Lu Sheng needed only a moment to understand the old Sect Master’s intentions.
“And where is the Sect Master’s esteemed Master now?” he asked, a flicker of anticipation stirring within him. If the old man’s Master was superior even to a Spirit Focus expert, then taking such a figure as his own teacher would be far from a poor choice.
“My Master has already left this world for more than ten years,” the old Sect Master replied, his tone carrying a somber weight.
Lu Sheng fell silent. So that was how it was—Hong Mingzi clearly wished to bind him firmly to Crimson Whale Sect.
In this world, once a man formally acknowledged a Master, there was no turning back. Should he ever rebel, his reputation would be ruined. It would be no different from betraying one’s benefactor—a condemnation every sect and school despised.
To enter the lineage of the Crimson Whale Sect Master meant forfeiting all freedom to change allegiance in the future.
“Sect Master, please allow me some time to consider this,” Lu Sheng finally said, unable to give an answer on the spot.
The old Sect Master shook his head with a light chuckle. “What’s there to consider? It’s not as though this old man is asking you to become a slave. Besides, my Master’s lineage isn’t even on the same level as Crimson Whale Sect. Once you enter his school, you’ll understand—there’s plenty for you to gain.”
Lu Sheng hesitated, weighing the matter carefully before making his choice. Though he might one day encounter far more profound martial arts, this moment was the peak of his rapid growth. For now, he was still too weak, too insignificant—armed with only a handful of techniques barely sufficient for self-defense. If he ran into truly formidable supernatural beings, he would be helpless.
“In that case, junior apprentice brother pays respects to Senior Apprentice Brother!”
Once his decision was made, Lu Sheng dropped to his knees and pressed his palms to the ground, bowing deeply to the old Sect Master.
“Don’t worry, you won’t regret your decision,” Hong Mingzi said with a hearty laugh. “Come, come, follow me.”
With their relationship formally established, the old Sect Master was jubilant. He led Lu Sheng out of the small garden, down two flights of stairs into the depths of the Crimson Whale ship, eventually arriving at a concealed chamber resembling an ancestral hall.
Inside, rows upon rows of portraits lined the walls—elderly men and women of various demeanors, each captured in solemn ink.
Hong Mingzi pointed toward the central painting and spoke in a low, reverent voice.
“This is the former Sect Chief of our Crimson Sun Sect, and now your Master—Hand of the Scorching Sun, Mo Fei. Come, pay your respects before the portrait.”
Lu Sheng took no issue with the ceremony. Since he had joined their lineage, offering proper respect was only natural.
He knelt upon the prayer mat before Mo Fei’s portrait and bowed nine times. This was the Nine Kowtow Grand Ceremony—a ritual signifying a bond akin to that of father and son, a commitment meant to last a lifetime. It was not something taken lightly.
Whether Master or disciple, both were bound by heavy obligations. If a Master neglected his duty to teach, his name would be dragged through the mud, scorned by all who heard it. Likewise, a disciple who brought shame to his Master would become the target of ridicule, his reputation ruined the moment word spread.
Lu Sheng followed tradition without hesitation—bowing, offering tea and joss-sticks, burning ceremonial notes, and reciting the sect’s rules one by one.
By the end of the rituals, he had formed a preliminary understanding of the Crimson Sun Sect.
The Crimson Sun Sect was neither wholly righteous nor wholly wicked—its methods walked between both paths. Its numbers had always been scarce, and admission into the sect was shrouded in secrecy. Even at its height, the sect never had more than four members. The vast Crimson Whale Sect, in truth, was merely a subordinate branch, an external arm of its influence.
When the rites concluded, dusk had already settled.
Lu Sheng accompanied the old Sect Master onto the deck for a leisurely stroll, letting the cool air clear his mind. The deck of the Crimson Whale ship was immense, layered with buildings and courtyards that rose like a miniature city above the river.
Surrounded by vigilant guards, the two walked along the railing, the evening breeze sending ripples across the water below.
Hong Mingzi cleared his throat softly and spoke in a low voice. “Junior Apprentice Brother… from now on, we are family. I’ve already added your name to the sect registry and informed several allied sects. From today onward, you’re considered part of Crimson Whale’s core. It’s time for you to learn a few matters.”
“Is it regarding the Noble Families?” Lu Sheng asked calmly.
“So you’ve heard,” Hong Mingzi said with a nod. “The Noble Families stand far above us—an unshakable position they were born into. We have no choice but to adapt and accept it, for only they possess the power to stand against Devils and Aberrations. That said, the Noble Families rarely meddle in worldly affairs. Typically, they send us information or an order perhaps once every decade. If nothing concerns you, you won’t need to think about them at all. I just want you to understand the world you’ve stepped into. It’s filled with danger—beyond Demonic Ghosts, there are Devils, and there are Anomalies. Naturally, we’re not alone in this struggle.”
Lu Sheng’s brows drew together, but he remained silent. Duanmu Wan’s earlier demeanor replayed in his mind—her air of superiority, as though the rest of the world were nothing more than helpless ants.
Hong Mingzi gave a light chuckle. “No need to brood over it. Noblemen are incredibly rare. With the entire Song nation spread across such vast lands, their already small numbers become even thinner. Meeting one even once in ten years would be considered fortunate.”
“That rare?” Lu Sheng was taken aback. Encountering Duanmu Wan twice, then Yan Kai, had led him to believe Noblemen were everywhere.
“Very rare,” Hong Mingzi confirmed with a smile. “Take the Zhen Family, Lords of the Northern lands. Their entire direct bloodline barely exceeds ten people. Most wander endlessly, never settling in one place. Some hide their identities entirely, treating life as a game. In the boundless North—with hundreds of cities and tens of millions of inhabitants—finding them is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Lu Sheng’s understanding deepened.
Hong Mingzi continued, “The Noble Families may stand lofty and untouchable, but their numbers are far too few. That’s why true control lies in the hands of the government and sects like ours. In fact, our Crimson Whale Sect oversees an enormous territory—Mountain-Edge City, Green Maple City, and several more major cities, along with over ten smaller ones.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCotk4YZuN
We have people stationed throughout these places, sending back information and resources regularly. Because of the distance, each city has its own smaller branch—independent Crimson Whale Sects operating under our banner. Most of the time, they manage their own affairs.”
“Senior Apprentice Brother, you mean…?” Lu Sheng asked, unsure where Hong Mingzi’s explanation was leading.
Hong Mingzi sighed softly. “After saying so much, what I’m trying to tell you is this—my health is failing. I am no longer what I once was. In many matters, I will soon need Junior Apprentice Brother’s steady support.” He reached into his robe and pulled out an intricate, metallic-gray cloth, placing it carefully into Lu Sheng’s hands.
“This contains the complete Ultimate Crimson Mantra, from Level One to Level Seven. You must cultivate it alongside the Crimson Yang Pill. Its power is unmatched. Junior Apprentice Brother, guard this well. It must never fall into the hands of outsiders.” His voice had taken on a rare solemnity.
Lu Sheng’s eyes brightened as he took the cloth. He unfolded a corner with great care, revealing rows of tiny characters densely inscribed across the surface.
“But Senior Apprentice Brother,” he asked suddenly, “why has our Crimson Sun Sect always had so few members? Wouldn’t it be better to recruit openly?”
Hong Mingzi shook his head. “It’s not that we refuse recruitment—the problem is that this inner force mantra is far too precious. Long ago, internal betrayal nearly caused it to fall into the hands of outsiders. And more importantly, the Ultimate Crimson Mantra requires the Crimson Yang Pill for safe cultivation. Without it, the practitioner’s Yang fire would burn too fiercely, damaging the body and shortening one’s lifespan. As for the pill itself… producing it is extremely costly.”
By that point, his meaning was unmistakably clear.
The true limitation of the Crimson Sun Sect lay in the Crimson Yang Pill—far too expensive to create in large quantities, and therefore impossible to provide for many disciples.
Lu Sheng grasped the reasoning at once. He watched as Hong Mingzi reached into his chest once more, producing a small crimson vial and handing it to him.
“Inside are enough Crimson Yang Pills to last you a month. Junior Apprentice Brother, use them as needed. Come, let me teach you the first level of the Ultimate Crimson Mantra to begin your initiation.” Hong Mingzi spoke gently, though a cough escaped him midway.
“I’ll trouble you then, Senior Apprentice Brother,” Lu Sheng replied with a respectful cupping of his fists.
Hong Mingzi waved a hand dismissively. “Just make sure you bring honor to our Crimson Sun Sect in the days ahead. Our nearby rivals are White Sands Sect, Green Star Sect, and Plum Blossom Sect. The first two have long contested our control over the trade routes in Jie Long City, while Plum Blossom Sect frequently clashes with us over medicinal resources. There have been countless disputes over key valleys and herb forests. Though our Crimson Whale Sect stands as the foremost sect in the North, the others are not to be underestimated. As the External Affairs Emissary, Junior Apprentice Brother, you will soon face all manner of trouble. Mountain-Edge City—the place under your charge—is far from peaceful.”
Lu Sheng acknowledged the words with a quiet nod.
When he finally stepped off the Crimson Whale ship, he couldn’t help but feel a ripple of astonishment at how things had unfolded. He had gained the Ultimate Crimson Mantra—a technique even more formidable than the Black Fury Skill—with surprising ease.
Though the acquisition came at the price of becoming a disciple of the Crimson Sun Sect, it mattered little to him. With his senior apprentice brother serving as the sect’s current Chief, none of these restrictions weighed heavily on his mind.
If he had attempted to earn such a technique through contributions alone, who knew how many years it would have taken? And skills on the level of the Ultimate Crimson Mantra would never have appeared openly in the Martial Proclamation Library to begin with.
By the time Lu Sheng reached the harbor, night had already draped itself across the sky. He pulled himself onto his horse in one fluid motion. Behind him trailed Duan Meng’an, Ning San, and several other sect members, all preparing to return to Mountain-Edge City.
“External Affairs Emissary Lu, you seem quite spirited. The matter isn’t even resolved, yet you’ve walked away with quite the reward, haven’t you?” A cold, mocking female voice cut through the darkness.
Lu Sheng lifted his gaze. A group of burly, hard-faced men approached, escorting a frail-looking woman with a long, narrow face. She moved with quiet poise beneath a crimson robe.
Her figure was graceful, her oval face naturally beautiful—but the hollowness of her cheeks left her appearing sickly, shadowed, and faintly sinister. Whatever allure she might once have had had long been swallowed by hostility.
“Who are you? Why are you blocking my way?” Lu Sheng asked with a frown.
“I am Gongsun Jing,” the woman replied icily. “I’ve heard much of External Emissary Lu from my uncle.”
“Gongsun Jing? Gongsun Zhanglan’s niece?” Lu Sheng asked, almost lazily.
“That’s right.”
“And what exactly are you doing standing in my path?” Lu Sheng looked at her with a strange expression. “Has your uncle finally agreed to duel with me?”
“What?” Gongsun Jing blinked, momentarily thrown off.
Lu Sheng tilted his head. “Isn’t that it? Your uncle must’ve sent you here for me to beat up. Then he’d have an excuse to challenge me officially. That’s how it always goes in novels, isn’t it?” His expression grew even more puzzled as he continued.
“YOU—!!” Gongsun Jing’s face flushed with anger. She jabbed a finger toward him, ready to unleash a torrent of curses.
Lu Sheng sighed. “So that’s not it…” He sounded genuinely disappointed. He rolled his wrists, joints popping lightly. “Then… I’ll kill you first. After that, I’ll wait for your uncle to come avenge your death.”
BOOM!
In a heartbeat, his foot slammed into the wooden plank beneath him. The thick board exploded into splinters with a deafening crack.
Lu Sheng surged forward like a tiger pouncing down a mountain, his presence bursting outward in a violent shockwave. A thunderous roar echoed through the air.
“HOWL!!!”
BAM!!!
His palm cut across the space of ten steps and struck Gongsun Jing squarely in the chest.
PU!
Her head snapped back as a spray of dark blood burst from her lips. Her body was hurled backward, crashing into the men behind her before skidding across the ground for over ten meters. She finally came to a halt in a heap, barely conscious.
Her miserable cry never even fully formed. Before a sound could escape her throat, she was already sprawled across the ground, struggling for breath. Blood poured endlessly from her mouth, pooling beneath her as her body trembled weakly.
Lu Sheng stood exactly where he had struck, his gaze sweeping over the two burly men who had accompanied her. Their faces were drained of all color; terror rooted them in place for a heartbeat before they hastily lowered their heads and scurried away to the side.
“That old man Gongsun Zhanglan keeps avoiding me. Let’s see what excuse he’ll come up with now to escape a fight with me!”
With a sudden burst of wild laughter, Lu Sheng swung himself back onto his horse. Duan Meng’an, Ning San, and the others quickly followed suit as he led the group away from the harbor.
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