True Martial

Chapter 31: True Martial

Lu Zhaojin stared at the damaged wall, then at the middle-aged man who hadn't entered through the main door. A moment's thought suggested the man was likely connected to Lin Qicheng.

After all, since Lu Zhaojin had arrived in Luoxia City, Lin Qicheng was the only one who had acted foolishly enough to try and forcefully seize the Cold Edge sword, only to be killed by him.

Therefore, this middle-aged man should be Lin Qicheng's father.

Lu Zhaojin recognized the man's cultivation as Late Seventh-Rank. Furthermore, the palm technique he used was more potent than any he had seen at Mount Qi, and his application of True Qi was more refined.

This was the difference.

However, it was only that. This person couldn't put any pressure on him.

Lu Zhaojin remained seated cross-legged on the bed, wielding the Cold Edge sword. The sword light was bright and icy, seemingly stirring up a cold wind that howled towards Lin Qi.

Lin Qi gathered all his True Qi into his right fist and then punched out. Accompanied by a loud, imposing tiger's roar, an illusory white tiger formed from True Qi lunged forward, roaring and running on all fours, as if it too had transformed into a powerful gust of wind, crashing together.

Bang!

The True Qi collided, neither side gaining the upper hand. The shockwaves scattered, destroying the tables and chairs in the room.

A sword light flashed at that moment, like a flicker of lightning. Lin Qi had no time to react before sparks flew from his body.

This swift strike didn't kill Lin Qi, which surprised Lu Zhaojin slightly. However, upon seeing the white, silvery sheen where his clothes were torn, he realized the man was wearing a protective armor, and of no low quality, otherwise, how could the Cold Edge sword fail to penetrate?

As Li Xiufang had said, the Cold Edge sword was not a famous sword after all. It could only be considered below the level of famous swords but above ordinary treasures, occupying an awkward middle ground.

Still, the Cold Edge sword was sufficient for Lu Zhaojin to kill enemies now, and he had no thoughts of obtaining famous swords yet.

For the previous strike, Lu Zhaojin had not used the Gale Sword Intent, as he thought he could kill the opponent. He just hadn't known about the protective armor.

Therefore, for every subsequent sword strike, Lu Zhaojin held nothing back, enhancing it with the Gale Sword Intent. It was as if wisps of wind flowed along the sword's edge. Each sword light he unleashed carried a hint of green, and Lin Qi felt a cool breeze blowing, brushing against his skin, causing a stinging sensation like a sharp blade cutting him.

Riiip.

Lin Qi's loose outer robe was torn into strips hanging from his body. His close-fitting soft armor, entirely silver, now bore a white scar.

Clearly, it was left by Lu Zhaojin's previous strike.

Lin Qi grew increasingly alarmed with each passing moment, having never gained any advantage against the young man. The youth remained seated, not moving an inch. In contrast, he was dodging and weaving, evading the incoming sword energy, not only failing to approach the youth but actively retreating.

Behind him was the way he had entered. Any further retreat would mean falling into the street.

Lin Qi's mind, which had been clouded by rage, had now calmed slightly. However, the thought that he, after half a lifetime of cultivation, couldn't even deal with a mere youth made him question how he would establish himself in Luoxia City in the future.

His Lin Family was the foremost family in Luoxia City.

Lin Qi could not retreat any further.

At this moment, the sound of dense footsteps echoed from outside.

Lu Zhaojin saw Lin Qi's expression ease slightly and knew the group outside was from the Lin Family.

The Lin Family's enshrined elders broke through the door, and the Lin Family guards swarmed in, almost filling the room.

Lin Qi waved his hand and shouted, "Attack!"

He added further incentive, pointing at Lu Zhaojin, "Whoever can capture this person will receive a hundred taels of silver from the treasury."

The Lin Family guards' blood boiled, and they began to fantasize about the extravagant life they would lead with the hundred taels of reward.

Their eyes turned red, gleaming with greed, and they surrounded Lu Zhaojin. Someone took the lead, lunging towards Lu Zhaojin, intending to pin him down and incapacitate him.

A sword light flashed, and the man's head was severed. The cut surface didn't even bleed; it was frozen solid.

[Killed Ninth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +50]

Lu Zhaojin used the True Qi within his body to draw out the coldness of the Cold Edge sword. The sword energy he unleashed could now carry a chilling aura, so he wasn't afraid of being splattered with blood.

The greed in their hearts did not cool; instead, more people charged forward, but all were killed by Lu Zhaojin.

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[Killed Ninth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +50]

[...]

After killing an unknown number of people, the room was piled high with corpses, many headless.

Lu Zhaojin even felt that beheading enemies was becoming increasingly effortless.

During this time, Lin Qi was not merely watching. He would seize the opportunity when Lu Zhaojin swung his sword to launch sneak attacks.

However, none were successful.

These people could not pressure Lu Zhaojin. Even the several enshrined elders of the Lin Family were sent to their deaths, contributing five hundred EXP to Lu Zhaojin.

There was also an elder in the Seventh-Rank Realm.

He couldn't even withstand a single sword strike from Lu Zhaojin before his head was severed, rolling off somewhere.

[Killed Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +5000]

The EXP surged, and soon it was trending towards over ten thousand.

This was enough to bring the Jade Purity Heart Method to Great Accomplishment, and Lu Zhaojin's realm could break through to Late Seventh-Rank.

However, Lin Qi had not yet been dealt with, so he was not in a hurry to improve his cultivation.

All the people Lin Qi brought with him had died at Lu Zhaojin's hands. Now, only Lin Qi remained in the Lin Family of Luoxia City.

Lin Qi had almost gone mad. He finally realized he had kicked an iron plate, but he had already made his move and couldn't take it back.

He cursed Lin Qicheng internally, saying he had spoiled him too much, daring to provoke anyone.

This young man was definitely a prodigy on the Dragon Ranking.

Lin Qi felt only fear left in his heart, with no will to fight. He wanted to escape.

Lu Zhaojin swung his sword at Lin Qi's back. Even though he wore soft armor, the sword light cut a gash in it, and blood seeped out. At the same time, a powerful force pushed Lin Qi out of the room and onto the street.

Many people were already watching the commotion outside. Now, with someone flying out and falling to the ground, it instantly caused a stir.

They retreated a certain distance but didn't run far, still surrounding the inn.

At the same time, they recognized the person who had fallen to the ground as Lin Qi. Seeing him in such a sorry state, they wondered who he had provoked.

As the dominant family in Luoxia City, with only Lin Qi left alive now, it seemed Luoxia City was about to undergo a major change.

Lu Zhaojin jumped down from the hole in the roof, landing steadily. He walked slowly towards Lin Qi, holding his sword.

Lin Qi wanted to get up and run far away, or perhaps run to the City Lord's mansion. With the City Lord protecting him, this young man would definitely not dare to act rashly.

Lu Wenxiu, sitting on the rooftop, watched the unfolding spectacle with great amusement, thinking how much better it would be with a pot of wine.

He was also very surprised by Lu Zhaojin's strength. He felt that Li Xiufang's attempt to win this young man over would likely fail. If she could make a greater sacrifice... perhaps she could succeed.

However, what could the Li Family offer now that would impress this young man?

Lu Wenxiu shook his head helplessly as he thought of the Li Family's current predicament, "Madam Xiufang, you can hide for a while, but you can't hide forever. You'll have to return eventually."

Lu Wenxiu suddenly looked up at a distant alleyway. Seeing the luxurious True Martial attire, a hint of disgust flashed in his eyes. "True Martial, Martial Suppression. Great expectations, but I wonder if you can suppress this martial world."