Chapter 7 - 6: Becoming a Disciple

Chapter 7: Chapter 6: Becoming a Disciple

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

"The Young Master’s progress is truly astonishing," Chen Xuan said, his tone full of sincere admiration.

Lu Jing’an smiled and said half-jokingly,

"Uncle Xuan, maybe I was a one-in-a-million martial arts prodigy all along, just buried by a life of wealth and comfort."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan didn’t laugh. Instead, he grew pensive, as if seriously considering the possibility of this joke being true.

Seeing he had achieved his goal, Lu Jing’an said no more, leaving Chen Xuan to his thoughts.

After a long moment of contemplation, Chen Xuan’s expression turned serious. His gaze sharpened as he looked at Lu Jing’an and asked in a solemn tone,

"Young Master, are you truly determined to walk this path of a Martial Cultivator?"

At this, Lu Jing’an immediately wiped the smile from his face.

He took a step back, straightened his robes, and prepared to perform a full kowtow.

Chen Xuan reached out a hand to stop him. "Young Master, there’s no need for that."

Lu Jing’an’s attitude was firm, his gaze clear. "Uncle Xuan, the rites cannot be abandoned. Since I am to become your disciple today, the proper etiquette must be observed."

Seeing the determination in Lu Jing’an’s eyes, Chen Xuan no longer insisted and slowly nodded. "Very well."

"Someone, come!"

Lu Jing’an was already prepared. At his command,

servants quickly set up an incense table, cushions, and everything else needed for the discipleship ceremony in the hall.

"Uncle Xuan, I don’t know your sect’s lineage, so I cannot pay respects to the founding masters. Please forgive me," Lu Jing’an said apologetically.

Chen Xuan waved his hand. "It doesn’t matter. My lineage has no grandmasters that require kowtowing."

"Then let’s skip the prelude and proceed directly with the ceremony." Lu Jing’an turned to the side and gestured respectfully. "Master, please take the seat of honor."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly and walked to the main seat, sitting down formally.

Lu Jing’an took a cup of hot tea from a tray held by a maidservant.

He held it with both hands.

Lifting the hem of his robes, he knelt solemnly on the cushion.

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

"Disciple Lu Jing’an pays his respects to Master!

Please, Master, accept this tea!"

Chen Xuan looked at the respectful youth before him.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

Finally, he reached out and took the teacup.

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

He placed the cup on the small table beside him.

From his robes, he took out a neatly folded cloth bundle.

"I don’t have many worldly possessions, so I have nothing of great value to give you."

Chen Xuan handed the bundle to Lu Jing’an. "This is a piece of Soft Armor I have worn for many years.

After you reach the Qi Blood First Transformation, wearing it can increase the speed of your qi and blood circulation by thirty percent, which will be of great benefit to your Cultivation.

Its defensive properties are also decent. As long as you’re not shot at point-blank range with a foreign rifle, it should be able to stop an ordinary bullet." ℯℯ𝘭.

Lu Jing’an was stunned.

’It can stop a rifle?’

’This is practically a life-saving divine artifact!’

’And it can even speed up my Cultivation!’

"Master, this is too valuable!

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

I stay within the family estate, where I’m perfectly safe."

Although his heart burned with desire for it, Lu Jing’an insisted on refusing.

Chen Xuan smiled faintly, his voice filled with immense confidence.

"Even without this Soft Armor, bullets can hardly harm me.

Since you have set foot on this path, you will inevitably face storms in the future. Take it."

Lu Jing’an stopped being polite and accepted the cloth bundle, which was still slightly warm, with both hands. He carefully unwrapped it.

Inside was a vest made of a strange material. It was cool and soft to the touch, as thin as a liner and light as a feather.

As he gently brushed his fingertips over it, he immediately felt the circulation of his qi and blood seem to quicken slightly. ’It really is amazing!’

However, the moment he touched the Soft Armor, the familiar prompt appeared before his eyes again:

[Object detected that can be Refined/Repaired. Please choose.]

Lu Jing’an’s heart skipped a beat.

But the discipleship ceremony was not yet complete.

He suppressed the urge to investigate immediately and carefully put the Soft Armor away.

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

Lu Huaichuan and Lu Huaiqian stood side by side, taking in the entire scene unfolding in the courtyard.

Lu Huaichuan wore a relaxed smile. He turned his head to his calm-faced older brother and said,

"Big Brother, it seems that kid Jing’an has accomplished what you failed to do all those years ago.

Chen Xuan accepted his cup of tea.

From now on, he’s completely tied to our Lu Family’s ship."

Chen Xuan was the key figure in the rise of the three Lu Family brothers in Yin Mountain County.

Years ago, when the three brothers first arrived, they struggled for ten years with nothing to show for it.

Then, while escorting a shipment of goods, they happened to rescue a severely injured Chen Xuan.

Only later did they learn he was an incredible Great Martial Cultivator.

To repay their kindness, Chen Xuan promised to protect the Lu Family for twenty years.

It was during those twenty years that the Lu Family established their foundation in Yin Mountain County.

The twenty-year agreement was about to expire.

Lu Huaiqian had been trying to find a way to make Chen Xuan stay for good, but to no avail.

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

Lu Huaichuan looked at his brother’s impassive face and continued,

"Big Brother, Jing’an was always intelligent, and after this ordeal, his temperament has become much more stable.

The current situation is unpredictable. Should we perhaps...

give him more opportunities to gain experience?"

Lu Huaiqian raised a hand, cutting him off, his gaze still fixed on the scene below.

"We’ll discuss this matter later. First, tell me about the situation on your end."

Lu Huaichuan understood. He dropped the topic and the two returned to their Huanghuali Grandmaster’s Chairs to sit.

His expression turned serious as he said in a low voice, "Following the idea Jing’an provided,

I tried spreading a rumor.

I said the higher-ups intended to make our three families fight each other, then drop in a new bureau chief.

Then I said that our Lu Family had no interest in the chief’s position.

We’re willing to stay out of it and let the higher-ups’ plan fall through.

But there must be an accounting for the assassination attempt.

Sure enough, there was a response three days later.

According to corroborating clues from multiple sources, the assassin that day

was very likely the ’Nine-fingered Yama,’ who caused a huge stir two years ago.

The man is missing a finger on his right hand, so using his right hand for a weapon would easily reveal his identity."

Lu Huaiqian nodded slightly. "Chen Xuan’s earlier assessment was the same."

Lu Huaichuan added, "I remember this ’Nine-fingered Yama’ was taken down the year before last in Xiao County, which is Li Family territory.

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

It seems the Li Family can’t deny their involvement as the masterminds behind this."

Lu Huaiqian’s face showed no emotion. For him, who was behind it was not the top priority at the moment.

"Did the informant mention his hiding place?"

Lu Huaichuan shook his head, a cold sneer playing on his lips.

"No.

They probably want to use this to test the Lu Family’s strength.

To see if we have what it takes to dig him out ourselves."

"No matter. Leave the task of finding him to Huaisan," Lu Huaiqian said calmly.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, a strange smile appeared on Lu Huaichuan’s face. "Big Brother, there’s one more thing. It’s rather interesting."

Lu Huaiqian didn’t reply, merely gesturing with his eyes for him to continue.

Lu Huaichuan leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Guess who their inside man is here in Yin Mountain County, the one passing them information?"

"It’s the Lin Family."

He paused, his tone tinged with mockery.

"Yes, that same Lin Family that’s so desperate to marry their daughter into our Lu Family, the one that’s always trying to cozy up to us."