The veins on Lin Jin Lou’s forehead were bulging, rage rising from his sides like a scorching iron churning in his chest, making even breathing painful. Hu Lai watched in terror as his master’s handsome, masculine face gradually reddened, his gaze turning fierce, his heroic and dominating aura becoming frighteningly manifest. With a grim face, he asked harshly, “What’s the situation now?”

Hu Lai swallowed and said softly, “When this subordinate rushed back, Captain Wen had already led ten brothers to storm in, and someone had gone to Centurion Xu nearby for reinforcements…” His voice grew increasingly quiet.

The implication was clear – the fate of those inside the temple remained unknown.

Lin Jin Lou’s heart sank as he cursed furiously, “You were supposed to protect the women of the household, what the hell were you all doing!” He strode away as he spoke.

Lu Shao Tang heard the commotion and hurried out, calling after Lin Jin Lou, “Brother Lin, why such haste? We haven’t drunk enough together yet…”

Lin Jin Lou ignored him completely, rushing downstairs like a whirlwind.

The guests at the table looked at each other in confusion.

Lu Shao Tang’s brows furrowed as he methodically rubbed the ruby ring on his finger. The guards Lin Jin Lou had left at the temple should have been killed by his men by now. If anyone were to bring news, it shouldn’t have been until dawn. Yet someone had come before the Fourth Watch – had something changed? Or was Lin Jin Lou leaving for another reason? After a moment’s thought, he beckoned his trusted aide and said quietly, “Go ask about the situation at Qi Xia Temple.” The man left to carry out his orders.

Lu Shao Tang slowly exhaled and returned to his seat. He and Lin Jin Lou were similar in temperament, both being brave and resourceful. They had been excellent playmates as children. But as they grew older, he began to secretly compare himself with Lin Jin Lou. Though they were equally matched in studies, martial arts, and horsemanship, Lin Jin Lou seemed born to lead. From childhood, he had been the leader among children, and as an adult, his influence only grew, intentionally or not overshadowing Lu Shao Tang. When Lu Shao Tang deliberately refused to follow Lin Jin Lou’s orders, Lin Jin Lou had his group isolate him. At age Twelve, hatred filled his heart and he placed iron spikes under Lin Jin Lou’s saddle. That bastard Lin Jin Lou was lucky – he nearly got his head kicked in by the horse but managed to roll away and escape death. Afterward, however, Lin Jin Lou whipped him until he was covered in wounds, stepped on his head, and forced him to call him “Grandfather” ten times. When gossip spread this story, he couldn’t hold his head up for three full years. It was the greatest humiliation of his life, and from then on, he and Lin Jin Lou became mortal enemies.

But in recent years, his luck had always been one step behind Lin Jin Lou’s. He watched as Lin Jin Lou traded in overseas goods, got involved in salt affairs, privately raised troops, and at a young age established the “Lin Family Iron Cavalry,” earning imperial favor. The old officials at court all said his future was limitless – if not for his young age, he might have already attained the position of “Land and Water Supreme Commander.”

Lu Shao Tang drained his cup with a dark face. Now this “Land and Water Supreme Commander” position was just a title – Lin Jin Lou was a fierce tiger dominating the Jiangnan region. Even commanders two ranks above him had to watch his expression and give him a face. Though this fellow had a domineering nature, he knew how to handle relationships, never missing festival gifts and giving face where needed, making his days smooth and successful.

In contrast, Lu Shao Tang’s situation was difficult. Since his father’s death, as the saying goes, “when people leave, the tea grows cold” – his authority in the military wasn’t what it used to be. His mother had died early, and his father’s second wife focused entirely on her son, stealing from the family funds for her son’s use. This gradually depleted most of the family fortune, leaving him with little spare money when he inherited the Marquis title. Now he had finally found support from the Second Prince and gathered his father’s old subordinates, barely establishing a foothold in the military. But without money, how could he compete with Lin Jin Lou? He could barely afford festival gifts and social obligations, let alone raise a private army. He couldn’t accept this! He only differed from Lin Jin Lou in luck – did that mean he had to live his whole life under Lin Jin Lou’s thumb like a grandson?

Lu Shao Tang downed another cup of wine fiercely, his smile growing dark.

This time he had set a trap. Lin Jin Lou’s guard Du Bin had a sister who was Lin Jin Lou’s favored concubine, but she had done something unspeakable and lost favor, affecting Du Bin who was then left out in the cold with no hope for advancement. That fellow was no simple character – skilled in all vices and both bold and ruthless. He had come to join Lu Shao Tang, revealing his affair with the Lin family’s Third Young Miss as proof of loyalty. Lu Shao Tang had always looked down on the Lin family’s Second Branch, but this was a heaven-sent opportunity. He ordered Du Bin to bring clothes from smallpox patients to infect the Lin family’s maids, forcing the women to come out for Buddhist ceremonies.

Everything had gone according to plan. Tonight he would capture all the Lin family women, first extorting several hundred thousand taels of silver, then killing Madam Qin. This would force Lin Jin Lou to observe three years of mourning, giving him time to recruit troops and build his private army, taking the opportunity to get involved in canal and salt affairs and get his share. One day, he would step on Lin Jin Lou’s head and make that little thief call him “Grandfather” a hundred times, making his life worse than death!

“What fun is it for My Lord to drink alone? Why not let this slave accompany you in drinking games? That would be more entertaining.” Lu Shao Tang looked up to see Yun Zhui gracefully approaching, her delicate jade fingers holding a silver wine pot. She seemed to have been crying, her eyes slightly red, making her appear even more alluring. Earlier, Chu Da Peng had hinted that Yun Zhui should find another patron. She had gone out to cry, and upon returning, seeing Lu Shao Tang drinking alone, thought that though she couldn’t secure Lin Jin Lou, the young Marquis was also an excellent choice in terms of status and appearance. So she gathered her spirits to come to entertain him.

Lu Shao Tang glanced at Yun Zhui and couldn’t help but sneer – how could he be interested in a woman Lin Jin Lou had played with? He drank another cup fiercely, shoved Yun Zhui aside, and left.

Meanwhile, Lin Jin Lou was galloping toward the city like lightning, followed by over a hundred mounted guards, raising clouds of dust along the way. By the Fifth Watch, they finally reached Qi Xia Temple, seeing from afar that the mountain gate was wide open and brightly lit. Lin Jin Lou’s heart burned with anxiety as he urged his horse into the temple. Inside was chaos – dozens of soldiers with torches were shouting and rushing about, while a group of monks stood in a line against the wall. The elderly ones maintained solemn expressions, hands clasped and eyes closed in prayer, while several young monks huddled together in fear. A sharp-eyed guard came forward saying, “Reporting to the General, Madam, and Young Miss is now settled in the Main Hall.”

Lin Jin Lou dismounted with a black face and strode inside. At the Main Hall, he saw a circle of guards outside, with Captain Wen Ru Shi guarding the temple door. Seeing Lin Jin Lou approach, he quickly came forward saying, “General Lin.” Noting Lin Jin Lou’s dark expression, he steeled himself to report: “This afternoon, we subordinates escorted Old Madam Lin home. When we returned in the evening to find the temple gate closed, we stayed with the monks in the guest quarters outside. At the Third Watch, we heard the temple bell and rushed over to find bandits had entered. First Madam and Fourth Young Miss escaped from their rooms and hid in the Scripture Hall, avoiding disaster, but Second Madam and Third Young Miss disappeared. Centurion Xu sent men in pursuit, but the bandits were highly skilled and organized. Taking advantage of the night, they all escaped. None of those caught were left alive…” His voice choked with tears as he continued, “All twelve brothers left guarding the temple were killed… their bodies are laid over there,” he pointed to the side.

Lin Jin Lou’s steps faltered as he walked over to examine the corpses. They were laid out neatly on the ground, each killed with a single stroke, without any signs of struggle – killed in their sleep. These were all personal guards he had trained himself, brothers who had shared life and death. Just two days ago they had been alive, now they were cold corpses. Lin Jin Lou felt as if his gut was being torn apart.

He pressed his lips together and entered the hall. Inside, candles burned brightly, illuminating Madam Qin, Lin Dong Xiu, and Hong Jian sitting on meditation cushions, their faces pale and bodies exhausted, hair in simple buns, wrapped in cloaks.

When Lin Dong Xiu saw Lin Jin Lou, she stood up and ran forward, crying out “Elder Brother…” before choking up and sobbing, with Hong Jian wiping tears beside her.

Lin Jin Lou strode to Madam Qin and knelt on one knee, saying, “Son has been unfilial, arriving late and letting Mother be frightened.”

Madam Qin’s eyes reddened as she nodded, “It’s good that you’re here.”

Lin Jin Lou quickly asked, “Is Mother injured?” Looking around with furrowed brows, he asked, “Where’s Xiang Lan?”

Madam Qin was shocked, “Haven’t you found Xiang Lan yet?”

Lin Jin Lou’s heart sank. Xiang Lan had been staying with Madam Qin, and he had assumed she had escaped with the others.

Madam Qin then told Lin Jin Lou about the evening’s events, adding, “If not for Xiang Lan, we mother and daughter might never have seen you again… She, she… surely she hasn’t met with misfortune…” As she spoke, tears rolled down her face.

Lin Jin Lou clenched his fists, managing to comfort Madam Qin briefly before going out to arrange carriages to send her and the others home. He also dispatched five hundred elite troops to search thoroughly inside and outside the temple. Soon, Wen Ru Shi brought a young monk who said he had seen a beautiful woman in monk’s robes who matched Xiang Lan’s description. Lin Jin Lou’s mind calmed slightly after hearing the monk’s scattered account, but when they checked the bushes where Xiang Lan had hidden, they found nothing, and his face fell again.

Before departing, Madam Qin lifted the carriage curtain and said to Lin Jin Lou, “Perhaps because it was dark, and Xiang Lan being timid, she’s found a place to hide. When daylight comes, call out across the mountain – she might hear and come out.”

Lin Dong Xiu looked at Lin Jin Lou as if wanting to speak but ultimately remained silent. Madam Qin lowered the curtain, and the carriage creaked away under the escort of dozens of guards.

Once the carriage was gone, Lin Jin Lou’s face darkened. He rubbed his face forcefully. The nearby woods had been thoroughly searched, but not only was Xiang Lan nowhere to be found, but Second Madam and Lin Dong Ling had also vanished without a trace. As dawn approached, Lin Jin Lou’s heart felt heavy as stone. That such an incident could happen under his nose, with family members kidnapped by bandits, and only a fragile woman like Xiang Lan protecting his mother and sister – it felt like a stinging slap across his face. Angry and frustrated, he wanted to roar to the heavens and punch through a wall.

Just then, a mounted guard galloped in, dismounted, and knelt reporting, “General, news from the manor – Second Madam and Third Young Miss have safely returned home. Guard Du Bin heroically fought off the bandits, killing them all and rescuing Second Madam and Third Young Miss, escorting them back to the manor.”

Lin Jin Lou stepped forward asking, “Only Second Madam and Third Young Miss?”

The guard replied, “And Second Madam’s maid called Shan Hu I believe. Only these three.”

Lin Jin Lou closed his eyes, suppressing his rage further. He was used to having everything under control, normally calm and sharp, rarely losing composure even when facing strong enemies. But this incident had suddenly left him feeling groundless. He took a deep breath, splashed some cold well water on his face to clear his mind, and thought carefully. Xiang Lan was just a delicate girl who struggled even to move heavy flower pots, as timid as a mouse, who would tear up at the slightest scare. Where could she be in these dark mountains? Could bandits have captured her on the road? She was so beautiful… Lin Jin Lou dared not think further. He shouted, “Wen Ru Shi!”

Wen Ru Shi hurried over, bowing low. Lin Jin Lou said grimly, “Find Guo Ren Jie. Have his brothers in every district search for people. Pay attention to slave traders and brothel transactions these days. Detain anyone involved in buying or selling beautiful girls.” Wen Ru Shi quickly agreed.

Guo Ren Jie was a famous gangster in Jin Ling City who had been seeking to curry favor with Lin Jin Lou. Though Lin Jin Lou was too proud to associate with him normally, Guo’s influence in the streets was extensive, with many ruffians under his command and connections to brothels and gambling houses. This matter now required his help.

Lin Jin Lou continued, “Thoroughly search official roads and ferry crossings these days. Detain any suspicious beautiful women for questioning.” Wen Ru Shi agreed again.

Lin Jin Lou added, “Keep this matter strictly confidential. Anyone who spreads rumors about the Lin family women being attacked by bandits will face military law.”

Wen Ru Shi repeatedly agreed and withdrew.

Subsequently, Lin Jin Lou personally led another detailed search of Qi Xia Mountain and nearby villages, house by house, but still found nothing. All day, Lin Jin Lou failed to find any trace of Xiang Lan. As the sun set and night fell, he grew increasingly agitated, angrily cutting through a bowl-thick bamboo with his sword.

Then Guo Ren Jie arrived on horseback, kneeling before Lin Jin Lou with a smile saying, “General Lin, I haven’t failed you. My brothers indeed found two young ladies being sold to different brothels. Both claimed to be Lin’s family maids but were terrified. General, regarding this matter…”

Lin Jin Lou’s head buzzed as he quickly asked, “Where are they?”

Guo Ren Jie replied, “I’ve had them brought out and settled in a private room with good food and drink, then came to report this good news to the General!”

Lin Jin Lou immediately mounted his horse and followed Guo Ren Jie with his troops. He had been thinking through all his enemies, coldly laughing through gritted teeth. This incident was aimed at him, Lin Jin Lou. Over the years he’d made many enemies, but only two or three would dare do this. Hopefully one of these two maids was Xiang Lan – if not, and something had happened to her with no one claiming responsibility, they couldn’t blame him for going berserk. He would grab whoever he could find and not let go, letting those beasts see what he was truly capable of when enraged.