Chapter 522: Chapter 522: Stirring Up the Spirit Hall
Xu Xiangbei asked with an inscrutable expression, "Do you know why it emits this fruity fragrance?"
"How would I know, it’s not like I made it."
Xu Xiangbei’s demeanor turned serious: "Because this medicinal wine has mandala flower pollen in it, which gives it a special scent. Besides promoting blood circulation, this wine has anesthetic properties. Lu Jingyun drank it and fell into a deep sleep, so anyone could come in and stab him to death."
Jenny, covering the bottle of medicinal wine and sealing it in a bag, looked somewhat excited: "I need to take this bottle back for testing, to see if your guess is correct."
Xu Xiangbei smiled and said, "Tomorrow morning, you have to accompany me to a place."
Knowing Xu Xiangbei’s car was still parked at the Jiangcheng Pier, and assuming he only wanted her to drive for him, Jenny smiled indifferently: "Sure, where do you want me to go with you? Just not to Lu Jingyun’s house."
Xu Xiangbei’s smile was mischievous: "Dear, you really know me well. It’s exactly Lu Jingyun’s house we’re going to."
Jenny shook her head like a rattle, smiling bitterly: "His whole family sees you as a thorn in their side, going there now would be suicidal. And you want me to come with you? No way."
Playing the victim, Xu Xiangbei tugged on Jenny’s arm: "The one who added mandala to the medicinal wine is the murderer. Only someone close to Lu Jingyun could have opened the wine. That person is now crying fake tears at his funeral, so we must go to Lu Jingyun’s house. My dear Jenny, you’re my strongest support. If you don’t help me, who will clear my name?"
Jenny sighed: "Get in the car, I’ll take you to the Lu Family, but you must promise to stay behind me and not say a word, not a single word."
Xu Xiangbei flashed a smug smile, raising both hands, earnestly declaring: "I promise I’ll listen to you, like a good kid, not saying a single word."
Lu Jingyun was influential in the Earth-Sea Business Community. His sudden death caused quite a stir in Earth Sea, and people were flocking to his home to pay their respects.
The Lu Family lives in a villa in the suburbs, an estate nearly a hundred acres in size with a European-style castle-like building.
The Lu Family is large. Lu Jingyun had been married twice and had four children. With seven aunts and eight uncles, the usually spacious estate was suddenly packed, overflowing with people everywhere.
Jenny’s car slowly drove into the estate. The yard was filled with parked cars, and both sides of the driveway were lined with vibrant wreaths that somehow felt oppressive.
People dressed solemnly with serious expressions greeted each other without loud noises, only nodding and smiling, maintaining a calm atmosphere.
As soon as Xu Xiangbei stepped out of the car, it was like a massive rock had been thrown into a calm pond, causing a huge uproar that turned the peaceful estate upside down.
Lu Hong, dressed in a black suit and mourning attire, was discussing security shift arrangements with the guards. Seeing Xu Xiangbei boldly appear in the estate, he first stared at him in shock, unable to believe Xu would show up at such a time.
Then, like an enraged son, he roared and charged forward.
"Xu Xiangbei, you bastard, how dare you come here."
Compared to Xu Xiangbei, Lu Hong’s skills were like an ant trying to shake a tree. Before even reaching Xu, he was kicked away by a swift kick from Xu Xiangbei.
More than ten guards, influenced by Lu Hong’s emotions, charged at Xu Xiangbei with their batons, full of energy.
The wreaths in the yard suffered, toppled and smashed. Before long, the dozen guards were all groaning on the ground, scattered in disarray.
Seeing Lu Hong on the ground, crying in pain, Jenny felt very guilty and helped him up. She began to regret bringing Xu Xiangbei here. Even though Xu followed her request and didn’t speak out, his very presence was an extreme insult to the Lu Family.
Xu Xiangbei adjusted his slightly crooked tie and glanced disdainfully at Lu Hong, who struggled to rise from the ground. With a cold smile, he strode confidently towards the villa’s grand hall.
The lavishly decorated villa hall was now draped with black and white cloth. Where once hung medieval paintings, now stood a large frame with a kind portrait of Lu Jingyun.
Beneath his portrait lay a pitch-black, shiny ebony coffin, where Lu Jingyun rested peacefully inside.
On either side of the coffin knelt several family members in mourning attire, including his three sons, two wives, and his goddaughter, Lu Yao.
Seeing Xu Xiangbei enter the funeral hall, Lu Yao’s face turned pale with shock, and she exclaimed, "How dare you come here."
Xu Xiangbei causing a disturbance in the funeral hall was like pouring a cup of water into a hot oil pan, causing an immediate uproar. Skilled members of the Lu Family surged in from all directions, surrounding Xu Xiangbei.
Facing the encirclement of dozens, Xu Xiangbei remained unfazed and instead bowed towards Lu Jingyun’s body in the middle of the hall.
He murmured, "Though I never liked you, the dead are to be respected. Coming to your funeral, I must pay my respects. Rest in peace."
The skilled members of the Lu Family, surrounding Xu Xiangbei, were aware of his prowess, glaring at him in rage but not daring to take action.
"Get out of here, murderer."
"Too arrogant, don’t think our Lu Family has nobody."
"Shameless, scoundrel, get out."
"Everyone back off."
A crisp, authoritative voice sounded. The crowd, which had been kneeling by the coffin earlier, quieted down as a middle-aged man in a black vest with a small mustache approached with an imposing presence.
Seeing the man approach, the noisy crowd became much quieter.
The middle-aged man regarded Xu Xiangbei coldly, his eyes filled with confusion and anger: "You are Xu Xiangbei?"
Xu Xiangbei smiled calmly and said, "Indeed, I am Xu Xiangbei. Let me guess who you are. Judging by your resemblance to Lu Jingyun and the fact that everyone here respects you, you must be his eldest son?"
The middle-aged man spoke with a frosty tone: "Lu Jingyun was my father. I am his eldest son, Lu Mingliang. Did you kill my father?"
Xu Xiangbei chuckled, speaking to Lu Mingliang and all the Lu Family around: "So, it’s Brother Liang. My condolences. Your father wasn’t killed by me. I’m standing here in his funeral hall to tell you again, Lu Jingyun wasn’t worth my effort to kill."
Xu Xiangbei’s explanation did not alleviate the tense atmosphere but instead provoked more outrage. Many people shouted furiously: "Bastard, what did you say? Arrogant brat."
"Too insolent, get out."
"Uncle was killed by him, he is the murderer."
