The world of martial arts, the immortal swordsman in the mortal realm.

Chapter 17, The One-Year Promise!
Although Huang Yaoshi had changed his opinion of Lu Chen and even developed a slight appreciation for his martial arts talent, his personality was eccentric and awkward, and out of a father's subtle mindset, he still couldn't stand Lu Chen no matter what.

Seeing his daughter's smug expression and recalling her previous protectiveness and praise of Lu Chen, Huang Yaoshi felt increasingly displeased and simply said to Huang Rong:

"Rong'er, you've been running away for a month now. It's time to come home with your father."

"Go home? I don't want to!"

Huang Rong shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum.

"Rong'er is also going to take Lu Chen to challenge famous masters from all over the country and make a name for himself."

Huang Yaoshi said calmly:

"The world is a dangerous place, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Rong'er, you have never traveled the world alone before, and you are going to take a novice young man with you to trample on the reputation of famous masters in various places. Have you ever thought about what the consequences will be? Who knows, when the moon is dark and the wind is high, some so-called master whose face you have trampled on may bring dozens of masked men, lime powder, fishing nets, and dark blue powder to kill you."

Huang Rong chuckled:
"Father, are you underestimating Rong'er? I'm so clever, who could possibly plot against me!"

Huang Yaoshi shook his head:

"No matter what, you must go home with your father."

As a father, how could he possibly let his precious daughter run around the world with a hot-blooded young man!

Seeing Huang Yaoshi's resolute attitude, Huang Rong changed her approach, shaking his arm and acting coquettishly:
"Father, if you are worried about Rong'er, why don't you come with us on our journey through the world? You can also give Lu Chen some pointers along the way."

So why are you so unwilling to separate from that guy?
He actually wants me to be his bodyguard and martial arts instructor!
Huang Yaoshi was furious. He avoided Huang Rong's gaze and glared coldly at Lu Chen.

"..."

Lu Chen looked completely innocent.

Huang Rong was still pleading for mercy:

"Father, if you insist on taking me home, you can take Lu Chen back with you. You can take him as your last disciple and personally teach him martial arts. He will surely be able to carry forward the Peach Blossom Island lineage..."

I have no disciples left, and you are my only daughter. Why not take him as my last disciple so that I can pass on the family business to him in the future?

Seeing his daughter's unwavering defense of Lu Chen, Huang Yaoshi was filled with rage. However, having witnessed Huang Rong's impulsive departure, he dared not act rashly, lest he anger Rong'er again.

He can't just break Rong'er's legs, lock her up, and watch over her all day long, can he?

Given the chance, she'll probably try to run away again.

In the blink of an eye, Huang Yaoshi had an idea:
"Rong'er, since you value Lu Chen so much, how about I make a bet with you?"

"A bet?" Huang Rong blinked. "What kind of bet?"

"You know your two rebellious sons."

Huang Yaoshi said calmly:

"I'll bet Lu Chen can find my two rebellious disciples within a year, capture them, and retrieve what they stole. If he can do that, I'll do as you say and take him as my last disciple. If he can't..."

Huang Rong pouted and said with dissatisfaction:
"Father, this bet is so unfair! Your two rebellious disciples have disappeared from the martial world for many years. In just one year, Lu Chen is afraid he won't even be able to find their whereabouts."

"Moreover, they are all your disciples. Their martial arts skills are so high that even the Seven Masters of Quanzhen might not be able to defeat them. No matter how amazing Lu Chen's talent is, he still needs time to grow. In just one year, even if he manages to find them by chance, how can he capture them?"

Huang Yaoshi said calmly:

"If you want to become my last disciple, Huang Yaoshi, you must be able to do what others cannot. If you can't even accept this small test, how can you be worthy of inheriting the mantle of my Peach Blossom Island?"

When the father and daughter got to this point, Lu Chen was completely dumbfounded:

I am very close to Rong'er, and we have an important agreement, but I never thought I would become your disciple!
Master Huang, you are extreme and stubborn, your emotions are too unstable, you are capricious and prone to taking your anger out on others. Your infamous leg-breaking technique has been used by none of the disciples except for the Black Wind Duo. My legs can't take it anymore!

Lu Chen inwardly complained, but looking at Rong'er who was so protective of him, and remembering that she was the one who taught him swordsmanship, that he had only been able to unlock and comprehend "Sword One" under her careful guidance, and that Rong'er had taken care of all his daily needs, and recalling the hopeful look in her eyes when she suggested that Huang Yaoshi take him as his last disciple, Lu Chen finally stepped forward and bowed to Huang Yaoshi, saying:

"Senior Huang, I am willing to accept this bet."

Huang Rong said urgently:

"Lu Chen, don't fall for it. My father's bet is completely unfair to you..."

Lu Chen smiled:
"Rong'er, don't worry, I'm confident."

First, he knew where Mei Chaofeng was hiding, so he didn't need to rely on luck to search for her. Second, he knew where he could find fortuitous encounters to increase his power; a year, or even less, would be enough for him to raise his power to a level sufficient to contend with Mei Chaofeng.

Third, he comprehended "Sword One". Although he dared not boast that he had "enlightened himself", he had touched upon the principles of swordsmanship. New insights emerged every day, and his swordsmanship was in a stage of rapid advancement. His rapid progress during his seven days of sparring with Huang Rong was clear evidence of this.

With his current rate of improvement, as long as his skill level is sufficient to fight Mei Chaofeng, coupled with his swordsmanship, capturing her alive is not out of the question.

Lu Chen was confident and naturally dared to accept Huang Yaoshi's bet—he would keep his promise to Rong'er and fulfill Rong'er's expectations!
Seeing that Lu Chen actually dared to accept the bet, Huang Yaoshi looked at him again and found him slightly more agreeable.

"You do have some courage. In that case, I'll make a pact with you: within a year, find the Black Wind Duo, Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng, and bring them back to Peach Blossom Island. If you succeed, you'll become my last disciple, Huang Yaoshi. If you fail... you won't have to go to Peach Blossom Island."

"Huh?" Huang Rong was stunned: "Father, do you mean that he will be the one to find Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng?"

Huang Yaoshi said, "He's not doing it alone. Do you, Rong'er, want to do it with him?"

"But……"

"No buts. You should go back to Peach Blossom Island with your father and wait. If he truly values ​​you as much as you value him, he will do his best to fulfill the bet."

"Father, you're so cunning! This is not the same thing at all... He's not only a complete beginner in martial arts, but he also has no experience in the martial world..."

"You have no experience in the martial arts world either, and you're a young woman, even younger than him, yet you still ventured out on your own, didn't you?"

"Rong'er is so clever!"

"So Lu Chen is stupid?"

"Him, well, Lu Chen isn't just stupid, he's the kind of person..."

He's from outer space; he has absolutely no understanding of our world.
But she had already made a promise with Lu Chen to keep the secret of the "visitor from outer space" for him, and she was unwilling to tell even her father.

"What kind of person is he?"

"I can't explain it to you in any way!"

Huang Rong puffed out her pink cheeks, turned her back angrily, and ignored Huang Yaoshi.

I can't explain it to my father?

I think Rong'er, you just don't want to be separated from him!

Huang Yaoshi didn't expose his daughter's thoughts, but simply looked at Lu Chen and said:

"Is there a problem with completing the bet alone?"

Lu Chen certainly didn't want to be separated from Rong'er.

However, his current abilities are not enough to defy Huang Yaoshi's will. Besides, he now has some ability to make a living, so what is there to fear when he travels the world alone?
He replied in a deep voice:

“No problem. I can complete this bet on my own.”

Huang Rong knew that her father was stubborn and once he made up his mind, she couldn't change his mind no matter how much she pleaded or begged.

This bet was already waived by my father because of my impulsive departure.

Even so, she couldn't let Lu Chen do such a dangerous mission alone. Since her father's bet was so unfair, she wouldn't be surprised if she played tricks.

Of course, a head-on confrontation is not the solution; a gradual approach is necessary...

After a moment's thought, Huang Rong had an idea. She turned back to look at Huang Yaoshi and said earnestly:

"Father, if you want to take me back, you must promise me one thing."

"What's the matter?"

"Let me teach him for another ten days!"

Huang Rong's tone was resolute:

"You also have to allow me to teach him the Falling Petal Sword Technique and the Jade Flute Sword Technique! If you don't agree, you can forget about taking me back unless you break my legs."

(End of this chapter)