A thunderous rupture shattered the silence—six deafening bursts in succession! The resonance of a martial body breaking through its limits signaled the ascension to Grandmaster level. The more explosive the sound, the more formidable the Grandmaster's prowess.
Chen Beixun, adorned in a refined azure scholar's robe and crowned with a jade headdress, radiated an air of elegance and nobility. Today, his neatly groomed beard had been washed with petal-infused water, emitting a faint, pleasing fragrance.
Just as he stepped into Lu Fan's courtyard, a mighty surge of blood energy rushed forth, accompanied by the thunderous booms of a Grandmaster's body breaking through. The fierce aura blew his beard into disarray.
His gaze swept toward the distant courtyard where Lu Fan sat in a wheelchair, his legs draped with a woolen blanket. Sunlight cascaded over him, and his posture exuded indolent grace. Before him, Nie Changqing sat cross-legged—those six echoing bursts had come from within his body.
A Six-Echo Grandmaster!
Chen Beixun's heart sank. Such a warrior stood at the pinnacle of martial might, even within the vast Zhou Dynasty.
He recognized Nie Changqing—once ranked tenth in the Dao Sect, known as the "Peerless Blade."
He never imagined that Nie Changqing had survived, let alone recovered his cultivation and broken through again to reach the sixth echo. With him now, the Lu Manor possessed three Grandmasters. What an overwhelming show of force!
"You're early, Little Chen." Lu Fan reclined in his chair, idly toying with a black chess piece that glinted like polished river stone under the sun—cool, smooth, and pleasing to the touch.
"Not early at all," Chen Beixun replied with a bow and a smile. "I simply couldn't wait to deliver the deed for Young Lord Lu."
"After Young Lord Lu's departure yesterday, I rushed to both the Liu and Zhu manors to negotiate the Drunken Dust Pavilion deed. Upon learning it was for you, both young masters were most agreeable and expressed great willingness to comply."
Nie Changqing opened his eyes from his meditative posture and glanced at Chen Beixun. The fervor in his expression faded. Rising to his feet, he adjusted the butcher's knife at his waist and moved silently behind Lu Fan—stern, unflinching, exuding the oppressive aura unique to Grandmasters.
Behind Chen Beixun stood two youths clad in ornate robes, clearly martial cultivators. Their bulging temples and vibrant blood energy betrayed their strength, though likely only second-rate warriors. Upon entering the courtyard, they too were stunned by the might of Nie Changqing's six explosive echoes.
"Young Lord Lu," the heirs of the Liu and Zhu families forced polite smiles as they stepped forward.
Lu Fan gave them a cursory glance and a faint nod, not bothering with a word.
"I've taken a liking to the Drunken Dust Pavilion. Do you object?" he asked, head lowered as he toyed with the chess piece.
Liu Ye of the Liu family stole a glance at Chen Beixun before narrowing his eyes and replying, "If Young Lord Lu desires it, how could we possibly object?"
Zhu Yishan of the Zhu family nodded in cheerful agreement.
The two retrieved the property deeds from their robes. Nie Changqing stepped forward, cast them a glance, and took the documents, handing them to Lu Fan.
Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan flushed crimson. Nie Changqing's unrestrained Grandmaster aura made their backs prickle with unease.
"Young Lord Lu, this elder is…?" they asked hesitantly. Unlike Chen Beixun, they were not of the Hundred Schools and failed to recognize Nie Changqing.
"Oh… Old Nie? He's my coachman," Lu Fan replied without looking up, flipping through the deeds.
Far off, the smile froze on Chen Beixun's face.
The tenth-ranked "Peerless Blade" of the Dao Sect… now a mere coachman?
"C-Coachman?!" Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan exchanged a shocked glance, gasping as tremors surged through their hearts.
A Six-Echo Grandmaster… as a coachman? Not even the emperor enjoyed such a privilege!
"Excellent," Lu Fan said, flicking the three property deeds between his fingers.
Henceforth, the Drunken Dust Pavilion bore the Lu name.
With that thought, his mood brightened. Sunlight glistened on his rosy lips and ivory teeth, every strand of downy hair visible under its golden touch.
"No day like today—let's visit the pavilion now," Lu Fan chuckled softly, then cast a long glance at the deferential Chen Beixun.
Liu Ye and Zhu Yishan's eyes lit up, smiles blossoming across their faces.
"Old Nie, prepare the carriage.""Ning-jie, push me out of the manor," Lu Fan commanded with a tap on his blanket.
Nie Changqing withdrew silently. Ning Zhao, in flowing gauze, glided forward, her delicate hands resting on the wheelchair as she gently pushed it forward.
Chen Beixun, Liu Ye, and Zhu Yishan followed with cheerful steps, trailing behind Lu Fan.
Ni Yu, standing in horse stance with puffed cheeks and grievance on her babyish face, watched Lu Fan with large, sorrowful eyes.
Young master's going out to play… without her?He wins one game of chess and suddenly she's fallen out of favor?!
"Little Ni, carry the chessboard and follow," Lu Fan said with a hand propping his chin, casting her a glance and chuckling.
"Yay!" Ni Yu's face lit up with joy, her sorrow vanishing instantly. She picked up the chessboard and trailed after him in tiny steps.
As for Nie Shuang in the courtyard, she remained in her horse stance, stubborn to the end.
Outside the Lu Manor
A refined carriage stood parked, pulled by a sweating blood-red steed whose nostrils flared with bursts of white mist. Nie Changqing sat sideways on the carriage shaft, leisurely twirling the whip.
This was a specially commissioned carriage by Lu Fan. The door, located at the side, could unfold into a ramp for wheelchair access. The cabin was an enlarged version, padded with soft cotton and lined with handwoven brocade, ensuring both comfort and spaciousness.
Once Ning Zhao wheeled Lu Fan inside, she lifted her skirt and took her seat on the other side of the shaft. Ni Yu, having received special permission, clambered joyfully into the cabin with the chessboard in her arms.
Nie Changqing gave a passing glance at the three trailing men, then raised his whip.
Crack!A sharp neigh split the air. Hooves pounded onto the stone-paved road as the carriage surged forward.
Chen Beixun stroked his beard, a glint of light flashing across his eyes as he watched the retreating carriage.
Soon, servants led their horses forth. The three men mounted swiftly and followed in pursuit.
…
The carriage galloped along the official road at breakneck speed. Though Nie Changqing had never been a coachman, with his Grandmaster might, handling a sweating blood horse was effortless.
Northern Luo City bustled with activity. Situated near the imperial capital, its central thoroughfares were flanked by rows of tall buildings.
Drawn by the steed's strength, the elegant carriage sped down the main avenue. At the sound of hooves and rolling wheels, pedestrians quickly cleared the way. Hawkers scrambling to reclaim street space dragged their stalls back in a panic.
From behind their carts, heads poked out, eyes wide as the resplendent carriage bearing the character "Lu" flashed past.
The City Lord's carriage!Young Master of the Lu House on the move!
Leaving the main avenue, the carriage turned onto Lakeside Road. White jade railings enclosed the shimmering expanse of North Luo Lake.
Finally, the carriage slowed.
"Whoa," Nie Changqing called, tugging the reins. The steed snorted, gradually coming to a halt.
"Young Master, we've arrived. The Drunken Dust Pavilion lies on the lake's heart. There's no road—we'll need to take a boat," he said.
From within, Lu Fan's amused voice drifted out."Old Nie, you seem quite familiar with the route to the Drunken Dust Pavilion."
Nie Changqing's aged face flushed red.
What man in Northern Luo didn't know the way to the Drunken Dust Pavilion? Of course, he himself lacked the funds to frequent such a brothel, but he did pass by it… occasionally… to admire from afar.
Ning Zhao descended the carriage, brushed her silk dress smooth, and carefully opened the side door, gently helping Lu Fan disembark.
Lu Fan alighted, peering over the white jade railings at the rippling lake below. A sense of peace welled within his chest.
Truth be told, it was his first time here. The former Lu Fan rarely visited the Drunken Dust Pavilion, his leg affliction making travel difficult.
They say the mists of the Jiangnan are ethereal and dreamlike. Though Northern Luo lay far to the north, the scenery around North Luo Lake bore a trace of that southern charm.
After last night's rainfall, a mist hovered above the lake. Sunlight, peeking intermittently through the clouds, glimmered upon the water's surface like liquid silver.