The First Venerable of the Prosperous Age

Chang'an had no choice but to obediently walk back, saying helplessly, "But we don't seem to know each other..."

“I know who you are, and you should know who I am. Besides, we both know the same person,” Raymond said.

Chang'an nodded. "Are you talking about Helai? He's inside right now."

Lu Lun asked in surprise, "How come He Lai is in prison? What happened during my three days of seclusion?"

Raymond shook his head and said, "This matter is really difficult to talk about. Fortunately, we are not talking about Helai, but another champion of Shangyang Sect: Lu Xiaosan."

Upon hearing this name, Chang'an shuddered again and exclaimed in surprise, "You... how do you know him too?"

Raymond narrowed his eyes: "Judging from your expression, you really do know his whereabouts."

After Chang'an calmed down, she asked, "Why do you think I would know his whereabouts? Even if I did, why would I tell you?"

Raymond sighed and said, "You know, I brought him to this place of trouble, and I have a responsibility to understand his current situation."

Chang'an smiled helplessly, "If you really cared about him, you would know that he is no longer in the Hua residence."

Raymond nodded. "That's why I wanted to find out where he was. He was new to Qiantang and didn't know anyone there, so he must have gone to find someone he knew. That's why I searched for everyone who came to Qiantang with him."

Chang'an smiled. "Let me guess, you've been asking around without success, so you can only pin your hopes on me?"

Raymond said calmly, "I haven't asked Helai yet, but he's been in jail for the past three days, so the possibility of him knowing Lu Xiaosan's whereabouts is extremely slim."

Chang'an sighed inwardly, "I have unintentionally made so many enemies. I never thought there would be so many discerning people in this world who care about my brother's whereabouts."

He was somewhat delighted, but then he thought, "That's how it is, but only my master and I know the true whereabouts of my elder brother. Even Miss Huanlu doesn't know the details. As it stands, my master has no reason to harm me, so the truth will depend entirely on my words."

So Chang'an sighed and said, "Since you saw his physical condition earlier, you should know his current situation..."

Raymond's eyes dimmed. "So he really couldn't make it..."

Chang'an smiled bitterly, "Should I just endure it and keep suffering?"

"Where did he finally collapse?" Raymond asked his last question.

"After we left Shuixin Pavilion together, he said he didn't want anyone to see him in such a defeated state, so he left alone..."

Chang'an lowered his head, looking very regretful. To him, the lie was the truth, and no one could change it.

Raymond tilted his head slightly. "In that case, I won't bother him..."

Chang'an and Lu Lun asked in unison, "How long have you known him? Are you already so close?"

Raymond was taken aback, and slowly said, "He and I are just business partners; we can't really be considered friends..."

But he quickly laughed self-deprecatingly, "But Brother Lu and I are both fellow sufferers... This period must be the most frustrating time of my life. Only Brother Lu and I can understand this feeling of being completely disgraced."

"So although Brother Lu is not my friend, in my heart he is someone that no one can replace. This kind of presence is far more real and effective than those empty words of encouragement," Raymond exclaimed.

Only then did Lu Lun pat him on the shoulder, "My disciple, you have indeed suffered during this time..."

Raymond smiled with relief and confidence, "But I have indeed grown."

He then clasped his hands in a fist and pleaded with Lu Lun, "Master, we will need your help with what comes next."

Chang'an, being very perceptive, said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

He had only run one step when he heard Raymond say from behind, "If you leave now, it might be too late."

Chang'an was somewhat frightened, but she still stopped and calmly asked, "What...what do you mean by this?"

Raymond didn't answer, but hurriedly said to Luren, "Master, there's someone who did something... very stupid, and we need you to save him?"

"What?" Luren was very puzzled.

"There's no time to explain, but you'll understand soon enough." With that, Raymond hoisted the two soldiers off the ground, grabbed Chang'an's arm, and led the three of them swiftly onto the roof.

The moment they landed, two soldiers walked in from outside the prison door, and between them was a child wearing shackles.

The child, wearing a champion's commemorative shirt from Helai, showed no remorse whatsoever; instead, he appeared proud and unusually excited.

Seeing this, Raymond beside him also looked helpless.

This child was none other than the mischievous top scholar, Ou.

Two soldiers approached a bewildered Lu Lun and saluted solemnly, saying, "Master Lu, where are the two soldiers guarding this place?"

Lu Lun paused for a moment before saying, "Oh, them? They suddenly needed to use the restroom, so I let them go first. After all, everyone has to go sometimes, hehehe."

The two soldiers glanced at the prison door that hadn't yet been closed, slightly annoyed: "These two guys are so audacious, daring to neglect their duties."

They spoke with righteous indignation, and they appeared even more upright and awe-inspiring.

Chang'an then realized that if he had gone out earlier, he would have run into the two soldiers. Considering the situation in the courtyard, he would have been unable to defend himself and might even have been charged with a capital offense of attempted prison break!

Lu Lun, standing below, smiled awkwardly. Upon seeing the ruthless Ou Zhuangyuan, he asked, "What crime has this child committed?"

The officers and soldiers were furious. "This guy actually raped the girl who was raped by He Lai again!"

"What?!" Lu Lun was so frightened that he backed away repeatedly. What was even more terrifying was that the top European scholar actually smiled again. He felt really proud and happy.

"They're worse than beasts..." Chang'an thought to himself, while Raymond sighed repeatedly beside him.

"Sigh, let's not talk about this now. We need to lock this beast up as soon as possible. Master Lu, farewell."

"Go!" The two soldiers grabbed Ou Zhuangyuan tightly, but Ou Zhuangyuan didn't care how much it hurt. Instead, his eyes shone with excitement. He had never been so excited in his life.

After the two soldiers led him inside, they quickly locked the cell door, fearing that something else might happen.

Only then did Raymond jump down with Chang'an in his arms.

Luren pointed to the cell inside and exclaimed in surprise, "This is the child you wanted me to save?"

Raymond said with shame, "That's right. This child is named Scholar Ou, and he was originally a student at my academy."

"Because he was tired of studying, obsessed with martial arts, and especially admired Helai, he inadvertently caused today's disaster."

"He did such an outrageous thing, all for the sake of He Lai?" Lu Lun exclaimed in surprise.

Raymond sighed deeply. "He did all this just so he could see He Lai one last time..."

"Alas, he even naively thought that raping the same woman would land him in the same cell as Tsuru..."

Chang'an laughed and said, "Then this prison cell will have to be built bigger."

Lu Lun couldn't crack a joke, and asked in a trembling voice, "This child, did he really do it?"

Raymond quickly shook his head, saying, "He doesn't even understand matters between men and women, how could he force himself on anyone? He was just deliberately creating a scene so he'd get caught and thrown in jail; in reality, it wasn't even frivolous..."

"So, he was framed?" Lu Lun asked doubtfully.

“He willingly allowed himself to be framed, please save him, Master.” Raymond then took out some silver from his pocket and handed it to Luren.

"You want me to say some nice things and spend money to redeem him?" Lu Lun asked, taking the silver with a puzzled expression.

"That's right. Only relatives of officials of the ninth rank or above can spend money to atone for their sins, so please ask Master to ask Senior Brother Hua for help."

Lu Lun sighed, "Alas, although this kid hasn't committed a crime, judging from his behavior just now, his character is still seriously flawed."

Raymond bowed again, "Therefore, this disciple humbly requests that Master accept him as a disciple!"

Lu Lun was shocked and exclaimed, "I have treated you well, why did you betray me?"

“Master, this child is not bad by nature, but he dislikes books. If you can teach him some etiquette when you teach him martial arts, and nurture him, I believe that in time he will become an outstanding talent of the Chunhu School.”

Raymond continued, "Moreover, he is exceptionally talented and has a natural love for martial arts, making him an excellent prospect for martial arts training. You will absolutely not be disappointed if he becomes your disciple."

A hint of guilt appeared in his eyes. "This can be considered my way of making amends to the Chunhu School."

Lu Lun's eyes darted around, and he pondered, "I heard that the person who drew the black knife is a bloodthirsty demon child. If I become her master, how will I survive... oh no, wouldn't that ruin my reputation? I'd probably be stuck in jail every day."

"Besides, the girl you mentioned is about to be sent out of the Hua family mansion, so you won't have the chance to be her master anymore," Chang'an added from the side.

Only then did Luren nod. "I will consider it."

He weighed the silver in his hand again and smiled at Raymond, "You stingy lad, you're actually willing to spend so much money to get things done?"

“This is certainly not my money,” Raymond said.

"Oh?"

Raymond couldn't help but laugh. "To tell you the truth, this money... was obtained by that child selling his brother into the palace to become a eunuch."

"You're a quick learner! I'll definitely help you with this." Lu Lun nodded in satisfaction.

Raymond bowed again and said respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, Master."

Lu Lun helped him up and said with a smile, "There's no need to be so polite with your teacher."

Raymond was smiling when his ears twitched slightly. He said, "Those two soldiers are about to come out. My disciple must go."

Lu Lun smiled and said, "Don't worry, with me here, they won't dare to make things difficult for you. Wherever you go, you will always be my disciple."

Raymond was touched, but still said, "I'd better... not cause any more trouble for Master."

He turned around, and after taking only two steps, he couldn't help but say, "Master, I've been so tired these past few days. I don't know if I'll ever be in this kind of pain again."

Lu Lun laughed and replied, "Hahaha, my disciple, you don't need to pay too much attention to the gains and losses of these days. None of these are important."

"There are only two most important days in a person's life: the day you are born and the day you find out why you were born."