Chapter 199: False Pretenses (High Energy in This Chapter)

Ma Wu arrived at Lanyang Village with his goods. The three moth spirits reluctantly bid farewell, and A Qin also had to leave.

Next, Ma Wu had to transport the goods to Greenwater City. There was almost no one to protect him on this journey; he had to rely entirely on his own cultivation and experience.

His two-tiered cultivation wasn't quite sufficient, but Ma Wu was experienced. He unfurled the Lu family's large banner.

Lanyang Village was Lu family territory, so displaying the banner was perfectly fine. With this flag, ordinary mountain bandits and petty thieves wouldn't dare approach.

He traveled safely to Greenwater City. After delivering the goods, Ma Wu bought a newspaper.

The second page of the newspaper still carried news about Ma Wu, reporting his grand success in Lanyang Village.

This news wasn't new, but Ma Wu noticed another headline.

"The Lu Family's Painful Loss of Lanyang Village: Incapable Descendants Ruin the Family Business."

Who wrote this? Who dared to directly insult the Lu family? This newspaper was incredibly bold.

Wait a moment. Perhaps it wasn't the newspaper that was so bold.

Ma Wu read the two news articles together and saw some clues. Based on the content, it wasn't the newspaper provoking the Lu family, but Ma Wu himself.

Ma Wu's actions in Lanyang Village made it seem as if he had seized the Lu family's assets.

After putting away the newspaper, Ma Wu had a cup of tea at Yufangzhai. He stayed for twenty minutes, clarifying his thoughts.

"If Old Seven and I continue to expand our business in Lanyang Village, it will force the Lu family to turn against me."

"If something happens to me in Lanyang Village—for instance, if I die at Lu Xiaolan's hands—the Lu family would be the primary suspect and would definitely bear the blame."

"The intention behind these two news articles is truly malicious!"

"No, I can't let them spread such nonsense."

This shipment sold for over seven thousand silver dollars. Ma Wu took out two thousand silver dollars, asking the Yufangzhai shopkeeper to prepare four generous gifts. He also borrowed five thousand silver dollars from the shopkeeper, making a total of ten thousand silver dollars, which he immediately packed into a box.

In the afternoon, Ma Wu arrived at the Lu family mansion with the four gifts and ten thousand silver dollars.

Upon reaching the residence, Ma Wu was very humble, stating he was merely there to visit Butler Qiu.

Monkey Qiu invited Ma Wu into the small building. After understanding his purpose, he immediately went to the main house to inform the Madame, instructing the two young masters to welcome the guest in the main hall.

Ma Wu felt a little awkward. "Uncle Qiu, I came to visit you today, not to cause trouble for you."

Monkey Qiu chuckled, "Junyang, what are you saying? You've come to visit the Lu family, not just me, the butler."

Ma Wu naturally understood Monkey Qiu's implication. He was there today to help the Lu family save face.

There were four generous gifts: one for Madame Duan Shaoxia, one for Eldest Young Master Lu Yuanshan, one for Second Young Master Lu Yuanhai, and one for Head Butler Qiu Zhiheng. No one was overlooked.

The ten thousand silver dollars were Lanyang Village's gesture of goodwill to the Lu family, clearly indicating that Lanyang Village was paying dividends to the Lu family and that it remained their territory.

Ma Wu's action gave the Lu family ample face.

Lu Yuanshan exclaimed in admiration, "Junyang, you really know how to make money! Lanyang Village has become a prosperous place in your hands. How long have you been in charge to earn so much?"

Lu Yuanhai laughed, "Old Five, don't try to impress us if you haven't earned that much. Don't force yourself; I think you should just take half of it back."

Ma Wu sighed, "To be honest, brothers, this money was hard-earned; it's what your younger brother risked his life for. When I, Ma Junyang, was at my lowest, both of you left Lanyang Village for me, providing me a lifeline. I'll never forget that kindness."

Duan Shaoxia smiled, "What talk of kindness? You're exaggerating. Junyang is such a delightful child. You must stay for dinner tonight, no matter what."

Hearing this, Monkey Qiu exchanged a meaningful glance with Lu Yuanshan.

Their reputation couldn't just be saved at home; it needed to be seen publicly!

Lu Yuanshan quickly interjected, "What's the point of eating at home? Tonight, I'll host at the Paramount. We'll eat, drink, and have the company of ladies. We must entertain Junyang well."

Lu Yuanhai added, "Old Five, there's a singing gala at the Paramount tonight. You're an expert; you should go as a VIP."

Duan Shaoxia frowned, "Don't lead Junyang astray."

Lu Yuanshan widened his eyes and laughed, "Mom, you think we'll lead him astray? We grew up together; we all know each other well. He's much naughtier than the two of us. If he goes tonight, even the songstress queen won't be able to enter anyone else's room!"

Ma Wu waved his hands repeatedly, "Brothers, you shouldn't slander me in front of Auntie."

Everyone chatted and laughed, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Monkey Qiu looked at Ma Junyang, nodding repeatedly.

This child is sensible and will surely achieve great things in the future.

That evening, Ma Junyang attended the Paramount singing gala as a VIP, and reporters came to conduct exclusive interviews.

These weren't the Ling family's reporters, but Lu Yuanshan's. Although the Lu family's newspaper didn't sell well, this was major news.

Ma Wu personally visited and presented a dividend to the Lu family, which meant that numerous rumors about the Lu family and Lanyang Village would naturally dissipate.

He Jiaqing frowned from his sickbed.

Ma Wu not only didn't avoid the Lu family but also actively showed goodwill, which surprised He Jiaqing.

A man's voice came from beside him: "How should we handle this?"

"Pay up, go to every newsstand, collect all of the Lu family's newspapers, and suppress the news."

"We've collected the evening papers, but I'm afraid there will be morning papers tomorrow."

"Collect them all. However many they print, we'll collect. At the very least, this news cannot spread in Greenwater City. Our newspapers will continue to publish news about Lanyang Village and Lu Maoxian, making the matter bigger. We need to make Ma Wu's ten thousand silver dollars a waste."

Late at night, Ma Wu pushed aside the woman beside him and left the room.

This woman was the songstress queen of the night, beautiful and an excellent singer, truly a captivating beauty.

But Ma Wu wasn't interested. There were some things that the woman didn't know and couldn't learn.

He went to the ballroom, wanting to listen to some music, and coincidentally, Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai were there too.

Lu Yuanshan called out, "Junyang, come sit down. What's wrong? Is the songstress queen not to your liking?"

Ma Wu shook his head and smiled, "I'm a bit tired from the journey. I can't really keep up."

Lu Yuanhai laughed, "Old Five, are you kidding me? Is there ever a time you can't keep up?"

As the three chatted, a subordinate approached Lu Yuanshan and whispered a few words to him.

Lu Yuanshan's eyes widened. "Is that true?"

The subordinate nodded, "Absolutely true."

Lu Yuanhai asked, "What happened?"

Lu Yuanshan looked at his brother, then at Ma Wu. "You might not believe it, but two of the Ling family's newspaper offices and their printing plant have been burned down."

Ma Wu was startled. "Who did this?"

The Ling family was considered the fifth largest family in Puluozhou. Who would dare burn down their newspaper offices?

The subordinate shook his head and said, "We don't know who did it yet."

Lu Yuanshan said with a look of regret, "My relationship with Ling Miaowen is quite good. With such a major incident, shouldn't I go and take a look?"

Lu Yuanhai nodded, "Yes, you should go. This is big news. Should we bring reporters along to see it too?"

Lu Yuanshan slapped his thigh. "That's right, I almost forgot! Old Five, let's go together. You can also show your sympathy to the Ling family; you'll have to deal with them a lot in the future."

Ma Wu waved his hand. "I won't go. I haven't prepared anything..."

Lu Yuanhai laughed, "You don't need to prepare anything, brother. I'll prepare it for you. It's just a gift, why should you worry about it?"

Ma Wu watched the brothers' reactions, his mind churning. The two of them were very excited! Why were they so excited?

When they arrived at the newspaper office and saw the ruins, Ma Wu understood. This was the Lu family's way of sending a warning to the Ling family.

The Lu family had encountered trouble, but they certainly hadn't fallen.

On his sickbed, He Jiaqing clenched his fists, gnashing his teeth. "Barbarians! They actually attacked the newspaper offices. It's these barbarians who are ruining Puluozhou."

The man's voice came from beside him: "How should we deal with it now?"

"You go back to Greenwater City first and investigate the newspaper office matter thoroughly."

"If I go back, this territory won't be defendable. The Iron Sheep Three died, and Rong Yeguang is furious; he wants to withdraw his men."

"Let them withdraw then. How much effort did we put into the newspaper offices? Can't you distinguish between what's important and what's not?"

"If we withdraw now, what about that item?"

He Jiaqing let out a long breath. "Wait a bit. My brother wouldn't abandon this family business. We'll get it back in a while."

Li Banfeng stood silently, lost in thought, next to the new territory Lu Xiaolan had opened up. How strange. Why was no one here?

Li Banfeng was just pondering how to deal with Lu Xiaolan, and now she was gone? What had happened?

Ma Wu rushed back to the new territory, arriving at the ten-mile plot, searching everywhere for Li Banfeng.

Chuanzi said, "Master Seven returned to his original plot. He said he wanted to cultivate well these past two days."

Ma Wu went to the plot, waited for half a day, and finally found Li Banfeng. "Old Seven, something happened in Greenwater City."

"What is it?" Li Banfeng wasn't very interested in matters concerning Greenwater City.

"The Ling family's newspaper offices were burned down."

"A fire?" Li Banfeng was even less interested in such things.

"It doesn't look like an accidental fire. I went to the scene; it seems the Lu family was behind it. Both newspaper offices and one printing plant were burned."

Li Banfeng stood stunned for a long time, his thoughts swirling in his mind.

Ma Wu continued, "I went to the Lu family and presented ten thousand silver dollars, intending to clear up the misunderstanding. They invited me to stay at the Paramount, and then that very night, the incident happened..."

As Ma Wu was still recounting the events, Li Banfeng interrupted him. "Where did you buy the gramophone?"

"What gramophone?"

"The gramophone in the assembly hall, where was it bought?"

Ma Wu blinked. "At Miaosheng Gramophone Shop, of course. Only their shop sells such high-quality gramophones."

Li Banfeng's expression was blank.

Ma Wu said, "Let's not talk about the gramophone for now. Let's talk about the Ling family incident. This is no ordinary matter..."

"Indeed, it's not ordinary. For something so important, we should discuss it back in the assembly hall, while listening to music. You go back to the assembly hall and wait for me; I'll be there shortly."

Ma Wu couldn't understand Li Banfeng's thinking, but since Li Banfeng insisted he go to the assembly hall, Ma Wu complied.

Li Banfeng returned to his portable residence and said to the gramophone, "My dear wife, I've found the mole."

"Congratulations, husband. What kind of person is it? Let's have some fun with them."

"That mole isn't a person."

"Husband, don't say such angry words."

"It's not anger; it's truly not a person. Wife, come closer."

The gramophone hummed, "Your little servant has no ears!"

Li Banfeng whispered a few words into the speaker horn, and the wife couldn't help but laugh.

"That tickles! Husband, this matter is interesting, very interesting indeed."

"Please elaborate, my dear wife."

"If it were before, I would at most punish them lightly. But now that my cultivation has recovered considerably, I can let them have a truly filling meal."

"How filling?"

"There's a killing move I haven't used in a long time. Although it consumes a lot of energy, I'd like to try it."

"If the consumption is too great, don't use it. Your health is important, wife."

"It's fine. For my husband, let alone a technique, I'd even risk my life."

Ma Wu waited for half a day in the assembly hall before finally seeing Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng, carrying a record, sat across from Ma Wu.

Ma Wu looked around, then lowered his voice. "Don't you think there's something fishy about this Ling family incident? I think it's connected to Lu Xiaolan!"

"Fishy? Major family feuds like this are common in Puluozhou, aren't they?"

He Jiaqing, listening to the live broadcast from his sickbed, smiled when he heard Li Banfeng's voice.

Banfeng still couldn't see the true nature of Puluozhou's environment. In this regard, he was far inferior to Ma Wu.

Ma Wu shook his head repeatedly. "Old Seven, there's a lot going on here. The previous news in the Ling family's newspaper was clearly targeting us."

He Jiaqing nodded. Ma Wu was still the smarter one.

Li Banfeng still didn't take it seriously. "I don't want to hear about Greenwater City. I'm tired of it. I've been through a lot these past few days. Let's play some chess and listen to music. I don't want to hear about these bothersome things from you."

"No, Old Seven..."

Li Banfeng ignored him, took the record, and placed it on the gramophone.

Lively violin music filled the air, accompanied by trombones and trumpets, playing a playful dance tune.

This was a unique dance style from Puluozhou, blending Western jazz influences with a local Puluozhou flavor. The song was titled "Faking Seriousness."

"Feigning, feigning,Why must people always be feigning?You want to see, you need to see,Then look closely and clearly!"

To the cheerful rhythm, Li Banfeng, with one hand on his top hat and the other holding a feather duster, actually started dancing.

Ma Wu was speechless. "Alright, Old Seven, let's just play chess. Why are you dancing?"

Li Banfeng laughed, "Come on, dance with me!"

He Jiaqing smiled on his sickbed. Banfeng was acting crazy again.

In truth, he wasn't crazy, but sometimes, his actions were simply incomprehensible. Why did he insist on listening to this song?

"Don't pretend to be so serious like this,Don't put on such a stern face and frighten people!"

His smile vanished abruptly. He Jiaqing realized something was wrong! There was something in the singing, a very strange power.

As it reached the chorus, the singing suddenly intensified, giving He Jiaqing a splitting headache. He tried to sever the connection, but failed after several attempts.

"Stop, quickly stop!"

The man's voice came from his ear, very weak: "Can't stop, can't stop..."

"Break the hook!"

"Can't break it, can't break it..."

The man's voice faded, but the singing did not.

He Jiaqing covered his ears, but blood gushed from both, flowing through his fingers.

At the Ling family mansion, Ling Miaowen lay on the ground, twitching incessantly.

Two subordinates stepped forward and helped Ling Miaowen up.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Ling Miaowen couldn't speak, continuously vomiting blood.

"Quick!" a subordinate shouted. "Call a doctor!"

By the time the doctor arrived, Ling Miaowen had already passed away.

He was dead. Ling Miaowen, head of the Ling family, controller of major newspaper offices in Puluozhou, and a seventh-tier cultivation expert, was dead.

"Faking seriousness, faking seriousness,Your eyes have long been,Gliding over, gliding past,Stealthily staring without stopping!"

In the assembly hall, "Faking Seriousness" played repeatedly. The volume hadn't changed, and the melody remained light and cheerful.

The more Li Banfeng listened, the more he felt it; the more he danced, the more energetic he became.

Ma Wu couldn't help himself and started dancing with Li Banfeng. "Old Seven, if we're going to dance, can you please put down the feather duster?"