Chapter 218 - 160: Sword Discussion
The Hua Family’s Bone Refining Realm expert charging Lu Changfeng was inwardly shocked, but he steeled himself and continued his saber attack.
But with a shift of his Sword Technique, Lu Changfeng unleashed another surging, blood-red Sword Aura.
HUMMM!
The man’s long saber shattered as the Sword Aura pierced through his torso. With a THUD, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
An Advanced Martial Arts True Intent, Death Sword Intent, could completely crush an ordinary Bone Refining Realm expert.
Once Lu Changfeng acted, the two Bone Refining Realm experts from the Hua Family were left with no way to retaliate.
Wei He, watching from the side, knew Lu Changfeng’s Sword Dao Talent was outstanding, but to witness it firsthand was still deeply shocking.
Such a Talent would by no means be considered weak, even in the Outer World.
’This man is destined to shine brightly in the Saint Demon Sect. Sticking with him is the right move. It’ll be my ticket into the Sect’s inner circle in the future!’ Wei He thought.
"You!!"
"How dare you!!" Magistrate Hua pointed at Lu Changfeng, momentarily rendered speechless.
Lu Changfeng spared Magistrate Hua a cool glance, not bothering to reply, and strode out of the County Yamen with Wei He and Lu Jun.
Of course, no one dared to stop Lu Changfeng now.
Behind them, however, Magistrate Hua’s eyes glinted. He removed his official’s hat and dashed straight for the Hua Mansion.
He was going to report him!
That Lu Changfeng showed the Hua Family absolutely no respect!
Besides Hua Yuelou, the Hua Family still had several Elders at the Bone Refining Realm.
This was in addition to Hua Yulong and Hua Zhuri, who had already ascended to the Rebirth Realm.
The few remaining Bone Refining Realm Elders were actually unaware of the true nature of the relationship between Lu Changfeng and the Hua Family.
Two of these Elders were Hua Lei and Hua Shiyu.
It was these two Elders that Magistrate Hua was looking for!
Hua Lei was Magistrate Hua’s main patron; he had become the County Magistrate entirely thanks to Hua Lei’s recommendation.
Hua Shiyu, on the other hand, was Magistrate Hua’s own older brother, so their relationship was just as extraordinary.
"Elders, you must stand up for our Hua Family!" Magistrate Hua wailed as he entered the Hua Mansion, rushing toward the Elders’ courtyard.
Several of the Hua Family’s Elders came when they heard the commotion.
After listening to the County Magistrate’s tale, some Elders frowned uncertainly, while others suggested asking Hua Yuelou for instructions.
Hua Lei and Hua Shiyu, however, were in immediate agreement: they would find Lu Changfeng and settle the score in person.
"The nerve of that brat is outrageous!"
"It’s one thing for a son-in-law of the Hua Family to not be meek and obedient, but does he think he can trample all over us?" the two Elders fumed, filled with righteous indignation.
Just then, a figure stepped into the Hua Family’s Elders’ courtyard.
"I hear you’re looking to settle accounts with me?"
Lu Changfeng spoke, looking at the Hua Family Elders with an air of complete composure.
"Lu Changfeng, perfect timing!" Hua Lei was a Martial Sect at the Golden Bone stage of the Bone Refining Realm and had a fiery temper. Upon seeing Lu Changfeng, he immediately threw a punch.
Lu Changfeng had, of course, already heard about this brute from Hua Yiran.
The arrogance and insolence of many in the Hua Family’s younger generation could be attributed to his influence.
Drawing the longsword from his waist, he declared, "Hua Lei, you dare to attack a member of the Demon Sect? That crime is punishable by death!"
Lu Changfeng no longer held back. Fully channeling his Death Sword Intent, he instantly unleashed a slash of Sword Energy more than ten meters long.
Hua Lei’s expression changed drastically, but it was too late to pull back. Despite his desperate attempt to block, the blood-red Sword Energy sliced into him, leaving him gravely wounded as he slowly collapsed.
Lu Changfeng’s single strike stunned every Elder of the Hua Family.
Hua Lei was the strongest among them. If he was defeated so easily, the rest of them stood no chance against Lu Changfeng.
"Lu Changfeng, do you have any idea what you’re doing? Our Hua Family’s Rebirth Realm experts will not forgive you!" Hua Shiyu blustered, his voice sharp but his courage failing.
Lu Changfeng shook his head. ’These people have no grasp of the situation at all.’
"Changfeng, allow me."
Just then, a figure drifted over—it was the Hua Family Patriarch and Lu Changfeng’s father-in-law, Hua Yuelou!
"Patriarch! You must stand up for us!"
"Patriarch, this son-in-law of yours has no respect for our Hua Family whatsoever!"
Listening to them, Hua Yuelou’s expression suddenly grew furious. "Silence!"
The aura of the Rebirth Realm erupted from him, and all the Hua Family Elders instantly fell silent.
Hua Yuelou pointed to an Elder who usually kept out of worldly conflicts. "You, take Hua Lei to be treated. Don’t let him die."
Once he saw the man leave with Hua Lei, Hua Yuelou finally turned to Lu Changfeng. "Worthy Son-in-law, how do you think we should handle this?"
Lu Changfeng recited his prepared answer. "The Hua Family will surrender everything related to the County Yamen, keeping only its shops in Qin City. From today onward, the Hua Family will be purely a Cultivation Family, uninvolved in politics. Father-in-law, what do you say?"
Although he had anticipated this, Hua Yuelou still sighed softly.
Since ancient times, rulers have feared their in-laws meddling in politics. And this time, working behind the scenes, the people under his family’s banner had indeed gone too far.
Still, perhaps this was for the best. By becoming a pure Cultivation Family, their legacy might actually survive for much longer.
"Very well. It shall be as my Worthy Son-in-law says," Hua Yuelou replied.
And so it was.
Within a few days, Qin City underwent a dramatic change.
All the Hua Family members in the County Yamen resigned from their posts, replaced by core members of Qin City’s other second-tier families.
More than half of the Hua Family’s disciples vanished from Qin City. It was rumored they had established a mountain manor outside the city for cultivation.
For some unknown reason, the Hua Family suddenly receded from the public eye.
The common folk, after their initial surprise, found that life carried on as usual and gradually stopped talking about the matter.
Though the Hua Family was still a renowned Martial Arts Family, its political standing in Yunyang Prefecture had clearly, and instantly, dropped to zero.
Lu Changfeng also seized this opportunity to move out of the Hua Mansion with Hua Yiran and Chunzhu.
They purchased a separate estate to live in.
The Changle Martial Arts Hall returned to its usual tranquility.
Although most of the Martial Arts Hall’s disciples didn’t know what had happened, and Wei He and Lu Jun remained tight-lipped about that day’s events, simply seeing the Hua Family’s fate was enough for them to guess that Master Lu must have done something.
As a result, the solidarity among the Martial Arts Hall’s disciples actually increased significantly.
Amid this atmosphere, another major event arrived at the Martial Arts Hall.
One day, Han Fan stood on the steps of the training grounds to make an important announcement.
"In just over ten days, Sword City will be holding a Sword Discussion Conference."
"The organizer is the number one Sword Sect under heaven, the Divine Sword Sect."
"This Sword Discussion Conference will be a gathering place for all the Swordsmen under heaven. Since our Changle Martial Arts Hall now specializes in Swordsmanship, we must attend. I will give out three spots. Your grandmaster, Master Lu himself, will personally lead the team."
Hearing this, the disciples in the Martial Arts Hall erupted with excitement.
The Sword Discussion Conference! Traveling with Master Lu! Both were explosive pieces of news!
As for this Sword Discussion Conference, perhaps the Daliang authorities felt that the Divine Sword Sect, left with only a single city, couldn’t cause much trouble. Or maybe it was a gesture to ease tensions and better digest the cities they had recently conquered.
Therefore, Daliang officials announced that Martial Artists from other prefectures wishing to attend the Sword Discussion Conference in Sword City would be granted safe and unimpeded passage through all territories under Daliang’s control.
Lu Changfeng’s replication Talent was about to refresh.
This trip to the Sword Discussion Conference was, of course, to copy the Supreme Sword Dao from Jiang Changge.
Every Supreme Talent was a unique and incredibly powerful ability; Lu Changfeng was certainly not going to let the Supreme Sword Dao slip through his fingers.
In addition, Lu Changfeng would also take Wei He. It was safest to keep that viper close.
Besides, his Ancient Level Demon Fiend Bloodline was too valuable to risk losing.
"Ahem. Wei He, Lu Jun, your performance has been outstanding. You two will take two of the three spots."
"As for the final spot, we will decide it today with a sword competition."
Han Fan had received secret orders from Lu Changfeng, so he naturally named Wei He and Lu Jun directly.
Wei He was a little surprised, but he also felt it was to be expected. After all, he had his connection through Wei Chun.
Besides, his actions at the County Yamen a few days ago seemed to have earned him some appreciation from Lu Changfeng.
’Hmm, this time, if I get the chance, I’ll try to form my Sword Intent. It would be best if Master Lu takes a liking to me and accepts me as a Direct Disciple! Then he’ll keep me by his side!’ Wei He was completely unaware that Lu Changfeng had already figured out part of his background.
He was still desperate to get close to Lu Changfeng on his own terms, in order to access the heart of the Saint Demon Sect...
The competition at the Martial Arts Hall didn’t take long. A victor was soon decided: a disciple named Nie Yu, also at the Fifth Level of the Blood Forging Realm, whose Swordsmanship was second only to Wei He and Lu Jun.
The next morning, the three gathered at the pier. After waiting for a moment, Lu Changfeng emerged from the morning mist, walking slowly with a white dog perched on his shoulder.
"Everyone’s here. Let’s get going."