Chapter 125: The Grandmaster from the Great Jin Court

"Hall Master, Hall Master!"

Just as Lu Yuan was still lost in thought, the voice of the transmission disciple Chen Zhantang came from outside the courtyard:

"Prefectural Assistant Liu Guobai just came to the hall to seek an audience; do you wish to see him?"

Liu Guobai?

Roughly knowing why the other party had come, Lu Yuan rose and pushed open the door, exited the courtyard, and took Chen Zhantang through the back door into the hall.

At this moment, there were not many disciples in the hall; most had been arranged to go to the backyard to expand and whitewash the rooms, and only Peng Yidao was leading a dozen or so disciples in practicing the Guangwu Body-Forging Fist.

Seeing Lu Yuan arrive, the disciples stopped one after another to greet him. Lu Yuan waved his hand dismissively and walked straight to a guest room specially set up on the second floor of the hall.

Inside, Prefectural Assistant Liu Guobai, whom he had not seen for over half a month, had already risen early to welcome him upon hearing footsteps, bowing with a face full of smiles and a very humble posture:

"I haven't seen Hall Master Lu for many days; you are still as transcendent as an immortal, and your bearing remains unchanged!"

"Prefectural Assistant Liu is too kind."

Given Lu Yuan's current status, strength, and position, he could naturally fully afford to accept such a grand bow from a Prefectural Assistant. He went straight to the point:

"What is the reason for Magistrate Liu's visit today?"

"Naturally, it is regarding the matter of Zhili Governor Nayancheng bringing the imperial grace of the court to bestow rewards."

Liu Guobai smiled broadly:

"This morning, the Governor has already arrived in Jinjin and is currently being personally received by Governor Qi. If nothing goes wrong, they will personally come to this Guangwu Hall this afternoon to meet Hall Master Lu.

Governor Qi asked me to come over, on one hand, to notify you in advance, and on the other, to implore Hall Master Lu to prepare a little. After all, the Zhili Governor is a high official of the frontier, and he is representing the imperial court. You must give this person some face; please don't be like last time..."

"Hmm?"

Lu Yuan's gaze swept over instantly, and he said indifferently:

"What, did that eunuch named Li Liansheng speak ill of me after he went back?"

Liu Guobai gave an awkward smile:

"Hall Master Lu, you know, these eunuchs have always liked to stir up trouble, and he is a favorite of the Old Buddha. A few words from him can easily make the Old Buddha and the Emperor have a poor impression of someone..."

Lu Yuan smiled slightly:

"Then that actually saves me trouble. I'll just tell this Nayancheng that I've gone on a long journey, so as not to disturb my peace with this reward and that reward every day."

Such words would be considered treasonous if spoken by an ordinary person, and they would be thrown into prison for punishment in an instant. However, Liu Guobai only twitched his eyelids, acting as if he hadn't heard it, and accompanied him with a smile:

"Hall Master Lu, my dear Master Lu, you are a person among the immortals; what are governors or princes in your eyes but bullshit? But we can't do that. Please, for the sake of Governor Qi, just handle it a little, can you?"

The Jinjin Prefectural Assistant was also a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, and it was not easy for him to be so humble. After all, Lu Yuan's Guangwu Hall still had to operate and develop in Jinjin for a while, so it wouldn't do to give no face at all:

"Fine, then I will prepare a little and wait for them to come."

Liu Guobai let out a long sigh of relief and stood up, overjoyed:

"Good, thank you, Hall Master Lu. In the future, whatever happens to your Guangwu Hall, just call!"

Lu Yuan nodded: "Zhantang, see Prefectural Assistant Liu off for me."

Chen Zhantang appeared from outside the guest room, and Liu Guobai did not feel slighted at all, happily taking his leave.

After seeing the person off and returning, Chen Zhantang immediately returned and asked solemnly:

"Hall Master, since the Zhili Governor is coming, do we need to prepare well for the reception?"

Lu Yuan, however, waved his hand dismissively:

"No need. Go and notify everyone that everything should proceed as usual."

To be able to not take a Zhili Governor and high official of the frontier seriously, only Lu Yuan and Wu Yixian in all of Jinjin were qualified. Chen Zhantang's eyes were full of admiration and reverence:

"Yes, this disciple understands."

Saying this, he retreated respectfully.

Watching the other's departing figure, Lu Yuan nodded slightly.

Among the eighty-plus gatekeepers recruited this time, the one he thought most highly of was this Chen Zhantang.

The others had low martial arts skills and had not yet stood out. Peng Yidao and Lin Sheng were typical martial artists of the Jianghu with a slightly rough, bandit-like air. Only this Chen Zhantang was truly both scholarly and martial; not only had his martial arts reached the Fourth Realm, but he had also attended a school opened by foreigners and graduated with excellent grades. His thoughts and concepts were keeping pace with the times in all aspects, making him very outstanding.

Moreover, in the examination of the Dream Grafting Technique, his character could be considered upright and loyal, so Lu Yuan intended to cultivate him well so that he could stand on his own as soon as possible.

Not taking the arrival of the Zhili Governor to heart, Lu Yuan patrolled once and then returned to his private courtyard and quiet room to continue meditating and practicing.

By the afternoon, probably near the Shen hour, a commotion came from the front gate of the Guangwu Hall, and then government officials came to notify in advance that the carriages of Nayancheng and others were about to arrive.

Given Lu Yuan's status, he would certainly not go out early to welcome them, but simply arrived at the hall in advance to drink tea and wait.

In no time at all, one saw luxurious carriages pulling up in front of the courtyard gate, accompanied by loud shouts:

"The Zhili Governor of Jinjin, Lord Nayancheng, and the Governor of Jinjin, Lord Qi, have arrived—"

Lu Yuan remained calm and composed, sitting still, but he had arranged for Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng to stand on both sides of the gate with a group of disciples to welcome them.

Not until Chen Zhantang and the others led Qi Yuanjiang and a majestic figure into the courtyard did he slowly rise and walk to the entrance of the hall to bow symbolically:

"Governor, your arrival is an honor; I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

The Zhili Governor, whom even Qi Yuanjiang treated with respect, was an old man over sixty years old.

He wore a red gemstone finial on his hat and was dressed in a nine-python, five-clawed python robe. His tall stature was imposing without being angry, and he seemed to possess extraordinary martial arts.

Beside him, there was also an old man in black. He was thin and gaunt with a sinister face, and his eyes faintly glowed with a ghostly light, as if they contained some kind of magic, making one feel cold and chilled to the bone upon contact.

This person's strength was clearly extraordinary, at least at the Sixth Realm level or above. Crucially, he walked side-by-side with Nayancheng, and did not seem to be a guard or the like.

At this moment, as the two sides met, the Zhili Governor Nayancheng also looked at Lu Yuan with surprise:

"I have long heard that Hall Master Lu has an outstanding bearing, like a being from Heaven; seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true!"

"Governor, you are too kind."

Lu Yuan's gaze turned to the black-clad old man beside Nayancheng:

"I wonder who this is?"

Nayancheng smiled and said: "This is an old friend of mine named Mankeduo, who also came to visit with me specifically because of Hall Master Lu's great reputation."

The old man in black stared at Lu Yuan like a hawk, letting out a hoarse, low laugh:

"Hall Master Lu, I have long admired you."

"A pleasure, a pleasure."

The name Mankeduo sounded like a Jin Clan Banner Person, and given that the other party's aura was hidden extremely deep, even giving one a sense of unfathomable Grandmaster-level power, Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes:

"Everyone, please come inside to talk."

Saying this, he led the group inside.

After everyone took their seats in the main hall.

Nayancheng spoke first:

"A few days ago, Tianjing City was shocked to hear that Hall Master Lu had displayed great might during the opening ceremony, defeating the Grandmaster-level powerhouses of the Sun-Drenched Sand Calamity one after another. Upon hearing the news, the Old Buddha and the Emperor in the imperial court were overjoyed, and the civil and military officials were also heartened, all believing that Hall Master Lu had crushed the arrogance of the foreigners and greatly upheld the dignity of the nation; it is truly a great merit."

"For this reason, the Old Buddha and the Emperor have specially issued an edict to confer upon you the title of a Generation Grandmaster, and have granted you the titles of First Rank Guardian General and First Rank Brave Marquis, which may be inherited with a reduction in rank."

"Additionally, there are six chests of jade coral, silver, and gold, plus ten bolts of Heavenly Silkworm Silk, and one imperial estate in the Capital, all of which are rewards."

First Rank Guardian General, First Rank Brave Marquis!

The conversation in the hall was not concealed, and even Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and other disciples standing guard at the entrance heard it clearly, causing their eyelids to twitch involuntarily.

Although the Guardian General was a nominal title, it was still a first-rank military official position.

The First Rank Brave Marquis was even more extraordinary; among the ranks of Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron, the rank of Marquis was a title that only imperial relatives, royalty, and nobility who had rendered great service were qualified to receive. Even if it could only be inherited with a reduction in rank, it was a level that many official families could not reach even after struggling for generations!

Yet in the hall, facing this so-called reward, Lu Yuan's reaction was flat, his expression indifferent:

"Lu thanks the imperial court for the reward; such a heavy reward is truly undeserved."

Regarding this attitude, Qi Yuanjiang, who was accompanying them on the side, naturally suffered in silence, sitting on pins and needles, terrified that Nayancheng would be dissatisfied.

However, as if completely unconcerned by Lu Yuan's calm attitude, Nayancheng laughed:

"Hall Master Lu is joking. At your age, to have a cultivation that can step into the Grandmaster realm and crown Jinjin is unprecedented and will likely never be surpassed. If the imperial court were not worried about having nothing left to reward you with in the future, it would have been appropriate to confer upon you the title of Duke directly."

Lu Yuan could not be bothered to break this hypocritical politeness, only saying:

"I dare not accept."

At this moment, the old man in black, who had been silent the whole time, said in a tone that was neither yin nor yang:

"I observe that Hall Master Lu seems to have a flat reaction to the imperial court's reward. I wonder if you feel this reward is insufficient, or if you are dissatisfied with the imperial court or the Old Buddha?"

As the words fell, Qi Yuanjiang's expression changed, and he looked at Lu Yuan with extreme nervousness, fearing the other party might say something shocking.

However, Lu Yuan had no intention of answering; he merely raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over with amusement:

"You had best be careful. If you spout nonsense in my Guangwu Hall, even if you are a friend of the Governor, I may have to show you the door."

"Is that so?"

The old man in black stood up abruptly, laughing with a voice like a booming bell:

"What a coincidence. Ever since I heard the Great Name of Hall Master Lu, I have been curious about what kind of cultivation and methods you possess, and whether your Godly Strength is truly as legendary as they say. It seems I can have my wish today!"

The atmosphere suddenly shifted to the point of conflict, and Qi Yuanjiang stood up in a great panic:

"The two of you, you..."

However, the Governor Nayancheng sat motionless, interrupting with a smile:

"Hall Master Lu, do not take offense. My old friend here is obsessed with martial arts and is most keen on sparring with experts and powerhouses. If it is convenient for you, why not exchange a few moves with him? It would also allow us to broaden our horizons."

Anyone with the courage and confidence to challenge him must be a top-tier Grandmaster of the Seventh Realm.

The Seventh Realm Grandmasters of the folk martial arts world were world-renowned, known to all, but the Mankeduo before him did not seem to fit any of them.

Then the answer was obvious.

Mankeduo was a Grandmaster from within the Great Jin palace!

Lu Yuan's gaze swept over Nayancheng and Mankeduo with a hint of amusement, as if he had seen something, the corners of his mouth curling up:

"Very well. Since you both have the interest, I shall not spoil the mood. Let us exchange a few pointers here."

Saying this, he stood up and walked to the empty space in the middle of the hall.

Chen Zhantang and Peng Yidao, who had never expected things to develop like this, hurried over, but before they could ask, Mankeduo's figure flickered and he appeared opposite Lu Yuan, his hawk-like eyes narrowing as he said:

"Hall Master Lu, please?"

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, then without another word, stepped forward and threw a punch.

Boom—

An unbelievable scene appeared before everyone.

The entire hall seemed to tremble for an instant; the cause of this was Lu Yuan's single step forward, which shook the ground as if ten thousand horses were galloping.

The massive impact was even faster than the transmission of sound; where his figure flashed past, it was like a distorted, weightless world, everything twisting and deforming under the sweep of a violent gale.

Substantial gale-force winds filled most of the hall, and along with the distortion were the expressions of the people present—like Nayancheng, like Qi Yuanjiang, and even the newly recruited disciples like Chen Zhantang and Peng Yidao; shock had not yet had time to form on their faces, but their facial muscles were already trembling under the impact wave transmitted from the ground.

Especially Mankeduo, who bore the brunt of it.

The fist shadow, like a falling Meteor, magnified before his eyes; the destructive power seemed to drain all the air in front of him. Even though he had been mentally prepared, his heart still skipped a beat, and he let out a low shout, meeting the blow with his palms in a peculiar stance.

Thud!

A dull roar blocked the massive impact. A visible, raging flame of energy erupted from Mankeduo's arms, blocking Lu Yuan's Heaven-startling, Earth-moving punch with a stance like an abyss vortex. The tide of force from their collision formed a strange turbulence in front of him, not only shattering everything in its path but also erupting with intense roaring sounds!

The powerful shockwave caused ripples like water, and the gale spread outward from the point of impact. As Mankeduo's expression changed repeatedly, he sank his waist and braced his stance, resisting the overbearing fist force.

Everyone could clearly see the force sweeping through like a raging flood; the sleeves on his arms burst open instantly, his arms trembled violently, and beads of blood were actually squeezed out from his pores, as if he could not bear such terrifying power!

This Mankeduo, was he actually a True Martial Grandmaster?

Except for Nayancheng, everyone was shocked and suspicious.

Even Lu Yuan, at this moment, could not help but raise an eyebrow.

He had only used about seventy percent of his strength in that punch; if the other party was a Grandmaster powerhouse from the Great Jin palace, it was not surprising that he could take a punch.

But what was truly surprising was that he could clearly feel a strange suction force emerging from Mankeduo's hands, as if he wanted to suck the Dharma Power out of his body!

(End of chapter)