Under One Person: The Seeker of the Dao in the Lü Family

Chapter 4 Lu Family Birthday Banquet

The sun slowly rose in the eastern sky, and the red glow on the horizon became even more magnificent.

The morning light slowly shone into the Zhenwu Hall, illuminating a corner of the hall even brighter in conjunction with the dim candlelight.

"Have you had this injury on your face since then?"

Master Yunlong examined the mottled bruises on Lü Qian's face, his originally strange expression turning into one of hesitation.

"No, this is the suffering I endured later," Lü Qian shook his head.

"As for the story of slapping Lu Lin and making him cry, it's not what's being said outside."

Master Yunlong nodded suspiciously, signaling Lü Qian to continue.

"Three days ago, at the Lu family's birthday banquet, we had a proper sparring match..."

Lu Qian knelt on the prayer mat, his back to the rising morning sun, and slowly recounted to Daoist Yunlong the events of the Lu family's birthday banquet three days prior.

……

Three days ago, in North China, at the Lu family residence in Tianjin.

Since the beginning of the new era, the Lu family, originally located in East China, moved to North China to settle down.

The new Lu Family Compound still retains its original style. From a distance, the high walls and black tiles, with their interconnected beams, give it a unique rhythm. Stepping closer, the structure is rigorous, the carvings are exquisite, and it looks magnificent.

The Lu family passed down their family traditions and precepts, and the gentlemanly demeanor permeated the entire family.

They did not have a family tradition; each generation sent members of their clan to different sects for cultivation.

To prevent others from thinking they were usurping someone else's place, the Lu family strictly forbade many members of the Lu clan to join the same sect at the same time.

This move established a good reputation for the Lu family, and many of the Lu family's members were exceptionally talented, making them highly sought after by other sects in the world of supernatural beings.

Over the years, the Lu family has accumulated a great reputation in the martial arts world and has good relations with various factions.

Lu Jin, the current head of the Lu family, who is known for his flawless life, is celebrating his 100th birthday, and the Lu family is bustling with activity.

At the entrance of the courtyard, Lu Jin's son, Lu Qiong, stood outside in a red Tang suit to greet guests. He had a warm smile on his face, and although he was old, he looked gentle and refined.

Beside him stood a little girl dressed in festive attire, mimicking her grandfather by smiling and bowing to every passing guest.

Lu Ci, dressed in a dark red robe with auspicious patterns and a maroon lining, walked slowly toward the gate, followed by Lu Xiao and Lu Qian, one big and one small.

Lu Qiong welcomed the guests through the gate, then turned to look at the efficient and decisive Lu family group, and quickly pulled Lu Linglong beside her to greet them.

"Uncle Lü, you've arrived! Please come in."

"Hey sir, what happened to your face?"

Lu Linglong, who was following behind Lu Qiong, was about to bow when her gaze was drawn to Lu Qian, who was standing behind Lu Ci.

Lu Qian was wearing a dark blue jacket, and with his tall and straight figure, he looked like a particularly outstanding young man.

But what stood out even more than his attire was his bruised and battered appearance.

Lu Qian had been following behind Lu Ci with a slight nod, trying to hide his less-than-flattering appearance with his bangs, but Lu Linglong, who was also a child, noticed him and immediately stopped trying to conceal it.

He raised his head in a defiant manner, and forced a smile.

In the sunlight, a gentle breeze blew aside Lü Qian's bangs, revealing his purplish-blue face.

At this moment, Lü Qian's face was extremely disheveled, and his originally handsome appearance was now a pitiful sight.

Its cheeks were covered in bruises, the size of which resembled the marks of a clenched fist. The purplish-black ring around its eyes, from below its eyebrows to above its nose, made it even more beautiful than a national treasure.

"Wow, your face is covered in bruises! Wait, those purple circles under your eyes...did someone beat you up?"

Just as Lü Qian was about to open his mouth to argue, Lu Linglong's surprised voice washed away all the words he had prepared.

"Uncle Lü, did you encounter any accidents on your way here? Do you need our help?"

Lu Qiong reached out and stopped Lu Linglong, who was startled and about to poke at someone's scars, from behind.

He glanced at the scars on Lü Qian's face, then his gentle smile vanished as he asked seriously.

The Lü family is here as guests to attend the Lu family's birthday banquet. Since Lü Qian is injured, the Lu family, as the host family, will naturally inquire about him and give him an explanation.

But considering that this person dared to attack the Lu family members that Lu Ci was with, he must be no ordinary vicious person. There are probably not many people in the Quanxing who are this stubborn.

"this......"

Lu Qian glanced sideways at Lu Ci in front of him, unsure how to begin, since it was this man who had made the move.

"snort!"

Lu Ci felt the gaze behind him and snorted coldly.

"This is because I accidentally misdirected my Qi while practicing, causing blockages in the meridians of my face and poor blood circulation. I caused it myself, not because someone hit me. Thank you for your concern, Master Lu. It's just a superficial injury, nothing serious, it will heal soon."

Lu Qian's face was throbbing with pain. Helplessly, he withdrew his gaze from Lu Ci, turned his head, and shrugged.

"Can practicing martial arts really cause you to sustain physical injuries?"

Lu Linglong flicked her pink ahoge (antenna-like hair sticking up) and looked at the injury on Lü Qian's face, asking in confusion.

"Alright, Linglong, since that's the case, Uncle Lü, please come in!"

Lu Qiong interrupted Lu Linglong's unfinished words, cupped her hands in a gesture of respect to Lü Ci, and made way for her to enter the courtyard.

Although there's something fishy going on here, I've already fulfilled my responsibilities as the host. Since the Lü family isn't willing to pursue the matter, there's no need for the Lu family to get involved.

Lu Qiong led Lü Ci to the door.

"Your dad's entourage is getting more and more extravagant each time; his reputation is truly excellent!"

Lu Ci squinted at the noisy voices in the courtyard and gave a sarcastic compliment.

"It's all thanks to the people of the martial arts world for their kindness. Please take your time, my father is waiting for you seniors in the main hall."

Lu Qiong wasn't annoyed by these words that didn't sound like praise, and smiled as she led Lü Ci inside.

"I'm leaving now; it's time for this old body of mine to get together with some friends."

After speaking, Lü Ci led Lü Xiao and Lü Qian across the threshold and walked towards the main hall.

"Master, you've arrived! Please come in, my father has been waiting for you for a long time."

As they approached the screen wall, Lu Qiong's enthusiastic greeting came from the entrance. Hearing the Taoist's name, Lü Qian turned around and glanced at the entrance.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a Taoist robe, stepped into the gate.

This Taoist priest is none other than Zhang Zhiwei, the universally acknowledged master of Longhu Mountain and the Taoist priest of Tiantong.

The old Celestial Master appeared ethereal and otherworldly, his robes billowing as he walked. His eyes, hidden beneath long white eyebrows, held no glint of cunning.

By the time Lü Qian came to his senses, he had already followed Lü Ci past the screen wall, and his first impression of the Old Celestial Master was only from that fleeting glimpse.

"Boy, now that you've met the real Heavenly Passage Master, do you still dare to say you want to reach the heavens?"

Lu Ci turned his head, glanced at the silent Lu Qian, and asked as he walked.

"Kid, you've got guts!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Xiao, who was walking beside Lü Ci, looked at Lü Qian, who was walking on the other side, in surprise. He had not expected that this young man from the fourth son's family would have such an arrogant ambition.

After all, the reputation of Longhu Mountain as the most unique peak has been passed down for almost sixty years.

From my childhood, the old master has been like the anchor of this world of supernatural beings.

His already peak strength suppressed the entire world of supernatural beings, leaving others far behind.

"Why not!"

Lu Qian raised his head and looked at his great-grandfather and Uncle Xiao beside him, his eyes filled with fervent light.

His dark purple eye circles were almost wide open, and his clear pupils were full of determination.

"Good! Remember what I told you before we came: at this birthday banquet, you have to defeat the old master's little apprentice and that brat from the Lu family."

"Remember, only slaps are allowed."

Lu Ci waved his right hand, the sharp force of which brought with it a whistling wind.

"Father, this is not right. After all, this is the Lu family's birthday banquet."

Looking at the eager father and son beside him, Lü Xiao moved his lips and said with some helplessness.

"Don't be afraid, Lü Qian, do you dare?"

"With the master backing me up, of course I dare!"

"Okay, I'll cover for you. As long as you can slap someone until they cry, I'll agree to let you leave the village."

"No taking it back!"

Lu Qian strode up to Lu Ci, stopped him, and said eagerly.

"Absolutely no regrets!"

"good!"

Watching Lü Ci and Lü Qian's cheerful steps, Lü Xiao twitched the corners of his mouth, about to speak, but once again helplessly swallowed his words.

Well then, the old man knows what he's doing.