Chapter 14: Fuwei Escort Agency

A sword flash rose.

A cold glint appeared, followed by a spray of blood.

By the ferry landing, Lu Li casually executed a Demonic Cult helmsman.

"To think they would dare rob me."

"It seems I haven't been out for too long; the pugilistic world no longer recognizes me."

"However, this is fine as well..."

A mischievous smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

One could see dozens of corpses lying helter-skelter at his feet.

They had died quite peacefully, with no signs of hideous terror on their faces.

Because Lu Li's sword was fast.

A single strike to seal the throat.

It was said that the boss of this ferry was a helmsman of the Demonic Cult.

He committed all sorts of crimes in this river basin, was an expert swimmer, possessed decent martial arts, and was nicknamed the Outlaw—Zhang San.

Lu Li was passing through when he was unexpectedly waylaid by this gang of thieves, so he simply killed them.

In the corner, two more thieves were frozen in shock by the scene before them, trembling and unable to move.

Lu Li looked at them and said, "I am Shi Dengda of the Songshan Sect. May Alliance Master Zuo reign for ten thousand generations and unify the pugilistic world!"

As he spoke, Lu Li kicked out, sending the two thieves flying away.

Lu Li felt no guilt at all for this act of shifting the blame.

He turned, led over a fine horse, and headed toward Fujian.

His destination for this trip was the Fuwei Escort Agency.

From the perspective of the pugilistic world, there was nothing worthy of sympathy in the destruction of the Fuwei Escort Agency.

As the saying goes, "An innocent man is guilty of his own treasure."

The Lin Family possessing the Evil-Warding Sword Manual was like a child carrying gold through a bandit's den; how could they possibly be safe? There were no shortage of people eyeing the Lin Family's Evil-Warding Sword Manual, only Yu Canghai was the first to be shameless enough to strike and seize it.

The pugilistic world is just like this.

The ancestors of the Lin Family founded the Fuwei Escort Agency based on the Evil-Warding Sword Technique, establishing a formidable reputation and casting a shadow of protection over their descendants.

Now that they could no longer hold onto it, their destruction was only natural.

If you live in this world, you will eventually have to pay your dues.

However, Lu Li still decided to save the Lin Family.

On one hand, it stemmed from the sympathy he felt for Lin Pingzhi and the hatred he felt for Yu Canghai when he read the book back then.

On the other hand, Lu Li also wanted to see what the Evil-Warding Sword Manual was really like, and how it compared to the Dugu Nine Swords.

It was currently the season of blooming spring; the further south he went, the more the gentle breeze caressed the willows and the fragrance of flowers intoxicated the senses.

After a few days, Lu Li arrived at Fuzhou City.

He did not go directly to visit the Fuwei Escort Agency, but instead chose an inn to stay in, secretly waiting for the right moment.

If he were to rush in and tell Lin Zhennan that the Qingcheng Mountain Songfeng Temple was going to wipe out his family and only he could save them.

Would Lin Zhennan believe him? If he were capable of believing such a thing, the plot of his family being wiped out in the original story would never have happened.

No one cherishes help that is obtained for nothing.

Only when the Lin Family was in a desperate situation would Lin Zhennan and Lin Pingzhi realize the severity of the problem, and only then would Lu Li's assistance have value.

Lu Li admitted that his approach was selfish, and even somewhat cruel.

But he still decided to wait.

He would wait until the Lin Family was being slaughtered by the Qingcheng Mountain Songfeng Temple, and wait until the Lin Family had no other options, only then would he intervene!

Lu Li had come to Fuzhou alone.

Due to Lu Li's transmigration, the situation of the Huashan Sect was now much better than in the original story.

Therefore, Yue Buqun did not pay much attention to the matter of the Evil-Warding Sword Manual.

In his view, there was no need to take risks for the sake of the Fuwei Escort Agency.

The Five Mountains Sword Technique recorded in the cave on Siguo Cliff was exquisite enough for the Huashan Sect to cultivate.

He had even opposed Lu Li coming to Fuzhou, fearing that something might happen to him.

But after Lu Li demonstrated his progress in the Purple Mist Divine Skill, Yue Buqun could no longer stop him.

It was only because Lu Li's martial arts were ranked among the top in the world, likely not far off from the Shaolin Abbot or that Dongfang Bubai,

that he finally set his mind at ease.

Now, Lu Li remained in the shadows, yet he could clearly see every move the Fuwei Escort Agency made.

This time, Lin Pingzhi did not accidentally kill Yu Canghai's son because of Yue Lingshan.

But the people from Songfeng Temple came to the door to pick a fight, using verbal provocations and insults, framing them, and even bringing up the duel between Lin Yuantu and Zhang Qingzi from years ago, ultimately finding a pretext to challenge the Fuwei Escort Agency to a duel.

Three days later, the Fuwei Escort Agency had already been secretly surrounded by the people from Songfeng Temple.

At the main gate of the Fuwei Escort Agency, a mark had been drawn by a disciple of Songfeng Temple with a sword.

"Hand over the Evil-Warding Sword Manual, otherwise, anyone who crosses this line dies."

... The Fuwei Escort Agency was originally in the most conspicuous location on West Street in Fuzhou City.

But now, the entire West Street had become eerie.

The entire Fuwei Escort Agency was surrounded by people from the Qingcheng Mountain Songfeng Temple, allowing only entry and no exit.

Not a single person could walk out of the escort agency.

A few escort leaders, relying on their martial arts and refusing to believe in such nonsense, took large strides across that line.

Yet after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, their corpses were already lying in the open space of the escort agency.

One goes out, one dies.

In the face of such a bizarre situation, the officials did absolutely nothing.

Lin Zhennan felt anxious as if burning, knowing the officials must have colluded with Songfeng Temple.

Furthermore, right now, he was completely unable to send out any message for help!

The Fuwei Escort Agency was already a trapped beast fighting for its life.

The reason Songfeng Temple had not attacked directly was likely because they were waiting for the arrival of their Master, Yu Canghai.

As it stood, a few disciples of Songfeng Temple were enough to keep the Fuwei Escort Agency pinned down and unable to move.

If Yu Canghai arrived, the Fuwei Escort Agency would absolutely be unable to resist.

In just a few short days, Lin Zhennan's burly frame had already become hunched, and his temples had visibly turned gray.

"Sigh, it was my carelessness.

I have been in business for too long, always thinking that harmony brings wealth and that everything can be negotiated.

I forgot that in the pugilistic world, fists are the only hard truth.

Large sects like Qingcheng Mountain Songfeng Temple do not reason with us at all."

Lin Zhennan pondered for a long time, then called Lady Lin and Lin Pingzhi over: "We cannot wait any longer.

Tonight at the Hour of the Rat, I will order everyone in the escort agency to flee together!

We will mix in among them and leave separately to see if we can escape in the chaos."

"Remember, if you escape, go to Luoyang.

Your maternal grandfather is the Master of the Golden Blade Sect and has significant influence; presumably, Songfeng Temple will have to show some respect."

That night, the four gates of the Fuwei Escort Agency were thrown wide open, and the crowd fled in disarray.

However, since Songfeng Temple had taken action this time, they had naturally made full preparations; how could they not have anticipated this? After only the time it takes to eat a meal, the three members of the Lin Family were each caught up to.

Songfeng Temple chased the three of them separately, and they were all driven into the same remote temple.

One could only hear the constant sound of blades clashing in the distance; Lin Zhennan held a long sword and exchanged blows with a Qingcheng disciple.

He thrust his long sword out in a move called "Straight Thrust to the Dragon's Heart,"

stabbing rapidly toward that man's chest.

His opponent wore a green robe with a sword hanging at his waist.

He had a long face, was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, and his face was full of disdain.

"The Evil-Warding Sword Technique is nothing more than this."

This person was none other than Yu Renhao, an outstanding individual among the disciples of Songfeng Temple.

Among the "Qingcheng Four Elites, Heroes and Gallants,"

he ranked third.

Yu Renhao sneered, his long sword sweeping horizontally with force to parry this strike.

He immediately followed up with three consecutive moves, seizing the initiative entirely.

Seeing these three sword moves, Lin Zhennan was instantly bewildered and at a loss, as if he had seen the most terrifying thing in the world.

"Evil-Dispelling Crowd,"

"Zhong Kui Gouges the Eyes,"

"Flying Swallow Pierces the Willow."

He saw that the swordsmanship Yu Renhao used was actually his family's inherited Evil-Warding Sword Technique!

In this moment of distraction, Lin Zhennan was struck in the right knee and knelt to the ground.

On the other side, Lin Pingzhi and Lady Lin had also been subdued by Jia Renda and Fang Renzhi and were being escorted over.

Lin Zhennan sighed deeply and said: "You actually know my Lin Family's Evil-Warding Sword Technique!

Heh, it seems Temple Master Yu had already laid a death trap.

Since that is the case, give us a quick end."

Yu Renhao shook his head and said: "How could it be so easy to kill you? Junior brother, sever their heel tendons and wrist tendons, and wait for Master to come and entertain them properly."

"Yes."

Jia Renda carried his long sword and walked toward Lin Pingzhi, who was the closest.

The Lin Family was in total despair.

Suddenly, a voice came from overhead.

"Lin Zhennan, give me thirty percent of your escort agency's revenue, and I will save your family's lives."