I Have A Martial Dao World

The next morning, Zhou He arrived with Fu Fangsheng, Zhao Sanduo, and Monk Ben Ming.

"Congratulations to Brother Lu on breaking through to the next realm!" Fu Fangsheng handed over a cloth bag, "This is a little celebration gift from us brothers~"

Lu Yao opened it and, sure enough, it was a pack of "Blood Cores". It seemed that since their last parting, the three of them had killed quite a few vampires.

"Thanks for the honor, brothers! It's enough that you came, what's with bringing gifts~"

"You're a bird-raiser too, so don't mention it."

As everyone took their seats, they realized the banquet was excessively lavish.

Lu Yao had ordered ten medicinal dishes from the Four Seas Tower, all of them tough delicacies like rhino head and whole elephant trunk.

These medicinal dishes were slow-cooked to unleash their power, each stewing in a clay pot as large as a small water urn.

The wine was Golden Elixir Brew, with valuable herbs generously added, having an effect two times stronger than those available on the market.

With such a feast, everyone repeatedly said, "You've spent too much, too much..."

"Today's a happy day, just let loose," Lu Yao led the guests to their seats.

Being straightforward men, they began to eat and drink heartily, clinking cups and passing dishes around.

During the meal, after two cups of wine, Fu Fangsheng began to boast about the glorious deeds they had done:

"Brother Lu, you have no idea! The foreigners' church is a veritable den of demons! Filled with many children they've kidnapped!

We three went to Yun Port first and rescued nearly a hundred children from the cellar of the church!

Then we followed the trail and took down a human tooth gang, damn it~ to think that those involved in such heinous deeds were of the Blood-Exchange Realm!

Continuing on, we stirred up trouble in Jinmen, sinking a human trafficking ship bound overseas and picked a fight with a Frandi church. The newly appointed bishop was killed by me~"

Fu Fangsheng's fair babyface flushed with excitement, "Counting the one from last time, I've killed two! Later we even alarmed Li Zhongtang himself, who personally handled the matter..."

"So each of us now has a bounty of 1500 silver taels on our heads," sighed Zhao Sanduo. "It's going to be hard to go out in the future."

"Amitabha," Monk Ben Ming wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth and pressed his palms together, "To subdue demons and eliminate evil is the duty of a monk."

"Everyone's in high spirits!" Lu Yao raised his glass, "Let's strive to raise the bounty to ten thousand silver taels!"

Fu Fangsheng said modestly, "Ten thousand silver taels are for Innate Realm big villains; we're still somewhat lacking..."

"Brother Fu, don't sell yourself short, I think you can do it! Believe in yourself!"

"Thank you for your confidence, Brother Lu, let's drink to that!"

~~~~~~~~

After three rounds of wine and a taste of five flavors, Lu Yao noticed Zhou He constantly drinking quietly, appearing somewhat melancholic.

"Daoist Zhou, how is Xueyi doing?"

"Doing great, growing strong and hopeful for a Blood-Exchange!"

Zhou He seemed a bit more spirited, "Lu, my friend, I reached the Blood-Exchange Realm thanks to the Spirit Refinement Realm, so I can't be much help to you. Just remember—don't neglect the Martial Path or Spirit Refinement, that's all."

Lu Yao said earnestly, "Rest assured, Daoist, I've got it."

At that moment, Fu Fangsheng swallowed a big bite of elephant trunk and said contentedly, "Ten whole medicinal dishes, this is too luxurious!"

Lu Yao replied with a smile, "It's rare for us to gather like this, might as well enjoy ourselves to the fullest."

"Ten dishes..." Hearing the conversation, Zhou He sighed, "Some people manage to eat 108 dishes in one meal."

"Are you talking about The Empress Dowager, Daoist Zhou?" inquired Lu Yao. "Speaking of which, I'll be heading to the Imperial City in a few days."

Zhou He reminded seriously, "Be careful, Lu---the Imperial City is not at peace."

"Are you referring to the young Emperor taking power? Don't worry, we stay out of politics."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Zhou He shook his head and after a pause, he asked, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'When a nation is about to perish, there will be fiends'?"

Lu Yao nodded slightly, waiting for the enfeoffed priest to continue.

"The Imperial Court has decreed that on the tenth day of the tenth month, at the hour of Wu and the third quarter, they will bow to the Imperial City..." Zhou He spoke slowly:

"This is obviously to harness the Power of Collective Will, but who knows what The Empress Dowager is aiming for. With her character, I'm afraid no good can come of it.

And there's the construction of the Summer Palace in Chang'an... that's where Emperor Qin's Mausoleum is. This world really can't withstand any more turmoil."

The scene fell silent for a moment, and Lu Yao now knew why the old Daoist priest was somber.

After a while, Zhou He slapped his forehead and said, "Today is a day of celebration for young friend Lu, we shouldn't bring up such depressing matters."

In the eyes of old Daoist Zhou, being aware of such high-level affairs was nothing but an unnecessary source of worry.

Raising his glass to toast, he said, "I've also brought a congratulatory gift, young friend Lu~ Let me teach you a fun technique—Mind Sound Transmission!"

No sooner had he spoken than Zhou He's voice rang in Lu Yao's ears:

[Young friend, with the power of your mind combined with Inner Breath, you can silently transmit your voice~]

Lu Yao found it very interesting and immediately began learning from Zhou He.

This technique required a clever skill, the very domain that Spirit Refining Experts excelled at learning, and it didn't take long for Lu Yao to master it.

He teasingly transmitted a message to Liao Ya: [Sister~ I want to marry you as my wife]

The young girl heard it loud and clear, her fair cheeks flushing red.

Luckily, at this moment, everyone was red-faced from drinking, so she didn't stand out.

The banquet went on from morning till afternoon before finally concluding, and Zhou He and the others stood up to take their leave.

Before departing, the old Daoist priest advised, [Young friend Lu, be vigilant in Imperial City and stay away from The Empress Dowager. I hope I'm just being overly cautious]

Lu Yao gave a solemn fist salute and bid farewell to his elder friend.

After the guests had departed, Liao Qe reminded, "We're going to Imperial City, let's inform Sister Li Pei in advance."

~~~~~~~~~

People who are meant for each other often have a telepathic connection. Just as Lu Yao was about to make a phone call, Li Pei actually called first and also had good news to share:

[My master went with the fleet to the sea, slaughtered an Izumo Innate Expert, contributing greatly, and even broke through to the Spirit Refining Oblivion!]

Yu Yanmei was Li Family's stabilizing force. This was indeed great news. Li Pei continued:

[Thanks to that bottle of 'Ten-Complete Immortal Pill' you gave me, its potent effects are so strong that even Innate practitioners can use it. My master has praised it several times~]

"Then I'll bring more for you this time. You can have as much as you want~"

[You're coming over?]

"I've undergone the Blood-Exchange and am planning to go to Imperial City to find you!"

Li Pei was overjoyed at the news! In fact, she really wanted Lu Yao to come over.

After all, she had been craving for Lu Yao for a long time and was eager to show off—that she had a Ru Yi beloved who was in the Spirit Refinement of Divine Fetal Breathing.

But as a Commandery Princess, she had to maintain her composure at this time, and couldn't appear too eager for a man.

Li Pei simply said softly, [Come over, I'll be waiting for you]

"I expect to arrive in Imperial City on the afternoon of September 27. Oh, and~ I heard there's going to be a martial competition?"

[A martial competition? There's something you might not know—some days ago, the Izumo Ambassador proposed a martial contest between our two nations.

The Empress Dowager found the idea appealing, and decided to expand the scope, turning it into a 'World Martial Arts Congress' open to all nations.]

Lu Yao curiously said, "Oh? All nations? That seems like it will be quite lively."

[Mainly because Izumo can't swallow their pride, and they want to gain leverage for the upcoming cease-fire negotiations]

Lu Yao grinned through gritted teeth, "I see... then I definitely can't let those sons of turtles have an easy time!"

While the two were chatting warmly, another voice butted in:

[Lu Xiaozi, I've nurtured this disciple for over 20 years; you can't have her for nothing! You must win the championship at the martial congress, or I won't agree to your union~]

The speaker was none other than Yu Yanmei, and from the other end of the phone came the sound of bickering:

[Ah, Master, what nonsense are you talking...]

[It's not nonsense, I raised her painstakingly for over 20 years, why should I let him just waltz off with her!]

...

Lu Yao said with a laugh, "Don't worry! I'll definitely win the championship."

Hearing that the experts from Izumo would also be competing, Lu Yao suddenly felt motivated!