Lying Low, Part Two (Thanks to Qiong Kong Zhi Zhuo Xiao for the First Alliance Master)

Lu Sheng's eyes lit up at those words.

He could not find any complete, powerful martial arts manuals. Since he could not find quality, perhaps he could make up for it with quantity.

With the Modifier at hand, his speed in learning martial arts was terrifying. He could master a technique after only a few tries.

If he mastered several more techniques this way, he might be able to achieve his goal.

In this world, demons, devils, ghosts, and monsters could all appear. If he did not seize the time and opportunity to grow powerful quickly, then when a true crisis came, what would he use to block it? At that thought, Lu Sheng's eyes brightened as well.

He understood what Uncle Zhao meant.

There were quite a few old martial artists in Nine Links City as well. For instance, Zhang Xun, the former chief constable of the yamen, whose Heart Piercing Palm had once been incomparably fierce. Now that he was old and had no children, he had no heir.

He had not left behind much family wealth either. His days were straitened, with income unable to cover expenses, and he often needed assistance from old friends like Uncle Zhao.

If they used money and personal connections to build a relationship, they could probably obtain the Heart Piercing Palm's inheritance from him easily.

One had to know that in his youth, Zhang Xun had been known as the number one expert in Nine Links City.

Only in his old age had the others caught up to him. He was much older than Uncle Zhao, already eighty-six this year, and his legs no longer worked well.

By the time Uncle Zhao and the others had gained some renown, he had already retired into seclusion for many years.

There were no shortage of former experts like that in Nine Links City.

Lu Sheng's mind came alive. If he could learn something from all these people, then by piling it all together, even third-rate martial arts, trained to an extremely high level, would surely become formidable.

"What do you think, Young Master? If you are interested, I can contact a few old friends whose circumstances are suitable."

Uncle Zhao was likely also trying to help care for his old friends. Perhaps he could not bear to see them possess a lifetime of skill, only to end their days in bitter poverty.

Lu Sheng thought carefully.

"Uncle Zhao is absolutely right. I only wonder which experts you can contact?"

"Never mind which experts. Bite off more than you can chew, and you will choke. The Heart Piercing Palm and the Eighty-Four Swallow Chasing Wind Saber are both ones I can guarantee.

"These two old friends of mine had their children killed by enemies in their early years. Now they have no one to rely on, and life is difficult. They have long intended to find disciples to pass on their inheritances.

"But the poor study literature while the rich practice martial arts. Without sufficient nourishment, even bitter training will shorten one's life. They did not dare pass their skills on and harm another person's children."

Uncle Zhao sighed with feeling.

"It just so happens that I have seen that Brother Sheng possesses exceptional talent and extraordinary aptitude. Although we cannot obtain superior martial arts from great sects, if you train these two techniques well, they will still be remarkable skills.

"They can satisfy Brother Sheng's needs while also helping a few friends. It kills two birds with one stone."

Seeing him lay out his plans completely, Lu Sheng's expression turned solemn as well.

"Since Uncle Zhao vouches for them, then these two seniors shall both be this junior's masters. The estate will send each of them twenty taels of silver every month as tuition."

At those words, Uncle Zhao could not help smiling.

"Brother Sheng truly has a kind heart."

In truth, for an ordinary master running a martial arts school, the expenses needed to teach genuine skills would not even reach ten taels of silver.

Yet Lu Sheng directly offered twenty taels to each man. That was giving Zhao Dahu face.

If word got out, Zhao Dahu would have glory on his face among his circle and before his many old friends.

"Then Brother Sheng, practice first. I will go pass the news to several friends."

Now that the matter had been settled, Uncle Zhao could hardly wait. He needed to hurry and bring Zhang Xun the good news.

Zhang Xun had caught a chill again some time ago. Once a man forged from iron, he had not understood how to care for himself when young and had accumulated too many hidden injuries. Now his qi and blood had withered, and he had no money for nourishment.

Uncle Zhao had even paid in advance for the medicine from his previous visit to the doctor.

If not for that, he would not have thought of recommending masters to Lu Sheng.

He truly... truly could not bear to watch his old friend come to such a miserable end.

"Please, Uncle Zhao."

Lu Sheng cupped his hands, saber in hand.

After watching Uncle Zhao leave, Lu Sheng stood alone on the Training Ground.

He raised his long saber and swiftly practiced another set of the Black Tiger Saber Technique.

Tiger's Ferocity, Tiger's Might, and Tiger's Roar—when broken apart, the three moves became three sets of combined saber techniques with around ten moves each.

Though the three great moves were each separate and independent, every move actually contained quite a few individual saber forms.

Take Tiger's Ferocity, for example. It could be divided into saber moves for facing enemies head-on, moves for dealing with attacks from behind, and moves for handling attacks from either side. There were also moves for countering sneak attacks and hidden weapons, long-handled weapons, heavy weapons, and so on. It had many variations.

It was not merely one move to practice.

As he practiced his saber, a servant suddenly ran over from the edge of the Training Ground. He stood to one side and waited for Lu Sheng to finish, apparently with something to say.

Lu Sheng frowned.

He swiftly sheathed his saber and stood still, looking at the servant.

"What is it?"

"Reporting to Young Master, a carriage has arrived outside. A young lady calling herself Miss Duanmu says she had an appointment with you and has come to visit."

The servant answered respectfully.

"Duanmu... Duanmu Wan has come."

Lu Sheng's heart tightened.

He had been practicing the Black Fiend Skill ever since obtaining it, yet he had still not even entered the beginner stage.

That made him somewhat doubt whether the internal art was genuine. Duanmu Wan had previously said that she could obtain internal cultivation manuals. He did not know whether that was true or false.

"Forget it. I will see her first."

Although she was a formidable character, he was not one of those sheltered young masters in the city who had never seen the world. If she wanted to seduce him and play tricks, then with methods like the ones she had used before, no amount of skill would be enough.

"Take her to the reception hall first. I will be there shortly."

"Yes."

The servant left.

Lu Sheng had a maid bring a basin of water. After briefly wiping away his sweat, he changed into a long white robe and headed for the reception hall.

Passing through the Training Ground, then the small garden, and then a corridor, he arrived at the reception hall reserved for entertaining guests.

The doors to the reception hall stood open. Inside, on the right, sat a woman in a long purple dress. Her face was delicate and alluring, her skin white as snow, and crescent earrings polished from pearls hung from her ears. Her bearing was dignified and elegant.

It was none other than Duanmu Wan, whom he had met last time.

Lu Sheng's third younger brother, Lu Chenxin, was also in the reception hall, eagerly making conversation with Duanmu Wan.

Lu Chenxin stared at Duanmu Wan's chest with a soul-drunk, lustful gaze. Beneath the white chest wrap, a deep ravine was faintly exposed, almost swallowing his eyes whole. He could not look away.

Cough, cough.

Lu Sheng coughed softly twice.

The two of them immediately noticed him and turned their heads.

"Big Brother."

Lu Chenxin's face reddened as he stood up awkwardly.

"Now that you are here, Big Brother, this Miss Duanmu has come specifically to see you."

His words came out somewhat haltingly.

"Third Brother, go tell the kitchen to send over some sour plum soup. I will receive her here."

Lu Sheng was rather shrewd at home. He had handled many matters before and always displayed a sense of responsibility, so he held considerable prestige among his brothers and sisters.

He was unlike those frivolous young masters of the same generation.

He had two full-blooded younger siblings in total: his second younger sister, Lu Qingqing, who had gone away to study martial arts and had yet to return; and his third younger brother, Lu Chenxin, who was still at home diligently studying the classics in hopes of earning scholarly honors someday.

As for Lu Sheng, he had previously managed part of the family business. The ability he displayed had long made Lu Quan'an certain that the one who would take over the business in the future would be him.

Since Lu Sheng would surely control the family's financial power in the future, his two younger siblings and the entire large household would all depend on him to live.

Thus, everyone usually regarded him with some mixture of awe and ingratiation.

"Brother Sheng, I happened to have a pot of sour plum soup delivered here. You can have it first. It has been chilled, and it tastes quite good."

Outside the reception hall, Fifth Mother, who had been passing by, entered with a smile, carrying a pot of sour plum soup.

Fifth Mother was the fifth woman the family head, Lu Quan'an, had taken, but she was not his wife. She was a concubine.

Unlike the first three households, Fifth Mother and the Cousin she had borne, Lu Yingying, would both have to depend on Lu Sheng for their livelihood after Master Lu Quan'an passed away.

Thus, although she was nominally Lu Sheng's Fifth Mother, she and the Cousin Lu Yingying often flattered Lu Sheng.

After all, once Lu Quan'an died, Lu Sheng would have no obligation to support the two of them for nothing. If they did not want to be driven out of the household in the future, they had to establish a good relationship with Lu Sheng, the future family head, in advance.

"Fifth Mother, you are too courteous." Lu Sheng quickly took the sour plum soup and set it down. "I can handle things here. Please return first."

"Yes, yes, Brother Sheng, entertain your guest first." Fifth Mother hurriedly piled on smiles and left with graceful steps.

Before leaving, she gave Duanmu Wan a jealous glance. She was only a little over thirty this year. Though she maintained herself well and possessed exceptional beauty, she still fell far short of Duanmu Wan.

"I will take my leave as well."

Lu Chenxin hurriedly seized the chance to slip away.

Very soon, only Lu Sheng and Duanmu Wan remained in the reception hall.

"Does Young Master still wish for manuals?"

Seeing no one around, Duanmu Wan smiled sweetly and spoke softly.

"Miss Duanmu truly is impressive. Even though I concealed my identity and appearance, you still found your way to my door."

Lu Sheng said without changing expression.

"Young Master Sheng jests. In all of Nine Links City, there are not many young masters who are close friends with Zheng Xianggui of the Zheng Family and possess great wealth. Compare height and build a little, and recognizing you is not difficult."

Duanmu Wan replied with a gentle smile.

"That may not be difficult for Miss Duanmu. Enough nonsense. What manuals has Miss Duanmu brought for Lu this time? Let me say in advance that what Lu wants are all internal arts."

Lu Sheng spoke neither quickly nor slowly, his tone calm and composed. He did not lose his poise just because his identity had been exposed.

"Naturally, they are all internal arts."

Duanmu Wan extended her slender hand, took three small booklets from her sleeve, and gently laid them separately on the tea table.

The three pale-green booklets were all bound with needle and thread, their covers clearly bearing large characters.

'Azure Pine Single-Minded Art,' 'Jade Crane Skill,' and 'Yin-Yang Guiding.'

Lu Sheng swept his gaze over them, his expression remaining unchanged.

"Miss Duanmu certainly has made a grand gesture. But how are we to verify whether these manuals are genuine?"

"That is simple."

Duanmu Wan chuckled softly.

"These three internal arts are all extremely easy to begin. After cultivating for one day, one can produce a sensation of qi. All three are the type that are easy to start but difficult to master. Their authenticity is very easy to identify."

Her tone shifted as she continued.

"As for whether there are mistakes, omissions, or alterations, that depends on whether Young Master trusts Wan'er. Otherwise, even if genuine manuals were placed before you, I fear you would still suspect them."

"Miss Wan'er speaks correctly." Lu Sheng was delighted inwardly. If things were truly as she said and all three manuals were extremely easy to begin, then compared to the Black Fiend Skill, these three techniques were far more suitable for him.

Hehe, an Alliance Master suddenly appeared.

Qiong Kong Zhi Zhuo Xiao must be an old friend. You have been quietly reading all along; I have seen you across several books. Thank you for your support! And thank you once again to Handsome Frog for the ten-thousand-point reward.