Chapter 117: Revealing the Martial Marquis’s True Power
That day passed without incident.
The following morning.
Lu Yan, carrying the Scarlet Blood Saber on his back, arrived at a mansion according to the address left on Wang Dao’s invitation.
Having achieved the rank of Martial Marquis, Wang Dao naturally could no longer reside in his former dwelling. Li Cangqing had granted him a spacious estate.
Lu Yan presented the invitation card and smoothly entered the residence.
Within one of the courtyards, dozens of tables had been arranged, all filled with guests.
Wang Dao had once been a blade enthusiast, with few acquaintances; but news of his promotion to Martial Marquis had suddenly drawn a swarm of relatives.
Wang Dao was busy attending to his guests. Lu Yan did not rush forward to greet him, instead choosing a seat at the edge of the gathering.
As noon approached, the number of guests swelled.
Moreover, Li Cangqing himself came to offer congratulations.
Seated with Li Cangqing were seven or eight formidable experts, whose presence commanded respect without the need for anger.
Those who sat alongside Li Cangqing were undoubtedly all Martial Marquis-level figures, all from Li Cangqing’s faction.
Seeing that the time was right, Lu Yan finally stood and approached.
“Brother Wang, congratulations! From this day forth, your martial path is sealed with nobility, ascending straight to the heavens.”
Lu Yan approached, clasping his fists in salute.
“Master Lu,” Wang Dao said, startled upon seeing Lu Yan, unsure how to address him—afraid that Lu Yan might still wish to keep the unity of blade and martial arts concealed.
“Brother Wang, do you still recognize this blade?”
Lu Yan unsheathed the Scarlet Blood Saber, revealing its crimson blade.
“The Scarlet Blood Saber.”
Wang Dao’s eyes lit up upon seeing the blade. He knew Lu Yan was unafraid of exposure and smiled warmly.
“Brother Lu, you jest. Of course, I recognize this blade.”
“Today, with your ascension to Martial Marquis, I return this blade to you as a gift of congratulations.”
After speaking, Lu Yan handed over the Scarlet Blood Saber.
Wang Dao’s expression turned serious as he quickly declined.
“Absolutely not. I have said before: whoever can surpass me in blade technique shall have this blade as a gift. Once given, there’s no taking it back. Besides, without you, my blade technique would still be stuck at the level of inspiration—not to mention the unity of human and martial, much less becoming a Martial Marquis.”
“This is your innate talent. I have only lent a hand. Please accept it.”
Lu Yan insisted.
“No, I simply cannot accept this blade. Are you asking me to be untrustworthy? I’m already honored by your presence. Come, let us drink.”
Wang Dao was adamant, his expression suggesting that any more insistence might lead to offense.
Lu Yan, appearing helpless, could only sheath the Scarlet Blood Saber again.
He had known Wang Dao would refuse.
“Brother Lu, please sit and join me in drinking.”
Wang Dao invited Lu Yan to the seat of honor—the same table where Li Cangqing and the other Martial Marquis sat.
All eyes immediately turned to Lu Yan.
Unperturbed, Lu Yan took a seat at an empty spot at the main table, two seats away from Li Cangqing.
“Everyone, allow me to introduce Brother Lu, head of the Three Excellences Martial Hall, Lu Shanchuan. Young Master Li Cangqing, you’ve met him before. This is—”
Wang Dao warmly introduced him, and Lu Yan rose to greet each guest with a respectful clasp of his fists.
“Senior Wang, forgive my rudeness, but I must say something that I cannot keep inside.”
From another table, a young man stood.
“Since ancient times, strength and weakness differ, and respect is orderly. This Three Excellences martial artist appears to have only broken through five limits. By tradition, he has no right to sit alongside the esteemed Martial Marquis.”
“Indeed. Such behavior disrupts custom and diminishes the dignity of the Martial Marquis, inviting criticism.”
“I agree as well.”
With one voice beginning, others joined in, murmuring among themselves.
Li Cangqing and the other Marquis at the head table did nothing to stop it.
Their expressions clearly indicated tacit agreement.
In the Great Chu Empire, such customs did exist.
Moreover, in these chaotic times, where martial prowess is valued over scholarly pursuits, survival of the fittest reigns supreme.
The Martial Marquis hold immense power and lofty status; beneath them are only those of especially noble birth who might stand on equal footing.
Li Cangqing, for example, had the status to sit with the Marquis even as a limit-breaking martial artist.
But Lu Yan was merely a martial hall master—his status was far lower.
“This is awkward.”
Wang Dao was at a loss.
He was not ignorant of such customs, but as a blade fanatic absorbed in his craft, he never cared much for rules. His invitation to Lu Yan to the main seat had been a spur of the moment out of excitement.
Now he was stuck.
Letting Lu Yan sit was improper, yet asking him not to was equally uncomfortable.
Lu Yan smiled calmly, unbothered, lifted his cup, and drained it in one gulp.
Then, with a flick of his hand, he sent the cup flying ten yards away toward a stone pedestal.
Clang!
The cup exploded like a bomb upon striking the pedestal, shattering into pieces.
At the same moment, the stone pedestal itself cracked and splintered.
Bone Strength!
Many present felt a jolt in their hearts.
To throw a cup and shatter a stone pedestal ten yards away required bone strength; mere vitality and qi would not suffice.
Wang Dao beamed.
“Brother Lu, have you broken through to Martial Marquis?”
“Recently, the Three Excellences Martial Hall faced closure. Feeling my strength insufficient even to protect the hall, I resolved to risk everything and pushed through the limits. Unexpectedly, I succeeded.”
Lu Yan sighed.
“Ha ha ha, excellent! Today truly brings double joy—most felicitous and worthy of celebration! Come, a toast to Master Lu!”
Li Cangqing laughed heartily, rising to raise his cup.
“Master Lu, it is I who should toast you. Without your aid last time, the Three Excellences Martial Hall would have surely closed.”
Lu Yan raised his cup and drank deeply.
Li Cangqing chuckled and followed suit.
“Master Lu, to have achieved this on your own without aid from martial sustenance is truly admirable. I salute you.”
“Indeed. I’ve heard that Brother Lu has long refined a second-rate blade technique to the unity of human and martial, forging a postnatal martial body. To reach Martial Marquis through postnatal cultivation alone is rare across the six prefectures of Lingdong. Admirable indeed.”
The other Marquis at the table also stood to toast.
Had Lu Yan not broken through, sitting at their table would have been presumptuous, and they would not toast him.
But now, having reached Martial Marquis through postnatal cultivation, his combat power was undoubtedly among the elite of his peers—they regarded him as an equal.
Lu Yan accepted all the toasts cheerfully.
He was not revealing his Martial Marquis status out of heat-of-the-moment anger over their earlier slight.
This had been planned.
He took this opportunity to display some of his strength.
Now that he stood at the second tier of Martial Marquis, with true combat power far beyond, it was time to reveal a portion of his might.
Sometimes, hiding too much only complicates matters.
Showing formidable strength can resolve many issues and avoid unnecessary trouble.
For example, now—
“Martial Marquis, I was blind before, not knowing you had broken through. I beg your pardon for my earlier offense. Please forgive me, and do not hold my mistakes against me.”
A young man knelt, repeatedly kowtowing thrice in succession.
He was the same one who had questioned Lu Yan’s right to sit at the main table.
Publicly insulting a Martial Marquis was a grave offense, and the Marquis had the right to retaliate—even to disable him—with no one to object.
“Martial Marquis, I too was blind earlier. Please forgive me.”
Several others who had spoken before also came forward, trembling with fear, apologizing repeatedly to avoid drawing the Marquis’s ire.
They wished they could slap themselves for their foolish outburst.
“Those who do not know are blameless. You may withdraw.”
Lu Yan waved his hand.
As a Martial Marquis, it was only fitting to show magnanimity.
Relieved by the pardon, the group bowed repeatedly and retreated cautiously.
After several rounds of drinking, the crowd gradually dispersed.
“Brother Wang, how about a sparring match?”
Lu Yan invited.
“Gladly. I would welcome the opportunity.”
Wang Dao, a blade fanatic, longed for daily practice partners. He would not refuse such an invitation.
Soon, in the courtyard, two blades flashed repeatedly, striking like twin lightning fish weaving through the air.
After hundreds of exchanges, the blade light dimmed as they sheathed their swords and stepped back.
Wang Dao, still eager, said, “Brother Lu, you truly are the most extraordinary blade prodigy I have ever met. In just a short time, your technique has deepened. A pity, you cultivate only second-rate martial arts. If you could obtain a first-rate blade art, your progress would be rapid, and your name would resound across the world.”
“You flatter me, Brother Wang,” Lu Yan smiled.
“No need to be modest. Within the Li clan, there is a first-rate blade art called the Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber. It is what I practice. If given the chance, I will petition Young Master Cangqing to pass it to you.”
“Such a blade art would shine brilliantly in your hands.”
Wang Dao said earnestly.
“Thank you, Brother Wang. Since my breakthrough to Martial Marquis, I have new insights into the Reflecting Moon Saber. How about you come with me back to the martial hall? We can spar daily.”
Lu Yan proposed.
“Excellent. Let’s go.”
Wang Dao readily agreed, grabbing his sword.
“Our ideas are limited. Do you know any other Martial Marquis-level blade masters we might invite?”
Lu Yan suggested.
“Martial Marquis blade masters, you say?”
Wang Dao clapped his hands.
“Why didn’t you say so sooner? Senior Yang Zhihuan is a blade master. He specializes in a first-rate martial art as well—the Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber. He just left not long ago; we can catch up and invite him.”
An image appeared in Lu Yan’s mind.
The elder at the table, with a square face, stern features, burly build, and commanding presence—like a seasoned battlefield general.
Wang Dao had introduced him as Yang Zhihuan, a fourth-tier Martial Marquis and the most advanced among them.
The two set off immediately, heading toward Yang Zhihuan’s residence.
Sure enough, they caught up with Yang Zhihuan halfway.
“Senior Yang.”
Wang Dao called out.
Surprised to see Lu Yan and Wang Dao, Yang Zhihuan asked, “You came looking for me?”
“Senior Yang, we wish to spar with you in blade technique. What do you say?”
Wang Dao clasped his fists respectfully.
Yang Zhihuan’s eyes brightened with a smile.
“Excellent. Come, to my place.”
Yang Zhihuan was a genuine blade master. In his youth, he often sought sparring partners. However, as his cultivation deepened—especially after reaching Martial Marquis—the opportunities lessened.
Not for lack of desire, but because worthy opponents were scarce.
Martial Marquis-level blade masters were exceedingly rare.
Especially in Li Wenxin’s lineage, besides him, there was only one other first-tier Martial Marquis blade master. After long sparring, novelty was lost—quite simply, they grew weary.
Both Wang Dao and Lu Yan excelled with the blade.
At the banquet, Yang Zhihuan had wanted to invite them to spar but refrained out of respect for his seniors.
Now, with Wang Dao’s invitation, it was a perfect fit.
“Senior, why not come to my martial hall? I recently hired several martial chefs; their culinary skills are excellent. We’ll eat and spar together. How about it?”
Lu Yan invited.
“Very well. I shall trouble you then. Let us go.”
Yang Zhihuan was decisive, foregoing even a return home and intending to notify his household once they arrived.
This was a blade master’s way—practice took precedence over all else.
It reminded Lu Yan of the anglers from his past life.
Unstinting in rain or shine, anglers and blade masters were remarkably alike.
“Also, don’t call me ‘senior’ anymore. I’m just a few years older. Call me ‘brother’ instead.”
Yang Zhihuan added.
Lu Yan and Wang Dao both addressed him as Brother Yang.
Within the training hall of the Three Excellences Martial Hall, two figures weaved and crossed, blades flashing like refined steel, swift as thunder, sparks flying with each clash.
In no time, Lu Yan and Wang Dao had exchanged over a hundred moves.
Yang Zhihuan watched from the side, nodding occasionally with admiration.
“Brother Lu, be careful; I’m about to unleash the Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber!”
Wang Dao cried out, suddenly shifting technique from the Reflecting Moon Saber to the Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber.
His blade style became domineering and expansive, like a raging thunderstorm; each strike echoed with the rumble of thunder.
Lu Yan’s blade style shifted in response, adopting the Sky-Piercing Saber to counter.
They exchanged over a hundred more moves before sheathing their blades and stepping back.
“Brother Lu, your blade technique is profound and unfathomable. I admire you,” Wang Dao clasped his fists.
“Ha ha, now it’s my turn. Who will face me?”
Yang Zhihuan eagerly stepped forward, itching to spar.
“Brother Yang, let me accompany you for a few moves.”
Lu Yan clasped his fists.
“I will suppress my cultivation to first-tier Martial Marquis,” Yang Zhihuan said, then swung his blade in a diagonal slash toward Lu Yan.
Lu Yan raised his blade to meet the attack.
Yang Zhihuan’s Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber was far superior to Wang Dao’s.
Years ago, Yang Zhihuan had cultivated it to its peak. Though not yet transcending to the realm of ultimate mastery, he was but a step away.
His blade art was domineering, fierce, and relentless.
Lu Yan concentrated in defense.
His Nine Heavens Saber had already achieved unity of human and martial, giving him a far deeper understanding of blade technique than Yang Zhihuan.
But he could not fully employ it, so he responded with the Sky-Piercing Saber at the human-martial unity level.
Yet, his realm allowed him to glimpse weaknesses in Yang’s technique with a single glance, effortlessly countering with unexpected moves.
For a time, the duel was evenly matched.
After several hundred moves, they ceased.
“Exhilarating! It has been a long time since I’ve sparred so joyfully. Brother Lu, you are truly a blade prodigy. I am no match for you.”
Yang Zhihuan praised Lu Yan without reservation.
“Brother Yang speaks truly. Brother Lu’s mastery is unparalleled in my life. A pity he lacks a first-rate martial art to match. If he could cultivate the Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber, his unification of human and martial would be imminent, and his fame would shake the world.”
Wang Dao sighed.
Yang Zhihuan pondered.
“Brother Wang, shall we petition Young Master Cangqing to teach Brother Lu the Nine-Slash Divine Thunder Saber?”
“I had the same thought. With Brother Yang’s support, it will surely succeed.”
Wang Dao rejoiced.
Lu Yan naturally did not feign modesty.
He coveted the first-rate blade art as well.
(End of chapter)