Chapter 367: Young Master Lu Is No Simple Man

Sanhe Commandery, Main Helm Dock.

Every day, many martial artists came and went.

Among the first-rank and second-rank martial artists, some had come to broaden their horizons, some were purely there for the excitement, and some were ambitious men chasing fame and profit. But there were also many young people who had come with the goal of finding a master and learning martial arts.

At the Caobang Main Helm, they could now recruit at least one batch of dock laborers every day, and they were also able to take in a number of new disciples.

From time to time, they would also introduce certain people to the Caobang hall, asking whether they could join the Caobang.

After agreeing to Divine Physician Shen and Lu Ningshuang’s request, Wangchuan followed the two of them to the dock plaza, just in time to see a ship flying the banner of Medicine King Valley pulling in to shore.

A young man who looked about twenty-five or twenty-six stepped off the ship. He was dressed in luxurious clothing and held a folding fan in his hand, which he idly waved. Behind him stood two middle-aged men with deep, sharp eyes, steady steps, and an intense sense of vigilance. Both radiated an unmistakable air of keep-your-distance.

“Big Brother!”

Lu Ningshuang bounced on her feet and waved to greet her elder brother.

Lu Ping’an let his gaze rest on his younger sister’s face for a moment, revealing a smile. Then his eyes shifted to Divine Physician Shen and to the other man standing beside his sister, a young man about her age, and he looked him over carefully.

The three of them disembarked, pushed aside the crowd, and walked up to Wangchuan’s group.

“Little Sister.”

Lu Ping’an reached out and ruffled Lu Ningshuang’s hair, then cupped his fists toward Divine Physician Shen in greeting.

“Senior Shen!”

“My little sister acts rashly and impulsively. She has troubled you.”

“Heh...”

Divine Physician Shen smiled and said, “Ningshuang is a good child. She has the backbone of the Lu Family! After this lesson, she should be much more careful when walking the Jianghu in the future.”

“Oh, right. Let me introduce you, Young Master Lu. This is Hall Master Wangchuan, the Deputy Hall Master of the Caobang’s Sanhe Commandery hall.”

Divine Physician Shen stepped back and made the introduction.

Wangchuan raised his hand and cupped his fist in greeting.

All the while, he had been quietly observing this Young Master Lu.

A third-rank martial artist...

The other man’s breathing was long and steady, his steps calm and grounded, and the divine light in his eyes was restrained inward. He even gave Wangchuan a faint sense of pressure. Clearly, he was no ordinary third-rank martial artist.

“Young Master Lu’s great name is widely known throughout the Jianghu. Please stay at the hall. Let us sit down and properly welcome you.”

“Good!”

Young Master Lu glanced around. This indeed was not a place for conversation.

The group left the docks.

Within the crowd, several pairs of eyes silently met.

On the second floor of a restaurant not far away, someone raised a cup and cast a sidelong glance, watching Wangchuan, Divine Physician Shen, Young Master Lu, and the others walk away.

“Hmph!”

“Lu Ping’an of Qinghe Commandery.”

“The Lu Family’s young master has actually shown up in Sanhe Commandery.”

“What nerve!”

“This is not Qinghe Commandery. No one here can protect his little life!”

“Go. Send a carrier pigeon message and notify the gang...”

...

Caobang Hall.

“Hall Master Wangchuan!”

“Hall Master Wangchuan!”

When Wangchuan and his group returned to the hall, the Caobang disciples along the way, from outside the hall all the way to the main chamber, saluted respectfully, their voices ringing out loud and clear. The display was no small one.

Lu Ping’an took it in stride, but when he stepped into the main chamber, he still could not help praising it.

“No wonder this martial tournament is being hosted by Sanhe Commandery. Just this spirit and this foundation alone are already far superior to Qinghe Commandery in many respects.”

“Haha... Young Master Lu flatters us.”

“Please, everyone, have a seat!”

Wangchuan made a gesture inviting them to sit down.

Chen Ergou was already bringing in tea, along with fruit, pastries, and sweets.

“When Old Seven returned, he told me that the Qinghe Commandery hall had only been able to turn the tide and crush the Beggar Sect’s arrogance because the Lu Family intervened. So by that reasoning, our Caobang and the Lu Family are allies. We are on the same side. Since Young Master Lu has come to Sanhe Commandery, just treat this place like your own home. There is no need for ceremony. Our hall will be responsible for your safety.”

At those words, the two fourth-rank martial artists behind Lu Ping’an exchanged glances and visibly relaxed.

“...”

Lu Ping’an had clearly already understood that his sister had arranged lodgings for him, and he also understood the goodwill of Medicine King Valley and the Caobang. Smiling, he cupped his fists and said, “In that case, Ping’an will respectfully accept your hospitality. I shall trouble you, then.”

“Miss Ningshuang was captured by the Five Poisons Sect and subjected to severe torture, yet she still refused to reveal Miss Xiumei’s identity! And in the face of the Beggar Sect’s targeting, the Lu Family stood firm and met them head-on without wavering. I deeply admire the character and principles of the Lu Family. If those two traitors from the Beggar Sect truly dare come to Sanhe Commandery, then everyone in my hall will certainly do everything in our power to protect Young Master Lu.”

Even as he spoke, Wangchuan did not dare promise too much.

“Rest assured.”

“Although Lu is only third rank, I do not place ordinary fourth-rank martial artists in my eyes.”

Lu Ping’an’s words only further confirmed Wangchuan’s suspicions.

This Young Master Lu had most likely come with his eyes set on taking first place in the third-rank division of the martial tournament.

“Since Young Master Lu says so, you’re making my hands itch a little. Since there are still more than ten days before the martial tournament... how about we spar a little?”

“Hahahaha... Lu was just thinking the same thing.”

Lu Ping’an was instantly invigorated. Laughing, he said, “I had long heard that when Hall Master Wangchuan was still only first rank, he killed the Snake Elder and the branch helm leader of the Five Poisons Sect, and that he also escaped with his life from the assassins of the Crimson Pavilion. Now that I’ve seen you in person, I’m even more convinced that the rumors in the Jianghu are no exaggeration. Ping’an also wishes to have a proper spar with Hall Master Wangchuan.”

The two of them hit it off at once, rose to their feet, and headed straight for the practice grounds.

Divine Physician Shen and Lu Ningshuang looked at one another in dismay.

What was this? They had only just sat down, and already these two wanted to go spar?

“Big Brother!”

“Hall Master Wangchuan...”

The two hurried after them.

The two fourth-rank martial artists had only just accepted the tea Chen Ergou handed them. Now they stood there awkwardly holding their cups, utterly helpless.

They knew Young Master Lu’s temperament well.

He had clearly run into an opponent suited to his taste and immediately become excited.

Wangchuan and Lu Ping’an entered the practice grounds.

Chen Ergou had already come ahead of them to clear the area. All the Caobang disciples withdrew and gave up the field.

“Who is that?”

“He has quite an aura.”

“Hall Master Wangchuan is going to spar with him?”

“It’s been a long time since we last saw the Hall Master fight.”

“Exactly.”

“The last time he dealt with Luo Laoqi, the Hall Master was only second rank... We’re in for a treat today.”

Lin Jiahe, Chen Gang, Li Xiangyang, Ye Baiyi, and Yang Feiyue stood at the front of the crowd, all wearing delighted expressions as they watched the two men step into the field and face one another.

Lin Jiahe and the other two had seen Wangchuan fight in the real world. When facing Xiao He, the boss of Black River Studio, Wangchuan had not shown the slightest trace of his true edge from beginning to end, only completing the kill at the final moment.

In truth, they still could not tell just how strong Wangchuan had become.

Lin Jiahe’s gaze moved back and forth over Lu Ping’an several times.

“This man...”

“is no simple figure.”

“This is likely to be a clash of dragons and tigers.”

Ye Baiyi knew that Lin Jiahe was Chen Gang’s senior brother, from Bajiquan Martial Arts Gym, and also the only third-rank martial artist under the boss. His eye was extremely sharp. So Ye Baiyi quietly nudged Yang Feiyue on the shoulder beside him.

“Old Yang, where do you think the Hall Master found an expert like this?”

“And you still can’t tell? Look at the sleeve insignia. The Copper Coin Emblem. The Flowing Waters of Qinghe. The Lu Family of Qinghe Commandery. At such a young age, with such bearing, he must be that young master of the Lu Family.”

The moment Yang Feiyue said this, everyone was shocked.

Then...

Young Master Lu?

Who was that?

Several of them looked at one another blankly.

Yang Feiyue was so annoyed on the spot that he no longer felt like speaking at all.

What a bunch of bumpkins. Where in the world had these country fools crawled out from?