Chapter 26: Is the Celestial Master's Mansion Truly a Place for the Belligerent?

"Zhiwei, times have changed. No matter how powerful an individual practitioner may be today, they cannot reverse the tide of fate. Burning down a few opium dens or killing the people who run them is ultimately meaningless."

Zhang Jingqing sighed, pulling his gaze away from the opium den as they walked. "These dens are a product of this era; in the end, they must be left to be washed away by the torrents of time. Individual strength is trivial. It would be better to consider how to change the status quo from its very roots. Besides, is my Tianshi Mansion truly a place for those who revel in violence and conflict?"

Zhang Zhiwei glanced at the opium den, then chose to follow Zhang Jingqing.

But after only a few steps, Zhang Jingqing stopped and sighed again: "In the end, we are but mere mortals!"

With that, he pulled two yellow talismans from his pocket, tossed them away casually, and continued walking.

The moment the talismans left his hand, they folded themselves automatically, transforming into two paper cranes. The cranes flapped their wings, circled in the air, brushed past Zhang Zhiwei’s temples, and flew silently into the opium den.

A moment later, chaos erupted inside the den, followed by a raging inferno. Immediately after, a fierce gale swept up, carrying the thick, billowing smoke high into the sky.

Zhang Zhiwei: "..."

*Is my Tianshi Mansion not a place for those who revel in violence?*

*Is this irony?*

*Hmm... I suppose the power of these talismans is truly impressive!*

*First fire, then wind. I must study these when we get back!*

He quickly hurried to catch up with his master. Along the way, they saw crowds of people staring toward the opium den. Faintly, he heard them whispering, "The opium den caught fire? Heaven truly has eyes! I hope those animals inside burn to death!"

***

The Lu family of Jiangnan is one of the Four Families of the practitioner world, holding a pivotal position in the landscape of the martial arts community.

The Lu family does not possess a singular hereditary technique. Instead, they send their younger generation to study the specialties of various major sects based on their individual aptitude and interests, with the proviso that these techniques must not be passed on to outsiders. They prioritize self-discipline and upright conduct, while remaining open-minded, adopting the best ideas from various schools and discarding the rest.

This family code allowed the Lu family to build a vast network of connections in the practitioner world; most righteous practitioners would grant the Lu family a favor when asked.

This time, the current head of the Lu family, Old Master Lu, was celebrating his eightieth birthday. He intended to use the occasion to retire from the world of practitioners and pass the mantle of leadership to his nephew, Lu Xuan, thus inviting friends from all over the world to gather.

For a time, practitioners from across the land converged on Jiangnan. Because the birthday banquet and the succession ceremony were being held together, the scene was unprecedented in its grandeur. The Lu family even rented out two streets to host a massive, continuous banquet for guests from all directions.

As for the protagonist of the banquet, Old Master Lu, he was a legendary figure. Born during the Daoguang era, he had served as the head of the Lu family since the Guangxu era—a tenure spanning nearly forty years.

When he first became the head, the wave of the Taiping Rebellion had just subsided. As one of the Four Families, the Lu family could not remain unscathed during that cataclysm, which swept through hundreds of millions of people and claimed tens of millions of lives. They were severely impacted, their foundation shaken, and their decline was evident.

However, after Old Master Lu took charge, relying on his formidable methods and connections, he led the family through forty years of vigorous development, not only preserving their legacy but restoring the Lu family to its former glory.

***

On the way to the Lu estate, the Tianshi Zhang Jingqing spoke as if recounting a family treasure, introducing the various practitioner factions attending the banquet to Zhang Zhiwei, along with the necessary etiquette. Thus far, he was truly cultivating Zhang Zhiwei as the sole candidate for the next Tianshi.

"The Sanyi Sect is the faction that has been closest to the Lu family in recent years. Their unique skill is the 'Triple Inverse Life.' So-called 'Triple Inverse Life' is the process of training oneself back to the state of Innate Qi."

"Human birth is the result of Qi differentiating and manifesting into the four limbs, five internal organs, and the hundred bones. This is following the natural flow of Qi. However, while following the laws of heaven, one cannot escape death. The Sanyi Sect seeks to go against these natural laws, refining the body back into the state of original Innate Qi."

"As the name implies, there are three realms to the Triple Inverse Life. But this technique is extremely difficult to practice. The vast majority of people spend their entire lives hovering at the first realm; to reach the second realm is to be counted among the elite practitioners."

"The current master of the Sanyi Sect, Zuo Ruotong, known as the 'Immortal of Great Abundance,' is said to have cultivated this technique to an incredibly profound level!"

"Not long ago, members of the Sanyi Sect killed several officials who were oppressing the people. This led a local warlord to bring his troops to bombard the sect, but Zuo Ruotong easily neutralized the threat. He crushed the warlord's artillery shells with his bare hands and, amidst an army of thousands, easily captured the warlord's leader, resolving the crisis."

"Nowadays, it is widely rumored in the martial arts community that, regardless of the size of the faction or the number of followers, when it comes to one-on-one combat and supernatural arts, Zuo Ruotong is the greatest master of this era!"

***

"And the Lu family's direct grandson, Lu Jin, is a disciple of Zuo Ruotong. It is said that he has inherited Zuo Ruotong’s true teachings and is a fine talent for practicing the Triple Inverse Life..."

As Zhang Jingqing explained, Zhang Zhiwei felt that the rumors in the community were somewhat exaggerated. If this "Immortal of Great Abundance" Zuo Ruotong were truly so powerful, how could he have died because of Wu Gensheng?

It was likely just the community blowing things out of proportion. Compared to his own master, he was far inferior. Of course, he couldn't say this; his master didn't like flattery, even if it were the truth.

"Master, you seem quite interested in the Sanyi Sect's Triple Inverse Life. Have you ever crossed hands with this Master Zuo?" Zhang Zhiwei asked.

"The Sanyi Sect and our Tianshi Mansion have always enjoyed a good relationship, and neither of us are people who revel in violence. We have never fought," Zhang Jingqing replied.

"Then at this banquet, if the opportunity arises, this disciple could spar with someone from the Sanyi Sect. Perhaps then, you could gain some insight into the Triple Inverse Life?" Zhang Zhiwei said with a smile.

"Sparring is fine, but this is someone else's birthday banquet. You must show restraint, boy. Remember that!" Zhang Jingqing cautioned.

Although he brought Zhang Zhiwei down the mountain with the intention of letting the Sanyi Sect's star pupil, Lu Jin, suppress Zhang Zhiwei's arrogance, after testing him last night, Zhang Jingqing felt unsure. He warned him in advance to avoid causing a scene that would make him, his master, lose face.

"What are you saying, Master!" Zhang Zhiwei patted his chest. "Don't you trust me?"

Zhang Jingqing narrowed his small eyes, staring at Zhang Zhiwei without a word. *Trust you? As if. You are the one person I can never trust.*

Feeling uneasy under the gaze, Zhang Zhiwei quickly changed the subject:

"By the way, Master, tell me about the Four Families. I always hear about them—what are their special abilities?"

"It’s good to discuss them. These four families are the pillars of the practitioner world. You will inevitably deal with them in the future, so it is good to understand them. You already know about the Lu family, so I will tell you about the others."

Zhang Jingqing said: "The Wang family, one of the four, possesses the hereditary secret technique 'Divine Painting.' Along with the Secret Painting technique of the Secret Painting Sect, they are known as the two great schools of the art of painting. They possess god-like, unpredictable abilities, and their strength cannot be underestimated."

"The current head of the Wang family has been close since childhood to Lu Xuan, the one who is about to succeed as the head of the Lu family. In the future, these two families may have even more contact."