Martial Cultivator

Whether a sect has a powerful expert at the Nepenthe Realm to hold down the fort makes all the difference.

In the past, the Green Algae Sect had kept a low profile. Apart from the fact that it was not far from the Divine Capital, the main reason was that the sect lacked a Nepenthe powerhouse to hold down the fort. In the entire Green Algae Sect, the strongest member of the Green Algae Sect was their sect master, but he was only at the Great Beyond Realm.

But now that he had stepped into the Nepenthe Realm, the sect’s status had naturally risen. Asking for 100,000 skygold coins today was a show of strength.

Lu Yuan’s expression darkened, and a trace of anger appeared in his eyes. Even though they had a Nepenthe expert on their side, asking for 100,000 skygold coins was still a blatant overcharge. Not to mention, he had not even brought that much skygold coins with him on this trip. Even if he had, he would not easily hand it over.

“I’ll go speak to them myself.”

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, calmed himself, and adjusted his clothes before heading to the back of the boat.

At the rear of the ship, the Lu Family’s retainers were facing off against a group of Green Algae Sect cultivators.

The Lu Family young master glared at the Green Algae Sect cultivators with burning rage. If it were not for his family’s retainer holding him back, he likely would have already charged at them.

As for the Green Algae Sect cultivators, they remained much calmer. After all, their sect master was aboard the ship, so they had little to worry about.

A Nepenthe Realm powerhouse was no ordinary person. Not to mention whether there was another one on the ship, how many could be found outside the Divine Capital?

Lu Yuan stepped out from the crowd, and the Lu Family retainers visibly relaxed. As long as Second Master was here, whatever happened next would not concern them.

Lu Yuan glanced at the group of Green Algae Sect cultivators, first offering a slight bow. He then spoke in a gentle voice, ”My nephew has inadvertently offended all of you. I ask for your understanding.”

The Green Algae Sect cultivator in front was a thin, frail man. Hearing this, he only sneered and said, ”If it could be so easily brushed off with just a few words, that would be great. But my junior sister’s chaste reputation isn’t something you can just casually flirt with. You should know that my junior sister has long since formed a deep mutual understanding with a certain daoist from the Infatuation Daoist Temple, and they are about to become Dao companions. Yet you dare treat her this way and think you can just sweep the matter under the rug?”

This thin, frail man was also quite skillful with his words, bringing the Infatuation Daoist Temple into the conversation in just a few words.

Lu Yuan smiled and said, ”If this female immortal has been wronged...”

”Uncle!”

Before Lu Yuan could finish, he was quickly interrupted by the young man.

What wronged female immortal? He had not said anything overboard at all.

”Shut up.”

Lu Yuan spoke in a deep voice, ”Do you have any right to speak here?”

The young man, feeling wronged, could not say anything further.

Lu Yuan turned his head toward them, smiling as he said, ”Since this is our fault, we will naturally offer compensation, but the 100,000 skygold coins you mentioned, is that not a bit too much?”

The thin man sneered and said, ”It’s only because you are from a prominent family that I’m speaking to you this politely. If it were anyone else, they would be beaten or killed without a second thought. And you still want to bargain?”

Hearing this, Lu Yuan did not get angry. He just smiled and said, ”I’ve heard that your esteemed sect’s sect master is also aboard the ship. Could you introduce him? There are some things I wish to discuss with your sect master.”

”What kind of wishful thinking is that? Do you think Sect Master can be seen just because you want to? Who the hell do you think you are?!”

The thin man’s aggressive attitude was evident.

Lu Yuan felt a bit displeased, but still patiently said, ”This is such a major matter, I can’t make a decision on my own. How about this: when the ship docks, I’ll write a letter back and inquire with my family for their opinion?”

”What’s this? Are you trying to use the Great Liang to scare us?”

A voice suddenly rang out on the ship, and a thin, middle-aged man appeared. As soon as he appeared, all the Green Algae Sect cultivators saluted in unison, ”Vice Sect Master.”

The thin man who appeared was none other than the Vice Sect Master of the Green Algae Sect, Situ Chang.

Situ Chang sneered and said, ”Well, your Great Liang can only scare people at this moment.”

Lu Yuan remained silent for a moment, still suppressing his anger, and said, ”May I ask if there is still room for negotiation, Immortal Master?”

Situ Chang smiled and said, ”If you hadn’t mentioned the Great Liang, there might have been room for discussion, but now that you have, there’s no more room at all.”

”100,000 skygold coins, not a single coin less!”

Situ Chang laughed heartily.

Lu Yuan shook his head and said, ”Immortal Master, I truly cannot cough up 100,000 skygold coins.”

Situ Chang looked at Lu Yuan, paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, ”Alright then, I won’t make it difficult for you. If you say that the Great Liang only has a group of uncouth martial artists, I’ll reduce the amount by half. Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance, but this is your only opportunity.”

Hearing these words, the merchants watching from the side all frowned. To be honest, from the beginning, it was the Green Algae Sect that had caused trouble, and by now, they could tell that these people were not really after Skygold coins. They simply wanted to get under the skin of their Great Liang.

Before Lu Yuan could say anything, some of the other merchants spoke up, ”Second Master Lu, don’t say anything. We, the Yan Family, will contribute some of the skygold coins for you!”

”Right, Second Master Lu, don’t hesitate, we’ll all chip in on the ship, 10,000 skygold coins should be fine, we can’t let them insult the country!”

”Second Master Lu, earning money while we’re out here is secondary, we can’t just do anything for money!”

In an instant, the ship became lively with the merchants speaking up. Although they did not mention the Green Algae Sect directly, the meaning was clear enough.

Lu Yuan turned around and clasped his hands toward the merchants, ”Everyone, it’s not easy for anyone to make a living outside. But today, the Lu Family is indeed facing some trouble, so we’ll have to trouble all of you for your help. However, I assure you, in the name of the Lu Family, the skygold coins will be considered a loan, and we’ll write promissory notes for it. When we return to the Divine Capital, the Lu Family will repay everyone. Aside from that, anything that is intended as a gift to me, I won’t accept!”

Lu Yuan’s words immediately garnered a response from many people. The Lu Family’s reputation was well-known, and everyone understood that since they said that they were loaning the money today, it would definitely be repaid.

Situ Chang laughed coldly but did not say much more, flicking his sleeves and leaving.

On the ship, Lu Yuan set up a table at the bow and began writing promissory notes for various merchants.

Meanwhile, Lu Xin watched the scene with a complicated expression.

A 100,000 skygold coins was also no small expenditure for the Lu Family. Though it could be managed for now, they feared they would never get those 100,000 skygold coins back in the future.

He sighed endlessly. Businessmen did business, enduring hunger and exposure, seeking gold and silver. For the Lu Family, even if they could swallow this silent loss, it was likely that after Lu Yuan returned home, his influence would be greatly reduced.

Lu Xin truly admired his uncle from the bottom of his heart, but there was little he could do.

However, at this moment, someone had vividly taught them a lesson: the world was never as good as it seemed.

……

……

In just half a day, Lu Yuan gathered the skygold coins. He had about 20,000 with him when he set out, and after borrowing from the merchants on board, he had gathered the full 100,000.

However, Lu Xin could clearly see that his uncle had visibly aged at this point.

After paying the money, the ferry arrived at the dock where the Lu Family was supposed to disembark.

Lu Yuan instructed people to unload the goods, while he himself went off the ferry early and sat down at a tea stall near the dock. He ordered a pot of tea but did not reach out to pour it.

After disembarking, Lu Xin slowly made his way over, sat down in front of Lu Yuan, and remained silent too.

Lu Yuan glanced at Lu Xin and forced a smile. ”Xin’er, this is how the world is. Though it seems good, it’s far from that. You saw it for yourself. With situations like this, when they happen, we can only accept it. What else can we do?”

Lu Xin remained silent for a while, looking at Lu Yuan and saying, ”Uncle, if we weren’t here today, and something like this happened, would you still give the money?”

Lu Yuan glanced at Lu Xin, about to speak, but Lu Xin had already shaken his head. ”Uncle wouldn’t give it. Uncle would rather die than give it.”

Lu Yuan forced a bitter smile. ”Yes, how could my life be worth 100,000 skygold coins?”

Lu Xin said, ”Money isn’t that important.”

Lu Yuan shook his head. ”Money is always one of the most important things in the world.”

”But Uncle still isn’t willing to speak ill of our Great Liang. That sentence is worth 50,000 skygold coins.”

Lu Xin looked at Lu Yuan, his expression extremely serious.

Lu Yuan said self-mockingly, ”But money isn’t the most important thing in the world.”

……

……

The ferry left the dock and continued onward. The Lu Family group sat dejectedly in the tea shop, drinking tea.

At the dock, the merchants waiting for the next ferry to go to different places were discussing the events that had happened on the boat earlier.

Before long, the next ferry arrived at the dock. Some people boarded, while others disembarked.

A young man arrived here, just about to board the boat, when he overheard the people around him discussing. He stopped in his tracks and walked over to a middle-aged merchant, smiling as he asked, ”Brother, what happened just now?”

The middle-aged merchant originally did not want to say much, but seeing the young man carrying a saber, yet so polite, he thought for a moment and then went on to recount everything that had happened earlier.

The young man nodded and laughed. ”That Second Master Lu is too foolish, isn’t he? A sentence that’s worth 50,000 skygold coins, why didn’t he say it?”

The middle-aged merchant said unhappily, ”Can that kind of thing be said casually? We all received the nation’s grace. How can we eat from the bowl and then curse the mother who made it?”

The young man nodded and said, ”That makes sense.”

”Poor Second Master Lu, he’s suffered greatly. The 100,000 skygold coins isn’t a small amount. Once he returns to the Lu Family, I really don’t know how he’ll explain himself.”

The middle-aged merchant sighed and subconsciously glanced toward the tea shop.

The young man followed his gaze and saw the dejected group of people, knowing that those must be members of the Lu Family.

After thanking the merchant, the young man walked toward the tea shop.