Chapter 47: Internal Conflict and the Old Man Who Refuses the Front Door

"It seems Gang Leader Lu has refused."

The constable responsible for delivering the message shook his head, having already anticipated Lu Tianxing's answer. After all, the Six Fan Sect already had a detailed file on Lu Tianxing's temperament. It would have been truly unexpected if Lu Tianxing could simply swallow this insult.

"Indeed, I refuse."

"Throughout my martial arts career, Lu has never relied on the imperial court, but solely upon myself."

A formidable surge of genuine qi burst forth from within Lu Tianxing's body. Behind him, the faint, looming phantom of an angry Vajra materialized. The Vajra Prajna Divine Skill was a secret art of the Tantric sect, which, once mastered, allowed one to condense a martial art avatar based on the practitioner's disposition and comprehension. From this avatar, one's true nature could be discerned.

As a native of the Central Plains, Lu Tianxing's mastery of this forbidden Tantric art could be traced back over a century to a sect-betraying incident within the Tantric school. More than a hundred years ago, a tonsured monk, dissatisfied with the sect's dual-cultivation system, stole the Vajra Prajna Divine Skill and fled to the Central Plains, where he founded the Dharma Phase Sect. Forty years ago, that tonsured monk passed away, and fifty Tantric disciples, obeying their master's orders, descended the mountain and took advantage of the chaos to slaughter the entire Dharma Phase Sect and reclaim the divine skill. Lu Tianxing had survived only because he hid in a farm's cattle shed. Later, he gained the appreciation of a noble in the capital, joined the Canal Gang, and ultimately, with that noble's assistance, became its leader.

...

"Very well, I understand."

"I shall convey Gang Leader Lu's decision in full to the God of Catchers."

The constable nodded and turned to leave. Meanwhile, the high-ranking members of the Canal Gang in the mourning hall wore exceptionally grim expressions. They held little hope for their own leader, because Lu Yuan was no ordinary man. The Blood-Handed Butcher, who had shaken the pugilistic world five years ago, could never be deemed conventional. Five years ago, he had wiped out Mount Qingcheng single-handedly; five years later, he would only be more formidable. They estimated Lu Yuan's strength to be at least of the second rank, perhaps even higher.

"Gang Leader—"

"Shut up."

"I—"

"There is no need to say more."

"I know what you wish to say, but let me tell you this: the vengeance for my son's murder is irreconcilable."

"Furthermore, I am still the Gang Leader."

Lu Tianxing roared. His oppressive aura swept through the mourning hall, making the expressions of the high-ranking officials even darker. Their leader was truly beyond reason.

"Gang Leader, Lu Yuan's strength is by no means second rank. According to intelligence from the Six Fan Sect's scouts, he is very likely a first-rank martial artist."

"Against such a being, our Canal Gang is simply no match."

An elderly senior gritted his teeth and stepped forward, attempting to persuade his leader to remain calm. Yet, the only response he received was a fist.

"Bang..."

The golden light avatar threw a punch, sending the elder flying dozens of meters. He vomited blood and passed out on the spot. Seeing this, the light in the eyes of the other high-ranking officials vanished. Lu Tianxing's current demeanor chilled them to the bone. They abandoned any lingering thoughts of trying to persuade him.

...

"First rank? Have you all lost your minds?"

"Do not forget, he is only twenty years old."

"Do you actually believe a twenty-year-old first-rank martial artist exists in this world?"

"You might as well believe I am an immortal reincarnated."

"You actually believe the rambling nonsense of scouts? You have lived in vain for decades."

Lu Tianxing roared. The gap between the first and second ranks was greater than the gap between men and dogs. Once a realm reached the first rank, it was a complete rebirth of body and soul. Numbers would cease to be an advantage. A first-rank martial artist could easily take an enemy general's head amidst a million-strong army. A first-rank can only be opposed by a first-rank. This was the consensus of the martial world, and first-rank experts were the foundation of every nation.

...

In this prosperous era of martial arts, why had the Dayong imperial court been able to suppress the pugilistic world for centuries without descending into chaos? Because the Dayong imperial court possessed the greatest number of first-rank martial artists. The Eastern and Western Depots, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Six Fan Sect, and the Marquis's Mansion—the first-rank experts within these departments alone were enough to suppress the entire martial arts world.

...

Most importantly, Lu Tianxing refused to believe Lu Yuan could have reached the first rank, because Lu Yuan possessed no genuine qi. At best, he was simply born with supernatural strength. Could innate divine strength alone rival a first-rank martial artist? You must be joking. Even the protagonists in pulp novels would not dare to exaggerate to such an extent.

...

"Gang Leader, your vision is too short-sighted."

"Lu Yuan is no ordinary man."

"To offend Lu Yuan for the sake of your foolish son will only drag our Canal Gang into an endless abyss."

"I oppose making an enemy of Lu Yuan."

"If Gang Leader Lu insists on avenging his son, then go by yourself."

"The Canal Gang has never belonged to you alone."

Outside the mourning hall, a slender, effeminate figure slowly walked into view. The bright candlelight fell upon his pale face, casting an eerie glow. Feiyan, the Deputy Gang Leader of the Canal Gang, was also the most formidable contender for the leadership. Possessing immense strength, he was a mid-stage second-rank expert who could fight Lu Tianxing, a peak second-rank master, to a standstill. He commanded a massive following within the gang.

"Feiyan, what do you mean by this?"

Lu Tianxing roared.

"I mean nothing other than to remind the Gang Leader that this Canal Gang does not belong to you alone."

"Do not play with the livelihoods of the hundreds of thousands of brothers in the Canal Gang."

Feiyan's tone rose sharply, and the atmosphere between the two instantly grew hostile.

...

"Do you wish to fight me?"

Lu Tianxing threatened.

"For the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of brothers, I do not mind fighting the Gang Leader."

"Feiyan, I am the Gang Leader."

"Lu Tianxing, I am also a deputy leader, and I have the right to stop you."

"You are only a deputy. As long as I live, you remain forever the deputy leader."

"Very well, then Feiyan asks Gang Leader Lu to die for the sake of the hundreds of thousands of brothers of the Canal Gang."

Figures began to appear behind Feiyan. Judging by their identical uniforms, they all came from the very same place: the Six Fan Sect.

"We respectfully escort Gang Leader Lu of the Canal Gang on his final journey."

...

Inside the inn, Lu Yuan was heartily devouring roasted meat, not paying the slightest heed to the events of the day. If the Canal Gang wanted revenge, they were welcome to come.

"Tap, tap. Tap, tap."

A tapping sound came from the window. Lu Yuan paused his movements and looked curiously toward the window.

"Hey, hey, hey, is young friend Lu in? Are you in?"

An elderly voice echoed. Lu Yuan walked over and pushed the window open. A wisp of white smoke drifted in from the window, landing before Lu Yuan and coalescing into the human form of an old man. With white hair and a white beard, he looked extremely aged.

"Hey, old man, who are you? Are you here to steal something?"

Lu Yuan returned to the table, picked up a chunk of meat, and shoved it into his mouth.

"Young friend, does this old man look like a thief?"

Old Man Left Nether pointed at himself, posing the question to Lu Yuan. Did the immortal patriarch of the Supreme Mystery Temple look like a thief? Besides, if he were a thief, would he need to knock on a window to ask for permission to enter?

"You don't use the front door, yet you climb through a window. Do you think you look like a normal person?"

Lu Yuan pointed toward the main door nearby. You don't knock on the door; you knock on the window. You don't use the front entrance, yet you use the window. Are you normal?

"Don't you think entering through the main door is far too ordinary an entrance?"

"Ordinary, but not bizarre."

"Young friend, your sharp tongue is exactly like your old man's when he was young."

"You know my old man?"