I Can Deduce Arts by Slaying Demons

Zhao Xian lifted the corners of his wrinkled eyes, cautiously observing the expression of Emperor Qianxi.

"Mr. Lu has been managing for many years, his old subordinates are scattered throughout the court and the government."

"We might as well use this matter to test his limits, and then gradually gather his old subordinates."

Zhao Xian bowed in the hall, a sinister light flickering in his murky eyes: "For this, I have already planned carefully for Your Majesty, surely this great threat will be resolved."

His withered fingers trembled slightly within his sleeves, yet his voice remained unusually steady.

"Firstly, in tomorrow’s morning court, use the excuse of the prison being broken into, and force Mr. Lu to give an explanation in front of the entire court."

"Secondly, in the name of purging the treasonous faction, gradually reclaim the military power of the Black Tortoise and Vermilion Bird Guards in Qian Ning City to be controlled by Your Majesty’s trusted aides."

"Thirdly..."

Zhao Xian suddenly lowered his voice, whispering into Emperor Qianxi’s ear: "Send people to continue eradicating the direct bloodline of the Lu Family."

"I have already ordered people to secretly monitor the children of each branch of the Lu Family, just waiting for Your Majesty’s authorization..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi’s eyes emitted a terrifying brilliance.

The years of humiliation under the suppression of the Lu Family, at this moment, all turned into burning ambition.

He slammed the table and stood up abruptly, his imperial robe fluttering, fully displaying his imperial majesty: "Good!"

"Mr. Zhao is truly my arm and leg!"

"Transmit my order!"

Emperor Qianxi’s voice echoed within the Jinluan Hall, "In tomorrow’s morning court, I want to see with my own eyes how long this traitor can continue his arrogance!"

Outside the hall, thunder roared, illuminating the sinister face of the emperor.

The Daqian dynasty, restrained by the Lu Family for over sixty years, it was time to put an end to it.

In his heart, Emperor Qianxi swore a vicious oath.

Not until the entire Lu Family is exterminated, would he be a true ruler!

The next day, as the sun rose.

The morning light penetrated the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the bluestone floor of the main hall of the Lu Mansion.

The four Lu Family pillars, all over forty years old, gathered here at this moment, each exuding an aura of harshness seasoned by the battlefield.

The white morning light coated their figures with a layer of sharp outlines.

The second son, Lu Jinyun, stood in the hall wearing a black brocade robe, with the Qingyu Token, symbolizing the family’s authority, hanging at his waist.

As the actual manager of the Lu Mansion, he displayed the calmness and wisdom of over twenty years of handling family affairs between his brows.

The third son, Lu Jinhua, wore the standard armor of the Wei Hu Army, with nine golden tiger stripes on his chest shining brilliantly under the torchlight.

This youngest general of the Daqian dynasty, with cultivation at the Martial Arts Grandmaster level, caused the air within three feet around him to stagnate.

As the most prominent figure in the military next to Lu Xuan, his every gesture exuded the demeanor of a general.

The fourth son, Lu Jinwu, wore a golden belt with a Vermilion Bird pattern, with a crimson long sword slung at his waist.

As the commander of the Vermilion Bird Army in Qian Ning City, his aura at the minor grandmaster level burned like a raging flame.

Even if he deliberately restrained it, one could still feel that blazing battle intent.

The fifty thousand Vermilion Bird Guards under his command were considered the sharpest sword of the Lu Family.

The fifth son, Lu Jinchang’s Black Tortoise iron armor shimmered with a ghostly light, with the edge of a new grandmaster coursing through his eyes.

Though this youngest commander spoke no words, the heavy momentum of the fifty thousand Black Tortoise Guards had already merged into every inch of his muscles.

Inside the hall, there was a silence, and the four sons simultaneously directed their gaze toward the main seat.

There, Lu Xuan’s figure appeared especially imposing in the morning light.

In the morning light, Lu Jinyun suddenly stepped forward, his eyes flashing with remarkable brilliance: "Father!"

"Haowu, he..." Lu Jinyun’s voice trembled slightly with excitement.

"Not only have his injuries healed, but he has also broken through to Inner Qi Perfection all at once!"

As these words fell, the hall went silent.

The third son, Lu Jinhua’s pupils contracted sharply, his hands involuntarily clenched under the armor.

The fourth son, Lu Jinwu’s Vermilion Bird robe fluttered despite no wind, the grandmaster-level perception immediately understood the weight of these words.

The fifth son, Lu Jinchang abruptly lifted his head, the Black Tortoise iron armor emitting a crisp clashing sound.

Without their father’s orders, the three of them had no courage to leave their respective military camps.

Therefore, their understanding of Lu Haowu remained at the news of him being sent to prison by their father.

Though extremely anxious, facing their father’s authority, they dared not leave the military camp.

Because, they knew their father would truly punish them.

Not until yesterday, when Lu Jinyun sent someone to deliver a message, did the three of them dare to leave the military camp and return to the family.

They also learned of Lu Haowu’s being framed.

Subsequently, Lu Jinyun took a deep breath and continued: "I saw it with my own eyes."

"Haowu’s True Qi is like a dragon within him, already standing at the peak of the Inner Qi Realm!"

Lu Jinyun’s voice grew more and more excited, "With his talent, given time..."

He didn’t finish his words, but everyone present understood the implied meaning.

The six realms of martial arts in Daqian: third-rate, second-rate, and first-rate are mere mortal warriors.

Inner Qi, Grandmaster, Supreme Grandmaster is the true path to ascendancy.

And Lu Haowu, merely twenty-four years old, has already touched the threshold of Inner Qi Perfection!

Everyone present understood what this meant more than anyone else.

That it meant the future rise and fall of the Lu Family for the next hundred years would depend on Haowu alone.

Such a talent with the potential to become an unrivaled Supreme Grandmaster, the Lu Family must protect at all costs.

Lu Jinyun’s eyes were bright and shiny, emitting a terrifying brilliance.

Not to mention Haowu is wrongfully accused.

Even if he is guilty, Lu Jinyun vowed to protect Lu Haowu at the risk of his own life.

"Father, please see clearly."

Lu Jinyun suddenly knelt on one knee, suppressing rage within his voice.

"Haowu spoke in person, that day he clearly saw Miss Zhao being abducted and stepped in to save her but got wrongfully accused instead."

He suddenly lifted his head, murderous intent in his eyes, "This is clearly a meticulously designed trap!"

"Someone is targeting our Lu Family!"

Though Lu Jinyun didn’t explicitly state, who didn’t know among those present?

Throughout the entire Daqian Dynasty, there were scarcely five who dared to wage such a vile scheme against the Lu Family.

Among them, the one with the most motive and ability...

"Zhao Xian, that old dog!"

Lu Jinwu suddenly roared, "It must be that old goat’s trap!"

Suddenly, a peculiar silence fell in the hall, the fervent scolding from the four of them abruptly stopped.

Though they appeared indignant, in truth, their glances involuntarily drifted toward Lu Xuan on the main seat.

Each of their eyes flashed with a trace of undetectable apprehension.

Lu Jinyun clenched fist trembled slightly, knuckles turning white due to excessive force.

More than anyone else, he understood how flawlessly the trap was designed - Zhao Ningxue’s testimony, the eyewitness identifications, even the "torn" clothing as tangible evidence.

The chain of evidence was so perfect it was despairing.

"Father..." Lu Jinyun’s voice suddenly dropped a few notches, the former momentum receded like the tide.

"In Haowu’s case... your child is powerless, beg for your mercy, I am willing to take the punishment for Haowu!"

The side of Lu Jinhua’s body under the golden armor quivered imperceptibly.

He recalled how his father had personally sent his third uncle to the gallows for violating military orders twenty years ago.

Even though that man was his own cousin.

Unaware of when the Vermilion Bird Sword returned to the sheath, Lu Jinwu lowered his head, the flame patterns on his battle robe dimmed slightly.

He stole a glance at the main seat, fearing to witness his father’s familiar, impartial icy glare.

The youngest among them, Lu Jinchang subconsciously retreated half a step, causing a faint clinking of his Black Tortoise armor.

He suddenly realized their previous impassioned rhetoric might stem from the same fear each of them harbored deep inside —

The fear that their father might as before, for the sake of "righteousness," abandon his bloodline.

Within the hall, the morning light grew stronger, stretching the shadows of the four generals to great lengths, yet never reaching the imposing figure on the main seat.

Everyone awaited, awaited the voice that could decide Lu Haowu’s fate.

Lu Xuan sat upright in the Taishi Chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest, producing a muffled sound.

"If that’s the case, then let those testimonies and evidence disappear!"

"And make that woman keep silent as well!"

The tone was so indifferent, as though discussing a trivial matter.

For problems he couldn’t solve, Lu Xuan generally preferred to remove the people who posed the problem.

That way, there would be no worries at all.