Leave Your Seed

Lu Li looked eagerly at the lavish dinner spread before him on the long dining table. He had already used the space's appraisal function to check it. No poison.

The Wu Clan's dining hall was enormous, with every long table packed with people. Familiar faces chatted about things no ordinary family would discuss over dinner.

Topics like, "The XX-brand dagger I just bought is really handy," "That guy's bodyguard was tough—I had to go to great lengths to kill him," or "Huh? That new XX firearm from XX Military Industries has a pretty good rate of fire and accuracy," came up one after another.

Only the long table where Lu Li sat was especially silent. Those seated there were all core members of the Wu Clan. Garuda sat across from Lu Li, propping up her cheeks with both hands as she gazed at him with lovestruck eyes.

Meanwhile, Hui-Li-Yang Wu, the clan chief seated at the far end of the table, wore a dark expression as he glared at Lu Li.

After a long while, Hui-Li-Yang Wu finally forced out a stiff smile. "Our honored guest has come from afar. Please, try some of our local cuisine."

Once the clan chief spoke, everyone turned to Lu Li. Only after he picked up his chopsticks would the others begin eating.

Lu Li did not hesitate. He picked up a piece of Fried Tempura and ate it. "Your local chefs are truly exceptional..."

As he spoke, he raised a cup of sake toward Hui-Li-Yang Wu. "Thank you for your generous hospitality, Senior."

Seeing Lu Li toast him and speak so respectfully, Hui-Li-Yang Wu's expression improved somewhat. He returned the toast. "It's only a simple family meal. I'm glad you enjoy it, young friend Lu."

With that opening, the people at the table finally began eating. Yet the atmosphere remained heavy. As long as Hui-Li-Yang Wu and Lu Li said nothing, no one else was comfortable speaking.

In the end, Hui-Li-Yang Wu was the first to lose patience. "Young friend Lu, you came from afar claiming to exchange martial arts. Surely you are not satisfied with merely fighting one of our strongest warriors?"

He was probing Lu Li's true intentions. Originally, he had wanted to keep Lu Li here for a few more days and, during that time, obtain Lu Li's high-quality seed to further optimize the Wu Clan's Bloodline.

But when his most beloved great-granddaughter, Garuda, came before him with a shy face and told him she had fallen in love, he was beside himself.

The more he looked at Lu Li's masculine, handsome face, the more hateful it seemed.

Garuda was still only a high school student! This beast actually dared to lay his hands on Garuda!

No, I have to send Lu Li away as soon as possible, before he corrupts my precious great-granddaughter.

Garuda was probably just acting on a passing whim. After some time, she would forget Lu Li.

Yes, that had to be it!

"Since Senior has asked, this junior will be frank."

Lu Li set down his chopsticks and met Hui-Li-Yang Wu's gaze. "This junior wishes to learn the Wu Clan's secret technique—Removal."

The moment those words were spoken, not only their table but even the other dining tables fell silent.

Hui-Li-Yang Wu narrowed his eyes. "Oh? You wish to learn the Wu Clan's secret technique? Do you know that Removal has been secretly passed down by the Wu Family for thousands of years? Since you say you have dealt with the Wu Family before, you should know that this technique is never taught to outsiders."

"Since this is an exchange of martial arts, this junior naturally will not learn it for nothing. I will give the Wu Clan a powerful secret technique, and I will also guarantee that I will not pass Removal on to anyone else."

Lu Li spoke calmly. He did not believe the Wu Clan would easily hand Removal over to him, but he had his own bargaining chip.

"What secret technique could compare to my clan's Removal? Young friend Lu, you must be joking."

Hui-Li-Yang Wu's tone had clearly softened, and even his form of address had changed back.

Lu Li raised a hand. Gray-black color enveloped his fist. "With Senior's discernment, you should be able to see the power of this secret technique. When cultivated to its limit, not even ordinary firearms—not even artillery shells—could inflict the slightest injury."

Yes, he intended to trade the cultivation method of Armament Haki for it.

He had indeed used up the item, but he now understood the principles behind Armament Haki. He could teach it to others if necessary.

However, mastering Armament Haki from scratch placed rather high demands on one's aptitude in an ordinary world. Among the Wu Clan, there would probably not be more than five people capable of learning it and using it in actual combat.

He would write down the cultivation method and let the Wu Clan study it slowly. Whether they could learn it would depend on their own fortune.

"If it is a secret technique like this, it can indeed stand alongside Removal..."

Hui-Li-Yang Wu pondered for a moment. He could see the power of Lu Li's secret technique. If it could be cultivated to a certain level and paired with Removal, the Wu Clan's strength would increase greatly.

He did not feel Lu Li's proposed deal was excessive. "...The Wu Clan can teach you Removal. But aside from exchanging secret techniques, you must also leave behind your seed."

The dagger had finally been drawn.

Lu Li thought, As expected. As a man, he was not without desire, but under Master's education in classical values, he believed that certain things required responsibility. He had no intention of fooling around within the Wu Clan, so the other party's demand truly put him in a difficult position.

At that moment, Garuda exclaimed excitedly, "Grandpa, that's wonderful! Lu Li, let's have children!"

The next instant, Hui-Li-Yang Wu's entire body turned black. His shriveled skin cracked like the bark of an old tree, as though it were about to peel away.

His expression shifted unpredictably as he realized he might have made a mistake. In the end, he snorted coldly. "Forget it. The second condition is canceled. Your Hardening Secret Technique in exchange for the Removal secret technique will be enough!"

Lu Li had not expected such a sudden turn of events. The old man really is absurdly devoted to his great-granddaughter...

Looking at the noisy Garuda again, he suddenly found her much more adorable.

Dinner ended amid a strange atmosphere. Aside from Lu Li, none of the Wu Clan members had eaten much, clearly each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

"Mr. Lu, I will show you to the guest room."

Wu Fengshui was still the one leading the way. As for Garuda, she had already been taken away by her great-grandfather.

Hui-Li-Yang Wu now guarded against Lu Li as though he were a wolf. Originally, he had thought the boy knew his place and had not accepted Garuda's request. Who would have thought that at the dinner table, he would set his sights on Garuda, putting Hui-Li-Yang Wu on high alert?

"There are fresh bedding sets here, and clean clothes are in the wardrobe. If you need anything else, please tell me at any time."

Wu Fengshui sat kneeling outside the guest room like a traditional innkeeper's wife.

"This is quite good. Thank you for the trouble."

Lu Li was never particularly picky about accommodations. After Master left, sleeping in cardboard boxes on the streets had become routine for him.

Before closing the door, Wu Fengshui added, "Oh, and although Mr. Lu said you wanted to experience our assassination techniques, the clan chief has issued an order. No one will disturb you tonight, so you may rest well."

With that, she tactfully slid shut the door to the Japanese-style room and walked toward another room, where she would be staying that night.

Lu Li was not surprised by Hui-Li-Yang Wu's order. The old man still wanted everyone to be well-rested when they taught each other their secret techniques tomorrow. Tonight was not the time for messing around.

After tidying up a little, he lay down to rest. It was also his first real rest since entering this world.

Nothing happened throughout the night. In the morning, birdsong and the sound of the shishi-odoshi in the courtyard caused Lu Li to open his eyes.

He had not slept deeply. His five senses had remained half-awake the entire time. At the slightest disturbance, he would immediately draw Prison Demon's Shikai.

After getting up and washing, Lu Li sat beside the corridor in the courtyard and browsed the information on the Public Channel.

Other than during the first half-day after entering this world, when the Explorers had been rather excited and exchanged plenty of information, the Public Channel had later fallen silent. After all, everyone had their own missions.

If nothing unexpected happened, quite a few people were preparing to participate in the Kengan Death Tournament. They had to work for their qualification to enter, leaving them no time to idle away in the Public Channel.

But this morning, an explosive piece of news ignited the entire Public Channel.

Tokita Ohma was dead.

Thank you to Lianbian for the reward of 10,000 Points, thank you to Shadow Sid for the reward of 100 Points, thank you to Philosophy of Zhang San for the reward of 100 Points, and thank you to Old Bear Shadow for the reward of 500 Points!