Chapter 93: The Martial Artist of Three Perfections

That day, the disciples of the Crimson Sand Martial Hall and the Black Blade Martial Hall were still spreading rumors on the streets, only to be confronted by Wang Lin and his companions. Wang Lin took direct action, breaking the legs of several disciples from the two martial halls and binding them on the street for all to see. News of this spread quickly among the townsfolk, and the rumors were dispelled on their own. The Three Perfections Martial Hall had proven their true ability with strength; after all, the disciples from Crimson Sand and Black Blade could not last more than a few moves against those from Three Perfections. Without genuine skill, how could they possess such prowess?

The days when the Three Perfections Martial Hall had not acted were now seen by the townsfolk as mere modesty. “Soon, it will be my turn to step forward,” Lu Yan mused within the crowd, smiling quietly. He had followed Wang Lin and his group in secret, since Wang Lin had broken through his limits four times; Lu Yan was concerned that the other martial halls might have fighters who surpassed Wang Lin, making him vulnerable. Yet in reality, the strongest among their number had only broken through three times, and were simply no match for Wang Lin.

As the matter continued to ferment, a surge of young people flocked to the martial hall, eager to train. With true skill on offer and prices at only half those of other halls, opportunity like this was rare—a chance not to be missed. Lu Yan accepted every apprentice who came to pay and train. In just three days, over thirty new apprentices had joined. Even the three apprentices who had previously demanded refunds returned, thick-skinned and hoping to stay; but Cao Hu threw them out, one in each hand. Lu Yan also reimbursed the difference in cost to the apprentices who had stayed from the beginning, according to the new price, making them quietly grateful they had not left—they would have regretted it bitterly.

Crimson Sand Martial Hall.

Bang!

Duang Shenfei slammed his palm down, shattering a slab of stone beside him. He refrained from smashing the marble table, given its value. “Outrageous! The Three Perfections Martial Hall is pushing us too far.” Duang Shenfei’s expression was grim as iron. Among those whose legs had been broken, one was his personal disciple, whom he had taught advanced martial arts; now, the bones of his leg were completely shattered, leaving him a cripple.

“What are we to do now?” Liu Zong asked.

“Their price reduction for training will be their undoing—it has alarmed the Alliance of Thirteen Martial Halls. We’ll invite several other masters and confront Three Perfections Martial Hall together, forcing them to comply.” Duang Shenfei spoke coldly. He had no intention or courage to challenge Three Perfections Martial Hall directly. If he won, so be it; but if he lost, it would severely harm the reputation of Crimson Sand, making future recruitment difficult.

The next day.

“Master, the leaders of Crimson Sand, Black Blade, and three other martial halls have arrived together, saying they have urgent matters to discuss.” In the study, Li Quan reported.

“Let them wait,” Lu Yan replied. This was within his expectations.

An hour passed.

“Outrageous! This Lu Shanchuan thinks so highly of himself, making the five of us masters wait here,” roared a burly man, towering like a black tower.

This was Zhao Tie, master of Black Fiend Martial Hall. His mastery of Black Fiend Body, a second-tier martial art, had reached its peak, earning him the nickname Iron Tower of Zhenjiang. The faces of the other four masters were equally displeased. All were reputable figures in Baicao City, and now an outsider dared to keep them waiting.

“Let’s just overturn this Three Perfections Martial Hall and see what he’ll do!” Zhao Tie’s temper flared, continuing his rant.

“Brother Zhao, patience. One can dodge the first day, but not the fifteenth; today, Lu Shanchuan will have to see us whether he wishes to or not,” said Duang Shenfei.

Zhao Tie grunted heavily and sat down, his face dark.

After another moment, Lu Yan strode into the hall, laughing, “Ah, honored guests, what a privilege it is to receive you! I was absorbed in my training and arrived late—my apologies.” He took the seat of honor. He had established the Three Perfections Martial Hall under the alias Lu Shanchuan. The five masters offered a perfunctory salute.

“Master Lu, let’s not beat around the bush. We’re here today about your pricing. The Alliance of Thirteen Martial Halls in Baicao City sets a unified price, but you’ve slashed yours to half. How are we supposed to compete?” Duang Shenfei went straight to the point.

“Oh, that’s what concerns you? You teach yours, I teach mine. If you’re afraid I’ll take your business, you can lower your prices too. What’s it got to do with me?” Lu Yan replied mildly.

“Rubbish! If you want to compete, do it with real skill. Halving the price isn’t any form of skill,” Zhao Tie thundered, slamming the table and rising in anger, glaring at Lu Yan.

“Competition is fine, but deliberately undercutting prices is malicious competition and violates the rules of the Alliance of Thirteen Martial Halls. We won’t tolerate it,” Liu Zong, known as Soul Severing Blade, spoke coldly.

“That’s your rule. The Three Perfections Martial Hall never joined the alliance, so your rules don’t bind me,” Lu Yan said.

“You’re too arrogant, Lu Shanchuan,” Duang Shenfei said icily.

Lu Yan leaned forward, gazing down at them, “I am arrogant—what will you do?”

Bang!

Zhao Tie slammed the table again, this time with such force that it exploded, his blood surging, “You scoundrel, don’t push us! This is Baicao City—be careful, or you won’t even know how you die.”

“Are you challenging me?” Lu Yan asked.

“Let’s do it. Let me see your so-called skill,” Zhao Tie barked, his blood rising, making his already burly frame swell further, standing nearly two meters twenty, imposing like a black tower. No wonder he was called the Iron Tower of Zhenjiang.

“If you wish to spar, very well. In three days, I will set up a stage—masters are welcome to come and fight. Now, please see yourselves out,” Lu Yan said.

He had no interest in fighting here. If he won, nobody would witness it. If there was to be a fight, it should be public, to firmly establish the reputation of Three Perfections Martial Hall.

Wang Lin and Li Quan promptly entered and gestured for the five masters to leave.

The five masters departed with grim faces. Setting up a stage for a public challenge was a clear sign of disregard for the Alliance of Thirteen Martial Halls.

“Fine. Three days from now, we shall see,” Zhao Tie declared, rising to leave.

“Master Zhao, you broke the table—shouldn’t you pay for it?” Lu Yan said calmly.

Zhao Tie froze, his face dark. He threw a silver ingot on the ground, declaring loudly, “Three days from now, I’ll see your skill.” Then he strode out.

The remaining four masters left Three Perfections Martial Hall with equally dark faces, joining the other masters of the alliance to discuss matters.

If Three Perfections Martial Hall truly set up a stage and openly challenged them, they would have no choice but to accept. Refusing would brand them as weak and cowardly, damaging their reputation and threatening the future of their halls.

After the five masters departed, Lu Yan ordered Wang Lin, Li Quan, and others to hire workers and set up a stage in the open area before Three Perfections Martial Hall. He also spread word that the martial hall alliance was dissatisfied with his pricing and had pressured him, but he was unafraid and planned to challenge the other halls publicly. If anyone could defeat him, he would restore his prices to market rates.

The news sparked a heated discussion, spreading to other streets and districts. The city was abuzz; countless people turned their attention to the event, eagerly anticipating the match in three days.

Ordinarily, the thirteen martial halls competed through their disciples, but rarely did the masters themselves duel. Such excitement was not to be missed.

Three days later.

Outside Three Perfections Martial Hall, crowds thronged the stage, packed tightly all around.

“The masters of the Alliance of Thirteen Martial Halls are here!” someone called out, and the crowd parted, making way for a procession.

“Twelve of the thirteen masters have come,” Li Quan whispered to Lu Yan’s side. Over the past days, he had gathered all information about the alliance and could recognize the masters at a glance.

“The more, the better,” Lu Yan nodded, leaping onto the stage.

“Who will be first to offer guidance?” Lu Yan shouted.

“I will be your first opponent,” called out a figure leaping onto the stage—it was Duang Shenfei, the Crimson Sand Wolf.

“Duang Shenfei of Crimson Sand Martial Hall, master of Crimson Sand Palm, here to learn from you,” Duang Shenfei declared, following the etiquette between martial halls, cupping his fists in a brief introduction. In public, this gesture was upright and honorable, leaving a good impression.

“Lu Shanchuan, master of blade, leg, and palm—known as the Three Perfections Martial Artist. Today, I will meet your challenge with palm techniques,” Lu Yan replied, matching the formality with his own introduction.

(End of Chapter)