Chapter 126: Secrets of the Great Jin Court, the Eight Realms of Heavenly Steel!

Hmm?

What kind of Martial Arts is this, Star-Sucking Great Art?

Feeling the anomaly beneath his fist, Lu Yuan could not help but raise his eyebrows, quite surprised.

Because he could clearly feel at this moment that Mankeduo's palms were currently formed into a peculiar seal, while all his vigorous True Qi was gathered upon them, forming a surging vortex.

This strange vortex of True Qi not only dissipated a significant portion of the impact from his punch, but also created an extremely powerful suction force, causing the Dharma Power within his body to fluctuate slightly, with a faint tendency to be drawn away.

However.

To his incomparably refined Dharma Power True Qi, whose quality far exceeded that of a martial artist's True Qi, this suction force was limited in strength. With just a thought, he unleashed the power of his fist without reservation, easily shaking back Mankeduo, who had barely managed to parry his punch.

Stomp, stomp, stomp—!

Under the impact, which was like a mountain collapsing or a volcano erupting, Mankeduo's expression changed slightly as he instantly retreated three large steps, only stopping his momentum after he had fiercely cracked the blue bricks beneath his feet.

His sleeves were shredded, his skin was flushed red, and he looked somewhat disheveled. He stared at Lu Yuan with eyes full of shock and suspicion:

"Good, a truly good Godly Strength!"

Without a doubt, in terms of pure strength, Mankeduo was at an absolute disadvantage against Lu Yuan. Nayancheng and Qi Yuanjiang, who were sitting to the side, had their eyelids twitch slightly, while the newly accepted Gatekeepers of Chen Zhantang and Peng Yidao were filled with excitement and shock.

After all, when Lu Yuan had fought the two great experts Guanshi Masamune and Aojinniezi that day, they could only listen to the sounds from the outermost edge of the crowd; how could they have seen it as clearly as they did today?

After punching the opponent back, Lu Yuan did not make another move, but looked at Mankeduo with a playful gaze:

"If I'm not mistaken, you should be a Grandmaster-level expert from the palace, right? That move of yours just now was quite interesting; does it have any origin?"

"Indeed, this old man is from the palace. I heard rumors about Hall Master Lu, so I specifically came out of the palace to see for myself. I never expected you to be far more formidable than I had anticipated."

Mankeduo's eyes were filled with wariness as he looked at Lu Yuan:

"As for the move just now, it is called the Golden Toad Swallows the Moon, and it is the signature technique of the former Golden Toad Sect."

"Golden Toad Sect?"

Lu Yuan had naturally never heard of this sect, nor did he care much, and he nodded casually:

"Good, do you still wish to continue now?"

Mankeduo's expression was uncertain, and then he said with a forced smile:

"No need. This old man has already witnessed Hall Master Lu's Godly Strength; it is even better than the rumors suggest."

Nayancheng also immediately stood up to smooth things over, laughing:

"That is indeed true. The people of Jinjin all say that Hall Master Lu is the Martial Star descended to earth. Seeing it with my own eyes today, the rumors are not false!"

Fearing that the two might truly flare up, Qi Yuanjiang also chimed in with a smile to ease the atmosphere:

"Both of you are top-tier martial artists of this age; this exchange has truly opened our eyes!"

Lu Yuan was noncommittal, smiling to maintain appearances, and said: "You are too kind."

Afterwards.

Everyone sat back down, as if nothing had just happened, and chatted idly for a while longer.

Whether to change the subject or to probe, Nayancheng asked:

"Hall Master Lu, what is your view on the situation currently faced by the imperial court?"

Lu Yuan smiled:

"I am but a mere martial artist; I do not know what situation the Governor is referring to?"

Nayancheng said:

"Of course, it is the current situation where the great powers surround us with wolfish ambitions, and the Great Jin nation is in turmoil, facing an unprecedented threat."

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged:

"As the Governor said, the great powers have wolfish ambitions. Whether it is Shenluo, Sha'e, or Sunlight Country, all have long coveted the land of Shenzhou. It won't be long before one of these three parties tears off their mask and invades in force, igniting boundless war."

Nayancheng's gaze sharpened: "Is Hall Master Lu referring to Sunlight Country?"

Lu Yuan said calmly:

"Of course. After all, Sunlight Country has limited land, scarce resources, and a large population. Its thirst and obsession for the land of Shenzhou are incomparable to the other two nations."

"Hall Master Lu truly has profound insight. Your Martial Arts are mysterious, and you have such a grasp of the situation; it is truly admirable."

Nayancheng said with a hint of emotion:

"However, rest assured, the imperial court has already considered this. Previously, the total destruction of the New Army navy in the Yellow Sea battle led the court to sign another unequal treaty. The Emperor was also furious, and having learned from the pain, is preparing to push for new political reforms, improve the administration, and strengthen the nation and the military to resist the great powers. In this process, the support of figures with great influence like Hall Master Lu is indispensable."

Lu Yuan just smiled and said perfunctorily:

"The Governor is joking. Why would national affairs need the support of a martial artist like me? The court only needs to punish corrupt officials, vigorously develop industry and Western science, and at the same time find ways to ensure the hundreds of millions of people in the world have food to eat, clothes to wear, and books to read; the mere great powers will naturally pose no threat."

The conversation between the two sides was completely devoid of substance.

After the superficial pleasantries were mostly done, Nayancheng and the others, seeing that Lu Yuan was impervious to persuasion, helplessly took the initiative to rise and take their leave, then departed with a large group of soldiers.

The group came and went quickly. Only after watching them leave the martial arts hall courtyard did Lu Yuan's gaze turn playful:

"A Grandmaster from the palace? Interesting."

He did not avoid his three Gatekeepers, Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng, who were behind him. Chen Zhantang was clearly the first to sense that something was wrong and could not help but ask in a low voice:

"Hall Master, it is understandable for the Zhili Governor to come in person to represent the court in bestowing rewards, but for a palace Grandmaster to follow and provoke you into a fight, this..."

Lu Yuan turned his head and smiled:

"Sending a palace Grandmaster is nine times out of ten at the behest of the Undying Demon Empress. What do you three think her intention is?"

No further words were needed; the mention of the Undying Demon Empress completely clarified Lu Yuan's view and stance toward the imperial court. The gazes of Chen Zhantang and the other two sharpened in unison, and they said with a mix of agitation and excitement:

"Could it be that she is wary of the Hall Master?"

"That's it! The Hall Master is a Han, and to be a top-tier Grandmaster of this age at such a young age—if I were the Demon Empress, I would be wary too!"

"So, that is why she sent such a Grandmaster to test the Hall Master!"

These three men—one well-versed in both literature and martial arts, and the other two experienced in the Jianghu with broad horizons—all arrived at the same speculation.

And because they were also Han, they felt no fear or dread at the implications in Lu Yuan's words; instead, they felt a surge of intense excitement and anticipation.

Lu Yuan nodded to show his approval:

"What you say is not wrong, but this Grandmaster she sent, aside from having somewhat peculiar Martial Arts, is about the same in strength as that Aojinniezi from Sha'e Country. It truly fails to pique my interest. It would be better if she came in person, which would allow me to witness what kind of strength and means the number one expert of the Jin Dynasty truly possesses."

The information contained in his words caused Chen Zhantang and the other two to be shocked in unison, and they said in disbelief:

"What? The Undying Demon Empress Xici is the number one expert of the Jin Dynasty?"

Strictly speaking, the Undying Demon Empress Xici has been ruling from behind the curtain for sixty years at the advanced age of one hundred and twenty, and she also belongs to the legends of the world. There have long been rumors among the people that the Demon Empress has a unique constitution and is by no means an ordinary person.

However, those who know the details of her true strength are few and far between; at the very least, Chen Zhantang and the others knew nothing about it.

There was no need to hide these inside details, so Lu Yuan nodded indifferently and said:

"That is correct. According to accurate sources, the Undying Demon Empress possesses the astonishing strength to kill a True Martial Grandmaster in ten moves. Although that True Martial Grandmaster belonged to someone who broke through by force and whose true strength might not compare to a veteran Martial Arts Grandmaster, it is still enough to prove the Demon Empress's strength."

Nowadays, with Lu Yuan using all his means, killing a Seventh Realm Grandmaster is effortless; he truly ranks at the very pinnacle of the pyramid of personal martial power.

Precisely because of this, he became increasingly full of interest and curiosity regarding the Undying Demon Empress Xici, whose strength Lin Xingchao described as incomparably terrifying.

He was curious about nothing else; he just wanted to know if this mysterious number one Undying Demon Empress of the Jin Dynasty could survive under his hand when he used all his means.

Naturally unaware of the thoughts in Lu Yuan's mind, Chen Zhantang and the other two were greatly shocked upon hearing this:

"Pavilion Master, may I boldly ask where you obtained this information?"

"That Demon Empress is already over one hundred and twenty years old; even for a True Martial Grandmaster, their Qi and blood would have long since decayed and declined. How could she still have such heaven-defying ability?"

Lu Yuan, however, did not answer this question, only saying:

"Since she has the name of Undying Demon Empress, she naturally has her divine and strange aspects. You do not need to ask about the source of the information; you only need to know that the news is accurate and correct. After learning this today, do not spread it to the outside world. Do you understand?"

Although they still had a thousand questions in their hearts, Chen Zhantang and the others could only forcibly suppress them and immediately promised:

"This disciple understands!"

Meanwhile.

On a bumpy carriage.

"This person must not be left alive!"

Inside the carriage, Mankeduo had a gloomy and grave expression on his face as he made his assessment.

The Governor-General of Zhili, Nayancheng, looked at Mankeduo opposite him and frowned slightly:

"Governor Mankeduo, although this person has peerless Godly Strength, this is now a world of Firearm and Cannon. Even Grandmaster-level powerhouses have difficulty exerting influence on the battlefield, and personal martial prowess basically cannot affect the general trend. Why be so wary of him?

It is just that he has just gained a great reputation in Jinjin, making it inconvenient to take action against him. Otherwise, just based on his disrespect toward the imperial court and the Old Buddha today, it would not be very difficult for me to dispatch a few elite Firearm battalions, then mobilize a few heavy Cannon and the hand-cranked machine guns just purchased from Shenluo to kill him!"

Mankeduo was, of course, not his old friend, but came from the Niangan Office within the palace, and was only following him to meet Lu Yuan under the orders of the Old Buddha.

The Niangan Office is equivalent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the previous dynasty; it is a secret service agency responsible only to the Emperor. Of course, now that the Old Buddha is ruling from behind the curtain and holding the reins of government, this agency has naturally become a sharp blade in her hands.

The Niangan Office has been established for hundreds of years and is filled with experts. Without the cultivation of the Fourth Realm, one is not qualified to be selected. As the Great Governor and head, Mankeduo is not only a veteran True Martial Realm Grandmaster but is also known as the number one expert and assassin of the Niangan Office.

But at this moment, Mankeduo's eyes were filled with a gloom so thick it could not be dissolved:

"The Governor-General is likely underestimating this person too much. His background is a mystery, and for him to step into the Grandmaster realm at such a young age is unprecedented. I just now attempted to use the Sucking Power Technique to absorb this person's True Qi, but I discovered that this person's True Qi is condensed and thick to an unimaginable degree, far exceeding that of an ordinary Grandmaster by several times!"

Nayancheng came from a family of Upper Three Banners Banner Lords. Although he also possessed decent Martial Arts, he was still a long way from the True Martial Grandmaster realm of cultivating True Qi, so he immediately asked in shock:

"Then what does this mean?"

Mankeduo took a deep breath:

"It means that in his lifetime, this person is highly likely to come into contact with the legendary Eighth Realm of Martial Arts, the Heavenly Gang Realm. Once he reaches this realm, he can be ranked alongside the Old Buddha and become one of the strongest in the world. Neither Firearm, Cannon, nor thousands of troops and horses would be able to do anything to him!"

"The Eighth Realm of Martial Arts, Heavenly Gang?"

Nayancheng's gaze trembled slightly:

"How is that possible? The Old Buddha was able to step into this legendary realm only because she was blessed by the ancestors of our Great Jin and supplemented by the artifacts of the Tantric Sect. What virtue or ability does this Lu Yuan have to be qualified to touch it?"

As someone from a family of Upper Three Banners Banner Lords, plus his status as Governor-General of Zhili and a high-ranking regional official, he naturally knew some secrets unknown to ordinary people.

This included the fact that the upper limit of the path of Martial Arts cultivation is actually not the Seventh Realm; above True Martial, there is actually a legendary realm: Heavenly Gang.

The reason it is a legend is that this realm only existed over a thousand years ago, before the Jing Dynasty was even established.

It is said that at that time, the world was spiritually rich, and heaven-sent treasures often grew between the mountains, rivers, and even swamps. Martial artists used them as medicine to greatly advance their Martial Arts, leading to a flourishing development of the martial path. Thus, there existed excellent martial artists who could condense their own True Qi into True Gang and live for two and a half cycles of sixty years.

This realm was the pinnacle of over a thousand years ago and the Middle Ages, and they were called Heavenly Dipper Grandmasters.

According to historical records, since entering the Late Ancient era, the environment of the world began to regress for unknown reasons. Many rare heaven-sent treasures in the mountains and earth gradually became extinct, which also caused the development of Martial Arts to stagnate. It became increasingly difficult to reach top realms like the Seventh and Eighth, until the end of the Great Jing Dynasty a thousand years ago, when there was no longer a single Heavenly Gang Realm existence in the world.

It was fortunate that there were no such powerhouses in the world since the end of the Jing Dynasty; otherwise, even if the Jin Clan rose, they would not have been able to kill their way out of the White Mountain Black Water, enter and occupy Shenzhou, and rule the world.

Since taking control of the divine artifacts of the state, the iron cavalry of the Great Jin broke mountains, destroyed temples, and swept through the martial arts world, looting a large number of secret Martial Arts manuals and sending them to the Jin Dynasty. The Shaman God Sect used this as resources to create techniques and forge Dharma Artifacts. After over a hundred years of attempts, they finally created the Tantric Sect's Empowerment Great Method, which could transmit thirty percent of a True Martial Grandmaster's own True Qi to future generations.

Relying on this Empowerment Great Method, generation after generation of top experts of the Jin Dynasty would pass down part of their cultivation before death, until over a hundred years ago, when they finally created the first supreme Grandmaster to step into the Heavenly Gang Realm, who was also the ninth-generation Sect Leader of the Shamanism, Aguda.

And the current Empress Dowager Xici is the great-granddaughter of this Heavenly Dipper Grandmaster.

Because of this identity and having experienced some bloody struggles not recorded in history, Aguda did not leave his cultivation to the tenth-generation Shamanism Sect Leader before his life ended, but instead left it to Xici, who was the Empress at the time.

Thus, the Undying Demon Empress known to the world was born.

It is just that the secret of this Heavenly Gang Realm is not known at all outside the core noble circles of the Jin Clan.

Facing Nayancheng's question.

Mankeduo took a deep breath, his tone cold and gloomy:

"In the thirty-six provinces of Shenzhou, there are seven hundred million people. It is said that when things reach an extreme, they turn in the opposite direction. It is not strange that the Han people, having been suppressed by our small clan ruling a large clan for so many years, would suddenly produce a brilliant and peerless talent.

Originally, this person's act of setting up a ring was nothing, and the Old Buddha just thought they were playing a child's game. But he actually defeated two foreign Grandmaster powerhouses in a row and possesses such terrifying True Qi, with the possibility of breaking through to the Heavenly Gang Realm. This is undoubtedly a huge threat to the Great Jin. As the Great Governor of the Niangan Office, I must inform the Old Buddha of this person's situation and find a way to eradicate him as soon as possible!"

(End of chapter)