Taking a Master

Eight days of inhuman torment.

At last, on the evening of the eighth day, it paid off.

With the powerful support of the [Extraordinary Physique] Affix.

He not only felt a solid new strength appear within his body out of nowhere.

Raising both his attack and defense by 2 points.

More importantly.

He had finally cultivated the [Standing Stake] to the Beginner realm.

The [Standing Stake] reaching the Beginner realm.

Was the crucial prerequisite for obtaining the next red Affix.

And as his stake stance entered the Beginner realm, the First Blood Transformation followed as naturally as water flowing into its channel.

At this moment, the blood and qi within Lu Jing'an's body surged ceaselessly like the tide.

Washing through his limbs and bones—this was the most obvious characteristic of the First Blood Transformation.

A martial artist's Blood Barrier was divided into Three Transformations of Blood and Qi.

The first transformation was blood and qi like the tide.

Not only did its total volume and recovery speed increase dramatically.

When cultivating, blood and qi surged like a tidal wave.

It could also multiply the physical body's strength severalfold.

This meant he had truly crossed the threshold into Martial Cultivator.

When the last trace of the ginseng's medicinal power had been completely absorbed by his body.

The roiling blood and qi within Lu Jing'an gradually settled.

A layer of dark red blood scab, formed from thick blood sweat, covered his skin and gave off a faintly fishy odor.

Beneath the blood scab, his formerly somewhat slender build was gone.

In its place were sharply defined, hard yet fluid muscle lines brimming with strength.

Chen Xuan, who had been standing guard outside the door, had long since been alerted by the commotion within and hurried inside.

When he saw Lu Jing'an's appearance, a flash of undisguised astonishment crossed his eyes.

But he immediately regained his composure.

Before he could ask any questions, he turned to Cui Jieyi, who was waiting nearby, and ordered in a grave voice:

"Quick! Prepare the medicinal bath according to the prescription!"

Before long, the medicinal bath was ready.

Lu Jing'an stepped into the tub, which was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance.

Warm water enveloped his entire body.

The dried blood scabs on him gradually dissolved upon touching the water.

Dyeing the clear water a pale red.

Gradually revealing the fair yet firm skin beneath.

At the same time, the medicinal power in the tub, stimulated by Cui Jieyi through a special technique.

Seeped into his body in fine threads through his opened pores.

The process was soothing and wondrous; Lu Jing'an had no need to circulate his cultivation.

He only needed to relax and recline against the side of the tub.

His gaze inadvertently fell upon Cui Jieyi, who was busy at work.

Today, she wore a moon-white qipao patterned with subtle designs.

Its close-fitting cut outlined her graceful curves.

Because she was using her ability to stimulate the medicine's power.

Fine beads of sweat had formed at her temples.

Her cheeks were flushed.

Her expression was focused, lending her a distinctive charm.

Lu Jing'an quietly admired her for a moment before a thought stirred, and he summoned his Attribute Panel.

[Name: Lu Jing'an]

[Attack: 5]

[Defense: 5]

[Agility: 1]

[Spirit: 3]

[Technique: Standing Stake (Beginner) (Attack +1+1, Defense +1+1, Spirit +1+1)]

[Affixes: Clear as Fire (Green), Extraordinary Physique (Green) (Attack +2, Defense +2)]

"Five times the attack and defense!

My spirit has reached three times what it was before too!"

An uncontrollable surge of excitement rose within Lu Jing'an.

This meant that he was more than five times stronger than he had been eight days ago.

The extra bonuses provided by the Affixes, especially, were simply hidden trump cards.

With the same technique at the Beginner realm, he directly gained twice the effect of others.

If he fought someone, he would surely catch them completely off guard.

When the medicinal bath ended, Lu Jing'an felt vigorous and refreshed, brimming with energy.

Cui Jieyi, by contrast, was slightly out of breath.

Her smooth forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and several strands of hair clung to her cheeks, adding a touch of softness to her beauty.

"Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Cui."

Lu Jing'an spoke gently, then raised his voice.

"Someone, bring two hundred silver dollars and give them to Doctor Cui as a gratuity."

The somewhat weary Cui Jieyi's eyes instantly lit up at those words.

Two hundred silver dollars was by no means a small sum to her.

She thanked him softly, "Thank you, Young Master Lu."

There was a trace of barely perceptible delight in her voice.

After having someone escort Cui Jieyi away to rest, Lu Jing'an could no longer suppress the pride in his heart.

Like a child who had taken first place in an exam and was eager to show off before an elder, he excitedly sought out Chen Xuan.

He walked straight to the stone lock placed in the courtyard.

Drawing a deep breath, he exerted strength through his waist and abdomen.

With one hand, he steadily lifted the stone lock, which weighed a full two hundred jin!

Then his arm muscles bulged.

He actually tossed and caught the stone lock in midair several times.

Though his movements were somewhat unpracticed, they already displayed astonishing strength.

His taut muscles stretched clear lines beneath his shirt.

Yet not a drop of sweat appeared on his face; only his breathing had grown slightly heavier.

"Young Master is incredible!"

The several young maidservants standing nearby stared wide-eyed, then clapped and cheered.

Their gazes toward Lu Jing'an were filled with amazement and admiration.

Especially the faintly visible contours of muscle beneath his shirt.

They made their cheeks flush slightly.

Lu Jing'an laughed heartily and set the stone lock firmly on the ground with a thud, kicking up a little dust.

He swept out a hand. "Rewards! Everyone serving here today will be rewarded!"

The servants immediately beamed, and another wave of praise and thanks rose and fell.

Eight days ago, this was a scene Lu Jing'an would not even have dared imagine.

Back then, even lifting fifty jin was difficult for him.

But now, he had not even used his full strength just now.

If he unleashed it all, lifting four hundred jin with one hand probably would not be difficult either.

Chen Xuan looked at the increasingly distinct muscle lines on Lu Jing'an's body.

As well as the soaring spirit between his brows, and his heart churned with emotion.

At first, he had not thought highly of Lu Jing'an pursuing martial arts.

Not only because he had lived a pampered life.

But also because he had already missed the best age.

Yet in merely eight days.

His stake stance had entered the Beginner realm, and he had achieved the First Blood Transformation!

Even compared with some of the favored prodigies Chen Xuan knew, such speed was not much slower.

Considering Lu Jing'an's foundation and age, it was nothing short of a miracle.

"Young Master's progress truly leaves one dumbstruck." Chen Xuan's tone carried heartfelt praise.

Lu Jing'an smiled and said half-jokingly:

"Uncle Xuan, perhaps I was born a martial arts prodigy, one in ten thousand. I was just buried beneath this life of wealth and luxury before."

Yet Chen Xuan did not laugh upon hearing this. Instead, he looked thoughtful, as if seriously weighing the possibility behind the joke.

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Lu Jing'an said no more and left Chen Xuan room to think.

After pondering for a long while, Chen Xuan's expression turned solemn. He looked sharply at Lu Jing'an and asked in a serious tone:

"Young Master, have you truly made up your mind to continue down the path of a Martial Cultivator?"

Lu Jing'an immediately wiped the smile from his face.

He stepped back, adjusted his robes, and was about to perform a full kneeling bow.

Chen Xuan extended a hand in a gesture of support. "Young Master, there is no need for this."

Lu Jing'an's attitude was resolute, his gaze clear. "Uncle Xuan, propriety cannot be discarded. Since I am taking a master today, these rites cannot be omitted."

Seeing Lu Jing'an's determined eyes, Chen Xuan stopped insisting and slowly nodded. "Very well."

"Someone!"

Lu Jing'an had prepared in advance, and at his command.

The servants quickly arranged an incense table, kneeling cushions, and everything else needed for the apprenticeship ceremony in the hall.

"Uncle Xuan, I do not know your sect's lineage and cannot pay respects to its patriarchs. Please forgive me," Lu Jing'an said apologetically.

Chen Xuan waved a hand. "No matter. My lineage has no patriarchs that require kowtowing to."

"Then we shall skip the preliminaries and proceed directly with the apprenticeship ceremony." Lu Jing'an turned sideways and respectfully gestured. "Master, please take the seat of honor."

Chen Xuan gave a slight nod and walked to the seat of honor, sitting upright.

Lu Jing'an took a cup of hot tea from the tray carried over by a maid.

He held it in both hands.

Lifting the hem of his robe, he solemnly knelt upon the cushion.

He raised the teacup high above his head, his voice clear and respectful:

"Disciple Lu Jing'an pays respects to Master!

Please have some tea, Master!"

Chen Xuan looked at the respectful youth before him.

A trace of complicated emotion flashed through his eyes.

In the end, he reached out and accepted the teacup.

He lifted the lid, gently blew away the steam, and took a sip.

He set the teacup on a small side table.

Then he took a neatly folded cloth bundle from within his robes.

"I am alone in this world, with nothing precious to give you."

Chen Xuan handed the cloth bundle toward Lu Jing'an. "I have worn this soft armor close to my body for many years.

After the First Blood Transformation, wearing it can increase the circulation speed of your blood and qi by thirty percent, which will greatly benefit your cultivation.

Its protection is also decent. So long as a foreign rifle is not fired at close range, it should withstand ordinary bullets."

Lu Jing'an was greatly shocked upon hearing this.

It could block foreign rifles?

This was practically a divine artifact for preserving one's life!

And it could accelerate cultivation too!

"Master, this is far too precious!

You often travel outside and face greater risks. You should keep it for protection.

I remain in the residence, where I am perfectly safe."

Though his heart burned with desire, Lu Jing'an insisted on refusing.

Chen Xuan smiled indifferently, his tone carrying immense confidence:

"Even without this soft armor, bullets can scarcely harm me at all.

Now that you have set foot upon this path, storms and waves will be unavoidable in the future. Take it."

Lu Jing'an no longer stood on ceremony. With both hands, he accepted the cloth bundle, which still carried a trace of body warmth, and carefully opened it.

Inside was a vest of strange material, cool and soft to the touch, as thin as a lined garment and light as nothing.

His fingertips lightly brushed it, and he immediately felt the circulation of blood and qi within him seem to quicken slightly. It truly was miraculous!

Yet the instant he touched the soft armor, that familiar prompt appeared before his eyes again:

[Detected an item that can be refined/repaired. Please choose.]

Lu Jing'an's heart stirred.

But the apprenticeship ceremony had yet to conclude.

He forcibly suppressed the urge to investigate at once and carefully put away the soft armor.

At that moment, beside the open window of the second-floor study.

Lu Huaichuan and Lu Huaiqian stood side by side, taking in everything that had happened in the courtyard.

A relaxed smile rested on Lu Huaichuan's face as he turned to his composed elder brother and said:

"Big Brother, it seems Jing'an has accomplished what you failed to do back then.

Chen Xuan accepted his cup of tea.

From now on, he will be completely tied to the Lu Family's ship."

Chen Xuan had been the key figure in the rise of the three Lu brothers in Yinshan County.

Back when the three brothers had first arrived, they had struggled for ten years without gaining a foothold.

During one delivery escort, they had happened to save the heavily wounded Chen Xuan.

Only later did they learn that he was an extraordinary great Martial Cultivator.

To repay the debt, Chen Xuan had promised to protect the Lu Family for twenty years.

Those very twenty years had laid the foundation of the Lu Family's power in Yinshan County.

The twenty-year agreement was nearing its end.

Lu Huaiqian had always wanted to keep Chen Xuan for good, but had never succeeded.

Yet now, this knot had been untied by his own son in such a manner.

Watching his elder brother's unfathomable expression, Lu Huaichuan continued:

"Big Brother, Jing'an was already clever to begin with. After surviving this ordeal, his temperament has become much steadier as well.

The times are unpredictable now. Shouldn't we...

Give him more opportunities to gain experience?"

Lu Huaiqian raised a hand to cut him off, his gaze still fixed downstairs.

"We can discuss that later. Tell me about the situation on your end first."

Understanding, Lu Huaichuan stopped pursuing the earlier subject. The two returned to their huanghuali grand tutor's chairs and sat down.

His expression turned serious as he lowered his voice. "Following the line of thought Jing'an provided.

I tried putting out some rumors.

I said that those above intended to make our three families fight, then parachute in a department head.

Then I said that the Lu Family had no interest in the department head position.

That we were willing to remain outsiders and make their plan fall through.

But there had to be an explanation for the assassination attempt.

Sure enough, three days later, we received a response.

According to corroboration from multiple leads, the one who came to assassinate us that day.

Was very likely Nine-Fingered Yama, who caused such an uproar two years ago.

The man was missing a finger on his right hand, so using a weapon with that hand easily exposed his distinguishing feature."

Lu Huaiqian nodded slightly. "That was Chen Xuan's assessment as well."

Lu Huaichuan picked up the thread. "I remember that Nine-Fingered Yama fell in Xinchang County, on Li Family territory, the year before last.

For him to be out stirring up trouble again so soon.

It seems the Li Family cannot escape involvement in whoever is pulling the strings behind this."

No joy or anger showed on Lu Huaiqian's face. To him, who had ordered it was not the priority right now.

"Did the person who provided the information mention where he is hiding?"

Lu Huaichuan shook his head, a cold sneer curling at his lips.

"No.

They are probably trying to use this to weigh the Lu Family's strength as well.

To see whether we have what it takes to dig the man out."

"It is of no concern. Leave the task of finding him to Huaishan," Lu Huaiqian said calmly.

Suddenly, as though remembering something, Lu Huaichuan revealed a strange smile. "Big Brother, there is one more matter. It is rather interesting."

Lu Huaiqian did not reply, merely signaling with his eyes for him to continue.

Lu Huaichuan leaned forward and lowered his voice. "In Yinshan County, the one acting as their inside man and passing along information—who do you think it is?"

"The Lin Family."

He paused, his tone carrying a trace of mockery.

"The very Lin Family that has been single-mindedly trying to marry its daughter into our Lu Family, currying favor with us all day long."