Chapter 51: No Need!

If it were anyone else, those hot-blooded disciples from Wuqing Temple would probably have already rolled up their sleeves on the spot to discuss fists but this was Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan came back to his senses, then turned to look at those familiar faces behind Shen Shulan, smiling and cupping his hands.

"Everyone, long time no see."

Although the Wuqing Temple disciples felt a bit sour in their hearts.

Feeling that their perfect and flawless young miss had been taken advantage of by this Martial Uncle Lu but they still greatly respected Lu Yuan. Everyone immediately bowed in unison, their voices like great bells.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Lu."

Lu Yuan was initially a bit puzzled about how this group had arrived as if on schedule but his mind turned and he instantly understood the key point.

What else could it be for.

Wasn't it just for that little punk Huang Guanmin's matter of fleeing from battle!

Wuqing Temple, as the premier temple beyond the pass, valued face above all else. Naturally they had to send someone of weight to personally come and apologize.

For Master Shen Jizhou to come personally would seem too much of a production.

After thinking it over, sending the temple master's own daughter, Shen Shulan, praised as a Daoist prodigy, would give sufficient face both inside and out—most appropriate.

"Alright, alright, everyone stop standing outside."

Lu Yuan quickly waved his hand, warmly greeting, "It's freezing cold outside, come inside quickly!"

"Coming at this hour, you must all be starving, right?"

He turned and shouted at Wang Fu, as if this were his own home.

"Steward Wang, quickly, have the kitchen make several bowls of hot noodle soup to warm up the Daoist masters from Wuqing Temple!"

Lu Yuan's familiar manner didn't seem inappropriate to anyone at this moment.

Especially Wang Fu, who had just been gloomy and worried.

Now seeing this group of saviors from Wuqing Temple, that old face smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum, knowing this matter was saved!

How could he still care about his previous resentment toward Wuqing Temple.

Now forget hot noodle soup—if Lu Yuan told him to stew the Zhao residence's gate guardian stone lions, he'd immediately go smash them.

...

Zhao residence, front courtyard main room.

Steaming hot stir-fried pork shred noodles were quickly brought up.

Fragrant meat, rich broth, each person also had a small dish of crisp, refreshing pickled vegetables before them.

Everyone had been rushing about all night, already cold and hungry.

Now holding the scalding porcelain bowls, slurping noodles wrapped in broth.

A warm stream shot straight from throat to belly, instantly dispelling all coldness and fatigue, so delicious they wished they could swallow their tongues.

"White Cloud Temple... could actually be shameless to such a degree?!"

After hearing Lu Yuan explain the situation in a few words, anger filled Shen Shulan's absolutely beautiful face that was usually cold as frost.

"When this matter is settled, I'll return to the temple and definitely report to my father to completely strike White Cloud Temple from this year's Luotian Grand Assembly roster!"

Wow!

Lu Yuan cheered in his heart.

For an orthodox Daoist temple, if they couldn't even participate in major Daoist events like the Luotian Grand Assembly, it would be absolutely ridiculous.

Once this news spread at the assembly, White Cloud Temple probably wouldn't last three years before closing shop.

Having a good father really was different.

Lu Yuan thought that if he wanted to topple White Cloud Temple himself, who knew how much effort it would take but for Shen Shulan, it was just a matter of mentioning it to her father.

Of course, that wasn't the most important thing right now.

Lu Yuan put down his bowl and chopsticks, his expression becoming serious.

"So, today's matter will depend entirely on everyone from Wuqing Temple."

Hearing this, everyone from Wuqing Temple immediately put down their bowls and chopsticks with a "whoosh," standing up in unison with solemn expressions.

"Martial Uncle need not say more!

We belong to the same path and should stand as one. Wuqing Temple will definitely give our full support!"

Look at that!

What does it mean to be an orthodox prestigious sect!

This is it!

No wonder Wuqing Temple was the premier Daoist temple beyond the pass!

After speaking, everyone sat back down and picked up their bowls and chopsticks to eat.

"Martial Uncle..."

After just a couple bites of noodles, Shen Shulan suddenly stopped, turned her head, a pair of clear eyes looking at Lu Yuan quite seriously.

"Just now... you were so enthusiastic, and said those... words about missing me..."

"Was it all because of this reason?"

Hm?

Hearing this, Lu Yuan turned his head and met her inquiring gaze. The next second, his brows furrowed, his tone full of righteousness.

"Sister Shulan, what kind of talk is that!"

"What does this have to do with asking for help!"

"I miss you because Sister Shulan you're beautiful and kind-hearted, graceful inside and out!"

"Because Sister Shulan you uphold your Dao heart and care for all living beings!"

"Even more because Sister Shulan, your Dao heart is like rivers flowing east, even if stubborn stones block the path, you never forget your original intention to rush toward the vast sea!"

As his words fell, Lu Yuan's face showed a trace of undisguised longing and admiration unique to young people.

He raised his head, very seriously adding, "Sister Shulan, you're so radiantly brilliant, your Daoist arts so profound, who wouldn't feel yearning and think of you day and night upon seeing you?"

Lu Yuan sighed deeply in his heart.

Even if Yu Qian came, he'd still have to respond like this!

At this moment, Shen Shulan's cold and absolutely beautiful face was already covered with a rosy flush, so hot it seemed about to steam and emit mist.

What beautiful and kind-hearted...

What upholding the Dao for all beings...

What maintaining original intention...

This truly made Shen Shulan blush until she was practically smoking.

Although Shen Shulan was already twenty-six or twenty-seven, she had been well-protected by Shen Jizhou since childhood, innocent of worldly matters, focused on cultivation.

And after reaching adulthood, unlike other Daoist priests who descended the mountain to do jobs and experience worldly warmth and coldness, marketplace calculations.

Her thoughts were truly very simple.

Being muttered to like this by Lu Yuan truly made Shen Shulan extremely embarrassed.

For a moment, Shen Shulan was so shy and flustered she quickly lowered her head, her voice thin as a mosquito, with a trace of stuttering.

"I... I didn't say Martial Uncle was wrong..."

"Ai... aiya... Martial Uncle, please don't say more, quickly... quickly eat, setting up the array is important..."

Lu Yuan quit while he was ahead, immediately lowering his head, slurping up the noodles in his bowl.

As if those earth-shattering words just now hadn't come from his mouth.

Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an squatting in the corner watched with eyes full of worship, admiration in their hearts like surging river waters.

Tsk~

Learn!

Learn well from Brother Lu!

Following Brother Lu, there's truly a lifetime of skills to learn!

The many disciples from Wuqing Temple looked at their own young miss who had practically buried her head in her bowl, face flushed red then looked at Lu Yuan who was eating with his head down as if nothing had happened.

For a moment, everyone slapped their thighs in their hearts.

Good heavens!!!

Young miss has practically been hooked like a fish with an upturned mouth!

...

After breakfast, the sky had just begun to brighten.

Zhao Qiao'er was still resting quietly. Shen Shulan's group wasn't in a hurry to pay respects. The urgent matter was to immediately set up the array.

Tonight Wuqing Temple would preside, so naturally the array had to follow their methods. Lu Yuan wouldn't interfere.

At this moment, Wuqing Temple's disciples were rubbing their fists and palms, battle intent blazing in their eyes.

They respected Lu Yuan, this was fact but they also wanted to prove that Wuqing Temple disciples were definitely not all show!

And Lu Yuan was about to depart now.

He would lead Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an to immediately head toward that dilapidated mountain god temple in the southwest direction.

This matter couldn't be delayed.

He absolutely couldn't wait until nighttime when the other side was about to start the feast before picking up chopsticks. That would be too late for everything.

Moreover, the opponent Changsheng Commerce Association's power was also deeply rooted throughout Fengtian City.

If they threw you some obstacle along the way and delayed your timing, there'd truly be no place to cry.

So Lu Yuan had to leave now, first locate the approximate position, then lurk nearby.

The best result would be to kick in the door before the Life-Severing Wang Family began their ritual and flip their table!

This way, the Zhao household side wouldn't even experience half a ripple.

Just as Lu Yuan stood up and called Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an to prepare to depart, Shen Shulan's voice came from behind.

"Martial Uncle, wait for me to finish setting up the array, then take me with you."

Hm?

Lu Yuan turned back, his expression somewhat strange.

"Why?"

"Your task tonight is to guard the Zhao residence and ensure nothing goes wrong."

"The matter of catching those evil practitioners at the mountain god temple, the three of us martial brothers will handle it."

Hearing Lu Yuan's matter-of-fact arrangement, Shen Shulan became anxious and quickly stepped forward.

"Martial Uncle Lu, for destroying the other side's lair, it would be more reliable for me to go!"

Her tone was earnest, her eyes firm.

"Compared to Martial Uncle, I've already entered the Celestial Master realm. Having me directly face that Life-Severing Wang Family, the chances of victory are greater!"

In Shen Shulan's view, this plan was obviously the optimal solution.

Lu Yuan would stay, relying on Wuqing Temple disciples and the powerful array set up in advance to guard the Zhao residence—solid as gold.

While she, a Celestial Master, would execute the most dangerous mission, striking directly at the heart!

This was the most reasonable, most reliable arrangement!

Hearing this, Lu Yuan couldn't help but smile.

He slowly extended his right hand then under everyone's shocked gazes, he suddenly clenched his fist!

"Zzzzt—!"

A slight yet heart-palpitating explosive sound!

The next second, blinding silver-white electric light, like a living dragon coming to life, wildly darted and flashed around his clenched fist and arm!

That was... heavenly thunder!

The might of heaven and earth that could only be summoned upon stepping into the Celestial Master realm!

Everyone from Wuqing Temple on site was completely dumbfounded, including Shen Shulan.

This??

This??!!!

This... this is heavenly thunder representing a Celestial Master??!!

Lu... Lu Yuan...

Lu Yuan this... this guy, was already a Celestial Master?!!

An eighteen or nineteen-year-old orthodox Celestial Master?!!

No... no way!!

Just a few days ago he was only a half-step Celestial Master?!!

Lu Yuan restrained the electric light, his tone flat yet carrying unquestionable decisiveness.

"No need!"

"This situation was my doing."

"So naturally the most dangerous task should also be done by us."

After speaking, he said no more, leading the already-prepared Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an, turning to leave.

Only leaving an incomparably shocked Shen Shulan with his back, saying without turning his head:

"Sister Shulan, I entrust my Auntie Qiao'er to you."