Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 36

The next day, in the Lu family estate, the usual tranquility of Lu Xuan’s courtyard was shattered by cries of pain.

“Ah!”

“Cousin, why are you hitting so hard?!”

“Ow!”

“Stop! Enough! I surrender!”

After a while, Lu Xuan looked down at Liang Cheng, who lay sprawled on the ground like a limp rag, groaning in agony.

“What are you still lying around for? Get up!”

Struggling to his feet, Liang Cheng stared at Lu Xuan with a face swollen beyond recognition, whimpering, “Cousin, is this really ‘guidance’ in martial arts?”

“It feels more like you’re just beating me up!”

Lu Xuan remained expressionless, hands clasped behind his back, observing Liang Cheng’s puffy face before replying coolly, “You should be grateful for my instruction.”

And it was true.

For Liang Cheng to receive personal training from an Inner Qi Realm expert like Lu Xuan was an unimaginable privilege. If word got out, people would line up from Qingyun County all the way to the provincial capital just for a chance.

“Really, Brother Xuan?”

“Even so, can’t you at least go easy on me?”

Despite the brutal session, Liang Cheng could already feel his martial skills improving. But the cost was too high—his cousin showed no mercy, pushing him relentlessly.

Sighing, Lu Xuan decided to let Liang Cheng recover for now. Otherwise, he feared the boy might quit out of sheer terror.

Perhaps I should find a few Muscle-Tempering Realm fighters to spar with him instead.

With that thought, Lu Xuan stepped out of the courtyard and summoned a servant. “Go find Uncle Li and have him send over a few Muscle-Tempering Realm martial artists.”

“Yes, Young Master!”

…..

Meanwhile, in a cramped little room on the other side of the Lu estate, two men—one tall, one short—huddled together.

They were none other than the Second and Third Chiefs of the Black Wind Gang, now successfully infiltrated into the Lu household.

“Junior Brother, we strike tonight. Only the old man and his direct family stay alive—kill everyone else to prevent leaks.”

“Keh keh keh!”

“Good!”

“I’ve long been sick of looking at these useless fools!”

At his senior brother’s words, the Third Chief shed his facade of simple-minded obedience, revealing his bloodthirsty nature.

They had spent the entire previous night scouting the Lu estate, memorizing every path for their impending attack.

Knock, knock, knock!

A sudden rap at the door, followed by a voice:

“Hey, Heifeng, Heihu! You two in there? Uncle Li wants you at the Young Master’s courtyard.”

The interruption forced the Third Chief to quickly reassume his harmless demeanor.

“Ah, yes! We’ll be right out!” the Second Chief called back.

But inwardly, he frowned. Why would the Lu family’s young master suddenly summon them?

From the moment they’d entered the Lu household, they’d been briefed on the so-called “Young Master’s” habits—what to avoid, how not to offend him.

Tch.

Just some spoiled brat from a backwater county.

Rumored to be a martial arts fanatic, a hardworking genius?

To the Second Chief, he was nothing but a worthless dilettante.

Only those who’ve survived the cruelty of the outside world deserve to be called true martial artists.

…..

“Young Master, these five are all Muscle-Tempering Realm fighters. What do you need them for?”

The Lu family’s guard captain, Li Mingzhong, looked puzzled as he presented the men.

Lu Xuan replied indifferently, “Nothing major. I just want them to spar with Liang Cheng, give him some practical experience.”

His gaze swept over the five men—until it abruptly paused on two of them.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he masked it instantly.

Pointing at the pair—one tall, one short—Lu Xuan asked calmly, “Uncle Li, who are these two?”

Li Mingzhong followed his gaze and quickly explained, “Ah, right! My apologies, Young Master.”

“These two were brought in yesterday by the Master himself. Brothers—the tall one’s Heihu, the short one’s Heifeng.”

Lu Xuan’s eyes darkened as he studied them.

They might fool others, but not my senses.

With his heightened perception as an Inner Qi Realm expert, he could see through their disguise.

Two Bone-Forging Realm martial artists, pretending to be Muscle-Tempering?

Infiltration, feigned innocence—this reeks of ill intent.

“Just these two will stay. Uncle Li, you may take the others back.”

Though confused, Li Mingzhong obeyed without question, leading the remaining three away.

As Liang Cheng approached curiously—”Brother Xuan, who are they?”—Lu Xuan raised a hand to silence him.

Then, facing the two “guards,” Lu Xuan smirked.

“You two are Muscle-Tempering Realm fighters, correct?”

Gritting his teeth, the Second Chief forced out a respectful, “Yes, Young Master.”

Damn brat. Tonight, I’ll make you beg for mercy.

Lu Xuan’s grin widened.

“Excellent. Then you’ll spar with me.”

“I’ve hit a bottleneck in my training, and only real combat can help me break through.”

“Remember—I won’t hold back. You’d better give it your all, or I might accidentally injure you.”

The Second Chief sneered inwardly.

Pathetic. A mere Muscle-Tempering ant, threatening to hurt us? Ridiculous.

“Young Master need not worry. My brother and I understand.”

But before he could even look up—

Whoosh!

A gust of violent wind—

—followed by a fist expanding rapidly in his vision.

THUD!

A dull impact.

And then, like a cannonball, the Second Chief’s body hurtled backward—

—before crashing violently into the ground.