Chapter 27: External Affairs Grand Elder Passes Away, Meeting Madam Shu
A week quietly passed afterward.
Lu Yang’s cultivation had now already completely stabilized, and his control over his newfound strength reached perfection once more.
Every strand of Blood Qi flowed through his body like a disciplined army.
The explosive power hidden beneath his seemingly calm exterior had become even more terrifying than before.
He was confident that he could easily suppress his past life self at the same realm now and even contend with his peak state at the ultimate pinnacle of Body Tempering Realm for over a hundred rounds.
...
The next day.
The Internal Affairs Hall remained as busy as ever.
Numerous deacons continuously moved throughout the building carrying records, resource reports, and cultivation documents.
At the center of the hall, the Internal Affairs Grand Elder sat behind a large wooden desk.
The moment he saw Lu Yang enter, a smile immediately appeared on his aged face.
"Haha, come here, Yang’er."
Lu Yang calmly stepped forward before cupping his fists.
"This junior greets Grand Elder."
The old man looked him up and down repeatedly.
The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.
Finally, he clicked his tongue.
"Eighth Stage of Body Tempering Realm at twenty-one years old, if I hadn’t personally watched you grow up, even I wouldn’t believe it."
The surrounding deacons secretly nodded.
Over the years, they had long become accustomed to Lu Yang creating miracles, yet even so, every new breakthrough still left them amazed.
The Internal Affairs Grand Elder stroked his beard.
"Not bad, very good actually, you’ve also stabilized your cultivation much faster than expected."
Lu Yang smiled faintly.
"Fortunately, the breakthrough went smoothly."
The old man laughed.
"Smoothly? For others, reaching the Eighth Stage of Body Tempering Realm before thirty would already be considered smooth, but you’ve reached it before twenty-two. That’s called monstrous."
Several nearby deacons couldn’t help but smile at these words.
However, while speaking, Lu Yang gradually noticed something unusual.
The atmosphere inside the hall seemed somewhat different today.
The Internal Affairs Grand Elder was smiling, and the deacons were working as usual, but beneath the surface, there seemed to be a faint heaviness lingering throughout the building.
It was so subtle that most people probably wouldn’t notice it, but Lu Yang’s senses had become extremely sharp after reaching the Eighth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, not to mention his excellent observation skills inherited from his past life.
After observing for several moments, he finally asked, "Grand Elder, did something happen recently?"
The smile on the Internal Affairs Grand Elder’s face slowly faded.
For a moment, silence filled the space, several nearby deacons unconsciously lowering their heads.
Only then did Lu Yang realize that his feeling had been correct; something had indeed happened.
The old man slowly sighed, his previously energetic expression seeming to age slightly.
"The news hasn’t been announced yet, it will be made public tomorrow."
He paused briefly before continuing, "The External Affairs Grand Elder passed away two days ago."
As soon as he heard these words, Lu Yang froze slightly.
The External Affairs Grand Elder...
Dead?
For several moments, he simply stood there, a familiar elderly figure appearing within his mind.
The old man who always seemed like a kind elder and rarely involved himself in internal disputes.
Although he rarely met him face to face, the External Affairs Grand Elder, alongside all the other Grand Elders, had always stood by Lu Yang’s side, acting in his best interests even when facing the Family Head in that incident years ago.
Now, he was gone.
The Internal Affairs Grand Elder slowly closed his eyes.
"One hundred and twenty-two years old, his lifespan finally reached its limit. The family physicians and alchemists did everything they could, but in the end..."
His voice gradually faded.
No further explanation was necessary.
Lu Yang remained silent.
Spirit Awakening Realm cultivators possessed lifespans much longer than ordinary mortals, but they were not Immortal.
One hundred and twenty-two years, that was already considered a long life; many Spirit Awakening Realm cultivators never reached such an age.
After all, the cultivation world was extremely dangerous.
Countless experts died during battles, explorations, or breakthroughs long before their lifespan ended, some not even living to their natural realm lifespan limit due to injuries sustained in their early years.
To peacefully live beyond one hundred years was already fortunate.
The Internal Affairs Grand Elder sighed.
"The Fourth Elder and Sixth Elder are jointly managing the External Affairs Hall for now, the Family Head will decide on a replacement later."
Lu Yang nodded slowly, "...I understand."
The old man looked toward the distance.
"For old fellows like us, one day, our time will come as well."
The hall gradually became quiet.
Lu Yang found himself unexpectedly thoughtful.
When he first entered the main family, the Internal Affairs Grand Elder was already over sixty years old, but due to the powerful vitality of a Spirit Awakening Realm cultivator, only appeared to be a middle aged man in the prime of his life.
Now, over sixteen years have passed, and he’s already in his eighties, with not much time left, resembling an old man.
Death.
No matter how powerful a cultivator became, it always remained a part of their life.
In his previous life, he had witnessed countless deaths, of enemies, of family, of acquaintances, and even he himself had died.
Yet, every time someone familiar disappeared, the feeling remained somewhat strange.
The cultivation path pursued longevity, eternity, and transcendence, but few truly achieved it.
Perhaps only those legendary Emperors and Gods spoken of in ancient records could genuinely stand above mortality.
Even then...
No one knew for certain.
At least not someone of his caliber right now.
Eventually, Lu Yang shook his head slightly.
These matters were still too distant from his current self.
His current goal remained the Spirit Awakening Realm, everything beyond that could wait.
...
After leaving the Internal Affairs Hall, Lu Yang slowly walked through the clan grounds.
Now, with his current strength, he no longer needed guards to accompany him, at least not within the clan grounds.
The winter air had already begun fading, hints of spring gradually spreading throughout the estate.
Trees once barren now carried traces of green as birdsongs occasionally echoed through the estate.
The atmosphere felt unusually peaceful.
However, Lu Yang remained somewhat distracted.
The death of the External Affairs Grand Elder had caused him to think about many things.
Time truly passed too quickly.
Without realizing it, twenty-one years had already passed since his reincarnation.
Many familiar people had grown old, some had already died, and others would inevitably follow.
Such was the cultivation world, such was life.
Lost in thought, Lu Yang suddenly noticed a figure approaching from the opposite direction.
His footsteps gradually slowed.
The other person also stopped.
For a brief moment, silence descended between them.
Opposite Lu Yang stood a woman.
She was exceptionally elegant and beautiful, with a noble temperament visible from far away.
Although age had left faint traces upon her appearance, her bearing remained extraordinary.
It was none other than Madam Shu, the mother of the Twin Stars and the formerly most favored concubine of the Family Head.
She was also the woman responsible for both assassination attempts against him.
This was actually the first time they had truly met face to face.
In the past, their interactions had always been indirect, through rumors, schemes, assassins, and politics, but never an actual meeting.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Lu Yang quietly observed her, secretly speculating in his heart.
Compared to the stories he remembered from years ago, she appeared somewhat different.
Less domineering, with no hint of prideful arrogance, almost as if she was... tired?
The years had clearly not treated her kindly.
After the last assassination incident, her position within the family had fallen dramatically.
Her confinement, the anger of the Family Head, the humiliation suffered before the Marquis Manor, and it was even rumored that the Twin Stars had a huge argument with her regarding that matter, starting to visit less and less.
Everything had undoubtedly left scars.
However, Lu Yang remained completely calm.
Whatever sympathy might exist did not erase the past.
The dead remained dead.
Guard Zhou would never return, and neither would Xu He.
Thus, his expression remained indifferent.
Following clan etiquette, Lu Yang cupped his fists slightly, "This junior greets Madam."
Madam Shu quietly looked at him.
For several moments, she simply stared, her gaze slowly traveling from his face to his posture.
Perhaps she was seeing something entirely different from what she remembered years ago.
Eventually, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"You truly have grown."
Her voice sounded soft, almost motherly; anyone unfamiliar with the situation would never imagine this was the woman who once wanted him dead.
Lu Yang remained silent.
Madam Shu continued.
"Coming back from the Internal Affairs Hall, I presume you must have had another breakthrough in cultivation. Eighth Stage of Body Tempering Realm at twenty-one years of age."
She shook her head faintly.
"Remarkable, truly the most talented young man our Lu Family has ever produced."
The smile on her face remained warm as she spoke.
"You are destined to lead the family to greater heights."
Lu Yang quietly listened before nodding politely.
"This junior was merely fortunate."
Madam Shu laughed softly.
"Fortunate? Talent is talent, no need to be so modest."
The conversation could have continued, but Lu Yang clearly had no interest in prolonging it.
There was nothing left to discuss between them.
Thus, after exchanging several polite responses, he once again cupped his fists.
"This junior still has matters to attend to, I’ll take my leave first."
Madam Shu nodded gently.
"Go ahead."
Lu Yang turned around and calmly walked away.
His footsteps remained steady, his expression unchanged.
He neither hated her nor forgave her, some things simply no longer mattered. He had already moved beyond them.
Soon, his figure disappeared into the distance.
...
Only after Lu Yang had gone far away did the smile on Madam Shu’s face slowly disappear.
The transformation was almost instantaneous, the warmth and gentleness vanishing, leaving something cold and twisted.
Her hands gradually clenched, the veins beneath her skin becoming visible.
The two maids standing beside her immediately lowered their heads, neither daring to utter a single sound, fear flashing through their eyes.
They had served Madam Shu for many years, they understood her temperament better than anyone.
The calmer she appeared externally, the more dangerous she became internally.
Madam Shu remained silent, however, her breathing became heavier.
The image of Lu Yang continuously surfaced within her mind.
Eighth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, twenty-one years old.
The greatest genius in clan history, admired by countless elders, praised by everyone.
The future pillar of the Lu Family.
The Rising Sun of the Lu Family.
Everything that once belonged to her children, that should have belonged to Lu Tianhe and Lu Qingyu.
Now, it all revolved around Lu Yang.
Even her own children had drifted apart from her because of him.
Her nails dug deeply into her palms.
A trace of blood slowly emerged, yet she seemed completely unaware of it.
The years of confinement, disappointment from her children, humiliation before her family, and whispers of the clan, everything resurfaced at once.
A faint maniacal light flashed within her eyes.
The two maids trembled slightly, neither daring to raise their heads.
After a long time, Madam Shu finally released her clenched fists.
Her expression gradually returned to normal, the same noble and elegant appearance returning once more.
"Let’s go."
Her voice sounded extremely calm.
The maids immediately nodded.
"Yes, Madam."
Without another word, Madam Shu turned around and slowly departed.
The setting sun illuminated her retreating figure.
Behind her, a long shadow stretched across the stone pathway, swallowing the fading sunlight.
