Chapter 30: Wushan City; Slayer's Saber Long Fei!

The next morning, Lu Changsheng rose early. Although he had gone to bed very late the previous night, he brimmed with energy, perhaps due to the prolonged Blood Replacement. He looked spirited, showing not the slightest trace of fatigue.

The servants of the Gao Clan brought in breakfast. After Lu Changsheng had attended to his master throughout the meal, the group made their way to the fortress lord's residence to bid farewell.

When they arrived, it was Gao Zhanhu's wife who received them. She explained politely that her husband was occupied and could not see them off, which left Wu Jing visibly displeased.

Of course, Lu Changsheng knew the real reason Gao Zhanhu couldn't see them; his body was growing cold in the darkness. Outwardly, Madam Gao maintained a calm demeanor, but her eyes flickered with panic and exhaustion. She clearly sensed that something was amiss, for no one had seen her husband or sons.

Not wishing to linger, Lu Changsheng urged his master to depart at once. They boarded the carriage and slowly left Gao Fortress behind. Several apprentices looked back with longing. One day had been enough for them to grow accustomed to the fortress's luxury, and now they were reluctant to part with it.

The journey itself passed without incident, and the group soon returned safely to Miaoshou Garden. However, resentment lingered in Wu Jing's heart after the disrespect he had suffered at Gao Fortress, and he made sure to take it out on the apprentices.

As for Lu Changsheng, he promptly resumed his cultivation; he tempered his bones, consumed medicinal meals, and pushed his body through the steady process of Blood Replacement. His appetite had grown immensely, and as an apothecary, he knew exactly why that was: replacing blood required abundant nourishment. To meet that demand, he purchased additional medicinal supplements to further strengthen his body.

And just like that, twenty days had quietly slipped by. Eventually, lines of text appeared one after another before Lu Changsheng's eyes.

Falling Leaves Saber Technique: Perfection. Perception +3.

Hundred Victories Fist: Perfection. Perception +3.

Nine Palaces Step: Perfection. Perception +3.

His lips curved into a faint smile.

I've finally pushed my martial techniques to Perfection. As expected, they're all third-tier. Otherwise, with my current Perception, it would've been impossible to master them in just twenty days.

Unsurprised, Lu Changsheng accessed his status panel.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 265 (Full of Potential)

[Skills]

Cold Bone Tempering Art: Fifth Layer

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Dormant

Over the past twenty days, he had brought ten third-tier martial techniques to Perfection, gaining only 30 points of Perception. Of course, the progress was far from insignificant, for his Perception now stood at an astonishing 265.

However, Lu Changsheng was still unable to initiate the Nine-Character Thunder Chant Secret Technique. By his estimation, he would need to raise his Perception to at least 300 to have a chance of success.

There was also the Cold Bone Tempering Art. With the aid of Blood Replacement, his progress in the art had been swift, reaching the Fifth Layer. At this point, combined with the eight rounds of tempering from the two earlier ordinary Bone Tempering arts, Lu Changsheng had already stepped into the inner layer.

The bone was divided into three parts: the outer layer, the inner layer, and the marrow. Once the inner layer was reached, progress slowed drastically, even with the support of medicinal meals and Blood Replacement. The fundamental obstacle lay in the absence of the cold, which was the most crucial element. Only in an icy environment could the Cold Bone Tempering Art yield its maximum effect.

The weather is turning colder, but the frost won't fully set in Nanyang City for another month, maybe even two. Waiting that long would be a waste. I've heard that Wushan City to the north is already snowbound, with rivers frozen solid. Temperatures drop even lower in the mountains beyond. Perhaps I should seize the opportunity to travel there and master the Cold Bone Tempering Art.

With that thought, Lu Changsheng went straight to the herbal medicine shop to see his master, Wu Jing.

"Master," he said reverently. "I have some private matters to attend to. I'll be on the road for this, but I should return within a month or two."

Wu Jing lifted his head and studied Lu Changsheng. Anyone else would have had a tough time receiving permission for this, but Lu Changsheng was different. Wu Jing was deeply satisfied with his performance; he even regarded him as his true successor—dearer even than a son.

"Reading ten thousand books is no match for traveling ten thousand miles," Wu Jing remarked with a nod. "It would do you good to see more of the world. Tell me, do you have enough money for the journey?"

"I am fully prepared, Master."

"Good. Then go. Remember, out there in the world, try your best to avoid trouble. Do not act rashly, and never put yourself forward without cause."

"I will abide by your teachings."

With that, Lu Changsheng took his leave.

Wu Jing truly treated him well. When it came to medical techniques, he held nothing back, passing down his expertise without reservation. Knowing this, Lu Changsheng felt a faint warmth stir in his heart.

The other apprentices could only look on with envy, for none of them were even close to Lu Changsheng's level. If any of them dared to leave on their own, they would almost certainly be expelled from Miaoshou Garden.

Lu Changsheng returned home to prepare for his trip to Wushan City. He would be on the road for roughly ten days to half a month, and with the time required to cultivate the Cold Bone Tempering Art, the trip would easily stretch to a full month.

For such a long journey, Lu Changsheng needed to carry ample supplies of Nine Treasures Bone Tempering Concoction. He also needed weapons, as he couldn't rely only on his dagger. In the

jianghu, sabers and swords were indispensable.

After some thought, he chose a short sword, thinking it would work with Deathflash almost as well as a dagger. Besides, with his current physique and the explosive power of his blood qi, he no longer had to rely solely on Deathflash. Even in direct combat, his sword and fist techniques could rival those of any Organ Refinement martial artist.

"In the jianghu, disguise is an indispensable skill," he reminded himself.

Unfortunately, he did not know the art. It was a secret craft, not easily acquired. Even so, he altered his appearance in simpler ways—a false beard, some medicinal powder darkening his complexion, and a change of clothing transformed his looks. Unless someone was closely familiar with him, they would not recognize him.

Without delay, Lu Changsheng set out. He rented a horse and traveled for three days before finally reaching Wushan City, where he was greeted by a biting chill.

Strictly speaking, this was his first true venture into the jianghu, and he remained cautious with every step. Even in choosing an inn, he visited several before finally deciding on the Fulailin[1]Inn.

Inside, he ordered a plate of braised beef and a small cup of wine. Around him sat merchants, common townsfolk, and martial practitioners carrying blades. Some of the martial practitioners, flushed from drink, were trading tales of the jianghu.

"Have you heard? A few days ago, the hero known as the Slayer's Saber, Long Fei, chased the You Brothers for a thousand li before finally cutting them down deep in Wushan City."

"The You Brothers were no weaklings. They were infamous flower thieves, known for their footwork. Even top-tier Organ Refinement martial artists couldn’t catch them. For years, they roamed free, untouchable, but in the end, they still fell to Long Fei's saber."

“

Hehe

, Long Fei carved his way through mountains of corpses in the northern wars. They call him the Slayer's Saber for a reason. He loathes evil, and over the years, he's killed more villains than anyone can count. No fewer than twenty bloody battles! The You Brothers had the gall to abduct his friend's daughter. It's like they were asking for death."

"I heard Long Fei was injured and has been hiding here in Wushan City. Some of his enemies are searching for him even now."

Long Fei's reputation in the jianghu was significant, and these martial practitioners seemed to hold him in high regard.

Clatter!

Just then, seven burly martial artists stormed in, their faces twisted with menace. The air left the inn at once, everyone going quiet. Their fierce eyes swept across the room before coming to rest on a lone figure at a corner table. A man sat there beneath a cloak, a blade, and a bundle resting before him on the table. His bearing marked him clearly as a martial practitioner. The seven men advanced straight toward him, drawing their blades as they moved and surrounding his table.

"Long Fei, don’t think a cloak can hide you from us."

"Seven years ago, you killed my brother. Today, it's time we settled that debt!"

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

As those words fell, astonishment rippled through the inn.

That cloaked man is the famed hero Long Fei, the Slayer's Saber?

1. 福来临 literally means "good fortune arrives." It is often used as an auspicious phrase in Chinese culture, expressing the arrival of blessings, happiness, or prosperity. It is also common for businesses, shops, and restaurants to adopt such names as a way of invoking prosperity and attracting good luck. ☜