Chapter 54: On a Warm Day in Lantian, Jade Gives Rise to Mist

Lu Jin, busy building his enterprise in Yunmeng Marsh, had no idea how crucial he had become to the Shen family, nor did he know that Shen Yanxi had been unconscious for days because of him, or that a foolish bandit had betrayed both himself and Lu Wei completely.

“The butcher Zheng held his knife in his right hand and reached out with his left to grab Lu Da, but Inspector Lu seized the opportunity to pin Zheng’s left hand…”

Dozens of water bandits sat gathered, and in their midst, a young man recounted, with vivid gestures, the tale of Inspector Lu’s mighty blow against Zheng Guansi.

Standing on the outer rim, Ma Su listened with excitement, curious about where their second-in-command had heard such a story.

“Our second boss is truly extraordinary. I may be a rough fellow, but I can tell this isn’t just idle talk—it all connects logically. The other day he spoke of acting for justice, becoming real heroes. But let’s be honest, how many of us knew what it meant to be a hero? Yet listen now, to Inspector Lu punishing the wicked—this is the very hero we all imagined!” Xu Zhong commented beside him.

“Exactly! Just look at everyone’s reaction. Before, we were all just loafing, waiting for death. But now, look at their eyes—they shine with a burning light. Hearing the second boss’s story, everyone is eager to follow his example. Perhaps acting for justice isn’t impossible after all,” Ma Su agreed.

“Well struck! Kill that wretched butcher Zheng!”

“Inspector Lu truly is a hero!”

Cheers erupted at the most exciting moments, with some bandits even leaping to their feet to mimic the action.

“With his monk’s staff, he clears the dangerous path; with the sword of discipline, he slays all injustice. But who was it who grabbed Inspector Lu? That, my friends, is a story for another time,” Lu Jin concluded to the crowd.

“Second boss, just tell us now! Leaving us hanging like this is torture!”

“I can’t go on—haven’t even had a sip of water yet. Besides, we’ve got work to do. We can’t just sit here listening to stories all day…” Lu Jin laughed.

“Second boss! Second boss!”

Just as Lu Jin was bantering with the others, a distant shout rang out.

Ma Su and Xu Zhong turned to see someone disembarking from a boat in the distance. Both sighed inwardly, knowing such carefree days were likely over.

“What’s going on?” Lu Jin asked the panting bandit who had run over, still oblivious to the newcomers in the distance.

“The boss wants you. He says someone from your family is here.”

“Someone from my family?” Lu Jin was bewildered. Who could possibly know he was here? Instinctively, he looked ahead—and froze.

Three people came rushing toward him. Xiao Bai ran, calling out between sobs, “Master! Master!”

Lu Jin was stupefied. Swept up in the excitement of recent days, he had nearly forgotten the Shen family.

He’d thought he’d made things clear—how could they have tracked him here? Even if Xiao Bai had returned to report, it shouldn’t have led them here.

“Master, wuwu…” Xiao Bai reached him first, clutching his sleeve and bursting into tears.

“How did you find me?” Lu Jin asked.

Before Xiao Bai could answer, Cai Yun, who had been running behind, flung herself into Lu Jin’s arms, wailing, “Master, please come home with me—the young lady can’t hold on much longer…”

“What did you say?” Lu Jin looked in confusion at Yuan Fang, who arrived last. What did she mean, can’t hold on?

“Master, the young lady fell ill. She’s unconscious and hasn’t woken up,” Yuan Fang replied, shocked to see how well Lu Jin seemed to be living here.

A buzzing filled Lu Jin’s mind; that cold, radiant face flashed before him. How could she have suddenly fallen into a coma?

“Master, the young lady learned you’d been captured by bandits…” Xiao Bai sobbed as she spoke.

Lu Jin frowned deeply. Never had he imagined his departure would strike Shen Yanxi such a blow—this was completely unexpected.

In his own time, emotions had become cheap, barely worth mentioning. In an open-minded, materialistic world, who would take a vague romance seriously?

“…The young lady saw me crying, thought you’d been burned alive, and collapsed on the spot… She hasn’t woken since. We’ve found every doctor in Jiangzhou, but nothing helps. Master, she really can’t hold on much longer, wuwu…”

“Is what you’re saying true?” Lu Jin exclaimed. He could understand, but he couldn’t believe it.

He could understand, because deep down, he was a man of passionate feeling. He believed in love at first sight, longed for a love that would last till death. But in a mundane world, he had never dared to hope for such a thing.

He couldn’t believe it, because he dared not imagine someone would care so much for him—or that a lady of a noble house would risk her life for a temporary stand-in husband.

Shen Yanxi was, to him, the finest woman he had ever seen. Stunning beauty, rare talent, a fascinating spirit, and an easy grace. All these things drew him in—why else would he have fled so desperately?

Had they met by chance among the crowds, he would have longed to spend his life with such a woman, never leaving, never regretting. But he knew that was only a dream, a fleeting impulse.

And yet now, such a woman had truly appeared—and for this absurd marriage, had fallen into a coma, her life hanging by a thread.

Did those so-called grievances still matter? Not anymore! Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a devoted lover is rare indeed. Is it not the same for a man? All the power and wealth in the world—could that bring such a person into his life?

It seemed not! Perhaps that was why so many didn’t believe, or thought such feelings were a joke. Was that not tragic?

In truth, love does not demand complicated twists or deep accumulation. The best love is not forged by grinding iron into a needle, but by an instant, heart-stirring spark.

He had glimpsed that happiness in the Shen family garden. But he knew it was not his to have; even if he swallowed every grievance and tried his utmost, the chasm between them was too vast—her true heart, forever beyond his reach. Yet now, this woman told him with her life: it was possible!

If you can remain steadfast through life and death, what storms or mountains could I not cross?

Lu Jin’s eyes grew moist. To have such a woman risk her life for him made him, for the first time, feel a longing for this world.

“I swear it’s true. Master, let’s hurry home—I fear if we delay, it may be too late, wuwu…” Cai Yun cried.

“Alright, alright, go rest for a bit,” Lu Jin soothed. Now that his identity was exposed, would they even let him return?

Watching the three led away to rest, Lu Jin finally turned to face Lu Wei, who had come over.

Lu Wei sighed, drew a slip of paper from his sleeve, and handed it to Lu Jin.

Lu Jin took it; it was a reward poster from the Shen family—fifty thousand taels.

“So Big Brother knew all along?” Lu Jin asked.

Lu Wei nodded, saying nothing. In such a heavy atmosphere, words seemed unnecessary.

“It’s my fault, Big Brother. I never realized you were so sincere…”

“No need for that, Brother. I’ve learned plenty about you these past days. As for taking the liberty to inform your family—I only meant to put their minds at ease. I never expected things to turn out like this.”

How could Lu Jin blame Lu Wei? Without him, if Shen Yanxi had died because of Lu Jin’s willfulness, how could he ever have lived with himself?

“How could I blame you, Big Brother? You’ve given me a chance to set things right. I must go back now…”

“Go, then! Go home and live well with your wife. If ever you have a moment to remember your big brother, that will be enough for me,” Lu Wei said. He hadn’t expected things to end this way; after this parting, they might never meet again. The Shen family would never allow their son-in-law to live as a bandit.

“No need for sadness, Big Brother. Just follow the three plans I’ve laid out—unite the river and mountain strongholds, drill and arm your men, and stockpile food and weapons. As for me, I won’t forget our brotherhood. When I’ve settled things at home, I’ll contact you again…” said Lu Jin. He would be leaving, but this friendship must endure—otherwise, these days would have been wasted.

“Good, good! With your word, I’m satisfied. No matter where you are, you’ll always be my second-in-command of the Lanjiang Water Clan.” Lu Wei was overjoyed. He had thought this was a final farewell, but Lu Jin had no intention of breaking off contact.

As for Lu Jin’s sincerity, Lu Wei had no doubt. His brother loved the life of a bandit even more than he did; in Lu Jin’s eyes, he saw a true passion for the trade.

“Big Brother, I’ll be off now. Don’t forget what I asked of you,” Lu Jin said, standing on the boat that would take him away, gripping Lu Wei’s hand and refusing to let go.

“Don’t worry, Brother. I remember every word. Take care of yourself when you return,” Lu Wei said, reluctant to part.

“Don’t worry, Big Brother. I know what to do. But you too—don’t wear yourself out trying to manage everything on your own,” Lu Jin continued, holding Lu Wei’s hand with heartfelt sincerity.

…

“Big Brother! Big Brother!”

“Brother…”

After a tearful farewell, Lu Jin’s boat set out. He stood at the stern, eyes brimming with tears, watching Lu Wei as the boat dwindled to a mere speck in the distance, Lu Wei still waving from the shore.

…

“Master, you’re not really planning to become a bandit, are you?” Xiao Bai asked, half in awe—she had been moved by the bond between Lu Jin and the bandits.

“What nonsense! When they first caught me, did you expect me not to find a way to survive? If I hadn’t put on a convincing act, would you even see me now? I’d have been fish food long ago!”

Xiao Bai and Yuan Fang watched their master standing calmly at the prow, feeling he seemed somehow changed.