Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

After some haggling between Luo Kuan and Wang Shouyi, Wang Ji's Blood Qi Powder was finally sold at a 30% discount.

After the deed was done, Luo Kuan left Wang Ji with a big laugh.

The next day, news of Lu Chen, the newly appointed Blood Transport Master of Wangji, fighting against Luo Kuan, the deputy head of Wangyuan Escort Agency, spread throughout Chixia County.

Inside Xiaoshenglou, someone was banging on the table, talking animatedly with spittle flying everywhere.

"I saw it with my own eyes! Lu Chen, the newly appointed retainer of the Wang family, forced Luo Kuan to retreat in just three moves!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a man in a gray robe next to him sneered.

"Nonsense!"

"Who is Luo Kuan? He's the deputy head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of Wangyuan镖局 (escort agency), a master of blood-moving techniques, and an unparalleled swordsman. In all these years he's traveled all over Chixia County, how many dangerous escort missions has he undertaken, and how many bandits and pirates has he killed?"

"Can't he handle a newly emerged worshipper?"

As the two were arguing, someone nearby chimed in, "I heard they fought to a draw."

"A draw?"

"good."

He nodded, looking quite serious.

"Deputy Chief Escort Luo is a renowned expert. If he were to draw his sword, Lu Chen might not be able to withstand it."

"But yesterday was just a friendly spar. Deputy Chief Escort Luo didn't use his knife; he only used his fists and feet to fight him."

"In the end, neither of them gained an advantage, so it was a draw."

Some people nodded in agreement.

"That makes sense."

"After all, Luo Kuan's fame comes from his swordsmanship; without swordsmanship, his strength will always be somewhat diminished."

"Even so, this newly appointed retainer of the Wang family is quite remarkable."

"To be able to hold his own against a renowned bodyguard like Deputy Chief Escort Luo in hand-to-hand combat, he's so young, his future is limitless."

Just then, someone in the corner suddenly frowned: "Lu Chen?"

"Why does this name sound familiar?"

Someone immediately chimed in.

"You know what, it sounds familiar too."

"etc!"

A middle-aged man drinking tea suddenly slapped his thigh.

"I remember now!"

"Isn't this Lu Chen the one who was kicked out of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School a while ago?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaoshenglou fell silent for a moment.

Immediately, an even louder discussion erupted.

"Yes! I remember now!"

"Really?"

Someone added, "This Lu Chen is only seventeen years old, right?"

"That's right, seventeen years old."

"A seventeen-year-old who had mastered the art of blood transfusion had become a revered figure at Wang's Yam Shop?"

"My goodness! Such a genius, and the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Academy actually doesn't want him?"

Some people held up their wine glasses, marveling at the sight.

"Did Canglong Martial Arts School hit the jackpot this year?"

"At the previous gathering of heroes, sixteen-year-old Shi Hao shone brightly, defeating masters from Weiyuan Hall and Qianhe Martial Arts School in succession."

"Now another seventeen-year-old, Lu Chen, has emerged and has also advanced to the Great Perfection of Blood Transformation."

"If both of them were still at Canglong Martial Arts School, wouldn't the school soar to new heights this year?"

"What a pity."

Someone nearby chimed in, their tone tinged with schadenfreude.

"A discarded pawn turned out to be a retainer of the Wang family, and even held his own against Luo Kuan."

"I wonder if Qin Wuhe will regret it when he hears the news."

"Ha ha!"

"At seventeen, he has mastered the art of blood transfusion; a promising talent with a bright future."

"Just like that, I was expelled from the sect."

"I really don't know what the people at Canglong Martial Arts School are thinking."

"That Qin Wuhe, last year he came up with some kind of 'Good Luck Plan,' recruiting apprentices in the mountains for free. Now it seems he might really be senile!"

Inside Xiaoshenglou, everyone was talking at once, creating a lively atmosphere.

Chen Chong, who was originally extremely anxious at home, was overjoyed when he heard the news.

"Junior Brother Lu has advanced to the Great Perfection of Blood Transformation?!"

He suddenly stood up, knocking over the teacups on the table and spilling tea all over the floor.

Chen Yue sat in the hall, his face still somewhat pale.

Since the Xu family forcibly occupied Qingliu Lane, he hadn't slept well for several nights. His eyes were dark and bluish, and it seemed that a few more strands of white hair had appeared at his temples.

Upon hearing the message relayed by the servant, he also raised his head:

"Lu Chen? The Lu Chen that our Chen family has been sponsoring, your junior brother at the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Academy?"

Chen Chong nodded, a rare glint of light appearing in his eyes.

"It's him."

"Father, if Junior Brother Lu really becomes a master of Blood Transformation, then there might still be a chance for things to turn around in Qingliu Lane."

In the past few days, the Chen family has been driven to the brink of ruin because of Qingliu Lane.

The Xu family seized the territory and then invited Shen Shijun, the "Iron Crane Palm" master of the Qianhe Martial Arts School, to take charge.

They kept saying they were willing to fight according to the rules of the martial arts world, but everyone could see that it was just a ploy to force the Chen family to admit defeat after they had robbed them, so as to avoid being criticized later.

Chen Chong himself only achieved minor success in blood transfusion.

There was no chance of victory against Shen Shijun, who had mastered the Blood Transfusion Technique.

Hearing the news that Lu Chen had advanced to the Great Perfection of Blood Transformation, Chen Chong felt as if he had seen a glimmer of hope.

A hint of joy appeared on Chen Yue's pale face: "Chong'er, I was a little skeptical when you said he could succeed."

"But I never expected that your junior brother Lu would be such a remarkable person, becoming a retainer of the Wang family in less than a year!"

"Fortunately, the Chen family has continued to provide assistance throughout this time, maintaining this good relationship."

"If your junior brother Lu is willing to help, our Chen family might still have a chance to save Qingliu Lane!"

Chen Chong felt a surge of warmth in his heart, yet also a touch of bitterness.

Previously, when Lu Chen was expelled from the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, his senior brother was unable to help him in any way.

Now that the Chen family is in trouble, he is somewhat embarrassed to ask Lu Chen for help.

Moreover, Lu Chen has just broken through to the Great Perfection of Blood Transformation Realm, and his foundation is still shallow. He may not be a match for Shen Shijun of the Thousand Crane Martial Arts School.

The joy on Chen Chong's face was quickly washed away by worry.

Chen Yue looked at Chen Chong and could see the latter's concerns.

"Chong'er, your junior brother Lu has just broken through to the next realm, and he may not be a match for Shen Shijun."

"If we go to him to ask for help at this time, it might put him in a difficult position."

"Moreover, from what you've said, your junior brother Lu is a man of great loyalty and righteousness. If he were to force himself to agree in order to repay the kindness of my Chen family, and end up being seriously injured by Shen Shijun on the stage, we would be the ones harming him instead."

Chen Chong nodded.

But hearing rumors that Lu Chen could fight Luo, the deputy head of the Wangyuan Escort Agency, to a draw rekindled Chen Chong's hope.

He knew very well that his junior brother possessed extremely high martial arts talent. He had mastered the Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist to a minor level in just over two months, and now, more than half a year later, it was highly likely that he had already mastered the fist technique.

The fully mastered Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist might not necessarily be at a disadvantage against Shen Shijun's Iron Crane Palm!

After thinking for a moment, he said to Chen Yue, "Father, Lu Chen and Deputy Chief Escort Luo fought each other and I heard they fought to a draw."

"The reputation of Deputy Escort Luo in the martial arts world is no less than that of Iron Crane Palm Shen Shijun."

"If the rumors are true, Junior Brother Lu might actually have the strength to fight Shen Shijun."

"No matter what, Junior Brother Lu is now our Chen family's only lifeline."

"I'll go to Wang's shop to find out the truth first. If all else fails, I won't take advantage of his kindness and put Junior Brother Lu in a difficult position."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue nodded: "That's the only way."