Book 2 Chapter 45: Lu Xin Wen - Martial God

Chapter 45: Lu Xin Wen Inside the spacious room, there was a cozy fireplace, its blazing embers making the room's temperature a stark contrast to the outside world. Yet, at this very moment, Fan Shu He felt a bone-chilling coldness creeping over him. Unnoticed by him, a living person had somehow appeared in his room. The intruder's hair was slightly graying at the temples, but his eyes were clear with a hint of sternness. His face bore a peculiar purplish-brown tint, and his forehead, cheeks, eye sockets, and ears seemed unusually full, exuding an aura of vivacious energy. His long, angular face complemented his distinctly thin lips, which turned downward stubbornly. He gazed coldly at Fan Shu He, as if seeing him, despite being a martial expert of the tenth level of inner strength, as no different from a beggar, unable to stir even the slightest ripple of emotion in his heart. It was this indifferent gaze that filled Fan Shu He with shock and an indescribable fear. As the current head of the Fan family, he had naturally seen much in his life. He had also achieved the tenth level of inner strength before sixty, a testament to his talent and effort beyond what ordinary people could comprehend. In his endeavors to revitalize the Fan family, he had forged connections with many capable individuals, including the brothers of the Xiao family, whom he had worked tirelessly to draw close to. However, among all his acquaintances, never had he encountered someone so unfathomable. He couldn't even ascertain when this person had entered his room. In a swift pull, he moved his son, Fan Hao Ri, behind him, then spread his feet into a stance poised for both attack and defense, calmly asking, "Who might you be, and what brings you to my humble abode?" Fan Hao Ri, peeking from behind his father, was no less shaken. It was the first time he had seen his father exhibit such an expression of surprise and dismay. He always believed his father to be a formidable man, a master of the tenth level inner strength who remained unfazed even if Mt. Tai collapsed before him. Thus, seeing his father's alarmed expression stirred a great turmoil within him. The strange man with slightly gray hair, yet brimming with energy, neither answered nor acknowledged him. Instead, he turned and took a seat in the room's central chair. His movements were not rushed, yet they imparted an unparalleled sense of gravity to Fan Shu He and his son. "You spoke well just now." He finally spoke, his voice not loud but carrying a formidable presence that inspired awe. Fan Shu He was taken aback. His words seemed disconnected from the question he had posed. Cautiously, he responded politely, "To what does Your Excellency refer...?" "My two disciples indeed are not ones to flee in battle." Fan Shu He gasped, "You... You are the master of the Xiao brothers?" The man replied coldly, "Why, those two youngsters didn't tell you?" Fan Shu He hesitated, then drew his feet together in respectful stance, responding, "Elder, the two Xiao brothers never mentioned their master to me. They said that only upon reaching the tenth level of inner strength would they be worthy of carrying their master's name across the land." Though peculiar, Fan Shu He spoke truthfully. He had frequently probed the Xiao brothers in this regard, only to receive this answer. Typically, if a ninth-level inner strength user said this, Fan Shu He might not believe it. Level ten in inner strength marks the pinnacle for a postnatal martial artist. While many reach the ninth level, few confidently claim they'll breach the final barrier to the tenth level. However, the Xiao brothers were exceptional. They not only possessed two invaluable bracers but also seemed to have mastered some innate martial techniques. Naturally, their words were hard to doubt. Fan Shu He had often speculated and even thought their master might be an innate realm strongman. But that was merely speculation, as such figures seemed far beyond his reach. Yet, encountering this enigmatic person now made his heart race wildly. Perhaps his previous guess wasn't wrong after all... Noticing the confident smile on the man's face, Fan Shu He's heart sank slightly. His demeanor grew even more respectful, "I am Fan Shu He, and I have long been close with the Xiao brothers, like family. May I ask for the elder’s name, and if you would be willing to reside in my humble home, I vow to serve you as a disciple would for my Xiao brothers." The man hesitated briefly, then chuckled arrogantly, "I am Lu Xin Wen." Both Fan Shu He and Fan Hao Ri's bodies trembled slightly. He Yi Ming might not have recognized the name, but for the Fan family, native to Jinlin Kingdom, this terrifying name was all too familiar. Especially his infamous act of slaughtering a thousand people in a single day, which sowed fear across any entity. An innate realm powerhouse is nearly impossible to kill, even by a throng of postnatal fighters, unless they fight to the death. In the face of an innate expert, postnatal martial artists pose no threat unless in overwhelming numbers. In other words, an innate expert views human life as insignificant, relying solely on personal strength. Fan Shu He's facial muscles twitched slightly. He hurriedly said, "So it is the esteemed Lu Xin Wen who has graced us, my apologies for not recognizing you, and please forgive me." Lu Xin Wen waved a sleeve dismissively, "Since you have ties with my two disciples, I won’t trouble you." He then turned his gaze to Fan Hao Ri. "Are you afraid of me?" he suddenly asked. Fan Shu He tensed. These innate experts are unpredictable, and if Hao Ri didn’t handle it well, it could end in disaster. Despite his internal turmoil, Fan Hao Ri remained remarkably clear-headed. Stepping out from behind his father, he knelt before Lu Xin Wen, bowing deeply. "Honored granduncle, I was indeed frightened initially, but not anymore." Lu Xin Wen regarded him with interest, not stopping his bow, and asked, "Why is that?" "I was scared upon hearing your reputation initially, but knowing you're the mentor of my Xiao uncles dispelled my fear," Fan Hao Ri declared. His voice quivered at first but then flowed more naturally, suggesting that he was speaking from the heart. Lu Xin Wen's eyes filled with a trace of satisfaction, "Not bad, you're perceptive and courageous. To have reached the seventh level of inner strength in your twenties, and without any elixirs, is a rare talent indeed." Fan Hao Ri felt a revelation, bowing again with a resounding thud as his forehead met the floor. When he raised his head, his forehead was blood red, clearly not protected by inner strength. Lu Xin Wen smiled slightly, "Why do you pay your respects to me?" Fan Hao Ri replied solemnly, "Honored granduncle, I revere you deeply. I don't seek to become your disciple, only to serve you and perform my filial duties." Behind him, Fan Shu He was both surprised and delighted. He knew that gaining favor from this elder was a tremendous boon for both Fan Hao Ri and the entire Fan family. Yet, facing Lu Xin Wen, he dared not voice his pleas, merely bowing deeply with hopeful eyes. Lu Xin Wen showed no emotion, "You wish to serve by my side, and yet you don’t fear my bad reputation?" Fan Shu He mused internally, it turns out you acknowledge your notorious reputation. He dared not express this, deeply worried about how Hao Ri would respond. Fan Hao Ri raised his head, speaking firmly, "Honored granduncle, your reputation in Jinlin Kingdom is illustrious, it cannot be deemed infamous." Lu Xin Wen laughed heartily, "For over twenty years, in Jinlin Kingdom, it's widely said that I slaughtered a thousand members of the Zhu family. Does that not merit a bad name?" Fan Hao Ri argued with conviction, "If I remember correctly, the Zhu family provoked you first, and you only sought rightful vengeance upon mastering your skills." He paused, then declared, "As martial artists, we should enjoy our vengeance. If we care about this or that, how can we call ourselves men?" Lu Xin Wen finally laughed heartily, his laughter full of unrestrained joy. The hearts of Fan Shu He and Fan Hao Ri both eased as the unnamed pressure they felt upon learning Lu Xin Wen's reputation evaporated into thin air. They marveled at this inexplicable shift, increasingly reverent of the elderly man before them. With a softened expression, Lu Xin Wen said, "Very well, this youngster suits my taste. I shall allow you to stay by my side." Fan Hao Ri was overjoyed, bowing promptly. Yet this time, before his head could touch the ground, Lu Xin Wen flicked his sleeve, effortlessly lifting him upright. "Since I'm keeping you close, there's something I should clarify. Over these years, rumors have swirled, but they're not all true. The Zhu family, though reprehensible, indeed met their end by my hand. Yet, how could I alone slay a thousand of them? In reality, I only killed the stubborn elders who attacked me. The rest had already scattered and fled," he said with a wry smile. "A thousand scattering to save their lives—though I might have wanted to finish them, it was beyond my capability. Rumors are often exaggerated, not to be fully trusted." The Fan father and son widened their eyes, taking a moment to process his words. Rather than diminishing their respect, they felt sincere gratitude, realizing the honor in Lu Xin Wen condescending to explain himself to them. Lu Xin Wen scanned them, asking, "Do you know why I'm telling you this?" "Junior does not know." Fan Shu He and Fan Hao Ri replied solemnly, with unprecedented reverence in their voices. Lu Xin Wen continued, "Every time my disciples, the Xiao brothers, return from their experiences, they speak highly of you and call you their life-and-death brother. Moreover, this young one appeals to me. Otherwise..." He let out a soft snort. Though the tone wasn't sharp, it made Fan Shu He break into a cold sweat. In that moment, Fan Shu He, as the head of the Fan family, felt immensely grateful for recognizing the mysterious origins of the Xiao brothers early on, building a good relationship with them. Otherwise, today's outcome might have been disastrous. Lu Xin Wen slowly stood, saying, "Prepare a room for me. I'm going to rest for half a day. As for the Xiao brothers, there's no need to worry. They should be fetching my first disciple. However, I am unsure what's causing the lack of news." Fan Hao Ri's curiosity was piqued, and he mustered the courage to ask, "Granduncle, is Elder Brother also here?" Lu Xin Wen smiled slightly, appreciating the boy's cleverness. "Indeed, my first disciple is Zhuang Yuan. Have you heard of him?" Fan Hao Ri's face shifted, "Yes, I've heard of Elder Brother. He is a renowned practitioner in Jinlin Kingdom, said to have advanced his fire technique to the tenth level." After a pause, he added, "I understand he's not part of any noble family, which seems akin to following your independent legacy, Granduncle." Lu Xin Wen nodded enigmatically before Fan Shu He personally arranged his accommodation. As for Fan Hao Ri, he genuinely shed his airs as a young master and began personally attending to him. This act was what gratified Fan Shu He the most. The good fortune lasted merely two days. By the third day, there still was no news from Zhuang Yuan or the Xiao brothers. At this point, even the ever-confident Lu Xin Wen began to feel restless. Summoning Fan Shu He, he started intensive inquiries, chiefly concerning the details of the Xiao brothers' encounter with He Quan Xin. After hearing the account, Lu Xin Wen pondered deeply and instructed Fan Hao Ri to prepare a carriage, setting off toward the Yuan family estate. Traveling westwards after leaving the city, they finally reached a small grove near the Yuan estate's lands. Stopping abruptly, Lu Xin Wen disembarked with a serious expression, pacing through the inconspicuous grove several times. Despite his growing unease and confusion, Fan Hao Ri dared not voice his concerns. Since Lu Xin Wen's arrival, he exuded a constant assurance, much like an almighty god, as if nothing in the world could challenge him. Indeed, with the battle prowess of an inherent expert, tasks that seemed insurmountable to others would likely be trifles for him. Yet now, within this stunted grove, Lu Xin Wen wore an expression that filled Fan Hao Ri with disbelief. It combined elements of shock, anger, and sorrow—intense, negative emotions. Suddenly, the stalwart innate expert seemed to transform into a mere mortal standing before him. After some time, Lu Xin Wen returned to the carriage in deep contemplation. Fan Hao Ri, treading carefully, asked, "Granduncle, has something occurred?" Lu Xin Wen regarded him, then spoke slowly, "Passing through the grove just now, I felt an overwhelming discomfort." Fan Hao Ri paled, urging, "Granduncle, you must take care of yourself." Lu Xin Wen forced a smile, waving dismissively, "No worries, merely a disturbance of spirit. Yet, it brought thoughts of Zhuang Yuan and the Xiao brothers to mind. Therefore..." He sighed heavily. "I fear for their fates; it may not bode well." Cold dread gripped Fan Hao Ri, though he insisted, "Granduncle, Elder Brother and the two Uncles are unparalleled in skill; they'll be unharmed." A faint shake of Lu Xin Wen's head followed his grave voice, "I'm more cognizant of their combined strength than you. If anyone could stop them, it would be an innate." With those words, he strode purposefully toward the Yuan estate, abandoning the carriage. His pace slowed with advancing steps, his expression growing increasingly grave, intensifying Fan Hao Ri's trepidation. Finally, he halted a hundred meters from the estate, staring intently at the expanse of connected villas, eyes gleaming intensely. Their presence had long been noticed by the estate guards, but not a single one dared breathe. While they couldn't discern the old man's identity, they instinctively sensed a predatory pressure, akin to a frog before a snake. Fan Hao Ri suddenly shivered, inexplicably enveloped by a massive, insurmountable pressure akin to Mount Tai pressing down. Thankfully, it vanished as swiftly as it had come. Ironically, at that moment, Lu Xin Wen turned and calmly headed back the way they had come. Dumbfounded, Fan Hao Ri hurried to follow. Upon returning to the carriage, Lu Xin Wen inquired icily, "How many days remain for your meeting with the Yuan?" "Five days, Granduncle," Fan Hao Ri replied stiffly. "Good, return immediately," Lu Xin Wen's voice was as emotionless as ice. "Upon return, I shall enter seclusion. Five days hence, I shall face this person to avenge my disciples." Fan Hao Ri's complexion turned an ashen white, devoid of any color.