Invincibility starts when I see the BOSS health bar.

Chapter 958 The Dyehouse Dispute
Just as Qian Wu was indulging in the pleasure of power and staging a farce of bullying others on the street.

Several streets away from that mess.

Deep within a dyehouse filled with the pungent smell of dyes and where large quantities of cloth were drying, a certain esteemed person had been visiting for some time.

……

Inside the dyehouse, in the main hall.

The unique dust of the dye house, mixed with the smell of plant dyes and washing, floated in the beams of light shining through the high windows.

In the hall, the colorful fabrics hanging in the air could not conceal the subtle tension in the atmosphere.

“My lord,” Lulu said, a slight smile curving her lips into a perfectly balanced smile as she gracefully rose to her feet, her silk skirt brushing against the chair. “We’ll have plenty of opportunities to work together in the future, so why the rush?”

She had been dealing with this gentleman for a good half hour. After several exchanges of words, she had already figured out a bit of his background.

No secrets stay hidden forever. As the representative of the Juemen clan in the capital region, Lulu has now made connections with the Crown Prince, naturally becoming the eye of the storm for various forces to secretly observe.

The Absolute Sect may be just an insignificant little temple in the eyes of the imperial court, but in the vast martial arts world, it is a well-known name.

This great reputation stems, in part, from the Jue Men's extreme stance of "exterminating demons without leaving a trace," a stance that is unique in the entire martial arts world.

While other sects also exorcise demons and uphold justice, they leave some room for maneuver in their ideology, and few are as obsessive as the Absolute Sect, which regards "wiping out all demons under heaven" as its guiding principle.

Secondly, the disciples of the Juemen sect were almost all fearless and headstrong "hotheads" on the front lines of exterminating demons. This bravery, whether genuinely admired or secretly mocked by disciples from other sects, truly promoted the spread of Juemen's reputation and the accumulation of its fame.

Over the years, like water dripping on stone, this reputation forged in blood and fire has finally gained momentum, firmly establishing the prestigious status of the Juemen sect in the martial arts world.

However, even with its renowned reputation in the martial arts world, the Juemen sect still appears insignificant and humble in the face of the true majesty of the imperial court, and is not worthy of being called a high-class sect.

But times have changed! Lulu's successful connection with the Crown Prince has made those once disdainful officials of the Juemen clan in the capital lower themselves and come to her, openly or covertly, to try and build a relationship. This Lord Pin, sensing this subtle shift in the political climate, has rushed here to curry favor.

In the past, given Lulu's personality, she wouldn't have bothered to even exchange a word with such sycophants.

But now, perhaps due to the corrupting influence of officialdom, she has also learned to be shrewd and worldly, at least able to maintain a superficial smile and deal with these annoying visitors.

She understood everything perfectly.

Anyone who could accurately detect the subtle connection between her and the Crown Prince at this moment must either possess considerable power or... have an unfathomable force behind them.

It concerns the bloodline of the imperial family, and many inside stories are not easily known by ordinary people.

Even Fang Yu, who had a direct working relationship with her, only knew that she had some connections in the imperial court, but he knew nothing about how far she had climbed or which important person she relied on.

Thinking of this, Lulu narrowed her eyes almost imperceptibly, a chill running through her heart.

Judging by the time, Qian Wu should have already completely resolved that problem by now.

Next, she would have Elder Huxin wear the identity of a "masked man" so that he could rightfully become her right-hand man and stir up trouble in the capital.

There was always a barrier between us and Fang Yu, an outsider, and many constraints.

But if it were Elder Huxin instead, it would be a completely different story!
She could finally let go and delegate all the plans that were inconvenient to talk about and the dirty work that she couldn't handle herself to this trusted elder.

Once Elder Huxin takes the lead and achieves tangible results, the other Juemen elders who arrive in the capital later will see for themselves and will naturally be willing to join her ranks.

It's like a snowball rolling downhill, starting with one person and growing bigger and bigger until it eventually brings all the elite forces gathered in the capital city under her control.

Only with such a foundation can Lord Tang's grand ambitions be truly realized in her hands!
Lulu's gaze seemed to pierce through the thick walls of the dye house, casting its light upon a distant and magnificent future. Compared to the grand and turbulent cause in her heart, the petty grievances and petty squabbles with others were utterly insignificant.

"Haha, Miss Lulu is right, very right!" Lord Pin laughed until his eyes narrowed into slits, his fat face piling up. "I see it's getting late, so I'll take my leave now... When you have some free time, Miss Lulu is always welcome to visit my humble abode, so I can do my best to be a good host."

He spoke politely, but his eyes, tainted by wine and women, roamed unabashedly over Lulu's slender figure like sticky grease, the greed in his gaze almost tangible.

Lulu could almost guess what filthy thoughts were swirling in his mind—these powerful and wealthy people had long since grown tired of the wildflowers by the roadside, and only the unattainable phoenix could arouse their morbid desire for conquest.

Looking at Master Pin's bloated and obese body, Lulu felt a wave of nausea wash over her, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Right now, this fat pig is probably thinking about all sorts of disgusting and despicable things.

However, she maintained an impeccable smile: "Thank you for your kind invitation, Master Pin. I will definitely pay you a visit when I have time."

"Good! With Miss Lulu's words, I can return home with peace of mind!" Lord Pin clapped his hands and laughed, appearing very satisfied.

"I'll deliver this to Lord Pin."

"No need, no need, how could I trouble you, Miss?" Lord Pin declined verbally, but his body remained motionless. His pretentious manner clearly indicated that he was waiting for Lulu to personally see him off before he would move, otherwise it would be Lulu who was ungrateful and did not know the rules.

These seasoned veterans of officialdom, who have been entrenched in the bureaucracy for years, are so hypocritical and pretentious, with so many rules and regulations that they are nauseating.

"You're too kind, Master Pin."

Lulu rose gracefully, her waist swaying gently, her skirt fluttering, her every smile and gesture exuding elegance.

The man stared wide-eyed, his Adam's apple bobbing, as if his soul had been captured.

Just as he had thought, he was already tired of ordinary women. Only a proud and aloof woman with a sharp, chivalrous spirit could attract him like a flower on a high mountain.

The novelty and excitement of Lulu's every move felt like a feather brushing against Pin Daren's restless heart. However, Lulu showed no disgust; instead, she gracefully gestured for him to proceed. To achieve great things, connections are indispensable, and these women, blinded by lust, were precisely the easiest pawns for her to control and manipulate.

"Master Pin, please."

Lord Pin then seemed to snap out of his daze, realizing his lapse in decorum. He quickly raised his hand to wipe away non-existent drool from the corner of his mouth, and forced a dry laugh, saying, "Alright, alright..."

He turned around contentedly, only to find a figure as imposing as an iron tower silently blocking his way at the doorway. The figure exuded a chilling aura that warned others to stay away.

"And who is this?" Lord Pin looked puzzled, with a hint of displeasure at being disturbed, and turned to look at Lulu.

Lulu's smile remained unchanged as she was about to introduce, "This sir is Elder Yan Jin, an elder of our Absolute Clan. Elder Yan Jin, this is the Eighth Meridian..."

"roll!"

Before Lulu could finish speaking, she was abruptly interrupted by Elder Yan Jin's thunderous shout!

The sound contained the fury of thunder, causing the dust on the beams of the hall to fall in a rustling sound.

Lulu's smile froze instantly. Master Pin frowned deeply, a surge of anger rising to his head—where did this crazy old fool come from, so utterly ignorant of his place! I am the dignified Daoist Academy…

"I won't repeat myself a third time... Get out! Did you hear me?!"

In an instant, the air in the hall seemed to freeze into ice!

A terrifying pressure belonging to a Six Souls expert descended like an invisible mountain, pressing down on Lord Pin!

It wasn't just a crushing power; it also carried a bloody, murderous aura forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood!
Lord Pin's face turned deathly pale in an instant, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and all his previous high-ranking official authority vanished, leaving only a deep-seated fear.

Although he held the title of an official appointed by the imperial court and had practiced martial arts in his early years, those skills had long since been wasted due to years of pampered living.

Like many of his colleagues, he only practiced martial arts to pass the martial arts test that year. Once he achieved fame and success, the skills he had worked so hard to acquire were put aside.

In martial arts, one either progresses or regresses. The imperial court has increasingly relied on martial arts masters in recent years, largely because many officials have become mere figureheads.

Apart from elite combat forces like the Fengtian Prefecture and the Demon Vanguard Army, many high-ranking officials were already powerless to even kill a chicken.

They scheme and climb to high positions, isn't it all so that everything can be done for them, eliminating the need for them to take risks themselves? Fighting and killing, battling demons? That's the work of reckless fools! Under the Emperor's protection, the capital is now a peaceful and prosperous place! Under the law, there are rules!
However... sects and martial arts practitioners are like shadows that exist outside the law.

They will certainly be wanted and eliminated by the imperial court, but there are just too many people like them!

Compared to the limited number of court officials, the vast majority of ordinary people and the numerous disciples of various sects constitute the main body of this world.

Especially now that the emperor has been neglecting state affairs for a long time, it is already difficult to maintain the superficial stability of the capital.

Therefore, deep down, Master Pin harbored a certain fear of these unconventional and reckless individuals in the martial arts world.

These are the roughnecks of the martial world, willing to risk their lives, even daring to dethrone the emperor!

And what about Lord Pin? He has a family, a business, wealth and honor, and his status as a high-ranking official in the imperial court is incomparably precious. To risk his life against such a desperate person? It's not worth it! He's not worthy of it!
People like Lord Pin are extremely protective of their lives and are also masters of assessing situations. Anyone who can remain in power for so many years is a shrewd and calculating individual.
The fear on his face quickly vanished, and he forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lulu, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly: "Yes, yes... it seems this elder doesn't welcome me. No problem, no problem! Miss Lulu, we'll meet again another day. Today, this old man... I'll take my leave!"

Having said that, he dared not linger for a moment, and disregarded all official decorum and dignity. He practically tumbled and crawled out of the hall in a disheveled state, as if a flood or ferocious beast was chasing him.

Only after rushing out of the dyehouse and running a considerable distance did Master Pin dare to stop. He glanced back, still shaken, at the dark hall, his eyes instantly turning cold and malevolent, filled with resentment. He hadn't suffered such humiliation in a very, very long time!

Do you really think that a mere elder of the Absolute Sect and a mere Six Souls Martial Artist can run rampant in the capital?
The six experts who fawn over and flatter Pinxin are so numerous that there's no way they can keep up with the long queue on the streets of the capital!
If I really wanted to get rid of you, I wouldn't even need to say a word. A mere glance would be enough to have plenty of people vying to do it cleanly and efficiently for me!

These martial artists from various sects always believed that having a strong fist and powerful martial arts were the ultimate truths in the world.

Little did they know that true power lies in authority! It lies in the power to turn the world upside down with a flick of the wrist!

What demon warriors, what believers, what Six Souls masters—in the face of true power, they are ultimately nothing more than subservient lackeys!

After decades or even centuries of painstaking cultivation, what they ultimately seek is nothing more than to squeeze their way into the capital and become useful dogs for these officials.
In fact... many people don't even qualify to be dogs! They only get a doghouse if Pin Xin takes a liking to them!
Juemen Lulu? If she hadn't used some seductive tricks to get close to the prince, would Pinxin even give this kind of person a second glance?

As for that so-called Elder Juemen, with his meager skills, he's not even qualified to be a guest in his household, let alone a vicious dog guarding the gate of the Pin family mansion!
"You damned fool..." Master Pin cursed viciously in his heart as he hurried toward the gate of the dye house.

Just as he reached the doorway, a figure flashed before his eyes, nearly causing him to bump into it. He quickly stopped, habitually adopting an official tone: "Excuse me, friend, I almost..."

Before he could finish speaking, the figure in front of him only paused slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over him as if he were an inanimate object, before brushing past him and heading straight into the depths of the dye house.

The guards at the gate completely ignored this person and didn't even ask him the most basic questions!

Another member of the Juemen? Pin Daren's opinion of the Juemen plummeted instantly.

Consequently, my initial curiosity about Lulu cooled down rapidly—the allure of a high-class beauty lies in her unattainability.

When it was discovered that the place where the flower grew was not as sacred as imagined, and was even surrounded by such coarse and foul-smelling thorns, the desire to destroy it naturally faded.

"Hmph, just consider it a boring pastime." He forcibly suppressed the surging anger and humiliation in his heart, straightened his slightly disheveled robes, quickly boarded the luxurious carriage parked outside the dye house, and ordered in a deep voice, "Return to the manor!" The wheels rolled, and the resentful Lord Pin disappeared around the street corner.

Meanwhile, inside the dyehouse hall.

After Lord Pin fled in panic, the suffocating pressure did not dissipate; instead, it became even more intense due to Elder Yan Jin's rage. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

(End of this chapter)