CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 215: DO YOU THINK BLUE FLAME IS A BEGGAR?

As it turns out,

Le Yu not entering the Wang Haigong Mansion was the right decision.

Moments after Huyan Jue went in, two middle-aged men walked up to the entrance. One had an iron sword with a grass rope at his waist, while the other had both hands in his pockets. Both had messy hair and stubbly beards, reeking of alcohol and burping drunkenly, clearly having started drinking early in the morning.

But as soon as they were seen, the Linhai Army stepped back. With every step they took, Linhai retreated as well, always keeping a distance of over seven steps from them.

Le Yu didn’t move, instead clasping his fists and asking, "Are you two Mr. Copper and Mr. Iron? Old Liu often speaks of you."

"Old Liu?" The middle-aged man with the grass rope was a bit confused, while the other smacked his lips and said, "You mean Old Liu? Wasn’t he the one who borrowed money from you at the Xiangxue Sea and never paid it back, remember?"

"Ah, ah, ah, Old Liu!" The grass rope man suddenly realized, "He’s not dead yet!"

Le Yu politely said, "Very much alive, and you can visit him at Jing Garden more often, Mr. Copper and Mr. Iron."

Le Yu had no choice but to be polite.

Because these two men before him were individuals who could unleash anger and cause blood to splatter within five steps.

Even the Jing Family, new money that had only risen to power in the past century, could invite someone like Old Liu, a ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ senior martial artist, to hold the fort. So how could the Wang Haigong Mansion, with a heritage of several centuries, not have a few heirlooms for defense?

Before talking about this, one must understand the evolution of martial artists’ livelihoods from ancient to present times.

Undeniably, martial artists in ancient times were equivalent to a ’privileged class.’ Even though the Royal Academy in Yanjing compiled the eighteen Combat Techniques for broad dissemination, only a small part of the population could truly learn them — because it required education.

Just like mandatory education teaches basic arithmetic, but you need to attend school first.

Those without access to education could only fumble around at home aimlessly.

Most ordinary people in Huiyao, after completing their initial Mongolian Studies, could only practice simplified Combat Techniques, merely to improve fitness and facilitate the use of Luminous Stone tools.

And martial artists were synonymous with violence, so in ancient times, martial artists could act unrestrained. But since border defense required them, the Huiyao Dynasty implemented special privileges like ’vengeance cut-off,’ intending for them to indulge within their circles and not cause trouble outside.

A ’House Entering Realm’ martial artist could become a local power, oppressing the populace;

A ’Integration and Mastery Realm’ martial artist could establish a school, claim a mountain, and reign supreme;

And the ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ martial artists were renowned as earthly immortals, could directly serve as Imperial Family Tributor, revered by the elite and nobility, even commanding armies — the pinnacle of a martial artist’s life.

The changing social status of martial artists primarily owed to two factors:

Advancements in productivity and the emergence of firearms.

Though martial artists could dodge bullets, none could avoid a storm of them. The introduction of firearms reduced the threat of martial artists’ ’single-soldier combat power’ to the lowest level.

Furthermore, the rise in productivity had multiple effects: increased population, more people learning Combat Techniques, improved living standards, faster information dissemination... In short, more martial artists emerged.

Nowadays, martial artists have a status similar to that of programmers.

Those who haven’t achieved anything by 35 often return home to farm;

Those who reach the ’House Entering Realm’ might retire to become captain-level small officials in the Imprisonment Department;

Those in the ’Integration and Mastery Realm’ might hold important positions at the Governor’s office if they possess management skills, or they could open a martial center in a county capital, leading a comfortable life in their later years.

The ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ martial artists have vast differences in potential. Young martial artists who reach the Supreme Realm early could become Border Generals, potentially building their influence with diligence. They could become Royal Academy teachers, Imperial Family Tributers, esteemed by the nobility — differing little from ancient martial artists.

But those who, through sheer perseverance, grind into the ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ in their old age face a much bleaker reality.

Like Old Liu, who, to secure a retirement, resorts to accepting the Jing Family’s meager hospitality. It’s a typical example for such martial artists.

Choosing between serving the Imperial Family or the Jing Family as a watchdog.

The disparity is staggering.

This happens because age significantly impacts martial artists, especially the elderly.

Age has little effect on young, middle-aged martial artists; even with diminished strength, proficient Combat Techniques allow them to fight vigorously, battling for days on end without a problem.

But elderly martial artists can’t do the same.

Because Combat Techniques inherently accelerate metabolism, enhancing a martial artist’s recovery, explosive power, stamina, and endurance, guided by Spiritual Power to integrate Light Energy with Combat Techniques, causing immense destructive power.

Simply put, it drains life.

In youth, one’s vitality is abundant; using it up isn’t worrying, and recovery is possible.

But with age, utilizing full strength in a battle clearly takes days off one’s life.

Thus elderly ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ martial artists resemble batteries running low. Major businesses and nobility might invite them to retire at home, merely as mascots, sporadically advising younger family members.

They hardly rely on these old martial artists for help.

When in danger, if an elder martial artist saves you, it’s at the cost of their life. If you die, they find another household to retire with. Can you guess which choice an old martial artist would make?

Now.

Young advanced martial artists can reach great heights; elderly ones retire. What about middle-aged advanced martial artists?

They are truly the top-tier single-combat power no one dares to offend.

Like Mr. Iron and Mr. Copper before Le Yu.

Le Yu couldn’t verify their real names; he only knew they were martial artists from the Heyang Army. Mr. Copper excelled in the Eight-Rice Combat Technique, Mr. Iron in the Sword-Wielding Combat Technique, both achieving Regular Officer rank, and after advancing to the ’Peak of Perfection Realm,’ joined Wang Haigong Mansion as guards.

The fact that two officers abandoned their long-cultivated positions indicates Wang Haigong must have offered them considerable wealth.

No one had ever seen them in action since no fool dared intrude upon Wang Haigong Mansion. Still, it’s said they annually visit Heyang Army for training, thrash the active officers before contentedly returning home to await food and rest. Their combat experience is undoubtedly solid.

They didn’t conceal their Spiritual Power. The Spiritual Power of two ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ martial artists spread freely, like the sun scorching all weaker martial artists.

If Le Yu didn’t have the ’Ice Blood Physique,’ his legs would be trembling uncontrollably.

And according to the Infantry Drill Manual, all soldiers must maintain a distance of five steps from a ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ martial artist. It wasn’t that being farther they could shoot a senior martial artist to death, but if less than seven steps away, they wouldn’t even have a chance to fire before being killed by the senior martial artist.

When single-combat power reaches a certain level, dealing with it becomes unmanageable.

And middle-aged advanced martial artists can be said to have reached the best level of single-combat power regarding combat experience, technique, and endurance.

Le Yu glanced at his surroundings: the dense crowd, lined trees, the wide street...

There were no factors that could constitute a bullet storm.

If these two middle-aged martial artists were willing, they could easily drive the Linhai Army off this street.

If more people came to surround the Linhai Army — not too many, just enough to temporarily block them — then these two could potentially annihilate over two hundred people.

In town alley battles, unless the army and high-level martial artists are separated by a long attack distance, or there are Lingxu Feihua martial artists intercepting, once high-level martial artists break into the army formation, it’s a slaughter.

Goodness!

Is this the Marquis Wanghai’s show of strength?

I’m really scared~

Leyu suddenly gestured to the back, Yin Minghong and Wan Xisha were both startled, except for Jing Shou who immediately said, "Captain Wan?"

Wan Xisha hesitated no more: "Aim!"

Ka-chak!

Dozens of firearms instantly targeted Mr. Copper and Mr. Iron at the gate, the casual expressions on their faces immediately faded. Mr. Copper took out his sand-pot-sized fist from his pocket, Mr. Iron’s hand rested on the hilt of the straw rope iron sword.

"Jing Zhengwei, didn’t you say you wanted us to meet Old Liu?" Mr. Iron frowned and asked, "What does this mean?"

"I’m just a little scared." Leyu waved his hand, "You two are unparalleled masters, you’re so close to me, if you suddenly strike and kill me, I wouldn’t even have time to react."

"How could we—"

"Besides, I’m not even meeting you." Leyu sighed, "My time is very valuable, worth millions every minute, can you notify Director Huyan not to waste the precious time of the Silver Blood Association President."

"You should know," Mr. Copper said coldly, "Standing in front of us, those bullets, don’t have eyes."

"I know, but I have some confidence in my physique," Leyu said, "As long as I’m not shot dead, medical officers will soon come to my rescue. But if two masters are shot, I think, the Linhai Army wouldn’t finish you off with another shot to the head, right?"

Mr. Copper stared with wide eyes, stepping forward: "You—"

"Hey hey hey," Leyu raised both hands in a surrender pose, "If you walk another step, you’ll step into the Linhai Army’s alert range. I’m not familiar with the Linhai Army, they wouldn’t let dangerous figures like you approach them for my life, right, Captain Wan?"

"Ah?" Wan Xisha thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, yes, we definitely would fire shots. President Jing, if you die, I’ll do my best to persuade General Lan to avenge you!"

"Well, I really must thank you." Leyu shrugged, "So, Mr. Copper, Mr. Iron, can you move slightly further away from me?"

Copper and Iron exchanged a glance, eyes filled with incredulous anger and surprise.

They have been serving the Marquis Wanghai for five years now; anytime Wanghai sends them out, the other party inevitably becomes courteous and articulate, almost more gentlemanly than a gentleman.

It’s simple.

Because people cherish their lives.

Facing two unmatched masters who can take their heads at any moment, no one dares to be unreasonable.

But when it comes to reasoning, who can compare to the Marquis Wanghai with imperial power backing?

Before they came out, they already knew Jing Zhengwei brought the Linhai Army to pressure the Marquis Wanghai’s mansion, but they didn’t care much.

In their minds, the promising young Jing Zhengwei, who rules the Silver Blood Association and has beauties at his beck and call, would surely become a polite and loving junior upon seeing them.

The poor still fear death.

Let alone a Silver Blood successor with infinite prospects and future.

They never expected, Jing Zhengwei, wearing shoes, to be more ruthless than those barefoot!

He actually ordered the Linhai Army not to consider his safety and directly aim at Copper and Iron!

Isn’t Jing Zhengwei afraid to die!?

Why not yield a little, have some tea, everyone exchanges courtesies peacefully?

Must it end in tearing faces?

However, Jing Zhengwei has made his move, now it’s Copper and Iron’s turn to counter.

To leave would seem too cowardly, for they are servants of the Marquis Wanghai;

To teach Jing Zhengwei a lesson, yet they dare not, for Linhai Army’s firearms are aimed at their vitals;

For a moment, Mr. Iron and Mr. Copper were trapped in place, at a loss.

"Mr. Copper, Mr. Iron, go back and rest for now."

An elderly voice sounded from behind, Copper and Iron instantly sighed in relief as if pardoned, turned and saluted: "Greetings, Marquis Wanghai."

An old man, dressed plainly and leaning on a cane, slowly walked to the gate. A splendidly dressed young girl held an umbrella for him, glaring angrily at Leyu.

Leyu clasped his fists, calmly saying, "Thank you, Marquis Wanghai, for coming."

"It’s no trouble, no trouble, it’s Jue’er’s worries, I’m quite robust," Marquis Wanghai laughed heartily, "I’ve always wanted to meet you, the new president, and see what a dragon among men you are, indeed seeing is believing!"

"Thank you for the flattery," Leyu turned back toward the Linhai Army and said, "Keep alert around the perimeter and the courtyard walls, if you see anyone trying to climb the wall to approach you, shoot immediately, don’t hesitate, or when a ’Peak of Perfection Realm’ martial artist breaks into your ranks, then you’re done."

Wan Xisha quickly responded: "Understood!"

Leyu turned back, seeing Marquis Wanghai’s expression unchanged, but the girl behind him looked as if she’d secretly eaten something foul, he smiled and said, "I apologize for the laughter, but I’m not very familiar with the Linhai Army, so what they do, I really can’t control."

"Understood, understood, a bunch of proud soldiers and tough warriors from afar, it’s hard on President Jing," Marquis Wanghai chuckled.

"But, can’t they put down their guns?" The girl couldn’t help but say, "They’re pointing at Grandpa, this is too rude, isn’t it? What if there’s an accidental discharge?"

The Linhai Army’s firearms remained in combat-ready posture, some targeting the courtyard walls, others aiming at the entrance—effectively aiming at Marquis Wanghai in front of Leyu.

As a hostage, Marquis Wanghai’s value is undeniably high.

"Well, this..." Leyu blinked, "I think when I demanded Marquis Wanghai come to the door to meet me, I was already quite rude."

"Good that you know." The girl mocked.

"But why am I so rude?" Leyu dusted off the stone lion beside him, sitting on it and said, "Isn’t it because you’re too rude yourselves."

"Who doesn’t know you’ve been sucking the blood of Dongyang people for hundreds of years, eating their flesh for hundreds of years? Merchants only drink the broth you don’t want, you’ve eaten all the meat clean!"

"You give so little money, do you think I’m begging?"

"However," Leyu spread his hands, "whether I’m begging doesn’t matter, because this bowl of food isn’t for me to eat."

"Linhai Army!" Leyu raised his hand, "The old man who gives only a little money, treating Lan Yan and you all like beggars, is right here. What you do, I can’t control!"

"Yes!"

Bang!

A gunshot rang out.