Luring

Chapter 47: The Lure

Lu Zhaojin?

Elder Duan Xuan's face showed surprise.

He seemed to have heard the name before, but his impression wasn't strong enough to recall it.

Tian Geng offered a reminder, "The Dragon Ranking."

Duan Xuan suddenly understood, then added with a hint of mockery, "Fiftieth place?"

Tian Geng nodded, then shook his head, his brow furrowed with a heavy expression. "The True Martial Division in Luoxia City underestimated Lu Zhaojin's strength too much."

Duan Xuan didn't believe it. No matter how powerful Lu Zhaojin was, he couldn't possibly be Zhao Kuo's opponent. After all, Zhao Kuo was once ranked forty-second on the Dragon Ranking. He had only voluntarily withdrawn due to his age, but that didn't mean he lacked the strength to compete for a spot on the ranking.

Tian Geng saw through Duan Xuan's thoughts. "Chen Jingchun sparred with Lu Zhaojin, but Lu Zhaojin beheaded him with ease in just a few moves. Last night, I received the latest news from Luoxia City – Lu Zhaojin killed the City Lord and people from the Xu Family and fled. We don't know where he went..."

He glanced at the unconscious Du Hongwei. "Hongwei was carrying an order from above to go to Luoxia City, but by unfortunate coincidence, he ran into that scoundrel Lu Zhaojin. He was severely injured and barely managed to escape back. He passed out before he could tell the whole story."

Duan Xuan pondered for a moment. "So, the Saber Manual and the Autumn Equinox Sword are both in Lu Zhaojin's hands?"

Tian Geng nodded. "Highly likely."

Duan Xuan didn't care about Du Hongwei's life or death, and even Zhao Kuo's death only held half his concern, the other half being the Saber Manual. "Where is Lu Zhaojin now?"

Tian Geng shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

A True Martial Guard rushed to the entrance. "Commander, we've found him."

Tian Geng and Duan Xuan exchanged a look.

Tian Geng motioned for the True Martial Guard to enter and report.

The True Martial Guard cupped his fists in salute, greeting the Commander and Elder Duan Xuan. He then relayed the information he received from the city gate guards: they had seen a young man resembling Lu Zhaojin enter the city.

Tian Geng's eyes widened abruptly. "You're saying Lu Zhaojin is in Yuanyang City now?"

The True Martial Guard hesitated. "They said he resembled him, they weren't entirely sure."

Tian Geng thought for a moment and immediately dispatched people to investigate the major inns and restaurants in the city to find out where Lu Zhaojin was staying.

Duan Xuan was also racing against time, determined to find Lu Zhaojin before the True Martial Division did. In front of Tian Geng, he claimed to be seeking revenge for Zhao Kuo, but in reality, his motive was the Saber Manual.

Tian Geng knew this but didn't expose him. Just as Duan Xuan said, his position as Commander was due to the support of White Cloud Villa behind him.

However, this couldn't be publicized.

The Imperial Dynasty did not tolerate two-faced individuals.

Lu Zhaojin was unaware that the True Martial Division and people from White Cloud Villa were searching for him. After leaving the Brocade Tower, he returned to his inn.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, and familiarized himself with his rapidly advancing strength.

Outside the window.

Night fell.

The grayish-white moonlight shone through the window, casting long shadows.

A dark figure suddenly flashed by.

Lu Zhaojin slowly opened his eyes, a glint of sharpness flashing within them. He grabbed the Autumn Equinox Sword and darted out the window into the night, activating his movement technique to pursue the shadowy figure.

He knew he was being lured, but only by trying would he know who was the hunter and who was the prey.

The shadowy figure's strength was inferior to Lu Zhaojin's, and he was quickly caught. The figure drew his sword and unleashed a sword energy. If it had hit, it would have surely cleaved Lu Zhaojin in two.

However, the shadowy figure had clearly led him to his destination. His true opponent descended like a divine soldier, spewing thick Gang Yuan. A palm strike condensed from the energy shattered the sword energy and continued to blast towards Lu Zhaojin.

A flash of sword light flickered, and the palm strike split in the middle, dissipating into the void.

Lu Zhaojin landed safely, holding the Autumn Equinox Sword. He looked around and found himself in an open space. Behind him was the city wall of Yuanyang City, and dense trees were not far away. The figures of Duan Xuan and the others appeared before Lu Zhaojin.

Tian Geng did not reveal himself, or rather, it was not appropriate for the True Martial Guards to get involved. He and the True Martial Guards hid on the city wall, overlooking the battlefield, their eyes shifting, lost in thought.

Duan Xuan sensed Gang Yuan emanating from Lu Zhaojin and his face showed astonishment. "You've actually broken through to the Sixth Rank?"

Lu Zhaojin didn't recognize the old man, but the attire of the disciples was quite familiar. "Are you people from White Cloud Villa?"

Duan Xuan carefully examined Lu Zhaojin's face, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was extremely surprised. Lu Zhaojin was so young. The Dragon Ranking listed him as being in the Seventh-Rank Realm, but the cultivation he just displayed clearly had the fluctuation of Gang Yuan, meaning he could only be in the Sixth-Rank Realm.

Such talent was not inferior to that of the Young Villa Master.

Duan Xuan's mind wandered to other thoughts. "Did you kill Zhao Kuo?"

Lu Zhaojin recalled the four people in the teahouse; there was indeed a person named Zhao Kuo among them. "That's right."

Duan Xuan said in a deep voice, "I am Elder Duan Xuan of White Cloud Villa. Zhao Kuo was my beloved disciple. You killed my beloved disciple, and I seek revenge for him. This is only natural."

Lu Zhaojin nodded, finding it quite reasonable.

Duan Xuan suddenly said, "However, the martial world is not just about fighting and killing; there are also human relationships and social graces."

He looked into Lu Zhaojin's eyes, his gaze seemingly sincere. "Lu Zhaojin, I'll give you an opportunity. Become my disciple and join White Cloud Villa, and the matter of you and Zhao Kuo can be considered settled. What do you say?"

So that was his plan.

Lu Zhaojin naturally shook his head. "I don't think so. I think there are better options."

Duan Xuan asked, "What options?"

Lu Zhaojin flashed a smile. "You all die here."

A strong wind suddenly kicked up, whistling through the area.

Lu Zhaojin was like a drawn sword, his boundless sharpness permeating the space, kicking up dust and fallen leaves that flew high into the sky, only to be quickly shattered by Sword Intent.

Duan Xuan looked at Lu Zhaojin with even greater respect. Not only did he possess an unyielding spirit, but he had also comprehended a Sword Intent. He had indeed underestimated him.

However, he also saw that Lu Zhaojin had not cultivated the subsequent cultivation techniques, so his Gang Yuan was certainly not as abundant as his own. Therefore, he remained very confident that he could subdue Lu Zhaojin tonight.

"Azure Water Swimming Dragon Palm."

Duan Xuan's body trembled, his eyes widened in fury. His gray-white beard flew in the strong wind, and his loose robe billowed. His abundant True Essence surged around him, seemingly transforming into a faint dragon shadow. As he struck out with his palm at Lu Zhaojin, the dragon shadow opened its massive maw, let out a dragon's roar, and charged towards Lu Zhaojin.

The strong wind howled, blowing against the dragon shadow as if countless sword blades were slicing its body. But it was protected by scales, and the wind-blades did not inflict much damage, only scraping off a few scales. It did not hinder it in the slightest.

"Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Art."

Amidst the whistling wind, a sudden explosion rang out.

The dazzling, eye-catching light of thunder seemed capable of destroying everything. It transformed into a sword of thunder in the sky, descending from above, pinning the dragon shadow to the ground. The two forces intertwined wildly, finally exploding with a boom. The terrifying shockwave swept through the surroundings, and billowing smoke and dust rose from the center of the explosion.

A sword qi cut through the smoke and dust, flying towards Duan Xuan.

Duan Xuan's expression changed slightly. He stamped his foot on the ground and leaped into the sky. Then, he slammed his palm down, True Essence spewing forth. It was as if an invisible, colossal palm print, like a great mountain, was pressing down on Lu Zhaojin's head.