The Mirror Master

Chen Tieshan strode forward, shielding Lu Bai behind him. He drew his longsword, held it horizontally across his chest, and assumed a ready stance.

If it were just Lu Bai’s dog, he wouldn’t have cared if it lived or died.

But nothing could happen to Lu Bai.

He hadn’t finished his inspection earlier and was counting on Lu Bai to do a thorough check of his home.

Chen Tieshan sneered, "Fei Ming, you’re a well-known Inner Family Master in this town. What kind of skill is bullying a child? Have you no shame!"

"Fine!"

Fei Ming, seemingly enraged, shouted, "I’ve long heard that Hall Master Chen’s Mountain-Opening Palm is unrivaled in the Jianghu. Today, I’ll see it for myself!"

Before his voice had even faded, Fei Ming charged forward.

He unleashed his Sword Technique, his movements wide and powerful, his momentum fierce.

Chen Tieshan didn’t dare to be careless, focusing his mind as he prepared to meet the attack.

Both men were Inner Martial Artists who had yet to open their Seven Acupoints.

Although internal strengthening was said to have Nine Acupoints, the true dividing line was at the Seven Acupoints.

Above the Seven Acupoints, once the front and rear yin acupoints were opened, a Martial Artist could absorb nutrients from food more effectively and expel more impurities, leading to a significant improvement in their physique and vitality.

Below the Seven Acupoints, the difference in strength wasn’t as pronounced.

For instance, opening the mouth-and-tongue acupoint or the ear acupoints was of little use in a life-or-death battle.

In a real fight, especially one with weapons, victory and defeat, life and death, could be decided in an instant.

It primarily came down to on-the-spot reactions, one’s foundation in the Martial Dao, and the comprehension and mastery of Martial Techniques.

Even the surrounding environment, experience in fighting opponents, and one’s mentality during a battle could influence the outcome.

Fei Ming’s Sword Technique was sharp and his attacks were ferocious.

Chen Tieshan, relying on his masterfully practiced Eight Sword Skills, focused on defense, countering each move as it came.

For the moment, it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand.

Lu Bai stood to the side, observing the fight between the two Inner Martial Artists.

This was a rare opportunity.

Learning was one thing, but more importantly, he needed to understand the Sword Technique and methods of this Nursing Home from the Zhou Family.

It seemed as if the two had come to blows in a fit of anger.

But Lu Bai felt that something about it was a bit abrupt.

It was more like Fei Ming had deliberately sought an opportunity to fight Chen Tieshan.

’I wonder what the Zhou Family is planning.’

Lu Bai was lost in thought, his gaze sweeping over the members of the Zhou family.

Then, he remembered something and turned his head to look at the Black Dog, saying sternly, "Don’t you ever charge out like that again. Wait for my signal!"

No matter how intelligent the Black Dog was, it hadn’t been trained and acted purely on instinct.

"WHINE~"

The Black Dog seemed a little wronged. It lay down, licked its lips, and bumped its forehead against Lu Bai’s leg, but its jet-black eyes remained fixed on Madam Zhou in the crowd.

"Got you!"

At that moment, Fei Ming let out a soft cry.

"RRRIP!"

The sound of tearing cloth rang out.

Chen Tieshan was ultimately a step behind in Swordsmanship, and Fei Ming’s blade shaved off a corner of his clothing.

But his reaction was extremely fast. Seizing the moment Fei Ming’s move was spent, he immediately closed the distance and thrust a palm toward Fei Ming’s chest.

Fei Ming didn’t have time to pull his blade back, so he could only raise a fist to meet Chen Tieshan’s strike head-on.

"BANG!"

Fist and palm collided. A wave of energy rippled out with a dull thud.

Chen Tieshan stumbled back three steps.

Fei Ming, however, staggered back a full five steps.

In terms of weapons, Fei Ming had gotten the better of the exchange.

But in terms of fists and feet, Chen Tieshan had the upper hand.

For some unknown reason, the crowd from the Zhou Family’s side suddenly surged forward.

"What do you think you’re doing!"

Seeing this, Chen Xiaofeng also called for the disciples of the Chen Martial Arts Hall to charge forward.

The two sides drew closer, tensions mounting. A bloody brawl involving over a hundred people could break out at any moment.

"The Zhou family, halt!"

Zhou Chengxuan suddenly ordered.

"The victor hasn’t been decided today. We will fight again another day!"

Fei Ming said in a low voice, "Madam, Master, let’s go."

"I’ll be waiting."

Chen Tieshan stood with his hands behind his back, completely unafraid.

Everyone’s attention was on the noisy crowd.

But Lu Bai’s eyes never left Madam Zhou.

He had seen it clearly.

When the Zhou family members surged forward, someone had used the chaos to pick up the piece of cloth from Chen Tieshan’s clothing that had fallen to the ground and hand it to Madam Zhou.

Immediately after, Zhou Chengxuan had ordered them to stop.

Lu Bai gave no sign, retracting his gaze.

He had a faint suspicion that the whole reason the Zhou Family had mobilized such a force was for that piece of Chen Tieshan’s clothing.

It was most likely to be used for some kind of Evil Suppression Technique.

However, he had no idea how exactly such a small scrap of cloth could be used in a spell, or how effective it could be.

Lu Bai pondered this inwardly.

The Zhou family had arrived with great fanfare, and they retreated just as quickly.

By the time the people from the Government Office heard the news and arrived, both parties had already dispersed.

As long as no one was killed, the few constables would turn a blind eye, offer a few words of instruction, and leave.

After all, for people of the Jianghu, fighting and killing were commonplace.

A crowd of onlookers had long since gathered outside the Chen Martial Arts Hall. Seeing that both sides had made a huge scene, only to exchange a few moves without drawing any blood, they felt thoroughly disappointed and dispersed.

"Father, are you okay?"

Chen Qianqian stepped forward and asked with concern.

"I’m fine."

Chen Tieshan shook his head slightly.

"Father, the Zhou Family isn’t all that."

Chen Xiaofeng said, somewhat excitedly.

After all, the Zhou Family had raised a huge fuss and gained nothing, leaving with their tails between their legs.

"Hmm..."

Chen Tieshan fell into a thoughtful silence.

For some reason, he felt that the Zhou Family’s sudden outburst was rather strange.

Ever since hearing about that ancient Evil Technique last night, everything seemed off to him, and he felt a sense of unease.

"Nephew Lu, how are you?"

Chen Tieshan asked as he walked over to Lu Bai.

Lu Bai forced a smile and said, "I’m fine, my right arm just feels a bit weak."

"Hmph!"

Chen Qianqian shot Lu Bai a sideways glance and snorted, "Serves you right for trying to be a hero. I bet you’ll behave now!"

"Young Master, let me take you to a doctor."

Uncle Fu asked with concern.

"It’s nothing serious. I’ll just rest for a couple of days and see."

Lu Bai smiled. "If I really can’t handle it, then I’ll go see a doctor."

Chen Tieshan said, "Nephew Lu, I have some healing medicine here. I’ll have Xiaofeng bring it to you later."

"Thank you, Hall Master Chen."

Lu Bai expressed his thanks.

Chen Tieshan said, "We didn’t finish inspecting the martial arts hall earlier. How are you feeling? Do you want to continue?"

Uncle Fu frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Lu Bai was clearly injured, yet Chen Tieshan was still asking him to inspect the hall.

But last night, it was Chen Tieshan who had acted to avenge his master.

Now, the three of them were living under someone else’s roof. Even if he was dissatisfied, he couldn’t very well say anything.

"There’s no need to look anymore."

Lu Bai said, "There are indeed a few problem areas. Hall Master Chen, in a little while, please send a few people into town to purchase a few items: half a catty of fresh Black Dog Blood, half a catty of Cinnabar, some Peach Talismans, and preferably a Peach Wood Sword."

"Alright. I’ll have Xiaofeng and Qianqian handle it in a bit."

Seeing Lu Bai speak so logically, Chen Tieshan felt more assured and readily agreed.

In reality, Lu Bai needed these items to prepare for a night visit to the Zhou Family, to deal with the Ghost Soul and evil spirit by Madam Zhou’s side.

Among these items, only the Black Dog Blood was explicitly known to be able to dispel evil.

The others were things from folk legends in his previous life; whether they would be effective here remained to be seen.

It was always better to be over-prepared.

Lu Bai said, "Uncle Fu, you should go with them and keep an eye out. Don’t let anything go wrong, and make sure they don’t buy the wrong things."

He didn’t quite trust Chen Tieshan’s son and daughter.

"Rest assured, Young Master."

Uncle Fu nodded.

The group left the martial arts hall.

Lu Bai stayed in the martial arts hall with nothing to do, and began to ponder his plan to visit the Zhou Family at night.

After all, the Zhou Family had an Inner Martial Artist standing guard.

To get close to Madam Zhou, he had to get rid of this Fei Ming.

Or, he had to lure him away and keep him occupied.

The only person with the ability to do that was Chen Tieshan!

Lu Bai wasn’t in a hurry, though.

’If I go persuade him now, it will seem too deliberate.’

The Zhou Family clearly had other moves planned against the Chen Martial Arts Hall.

’Once the Zhou Family makes their move and Chen Tieshan feels the threat, it will be the natural time for me to step in and persuade him.’

"ACHOO!"

Chen Tieshan had just turned around when, for some unknown reason, he suddenly sneezed.

...

"Father!"

A moment later, Chen Qianqian’s voice suddenly came from outside.

"Why are you back so soon?"

Chen Tieshan was taken aback.

He and Lu Bai had just sat down for a cup of tea in the main hall when Chen Qianqian returned.

"What is it?"

Chen Tieshan went out to meet her and asked.

Chen Qianqian glanced at Lu Bai beside him, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "The young lady of the Luo Family is here!"

"Which one?"

Chen Tieshan was startled for a second before he realized. "The one from the Luo Family of Bluestone County, Luo Qing?"

"That’s her."

Chen Qianqian nodded.

Chen Tieshan thought to himself, ’This Luo Qing’s return must have something to do with the Lu Family.’

"Why did you come running back in such a hurry?"

Chen Tieshan was a little puzzled.

’So what if Luo Qing is back? What’s that got to do with you?’

Chen Qianqian swallowed and added, "That Luo Qing heard about what happened at the martial arts hall and went straight to the Zhou Family’s home to cause trouble!"

"What?"

Chen Tieshan was shocked. "How many people did she take with her?"

"Including her, just two."

Chen Qianqian said, "Besides her, there was one other, who looked like her maidservant. Uncle Fu was afraid she’d be at a disadvantage, so he told me to hurry back and ask you for help, Father."

"Let’s go, we’ll take a look!"

Chen Tieshan hesitated for a moment, then quickly made his decision.

Luo Qing was, after all, the precious daughter of the Luo Family of Bluestone County. If he could help her, perhaps he could build a connection with the Luo Family.

"Father, Father!"

Just then, Chen Xiaofeng’s voice came from outside.

It was followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

"Why are you back too?"

Chen Tieshan frowned as he looked at his breathless son.

"Father, there’s no need to go."

Chen Xiaofeng was covered in sweat, the shock still evident in his eyes. "That young lady from the Luo Family has already left the Zhou residence and is heading our way."

Chen Tieshan nodded slightly. "It seems the Zhou Family still knows its limits and didn’t dare to make a move against the young lady of the Luo Family."

"No."

Chen Xiaofeng shook his head. "That young lady from the Luo Family is incredibly fierce. She stormed the Zhou residence and went straight for that Nursing Home, Fei Ming.

"While surrounded by more than a dozen people, the young lady of the Luo Family actually cut off one of Fei Ming’s arms!"

"What!"

Chen Tieshan was astonished.

He had just fought Fei Ming and knew how skilled he was.

To think that this young lady from the Luo Family could sever one of Fei Ming’s arms while being surrounded by over a dozen men!

Lu Bai was also secretly speechless with amazement.

’This future sister-in-law of mine is a ruthless one, and so incredibly fierce.’

"And then?"

Chen Tieshan asked again.

Chen Xiaofeng said, "Zhou Chengxuan and Madam Zhou came forward to question her, and the young lady of the Luo Family said..."

At this point, Chen Xiaofeng paused, glanced at Lu Bai with a complicated expression, and continued, "She said, ’Let this strike be a lesson to you. Don’t think the Lu Family has no one left!’"

"After saying that, the young lady of the Luo Family turned and left. Dozens of people from the Zhou Family just stood by and watched, and no one dared to stop her."

Chen Tieshan’s Heart and Spirit trembled. He subconsciously looked at Lu Bai and had a realization: ’So, that strike was to get even for Lu Bai.’

TROT TROT TROT!

Just then, the crisp sound of horse hooves came from outside the martial arts hall.

The few people in the hall followed the sound with their eyes.

They saw a radiant woman arriving on horseback. She wore a sharp, cyan-colored shirt with a brocade sash cinching her waist, and her hair was tied in a ponytail, a pale yellow ribbon fluttering in the wind. At her waist hung the Cyan Cloud Sword.

The woman was stunningly beautiful. Her eyes shone like stars, and she carried herself with a heroic air. Her expression held both the bold spirit of a daughter of the Jianghu and a touch of delicate charm, making her look absolutely divine.

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