The Lu family residence on Fulu Street was petite yet exquisitely crafted, a hidden gem that even the esteemed Madam Xu of Qingfeng City regarded as the pinnacle of refinement within a cramped shell—nothing more could be demanded. Within a lakeside pavilion, the lady who had just successfully secured the Liu family's treasured armor beamed with pride, reclining languidly against the railing, her mood so radiant that even the bothersome Lu Zhengchun—like a mere fly perched on the pavilion steps—seemed barely intrusive. Her son, clad in a resplendent scarlet robe, stood atop a bench tossing fish bait into the small lake, where nearly a hundred crimson-backed carp swarmed, their rippling red waves forming a magnificent spectacle.
The lady instructed Lu Zhengchun, "You need not remain here on standby any longer. Once this matter concludes, accompany us to Qingfeng City. Not only will my husband accept you as an inner disciple, but he will also grant your grandfather's somewhat audacious request, ensuring your eventual ascension to the mid-fifth realm. Remember, such a promise is the most precious currency—your grandfather truly is a cunning old fox." She smiled serenely, "In my view, had your grandfather steered the Lu family's helm, the Lu dynasty might not have collapsed so swiftly. Even the haughty Prince Song Changjing of Dali admitted that his achievement of annihilating a kingdom within a year was half credited to your Lu royal lineage. Of course, your small-town Lu clan is ill-fated; glory seldom travels jointly, yet misfortune often strikes in full. Thus, this rare opportunity granted by Qingfeng City is not to be squandered—seize it with both hands."
Lu Zhengchun bowed deeply, hands clasped above his head, tears of gratitude streaming: "Lu Zhengchun will never forget Madam Xu's immense kindness. Once we reach the famed Qingfeng City, I shall serve Madam Xu faithfully, swearing undying loyalty to her alone!" Madam Xu's eyes twinkled with charm as she replied softly, "Such heartfelt words—better not let my husband, your future master, overhear them. Or perhaps you might repeat them before him sometime?"
Perhaps after his humiliating kneel before Liu Xianyang in Niping Alley, Lu Zhengchun no longer harbored resentment. Hearing the lady's piercing remark, he promptly prostrated himself on the pavilion steps, trembling as he vowed, "Lu Zhengchun shall never forget his roots!" The lady smiled lightly, waving him off, "Enough, rise. When you reach Qingfeng City, cultivation will consume most of your time. Time reveals true strength; whether you remember your origins or not, all will soon come to light."
Retreating down the steps, Lu Zhengchun slowly turned. Once a swaggering scion in the small town, before the lady he seemed perpetually bent, never once straightening his spine. Beyond the town, the Lu family—the ruling surname of a great dynasty—had been grievously wounded by Dali's border forces, their vigor shattered, far from recovery. From the highest branches to the remotest kin, all had to humble themselves. Otherwise, with Qingfeng City's wealth and prestige, no one would dare usurp the small-town Lu residence, occupy their nest, and lord over Lu descendants so brazenly. Even the master-servant pair from Zhengyang Mountain would struggle to maintain such dominance. Now, the Lu clan was a dragon stranded in shallow waters, forced into submission by harsh circumstances.
The boy in red scoffed, "Such a born servant, a sycophant! Why would you keep such a useless wretch, mother? Surely you don't intend for Father to take him as a disciple, and promise him ascension to the mid-fifth realm? When did that become so cheap and worthless?"
The lady smiled, "Though detestable, Lu Zhengchun is not without merit. His talent is mediocre; becoming an outer disciple is already a fortune. Ultimately, he is but a minor pawn in a grand transaction, incapable of stirring any real waves. On the surface, I may promise much to the small-town Lu family, and refuge in Qingfeng City to those fleeing the royal Lu lineage—nobles and scions alike. Qingfeng will treat them with honor, even allotting a vast district as their private domain for a century."
The boy finished scattering bait, dashed out, gathered a handful of stones, and gleefully hurled them at the carp, then turned to say, "Mother, isn't our search for the armor in town just a ruse? A smokescreen for the Qingfeng Xu clan to seize control of the Lu family? After all, the Lu's fleeing royal members number over three thousand, alongside eunuchs, retainers, and dissenters opposed to Dali's Song clan. They significantly bolster Qingfeng's influence."
So this town was the true nexus of the fallen Lu family's intelligence network? The lady smiled approvingly, "Your insight is sharp, but still mistaken." The boy frowned, awaiting explanation. She blinked, "That armor holds a secret—it is no less than the sword manual itself."
The boy flung a stone fiercely at a carp's back, drawing blood as the fish flailed wildly. His eyes burned with intensity: "Father excels in the art of offense; his lethal force rivals even Song Changjing of Dali. Yet he remains confined by his frail constitution, fearing opponents who trade wounds without relent, hence his obscurity and ridicule—even our own in Qingfeng mock him behind his back. Mother, once Father attains this armor, will he become invincible, able to challenge Song Changjing on equal footing?"
The lady shook her head. The boy slammed the railing angrily, "Don't keep me in suspense!" He bared his teeth like a young beast. The lady never minded his outbursts—since birth, her son had been hailed by a seer as having the "countenance of a tiger and wolf, destined to be a ruler."
She patiently explained, "Once Father comprehends the armor fully, he will transcend his limits. Defense? He will crush enemies in a single surge, overwhelming all resistance."
The boy laughed heartily, exhilarated, "Kill, kill, kill! Then let Father purge from within Qingfeng itself—there's no betrayal fouler than that by one's own!"
His laughter faded to calm as he suddenly asked, "Mother, you toy with Zhengyang Mountain like a jester. Aren't you afraid that when their foolhardy ape regains his senses, he might unleash havoc upon us once beyond this town? Also, I can't fathom why Liu, blessed with innate talent, treasured armor, and the sword manual, remained so elusive—why the buyer of his porcelain relic hesitated to reveal themselves, allowing you to exploit the chaos? And how Zhengyang's old ape dealt with the mess, killing Liu Xianyang, removing the threat, leaving us Qingfeng with ample maneuvering room?"
The lady smiled knowingly, "That ancient mountain ape may be slow-witted, but not foolish enough to be a mere puppet. He foresaw my ploy. His willingness to jump into the trap involves complex motives: pride, an unknown secret history—these you need not concern yourself with now."
Lost in thought, she reviewed her plans carefully, mindful of future risks. Young Liu Xianyang's porcelain patron had once been a major force backing the Lu dynasty, devastated by its fall. Before that, it was among the top noble clans under the mountain, and despite confirming Liu's sword embryo talent, still invested heavily to keep him in town for nine years. Zhengyang Mountain learned of this and sought to buy Liu's porcelain relic at an exorbitant price, only for the family to claim it had already been sold—secretly to Fenglei Garden, their mortal enemy, who had seized the chance to snatch the advantage.
Who leaked the news of Liu's heirloom armor and sword manual, and of Fenglei's acquisition? Near yet far, it was the Xu clan of Qingfeng, always lurking in the shadows, masterminding the deal. Having personally journeyed here at great cost, she would not allow the trade to falter, lest her faction's status in Qingfeng collapse, jeopardizing her grip on the city.
In truth, beyond the fading Lu clan, the other three great families in Dongbaoping Continent thrived, each ruling vast domains like suns at their zenith. The true strength of these clans lay not in arcane prowess, but in how many dragon kilns they controlled, determining their yearly porcelain production. A prized cultivator would earn generous "red envelopes" from the porcelain buyers, forging bonds far deeper than mere acquaintances.
The lady sighed, "Never underestimate anyone—even a groveling nobody like Lu Zhengchun. Coming to this town doesn't mean you can easily seize fortunes and treasures. The old Dragon City's Fu Nanhua nearly shattered his Dao heart. Cai Jin Jian of Yunxia Mountain..."