Chapter 106: The Grand Musashi

“A throne, decided just like that!”
“Is this the sheer boldness of the Da Jing imperial clan?”

Listening to the conversation between Lu Chun Yuan and Lu Hong Jin, Lu Sheng was momentarily dumbfounded, struck by a sense of unreality.

Although he held little respect for titles in this world, a marquisate was surely no trivial matter.

Yet, such a title was settled right here in this room with only a few words exchanged between Lu Chun Yuan and Lu Hong Jin—

This left Lu Sheng with an overwhelming feeling of disbelief.

Fortunately, he soon understood why he was treated this way:

“No, this is not just the boldness of the Da Jing imperial clan—”
“But also my potential!”
“If I had not demonstrated the promise of becoming a Grandmaster, or even the supreme Grandmaster, and claimed I could influence fate,”
“Even if this title had been agreed upon by my ancestors in the Lu Hun clan, it would never have come to me.”
“Great-grandfather Lu Quan, when he arrived in Yujing long ago, was unable to acknowledge his ancestral roots and feared losing the heritage—”
“That was why he ultimately settled on Blackstone Island!”
“In the end, this world is still—”
“Martial strength reigns supreme!”

After this ordeal, Lu Sheng gained a much deeper understanding of the world’s rules—

Strength, as long as one possesses it, will attract not only wealth and beauties but also official ranks and noble titles.

Now, though his strength was not yet sufficient, his potential was promising enough to inspire high hopes.

That was why, upon returning to the Da Jing Lu clan, he received such favorable treatment!

“No matter the official rank or noble title, they are but fleeting clouds to me—”
“The reason I seek them is because they can help me enhance my strength!”

With this clarity in his heart, Lu Sheng felt his awakened Dao-seeking spirit grow even firmer.

Listening to Lu Chun Yuan and Lu Hong Jin’s discussion, he was able to remain calm and composed.

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“Good!”
“This matter will be initiated by me in the name of my grandfather.”
“Then you and your father must leverage your military connections to stir up support.”
“This time, we must ensure Sheng’er receives the title of Prince of Jinyang!”

While discussing the procedure to restore Lu Sheng’s title, Lu Chun Yuan said to him:
“Sheng’er, although your Bingzhou Lu clan has declined, you still have many connections in Yujing.”
“If you aim to become the Prince of Jin, or reclaim the inheritance stone, those people won’t just refuse to help you—they will compete against you.”
“But this time, it is only the Prince of Jinyang, which benefits the entire Bingzhou Lu clan.”
“Your Bingzhou Lu clan has been in decline for a long time; gaining another marquisate will be welcomed by those born into the clan!”
“If in the coming days Lu Yunxi and others invite you to the Bingzhou Lu clan gatherings, you should accept and let them help build your momentum.”

“When someone challenges you to a duel, you must win!”

Though supported by him, Lu Sheng’s acquisition of the Jinyang marquisate was nearly guaranteed.

However, among the millions of Da Jing Lu clan members, some would undoubtedly envy Lu Sheng and dispute his status as the top among the younger generation—

These challenges would have to be faced by Lu Sheng himself!

“Someone wants to challenge me to a duel—”
“That’s actually a good thing!”

Rather than showing the solemnity Lu Chun Yuan expected, Lu Sheng smiled faintly.

This made Lu Chun Yuan and Lu Hong Jin recall Lu Sheng’s previously displayed combative nature.

“Fine!”
“On the arena, take it easy—don’t beat anyone to the point of injury!”

Shaking his head, Lu Chun Yuan silently lamented those who might challenge Lu Sheng and cautioned him.

Meanwhile, Lu Hong Jin showed a hint of concern and said:
“You must also familiarize yourself with archery and horsemanship—”
“It’s possible someone who can’t defeat you on the arena might challenge you in these skills!”
“If you lose, it will damage your reputation—”
“And that will be very detrimental to gaining your title!”

Given that Lu Sheng’s title and fate would influence whether he became a Martial Patriarch, Lu Hong Jin naturally cared all the more about him.

If before, his optimism was out of affection for the younger generation of the Lu clan—

Now it was a matter closely tied to his own cultivation.

So he did not hesitate to involve his own father, Lu Chun Qian, one of the Pillar State Generals of Qian Kingdom, to join Lu Chun Yuan in pushing for Lu Sheng’s title.

Although his father had spent his life in the military and was not as renowned as Lu Chun Yuan, whose disciples filled the Martial Academy and was the grandson of a Grandmaster—

His subordinates and followers held many noble titles and could help stir up support.

Lu Hong Jin even planned to have Lu Sheng quickly learn archery and horsemanship, so if the title was delayed or failed, he could arrange for Lu Sheng to serve in the military, where his former subordinates would help him earn military merits—

Thus securing a noble title!

With this thought, Lu Hong Jin wasted no time and, after settling details with Lu Chun Yuan, quickly left the Chun Yuan Pavilion to seek out his father!

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“Even if everything goes smoothly, granting the title will take some time—”
“So, for now, you should find an official position!”

Watching Lu Hong Jin depart, Lu Chun Yuan said to Lu Sheng.

Feeling a flicker of hope, Lu Sheng cautiously asked:
“Do you mean to reinstate me as a seventh-rank supervisor?”
Afraid that he might offend Lu Chun Yuan and lose the post again.

“Hmph!”

Seeing Lu Sheng’s expression, Lu Chun Yuan unexpectedly growled with some irritation before speaking:

“If you want to rise quickly and improve your rank,”
“There is a position very suitable for you—”
“If you do well, you might soon be promoted from seventh rank to fifth rank!”

“Promotion from seventh to fifth rank so quickly? Please instruct me, Master!”

Though disappointed not to regain the seventh-rank supervisor post, Lu Sheng brightened upon hearing Lu Chun Yuan’s words:

“Fifth rank is four levels higher than seventh.”
“Normally, with promotions every three years, it would take twelve years.”
“If there’s a way to rise quickly, all the better!”

With this in mind, the mere seventh-rank supervisor post no longer interested Lu Sheng.

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“This time, think carefully!”
“If you are going to do it, do it well—”
“Don’t be so casual like just now!”

Seeing how much Lu Sheng valued rank, Lu Chun Yuan grew a little angry.

Though he now understood Lu Sheng sought to obtain fate, as a member of the Da Jing court, he could not tolerate such flippancy toward official positions—

If outsiders learned that Lu clan descendants treated official ranks so lightly, what prestige would the Da Jing court have?

Thus, before appointing him again, Lu Chun Yuan first warned Lu Sheng to take it seriously.

“Yes! Yes!”
“I will serve diligently!”

Fully aware of the consequences of exhausting one’s official fate, Lu Sheng dared not underestimate the role anymore. He resolved to carefully convert the fate brought by the office.

“Hmm, your attitude is acceptable.”

Finally somewhat satisfied, Lu Chun Yuan nodded and said:

“This time, I appoint you as a seventh-rank Martial Archive Compiler.”
“As long as you do well and compile enough martial techniques—”
“I can quickly raise your rank!”

Besides teaching, the Da Jing Martial Academy also undertakes the responsibility of editing the *Da Jing Martial Archive*.

The position of Martial Archive Compiler relies entirely on merit for rank promotion—

As a great martial artist, Lu Sheng could be promoted up to fifth rank!

The reason Lu Chun Yuan assigned Lu Sheng this post was not only to facilitate his study of martial techniques but also to stimulate his comprehension—

If Lu Sheng performed well, not only would his rank rise swiftly, but his knowledge and cultivation would greatly improve.

Undoubtedly, this was a position better suited to Lu Sheng!