am not doing this for your sake. Having lived to such an advanced age, I have never laid eyes on such a young martial general. I simply must go and broaden my horizons," Xu Yang laughed heartily.

"At your age, you still speak insincerely just like you did in your youth. No wonder you ended up unmarried for life," Qu Wenyi said, amused yet exasperated as he pointed at Xu Yang.

"Hah! You old scoundrel Qu, a gentleman doesn't hit in the face, nor does he expose shortcomings!" Xu Yang protested, putting on a stern expression.

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Xiankelai Inn, Tingyun Courtyard.

Xiankelai Inn was the most refined and luxurious lodging located within the commercial district outside Nanhe City's walls. Aside from ordinary guest rooms, it featured ten independent courtyards within its grounds.

Tingyun Courtyard was among the very finest of these ten independent enclosures, boasting ten main rooms, thirty servants' quarters, independent stables and parking spaces, as well as rockery ponds, pavilions, and terraces presenting a miniature garden landscape. Naturally, the price was equally breathtaking.

Having stayed here for the past few days, Qiutong could not help inquiring of the inn attendants who the owner of Xiankelai Inn might be and where their home was.

Lu Wu sat in the seat of honor while his two guests occupied the guest seats, with Qiutong attending by the side. Only the four of them were present in the room.

"I have long heard of General Lu's great name. Meeting you today, I find your demeanor even more impressive than the rumors suggest," Qu Wenyi said.

"City Master Qu, if you have business, state it directly. Do not waste each other's time with empty courtesies," Lu Wu said.

Qu Wenyi faltered for a moment, but quickly recovered and continued, "General Lu is a straightforward man—very well, I shall speak plainly. General Lu has just established immortal merits for the State of Wu; why defect to the State of Chu?"

"Nothing special. I merely heard that the Central Plains is a land blessed with outstanding talents and wished to see it for myself," Lu Wu replied casually, intentionally or otherwise cutting off any further pleasantries.

Qu Wenyi naturally did not believe this, but he did not press the matter further. Instead, he steered the conversation to his advantage:

"General Lu has fine aspirations indeed. Our great Chu has always been thirsty for talent and cares not about one's origins. If General Lu were to—"

"The State of Wu is my homeland, but I have no interest in serving as an official there, and the State of Chu has even less to do with me," Lu Wu replied indifferently.

"General Lu is mistaken. In the present world, the five powers of the Central Plains stand side by side, and the western State of Qin is resurgent. Every state harbors ambitions for hegemony; this is precisely the era for heroes to display their martial prowess. With the General's formidable might, even if you harbor no personal ambitions, you cannot guard against hidden arrows while facing open spears. How can you remain aloof from these conflicts?"

"Let me give you an example—if the State of Chu were to dispatch death-squad agents to assassinate the General's esteemed parents, frame the King of Wu, and then approach the General offering to help avenge your family, how would the General respond?"

"To forgo vengeance is unfilial, yet to seek it is disloyal. When loyalty and filial piety cannot both be upheld, would the General flee far away to the State of Chu?"

"Let me offer another example—if the King of Wu were to send assassins to murder the General's parents and claim it was orchestrated by Chu, would the General be willing to serve the King of Wu and campaign against Chu? What if the mastermind were Yue? What if similar schemes were deployed against other people in the General's inner circle?"

The old man reeled off seven or eight scenarios in a single breath, every single one detailing insidious and vicious plots of framing, incrimination, and sowing discord. These scenarios caused both Lu Wu and Qiutong to frown deeply—not because the man was spouting empty deceptions, but because such schemes were entirely feasible in practice.

It was remarkable that despite having such an upright and dignified appearance, the old man harbored a stomach full of venomous schemes.

In its efforts to subvert Wu, the State of Chu had invested immense effort into espionage. Although Lord Jiu's enterprise had failed and Chu's spies had suffered heavy losses, a great number of Chu operatives remained hidden in the shadows.

Though Lu Wu's background had been deliberately sealed by the King of Wu, too many people knew of the matter, and to those with ulterior motives, it was hardly a secret. Investigating his origins in the Lu family was not difficult at all.

Seeing Lu Wu frown, Qu Wenyi smiled and said, "Does General Lu find this old man ruthless, vicious, and devoid of human decency? In truth, I have simply witnessed too much of it. I am not a master strategist; if a true tactician were to design such operations, the layers of deceit would likely surpass my own methods tenfold."

"The General's personal martial arts have reached divine mastery, yet your family background is frail and vulnerable. In military terms, the General is currently strong on offense but weak on defense, with your eyes and ears completely blocked. You are extremely vulnerable to being exploited by others!"

Qu Wenyi stroked his beard beneath his chin, adopting an expression of profound concern for Lu Wu.