“Why do you wear long shoes? Isn’t it warm?” Lu Sheng asked casually, his gaze brushing over her calves. “Actually, your legs are the most attractive part of your body.”
Chen Yunxi’s steps faltered. Startled, she lowered her head, a blush blooming across her cheeks.
“You don’t like long shoes…? Then from now on, I’ll reveal more of my legs… just for your eyes only…”
Lu Sheng blinked. He had only said it in passing—he never expected such a response.
A faint tension settled in the air. The two continued walking across the quiet lawn, the soft rustling of grass underfoot the only sound between them.
Lu Sheng drifted into his thoughts.
Half a year.
For half a year while recovering, no trace of the supernatural had crossed his path. Duanmu Wan, Yan Kai… all of it vanished without a whisper, as though those encounters were nothing but a fevered dream that had dissolved into ordinary, dull reality.
If not for the vigorous inner Qi constantly coursing through his meridians, if not for the Deep Blue Modifier awaiting his call… he might have believed that he truly lived in a world untouched by hidden horrors.
“Brother Lu…” Chen Yunxi’s gentle voice suddenly cut through his reverie.
Lu Sheng halted. “What’s the matter?”
She fidgeted, her face burning as she whispered, “My Dad… would like to invite you to our home for a meal. As a guest.”
Lu Sheng froze. Meet the parents? Already? They weren’t even officially together. Wasn’t this a bit too fast?
Seeing his hesitation, a flicker of worry appeared in her eyes. “Brother Lu’s unwilling? It’s just a casual meal… Daddy only wants to see what kind of person you are.”
Lu Sheng felt his mind tangle. He did like her—very much—but things were rushing ahead faster than he could keep up with, leaving him unsure how to respond.
After a brief pause, he nodded slightly. “This student would also like to see what kind of person the wealthy and renowned Old Master Chen is.”
Chen Yunxi’s smile bloomed instantly, bright and genuine. “I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed then. My Dad likes to act serious all the time, but in private, he’s actually very childish.”
Lu Sheng chuckled along, though a strange feeling settled in his chest—half dreamlike, half out of place.
He understood what this step meant. If Chen Yunxi’s family approved, the next would be introducing her to his father and Second Mother. Then, if both sides agreed, there would be discussions of engagement, dowries, and choosing a wedding date.
Marriage. It all felt too early.
“The Annual Examinations are approaching,” Chen Yunxi continued in a soft voice. “If you’re selected, which institution would Brother Lu choose? It will affect your future official appointments—how far you can rise.”
She added carefully, almost shyly, “I hired some experts to analyze last year’s test questions. They came up with five different solutions. If Brother Lu wishes, Yunxi can have them delivered to you. More practice will help in guessing the examiners’ intentions.”
“I… in that case, thank you, Yunxi,” Lu Sheng replied after a brief hesitation, accepting the offer despite the confusion churning quietly within him.
If everything followed the proper course, he would first face the Governmental Examination, then the Scholar Examination, and finally the Imperial Examination—until he secured an official rank worthy of pride, rising far beyond a mere minor post.
But…
To what end?
Duanmu Wan’s warning surfaced in his mind, unsettling and persistent. If everything she said was true—then what future was he really working toward?
“As long as we pass the Annual Examinations, we’ll be recognized as degree-holders in the city—respected scholars,” Chen Yunxi spoke gently. “We would be exempt from taxes, and even if we spent the rest of our lives in leisure, we could still live comfortably off the land. This is the dream of many… I’m sure Brother Lu must already be confident.”
“Perhaps…” Lu Sheng replied with a faint smile, letting the topic drift away.
No one knew of his other identity. No one knew he was a formidable expert in both inner and outer force—one who had faced Demonic Ghosts head-on and survived. Even pugilists at Strength Proficiency would struggle to withstand more than ten of his saber strikes.
His power continued to surge with each passing day, the Black Fury Qi ceaselessly growing within him.
Black Fury Skill and Jade Crane Skill—one forged his physical body in steel, the other soothed and restored it—a flawless cycle that allowed him to advance without pause.
Yet, in the eyes of Chen Yunxi and Song Zhenguo, he was merely a wealthy young master from Nine Links City—more refined and scholarly than those from rural lands, but nothing beyond that.
What meaning is there in donning an official’s robe in such a world? he wondered silently. If the Demonic Ghost faction—the Mortal-Sweeping Manor—truly comes for me, what can the imperial court do? What could any title protect?
Only strength could keep him alive.
In times like these… am I really going to chase a scholar’s future just because Old Dad wishes it? The thought settled in his chest, cold and isolating, making everything around him feel strangely distant.
From afar, laughter and cheerful voices from the pavilion drifted through the night air, yet all it did was deepen the quiet sense of detachment inside Lu Sheng.
“Brother Lu, I heard the dried plums on West Village Street are delicious. There are also many dried fruit shops there. How about we go explore together tomorrow night?” Chen Yunxi suggested softly. “Tomorrow is the Dancing Dragon Festival—it’s been very lively these past few years.”
“Sure…” Lu Sheng replied. He had time to spare while waiting for information—men had already been sent out to investigate the Crimson Whale Sect. He had spent most of his savings on precious medicinal herbs, and his funds were now nearly depleted.
With money running thin, his cultivation and nutritional supplements had slowed. He needed a way to earn more, and soon.
They continued strolling side by side, Chen Yunxi chattering happily about school and the amusing things she experienced with their classmates. Her voice carried a lightness that brightened the evening.
After a while, they turned back toward the pavilion. Many had already drunk a bit too much and were beginning to take their leave.
Lu Sheng bid farewell to Chen Yunxi and Song Zhenguo, then made his way home slowly.
Crossing the moat, he passed by several mountain folk carrying full baskets as they entered the city.
“The ban on Cypress Pine Lake is about to lift, right?”
“It should be soon. I’ve already prepared my fishing nets. Once the ban ends, we’ll be pulling in a good catch!” an elderly farmer said with a hearty laugh.
“As long as we don’t get a big tide, this year’s haul should be great. The ban lasted long enough.”
“That’s true.”
Their voices held that simple joy of those who worked the land. Their baskets overflowed with mountain vegetables and freshly picked produce.
Listening quietly, Lu Sheng found himself smiling. “This place is so much more peaceful than Nine Links City…”
He finally reached his residence near the city gate: a modest two-story building with a winery on the first floor. The second floor, owned by the Lu Family, consisted of three units merged into one—his temporary home.
For convenience, Lu Sheng didn’t trouble himself with cooking. He arranged for his daily meals at a small restaurant beside the winery and visited at fixed hours.
After eating, he returned to his lodging. Instead of cultivating his inner Qi that night, he simply took a dose of blood-nourishing medicinal paste and rested early.
At dawn the next day, he hired a horse carriage straight to West Village Street.
Fatigue still clung to him as he sat inside the carriage. Feeling that his body’s nourishment was still lacking, he reached to his waist-pouch out of habit.
His fingers found a red pill, but just as he was about to swallow it, a peculiar sensation brushed against his skin.
Pausing, Lu Sheng checked himself carefully. His hand slipped into his sleeve—and there, a faint-yellow note was stuck inside, furled tightly and almost imperceptible.
“Eh?” He narrowed his eyes, pulling the note free.
Unraveling it slowly, he found a single line of neat handwriting:
‘Please don’t worry, Young Master. In an attempt to control a terrifying ghost, Mortal-Sweeping Manor has suffered a catastrophic disaster. Their entire faction lies in ruin. They no longer have the time or strength to pursue their small grudge against Young Master. —Wan’
Lu Sheng’s expression did not change. He quietly rolled the note back up and tucked it into his waist-pouch.
So… Duanmu Wan has been watching me all along.
Mortal-Sweeping Manor had been his greatest looming threat—a fearsome faction that commanded Demonic Ghosts. With his current strength, he would have had no hope of resisting them. And yet… they had been wiped out so suddenly.
The reminder hit him once again—this world was perilous in ways far beyond sight.
The carriage continued its path, wheels rumbling over stone. After a moment, it slowed to a stop before Yang-Seeking Tower, where he had agreed to meet Song Zhenguo and Chen Yunxi.
Lu Sheng alighted from his carriage and looked ahead. The entrance to the Yang-Seeking Tower was crowded with people—some entering, others leaving—creating a constant hum of noise and movement.
The tower itself rose twelve stories high, its red stupa-like structure glowing faintly under the lantern light. Every level below the tenth was packed to the brim with spectators, all gathered to witness the dragon dance. Hawkers weaved through the throng, their voices rising above the din as they cried out their wares.
Lu Sheng squeezed through the sea of bodies and entered the tower. The higher he climbed, the fewer people there were, until at last, he reached the tenth floor and could breathe freely again.
“Is this Young Master Lu?” A servant-lady stepped forward to verify his identity the moment he appeared.
“Over here! Over here, Brother Lu!” Song Zhenguo’s cheerful voice called out from a nearby table.
He waved energetically, surrounded by several familiar faces. Among them was Chen Yunxi, dressed in a long, fitted green gown that accentuated her graceful figure. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, tied neatly with a matching green ribbon.
Lu Sheng’s expression softened as he walked toward them, smiling. “Thanks to all of you for getting me to such an awesome height!”
“Oh, you’re the one doing us a favor!” Song Zhenguo said quickly, waving his hands. “Yunxi pulled some strings and specially arranged this banquet for you, oh great Young Master Lu.”
“Yes, yes! If not for Miss Yunxi, we’d never make it past the ninth floor,” added Wang Ziquan, a handsome young man from Zi Hua City who was on good terms with Lu Sheng.
“No way, it was just a coincidence… a coincidence that I met someone I knew…” Chen Yunxi murmured, cheeks slightly flushed as she stole a quick glance at him.
Lu Sheng chuckled softly, letting out a quiet sigh before taking his seat beside her.
The group soon fell into laughter and chatter. Cups clinked, jokes were traded, and someone even began composing a few self-proclaimed “masterful” poems. The atmosphere was warm and exuberant. Lu Sheng was seated next to Chen Yunxi, while the others sat paired off—Song Zhenguo with one of the ladies, and another aloof scholar from the institution with the second.
Suddenly—
“BOOM!”
A brilliant golden firework burst into the night sky outside the Yang-Seeking Tower, unfurling like a peony made of light.
“It’s begun! It’s begun!!” someone shouted, and the crowd surged toward the edges of the balcony, their excited voices echoing through the night.
ns216.73.216.33da2
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