In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

Chapter 72 Showdown, Strange Pearl

"May I ask if you are Master Lu Yuan?"

The burly man smiled gently and clasped his hands slightly towards Lu Yuan.

With the title of Wu Xiucai behind him, Lu Yuan was already a high-ranking scholar, and no matter how old he was, he deserved to be called Master Lu.

"Who are you?"

Lu Yuan nodded slightly and asked in return.

Although he was certain that the burly man was the one the Iron Palm Gang had been searching for—the real culprit who killed Wang Qing, the young leader of the Iron Palm Gang—he remained calm and showed no intention of making a move to earn a reward.

"I am Liu Hu, the bodyguard of the third young master of the Qiao family. I heard that Master Lu has achieved fifth place in the martial arts examination, and the third master of the Qiao family has specially sent me to offer my congratulations. I hope you will accept this small token of my appreciation!"

The burly man smiled and then handed over a gift box.

"Then thank you very much, Third Master Qiao!"

Lu Yuan accepted the gift box with a smile, but his mind suddenly froze.

Liu Hu, could it be the Liu Hu from the Black Tiger Gang?

Although he wiped out the Black Tiger Gang, there were still some who escaped, namely Liu Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang.

"The reason I've come to visit you today is not only to deliver a congratulatory gift on behalf of Third Master Qiao, but also because I have a question I'd like to ask you."

Liu Hu, still smiling, continued, "I wonder if Master Lu is familiar with the Black Tiger Gang?"

When he mentioned the Black Tiger Gang, his gaze was fixed on Lu Yuan.

"Of course I know!"

Lu Yuan nodded, his expression unchanged.

"Does Master Lu know the inside story of the Black Tiger Gang's demise?"

Liu Hu asked again.

"I'm not sure about that, but I've heard that the Black Tiger Gang was destroyed by the newly risen Iron Palm Gang."

Lu Yuan remained calm and spoke directly.

"I see. To be honest, Master Lu, I am Liu Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang. I have returned to Qinghe County to avenge my brothers in the Black Tiger Gang."

Liu Hu kept his gaze fixed on Lu Yuan and said, "I wonder if Master Lu would be willing to lend a hand?"

"Goodness, this isn't just trying to alert the enemy, they're laying their cards on the table!"

Lu Yuan's eyes revealed just the right amount of surprise, and he said in astonishment, "So it's Chief Liu in person. My apologies for my rudeness. But the Iron Palm Clan is very powerful, and I am just a lowly martial arts scholar. I really can't afford to offend them. Please forgive me."

"In that case, I'll take my leave!"

Liu Hu's smile remained unchanged, and he then bowed and left.

"I apologize for not seeing you off any further!"

Lu Yuan smiled and returned the greeting.

Only after Liu Hu's figure disappeared slowly into the night did he close the courtyard gate from the outside.

"Since you want to lure the snake out of its hole, then I'll do as you wish."

Lu Yuan's smile vanished, replaced by coldness in his eyes.

The next moment, he used the Swift Wind Step, and his figure disappeared into the depths of the night in an instant.

……

After Liu Hu turned into a secluded, dark alley, he stood there quietly.

"You've come!"

A short while later, Liu Hu suddenly spoke.

"Yes, it's here!"

After a brief silence, Lu Yuan emerged from the darkness.

"Do you know why I dared to lure you out, even though I knew you were already a qualified candidate and ranked fifth on the martial arts list?"

Liu Hu raised his eyes and stared coldly at Lu Yuan, then said.

"unimportant!"

Lu Yuan, however, remained expressionless and spoke directly.

"Heh...it's really not important!"

Liu Hu nodded with a cold laugh, then shouted, "Attack!"

Like a thunderclap, two figures rushed out from behind.

Not only did they completely block Lu Yuan's retreat, but they also attacked his vital points from both the left and right.

Almost simultaneously, Liu Hu's figure appeared before Lu Yuan in the blink of an eye, as if by magic.

He slammed out both fists at the same time, veins bulging on his arms, carrying an incomparably fierce force.

Despite facing attacks from three qualified individuals simultaneously, Lu Yuan remained calm and composed.

The next moment, swords and blades were drawn.

Holding a knife in his left hand, he unleashed the Gale Blade Technique, the blade gleaming brightly.

He gripped the sword in his right hand and unleashed the Blazing Sun Sword Technique, the sword energy whistling through the air.

"Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!"

With three soft thuds, the three of them were lying on the ground.

"Mastery of both sword and saber... saber's edge... sword's aura..."

Liu Hu's eyes widened in disbelief.

He was actually present throughout the three rounds of martial arts assessments and almost personally witnessed Lu Yuan gradually rise to fifth place on the list.

I thought that even if Lu Yuan didn't reveal his full potential, he was at most hiding 30% of it.

By taking them by surprise, all three of them will make their move at the same time, and they will surely be able to secure the victory.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yuan had not even revealed 30% of his true abilities. Not only was he proficient in both swordsmanship and saber techniques, but he had also mastered sword energy, which was terrifying.

"Why...why..."

Liu Hu stared intently at Lu Yuan; this guy had been hiding his true intentions so well.

He couldn't understand why Lu Yuan, even though he hadn't truly entered the ranks yet, was willing to remain in fifth place, given his exceptional skill in both sword and saber.

He was filled with regret and resentment. If he had known this would happen, he would never have acted so rashly. He would have at least made sure he could break through the opponent's dual sword and saber skills before taking action.

Unfortunately, there's no going back in life, and time can't be turned back.

Lu Yuan had no intention of explaining anything and simply swung his sword again.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"

After finishing off the three, Lu Yuan quickly searched their bodies.

Although the silver notes and loose silver coins together amounted to only a little over a hundred taels, one shouldn't refuse such unexpected windfall.

In addition, he also found a blue bead about the size of an egg on the inside of Liu Hu's thigh.

The fact that Liu Hu could hide this bead in such a secluded place shows that it must be an extraordinary item.

It could even be the very thing that the Black Tiger Gang and the Iron Palm Gang fought over for so long.

Although this strange pearl was neither gold nor jade, and felt slightly cool to the touch, it was difficult to discern its unusual properties at first glance.

Without much hesitation, Lu Yuan disposed of the three corpses and then quietly returned to the courtyard.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Lu Yuan loaded all the bags and packages onto the horse's back.

"Ah Yuan, when you're out and about, always remember to prioritize your own safety!"

Looking at Lu Yuan, Madam Yang gave him some reluctant instructions.

As the saying goes, a mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles.

Although the county seat was not a thousand miles away from Qinghe County, Yang still couldn't help feeling reluctant and worried about her son who was going on his first long journey.

"Brother, here you go!"

The little girl in Yang's arms also presented a red amulet as if it were a treasure.

"I went to the temple early this morning to pray for this, and I asked Master Chongyuan to bless it so it can protect you!"

Yang wiped her eyes and smiled.

Upon learning that her son was about to go to the county town, she barely slept a wink all night.

Not only did they prepare clothes and other luggage overnight, but they also went to the Taoist temple early in the morning to ask for a peace charm.

"Mother, don't worry, I will definitely come back safely!"

Lu Yuan smiled and nodded, then solemnly placed the amulet close to his body.

"Mother is waiting for you to come back!"

Yang nodded vigorously.

"Brother, your little girl will be waiting for you to come back!"

The little girl also said sensibly.