城市猎人：系统升级之王

Chapter 23: The Tragedy at the Liu Manor

A voice from within his mind, like that of a dragonfly, reassured him, "Your talent won't frighten you, Host. It's merely there to protect you from harm."
"I'm just curious, what danger could be lurking in the eastern suburbs?" Straightening up, Li Nianlong gazed towards the east, his sword-like eyebrows knitted together. "That's where the Liu family's castle stands, the source of all commands in Tianfu. If something happens to the Liu family, chaos will ensue across Tianfu."
"That shouldn't be your concern, Host," the dragonfly responded.
Li Nianlong froze, then fell silent for a moment before conceding, "You're right."
When the sky falls, the tallest will bear its weight; if the Liu family had problems, it was the state's duty to handle them. What did it have to do with a commoner like him?
Exhaling a sigh, he put aside his concerns and set off westward.
The hunt had only just begun.
...
As the moon set and the sun rose anew, Li Nianlong sat in front of the television in the first-floor living room at seven in the morning, watching the local news from Tianfu.
The unease he felt about the eastern suburbs lingered, though he hadn't encountered any danger after changing direction last night. His hunting had only netted two armed robbers by four in the morning, but they were both high-value targets, doubling his experience points to a total of 120. It was a modest gain, yet he couldn't shake the curiosity about what exactly transpired in the east.
"The station is interrupting this broadcast with breaking news..."
Here it comes!
Li Nianlong sat ramrod straight, eyes glued to the screen as the morning news anchor read from an urgent script, "In Longcheng time, early this morning, the Liu family manor in the eastern suburbs was attacked by unidentified armed individuals. Multiple fires broke out, causing severe damage, and resulted in three deaths, one critical injury, and dozens of minor injuries. Our station has learned that the deceased include the Liu family patriarch, Liu Zhen, his eldest son Liu Hong, and second son Liu Tu. The Liu family's elder, Liu Tianming, suffered serious injuries..."
Could it be true!?
Li Nianlong's eyes widened in disbelief, his brows furrowing deeply as a question arose in his mind: Why?
With the elder patriarch severely injured and both the patriarch and his direct heirs dead, what did this signify? The end of the Liu family's lineage.
In the imperial dynasty, inheritance was through the eldest son; other offspring branched out, enjoying fleeting wealth but no real power. With the patriarch and his direct heirs now assassinated, the Liu family's future was cut short.
This was just the tip of the iceberg. Without an heir, the Liu family would surely attract the attention of rival clans. As the rulers of Tianfu's military and political affairs, the Liu family was akin to local kings. Even the king himself would be powerless against them in Tianfu. Should news of their succession crisis reach the ears of the Long family, the Liu family risked being absorbed by the Longs or another clan swiftly.
While the major families appeared harmonious on the surface, beneath lay a constant game of deceit and bloodshed. Power blinded, and no family would pass up a chance to strengthen itself.
The one silver lining was the survival of the Liu family's elderly patriarch, aged 77, who had relinquished his position as head eight years ago. So long as he lived, the Liu family wouldn't crumble immediately, but this was only a temporary reprieve. If they didn't resolve the crisis soon, their prospects looked grim.
Putting himself in the patriarch's shoes, Li Nianlong thought the first step would be to quickly select a capable and closely related successor to lead the Liu family and maintain control over Tianfu. The urgency was paramount to prevent chaos within the ranks.
But then, he snapped out of his reverie, slapping his cheeks. Why was he thinking so much? He wasn't even part of the Liu family.
Breakfast wasn't the expected steamed buns but rather meat-stuffed pancakes prepared by Nalan Ruyue, crispy on the outside and soft within, paired with succulent slow-cooked meat and spicy peppers. The combination was divine.
After a satisfying breakfast, Nalan Ruyue gently adjusted his collar and wished him well before he headed to the construction site.
Nalan Ruyue's small business venture yesterday earned her over 800 yuan, which put immense pressure on Li Nianlong. Providing for the family was his responsibility, and he couldn't accept earning less than what his partner spent. Thus, Li Nianlong pushed himself to new limits.
On the site, the foreman and fellow workers watched in awe as Li Nianlong worked even harder and more frantically than the previous day, leaving them trembling. "Brother, are you some kind of immortal ox? Please, spare us our hearts can't take it!"
Under the watchful eyes of the nervous workers, the workday came to a close.
To Li Nianlong's delight, he discovered his architect experience had reached 10% towards the advanced level. Based on yesterday's workload, he should have only gained 5% today, plus 2% from the afternoon before—technically 2.5% in total. Yet, he had managed to accumulate an additional 2.5% in a single day, effectively working a day and a half in a span of twelve hours, indicating his extraordinary efforts.
Clutching the 1500 yuan earned, Li Nianlong smiled contentedly.
The foreman wiped sweat from his forehead, saying, "Little Liu, your three-day trial period is over, and you've done exceptionally well. Starting tomorrow, your pay will increase by 50%."
Unfazed by the news, Li Nianlong understood this was part of the initial agreement, but his coworkers awaiting their paychecks were terrified.
Mate, you took home 1500 during the trial, and now with a 50% raise, you'll be earning 2250 a day! You're not human! And please, don't take that extra 250—it's an unlucky number!
Li Nianlong paid no heed to their reactions. His priority was ensuring Nalan Ruyue didn't feel the financial strain, allowing him to progress faster in his life skills, earn attribute points, and ultimately gain enough strength to avenge Uncle Guan.
Uncle Guan died abroad, and his murderer roamed free. Li Nianlong refused to let the culprit live comfortably, not even for a day.
"Father, answer the phone..." On his way home, Li Nianlong slowed down upon hearing a custom ringtone he'd set for someone the previous night. Picking up, he asked, "What?"
"Big brother..."
Beep beep—
He tossed the phone aside, brushing goosebumps off his arm. Disgusting.
"Daddy, answer the phone!"
Casually picking it up again, he repeated, "What?"
"You jerk! Why did you hang up on me?" Yuexi ranted angrily.
Holding the phone away, Li Nianlong waited for her tirade to subside before bringing it back. "What?"
"We're eating at the Great Yuan Restaurant! Bring Sister Ruyue!" Yuexi said impatiently.
"Got it."
"Oh, and bring money!"
Money?
Li Nianlong frowned. "Didn't I give you 10,000 yesterday? Did you spend it all already?"
"No... we accidentally... lost it again."
Li Nianlong was speechless. Twice in three days—they were lucky to still be alive.
Ending the call, Li Nianlong rushed home, bypassing Nalan Ruyue who was still selling her buns, and quickly showered and changed. By the time he descended, she had finished and was moving the tables back inside.
"I'll help!" He hurried to assist her, suggesting, "Go change, we're eating out tonight."
Nalan Ruyue blinked, gesturing that she had already prepared dinner.
"What did you make?"
"Buns."
Li Nianlong sighed.
The Great Yuan Restaurant was a renowned establishment in Tianfu, spanning 500 square meters across five floors, offering a smorgasbord of the region's finest dishes at affordable prices for the average worker.
By the time Li Nianlong and Nalan Ruyue arrived, it was already 7:30 PM, an hour since Yuexi's call. She had called multiple times, clearly impatient.
The Great Yuan Restaurant awaited, and with it, a new chapter in their lives.