Chapter 37: Do You Still Wish to Live?

After Chu Xiong finished speaking, he spat out a mouthful of blood. His massive frame collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with terror. He did not even know why he had been injured, nor why the damage was so severe. He felt as though his internal organs had been shattered; had Lu Qingyun’s cultivation level been any higher, they surely would have been pulverized.

Watching Chu Xiong collapse, Chu Feiyang could not believe his eyes. He rushed over, his eyes full of concern, and asked, "Second Uncle, what happened to you? Could he possibly have injured you?"

Chu Xiong gasped, "Get back! His strength is beyond anything you can withstand. That he didn't kill you last time was only because he showed mercy!"

Chu Feiyang quickly retreated. In his heart, his second uncle was an incredibly formidable figure; if he had been beaten to such a state, then Chu Feiyang would certainly suffer grave injuries if he dared to step forward again.

Chu Xiong stared wide-eyed at Lu Qingyun, still unable to fathom what had just occurred. His voice was weak and trembling as he asked, "How were you able to injure me? How did you do it?"

Lu Qingyun was feigning calm. That final burst of strength had exhausted most of his stamina and spiritual energy; had he failed to injure Chu Xiong, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Seeing Chu Xiong in such a weakened state, Lu Qingyun knew that since he had won, whatever he said would be taken as truth. After a moment of thought, Lu Qingyun furrowed his brows and said with a stern expression, "Do I need to explain to you how I defeated you? Since you have lost and I have no intention of killing you, why are you not leaving yet?"

"As for the conflict between me and him, I hope you will clarify the facts with him instead of coming here to settle scores without rhyme or reason. It is truly unreasonable!"

Lu Qingyun’s stern demeanor gave him a sense of superiority, and given his proven strength, the members of the Chu family dared not make another move.

Chu Xiong replied in a shaky voice, "Thank you for sparing my life. When I return, I will conduct a thorough investigation. If Feiyang is truly in the wrong, I will personally apologize to you on behalf of the Chu family."

"But if you are the one in the wrong, I will not swallow this humiliation, even if it costs me my life!"

It was clear that people from great clans valued their pride above all else. He was already so weak that it would be impossible for him to recover for three to five years, yet he could still utter such threats. Lu Qingyun found this incomprehensible. Regardless of the circumstances, life was paramount; only by staying alive could one create miracles. If one were dead, everything else was meaningless.

Lu Qingyun slowly shook his head. "Fine, suit yourself. Leave now while you still can. I cannot guarantee what I might do if I change my mind later..."

Supported by Chu Feiyang, the group from the Chu family finally departed without another word. Lu Qingyun immediately shouted to Fatty Wang, "Quick, close the door!"

The moment the door shut, Lu Qingyun slumped against the wall, his face turning deathly pale. That final attack had drained every drop of his spiritual energy. Meng Li asked with concern, "Are you injured?"

They had witnessed the battle; although Chu Xiong was strong, he hadn't managed to land a strike on Lu Qingyun. Therefore, Lu Qingyun should not have been hurt—but what if they had missed something?

Lu Qingyun slowly shook his head. "No injuries..." Even speaking those few words felt exhausting. Li Changfeng immediately produced a pill for restoring spiritual energy, which Lu Qingyun took, feeling a slight improvement. However, the pill provided by Li Changfeng was not of a high grade; it merely relieved some of his physical weakness.

Just then, the waiter arrived with Qian Yuhai. Seeing the devastated scene, Qian Yuhai’s face turned livid. "Is the Chu family really so bold? Record everything that was destroyed here. Even for a single brick or tile, make them account to me."

"Tell them, if I do not receive compensation by sunset, I will pay them a visit myself!" Qian Yuhai had been speaking with an elderly man and had not arrived sooner.

The waiter had not dared to interrupt, as there was a rule that no one was to disturb them while they were talking. Even if the sky fell, the rule could not be broken. Once Qian Yuhai received the news, he hurried over, and seeing the wreckage, his anger flared.

A ring on Qian Yuhai’s finger glowed, and a delicate small box appeared in his hand. Opening it, he revealed a golden pill. Lu Qingyun, aided by the rewards from his cultivation system, recognized it at once: a Nine-Turn Great Restoration Pill. This was no ordinary medicine; while not quite a divine-grade treasure, it was certainly a supreme item among Heaven-grade pills.

Lu Qingyun quickly demurred, "I have only exhausted my spiritual energy; I am not severely injured. This pill is far too precious; I cannot accept it..."

Hearing this, Qian Yuhai’s ring glowed again, and over a dozen identical pills appeared before them. Everyone was stunned; they had never had the opportunity to even touch such a supreme elixir. But then again, this was Qian Yuhai—with his vast wealth, obtaining such things was simple.

Qian Yuhai said with a serious expression, "You are about to work for me. How can I stand by and watch you in this state? Besides, I rarely have to fight, so these pills are useless to me. In my hands, they serve no purpose. You are in need of them now, so take them. Only by ensuring your safety can my matters be resolved smoothly!"

Qian Yuhai was indeed a shrewd man who saw things clearly, explaining everything with ease. Meng Li took the pills and handed them to Lu Qingyun, whispering with concern, "To Shopkeeper Qian, these pills mean nothing. Don't worry, just take it!"

Lu Qingyun nodded with a smile and consumed the pill. Once the Nine-Turn Great Restoration Pill was swallowed, he was shocked; he had never expected such an astonishing effect. Not only did his spiritual energy recover rapidly, but even his lost stamina and mental clarity returned in an instant.

Just as Lu Qingyun was about to stand up, a familiar voice rang in his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations to the combat-weakling, you are rewarded with a certain amount of cultivation...]

Lu Qingyun hurriedly sat in meditation to digest the system's reward. Before he could even finish rejoicing, the system spoke again.

[Reward: One Xuan-grade movement technique.]

A phantom image of a movement technique flooded Lu Qingyun’s mind. Since he could digest all rewards within his consciousness, no physical object was needed. This technique was called the Lotus Movement. It sounded harmless, but the imagery appearing in his mind was staggering. A phantom figure trod upon lotus flowers, landing in positions that were entirely unpredictable, with leg movements perfectly aligned with the body's natural momentum.

Lu Qingyun grew increasingly excited as he digested the cultivation rewards while sensing the nuances of the movement technique. Everyone watched as he entered a state of breakthrough, looking at each other in disbelief. What monstrous talent was this? Having just survived a terrifying life-and-death battle, he had taken a pill that shouldn't have increased his cultivation, yet it had allowed him to improve.

Even though he was only in the Body Refining Stage, for those with good talent, breaking through a single level usually took three to five years; those without talent could take eight to ten. After consuming the poison pill, he had already jumped five levels, and now he was advancing again. What terrifying potential!

Qian Yuhai addressed those present: "Don't worry, I will have someone watch over this place. He will be perfectly safe. You haven't eaten or drunk well, so I will arrange for you to stay elsewhere. Eat whatever you like..."

Fatty Wang and Han Man were genuinely happy, but they also finally realized the gap between them and Lu Qingyun. Previously, they had thought he was merely clever and full of strategies; they had never expected his talent to be so monstrous.

Seeing them looking dejected, Meng Li smiled and said, "Don't overthink it. Lu Qingyun is a very sincere person. If he truly felt we were a burden, he would have told me. Since he chooses to keep us by his side, it means he treats us with genuine friendship. We must not let him down!"

Being from a great family herself, her words immediately put the two at ease. They followed Qian Yuhai to a more luxurious private room.

At the Chu residence, a teacup shattered on the floor. The atmosphere was stifling; no one dared to make a sound. The usually arrogant and domineering Chu Feiyang was now kneeling on the ground. A middle-aged man with a massive frame and a thick beard stared at them with extreme rage. This was none other than the current head of the Chu family, Chu Batian!

"A fine mess! The reputation of our Chu family has been thrown away by you two. You couldn't even handle a little brat like that, and you have the nerve to come back? Why didn't you just die out there?"

"Did you not stop to think? That boy is currently in the limelight, working for the City Lord. He is essentially the City Lord's dog. Even if you want to beat a dog, you must look at its master! What will we do if the City Lord comes to cause trouble?"

Chu Xiong, still in his weakened state, barely managed to stay conscious. Kneeling on the ground, Chu Feiyang replied with a trembling voice, "Father... I never expected him to be so strong. Even Second Uncle was no match for him..."

Before he could finish, Chu Batian roared again, "Chu Feiyang, I think you have no brain! The Zhao family was already going to deal with him; why did you have to get involved? Do you think the City Lord would choose a piece of trash to work for him?"

"The Zhao family is already on the brink of collapse. Now, look at this—our Chu family is waiting for the City Lord to punish us! Since I am no match for him, any of you with the ability, go ahead and try!"

The members of the Chu family heard his words and did not think he was lying, nor were they under the impression that he was merely scaring them. They all knew how terrifying the City Lord’s strength was; even Chu Batian would find it hard to contend with him.

Chu Feiyang began to cry, shivering, "Father... I don't want to die..."

"I promise I will never provoke him again... No, no... I won't provoke anyone ever again..."

Chu Batian paced back and forth. He was not a man of mere brute force, or he would not have been able to establish himself in Bixiao City. After a moment of thought, he made a decision.

"First, go to Feiyan Tower and compensate Qian Yuhai for his losses. That old man by his side is also not someone to be trifled with."

"I will go directly to the City Lord. Before I return, if anyone asks you anything, do not answer. Do you hear me?"

They nodded in agreement, and Chu Batian quickly left the Chu family estate.

Back at Feiyan Tower, Lu Qingyun had never felt so invigorated. Being able to increase his cultivation level and gain a brand-new movement technique—the mere thought of it was thrilling. About two hours later, he slowly opened his eyes. His spiritual energy had fully recovered, and he felt a strength he had never known before.

With a thought, the Lotus Movement technique flowed through his body. He began to practice the new technique amidst the ruins. Lu Qingyun felt incredibly excited, but just then, a massive force struck the window.

Lu Qingyun turned to see a bearded man crashing in. The sheer power of his entry shattered the entire window frame and pulverized the glass.

"Boom!"

Lu Qingyun did not hesitate to retreat, intending to escape. He could sense the impending danger and knew he was likely no match for this man. But as he tried to reach the door, the man’s immense pressure pinned him in place, rendering him unable to move.

The man walked up to him, eyes wide with fury, and growled in a low voice, "Do you still want to live?"