Time trickled by. By the time Lu Yun had finished all the potent tonic soups on the table, over half an hour had passed.
He set down the soup bowl, picked up a nearby napkin to wipe the corners of his mouth, then leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, sinking a portion of his consciousness deep into his mind.
[Extreme Blue Martial Arts Modifier]
Name: Lu Yun
Gender: Male
Realm: Grandmaster of Divine Intent (Early Stage)
Cultivation Technique: Ten Thousand Valleys Struggle Fist (First Layer), Hard Qi Gong (Third Layer, Mastery)
Modification Value: 404
’I gained 4 points of Modification Value. It’s not much, but I guess it’s better than nothing.’
’These potent tonic soups can’t compare to Immortal Flesh, but their advantage is that I can have them every day. The effects accumulate over time.’
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door.
By the time Lu Yun opened his eyes, Lu Fu had already hurried inside. He approached Lu Yun’s side and said in a low voice, "My Lord, the three advisors and the Gong father and daughter have arrived."
Lu Yun’s expression remained calm; he wasn’t surprised in the slightest. After all, he was the one who’d sent for them overnight.
Zhang Cheng’an was dead, and Yun Port City could not be without a Military Governor. Since all other candidates had long since withdrawn, he, Lu Yun, was now the legitimate successor—the only candidate.
However, controlling a city as vast as Yun Port City was too difficult for the Lu Family to manage alone.
Therefore, Lu Yun needed people—people who were capable, powerful, and willing to follow his lead.
The other three advisors from the Martial Arts Demonstration—Bai Longfei, Zhou Yi, and Zheng Zhishan—were all Grandmasters of Huajin. In addition, Gong Yuanshan of the Gong Family Martial Arts Hall was also a Grandmaster of Huajin.
’Four people, four Grandmasters of Huajin. If I can bring them under my command, then my control over the territory of Yun Port City will be completely secure.’
’But whether they’re willing or not... that remains to be seen.’
Lu Yun pulled back from his thoughts and looked at Lu Fu. "The armor?"
Lu Fu quickly replied, "It’s been delivered to the storeroom. I personally placed it in the innermost chamber and added a lock to the door."
Lu Yun nodded slightly. He had specifically requested that armor. Although he had dented it with a single punch, it was largely undamaged.
’This thing can be a lifesaver in a pinch.’
’When Zhang Cheng’an wore it, even I, a Grandmaster of Divine Intent, could barely hurt him.’
’If it weren’t for my Divine Will True Qi directly attacking his mind, my physical attacks alone would have been useless against that tortoise shell.’
Lu Yun said coolly, "Have Jingteng try it on later to see if it fits."
Lu Fu nodded. "Yes, My Lord."
After a pause, he added, "My Lord, I’ve had the Zhang Family’s treasures inventoried."
"Gold, silver, valuables, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, land deeds, and property deeds have all been cataloged. Advisor Zheng has already dispatched heavily armed guards to escort it all here. It’s just waiting for you to decide what to do with it, My Lord."
Lu Yun grunted in acknowledgment. ’Zhang Cheng’an was the Military Governor for twenty years; his family’s fortune must be immense.’
’This treasure is just what I need to expand the Lu Family’s power. After all, you can’t recruit soldiers or purchase armaments in the Daxia New Country without money.’
At that, Lu Yun stood up. "Go and take care of the Zhang Family’s assets, then have them come in to see me."
Lu Fu bowed. "Yes, My Lord!" With that, he turned and quickly departed.
Lu Yun sat on the main sofa, waiting quietly. A moment later, footsteps sounded from outside, and five figures filed into the room.
At the head of the group was Bai Longfei, still dressed in a white robe, his hair and beard as white as snow, carrying the air of a transcendent master.
Only now, his face had lost its usual detached indifference, replaced by a solemn gravity.
Following close behind was Zhou Yi, his bald head gleaming. He had a stern expression and wore a gray robe.
Next was Zheng Zhishan, who had a buzz cut and wore a short, black martial arts tunic. The last two to enter were Gong Yuanshan and Gong Ning.
Gong Yuanshan wore an azure long robe. The coolly beautiful Gong Ning followed him, once again dressed in that sleek and stylish black dress.
Her posture was ramrod straight, making her look for all the world like a proud little cygnet.
But the moment this little cygnet saw Lu Yun, her head dropped instantly, a complex expression flashing across her coolly beautiful face.
The last time they met, she had foolishly overestimated her own strength and challenged him. And the result? He just stood there, unmoving, and let her attack. She’d exhausted herself trying to land a blow, unable to even scratch him, and ended up crying from the sheer frustration of it all.
From that day on, Gong Ning was completely and utterly convinced of his superiority—prostrating herself in admiration, so to speak.
The five of them walked before Lu Yun, stopped in unison, and bowed slightly. "Lord Lu!"
Lu Yun, still seated, gave a slight nod. "Please, sit."
At his words, the five took their seats on the nearby plush, single-person sofas.
Lu Yun didn’t beat around the bush. He held all the cards; there was no need for pleasantries.
He got straight to the point. "I have invited you all here today because there is something I need your assistance with."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Bai Longfei immediately chimed in. His expression turned utterly sincere as he declared with righteous conviction, "Lord Lu, you are too kind! Whatever it is, you need only give the order!"
The other four were momentarily stunned, especially Zheng Zhishan. He stared at Bai Longfei with wide eyes, his jaw practically on the floor.
’A man in his seventies or eighties calling someone in his early sixties "Lord Lu" with such a fawning expression... The sight was just too shocking.’
’Is... is this the same aloof and untouchable Bai Longfei from before?’
’He was, after all, publicly acknowledged as the number one martial artist in Yun Port City, a master at the Peak of Huajin!’
’Can someone tell me where the old Sect Master Bai went? The one who always carried himself with that transcendent, otherworldly air, as if to say, "I am above mortal concerns"?’
’For an old monster like him to spout such sycophantic nonsense... Well, Zheng Zhishan had certainly seen it all today.’
But Zheng Zhishan quickly came to his senses. On the path of Martial Arts, might makes right. There was no room for pulling rank based on age.

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