Lu Changfeng made an inviting gesture.
He led Gongsun Wu into the main hall of the martial arts school, and the two sat facing each other before a tea table.
"Sorry for the trouble, Senior Gongsun. I ended up in seclusion a little longer than expected." Lu Changfeng used tea in place of wine and drained it in one gulp.
Gongsun Wu took a sip of tea and shook his head. "Master Lu, it doesn't matter to me."
"Do you know what rumors have been circulating about you while you were in seclusion?"
Lu Changfeng's hand paused slightly as he held up his teacup. "What are they saying?"
"They're basically all saying that you, Master Lu, were afraid of Sikong Jue!"
"They say you're afraid of fighting and don't dare step onto the arena!"
Lu Changfeng smiled. He did not care much about such things.
Especially now that he had obtained [Longevity Sword Dao], his mindset had changed drastically.
His previously established route—building a reputation in Jiangnan Prefecture, making connections across all walks of life, and copying innate talents—could actually be abandoned.
It could be replaced with a new route: collecting sword techniques to increase his lifespan, then keeping a low profile for a thousand years before emerging.
He shook his head, scattering the distracting thoughts in his mind.
Lu Changfeng asked with a smile, "Senior Gongsun, you don't happen to think the same way, do you?"
Gongsun Wu thought, I nearly believed it myself before this. Of course, he could not say that aloud. "Master Lu, you're overthinking it. I've always believed in your spirit. My strength may not amount to much, but I still have a good eye for people."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have been the one arranging the match over at the venue."
"Ahem, Master Lu, how