Chapter 13: Danger
The air was thick with tension in the grand hall of the Liang family estate. The head of the family, Liang Hu, stood at the large window, staring out the view below. His face was a mask of fury, his fists clenched at his sides. His youngest son, Liang Zhen, was dead. Killed in a brutal, senseless act by someone who had no right to strike at his bloodline.
A guard, his with a suit, entered the room. He was a man of average height, his face hardened from years of service, but there was a change in his voice as he approached the family patriarch.
"Master Liang Hu," the guard began, bowing respectfully, "we have confirmed that the one who killed young master Liang Zhen is not from the other two families."
Liang Hu's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Who killed him then?" he demanded, his voice cold and commanding.
The guard hesitated for a moment before answering, "It was a nobody called Lu Fang. We believe he is the one who ended Master Zhen's life."
Liang Hu's heart skipped a beat. The realization struck him like a blow. The one who killed his son is some one that was't from the big families. The fury inside him surged again, and he clenched his fists tighter.
"Prepare a message for this Lu Fang," Liang Hu ordered. "Tell him I will make him pay for what he has done. No one dares to touch my family and live."
---
Meanwhile, Lu Fang was on his way back to the shelter. His mind was still clouded with the aftermath of his actions. The wreckage of Liang Zhen's car, the twisted metal, and the smoke rising from the remains—all of it felt distant now. His anger had been quenched.
As he approached the shelter, he could hear raised voices. The previous cheerfulness of the people had been replaced by discord. The refugees, were now scrambling to find someone to become their leader.
"Who's going to lead us now?" someone shouted from the crowd.
"We need someone strong!" another voice called out.
"Someone who can protect us!"
Lu Fang's eyes scanned the crowd, and he saw the desperation in their faces. They were lost without a leader, without someone to guide them through the chaos that had taken over their lives.
He stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. The crowd fell silent, their eyes turning toward him. Mei Lin and Li Lan were standing at the edge of the group, their faces filled with concern as they watched him approach.
"Enough," Lu Fang's voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "Fighting among yourselves won't solve anything. What you need is unity."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to challenge him. Lu Fang's eyes swept over them, his gaze hardening.
"I'll mediate," he continued, his voice steady. "I'll help you choose a leader. But I'm not the one you're looking for."
Li Mei stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Lu Fang, you're the one who can do it. You're the one who can protect us."
Li Lan nodded in agreement. "You've already proven yourself. We need you."
Lu Fang hesitated. The weight of leadership was not something he had ever sought. He had never wanted to be in charge of anyone, especially after everything he had been through. But the two girls stood by him, their belief in him unwavering. The refugees were looking at him with hope in their eyes. He couldn't turn away from them.
With a deep sigh, Lu Fang finally spoke. "Fine. I'll do it. But know this—this isn't about power. It's about protecting those who need it."
The crowd erupted in cheers, but before the celebration could go any further, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the guard, He had been sent by the Liang family to deliver a message.
Lu Fang's eyes narrowed as the guard approached. He could sense the tension in the air, the way the man's posture was stiff and his gaze wary.
"You're Lu Fang, aren't you?" the guard asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
Lu Fang didn't answer immediately. He had no need to. The man already knew who he was.
The guard continued, his voice dropping lower. "The head of the Liang family... he knows what you did."
Lu Fang's heart skipped a beat. The Liang family had always been a powerful force, and if they were coming after him, he knew it wouldn't be easy to escape.
The guard's eyes flickered toward the shelter's entrance, where the crowd was still celebrating. "You killed Master Liang Zhen. And now, the head of the family has ordered... yours."
Lu Fang's expression hardened. He had expected this, but hearing it from the guard's lips made it all the more real. The Liang family head would stop at nothing to avenge his son death. But Lu Fang wasn't going to run. Not now. Not after everything he had fought for.
Before he could respond, the guard turned and left, disappearing into the night. Lu Fang stood still for a moment, his mind racing. The Liang family was coming for him. But he wouldn't go down without a fight.
---
Back at the Liang family estate, Liang Hu paced angrily in his study. His fists were clenched at his sides, his mind consumed with thoughts of vengeance. His son had been killed, and now, the man responsible for that death would pay.
"Call for the family's awakeners," Liang Hu ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "I want every one of them. From the strongest E-rank to the weakest F-rank. Bring them all. We will hunt down this murderer and make him suffer."
The butler, a tall man with an air of quiet authority, stepped forward. His name was Bai Ying, and he had served the Liang family for many years. His presence was calm, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. He was a peak F-rank, and though he was not the strongest, his experience and cunning made him a formidable opponent.
"Master Liang Hu," Bai Ying said, his voice measured, "I understand your anger. But there is a matter of greater importance."
Liang Hu turned to him, his eyes flashing with impatience. "What could be more important than avenging my son's death?"
Bai Ying's expression remained neutral, but his tone was firm. "The Qi family and the Xi family are coming to discuss the future of the three families. It is a delicate matter. If you act now, you risk disrupting the meeting and creating enemies on all sides."
Liang Hu's eyes narrowed, but he knew Bai Ying was right. The alliances between the families were fragile, and any action taken now could have far-reaching consequences.
"Then we will deal with this after the meeting," Liang Hu said, his voice cold. "But mark my words, Bai Ying, this man will pay for what he's done."
Bai Ying bowed slightly, his face impassive. "As you wish, Master Liang Hu."
The door to the study closed behind him, and Liang Hu was left alone with his thoughts. His son was dead, and the man responsible would not escape justice. But for now, the meeting with the other families would take precedence.
---
Back at the shelter, Lu Fang stood silently, watching the stars above. The weight of leadership had settled on his shoulders, but it was a burden he would bear. The Liang family was coming for him, and he was ready to destroy the liang family once and for all.