"I don't need you to inform me about the intricacies of the Lu Clan's internal power struggles," Ming Mei stated sharply, her words cutting through whatever pride Lu Zhan had left. "You're already not important enough to know anything of real value."
Each word struck Lu Zhan like a blow, stripping away any illusions he had about his status within the Lu Clan.
"However, by sending you here, the Lu Clan has made a grave mistake in underestimating our value, and in underestimating the Physician Hall," Ming Mei continued, her gaze intense as she turned to face him. Lu Zhan couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes, acknowledging the mistake, or rather, Lu Jing's mistake, in underestimating the Physician Hall. This was no ordinary place; it was a den of evil practitioners, no wonder they were exiled from the Imperial Capital.
"But, you do have one small piece of information." For a brief moment, Lu Zhan felt a flicker of significance, however fleeting, as Ming Mei acknowledged his presence and the potential importance of what he knew.
Lu Zhan's lips trembled as he struggled to utter a response. Under the intense scrutiny of Ming Mei's gaze, he felt a surge of urgency. "Which direction is Lu Jing's Manor?" she asked calmly, yet her tone carried an unspoken threat, leaving no room for repetition. This was his final opportunity, and he knew it.
With a trembling breath, he managed to croak out a response, his voice barely above a whisper. "E…Eas…East..."
Ming Mei waved her hand, and a faint ripple of spirit essence shot out of her hand as it cut the rope holding Lu Zhan, causing him to plummet to the ground.
A wave of relief washed over him, unlike anything he had ever experienced before. It was pure joy, an overwhelming pleasure took over him with emotion. In his trance, he lost control of his bladder, wetting himself. In shame, he glanced around for Ming Mei, only to find that she had already vanished.
With a heart filled with shame, he resigned himself to his fate, lying in the pool of his own mess, stripped of his pride and dignity, but left with one thing - his life. He was not sure why Ming Mei asked for Lu Jing's manor's direction.
On the other side, under tonight's moonless sky, Lu Jing diligently practiced in his courtyard. The area was lit solely by lanterns around the entire courtyard. Their flickering flames provided the necessary light, casting shadows among the mango trees. The sound of water from the small fountain at the center of the courtyard accompanied his drill, offering a calming rhythm to his practice. Despite the darkness, he remained focused, honing his skills with unwavering determination.
Bare-chested, Lu Jing diligently honed his spear techniques, executing his drills with precision. Though deeply focused, a faint smile played on his lips. His mind buzzed with anticipation for Lu Zhan's awaited report. With each fluid movement, he remained confident in his abilities, blissfully unaware of the tumultuous events unfolding elsewhere.
Suddenly with incredible speed and precision, Lu Jing thrust his spear into the sky, channeling all his cultivation base into the strike. The weapon trembled with his power as he aimed it at a giant shimmering, translucent golden palm that shot towards him.
*KABOOM*
The collision between spear and palm echoed like the gong of a giant bell, sending out a serene wave of deafening sound and shockwave. Shattering trees in the courtyard into splinters, while dirt and water exploded outward, creating a massive crater. Yet, Lu Jing remained at the center, holding his ground against the giant, shimmering palm, gritting his teeth in desperation.
Through the translucent palm, Lu Jing could see the figure hovering in the air, effortlessly channeling the golden palm. "Ming Mei?" A look of disbelief crossed his face as he reinforced his defenses. He couldn't fathom what he was witnessing. How could someone from the lowly Physician Hall rival him in cultivation strength and push him to his limits? It defied all logic and left him questioning everything.
Ming Mei's presence confirmed one thing: Lu Zhan had failed. And the reason for his failure was clear – he had underestimated the capability of the Physician Hall. If a mere nurse from the Physician Hall could wield such strength, it posed a serious threat. His mother's warnings echoed in his mind, cautioning him against the Physician Hong. Yet, regardless of their hidden capabilities, he was the future of the Lu Clan. How could he allow anyone, especially from the Physician Hall, to humiliate him in his own courtyard?
Lu Jing quickly channeled his cultivation base to its maximum efficiency, preparing himself for battle. Suddenly, Ming Mei dove down, her foot aiming to deliver a stomping attack on the golden palm that was pinning him down.
"Not good," his instincts cried out as he desperately unleashed his cultivation base. Burning it like gunpowder, it exploded out in a shimmering blue ring, shattering the golden palm. Lu Jing then jumped backward to evade Ming Mei's kick.
The earth trembled and cracked beneath her feet as Ming Mei's powerful stomp reverberated through the courtyard. The remaining tiles of the garden shattered, and nearby rooms in Lu Jing's Manor crumbled from the force of the earthquake generated by her attack.
Lu Jing swung his spear around, taking a defensive stance as he confronted Ming Mei. "What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself!" he demanded, his voice laced with anger and confusion.
Ming Mei calmly strolled out of the crater, her expression void of emotion. Recognizing her indifference, he is not worth her words or her expression, Lu Jing gritted his jaw in rage. Suddenly, another golden palm shot towards him in the blink of an eye.
"You won't catch me off guard again," Lu Jing thought, his confidence returning as he prepared to dodge. With precise timing, he sidestepped just as the golden palm transformed into a slap.
*SLAP*
"Aiyaaa!!" Lu Jing cried out as the golden slap struck his entire back, sending him hurtling into one of the nearby rooms in his courtyard. Despite the sturdy walls, they shattered upon impact, unable to withstand the force of Lu Jing's flying body.