Chapter 632: Fight Fire with Fire

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Inside the room.

Lu Lizhang had barely come to terms with the news that the village had been taken down when Lu Yichen reported another disaster. A group of men in black had attacked the water prison, annihilating their forces, leaving him the sole survivor.

Lu Lizhang’s murderous gaze fixed on Lu Yichen, “Those men in black were brought here by you, weren’t they?”

Lu Yichen, head slightly bowed, a cold smirk flickering in his eyes, retorted, “If I had that ability, would I have suffered in the water prison?”

Lu Lizhang slammed the table furiously, “Don’t think I’m unaware of your little schemes. The men in the forest, you killed them, didn’t you?”

Feigning innocence, Lu Yichen replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Those traitors who had sided with Lu Lizhang deserved death!

Lu Lizhang, infuriated, swept a teacup off the table towards Lu Yichen’s feet, barking, “You don’t know? Eliminating dissenters, you’re trying to kill me, is that it?”

Lu Yichen remained silent. Indeed, Lu Lizhang deserved death, but not by his hand. He wasn’t willing to bear the stigma of patricide for such a father. Someone else would take care of him!

Drawing his sword, Lu Lizhang pointed it at Lu Yichen’s throat, “Believe it or not, I can kill you right now!”

“Go ahead if you dare!” Lu Yichen stepped forward, facing the sword tip.

Lu Lizhang wouldn’t kill him. He needed his blood to save his eldest son, otherwise, he’d face the agony of burying his own child, which was a fitting retribution.

With a flick of his wrist, Lu Lizhang stabbed Lu Yichen’s arm. He couldn’t kill him, but he could torment him. As he twisted the sword, the blade forced the wound open, causing Lu Yichen to sweat profusely with pain, yet he showed no sign of submission.

As blood dripped to the floor, Lu Lizhang kicked Lu Yichen away, “Kill Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi, or that dear little girl will pay the price for your recklessness.”

Lu Yichen lay on the ground, his icy gaze filled with a deadly intent he forcibly suppressed. Now was not the time; he would wait.

“I won’t kill Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi. Do as you please.” Lu Yichen got up, slumping against a corner, indifferent. Only by remaining aloof could he avoid vulnerability.

“You think by saying that, I’ll spare the girl? You’re too naive,” Lu Lizhang hadn’t expected Lu Yichen to be indifferent towards Wu Yaqing, but he didn’t believe it, “You have three days. Either Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi die, or the girl dies. Choose wisely!”

After that, Lu Lizhang ordered Lu Yichen to be thrown out, no longer wanting to see him.

Lu Yichen was roughly tossed outside the gate. Slowly rising, he headed towards the end of the street.

Once he obtained what he wanted, he would ensure Lu Lizhang paid dearly.

In the General’s Mansion.

In the kitchen, Tang Jinghong was rolling out dough to make a late-night snack for Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi, leaning by the window, watched as a chubby tabby cat approached, “Meow    ”

She smiled and extended her hand towards the cat, who placed its paw in her palm as if stamping it.

“Meow-”

“Are you hungry? Want some noodles?” Chu Qingzhi asked, smiling at the cat’s eager gaze.

The cat looked at Chu Qingzhi with its big gray eyes with desire. “Meow- – ”

Turning to Tang Jinghong, she ordered on behalf of the cat, “Jinghong, cook some noodles for this cat.”

“Do cats eat noodles?” Tang Jinghong wondered if Chu Qingzhi was joking but decided to cook extra anyway.

“I don’t know about other cats, but this one does,” Chu Qingzhi said, petting the cat’s round body. “Otherwise, it wouldn’t have grown this plump.”

Indeed, Tang Jinghong noticed, “It’s quite chubby, even its cheeks are puffed up.”

“Meow—- ” The cat’s plaintive mew seemed full of reproach.

Shaking off those tailing him, Lu Yichen arrived at Tang Jinghong’s residence, finding the mansion eerily quiet except for the lit and bustling kitchen. He landed in front of the kitchen, “You’re both here?”

Tang Jinghong, surprised, asked, “What brings you here?”

Glancing at Tang Jinghong’s hand-rolled dough, Lu Yichen simply said, “I’m hungry.”

“I’ll cook a portion for you shortly.”

“Thanks.” Lu Yichen approached Chu Qingzhi, where a chubby cat sat perched on the windowsill beside the beautiful young woman. The sight of the pretty girl and the adorable tabby cat together was pleasing to the eye.

“Miss Chu, may I ask you a question?” Lu Yichen asked humbly.

Tang Jinghong raised his eyebrows. This was the first time he had seen Lu Yichen so humble.

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Sure.”

Lu Yichen chose his words carefully, “If someone is threatened and cannot fight back at the moment, how can they escape from such a threat?”

Chu Qingzhi, casually playing with the tabby cat, said nonchalantly, “Every person has a weakness. Fight fire with fire.”

Fight fire with fire?

After pondering for a moment, Lu Yichen suddenly smiled, “Thank you, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi picked up the tabby cat, stroking its little paw, and said in a conversational tone, “Today, Yaqing ran back home and cried on my shoulder, saying some people are ungrateful…”

Tang Jinghong glanced sideways.

Lu Yichen’s heart skipped a beat, nervously asking, “Yaqing cried?”

“Yes, she cried a lot, her eyes were swollen. She said she had never felt so wronged before…” Chu Qingzhi shook her head with a sigh, “It was pitiful to see.”

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Lu Yichen thought he should have been more tactful, “Is there anything I can do for her?”

Chu Qingzhi pinched the cat’s ear, “You should ask her that yourself. After crying, she locked herself in her room and wouldn’t see anyone.”

Lu Yichen became worried, “Miss Chu, does Yaqing have any favorite foods?”

“She likes snacks, not picky at all.”

Hesitating for a moment, Lu Yichen turned to Tang Jinghong, “Brother Tang, keep my portion. I’ll come back to eat it later.”

“Alright.” Tang Jinghong could see that Lu Yichen genuinely cared for Wu Yaqing.

Tang Jinghong prepared three bowls of noodles, leaving Lu Yichen’s portion for later. He served the noodles, one for Chu Qingzhi, one for himself, and one for the tabby cat, “Let’s eat.”

The cat, unhesitant, sniffed the noodles and began devouring them enthusiastically.

Chu Qingzhi stroked the cat’s head, “Is it tasty?”

The cat lifted its head, a noodle hanging from its mouth, clearly a little foodie, “Meow—”

Tang Jinghong laughed, “Are you saying it’s delicious?”

“Yes, it says this is the best food it’s ever had,” Chu Qingzhi praised Tang Jinghong’s cooking indirectly.

Tang Jinghong petted the tabby cat, “Seeing as you have such good taste, next time you visit, I’ll cook another bowl for you.”

“Meow-”

Chu Qingzhi said, “It agrees.”

Tang Jinghong added, “If you like it here, you’re welcome to stay.”

“Meow-”

And that’s how Tang Jinghong gained a chubby tabby cat as a new resident.