Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 338 - 229_2

The Guard Captain thought for a moment, then nodded with understanding:

"Young Master, this move of yours is truly brilliant! I understand."

Then he hesitated slightly and asked in a low voice:

"It’s just... when do we start the real plan, so I can adjust the defense measures in time to avoid any mistakes."

"Right before the auction."

The young man stood up and walked steadily to the window, hands clasped behind his back.

What lay outside was not a dark wilderness, but a cityscape dazzling with lights.

The office was spacious, with decor as luxurious as possible.

A large floor-to-ceiling window occupied the entire wall, overlooking a scene that unfolded like a magnificent painting beneath his feet.

Colorful billboards graced the glass façades, the tail lights of cars formed flowing streams of light, adorning the city as if it were daylight.

"I’ve released the news that we’re preparing to participate in the annual International Shadow Auction, with the Ruyi Treasure Bottle as the lot."

Standing in the office building, the young man gazed upon the bustling city center below with a calm demeanor:

"This auction is scheduled to take place on March 25. As usual, the items will be handed over to them a month in advance. Once the news spreads, those coveting it will certainly act more urgently."

The Guard Captain’s eyes lit up hearing this, and he couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

He had heard of the International Shadow Auction, renowned in the Martial World.

The organizers were said to be a mysterious organization with a history spanning centuries, with deep and complex connections.

Their members were scattered across the globe, from the financial centers of bustling cities to the ancient ruins of remote areas, with secret eyes everywhere.

The security team was top-notch, each member possessing remarkable skills, elusive as they were.

Those hidden treasure hunters certainly wouldn’t dare cause trouble at the auction.

After all, making a move there would be much more difficult, and any mistake could lead to ruining everything.

"So..."

The Guard Captain pondered, then speaking with a hint of inquiry continued where the young man left off:

"They’ll choose to act before the auction, at the latest on the night before the items are transported, and must make a move."

"In other words, in the coming week, we need to remain constantly vigilant, raise the defense level, and gather as many fish as possible until..."

"Exactly."

The young man turned around, his gaze piercing as he looked at the Guard Captain, nodding slightly:

"This next week is crucial. Once the fish are gathered in the net, it’s time to reel it in."

"Immediately arrange manpower to strengthen the protection of the Ruyi Treasure Bottle, while closely monitoring any suspicious activity in the vicinity."

"Also, mobilize our Hidden Guards, and report to me immediately if there’s any sign of trouble."

"Yes, Young Master!"

The Guard Captain straightened up, responding firmly.

Looking into the young man’s eyes, he was filled with admiration.

He knew that if this operation succeeded, the Young Master’s prestige within the family would skyrocket, giving him ample confidence to vie for the position of Family Head in the future.

And as a follower, he could also rise with him, enjoying wealth and prosperity.

With such dreams, he quickly turned to leave, striding out of the office to personally oversee and execute the task.

The young man continued to stand silently before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling city night scene.

Neon lights flickered, traffic streamed, everything brimming with vitality under the night sky.

His deep gaze pierced through the glass, past the skyline of towering buildings.

It seemed as if this bustling city and the impending storm were all within his grasp.

Ding-dong—

As he calculated various scenarios in his mind, a sudden crisp bell sound echoed.

Like a mysterious command, it penetrated the young man’s ears.

At the same time, a faint energy ripple subtly filled the quiet air of the office.

The young man’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this.

He then walked steadily toward the intricately decorated antique shelf on the left side of the office.

The shelf was antique and elegant, with exquisite carvings, displaying many rare antiquities.

To outsiders, it seemed like mere decorations to show off taste, but inside lay hidden secrets.

The young man raised his hand, expertly pressing lightly in a carved crevice.

With a soft "click," a hidden door silently opened.

Inside, surprisingly, was an elevator exclusive to the chairman.

The young man stepped inside and pressed the floor button.

With the buzzing roar of the motor, the elevator swiftly descended.

The numbers on the display started dropping one by one from the 70th floor.

Ding.

Until it stopped between the 18th and 19th floors.

The elevator doors unexpectedly opened automatically, revealing a passage flickering with a hazy light.

A strange, icy breath spread into the elevator.

It seemed as if the passage led to some unknown mysterious realm.

The young man did not hesitate for a moment; with a flicker of his figure, he stepped into it.

The elevator doors slowly closed behind him, leaving no trace as if they had never opened.

All around was a sea of gray.

It felt like stepping away from the modern city into a completely different world.

Where the eye could see was all mist, drifting in thin streams, obstructing the view and instilling a chill in the heart.

The ground was densely lit with countless candles.

The pea-sized flames flickered with the wind, glowing intermittently like ghostly fires dancing in the dark night.

The dim yellow light penetrated through layers of mist, barely illuminating this secluded space.

Looking up, there stood a towering ancient tree rising from the mist.

Its trunk was unimaginably thick, requiring dozens of people to stretch out their arms to surround it.

The dark brown bark was like ancient bronze eroded by a century of wind and rain, with ravines crossing each other, each grain etched with the vicissitudes and mysteries of time, and secrets deeply buried within.

The branches were like giant pythons winding, stretching arbitrarily in all directions.

In the candlelight, the lush branches cast eerie shadows on the ground,

like monsters lurking in the dark, baring their fangs and glaring at the intruder.

The young man slowed his steps, letting his gaze slowly sweep over the scene before him.

Here, apart from him, there were indeed other living beings.

Around the towering ancient tree, several elders sat cross-legged.

They appeared withered, eyes tightly closed, immersed in Sitting Meditation.

As if merged with the mysterious space, they exuded a sense of tranquility and depth accumulated after ages.

Like old sandalwood, spreading languidly, calming the hearts of those who approached.

Behind them, rows of ancestral tablets were neatly arranged.

The tablets were all made of ebony, with a heavy and simple texture.

The central tablet was the tallest, inscribed with "The Sacred Tablet of Lu Ancestral Spirit Qiwen."

The strokes were firm and powerful, outlined in gold lacquer, still glimmering in the dim light, signifying the venerated status of the ancestors.

Beneath it, on both sides, were numerous tablets arranged in sequence.

Some inscribed with "Lu Gong Spirit Tablet Certain Name," others with "Lady Lu Bi Certain Madam’s Position," all names of the Lu Family ancestors throughout the ages.

They once, in various eras, clad in armor, wielded swords across the Martial World, charging through the chaos of war, expanding territory for the family, earning prestige, making the Lu name renowned everywhere;

Or, deep in the courtyard, delicately threading needles, gracefully managing the household, nurturing and extending the family’s lineage with tenderness and resilience, allowing the bloodline to flourish and grow.

Despite the passage of time seeking to blur past memories, it could not conceal the profound legacy contained in each generation’s heritage.

The young man’s gaze swept slowly over the tablets, revealing complex emotions in his eyes.

There was reverence, remembrance, and a hint of expectation for himself.

Every time he came here, he was deeply moved by the profound family legacy.

As if traversing time and space, facing the spirits of his ancestors, listening to their earnest teachings from the depths of history.

Who could have imagined, located in the bustling city center, within a skyscraper, there would exist such a hidden and solemn family shrine.

This realm was completely isolated from the noise and prosperity of the outside world, guarding the family’s most pure roots.

"Yongquan."

A man in a black robe, sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the young man who had entered.

"Second Uncle."

The young man slightly bowed in response.

His identity was none other than the chairman of the Jinlu Group in the East Capital, the eldest son of the Lu Family’s current generation, Lu Yongquan.