Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

"Is it you?"

Seeing Elder Song suddenly appear out of nowhere and interrupt his attack, Lu Shan was taken aback for a moment, then looked puzzled. "Song Yi, didn't I ask you yesterday to lead a group of people to escort a batch of 'rare spiritual plants' to the Guo family in the Northern Wei Kingdom for delivery?"

"Why are you back so soon? Could it be that the Guo clan thought the price of this batch of 'rare spiritual plants' was too high and changed their minds?"

Lu Shan spoke with suspicion, and at the same time looked at Song Yi on the opposite side again.

Although the other party's escort of a batch of "rare spiritual plants" to the Northern Wei Kingdom was not exactly a long and difficult journey, it was certainly not short either. Even if a Spirit Soul Realm martial artist traveled at full speed, it would take at least five days and five nights!

The fact that Song Yi returned to the Lu family in just one day is undoubtedly unusual, and it's no wonder that Lu Shan was surprised.

As for Song Yi himself, he was no ordinary guard, but one of the many non-family retainers under the Lu family. He was not only loyal, but also quite powerful, with his cultivation reaching the third level of the Spirit Soul Realm. He was no ordinary person.

In addition, Song Yi has been frequently entrusted with important tasks by the Lu family's senior management over the years, making him one of the Lu family's most loyal dogs!

Therefore, even Lu Shan, the once high and mighty fourth elder of the Lu family, was not unfamiliar with Song Yi in front of him.

"Reporting to the Fourth Elder!"

"This transaction concerning the 'rare spiritual plant' was not due to the Guo family of the Northern Wei Kingdom reneging on their agreement. It was merely that this old servant was somewhat worried about the young lady, which is why I made a special trip back to the Lu family. I hope the Fourth Elder will forgive me...!"

Faced with Lu Shan's questioning, Song Yi dared not be negligent in the slightest. He bowed deeply and said with a nervous expression.

Although the other party was only ranked last among the four elders of the Lu family, he was still not someone that a mere guest elder could afford to offend!

Furthermore, given that his sudden return to the Lu family was considered dereliction of duty and not in the right, Song Yi was naturally filled with trepidation and anxiety!

"What did you say?!"

Upon hearing Song Yi's explanation, Lu Shan frowned, his face turning ashen. "Song Yi, are you implying that the task I assigned you yesterday hasn't been completed, and you've already run back ahead of time? And all for that brat Lu Xiaoxiang?"

"Fourth Elder, this old servant simply..."

"You, Song Yi! You've got some nerve! You dare to disregard my orders!"

The former was about to explain when Lu Shan interrupted him angrily. His face was full of rage, and his tone became increasingly irritable. "Song Yi! Do you think that because you were once favored by the patriarch, you consider yourself to be of high status and now you completely disregard me?!"

"This old servant dares not...!"

Faced with Lu Shan's angry rebuke, Song Yi seemed to know he was in the wrong, and immediately bowed deeply, saying with deep concern, "This old servant just feels that since the former patriarch went into seclusion, the entire Lu family has fallen into chaos, with endless internal strife. This is probably not what the patriarch wanted to see, and besides..."

At this point, Song Yi changed the subject, his tone becoming solemn, "As a servant of the Lu family, I have received great kindness from the master in the past and have followed the young lady for many years. Naturally, I cannot stand idly by and watch the young lady be deceived...!"

"Were you deceived?"

Upon hearing this, not only was Lu Xiaoxiang stunned, but even Lu Feng and the Lu family servants beside him looked puzzled, clearly not understanding the meaning behind Song Yi's words.

"What's going on now?"

"Could it be that this person wasn't sent by Lu Jinyuan, the head of the Lu family, to smooth things over...?"

Thinking about this, Lu Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise. "Why does this young master feel like the plot is going a bit off track..."

"Young Miss, I'm so sorry...!"

Just as Lu Feng was secretly pondering the current situation, he saw Song Yi turn his gaze to Lu Xiaoxiang, who was covered in wounds not far away. Song Yi's tone also revealed a hint of self-reproach, "Now that things have come to this, this old servant shouldn't have continued to hide it from you...!"

"Actually... the former patriarch was not seriously ill or nearing his end; he was simply in seclusion cultivating. As for why this old servant sent a message from afar to summon you back, it was not to arrange the patriarch's funeral..."

"This is all a deception set up by the four elders. Their real purpose is to lure you into the trap, capture you alive, and hand you over to the young master of the Jin family. This would both free the Lu family from the threat from the Jin family and fulfill the marriage agreement between the Jin and Lu families in the past..."

"Young Miss, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so cowardly, I shouldn't have obeyed the elders' orders, and most importantly, I shouldn't have lied to you and brought you back. I deserve to die!"

After saying that, Song Yi knelt down heavily on both knees again and kowtowed repeatedly to Lu Xiaoxiang, who was not far away. His old face was full of self-blame and regret, as if he hated himself for not being more assertive back then.

After all, Lu Xiaoxiang had always trusted him. If he hadn't been afraid of death and obeyed the orders of the four elders, he wouldn't have been able to leave Luoxing Academy and return to the Lu family of Nanyue Kingdom, and he wouldn't be in such a dangerous situation now.

"Mr. Song, how could you...!"

Faced with Song Yi's heartfelt words, Lu Xiaoxiang's pretty face turned pale, her beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and she stood there stunned.

After all, the other party was the person she trusted most. If it weren't for Song Yi, even if Lu Jinyuan's body was completely dead, Lu Xiaoxiang would never have stepped into the Lu family again!

Seeing that Song Yi had actually joined forces with the four elders of the Lu family to set a trap for her, Lu Xiaoxiang was naturally incredulous!

"Song Yi, I never thought you were such a loyal dog. It's just a pity it's all too late..."

Just then, a mocking, cold laugh slowly came from the side.

Swish!

The next moment, Elder Lu Feng, who hadn't made a move for a long time, suddenly leaped and landed in front of Song Yi again. His eyes were full of contempt. "Heh, Lu Xiaoxiang is now trapped like a turtle in a jar, powerless to resist. Even if you tell the whole truth, it won't change anything in the end!"

"The marriage alliance between the Jin and Lu families is not open to any opposition! This is not only the decision of the family head, but also the decision of myself and all the elders. Anyone who dares to obstruct it will be executed without mercy!"

After speaking, Lu Feng's gaze turned cold. He suddenly reached out with his right palm, grabbed Song Yi's neck, and lifted him up in the air like a chicken.

"Ugh...! Ah...!"

Lu Feng gripped Song Yi's neck tightly, his face turning ashen and his lips purple. He seemed to be having trouble breathing, and his limbs were struggling wildly. He couldn't even utter a single word, clearly in great pain!

Although he was a martial artist at the third level of the Spirit Soul Realm, Song Yi was powerless to resist Lu Feng, the eldest elder of the Lu family at the tenth level of the Spirit Soul Realm. He was like a weak and helpless mortal child, at the mercy of others!

"stop...!"

"Release Elder Song...!"

Seeing Lu Feng suddenly reveal his murderous intent and grab Song Yi's neck, Lu Xiaoxiang's pretty face changed slightly. She then shouted out, seemingly intending to stop him.

"Song Yi, you're no longer of any use to me...!"

However, Lu Feng ignored Lu Xiaoxiang's rebuke and immediately exerted force in his right palm, unleashing an extremely powerful Yuan energy fluctuation!

Click...!

A crisp cracking sound of a broken neck rang out, and the next moment Song Yi's face turned pale. Then his pupils gradually dilated, and his body slumped to the ground until he finally stopped breathing and moving.

"Old Song...!"

Seeing Song Yi die a gruesome death at Lu Feng's hands, Lu Xiaoxiang let out a shrill scream. The next moment, her pretty face turned deathly pale, and she was filled with uncontrollable rage, her eyes bloodshot. "Lu Feng, you old thief! How dare you... how dare you...!"

"I will absolutely... absolutely not let you get away with this...!"

"Lu Feng, you old scoundrel! You... deserve to die!"

Lu Xiaoxiang's face was filled with grief and indignation, and her murderous aura was fully revealed. At this moment, her delicate body was trembling slightly, as if witnessing Song Yi's murder on the spot had caused her to be on the verge of a breakdown and going berserk!

"My dear niece, now that the situation is settled, I advise you to obediently give up resistance to avoid suffering unnecessary pain!"

"If you surrender now, perhaps out of consideration for your former patriarch, I will spare you further trouble. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless...!"

"Hmph! You're just a mere sixth-level Qi Refining Realm brat. Do you really think you can turn the tables on us?"

Faced with Lu Xiaoxiang's outburst of rage, Elder Lu Feng merely smiled disdainfully. Meanwhile, Elders Lu Lin and Lu Huo, standing to the side, both uttered threats in a forceful tone, clearly not taking the former seriously.