Lin Zhen Nan warmly received Lu Wen and the others, leading them to the living room and offering them tea. After some casual conversation, he asked, "Lu Xia, what brings you to the Fuwei Escort Agency?"
"I'm newly emerged from the world and don't know the depth of my own abilities. I heard that Yu Cang Hai of the Qingcheng Sect is planning to make a move against the Fuwei Escort Agency, so I came here to have a fight with Yu Cang Hai and gauge where my strength stands in the martial world," Lu Wen said.
Hearing the first part, Lin Zhen Nan felt a sense of pride, thinking that Lu Wen had come to spar with him after hearing about his grandfather, Lin Yuan Tu's reputation.
But before he could show any smug expression, he heard the latter part of Lu Wen's words, and cold sweat instantly poured down his forehead.
In that moment, Lin Zhen Nan understood why Yu Cang Hai had been rejecting his gifts previously, but had recently accepted some. It was likely to lower his guard.
However, he still couldn't believe something like this would happen, and he said in a trembling voice, "Lu Xia, don't joke with me. Qingcheng Mountain is a sect of the righteous path, and Yu Cang Hai is their leader. How could he attack my Fuwei Escort Agency for no reason?"
Hearing this, Lu Wen smiled and said, "It's not entirely without reason. The Qingcheng Sect has been plotting for decades. It stems from the fact that the previous leader of the Qingcheng Sect, Chang Qing Zi, was defeated by Lin Yuan Tu and died of frustration. Yu Cang Hai has been eyeing the "Bixie Sword Manual" ever since.
"This... This was all decades ago. Moreover, it was a normal duel back then. Yu Cang Hai, the leader of the Qingcheng Sect, wouldn't be so petty..." Lin Zhen Nan couldn't believe Lu Wen's words. The reason seemed rather weak.
Lu Wen shrugged, "But this is the truth. Lin Chief Escort, you can instruct the agency's people to keep an eye on the situation in Fuzhou City. This is your turf. Yu Cang Hai's movements will definitely be hard to conceal. You'll know the truth in a day or two."
Seeing Lu Wen's confidence and the fact that Yu Cang Hai's motive, though absurd, made sense in terms of cause and effect,
Lin Zhen Nan, concerned for the lives of the Fuwei Escort Agency and the entire Lin family, didn't dare take it lightly. He nodded and gave instructions to keep an eye on the people from the martial world within the city.
The atmosphere was heavy. Lu Wen's aura was both proud and imposing. While the other escorts were shocked by the content of the conversation, they were intimidated by Lu Wen's presence and didn't dare to interrupt.
Now that the matter was discussed, someone spoke up to lighten the mood, "Chief Escort, Lu Xia learned of Yu Cang Hai's plan and came to inform us. We should properly host a banquet for him."
Lin Zhen Nan also came to his senses. After all, he was a man who had successfully managed the escort agency. He smiled apologetically and said, "Lu Xia, please forgive me. The news was just too shocking. I will immediately arrange for a feast."
Pausing for a moment, Lin Zhen Nan pondered and then continued, "Lu Xia, Yu Cang Hai is the leader of the Qingcheng Sect. His strength is unfathomable. You, on the other hand, are newly emerged from the world. What are your chances of victory?"
"If you have little chance of winning, Lu Xia, it's best not to engage in battle with Yu Cang Hai. I can simply close the Fuwei Escort Agency for a while and find a way to ask some righteous sects to intervene."
Lin Zhen Nan had started to believe that Yu Cang Hai was going to attack the Fuwei Escort Agency, but Lu Wen was too young, and he had no faith in him defeating Yu Cang Hai.
He also didn't want Lu Wen, with his promising future, to be injured or even killed fighting Yu Cang Hai because of the Fuwei Escort Agency.
In simpler terms, Lin Zhen Nan was scared.
Lu Wen wasn't surprised. Although Lin Zhen Nan had developed the Fuwei Escort Agency very well, and his business acumen was also quite good,
the fame that his grandfather Lin Yuan Tu had earned back then was even more important.
After concealing the key to the "Bixie Sword Manual," Lin Zhen Nan's own strength was merely third-rate in the martial world. Moreover, the smooth development of the escort agency over the years had made him truly believe that it was the relationships he had cultivated through gifts that were the true reason for the agency's growth.
Lu Wen calmly and softly said, "Lin Chief Escort, to be honest, I alone can bring the Fuwei Escort Agency down."
In this world, combat strength is primarily based on technique. The environment and the heavens aren't very conducive to internal energy, which doesn't play a significant role.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be any "sword qi" disputes. It's because cultivating internal energy is slow and time-consuming, while practicing sword techniques and moves can quickly yield decent combat strength.
Lin Zhen Nan and several other escorts wanted to refute Lu Wen's words, but his confident and matter-of-fact tone actually made Lin Zhen Nan and the others doubt themselves.
Wang Fu Ren had been observing Lu Wen and his companions for a while, judging their origins from their demeanor, clothing, weapons, and other aspects. She concluded that they were extraordinary.
In the past, Wang Fu Ren had often disagreed with many of her husband, Lin Zhen Nan's, beliefs. But she hadn't dared to voice her opposition because the Fuwei Escort Agency had indeed been developing quite well.
Now, with Lu Wen present, she could let Lin Zhen Nan know how strong a true master truly is.
Wang Fu Ren spoke up and requested, "Although Lu Xia is newly emerged from the world, he already has the title of 'Little Sword Immortal' in the martial world. Would you be so kind as to let us witness your skill in controlling the sword with your qi?"
Lin Zhen Nan and the other escorts were all very interested. Lin Zhen Nan, in particular, was eager and said, "Lu Xia, I have been practicing the family's "Bixie Sword Technique" for decades. I believe I have achieved a certain level of proficiency. I beg you, Lu Xia, to demonstrate your skill."
Lu Wen nodded in agreement. They all went to the training ground.
There were many escorts practicing martial arts and refining their strength on the field. But most of them were simply going through forms and routines. Few mastered even third-rate techniques.
There were almost no third-rate masters among these people. They were all subpar, their physical strength only slightly exceeding that of ordinary people.
The news that the Chief Escort was going to spar with the "Little Sword Immortal" quickly spread. Everyone gathered to watch.
Lu Wen and Lin Zhen Nan arrived at the center of the field.
Lin Zhen Nan drew his long sword and bowed, "Lu Xia, please."
With a thought, Lu Wen's long sword automatically unsheathed itself and hovered beside him.
This alone sent a wave of shock through the onlookers. To them, this was a supernatural feat worthy of gods.
Lu Wen, however, was pondering how to spar with Lin Zhen Nan.
After his synthesis, Lu Wen's jing, qi, and shen had become one. His energy represented both his physical strength and the power of his soul.
As such, Lu Wen's current physical strength was very strong. He could easily wield hundreds of kilograms of force with a single arm and lift over a thousand kilograms with both hands.
With this kind of physical strength, Lu Wen, wielding a long sword, could defeat Lin Zhen Nan with a single thrust.
But now he was going to demonstrate the technique of controlling the sword with his qi. Lu Wen thought about the differences between attacking with a sword and with his own body.
Seeing the long sword hovering in the air, even though Lin Zhen Nan had anticipated it, he couldn't help but be shocked.
"Lin Chief Escort, be careful," Lu Wen warned as his sword sliced through the air.
Lin Zhen Nan was fully focused, his long sword ready to defend at any moment.
But Lu Wen controlled the flying sword to perform a straight thrust, immediately putting Lin Zhen Nan in a panic.
This wasn't surprising. Fighting a person with a weapon is entirely different from fighting a weapon itself.