Above the Galaxy
Chapter 334 - 219: Sheng Xinhua’s Invitation!

Chapter 334: Chapter 219: Sheng Xinhua’s Invitation!

Lu Xianji was overjoyed and asked out loud, "Really?"

"Really," Lu Yu nodded and said, "Can this kind of thing be faked?"

"It’s indeed the seed of my Lu Family, it’s the seed of my Lu Family..."

"Tang Fei is the seed of my Lu Family..."

Lu Xianji’s expression was ecstatic, and his eyes shone with intensity.

As his heartbeat quickened and his breathing grew heavy, the nutrient solution behind him gurgled, looking as though it was about to boil.

"You shouldn’t get too excited."

Lu Yu began to feel nervous. He knew the old man’s body was on its last legs, relying entirely on world-leading high-tech medical techniques and the nutrient tank on the wheelchair to sustain his life.

Those were the so-called "black technologies," the "life-extending tanks."

If his mood became too agitated, and the nutrient tank couldn’t supply enough, it could lead to severe consequences like breathing cessation and heart stoppage.

Lu Yu certainly didn’t want to be responsible for killing his own grandfather as soon as he returned. If that happened, the entire Lu Family would likely never forgive him.

Even though they already harbored resentment toward him, treating him as if he were already dead.

"How can I not be excited? I’ve finally found my grandson’s whereabouts... How can I not be excited?" Tears welled up in Lu Xianji’s eyes, and he spoke sorrowfully, "Go ahead and leave if you must, but why did you have to take away my grandson? Could he possibly have come to harm in my Lu Family..."

"Who would dare harm him? Even if it costs me these old bones, I’ll protect him... What did you take him away for? The child followed you to that godforsaken place, who knows how many hardships he endured, how much suffering..."

"To toughen his will, to hone his bones and muscles," Lu Yu retorted.

He struggled to justify his own "reckless conduct."

"The moment I saw the lad, I felt he was destined to be part of our Lu Family... So young, yet he has a talented hand, quick to learn, understands with a single point..."

"That trait he inherited from you; you were the most perceptive one in our family. If not for that incident..."

"By now, you would have been the first Mechanic of the Phoenix Empire, and even when considering the whole world, there are few who could rival you..."

"Good, good, you brought me a fine seedling... My grandson, a mechanical prodigy..."

"Si Yu must have known his identity, right? That’s why she went to such great lengths to help him? In your absence these years, Si Yu’s personality turned somewhat reclusive and extreme, reluctant to converse with others, and she made hardly any friends..."

"I found it strange at the time, why she suddenly changed? Teaching him techniques, providing him with materials..."

"I didn’t tell her outright; she might have guessed something."

"I see. That explains it." Lu Xianji nodded.

He then looked at Lu Yu with a puzzled expression and asked, "My Lu seed, why did you let him carry the surname Tang? Is it to commemorate your friend?"

"I didn’t want him to have any affiliation with the Lu Family."

"Nonsense. He’s your son, my grandson; he has the blood of the Lu Family in his veins, and threaded in the marrow of his bones are the genes of our ancestor Lu Ban... How could he have no connection with the Lu Family?"

"I’m a man with sins, with enemies all over the world. By giving him the surname Lu, wouldn’t I be harming the Lu Family?"

"Ha, I don’t care about the children of other families, but how could I not care about my own family’s child?" Lu Xianji was very angry with Lu Yu’s decision and said, "You let him carry the surname Tang, and you even have him seek breakthroughs in his cultivation, raising him as if he were a child of the Tang Family... What? You want the child of my Lu Family to seek revenge for the Tang Family?"

Lu Yu didn’t make a peep, his expression one of ’you’ve guessed it.’

"I disagree," Lu Xianji said sternly, "The entire Tang Family was annihilated, not a single person, young or old, was left alive. Sending him now for revenge is like throwing an egg against a rock... Are you pushing him into the fire? I will not allow my grandson to undertake such a dangerous task."

"He’s already doing it," Lu Yu replied firmly.

"You monstrous beast!"

"Yes, in this state where I’m neither human nor ghost... I’m no different from a beast," Lu Yu spoke with a heavy voice.

Lu Xianji glared fiercely at Lu Yu for a long time before finally speaking, "Make arrangements, I want to meet the child. Preferably during the Spring Festival..."

"Isn’t it a bit early?"

"Do you think I have many years left?" Lu Xianji countered.

"Okay," Lu Yu agreed.

He knew his father’s attitude had softened somewhat.

He couldn’t drag the whole Lu Family into playing with fire, but when necessary, when Tang Fei was in danger, his father would step forward to help.

Such support was already sufficient, and it was the goal of his current efforts.

As for expecting the entire Lu Family to join him in his madness, that was unrealistic.

Neither his father nor the entire family would approve.

Unless they could see hope.

An absolute certainty, coupled with the prospect of seizing the greatest benefits.

Only then might they step forward and risk their lives.

"The technology and weapons vaults of the Lu Family are open to him; whatever he needs... just go to Lu Zhiyong for it, and I will give a heads-up to Wisdom."

"Yes," Lu Yu secretly rejoiced, although he did not show it outwardly.

The technology and weapons vaults were the cornerstone of the Lu Family, the fundamental reason that the Lu Clan could be called the first Mechanic family under the starry sky.

The technical repository contained world-leading mechanical craftsmanship and manufacturing technology, while the weapons repository boasted high-tech weapons that had either been developed or were in development.

It could be said that even the military factories of various countries could not compare...

If Tang Fei could obtain the technology provided by the Lu Family, as well as the inexhaustible supply of high-tech weapons, they would be taking a significant step closer to their revenge.

"Alright, you may leave. I’m tired," Lu Xianji said.

"Father..." Lu Yu looked into Lu Xianji’s slightly narrowed eyes and asked, "What about the matter with the new material..."

"Your second uncle is handling it. I told him to inform Zhong Daolong that the material is still in the development stage, its performance is very unstable, and it cannot be mass-produced..."

Lu Xianji struggled to open his eyes and said coldly, "What we give is what they receive. What we have not given, they cannot forcibly take. Otherwise, if this becomes a precedent, what will the Lu Family have left to call its own?"

"I understand," Lu Yu bowed deeply, then turned and left.

Lu Xianji watched his son’s stooped figure and sighed heavily.

A wealthy young master, with a masterful skill in mechanics...

He should have been carefree and respected, living a life envied by all, yet now he lived a shadowy existence, barely surviving, unable to face the light.

"Why bother?"

------

Chinese New Year’s Eve was approaching.

White Crane Academy had closed a week early, allowing students to either stay and continue their studies on White Crane Mountain or return home to celebrate the New Year with their families.

The Academy’s schedule was very flexible, but the students were exceptionally self-disciplined.

Each of them knew exactly what they wanted.

When Tang Fei returned, Little Fatty had already been on holiday for two weeks.

However, Shang Xiulin had requirements for Little Fatty, asking him to continue practicing at Black Dragon Pond by hitting the water, even during the holiday.

Ever since Little Fatty’s fancy stone-throwing performance, he had sensed a potential path to success for him.

Perhaps, he could indeed train a Martial Arts Grandmaster who couldn’t sense Yin Yang Qi...

This was the first New Year Tang Fei and Little Fatty would spend on New Star, so they stocked up on food as much as possible, following the custom of the Old Land.

There was a saying on the Old Land, "Money or no money, eat meat for the New Year."

No matter how tough life was, families must gather on New Year’s Eve for a feast.

Celebrating the fact that they had grown a year older, lived another year.

So, after their hard work, the refrigerator was filled with a variety of foods, and many fresh items had been added to their home. The material conditions were much better than in the Old Land.

They also bought fireworks and firecrackers like the people of Phoenix City, having heard that there were certain areas where they could be set off.

Tang Fei and Little Fatty had never set off fireworks on the Old Land, so they wanted to experience it on New Star.

They also bought big red Spring Festival couplets, which was difficult to achieve on the Old Land where paper was too scarce to waste on the walls and doors.

Those who were particular might write the character "Blessing" with animal blood on the walls, while others would hang a few peach branches at the doorway.

On the Old Land, there was survival, not a life to live.

Tang Fei and Little Fatty were busy with excitement, everything was new to them.

Their voices were louder when they spoke, their smiles more radiant.

But they felt an emptiness inside them—this was the first time they would spend New Year’s without the old man.

Tang Fei knew they couldn’t meet, while Little Fatty often stared at the sky, wondering which star was Blue Star...

The twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, the great cold.

Tang Fei and Little Fatty were having breakfast when the doorbell of their house rang.

Little Fatty ran to open the gate, then saw Sheng Xinhua walk in, dressed in a black trench coat.

Surprised to see Sheng Xinhua, Tang Fei asked, "Why have you come?"

"Why can’t I come?" Sheng Xinhua retorted.

She seemed to really enjoy the verbal sparring with Tang Fei; every time they met, they had to have a few rounds of sharp exchanges.

Tang Fei gave a wry smile and said, "I’m just curious... Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, why are you free to come out? Shouldn’t you be busy?"

"The busy ones are the Princess and Prince. What’s there for a university teacher to be busy about?" Sheng Xinhua took off her trench coat, and Little Fatty surprisingly took it sycophantically, helping her hang it on the coat rack.

Certainly, since Tang Fei went to White Crane Academy, Sheng Xinhua often came to bring them food, which had brought them closer.

Previously, Little Fatty had been a staunch member of the Phoenix Sect.

Sheng Xinhua, in a high-necked sweater, had a voluptuous figure with a full bosom, seating herself in front of Tang Fei and giving off an overwhelming presence.

Tang Fei suddenly found his gaze unsettled, so he glanced at Little Fatty and said, "Pour a cup of tea for Mr. Sheng."

"No need," Sheng Xinhua waved her hand and said, "I won’t drink tea, just sitting for a bit before I leave. I’m here to invite the two of you."

"Invite us both?"

"Yes. My mom said since I have a boyfriend now and tomorrow is New Year’s... she wants me to bring the young man home for them to see." Sheng Xinhua’s smile was radiant, her gaze sly as she looked at Tang Fei and said, "Tang Fei, come with me for a bit, will you?"