My cultivation method shines upon all heavens.

For the next three days, Lu Ming continued to lead the Yin Tiger Guards out for training as usual.

Under the dual offensive of money and force, the newly formed Tiger Patrol Battalion initially demonstrated its loyalty to him.

Those greenhorns who once had shifty eyes and hesitated to move forward can now stand tall in the ranks, their eyes now filled with a newfound courage.

Meanwhile, the defenses of Yinhu County became increasingly tight.

Torches burned day and night on the city walls, and the garrison stood guard every five steps and sentry every ten steps.

Not only were they on guard against enemies outside the city, but they also maintained strict control over the city itself, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving at will.

This made the four major families, who wanted to send their elites out of the city, turn pale and curse inwardly.

Clearly, Liu Zhiyuan intends to use them as hostages, coercing the four major families to serve his purposes.

As for Lu Ming, Liu Zhiyuan issued seven orders in succession, urging him to transfer the Tiger Patrol Battalion into the city, ostensibly to assist in the defense of the city and prevent the rebels from attacking it.

Secretly, he sent seven secret letters urging him to act quickly, kill Wang An, and completely destroy the last pillar of the powerful clans.

Faced with this barrage of urging, Lu Ming remained completely unmoved, focusing solely on his cultivation and training.

……

Nighttime, Lu residence.

"Bang bang bang—!"

A series of urgent and rough knocks broke the tranquility of the courtyard.

A plump middle-aged man with a short mustache and dressed in blue brocade stood in front of the door with two servants, his eyes full of arrogance.

After a while, Xiao Wanjun peeked out, looked at the three stern-faced strangers, and cautiously asked:

"Who...are you looking for?"

The obese middle-aged man glanced at her indifferently, shoved her aside, and led his men straight inside.

"Fourth Miss, Shen Wanfu has come to pay his respects. Please come out and meet him."

He spoke politely, but strode straight in, his eyes scanning the furnishings in the courtyard, his disdain undisguised.

Shen Ru came out of the house and was slightly taken aback when she saw Shen Wanfu, then a hint of surprise appeared on her face:

"Butler Shen? What brings you here? Please come in quickly and let's have a chat."

Shen Wanfu paused, his aloofness carrying a hint of superiority:

"No need, let's talk here."

Shen Ru's expression froze for a moment, then she forced a smile and led him to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard.

Aunt Zhang quickly served tea to the two of them, then stood silently behind Shen Ru, her eyes lowered and saying nothing.

Shen Wanfu picked up the teacup, gently blew on the hot tea, took a sip, frowned slightly in disapproval, and then slowly raised his head:

"Fourth Miss, you betrayed your family back then, eloped with a lowly official, abandoned the kindness of the Shen family in raising you, and openly disgraced the family's reputation built up over generations!"

His speech was sharp and forceful, his eyes showing not a trace of respect for the young lady of the household, but only naked criticism and contempt:

"Now, the fine son you raised is even more arrogant and dares to oppose the Wang family!"

"Your reckless actions have implicated the Shen family and nearly severed the long-standing friendship between the Shen and Fang families... What are your true intentions?"

Words are like knives, cutting into the heart inch by inch.

He had absolutely no respect for the fourth young lady of the Shen family, who was born to a concubine, as he was backed by the main branch of the family.

The fact that the other party's son had angered the Wang family made the eldest son's family even more furious.

It is important to know that Wang An's second sister, Wang Hui, married into the Fang family, a top-tier clan in Yinshan Prefecture, and thus had the Fang family's power behind her.

That little beast's actions nearly caused a rift between the Shen and Fang families.

The Fang family's questions had already arrived, and the eldest son of the Shen family was both surprised and annoyed, so he immediately sent him to handle the matter.

Under such circumstances, he naturally wouldn't give him a pleasant look.

Shen Ru's face darkened.

Her mother died early, and she was ostracized and neglected in the family, living a life even worse than that of a respectable maid.

Her family never considered any familial affection and only intended to send her to another family as a concubine as a tool for marriage alliance.

It should be noted that the status of a concubine was not much better than that of a prostitute, and she could be easily assigned by her master to spend the night with a guest.

By then, she and Lu Ming's father were already in love, so she simply eloped with him, severing all ties with the Shen family, and spent many years of poverty and peace on her own.

Many years later, people from the Shen family suddenly arrived.

Deep in her heart, she harbored a tiny, insignificant hope.

She thought that after so many years, the grudges could be forgotten, and that her family might have remembered their thin blood ties and come looking for her.

Unexpectedly, he was immediately met with a barrage of criticism.

She lowered her head and pondered for a moment before slowly raising it, her serene face serene.

"Then what exactly does 'at home' mean?"

A hint of disdain flashed in Shen Wanfu's eyes.

This fourth young lady had been the scapegoat of the family since childhood, and her decision to elope back then truly surprised the entire Shen family.

But he was ultimately invisible, and they didn't even bother to look him up later.

Sure enough, with just a little pressure, the other party obediently complied.

"Prepare generous gifts immediately, and bring your reckless son to the Prince's residence to apologize in person..."

"Whatever punishment the Wang family imposes, you must accept it without uttering a single complaint."

Convinced that Shen Ru wouldn't dare to resist, his tone became increasingly forceful, carrying an unyielding domineering air.

Shen Ru bit her red lips tightly, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes, but she forced herself to suppress it and said:

"Butler Shen...do you know what Wang An did to my son and me?"

"Bang--!"

Shen Wanfu's expression changed, and he slammed his hand on the table, abruptly standing up:

"You traitorous woman, abandoning your family, and your arrogant bastard... how dare you compare yourself to Lord Wang An?"

"No matter what he's done, you and your son have provoked him, so you should just suffer and endure it! This is your fate, and the punishment you have to bear for causing trouble!"

Shen Ru's face was pale, and her lips were bitten until they bled slightly.

She finally gave up on her family completely.

"I will discuss this matter with Ming'er."

She lowered her beautiful eyes slightly and replied softly.

"Hmph...be quick and efficient, don't delay, lest you displease Lord Wang An and bring shame upon the Shen family!"

Shen Wanfu's eyes were icy cold. He snorted and turned to leave.

He was certain that this weak and cowardly fourth young lady would never dare to disobey the Shen family's orders.

Now that the Shen family has found her, she can no longer escape silently and isolate herself from the world as she did back then.

From this day forward, her fate and her son's fate will remain firmly in the hands of the Shen family.

The two servants behind them glanced at the three of them arrogantly and followed closely behind.

After the three left, Aunt Zhang leaned closer and whispered:

"Should we inform Young Master Lu about this?"

Shen Ru's eyes still held lingering anger, her chest heaving rapidly. It took her a long while to calm down before she slowly spoke:

"No need. Ming'er always acts in his own way, there's no need to tell him about such troublesome matters."

Although she was a woman, she was not stupid.

How could she not see through the Wang family's intentions?

It's nothing more than wanting to make my son hesitant to act rashly, or even to completely submit.

She did not do as they wished.

As for the Shen family?

She's a member of the Lu family, so what does the Shen family have to do with her?

Beside her, Xiao Wanjun quietly observed everything, a faint smile appearing on her lips, barely visible in the moonlight.

……

Nighttime, inside the brewery.

The candlelight was dim, and moonlight slanted in through the holes in the window paper, spreading a silvery white across the ground.

Lu Ming sat cross-legged on the bed, slowly circulating his qi and blood, and white mist surged on the Heavenly Heart Scroll:

[Martial Arts: Sky-Piercing Palm (Low-grade Earth-level Technique; Perfected 39999/40000)]

[Martial Arts: Nine Heavens Thunder Roar (Low-grade Earth-level Skill Book; Perfected 16000/40000)]

[Martial Arts: Moon Toad Scripture (Superior Earth Book, Incomplete; Perfection 38000/40000)]

[Martial Skill: Dragon-Slaying Sword (Low-grade Earth Rank; Mastery 14000/30000)]

Soon, the number on the Heavenly Heart Scroll flickered slightly—