Entrusted with an Important Responsibility

Chu Liutang shook his head: "Things are not that simple. Now it is the world of cultivation and law."

Unless one is a cultivator who is self-sufficient, unattached, and carefree, one must abide by the immortal laws established by the Xuanqing Sect.

The old tricks of killing to seize territory and plunder resources no longer work here.

Anyone who dares to openly commit mass murder and disrupt stability will be dealt with according to the Xuanqing Sect, regardless of whether they are the city lord or not. The sect will show them what the power of thunder truly means.

Back then, Yuansheng Sect was incredibly powerful; everyone in Chizhu Immortal City and the surrounding area had to bow down to them.

But they were too arrogant and disregarded the laws of the immortals. In the end, they were destroyed in just one month. Now, let alone making a comeback, they can't even use the name Yuansheng Sect anymore.

Chen Lu fell silent. Although the Immortal Law had many restrictions that left people speechless, it greatly protected the living space of the weak.

If it weren't for the Xuanqing Sect's domineering methods and its brutal suppression of various regions, who knows what kind of chaos would exist today.

"Now, the major families firmly control everything in the Immortal City, and the city lord is powerless to do whatever he wants."

Although he was strong, the major families were not to be trifled with either; if they joined forces, killing him would not be a problem.

To control the Immortal City, one must use the Immortal Laws and abide by the rules of the Xuanqing Sect.

Since we can't control much within the Red Bamboo Immortal City, there are still so many markets and counties outside the city that we can quickly take control of.

"Your Wang family's Maple Forest Ward is one of the areas the city lord controls."

Chen Lu recalled that in recent years, the Wang family's decline had been unusually rapid. Even if they did nothing and everyone was a spendthrift, they wouldn't have lost so much property so quickly.

"Therefore, the Wang family's downfall was destined long ago; whatever they did was only prolong their demise."

"I guess so, that's why I told you a long time ago that working with me is the most promising career path."

Chu Liutang tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with arrogance.

"Moreover, don't worry, the major families aren't fools, they won't let the City Lord's Mansion corrupt them."

According to old rules, alchemy workshops, weapon refining workshops, array workshops, and the like cannot be opened in the market.

Now, however, they have opened their first alchemy shop in Fenglinfang, intending to extend the influence of the Chu and Song families and confront the City Lord's Mansion.

Whoever eliminates the Wang family first will win this battle.

Chen Lu hadn't expected that the Wang family, who thought they would only face the City Lord's Mansion, would also have to contend with the forces of the Chu and Song families.

Compared to them, the Wang family is a small clan; to confront them would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

They are still alive today only because the divine laws have protected them.

From this perspective, it seems that the downfall of the Wang family was indeed only a matter of time.

"Xin Xin and I are just nominally affiliated with Danfang; we can't actually get involved in anything."

Chu Liutang clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment:

"But that was promised to me! It was meant to be Chu Liutang's property!"

It was through being a live-in son-in-law, being verbally abused, and treated like a slave that I earned this humiliation!

They said that my children would not take my surname, and I would not even be allowed to see them! Furthermore, I would not be allowed to take a concubine or have a child with the surname Chu!

Others are surrounded by their children and enjoy the joys of family life, but I, Chu Liutang, have no children of my own. I'm fucking childless!

What I gained in exchange for so much doesn't belong to me. I refuse to accept this! I'd rather die than accept it!

Chen Lu sensed the anger and unyielding spirit in Chu Liutang's tone and gradually came to understand what he had been saying and doing all along.

Chu Liutang put his hand on Chen Lu's shoulder and said, "Junior Brother Chen, you're the only one I can rely on in Fenglinfang."

I guarantee that if the two of us join forces, we can achieve something that will shock everyone!

"But—" Chen Lu was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

"Junior Brother Chen, I know you don't want your family to know too much about you. It's okay, don't worry, I've already thought it through."

I will arrange a fake identity for you, and you will be appointed as a manager at the Danfang.

The work isn't tiring, and you don't need to go every day. Just at crucial moments, after we discuss it, you can do something underhanded.

On the surface, you are still a member of the Wang family. Don't worry about Xin Xin; I'll handle it.

You don't need to agree immediately. Tell me your answer after the alchemy workshop opens.

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother Chu."

Although Chu Liutang is somewhat stubborn and sometimes gives the impression of being a bit slow-witted, he is impeccable when it comes to his companions.

"By the way, Junior Brother Chen, the martial arts competition at the Wang family in Fenglinfang will be held in a little over a month. People from several major families in Chizhu Immortal City will participate."

The City Lord's Mansion will likely send cultivators from the Yuansheng Sect, and they might target you. You should prepare accordingly to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

He understood what Chu Liutang meant; he wanted him to focus on his cultivation and not get involved in other matters.

With the major matter resolved, he had no reason to stay any longer.

After thanking him, Chu Liutang saw him off from the weapon-refining workshop.

As for the longsword at his waist, he had no intention of hiding it. If the family asked, he could easily explain that he had come across it by chance in the black market.

Anyway, this longsword was a custom-made one with no special features, so no one could trace its origin. He was quite at ease.

After being cooped up for more than a month, the first thing Chen Lu did after gaining his freedom was naturally to go to Wangyue Tower to visit Miss Tao'er.

He'd been holding back for so long, and he really did miss it.

"Master bodyguard~ You've arrived a bit early today; the ladies might not be up yet."

Chen Lu waved his hand dismissively: "More money! It's still Miss Tao'er."

The head maid looked troubled: "Miss Tao'er...she...redeemed herself and left."

"Hmm? You've been redeemed and left?"

Chen Lu was stunned. He hadn't expected it to happen so suddenly, and he certainly hadn't expected that being a prostitute could earn so much money. He had actually saved up so many spirit stones in less than a year.

What's even stranger is that redeeming oneself is not like owing a debt, where you are free once the debt is paid off. Redeeming oneself means buying back one's life, and it is very difficult to succeed without certain means.

"How...did she leave?"

"Miss Tao saved up enough money last month, but the higher-ups have been refusing to let her go. As you know, every girl is a money tree, only a fool would let her leave."

But then, for some reason, a young master from the Chu family came, said something to his superiors, and they actually let her go!

Chen Lu frowned and pressed, "Young Master Chu? What does he look like?"

The head maid shook her head, indicating that there were rules in this line of work, and no one's information could be revealed.

Chen Lu was somewhat helpless, so he took out fifty lower-level spirit coins and handed them over.

Upon receiving the spirit stone, the head maid beamed with joy.

He described the person's appearance and clothing in just a few words.

This person is none other than Chu Liutang.