Chapter 37: Invitation, River God
Zhao Xingtian passed out after just one cup.
A table full of food and wine shouldn’t go to waste.
The master and disciple duo, Lu Changfeng and Hei Niu, ate with great delight.
Afterward, Hei Niu carried Zhao Xingtian on his back as the three of them returned to the Prince’s Mansion.
「Three days later.」
「Early morning.」
In Lu Changfeng’s private courtyard within the Wang Family’s Retainer Hall.
After practicing a round of the Fengtian Forging Body Saber Skill, Lu Changfeng found a moment to pat the shoulder of Zhao Xingtian, who was sunbathing on a deck chair.
He activated his second copy opportunity for the year.
And copied Zhao Xingtian’s Upper A-Class Talent.
"What is it?"
Zhao Xingtian turned his head to look at Lu Changfeng, who had interrupted his sunbathing.
’The Bone Refining Realm is so relaxing. I can even improve my strength just by sitting here and sunbathing.’
Even though Zhao Xingtian seemed to do nothing but eat and sleep comfortably every day, his strength was growing like a wild beast’s.
Generally, upon reaching the Jade Bone Realm, one’s strength would increase by a thousand jin.
The Iron Bone Realm could add another three thousand jin of force.
By then, Zhao Xingtian could easily overpower Lu Changfeng with his physical strength alone, without even using his Inner Strength.
"It’s nothing. I just have to go on a Retainer mission."
"Are you coming with me, or staying here?" Lu Changfeng asked.
’If this guy comes along on the mission, it’ll be completely foolproof.’
"Obviously I’m staying here to sunbathe. You go on ahead. I’ll wait for you to get back so we can practice sword-fighting."
Zhao Xingtian shook his head, flatly refusing Lu Changfeng’s invitation.
’Looks like he’s not a total idiot.’
Of course, Lu Changfeng wasn’t about to force Zhao Xingtian to come with him.
So he began to pack his things.
Lu Changfeng changed into a purple Retainer Robe. He strapped a two-hundred-jin great iron saber, a refined steel longsword, and the Treasure Sword Autumn Water to his back.
Then, he hurried to the Steward’s office in the Retainer Hall.
...
「The Retainer Hall Steward’s Office.」
Lu Changfeng rushed over as soon as he got the notice.
Only to be greeted by the sight of the Sixth Miss, Wang Yue, looking at him with a beaming smile.
"Sixth Miss, were you the one looking for me?"
Wang Yue nodded. "That’s right. I was the one who requested you for this mission."
"What’s wrong? You’re not happy about it?"
In the distance, the Retainer Hall’s Steward, Wang Jin, turned away, pretending not to have seen them.
After their last trip to the Xuanyuan Sword Sect, it seemed Wang Yue had developed some unusual feelings for Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng, decked out in his gear, replied, "Of course, I’m happy to. Are we leaving now? Where would you like to go, Sixth Miss?"
Hearing Lu Changfeng’s reply, Wang Yue’s face broke into a smile. "It’s nothing much. I just wanted to take a trip to Fengtian Lake."
"Let’s talk on the way."
Lu Changfeng nodded in agreement.
The two headed to the Wang Family stables. Wang Yue took a white horse, and Lu Changfeng, a black one.
They led the horses out of the Prince’s Mansion.
"What a beautiful spring day! Let’s race!"
Wang Yue vaulted onto her horse and galloped off in the direction of Fengtian Lake.
Lu Changfeng gave a faint smile, mounted his own horse, and spurred it in pursuit.
A little under half an hour later.
By the shore of Fengtian Lake, the two horses came to a stop, one after the other.
"I won!" Wang Yue dismounted with a beaming smile, tying her white horse to the side.
Lu Changfeng smiled and shook his head. Wang Yue’s horsemanship was indeed better than his.
Dismounting his horse, Lu Changfeng said, "I admit defeat."
"Hey, why aren’t you the least bit competitive?" Wang Yue asked.
Lu Changfeng paused for a moment. "Why should I be?"
"If your skills are inferior, you should just admit it gracefully."
Wang Yue pouted. "You’re not like a Martial Artist at all."
After a pause, Wang Yue asked, "That villain from the Xuanyuan Sword Sect... he hasn’t been bullying you, has he?"
’The villain from the Xuanyuan Sword Sect?’ Lu Changfeng froze for a second before realizing Wang Yue was talking about Zhao Xingtian.
"It’s nothing," Lu Changfeng said. "The Young Sect Leader is Old Luo’s Disciple, after all. He was just too naive in the past and got taken advantage of."
Wang Yue made a disgusted face. "Are you kidding? That guy isn’t naive in the slightest, he’s pure evil! After I found out he was staying with our family, I asked Father to kick him out several times. But I don’t know what’s gotten into Father; he insisted on letting him stay."
Lu Changfeng’s heart warmed. He understood that Wang Yue had gone to Wang Shou because she was worried about his safety.
"Thank you, Sixth Miss," Lu Changfeng said.
Wang Yue suddenly turned around. "Retainer Lu, let’s rent a small boat and go out on the lake."
"Of course," Lu Changfeng nodded.
Lu Changfeng turned and went to a nearby fishing shack to find a fisherman.
He handed over a piece of broken silver, and the old man, who was in his sixties, readily agreed to take the two of them out on the lake.
The fishing boat leisurely pulled up to the shore, and Lu Changfeng and Wang Yue boarded one after the other.
The old man was at the helm, rowing with slow but steady strokes.
Soon, the little boat rocked gently as it reached the center of the lake.
The sky was a brilliant blue, and the lake’s surface shimmered, creating a pleasant scene.
The small fishing boat was nowhere near as luxurious as a pleasure barge, but sitting at the bow still had a unique charm.
The water was close enough to touch, and they could faintly see large fish gliding by beneath the surface.
Wang Yue slipped off her boots, revealing a pair of fair feet, and with a splash, dipped them into the lake.
This attracted schools of wild fish, which swarmed around her feet. ’So she even knows about fish pedicures,’ Lu Changfeng thought.
"Young lady," the old man cautioned, "spring’s only just begun. The water’s cold, you’ll catch a chill!"
Lu Changfeng replied, "Don’t worry, old sir. The Sixth Miss is a Martial Artist. A little chill like this is nothing to her."
Hearing this, the old man said no more.
Wang Yue glanced back and rolled her eyes at Lu Changfeng. "You really don’t know how to be a gentleman!"
Lu Changfeng chuckled and stood beside Wang Yue.
In the middle of the lake, one of them sat while the other stood. The man’s build was as solid as a mountain, his features as handsome as the stars. The woman was exquisitely beautiful, her expression a mix of pouting and smiling. They looked like figures from a painting.
The old man sighed softly to himself. "What a perfect couple."
A Martial Artist’s senses are incredibly sharp, so of course Lu Changfeng and Wang Yue heard him.
Wang Yue’s earlobes turned faintly red. "Retainer Lu..."
Just as Wang Yue was about to say something,
a dark shadow suddenly shot up from beneath the lake.
Lu Changfeng’s senses were exceptionally keen. He grabbed Wang Yue by the shoulder, scooped her up, and threw her into the boat’s cabin.
The dark shadow didn’t slow, ramming into Lu Changfeng and knocking him into the lake.
The early spring water was ice-cold, but for Lu Changfeng, who was at the Blood Forging Sixth Layer, it wasn’t enough to quell the fire in his veins.
But the force of the dark shadow was truly terrifying!
It clamped its jaws around Lu Changfeng’s waist and began dragging him rapidly into the depths.
"Retainer Lu!"
Wang Yue scrambled to the cabin entrance, shouting in panic.
A stream of bubbles rose to the surface, and then all was calm again.
"The Lake God! The Lake God has appeared!" the old man cried, dropping to his knees and kowtowing repeatedly toward the lake.
Wang Yue strode over, grabbed the old man by the collar, and lifted him with one hand. "What the hell was that?" she asked fiercely.
"What happened to my friend?"
The old man was already scared out of his wits. "It’s the Lake God! The Fengtian Lake God! People who anger it often get dragged under. No one ever comes back! Your friend... he’s probably been eaten by the Lake God!"
’To hell with your Lake God!’
THUD! Wang Yue knocked the hysterical old man unconscious with a single punch.
She did it to keep him from escaping and taking the boat back to shore.
Wang Yue shed her outer robe and weapons, took a dagger in one hand, and leaped into the lake.
...