https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-166-H-Sh-n-M-Sh-Q-Sh-L-u-Xu-Sh-Zh-D-/13688337/
Chapter 165: Apprenticeship and Assassination!
“Brother Li, don’t you recognize this youth?” Several disciples of Qingyun Jian Ge looked genuinely surprised.
“Indeed, we don’t. This is the first time we’ve seen him,” another youth replied, shaking his head.
To be honest, they were just as stunned. Lu Qing was unfamiliar in appearance, and his aura was unremarkable—nothing special at all. So why had their elders shown such deep reverence upon seeing him? This was a sight they’d never witnessed before.
One particularly sharp-minded disciple suddenly had a chilling thought. His heart skipped a beat.
“But… could this be the very young hero everyone’s been whispering about lately—the one who, in a battle at the City Gate, defeated a Wu Dao Zong Shi head-on?”
His words sparked a realization among the others.
“Yes! It must be him! Otherwise, how could so many martial experts be so deeply wary of him?”
Gazing at Lu Qing’s youthful face, the young disciples felt a wave of shock ripple through them. No wonder they hadn’t made the connection earlier. Their elders had either spoken vaguely or simply referred to him as “the young hero.” They’d assumed he’d be around their own age—how could they have imagined someone so young?
“Wait—what? You’re saying this boy defeated a Wu Dao Zong Shi?” The Qingyun Jian Ge disciples burst into laughter, disbelief written across their faces. “Are you joking?”
No wonder they didn’t believe it. The claim was utterly absurd.
A teenage boy defeating a Nei Fu Man Yuan-level Wu Dao Zong Shi? That was laughable. A Wu Dao Zong Shi at that age? Even in the most advanced regions of Zhongzhou, such prodigies were rare—only the greatest super sects could cultivate such geniuses. In a remote county like Cang County, it was impossible.
“Zhao Xiong, we know this sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. If we’re not mistaken, this youth is likely the one who saved the Wei Family not long ago.”
With that, the noble youths recounted everything that had happened recently.
After a while, the Qingyun Jian Ge disciples listened in growing silence. They’d heard about the Tian Cang Sect’s assault on the Wei Family—rumors they’d already picked up on their way here. But what came afterward? The stories grew even more implausible.
Especially when they heard the claim that this boy had defeated a Wu Dao Zong Shi using only Jin Gu Jing Wan Man cultivation.
That was impossible.
Even the strongest Jin Gu Jing cultivator couldn’t stand against a Wu Dao Zong Shi. The gap in realm, in cultivation level, in spiritual realm—there was no bridge that could be crossed by mere martial techniques or skill. The disparity was absolute.
The Qingyun Jian Ge disciples came from a major sect. All of them had reached Jin Gu Jing cultivation themselves. They’d witnessed Wu Dao Zong Shi duels in their sect’s halls—knowing full well the chasm between the two levels. It wasn’t just a difference in strength—it was a gulf no amount of talent or technique could close.
Cang County was still a backwater. How could such a crude lie spread so widely? The martial cultivation awareness here was truly pitiful.
They quickly concluded in their minds: the story was pure nonsense. Either these noble youths were gullible, repeating rumors, or they were simply boasting to impress others.
Still, despite their inner contempt, the Qingyun Jian Ge disciples maintained their composure. They politely continued chatting with the noble youths, pretending interest—though their minds were already filled with quiet mockery.
“County Magistrate! Zhi Rui Ge Xia has arrived!”
At that moment, the gatekeeper’s voice rang out from outside.
The guests in the courtyard stirred once more, all turning toward the entrance. Moments later, the County Magistrate and the mysterious Zhi Rui Ge Xia entered side by side, escorted by Wei Da Zong Guan.
“County Magistrate, Zhi Rui Ge Xia, please take your seats here,” Wei Da Zong Guan said with courteous formality, guiding them to the table where Lu Qing sat.
“Lu Xiao Langjun, we meet again,” the County Magistrate said with a smile, fanning himself.
“Yes, I regretted not having a proper drinking session with you that day. Today, at last, I’ve fulfilled that wish,” Lu Qing replied with a calm smile.
The County Magistrate’s smile faltered.
Beside him, the Cloth-Clothed Youth couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. He found the boy’s words amusing—so casually, yet so effectively, he’d just delivered a silent rebuke.
After being put on the spot, the County Magistrate didn’t press further. He simply sat across from Lu Qing and began drinking on his own.
Lu Qing remained impassive, unmoved. He didn’t dislike the man—just instinctively felt a slight aversion. Better to keep their distance.
But this quiet standoff made the other guests at the table increasingly uneasy.
Ma Jia Zhu sensed something was off—there was clear tension between Lu Qing and the County Magistrate. But with little influence, he dared not speak. He merely sat silently, trying to vanish into the background.
The Cloth-Clothed Youth, already reserved by nature, wasn’t the type to initiate conversation anyway.
For a moment, the most important table fell into an awkward silence.
Thankfully, soon after, all guests had arrived. Wei Xinghe and his wife, along with Ma Gu and the other key figures, emerged from the inner courtyard.
Wei Da Zong Guan raised his voice in a formal chant: “The Initiation Ceremony shall now begin.”
The ritual itself was unremarkable—though elaborate, it passed without a single misstep. Only Ma Gu looked slightly nervous. When Wei Zian knelt and bowed three times with a firm thud, then offered the tea, and Ma Gu drank it, the ceremony was officially complete.
The various factions watched, understanding now that the matter was settled—there was no turning back.
Yet they were still stunned. The Wei Family had truly allowed Wei Zian to take Ma Gu as his master.
They’d expected some hidden motive. But no—this was real.
Ma Jia Zhu’s face lit up with joy. In front of so many witnesses, the master-disciple bond was sealed. From this day forward, Ma Gu would be the personal master of Wei Family’s Young Master An, responsible for his training—and also granted authority to discipline him.
Even Wei Zian’s future marriage could, if Ma Gu chose, be influenced by his word.
“Congratulations, Young Master An, on securing such a worthy master! And congratulations, Master Ma Gu, on gaining such an excellent disciple!” A plump, cheerful guest stood up, clapping his hands. “I bring a small gift—just a token of goodwill. Please accept it, Young Master An.”
The guests paused, then immediately understood. They’d already handed in their gifts upon arrival. But this man was playing a different game—delivering his present right in front of Wei Xinghe, ensuring a far greater impression. If the master liked it, the reward could be substantial.
“Qian Jia Zhu, what marvelous treasure do you have that you’d present it so boldly before the head of the Wei Family?” someone joked.
The others were genuinely curious. What kind of gift could make the shrewd Qian Jia Zhu so confident—especially in such a public setting? To present something ordinary would be to embarrass oneself.
“Just a little trinket,” Qian Jia Zhu said with a sly, ingratiating smile. He lifted a one-foot-long, intricately carved wooden box and stepped forward.
“Really? What is it?” Wei Zian, intrigued, leaned forward.
Everyone else stared at the box in Qian Jia Zhu’s hands, their curiosity piqued.
Lu Qing was no exception—yet as his gaze fell upon Qian Jia Zhu, who was now walking toward Wei Zian, a sudden warning flared in his heart.
Instinctively, he activated his Abilities.
His expression darkened instantly.
“Young Master An, watch out!”
The first to react wasn’t Wei Zian—but Qian Jia Zhu.
His friendly smile vanished in an instant, replaced by cold, merciless stillness.
Boom!
The box exploded.
Inside lay a black short sword, its blade gleaming with deadly light, a faint streak of dried blood tracing its edge.
At the same moment, a chilling, oppressive aura burst forth from Qian Jia Zhu, suffocating all present with its sheer weight.
With one hand gripping the sword, he unleashed a surge of strength—cracking the stone floor beneath him—and shot forward like an arrow, closing the distance to Wei Zian in a single, lethal bound.
(End of Chapter)
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