Chapter Twenty-Eight: Lu Qingyun Injured

The strength of the Zhao family’s Great Elder was terrifying. With a single punch, he sent Lu Qingyun flying. In the eyes of those present, Lu Qingyun had been left completely helpless. He slammed heavily into a tree, and the Green Dragon Martial Soul behind him was nearly shattered by the impact.

Meng Li’s eyes were filled with worry, and she longed to rush over to check on him. Nearby, Zhao Tuo sneered, "Heh, what a fool, overestimating his own abilities. To think he dared to challenge our Great Elder! Does he even know what kind of strength he possesses? Is he even a match for our Great Elder?"

"My father is merely an alchemist; he doesn't actually have much combat power. Do you really think you're strong just because you beat him?" Zhao Tuo continued. "Meng Li, I’ve heard you play the zither before. You do have some talent, and I’ve always held you in high regard. Come join our Zhao family; I guarantee you won’t be mistreated."

Zhao Tuo was clearly riding on the coattails of the Great Elder’s power. His own strength was mediocre, and it was only because of the Great Elder that he dared to be so arrogant.

Meng Li said nothing. After a few moments of silence, as neither side moved, Zhao Tuo grew suspicious. "Great Elder, that brat is extremely cunning. He might be playing tricks; we must be cautious! Go and check if he’s plotting something again."

Before the Great Elder could move, Lu Qingyun slowly stood up. He appeared unscathed and even wore a faint smile. "Heh, I thought your Great Elder was truly powerful, but it seems he’s nothing more than this. You took advantage of me when I wasn't prepared to send me flying—do you think that counts as a victory?"

"That blow was indeed powerful, but it couldn't hurt me at all. If that’s all you’ve got, is there any point in continuing to bluster?" Lu Qingyun scanned them, walking toward them slowly without a trace of fear in his eyes.

Zhao Tuo looked at the Great Elder in confusion and asked urgently, "Great Elder, what is going on? Why didn't that attack kill him outright?" Zhao Tuo was starting to panic. The fierce look in Lu Qingyun’s eyes made him shudder. Even though Lu Qingyun’s strength didn't seem that great, he was exerting immense pressure on him.

The Great Elder was equally puzzled. He spoke slowly, "That strike should have been fatal. If his cultivation had been even a bit lower, it would have shattered his heart. Yet he remains unharmed—he must have some sort of treasure on him. This fellow has been in contact with the City Lord and the auction house; since he is working for the City Lord, it is highly likely that the City Lord gave him some protection..."

Lu Qingyun looked at Meng Li. She understood that he was wearing that protective garment, which was why he had not been injured. However, the aura Lu Qingyun was projecting could not be feigned; perhaps he really did have a way to win, or else how could he exude such terrifying pressure?

Zhao Tuo said, his eyes filled with anxiety, "This won't do. Since we’ve already made our move, we must kill him. If the City Lord finds out what we’ve done, none of us will escape. That man is ruthless and cold-blooded. Even if our Zhao family once had a good relationship with him, he would never allow anyone to defy him. I don't care what means you use, you must kill him! Don't give him any room to breathe!"

Lu Qingyun approached slowly, smoothing his hair and dusting off his clothes. He held the small box in his hand and said to Meng Li, "I’ll drink the spiritual liquid inside for now; I’ll give you the rest once I refine it."

Meng Li nodded slowly. She had previously despised him, but now, seeing him, she felt a sense of trust and reliance. "Be careful," she said worriedly. "Their strength should not be underestimated!"

Lu Qingyun drank the spiritual liquid and walked forward. The liquid, refined from toxic energy, was incredibly pure, and a cool sensation flooded through his body. He could feel his cultivation increasing slightly, but this was no time to calm down and meditate.

"I have already made myself very clear," Lu Qingyun said slowly. "I was offering you friendly advice, so why won't you listen? We had no personal grudges; all of this trouble was started by you. I am working for the City Lord now. If anything happens to me, he will not let the Zhao family off. When that time comes, all of you will die and be buried with me!"

"Are you sure you want to go through with this? Besides, you can't hurt me; I have the treasure given by him. Your strength is simply not enough to kill me. Why bother with such futile actions?"

Lu Qingyun was bluffing, and his current state was not as good as it appeared. Although he wasn't injured, there was still a gap between his cultivation and that of the Zhao family’s Great Elder. If he could scare them away, that would be the best outcome; if not, he would have to endure the consequences.

The Great Elder still deferred to Zhao Tuo, who seemed to have half-believed Lu Qingyun’s claims. After a moment of thought, Zhao Tuo frowned and said, "It was you who made our Zhao family the laughingstock of Bixiao City! You beat my father into a critical state and managed to refine our family’s unique pills. Aren't you targeting the Zhao family?"

"If we don't kill you now, our Zhao family will never have a foothold again. From now on, we will live in your shadow!"

Seeing Zhao Tuo’s reaction, Lu Qingyun knew there was a way to resolve this crisis. Zhao Tuo was the young master of a great family, lacking true strength and real-world experience; his mindset was still quite immature. To him, complex problems were beyond his grasp.

Lu Qingyun suddenly recalled something that gave him full confidence. He pointed at the Great Elder and said earnestly, "If I remember correctly, there are terrifying restrictions in this area. If you continue to follow us deeper, I’m afraid your Great Elder won't be able to find us."

"With your cultivation, you might be able to keep up, but what difference is that from sending yourself to your death? If you really want to solve this problem, I advise you to do nothing at all. We have no deep-seated grievances. Once we finish the City Lord’s business, we will leave. Why invite such huge trouble upon yourselves?"

Lu Qingyun was deeply calculating; most people were no match for him. He was able to see through problems at such a young age, which was why he had been able to deal with the City Lord for so long.

Zhao Tuo was indecisive and looked at the Great Elder. The Great Elder said slowly, "The Master told you not to come looking for trouble. If it weren't for the fact that you had been bullied and I wanted to help you vent, I wouldn't have wanted to break the rules either."

"I will be punished by the family when we return, but that doesn't matter. However, have you really thought this through? This is the moment for you to choose. If you still want me to attack, I will do so without hesitation, though whether I can kill him or not, I can no longer say..."

Lu Qingyun did not interrupt. He knew that haste makes waste. If he kept pushing, it would only prove he was guilty, leading to unnecessary trouble. So, he watched quietly, knowing full well what Zhao Tuo would decide.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Tuo felt uncertain and asked Lu Qingyun earnestly, "When the business here is finished, will you really leave? You won't cause any more trouble for our Zhao family?"

Lu Qingyun saw through his intentions and replied slowly, "Why would I take such a risk? What benefit would that bring me? I don't see any need for it. Besides, have I ever said I wanted to deal with you? It was all your own overactive imagination and your own search for trouble. Today, your Great Elder hit me, so let's consider it settled. After all, I know well enough that I beat your father quite badly. Are you satisfied now?"

Zhao Tuo looked at the Great Elder, who nodded slowly. He, too, was unsure why Lu Qingyun possessed such terrifying strength. If he really did have a divine weapon from the City Lord, they could be in grave danger. Leaving now was the best option; continuing to act on impulse would not end well.

The Great Elder was old and experienced. Lu Qingyun was giving them a way out; if they were still ungrateful, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhao Tuo, feeling he had retained some face, said, "If we leave now, will you tell the City Lord when you return?"

Lu Qingyun wondered how he could have ended up as an opponent to such a person. How was this state of mind different from a fool? But since the question was asked so directly, if he didn't answer, would it look like he was afraid?

Lu Qingyun felt a moment of conflict, but he replied very seriously, "Heh, if I were going to tell the City Lord, why would I bother negotiating these useless conditions with you? If you want to go, go. If you don't, then stay. It's that simple; why be so long-winded?"

Lu Qingyun instantly released a terrifying aura, his demeanor that of a top-tier powerhouse. His presence was so intense that it even dispersed the surrounding toxic gas. A confident smile played on his lips as he looked at Zhao Tuo’s terrified expression.

"Go quickly. I have no time to waste here. I have important matters to attend to. If I fail the City Lord’s task, I’ll die anyway, and your wish will be fulfilled, won't it?"

"You great families care too much about face. If you had my background, you would know that survival is the most important thing. Only by staying alive can you create more miracles!"

Lu Qingyun had experienced things others had not. Even if he had transmigrated, the original Lu Qingyun had also been a genius with terrifying talent, destined to be the heir of the Lu family. But things had gone wrong. That accident had turned him into a cripple, someone without a martial soul. No one knew what his fate would have been without the transmigration. But there was no need to dwell on the past; he just needed to keep moving forward.

Upon hearing his words, Zhao Tuo nodded slowly and said to the Great Elder, "Then let's return..."

Zhao Tuo feared bringing disaster upon the Zhao family. If, in his quest to vent his anger, he brought about the destruction of his family, he would be a sinner for eternity.

Once they had completely departed, Lu Qingyun took Meng Li deeper into the area before slowly sitting down under a tree. Seeing his pale face, as if he had suffered a severe injury, Meng Li rushed over, worried. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

She had thought he was unharmed, but his current state made the truth clear.

Lu Qingyun’s voice was weak. "If it weren't for that spiritual liquid, I might be dead by now. That old man’s strike was ruthless; I think I have internal injuries. I don't have many pills left. Perhaps we should delay for a while. If you feel it’s too dangerous, take the small box and leave..."

Lu Qingyun was so weak he could barely speak. Meng Li suddenly remembered how he had shielded her and felt a lump in her throat. "It’s been years since anyone protected me like this. I won't let anything happen to you."

As she spoke, her ring glowed, and a pale blue pill appeared before Lu Qingyun’s eyes.