Lu An was the very same clan uncle whose eyes had met hers before darting away.
The truth was obvious. Lu Huaishuang was no fool, and she didn't need to ask to see through what had happened. She hadn't had time to deal with this traitor before, but now that she was free, she certainly couldn't let a rotten apple continue to poison the bunch.
The Lu family had no room for those with divided loyalties.
Lu Bing was startled when he heard the name. "Him? That can't be right!"
He and Lu An were, when you traced the lineage, cousins. Only a month ago they'd been drinking together and chatting about old times. He couldn't bring himself to believe that Lu An had actually betrayed the Lu family. But he knew that Lu Huaishuang never spoke without proof. If she said so, then she must have solid evidence. His expression turned grim. "I'll go check."
He turned and left the room.
Before long he returned, his face ugly with displeasure. "Lu An has fled!"
He'd searched the entire warship from bow to stern and found no trace of Lu An. When he'd asked the Lu family warriors, it turned out no one had seen him for quite a while either.
"As expected." Lu Huaishuang showed not the slightest surprise. If she were in Lu An's shoes, she would have run too. Traitors were always more hateful than enemies—if he hadn't fled, his end would have been utterly wretched.
She felt a small measure of relief. If Lu An hadn't run, she honestly wouldn't have known how to handle the situation. Make an example of him? No matter what, he was still her elder, her clan uncle. If she actually struck him down, might it chill the hearts of others, making them think she was iron-blooded and heartless?
The fact that he'd run actually saved her one headache. Just like those few surviving members of the He family—on this dead star devoid of even a wisp of spiritual energy, even if they clung to survival they wouldn't be living well. So Lu Huaishuang had no intention of pursuing them. Letting them fend for themselves was the greatest punishment.
"How could he betray the Lu family?" Lu Bing said, his voice filled with anguished disbelief.
"Either for profit, or because someone got their hooks into him," Lu Huaishuang replied flatly, waving a hand. "Forget it. Don't spread this around outside—no need to stir up unnecessary suspicion."
"Understood." Lu Bing nodded. "But Lu An still has family back on Chaoyang Star. When we return and those people ask after him, what explanation do we give?"
"That's for you, Third Uncle, to come up with," Lu Huaishuang said, fixing him with her gaze.
Lu Bing inclined his head. "Fine, leave that matter to me." He paused, then added, "Oh, about that He family warship…"
Lu Huaishuang looked up sharply. "Absolutely do not lay a finger on that warship until you have that person's permission." Although the He family had been destroyed by their hand, and that Void King-grade warship was technically the Lu family's spoils of war, the lion's share of the credit ultimately belonged to Yang Kai.
That Void King-grade warship had, without anyone explicitly saying so, been stamped with Yang Kai's label.
Lu Bing said, "That much I naturally understand. I've been keeping the clan members in line these past few days—no one has boarded that warship. But from what I've observed, I doubt that person would stoop to coveting a warship. Could you perhaps… go ask his opinion?"
The Lu family might be a dominant force on Chaoyang Star, but they possessed only a single Void King-grade warship. If they could acquire another one out of thin air, their strength would leap up an entire tier. Void King-grade warships were the greatest tools for seizing cities and conquering territory. If they wanted to make a move against the remnants of the He family upon returning to Chaoyang Star, the deterrent power of a warship would be indispensable.
Lu Huaishuang rubbed her temples. The mere thought of that man brought back the memory of his inappropriate behavior when descending the mountain—the sensation against her chest was still vivid enough to recall in perfect detail. Her expression became slightly unnatural.
He'd claimed it was an accident. Hah…
"Have you found out where that man comes from?" Lu Bing asked.
Lu Huaishuang shook her head. "All I know is that he's not from the Infinite Star Domain."
Lu Bing's entire body jolted. "Not from the Infinite Star Domain?" A thought struck him suddenly, and he exclaimed in a low voice, "Could it be…?"
Lu Huaishuang nodded. "That's what I suspect now—that he came from that place."
"No wonder," Lu Bing murmured, looking thoughtful. "Even the boss of Gale was willing to serve as his follower. If he really did come from that place, it wouldn't be beneath Sheng Yao's dignity. Sheng Yao must have figured it out too."
Lu Huaishuang smiled faintly. "A man like him is the type who gravitates toward fortune and avoids calamity. Without some benefit in it, how could he ever willingly serve as someone's tail feather?"
Lu Bing's expression turned solemn. "Then our Lu family had better cultivate a good relationship with him. We can't let Sheng Yao seize the advantage first. Mm, the best approach would be to appeal to his interests—though I'm not sure what this man likes. But most men pursue wealth, women, and power. Perhaps we could approach from that angle. This trip, our Lu family brought along a few women of considerable charm."
"I understand. Let me think about it." Lu Huaishuang nodded.
The words carried an unmistakable hint of dismissal. Lu Bing said, "I'll head out and get to work then. Let me know if there's any news."
Sitting in her chair, Lu Huaishuang's expression shifted continuously. She thought for a long while but arrived at no clear conclusion, and in the end she made her decision—she would go and meet that man first.
Setting aside whether she could build a good relationship with him, simply putting a face to the name was the priority. If that fellow Sheng Yao, who had already latched on nearby, managed to gain the upper hand first, the Lu family might truly be left with nothing.
This was a heaven-sent opportunity, and Lu Huaishuang had no intention of letting it slip away.
…
The sound of light footsteps echoed down the corridor, and Lu Huaishuang's figure slowly came into view.
When she arrived at the door of her own chambers, she froze. Her gaze sharpened as she called out in a low voice, "Who's there!"
A woman was standing at the doorway. Her figure was breathtakingly voluptuous—slender and gracefully curved, her ample chest straining so dramatically against her dress that the fabric seemed ready to burst. A pale violet gown fit her form to perfection, and a matching purple silk sash cinched her waist, outlining its exquisite contour with devastating precision. The small of her back dipped in a pronounced arc before the line swept outward again at the hips in a way that was almost heart-stopping.
Her lustrous black hair, silky and smooth, cascaded over her shoulders. A pair of peach-blossom eyes glistened with a moist luster, as though they could speak.
Even as a fellow woman, Lu Huaishuang couldn't help but feel a flutter of her heart upon seeing this beauty.