Chapter 9: The Impact Brought by the Improvement of Cultivation Realm

Hearing his father's call from outside the door, Feng Zi rose first and came into the courtyard.

Before he had even stood still, he saw—his father leading a sturdy yellow ox, walking into the yard with a smile.

And the person behind his father was, surprisingly...

Lu Hanwen!?

Seeing this pair, a combination that could almost never appear in the same scene, Feng Zi only felt his mind go blank in an instant.

At this very moment, there was only one thought in his mind:

Why? What happened? Did I lose my memory?

But Feng Zi also understood at this moment that the current situation did not allow him to respond passively, so he had to walk up to meet them quickly.

Seeing Feng Zi appear, a "just as I thought" smile appeared on Lu Hanwen's face, and he also came forward, speaking first:

"Brother Feng, you have made me search quite hard!"

It sounded less like a complaint toward Feng Zi and more like banter between friends.

But this attitude of Lu Hanwen only further stirred the vigilance in Feng Zi's heart:

In his memory, apart from his chance encounter with Lu Hanwen this morning, he had never had any other interaction with the other party—

Now, Lu Hanwen's attitude was so solicitous, which naturally made him suspect there must be some scheme involved.

But regardless, the other party would eventually reveal their true purpose, so Feng Zi was not anxious and simply responded calmly:

"Young Master Lu, you have come to visit in person; is there some important matter you need to discuss with me?"

Seeing his son acting with such poise, actually communicating as an equal with the County Magistrate's eldest son, Feng Fu was so surprised he could not speak:

That was the County Magistrate's eldest son!

Ordinarily, for a farmer like Feng Fu, let alone speaking to the other party in such a manner, he wouldn't even be able to look the other party in the eye!

But for Feng Zi at this moment, most of his attention was focused on Lu Hanwen, and he could no longer spare any thought for his father's expression.

"Brother Feng, that is where you are mistaken; I am merely paying a visit." Lu Hanwen smiled with his hands behind his back.

Paying a visit? Feng Zi naturally did not believe this in his heart, but he only looked at the ox his father was leading and asked with a smile:

"Could it be that this is Young Master Lu's gift for the visit? Hmm... I just feel it doesn't quite match your temperament."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hanwen just smiled and shook his head: "It is, and it isn't."

Playing mysterious?

Feng Zi suspected as much in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged, and he did not answer, simply watching the other party continue his performance in silence.

Seeing his tacit consent, Lu Hanwen cleared his throat and said indifferently: "What are you still standing there for? Come in."

Before the words had faded, a stout middle-aged man poked his head out and walked over with a nervous look on his face.

Relying on his own sensory abilities, Feng Zi had naturally sensed someone outside the door long ago, but since the other party had no hostility, he had not taken it to heart.

It was just that he had not expected that person to be Liu Fuhu (the very landlord who had originally wanted to buy his family's land).

Seeing the person arrive, Feng Fu was also startled and hurriedly walked up to say obsequiously:

"Master Liu, why have you come? You didn't even give me a heads-up; isn't this a slight to you?"

Watching his father's almost reflexive reaction, Feng Zi only felt a pang of bitterness in his heart—

Ordinary farmers are just like this; everyone's status is higher than theirs, they can't afford to offend anyone, and they just live their whole lives in such a subservient way...

But now, he was already a Martial Master, and his parents would never have to look at anyone's face again!

As if to confirm the murmurs in Feng Zi's heart, Liu Fuhu hurriedly stepped forward to support Feng Fu, bowing repeatedly:

"Master Feng, your son is a Martial Master, sir; you are truly going to be the death of me with this!"

Once one becomes a Martial Master, even without an official position in the Great Xia Dynasty, one is already regarded as a high and mighty "Master."

The world under the Martial Dao is just this cruel—

Although Feng Zi had already understood this point in his heart, this was the first time he had encountered this reality so directly.

Yet even so, Feng Zi still did not understand why Lu Hanwen would specifically summon Liu Fuhu.

Facing the doubt he expressed at the right time, Lu Hanwen did not beat around the bush and threw out a question: "Does Brother Feng still remember Liu Zhong?"

Liu Zhong? Who is that?

Feng Zi had wanted to say that, but looking at Liu Fuhu in front of him, a memory that had become blurred gradually became clear:

It seemed... the playboy second son of Liu Fuhu's family was named Liu Zhong.

Thinking of this, a conjecture gradually formed in Feng Zi's heart:

Could this Young Master Lu be trying to win him over?

This possibility was high, but after thinking it over carefully, he decided to pretend he didn't know and see how Lu Hanwen would make his move first.

Because Feng Zi had realized one thing—

As a transmigrator, his past self could learn many things through the internet that he would otherwise never have been able to access, even the secret techniques of ancient official families.

But in this world, his status was merely that of a farmer's son; if he appeared too clever, it would easily invite trouble!

Seeing that Feng Zi still had a look of confusion, Lu Hanwen smiled: "Brother Feng should remember that when signing up for the Martial Assembly, Liu Zhong once provoked you without cause."

Feng Zi had originally thought Lu Hanwen wanted to say something; it turned out to be just such a trivial matter:

Regarding such trifles that did not harm his substantive interests, his attitude had always been to handle them on the spot and forget them afterward.

To this, Feng Zi also answered frankly:

"It was just a trivial matter of no consequence; I gave him a slight punishment, forcing him to rest for a few days, and that was the end of it."

But unexpectedly, Lu Hanwen's attitude was unusually intense and firm: "This matter is by no means trivial; it must not be treated lightly!"

Regarding the other party's reaction, Feng Zi could not help but feel a bit surprised:

In his impression, Lu Hanwen had a deep family education, was highly cultured, and always maintained an unflappable attitude; how could he react so intensely to such a small matter?

Could it be that this was a pose the other party was putting on?

However, Feng Zi thought about it again and felt that the other party's behavior truly did not seem fake; furthermore, there was no need for Lu Hanwen to do such a thing.

The next moment, he heard Lu Hanwen say as follows:

"In our Great Xia Dynasty, commoners and ordinary Martial Artists may not provoke Martial Masters or Martial Artists of higher realms without cause; if it goes to court, imprisonment is unavoidable!"

While speaking, the other party also cast a pointed glance at Liu Fuhu.

Liu Fuhu naturally understood, and immediately walked forward, saying obsequiously:

"Young Master Feng, my son is lawless and offended you; it is truly a great sin, a great sin!"

"When Young Master Lu informed me of the details, I truly felt ashamed and immediately begged Young Master Lu to introduce me so I could personally apologize to you—"

"I had intended to bring my good-for-nothing son along, but he can no longer get out of bed; I could not let him be carried here and dirty your eyes, I beg for your forgiveness..."

While speaking, Liu Fuhu took several land deeds out from his bosom and tremblingly handed them to Feng Zi:

"My family is poor; these are the deeds for twenty mu of fertile land surrounding your family's fields, as well as the ownership deed for that plow ox; I hope Young Master Feng will not despise them."

Matters having reached this point, Feng Zi naturally understood the entire cause and effect.

Looking at the subservient Liu Fuhu before him, he did not reach out his hand, but only looked at Lu Hanwen quietly, thinking to himself—

Heh, this Young Master Lu... truly put on a good show!