Chapter 129 - 103: Fist Manual Delivered to the Doorstep

Chapter 129: Chapter 103: Fist Manual Delivered to the Doorstep

The Bai Family’s targeting was simply too obvious. It was so glaring, in fact, that it was like a beacon lit in the dead of night, pointing straight toward Yin Mountain County. It was impossible for Lu Jing’an to miss. This could barely even be called a conspiracy anymore; it was an open machination, plain for all to see.

Third floor, Defense Command.

In the high-backed chair behind the mahogany desk, Commander Bai slowly swirled the wine glass in his hand, the liquid inside resembling coagulated blood. The failure of the plan didn’t surprise or displease him. On the contrary, a faint, almost delighted curve graced the corners of his lips.

If Lu Jing’an had taken the bait so easily, it would have been boring, and the second move would have lost its meaning entirely.

"To figure out so quickly that we were the ones backing the Li Family..." He took a sip of wine, letting the mellow, slightly astringent liquid slide down his throat. "It seems that old fox, Secretary Hu, wants to use the Lu Family as a meat shield for this first shot."

Commander Bai naturally didn’t know that Lu Jing’an had learned the truth much earlier than he expected. In his deduction, such a swift reaction could only mean that Secretary Hu had leaked the information to the Lu Family.

"Since they want to be a shield, let’s see just how tough the Lu Family’s bones are. Let’s see if they can take the hit."

After muttering to himself, he looked up at Bai Bao, who stood to the side like a javelin. "Take a trip to the Li Family. Ask them if they want to watch Lu Jing’an get beaten to death in public with their own eyes." Commander Bai’s tone was as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "If they do, tell them to send over the Void Bank checks and the safe keys sooner rather than later. My patience is limited."

Bai Bao didn’t move his body, only bowing his head slightly. "Yes. I will get to it immediately. Do you have any other orders, Commander?"

"Have Leopard One prepare himself and bring the Six Harmonies Fist Manual." Commander Bai gently set his wine glass down on the heavy green felt covering the desk, producing a muffled THUD. "Once the Li Family’s money is in place, have him go and beat Lu Jing’an to death."

Bai Bao hesitated slightly. "Commander, Lu Jing’an is so cautious. I’m afraid he won’t take the bait easily again."

"Why should we wait for him to take the bait?" Commander Bai leaned back, completely swallowed by the shadow of the high-backed chair, with only the sharp gleam in his eyes visible. "Isn’t he too afraid to leave Yin Mountain County? Then we’ll go to his turf. Have Leopard One set up an arena in the busiest part of Yin Mountain County. Issue a public challenge with the Six Harmonies Fist Manual as the prize. If Lu Jing’an doesn’t dare to accept..."

He paused, his voice growing even colder. "Then have Leopard One destroy the Fist Manual on the spot. Also, send word to the Hu Family. Tell them to burn every single rubbing of the Six Harmonies Fist Manual they have. Not a single page is to be spared. If I find out even one copy remains in this world, I will declare war on the Hu Family immediately."

Bai Bao brought his heels together, making a crisp CLICK. "Yes! I will remember!"

After Bai Bao left, silence returned to the room. Commander Bai looked at the gloomy sky outside the window and slowly exhaled. His breath almost condensed into white mist in the freezing air.

"These kinds of direct, bloody matters are more suited to me after all." Amidst his low murmurs, a fleeting, almost tangible flash of scarlet seemed to cross his eyes.

The next day.

The Li Family hastily packed the checks deposited in the Void Bank, the keys and passwords to several safes, and the deeds to a few other hidden properties into a box and sent it to the Defense Command. After Commander Bai’s adjutant finished tallying the contents, he submitted the total figures. Glancing over the staggering amount, Commander Bai nodded in satisfaction.

"Let Leopard One set off," Commander Bai ordered Bai Bao, who was standing by respectfully.

"Yes!"

Near noon the following day.

Leopard One led a squad of fierce and silent Leopard Camp members into the borders of Yin Mountain County. They went straight to the old theater stage in the center of the county town, which was normally used for local operas. Without a word, they swiftly tore the aging stage to pieces. On the same spot, they erected a rougher, sturdier arena made of gray wood.

The news spread through Yin Mountain County like wildfire. Someone had brought the long-lost Six Harmonies Fist Manual and set up an arena. They were challenging all Martial Cultivators in Yin Mountain County; the winner would claim the Fist Manual.

The intention was so naked it bordered on arrogance. They were coming directly for Lu Jing’an.

The Fist Manual had been delivered right to his doorstep. If he didn’t dare to take it now, he would likely never have the chance again, as the opponent’s next move would inevitably be to completely destroy this sole remaining manual.

Upon hearing the news, Lu Jing’an didn’t act immediately this time. He first went to his father, Lu Huaiqian, and asked him to find a way to contact the Hu Family to confirm if there were any rubbings of the Six Harmonies Fist still in circulation. If there was a backup, Lu Jing’an wouldn’t need to rush headlong into this obvious trap.

Lu Huaiqian’s call quickly received a response, but it made their hearts sink. All the related rubbings collected by the Hu Family had been completely destroyed overnight in an "accidental" fire.

How could there be such a coincidence in this world? This was clearly an ultimatum. There was only one copy of the Fist Manual, and it was right there in the arena. If he wanted it, he had to go get it himself. If not, he could give up on it for the rest of his life.

If it were anyone else, they might have weighed the pros and cons and given up. As good as the Six Harmonies Fist was, it was only one of the six sections. Being able to master two or three sections in a lifetime was already a blessing from the heavens. But Lu Jing’an was different. He had to collect all six sections.

"Young Master, this old servant will fight this match in your stead," Chen Xuan said with a grave expression, cupping his hands to request the assignment.

Lu Jing’an shook his head slowly, his gaze drifting toward the window where faint noises of the commotion could be heard. "Master, I must be the one to fight this battle. Even if you go and win, it might give the Bai Family an excuse to launch a direct attack. Only if I step into the arena myself and kill him in a duel under the watchful eyes of the public will the Bai Family have nothing to say."

Since the daggers had been drawn, there was no need for further detours. He would simply meet the challenge head-on.

Once the decision was made, there would be no delay. Lu Jing’an liked to cut through the Gordian knot; only by getting the Fist Manual into his hands as soon as possible could he feel at ease. He had considerable confidence in his current strength. Even if his opponent’s realm was higher than his own, he still had a chance of winning through a sudden, explosive burst of power.

However, just as Lu Jing’an was about to head to the arena, a worker from the Lu Family ran in, panting heavily.

"Sir! Young Master! Something happened at the arena!"

"What’s the panic?" Lu Jing’an frowned slightly.

"Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing, the two martial arts hall masters, just went into the arena..." The worker gasped for air, shock still lingering on his face. "In less than five breaths, they were sent flying by the man in the ring! Now they are coughing up blood, severely injured, and unconscious. We don’t know if they’ll survive!"

Lu Jing’an’s face darkened. He hadn’t assigned anyone to test the arena. Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing had clearly acted on their own initiative. Perhaps they were grateful for the Lu Family’s previous help and wanted to show their loyalty, or perhaps they wanted to earn some credit and make an impression. They just never expected the man in the arena to possess such terrifying strength.

"Take Doctor Cui to treat them immediately. Whatever medicinal herbs are needed, take them directly from our family’s storehouse. Don’t be stingy," Lu Jing’an ordered swiftly. Regardless of the two men’s motives, in the eyes of outsiders, they had paved the way for the Lu Family and for Lu Jing’an. If he ignored them now, his and the Lu Family’s reputation would instantly plummet to the ground.

"Yes!" The servant received the order and hurried away.

Lu Jing’an turned and said to Chen Xuan, "Master, let’s go. Let’s go meet this guest sent by Commander Bai."

The carriage wheels rumbled across the slightly noisy streets of Yin Mountain County, arriving at the original site of the arena, which was now surrounded by an impenetrable crowd. Looking at the roughly rebuilt stage, surrounded by shattered wood and debris, Lu Jing’an spoke calmly to the security captain maintaining order nearby.

"Keep an eye on them. Afterward, make them pay for the damages at full price. Not a single penny less, otherwise they are not allowed to leave the county."

The security captain didn’t know the exact background of Leopard One and his crew. In Yin Mountain County, they only listened to the Lu Family. He immediately puffed out his chest and replied, "Rest assured, Young Master. I understand!"

As Lu Jing’an arrived, the crowd naturally parted to form a path. On the arena stage, a bare-chested, muscular man turned around. A hideous scar ran almost the entire length of his torso. His gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto Lu Jing’an.

Leopard One had never seen a portrait of Lu Jing’an, but judging by the newcomer’s bearing and the reactions of the surrounding people, he knew the main target had arrived.

"Young Master," Chen Xuan said rapidly in a very low voice beside Lu Jing’an. "This man’s External Skills have reached Bone Training Perfection, and his vitality burns like a furnace. I’m afraid he is only one step away from the Inner Breath Realm. His Power is deep and heavy, following a path of fierce and explosive strength. Be careful."

"He hasn’t entered the Inner Breath Realm yet?" Hearing this, the sharp glint in Lu Jing’an’s eyes grew even brighter. "That’s good, then."

He took off his navy blue woolen overcoat and handed it to his accompanying Guard. Then, unhurriedly, he unfastened his cuffs and meticulously rolled up his shirt sleeves to his forearms, revealing his smoothly contoured wrists. He took a step and ascended the arena.

The wooden planks CREAKED softly beneath his feet. Lu Jing’an stood still, his gaze sweeping straight past Leopard One’s ferocious body and landing on the attendant holding a wooden box behind him. He cut straight to the chase.

"I’m here. Where is the Six Harmonies Fist Manual?"

Lu Jing’an’s goal for this trip was clear. If he didn’t even see the Fist Manual before fighting, it would be utterly meaningless.

Leopard One grinned, revealing a mouth full of ghastly white teeth, and clapped his hands. The attendant stepped forward at the signal and opened the wooden box in his hands. On the red silk lining inside lay a quaint, thread-bound booklet with yellowed pages. Written on the cover in vigorous calligraphy was: Six Ice Condensing Fist.

Lu Jing’an’s gaze was sharp as he quickly scanned the exterior of the booklet. He then raised his hand, pointing to a relatively intact empty space at the corner of the arena. "Put the item over there. I’m worried you’ll renege on your debt when you lose and conveniently destroy it."

"Heh." Hearing this, Leopard One didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed, his voice sounding like a broken gong. "Quite vigilant, and you’ve got guts too. I’ll grant your request!"

He waved his hand, signaling the attendant to carefully place the wooden box where Lu Jing’an had pointed. Then the attendant retreated several yards.

"Now, are we good?" Leopard One cracked his neck, his joints making soft POPPING sounds. His imposing aura began to rise, like a ferocious beast about to pounce on its prey.

Before his voice even faded—

His vision suddenly blurred! Lu Jing’an, who had been standing a few steps away, vanished from his spot like a ghost, leaving behind only a faint afterimage. It wasn’t just that he was too fast; it was a bizarre footwork that bordered on Instant Teleportation! ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Not good!" Alarm bells rang wildly in Leopard One’s heart. He excelled at Attack, not speed. His reaction was a fraction of a second too slow. By the time he dashed forward to intercept, Lu Jing’an had already glided to the edge of the arena like a wisp of smoke, reaching out and snatching the Fist Manual from the wooden box!

Lu Jing’an didn’t hesitate and quickly flipped through it right there on the spot. His fingertips brushed over the pages, his gaze sweeping over the lines of text and illustrations like lightning, inspecting whether it was complete and if there were any alterations or damages.

Leopard One lunged and caught nothing but air. He simply stopped his pursuit and stood firmly in the center of the arena, sneering. "Even if you got your hands on the Fist Manual, you still have to fight this battle today! Otherwise, you should know the consequences. The lives of countless people in Yin Mountain County all hinge on a single thought of yours!"

Lu Jing’an acted as if he hadn’t heard a word, solely focused on the booklet in his hands. In the span of a few breaths, he had roughly skimmed through the key sections, confirming that this was indeed an authentic copy and was completely intact. He closed the booklet and flicked his wrist. The quaint Fist Manual drew an arc in the air, making a precise landing into Chen Xuan’s hands below the stage.

"Master, keep this safe."

With that said, Lu Jing’an moved again. In the blink of an eye, he had returned to the center of the arena, facing Leopard One from a distance of less than ten yards.

"So noisy." Lu Jing’an cut off Leopard One’s unspoken threat, his voice calm yet echoing clearly throughout the entire venue. "I never said I wouldn’t kill you. I just had to inspect the goods first to avoid wasting my energy winning a fake."

Lu Jing’an lightly flexed his fingers, his joints popping faintly. Although his aura hadn’t fully erupted, a profound and imposing heaviness began to spread from him. "Since the Fist Manual is real, I will be taking your life."