Nujiang County was in an uproar.
The news that Lu Chen had returned alive spread through the city like it had grown wings, reaching every corner in less than half a day.
In teahouses, taverns, and every street and alley, everyone was talking about it.
With each retelling, the story grew more outlandish.
Some said Lu Chen was a heavenly god descended to the mortal world, and that he had cleaved the Dragon Palace open underwater with a single slash before slaying a hundred-zhang-long evil dragon.
Others said Lu Chen was actually the Dragon King's illegitimate son. He had gone down there to meet his birth father and, while he was at it, clean house.
Still others claimed Lu Chen had obtained an ancient inheritance and tempered his body until it was indestructible—invulnerable to blades and spears, and impervious to water and fire.
Though the stories varied wildly, one fact was universally accepted.
The Water Ghost scourge that had plagued Nujiang County for decades had been completely eradicated by Lu Chen.
The mangled corpse of the Water Ghost King that had been dragged back—actually, several enormous chunks of ice that had yet to melt—was hung at the city gate by the County Yamen for public display for three whole days.
Though it had been shattered beyond recognition, its enormous scales and terrifying claws still made everyone who saw them tremble with fear.
He could even kill a monster like that.
Just how powerful had Lu Chen become?
"Nujiang County's number one expert!"
No one knew who had first shouted the title, but it quickly won everyone's approval.
Even Zhao Gang, the County Yamen constable and former consensus pick for the number one expert, had said publicly more than once, "Hall Master Lu's divine skills are peerless. I, Zhao Gang, am no match for him."
Black Water Gang Main Hall.
The place was decked out in lanterns and streamers, with gongs and drums thundering.
Gang Leader Chen Wanli had laid out a lavish banquet and invited all the city's prominent figures to celebrate Lu Chen's achievement.
In the seat of honor, Chen Wanli's face was flushed, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
Lu Chen's triumph was not only a personal glory, but a glory for the Black Water Gang as well.
From now on, in all of Nujiang County, who would dare stand against the Black Water Gang?
"Come! Let's raise a cup to Deputy Hall Master Lu!"
Chen Wanli lifted his wine cup and called out, "If Deputy Hall Master Lu hadn't ventured into the tiger's den and slain that demon, how could Nujiang County enjoy peace? Deputy Hall Master Lu is our great hero!"
"To Hero Lu!"
The hall masters, wealthy merchants, and gentry below rose to their feet and raised their cups in a thunderous cheer.
Wave after wave of flattery poured over them.
Lu Chen sat below Chen Wanli, holding a wine cup with a faint smile on his face.
But deep in his eyes, he remained cool and collected.
He didn't like this sort of scene.
Too noisy.
Too phony.
These people were putting him on a pedestal now because he was strong and could bring them profit.
The moment he lost power or suffered a serious injury, they would be among the first to kick him while he was down.
"Thank you, Gang Leader. Thank you, everyone."
Lu Chen drained his cup in one go, his voice steady. "I only did what was expected of me. I hardly deserve such praise."
"Come on! Brother Lu, you're too modest!"
War Hall Master Zhao Tieshan slurred as he thumped Lu Chen on the shoulder. "I heard all about that battle from Xiaoliu! You were incredible! Your big brother here is convinced! From now on, you call the shots in the War Hall! Anyone who won't listen to you, I'll chop him to pieces!"
Zhao Tieshan was a rough man, but he valued strength above all.
Lu Chen's performance had won him over completely.
Lu Chen smiled but said nothing.
The banquet continued until late at night.
After seeing off the last of the guests, Lu Chen declined the beautiful songstresses sent by several wealthy merchants and returned alone to his mansion.
He shut the courtyard gate, cutting off the clamor outside.
The smile vanished from Lu Chen's face in an instant.
He hurried into the secret chamber and checked the mechanisms. Only after confirming that no one had touched them did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Though his name was now known far and wide, the sense of danger in his heart had only grown stronger.
A tree that stood out in the forest would be battered by the wind.
The title "number one expert" was both an honor and a target on his back.
And if word got out that he had found Profound Nether Hand and Netherworld Stones underwater, it would bring certain death.
Even Chen Wanli would attack him without hesitation if he learned Lu Chen possessed a Spirit Tier cultivation technique.
"My strength... still isn't enough."
Lu Chen sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed, a cultivation aid he had recently bought for a hefty sum.
He summoned the panel.
[Name: Lu Chen] [Realm: Body Tempering Realm (Bone Refining Pass, 20%)] [Martial Arts: Profound Nether Hand (1st Realm, Beginner, 30%), Iron Cloth Shirt (3rd Realm, Mastery, 25%)...]
He had been busy with social engagements these past few days, but he hadn't neglected his training.
With the large supply of Netherworld Stones he had brought back from the Dragon Palace, his progress in Profound Nether Hand had been astonishingly fast.
His cultivation had advanced along with it: he had broken through the Flesh Refining Stage and officially entered the Bone Refining Pass.
Now his bones were as hard as iron, his blood production had improved dramatically, and his qi and blood were more than twice as abundant as before.
"I have to get Profound Nether Hand to the second realm as soon as possible and condense Profound Nether Body Protection."
Lu Chen silently set his goal.
Only with a protective technique could he truly stand a chance of defending himself against experts in the Meridian Connecting Realm.
In the days that followed, Lu Chen withdrew from the world completely.
He turned down every invitation and left all his affairs to Zhao Tieshan and Wang Xiaoliu.
He stayed behind closed doors all day, cultivating in the secret chamber.
Rumors outside did not die down because of his low profile. If anything, his silence made him seem even more mysterious.
Some said he was secluded, comprehending even more profound martial arts.
Others said he was recovering from his injuries.
Whatever the truth, the Black Water Gang's position remained unshakable.
That was, until half a month later.
A massive caravan shattered the peace of Nujiang County.
The caravan flew the banner of the Flying Horse Merchant Association. It had more than a hundred wagons and two or three hundred guards.
Every guard was well-equipped and fierce-eyed, clearly a hardened veteran who had seen blood.
Most eye-catching of all was the golden character "Cang" embroidered on the caravan's banners.
Canglan Prefecture!
This was a major power from the Prefectural City!
Caravans from the Prefectural City rarely came to a backwater like Nujiang County, let alone one on such a scale.
As soon as the caravan entered the city, it took over the largest inn, Yuelai Inn.
Soon after, the merchant association's steward began calling on people all over town.
The County Yamen, the Black Water Gang, and the major wealthy merchants—not a single one was left out.
They were lavish with their gifts, all of them rare goods only found in the Prefectural City.
For a time, the entire county was captivated by this extravagantly wealthy caravan.
Black Water Gang Main Hall.
Chen Wanli urgently summoned Lu Chen.
"Brother Lu, you've heard about it, right?"
Chen Wanli sat in a Taishi Chair, turning an exquisite Snuff Bottle over in his hand. It had just been sent by the Flying Horse Merchant Association.
"The Flying Horse Merchant Association?" Lu Chen nodded. "I've heard. They're making quite a show of themselves."
"More than quite a show."
Chen Wanli's expression turned grave. "The Flying Horse Merchant Association is one of the top three merchant associations in Canglan Prefecture, with deep roots. They're said to have ties to several martial arts families in the Prefectural City."
"They say they've come to open up a waterborne trade route along the Angry River and want to work with us."
"That sounds like a good thing." Lu Chen remained impassive.
"It is a good thing."
Chen Wanli frowned. "But something doesn't feel right. Their steward, a man named Qian Tong, kept asking about the Water Ghosts while we were talking today."
"Oh?" Lu Chen's gaze sharpened.
"He asked very specific questions."
Chen Wanli looked at Lu Chen. "He asked when the Water Ghosts first appeared, what they looked like, whether anyone had seen their lair... and he specifically asked about you."
"About me?"
"That's right. He asked how you killed the Water Ghost King, what martial arts you used, and whether you brought anything up from underwater."
Chen Wanli stared into Lu Chen's eyes. "Brother Lu, level with me. Was there something else down there?"
Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat.
Here it came.
He had known the matter of the Dragon Palace wouldn't just go away.
The Water Ghost King must have evolved to the Meridian Connecting Realm because of the Netherworld Stones and the Yin Fiend Qi in the ruins.
Ordinary people might not recognize signs of such a celestial anomaly, but a true expert would.
The Flying Horse Merchant Association had probably come to search for treasure, not to do business!
"You're worrying too much, Gang Leader."
Lu Chen kept his expression calm and his manner open. "There was nothing down there but mud and human bones. If I'd found any treasure, would I have kept it to myself? I'd have brought it to you at once in exchange for cultivation resources."
Chen Wanli stared at Lu Chen for a long while but couldn't spot a single flaw.
He laughed heartily and patted Lu Chen on the shoulder.
"I was only asking. Surely I can trust you, Brother Lu?"
"But those people didn't come here with good intentions. Since they've set their sights on you, be careful for the time being."
"Don't let a slip in a dark ditch be the end of you."
Lu Chen nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Gang Leader."
Once he stepped out of the Main Hall,
Lu Chen's expression darkened instantly.
The Flying Horse Merchant Association.
Canglan Prefecture.
It seemed his secret had already caught the scent of someone with a nose for trouble.
"Want to investigate me?"
Lu Chen glanced back in the direction of Yuelai Inn, killing intent showing in his eyes.
"Then we'll see whether your necks are tougher than my blade."
Back in his courtyard,
Lu Chen didn't head straight for the secret chamber as he usually did.
He sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, wiping down his Hundred Refinements Steel Saber.
The sky gradually darkened.
There was no moon that night, and the wind was strong.
It was perfect weather for killing.
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