<strong>Capítulo 1439: Chapter 1432: Lu Hongda’s Betrayal</strong>
“Tang Fengxiao, I, Mu Qingchuan, never lie. Today, you cannot touch the Lu Family. If you retreat now, we can pretend this never happened. But if you insist, then we will have to settle this with our fists.” Mu Qingchuan spoke in a detached tone.
Upon hearing these words, both Jiang Hongsheng and Yang Tiansi’s faces turned menacing. Clearly, Mu Qingchuan intended to oppose them to the end.
Lu Haoyue cast aplicated nce at Lu Tianxing standing at the front, his eyes shing with mixed feelings. How could he have guessed that Lu Tianxing would manage to enlist the Han Family and Mu Family as allies? With them present, Yang Tiansi’s ns to destroy them seemed nearly impossible.
The other members of the Lu Family wore expressions of bitterness. They thought Lu Tianxing’s ims of not coveting any power within the Lu Family was merely a joke.
Now it appeared Lu Tianxing hadn’t lied, and both Mu Qingchuan and Han Zifeng were key figures cultivated by their respective families, likely to be future family heads. Should Lu Tianxing encounter any problems, given their connection, they would certainly intervene, removing any need for the Lu Family’s help.
Amid their shock, a strong sense of regret arose among the Lu Family members. If they had known about Lu Tianxing’s formidable background earlier, they would have weed him enthusiastically when he first entered the Lu Family, instead of watching coldly.
By befriending Lu Tianxing, their status within the Lu Family could have significantly risen. Even if Lu Haoyue were the family head, it wouldn’t matter much. After all, the Lu Family was no longer the dominating force in Jiangnan that once terrified Beijing’s elite families. Now, apart from Old Master Lu, few experts remained, barelyparable to the Han Family.
“Yang Tiansi, do you still think you have the capability to destroy the Lu Family now?”
Lu Tianxing ignored the surrounding gazes and smiled at Yang Tiansi: “Yang Tiansi, I said you couldn’t destroy the Lu Family. The grand gesture you bestowed upon me three days ago, I will return in kind. How do you wish to die?”
“Hahaha, how do I wish to die? Lu Tianxing, do you think you can handle me just because of them? Let me tell you, it’s a delusional dream!”
Yang Tiansi suddenly burst intoughter upon hearing Lu Tianxing’s words, a touch of madness and murderous intent in his voice: “Lu Tianxing, do you think with the Mu Family and Han Family’s backing, you have me cornered? Do you think Ick a backup n? Hahaha, you’re dreaming. Even with the Mu Family and Han Family’s support, you cannot escape death, nor can anyone from the Lu Family. Do you agree, Lu Hongda?”
“Of course, Young Master Yang, you are right. Lu Tianxing is doomed, and the Lu Family will be destroyed. I will establish the new Lu Family as its future head.”
An eerie voice came from the side as Lu Hongda emerged from the Lu Family crowd, apanied by Lu Gaoyang and several other family members, swiftly aligning with Yang Tiansi before anyone could react, casting a mocking gaze at Lu Tianxing and Lu Haoyue.
“What? Lu Hongda betrayed the family, how is it possible?”
“How could it be? Lu Hongda actually betrayed the Lu Family, that scoundrel.”
“No wonder Lu Hongda kept asking me for drinks these past days. I thought he just wanted topete for the family head position, but he turned traitor.”
“It’s over. Our Lu Family is truly doomed. I’m not going to survive.”
At this sight, anyone with sense could grasp what transpired, as the entire hall erupted in disbelief. They couldn’t fathom why Lu Hongda chose this moment to betray the Lu Family.
Moreover, Lu Hongda practically took half of the Lu Family with him, those wielding a significant portion of the family’s power. Without them, the Lu Family’s influence would be reduced by at least a third, and among them were formidable individuals.
Lu Tianxing momentarily froze at Lu Hongda’s betrayal but then quickly calmed down. Although unexpected, it wasn’t entirely surprising, just that Lu Hongda managed to persuade so many family members to defect in such a short span, it showed the Lu Family had indeed decayed to this point.
Lu Haoyue’s face, too, darkened at that instant, furrowing with frustration. No wonder he noticed the Lu Family was loosely guarded this morning, some areas even unguarded. He had specifically asked Lu Hongda, who assured him the guards were hidden for emergencies, as Hidden Guards. Busy with arrangements for Old Sir Lu’s funeral, he hadn’t focused at the time. Looking back now, it seemed everything was carefully calcted by Lu Hongda to allow Yang Tiansi’s men unrestricted entry.
“Hahahaha…”
Lu Haoyue suddenlyughed out loud, despair evident in his tone, casting his gaze over the Lu Family members who sided with Yang Tiansi, his voice tinged with coldness: “Why? Why would you betray the Lu Family to aid outsiders in its downfall? Was it merely because you dislike me as family head, choosing betrayal instead?”
“Uncle Lao Wu, tell me, why betray the Lu Family? What did I, Lu Haoyue, ever do to wrong you? What did the Lu Family ever do to deserve your betrayal? You know it was my father who stepped forward when yourpany faced issues, pleading everywhere to save it, helping you rise again. Why did you choose betrayal?”
Lu Haoyue directed his gaze at a plump, balding middle-aged man, fury in his eyes.
Under Lu Haoyue’s re, the balding man broke into a sweat, instinctively avoiding Lu Haoyue’s furious eyes, unable to meet his gaze.
Pain flickered in Lu Haoyue’s eyes as he turned to Lu Gaoyang: “Uncle Gao Yang, why did you betray the Lu Family? Did the Lu Family wrong you somehow? You mentioned wanting elevation from your position, did Old Sir Lu oppose it? He even found someone to promote you, yet now you betray the Lu Family?”
Lu Gaoyang equally remained silent, guilt shing briefly on his face before it faded. He stood beside Lu Hongda, indifferent to the surrounding gazes.
Lu Haoyue paid no mind to Lu Gaoyang’s attitude, continually questioning those who joined Lu Hongda’s betrayal. Everyone he addressed disyed varying expressions, guilt, or deaf silence, none willing to respond.
Lu Tianxing stood nearby, observing Lu Haoyue’s hysterical demeanor with a quiet sigh, uncertain how to console him.
Lu Haoyue differed from him, harboring significant attachment to the Lu Family. Aside from Lu Bowen’s family and Old Master Lu, the rest were akin to strangers. A stranger’s betrayal couldn’t stir him, but for Lu Haoyue, they were kin, elders who yed with him growing up—people who mattered. Now, kin turning traitor, raising des against him, that torment was ineffable.
Seeing no response to his questions, mockery spilled onto Lu Haoyue’s face as he finally looked at Lu Hongda: “Uncle, can you exin your betrayal? Why do this? What have I, Lu Haoyue, ever done to wrong you, causing you to betray your family?”
Lu Hongda’s eyes wavered at Lu Haoyue’s inquiry, ncing at Old Sir Lu’s portrait in the hall, sneering: “Why, you dare ask me why? I should ask you why! Why did Old Sir Lu choose you as the family head? I resist it; why did Old Sir Lu pass the head position to you? After Lu Tianzhan’s death, I was the strongest of the younger generation in the Lu Family, yet Old Sir Lu didn’t select a new heir, but chose you instead. I resist it! The head position should be mine, you just stole it from me. I’m merely reiming what’s rightfully mine, why not?”
At this point, Lu Hongda discarded his pretense, eyes gleaming like a snake: “As for why they betrayed the Lu Family, it’s natural—they’re human, desiring survival. You know what we seek? Simply survival, yet you, your father, and Old Sir Lu choose to support Lu Tianxing, that little bastard. What’s he worth to you? He’s merely a nobody, undeserving of the Lu Family’s utmost efforts.”
“And truth be told, you are the real sinners of the Lu Family, causing it to vanish and everyone to perish. Dead, everything ends—yet I act in the Lu Family’s interest, preserving its lineage. I am the Lu Family’s hero, safeguarding its legacy. Understand? You’re the culprits, I am the hero. Understand?”