Under One Person: The Seeker of the Dao in the Lü Family

Chapter 321 The Lü Family Divides Their Property

Inside the mountain pavilion, Lü Ci finished speaking several profound truths in a pretentious manner, and finally smacked his lips, completely ruining the carefully crafted atmosphere of a wise man.

"In other words, that group of people have made themselves stupid, holding onto the universally recognized morality as their standard and taking those so-called good deeds as the measure of their behavior."

He stroked his chin, as if he wasn't quite used to this elegant manner and style, and resumed his usual carefree tone, continuing to tease.

"Isn't practicing oneself according to other people's wishes just like using other people's measuring stick to measure one's own worth?"

"So in the end, they were all a bunch of hot-headed, foolish geese who got slaughtered without even realizing it!"

In the end, Lü Ci picked up his teacup, took a big gulp, and then casually tossed the teacup onto the table, his behavior showing no trace of the elegant demeanor he had displayed earlier.

"Snapped!"

The teacup slammed onto the table with a sharp sound, drowning out the melody of the zither. A somber atmosphere filled the pavilion, as if the familiar darkness had once again crept onto this brightly lit space.

In the air, the originally rough and unpolished melody changed from its previous gentle and warm tone, and the strings rang out with a clanging sound, like the sound of swords and spears, full of murderous intent.

The three, Lü Zhong, Lü Yi, and Lü Ping, who were initially clumsy with the music, seemed to have found a tune that suited them. They played the murderous melody very smoothly and freely, without any pauses.

"No, I've killed people my whole life, held a knife in my hand my whole life, and now you want me to put down that knife and pick up a teacup..."

"I'm still finding it a little hard to adjust!"

After throwing away the teacup, Lü Ci seemed to have shed a carefully crafted coat. He strolled through the somber pavilion, his movements and steps showing no tension whatsoever, but rather an even more relaxed and comfortable demeanor than before.

He squinted and strode around the pavilion, taking in the sun-drenched Lüjia Village below from the cliff's height. A hint of longing flickered in his squinted eyes, followed by a surge of intense excitement.

"Clang!"

The melody of the zither suddenly soared, like swords being drawn from their sheaths, and at that moment, Lü Ci struck with lightning speed.

He leaned against the table, but as if he had eyes in the back of his head, he reached out and precisely pulled out the steel knife hidden under the tea brick.

"brush--"

With a flick of his wrist, Lü Ci grasped the three-to-five-inch-long tea knife in his hand, as if drawing a sword from its sheath, and examined it carefully in front of him.

This is just an ordinary tea utensil, used to cut large pieces of tea bricks. The blade is not sharp, and the body is thin and delicate. It cannot even be considered a qualified knife.

But this toy-like object suited Lü Ci's taste better than the expensive cups and saucers he had previously handled.

The centenarian's fingers moved nimbly, and the tea knife he held in his hand danced and leaped nimbly in Lü Ci's palm, its cold metallic luster flashing incessantly.

"Phew, this is still so comfortable, but comfort alone isn't enough. The Lü family can't continue like this in the future."

Lu Ci twirled the knife in his hand with the ease and comfort of a retired old man in a park twirling two walnuts. After listening to the somber music played by his three children for a while, he shook his head with some disappointment.

He gazed at the village of Lüjia, now bathed in sunlight and its shadows fading, and said with a hint of deeper meaning, "Now that we've seen the bright future, why linger in that dark, foul-smelling ditch?"

"Clang!"

Inside the pavilion, the intense, metallic clanging of the zither and lute suddenly changed, the previously smooth rhythm now mixed with a slightly awkward beat.

The change in melody this time seemed subtle, but the previously somber and desolate tone had become more restrained, hidden within the gentle and warm sound of the zither.

It's as if a ferocious wolf has begun to conceal its sharp claws, hiding them beneath a veneer of kindness.

"Hmm, this time it's to my liking."

As he twirled the knife, Lü Ci, like a seasoned music master, nodded in satisfaction and turned to ask Lü Xiao, who was holding the phone.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes, Father, we understand!"

"Grandpa, are you planning to help the Lü family transform and go ashore?"

Compared to the reserved Lü Xiao, Lü Qian on the other end of the phone had no reservations when facing Lü Ci. He asked directly and casually, "My uncle, aunt, and grandfather are quite skilled. It would be a waste for them to play the piano for you."

"Hmph, it's all because of you, kid. Otherwise, would we have gone through all this trouble?"

Lu Ci chuckled and complained a couple of times, but his tone lacked any signs of fatigue or impatience; instead, it was filled with hope and pride.

"It's not exactly a transformation, since I can't throw away the knife in my hand, but I can't just start slashing anyone I see like before."

"As for loyalty, Ping, righteousness, and filial piety, I have my own plans. Playing the zither occasionally to cultivate one's character is fine, but one cannot eliminate even the intent to kill."

"And you, old man, have you chosen your own ending?"

As Lu Qian asked him questions on the other end of the phone without any attempt to hide his feelings, Lu Ci talked about his affairs after his death without any regard for them. He looked back at the village in the mountains, the village he had guarded for a hundred years, which had also trapped him for a hundred years.

After a moment of silence, Lü Ci spoke in a somber tone, "I'm not leaving. I've killed people my whole life, and I can't put down the knife I'm holding anymore, nor do I want to."

Like a centenarian making arrangements for his passing, he slowly recounted his plans to his four children in the pavilion and his great-grandson on the other end of the phone.

"From now on, I will stay in these mountains, watching over your grandfathers and ancestors as they walk their final path, and waiting to use my knife to strike those who deserve to die one last time."

"Second son, Xiao, has been with me for decades. His methods are most like mine. His branch should stay here and safeguard the Lu family's century-old foundation."

Hearing that Lü Ci had already arranged where his second son would go, the others in the pavilion did not interrupt. After all, the Lü family was no longer the impoverished family of the past, with only a small plot of land among the four families.

"Eldest brother Lü Zhong and third brother Lü Ping, you two branches should return to Jiangdong and merge with the branches there. From now on, you can make your own decisions regarding marriage and family relationships."

"As for the fourth brother, Lü Yi, well, your lineage is not easy to manage."

Lu Ci looked at his youngest son, who had no talent for cultivation. Although he had not been able to embark on the path of cultivation, he had given birth to an exceptionally talented grandson.

"Here's what we'll do: you go to western Shanxi. That's where my Lü family lineage ended. Your branch can go there to continue the lineage. Besides, that's the most suitable place for your branch, and no one will dare to bully you there."

"Your lineage will be the same from now on. You will make your own decisions about marriage and relatives. If anyone comes to beg for alms to recruit people, it will be entirely voluntary."

"As for the relatives in other households, let them decide for themselves. Those who are willing to follow you should be well received, and those who are unwilling to leave can be left to my care."

"It's time for the Qi-Lu Lü family tree to be grafted, transplanted, and blossom and spread its leaves."