Chapter 56: Remarkable Valor and Distinction

"Oh my! Brother Lu, with this look of yours, I almost didn’t recognize you!"

"As expected of the descendant of the most handsome man on the grasslands a century ago!"

In the parlor, Guan Yingfan watched as Lu Sheng was led inside. Upon seeing his appearance, Guan’s eyes lit up with exaggerated admiration. Although he had suspected that Lu Sheng’s previous appearance was not his true face, he hadn’t expected that with just a slight change, he would become so strikingly heroic. If not for recognizing certain features, Guan Yingfan might have doubted that the person before him was the same as before.

"With such looks, even Lu Hunxuan from a hundred years ago was probably only as handsome as this," he thought with a sigh, even as he invited Lu Sheng to sit. Guan Yingfan carefully observed the reactions of those present, especially Murong Yu, who had old grievances with the Lu Hun clan—his main focus at the moment.

Lu Sheng, in this guise, resembled Lu Hunxuan’s portrait by at least seventy percent. If Murong Yu’s old hatred for Lu Hunxuan was stirred by Lu Sheng’s current visage, Guan Yingfan would have to find a way to mediate between them again.

However, his worries were unfounded. Though Murong Yu seemed to grit her teeth at Lu Sheng’s appearance, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at him from time to time—her demeanor showed no desire for conflict.

"No wonder the Murong clan, whose very surname means ‘admiring beauty,’ has such a deep-seated reverence for good looks—" Guan Yingfan mused with an inward chuckle. "No wonder Lu Hunxuan could have them wrapped around his finger with nothing but his charm a century ago!"

Relieved by Murong Yu’s reaction, Guan Yingfan felt at ease; as long as she didn’t make trouble, the banquet would proceed without incident. Yet he failed to notice that Duanmu Yun, nearby, was also watching Murong Yu’s expression closely.

---

"Speaking of which, today’s Full Wolf Feast is thanks to Brother Lu Hun," Guan Yingfan announced as everyone was seated, signaling for the dishes to be served. "If he hadn’t just come down from the mountain and offered snow wolves as payment when asking for directions, we wouldn’t have had such fresh snow wolf meat!"

Because martial prowess was highly valued, and powerful warriors had great appetites, this world always practiced individual servings at banquets. Soon, each person’s table was laden with identical dishes, most made from wolf meat, amounting to dozens of pounds in total—clearly, the Full Wolf Feast Guan mentioned.

To others, Guan’s words might not have meant much, but to Lu Sheng, they were a warning and revealed something of the Four Seas Trading Company’s influence in Snow Eagle City.

"Although I didn’t rush at full speed, as a martial master, my pace was still far faster than that of Eri Dun and the others," Lu Sheng calculated. "Even if they returned to the city the moment they awoke, they wouldn’t arrive until sundown. Yet now, at midday, the snow wolves have already been delivered and prepared as dishes—someone must have gone out of the city to fetch them!"

That the Four Seas Trading Company had, in such a short time, not only invited him in but also investigated his route and the people he encountered, made Lu Sheng reevaluate Guan Yingfan.

Outwardly, Lu Sheng showed nothing, only grinning to reveal a set of teeth as white as jade and laughing heartily: "Is that so? In that case, I must eat my fill! It’s been ages since I’ve tasted such delicacies on the snowy mountains!"

With that, he seized a honey-roasted wolf leg and, in a few hearty bites, devoured most of it, bones and all. As he ate, he praised the fare:

"Delicious! Truly a rare treat!" he exclaimed. "Everyone, dig in! Especially Miss Murong—look at you, so delicate and frail, you can barely wield a sword. You must eat more! These snow wolves were hunted by my own hand!"

He played the host, encouraging everyone to enjoy the meal.

---

"Hmph!"

Before Murong Yu could respond, Duanmu Yun let out a cold snort. When he had seen Lu Sheng’s breathtaking true face just now, he had already felt a sense of foreboding—everyone in the Western Regions and on the grasslands knew of the Murong clan’s obsession with beauty, a trait so deeply woven into their bloodline as to be utterly irresistible.

Back in the day, even when Lu Hunxuan had been their mortal enemy, the Murong clan had welcomed him into their family and, later, drawn him into their inner circle because of his looks.

Now, this "Lu Hun" before them not only bore a striking resemblance to Lu Hunxuan but had with Murong Yu only a past grudge. For those who had survived the clan’s internal strife, such hatred might be unforgettable, but to Murong Yu, it was more of a reflexive response.

If this peerlessly handsome "Lu Hun" were to employ his charms, who could say Murong Yu wouldn’t be swayed? Duanmu Yun, well-versed in the Murong clan’s temperament, had little confidence she could resist.

Thus, when Lu Sheng openly teased Murong Yu, Duanmu Yun couldn’t help but snort, suddenly standing up:

"Lu," he challenged loudly, "just now you took advantage of us and ruined our weapons with your superior blade. If you’re so bold, let’s settle this with our fists—see who’s truly the better man!"

He shoved aside his table and stood in the center of the hall, issuing his challenge.

"With fists? Are you sure you want to compete with me in unarmed combat?" Lu Sheng replied, amusement in his tone. "Has the Duanmu clan forgotten about the Hun Yuan Hand of the Great Jing’s Lu family?"

The Hun Yuan Hand, a martial art passed down from the Emperor of Jing, included the Minor Hun Yuan Hand, Major Hun Yuan Hand, and the One Qi Hun Yuan Seizing Hand, each suited for warriors of increasing mastery. This discipline was not only unparalleled in defense but could integrate countless martial arts into its techniques, making it the most formidable hand-to-hand style in the world.

Over a century ago, King Huntian Lu Zhengyang’s Huntian Hand, derived from the One Qi Hun Yuan Seizing Hand, became world-famous when he slew the Golden Wolf King.

Now, Duanmu Yun, disgruntled by Lu Sheng’s superior weapon, wanted to compete in martial arts, disregarding Lu’s heritage. To Lu Sheng, this was somewhat foolish.

---

"Whether you’re feeling confident or just being reckless, this is a perfect opportunity—let’s see if provoking Murong Yu will draw out Shi Dali!"

Well aware of the Murong clan’s tendencies, Lu Sheng had gone to great lengths to make himself appealing, hoping to attract Murong Yu’s attention and, in turn, lure out the attentive Shi Dali.

Duanmu Yun’s challenge was a gift.

With a calculating glance at Duanmu Yun, then at Murong Yu, Lu Sheng laughed:

"So, Young Master Duanmu, you lost face in front of Miss Murong and now want to redeem yourself? In that case, why not let her be the prize for our match?"

"Whoever wins may propose marriage to Miss Murong! What do you—"

At the words "propose marriage to Miss Murong," Duanmu Yun, who had been ready to retort "wishful thinking" upon hearing Murong Yu would be the wager, swallowed his words and said instead,

"To propose marriage to Miss Murong, one must have her consent—such matters can’t be so hasty!"

He had long harbored affections for Murong Yu but had never received encouragement. Now, hearing Lu Sheng’s proposal, he saw it as a chance to test her feelings.

"Hasty?" Lu Sheng retorted, feigning indignation, pushing aside his table and joining Duanmu Yun in the center of the hall, pointing at him:

"You are the legitimate heir of the Duanmu clan, the divine son of the Fire God Sect, and a renowned figure on the Heroes’ Roll at twenty-three. Why shouldn’t you be able to propose to the divine maiden Murong Yu?"

Then, pointing to himself, he declared, "As for me, a descendant of the Great Jing’s Lu family, a few years your senior but also born with innate spiritual talent—once I return to the Lu family and train in the White Jade Tower, my achievements may rival your own. Am I not also qualified to pursue Miss Murong?"

"Miss Murong, do you find today’s contest hasty or not?" He strode to Murong Yu, pressing her for a response.

---

"Absurd," Murong Yu replied without hesitation.

Though her bloodline made her, like all Murong clan members, susceptible to the allure of beauty, her upbringing in the Fire God Sect and her devout faith had lessened this influence. Lu Sheng’s striking appearance had indeed caught her eye, but not nearly enough for her to accept a stranger’s proposal.

Without a moment’s pause, she flung the dregs of her wine at Lu Sheng.

With a dramatic inhale, Lu Sheng caught the wine midair, swallowing it all without spilling a drop. Smacking his lips in appreciation, he exclaimed,

"Excellent wine! Truly splendid! And with Miss Murong’s fragrance—an unparalleled delicacy!"

Staggering as if drunk, he lurched toward Murong Yu, clearly playing the fool.

Anyone who witnessed this scene could see his intentions.

"How dare you!"

Simultaneously, two male voices rang out. Duanmu Yun’s palm and another man’s fist, both brimming with force, struck at Lu Sheng together.