Three Years

Leaving the martial arts hall.

"Extra! Extra!"

Just as he reached the main intersection, several newsboys with cloth satchels slung over their shoulders ran past, waving newspapers and shouting at the top of their lungs.

"The National Government has issued a decree! The martial arts ban dispute has been settled!"

"A three-year pact! A battle at Mount Tai!"

On the street, passing pedestrians stopped in their tracks.

Some martial artists dressed in short tunics, Hetero-Martialist with Western Battle Gear mounted on their arms, and many curious civilians gathered at street corners, whispering and debating.

"We actually have to wait three years?"

"The National Government has no choice. The martial arts world has deep roots; if they really banned it all at once, every region would likely revolt."

The surroundings were chaotic.

Lu Zhen fished out two copper coins and bought a newspaper from a newsboy.

Unfolding it, the front-page headline was written clearly in black ink on a white background.

The National Government, along with the various warlords and Hetero-Martialist factions that had been pressuring them, had finally reached a compromise.

All parties had set a deadline: three years.

Three years from now, all forces under heaven would gather at Mount Tai to hold the Mount Tai Debate.

If traditional martial arts won, the matter of the martial arts ban would be completely dropped.

If martial arts lost, traditional martial arts would be comprehensively banned. All martial arts resources in the world would be poured into the research of Hetero-Martialist serums and Western Battle Gear.

Not only that.

A corner of the newspaper mentioned an additional condition.

During this three-year buffer period, the Spirit Cave Treasure Land in various regions, previously controlled and monopolized by traditional martial arts factions, must open a portion of their access rights to Hetero-Martialist and Western Battle Gear legions.

Lu Zhen looked at the lead type on the newspaper, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Spirit Cave Treasure Land..."

A trace of doubt flashed through his mind. What exactly was this? He had never even heard of it. It was likely a core resource accessible only to top-tier powers.

However, setting that aside.

Looking at this agreement alone.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this treaty was entirely unfavorable to traditional martial arts. It was equivalent to having a piece of flesh forcibly carved out.

"It seems that in this day and age, traditional martial arts are indeed at an absolute disadvantage."

Lu Zhen's expression was somewhat wooden.

He folded the newspaper and tucked it into his chest.

Although he had his panel to rely on, the path he walked was, after all, traditional martial arts.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.

"Only three years left, then..."

He could feel his heartbeat quicken slightly.

Three years sounded long, but for martial arts cultivation, it was nothing more than a snap of the fingers.

It seemed he had to speed up.

Regardless of who won or lost the Mount Tai Debate in three years, this martial arts tradition, passed down for thousands of years, would absolutely not be easily banned by a single piece of paper.

To sever one's heritage is akin to killing one's parents.

"Perhaps, three years from now, what we face won't be a conclusion, but true chaos across the land."

In troubled times, one can rely on no one.

Three years.

The stronger he was when the time came, the more his safety would be guaranteed.

Lu Zhen did not waste time and headed straight back to the Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall.

The atmosphere in the courtyard remained gloomy, with only a few people tempering their strength.

For a while now, Yan Tieqiao had not shown his face.

Lu Zhen scanned the area and saw Yan Shanshan sitting on the stone steps.

He walked up to her.

"Senior Sister Shanshan, I wish to see Master. Please trouble yourself to announce me," he said calmly.

Yan Shanshan looked up, her eyes filled with a strange expression.

Master had been in a fit of rage these past few days and was seeing no one. She did not understand what business Lu Zhen could possibly have with him at a time like this.

But Lu Zhen was different now.

At thirty years old, in the late stage of Lianli, coupled with his astonishing strength, he was already a core figure within the inner circle.

After a slight pause, she still nodded.

"You wait here."

Yan Shanshan got up and went to the back hall. Not long after, she came out and beckoned Lu Zhen.

Lu Zhen strode through the main hall and turned into the quiet backyard corridor.

Ancient weapon racks were placed on both sides of the corridor, and the air carried a faint scent of medicinal wine for bruises and sprains.

Passing through the corridor, a small square courtyard appeared before him.

In the center of the courtyard, under a somewhat aged green pine tree. Yan Tieqiao was sitting on a stone stool.

After a few days, he looked much more dejected.

His back was slightly hunched, and the white hair at his temples seemed even more conspicuous, exuding an undeniable sense of old age.

Hearing footsteps, Yan Tieqiao did not look up.

"What do you want me for?" His voice was a little hoarse.

Lu Zhen stopped and got straight to the point.

"Master, I'd like to ask, if the Coiling Dragon Stake reaches beyond Bright Force, is it no longer effective?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Yan Tieqiao suddenly looked up, and a hint of unconcealed anger flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

"What?" He sneered.

"Do you think this old man is useless? Have you also had thoughts of changing allegiance?!"

"Aiming too high! You haven't even touched the edge of Bright Force, is this something you should be asking now?!"

Lu Zhen remained silent.

Facing Yan Tieqiao's anger, he simply lowered his stance slightly, his feet firmly planted on the ground.

Buzz!

In an instant, a terrifying, scorching hot blood surged outwards from him, exploding like a bomb.

His previously steady breathing instantly turned into muffled roars like those of tigers and leopards. A visible white wave of energy rose from his skin.

This was the extremely high temperature within his body, evaporating the surrounding cold air into mist.

His force was projected outwards, his blood energy like a protective aura.

Lu Zhen looked at Yan Tieqiao, who stood frozen with a look of shock on his face, and his tone remained sincere.

"Master."

"I have already achieved Bright Force."

Yan Tieqiao sat stiffly on the stone stool.

He stared blankly at the visible white aura of energy before him, and at the terrifying, almost tangible heat.

There was no mistake.

This was Bright Force.

And it was Bright Force with extremely vigorous blood energy.

Yan Tieqiao's lips moved, his cloudy old eyes filled with disbelief.

He had watched Lu Zhen rise step by step.

How long had it been?

From the middle stage of Lianli to the late stage breakthrough during the battle by the river.

And now, without any warning, he had directly crossed the threshold of Bright Force, which was like a chasm.

At the age of thirty, his blood energy should have already solidified, how could he have broken through so quickly?

"Good... good... good, good!"

Yan Tieqiao suddenly stood up.

He instinctively placed his hands on the stone table, saying "good" several times, his voice trembling.

The anger in his eyes was instantly replaced by immense joy.

The Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall finally had a true Bright Force Martial Master! And one who was thirty years old, in his prime!

But after the surprise.

The color drained from Yan Tieqiao's face, and he thought of Zhang Lei, who had just stormed off.

He thought of how he had poured all his resources into preserving the martial arts hall's legacy, only to be repaid with betrayal.

He looked at Lu Zhen, who had reined in his energy and returned to a state of calm.

"The Bright Force has been achieved..." Yan Tieqiao's voice was hoarse. "You, too, are leaving?"

His body hunched over, as if he had aged another ten years in a single instant.

He had spent half a lifetime teaching martial arts, only for his disciples to grow their wings and let their ambitions run wild.

He could not keep the people, nor could he preserve the legacy.

What a failure.

Lu Zhen looked at the dejected old man before him and shook his head gently.

"Master, please do not overthink it."

He did not indulge Yan Tieqiao's self-pity, instead letting his gaze drift past the courtyard wall toward the sky outside.

"If this were a time of peace."

"I would naturally stay in this courtyard to care for you in your old age, carry the banner of the Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall, and slowly build it up to greatness."

He withdrew his gaze and looked back at Yan Tieqiao.

"But now."

"The times are difficult, and the nation is fractured. Factions are as ravenous as wolves and tigers, and the people are living in misery."

"In three years, there will be the Mount Tai Debate, and traditional martial arts face the danger of being banned entirely."

"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact."

"In such chaotic times, hiding away in a corner will ultimately lead to being unable to protect even this very courtyard."

He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and offered a solemn bow to Yan Tieqiao.

"I only wish to follow the example of my fellow disciples who came before me, to go out and venture forth, to strive for that sliver of a higher martial opportunity."

"Only by standing higher can one live more securely."

Lu Zhen raised his head.

"But no matter how far I go, or which faction I eventually stand with."

"The Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall will always be my home."