The youth was Liu Qingyun, who had been out hunting. He strode to the gate, set down the massive wild boar, and saluted Lu Yu, saying, "Sir, I knew you had guests today, so I specially hunted a wild boar for the feast." The youth's smile was as radiant as the spring sun.
"It's thoughtful of you, this is my nephew Lu Zhang, you can just call him 'Big Brother' according to seniority."
He then turned his head to introduce to Lu Zhang, "This is my disciple, named Liu Qingyun."
Lu Zhang had always loved to make friends with heroes and warriors. At first sight of Liu Qingyun's strength, he felt an admiration for talent, and learning that he was his uncle's disciple added a sense of closeness. He immediately began to converse warmly with Liu Qingyun.
Only after talking did he realize that his uncle's disciple was no ordinary man. Not only was his insight extraordinary, but he also had a thorough grasp of military strategy; even the top generals under him probably could not compare. He began to plot in his mind.
At night, Lu Zhang sat in the room he had once occupied and scrutinized the long-unseen house, his thoughts myriad, while Han Jiangxue was tidying up the bedding. The two of them showed none of the so-called noble demeanor and were just like any common couple.
A low sobbing sound interrupted Lu Zhang's reverie.
"What's wrong, my lady?" There was a hint of unease in Lu Zhang's voice; he had never seen his wife cry like this before. In his eyes, his wife was an extraordinary woman, strong and full of wisdom. He often joked that if she had been born a man, she would be a peerless hero.
"I'm just so happy; your strange illness is cured, and you've gained the help of an immortal like your uncle. We won't end up with nothing in our future."
His wife's words seemed incoherent; without the uncle, how could they end up with nothing.
Seeing the puzzled look on Lu Zhang's face, Han Jiangxue realized that her husband, born poor, was unaware of these behind-the-scenes affairs.
"Do you know why your accomplishments are not esteemed by the Noble Families and Clans?"
"Isn't it because these people look down on my origins?" Lu Zhang became angry whenever he brought up this subject. After establishing his achievements, he had been truly desperate for talent, but these Noble Families and Clans had all turned a deaf ear as if they did not see the olive branches he extended. He had always thought it was because they looked down on his origins and had sworn to himself that one day he would make them pay. Now, hearing his wife's words, he realized there was more to the story.
"We lacked the aid of a Cultivator. Those Cultivators are most adept with the Technique of Qi Observation and can determine one's Fortune and Destiny. Without the support of a Cultivator, it indicates that one's fortune is poor and ultimately will not last. Those Noble Families and Clans, cunning as monkeys, how would they easily join our cause?"
"Now with uncle, an immortal of high stature, backing you, those people will probably be eager to come to our side upon hearing the news," she said, covering her mouth to giggle, as if envisioning those once haughty people bowing to them.
"Is it really so exaggerated?" Lu Zhang was skeptical.
"I think uncle's abilities are not those of an ordinary Cultivator; eternal youth is not so easily achieved."
Thinking of his uncle's youthful face, Lu Zhang couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. If the two of them stood together and one only considered their looks, they might be mistaken for father and son.
The next day, Lu Yu took Lu Zhang and his wife to worship their ancestors. They crossed the overgrown grasslands and soon came upon the Lu Family ancestral graves.
The Lu Family had relocated from another region, and by Lu Zhang's generation, it had only been five generations, so there were only a few scattered mounds in the ancestral grave.
However, these burial mounds were extraordinary; although it was only early spring, the grass on the mounds was lush and green, like a soft emerald blanket spread over the graves. Anyone with a bit of knowledge about feng shui would recognize these as most auspicious tombs.
"Come out now!" At this moment, Lu Yu suddenly bellowed, his voice thundering across the heavens.
A golden python slowly crawled out of the grave, measuring about ten meters in length, with a body of gleaming gold. Its scales glittered brilliantly under the sunlight, and there was a small bulge on its head that seemed to be a small horn about to emerge.
"This serpent is about to transform into a Jiao!" Han Jiangxue, with her extraordinary knowledge, immediately recognized that the python was on the verge of turning into a dragon-like serpent.
The moment Lu Zhang saw the python, a brutal thought emerged from the depths of his heart, and for some reason, he felt an impulse to tear the serpent into countless pieces.
The python felt the approach of Lu Yu and his group and its terrifying snake eyes stared intently at Lu Zhang.
Upon witnessing this scene, Lu Zhang inexplicably felt a surge of nameless anger and glared back fiercely at the giant serpent.
At first, the giant serpent seemed intimidated by Lu Zhang's gaze and actually turned to leave.
"Hmph! You thought you could steal the Dragon Qi of my family and just leave? There's no such easy escape in this world."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the giant serpent, which had been ready to leave, felt as if a great mountain was pressing down upon it, rendering it unable to move.
Lu Zhang brandished the Treasured Sword at the giant python, but a clang of metal rang out, and the sword was notched while the python did not bear a single mark.
"Zhanger, take this sword and cut it down, and end this cycle of karma," Lu Yu handed the Sword of State to Lu Zhang.
Only when the Divine Sword was revealed did Lu Zhang realize that his uncle had been carrying a treasured sword at his waist all along, wondering why he hadn't noticed it the day before.
With the Sword of State in hand, Lu Zhang struck off the head of the giant python in one fell swoop. Shockingly, even at that moment, the body of the python remained perfectly still, astounding everyone present.
And at the moment when Lu Zhang decapitated the python, he felt a mysterious energy enter his body. Suddenly, a powerful, majestic, and domineering aura emanated from him. Lu Zhang had never felt so good, it was like he had returned to his body of twenty years ago. He looked at Lu Yu in amazement, hoping for an explanation.
"This python must have been cultivated using a Secret Technique to steal the Dragon Qi from our family's dragon vein, waiting until its powers were complete. The one called 'Hidden Dragon' intended to increase his fortune by consuming this serpent. The strange illness that afflicted you was due to having your luck stolen. Now that you have slain the serpent, your fortune has returned, naturally making you feel much better," explained Lu Yu.
Lu Zhang had never heard of such a Secret Technique before, and he was astounded. His understanding of the Cultivation Realm was limited, which made it clear why Noble Families and Clans valued the aid of cultivators so highly. Such a method was indeed devious and difficult to defend against.
Lu Yu opened the belly of the giant python and removed its gallbladder, smiling as he said, "Nevertheless, you have benefitted from misfortune. In the Human Path, the Dragon Qi relies on the word 'strive.' The person who stole your fortune, if they had succeeded, so be it. But as they failed, they must suffer the backlash of the Dragon Qi, and their fortune was seized by you. Consuming this gallbladder will help mend the damage to your foundation caused by the loss of fortune over this period."
Lu Zhang did as told and swallowed the gallbladder. The moment it entered his mouth, it turned into a warm current that rushed into his abdomen. Instantly, a comforting warmth flowed continuously through his body. It was like soaking in a hot spring, washing away all fatigue, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear-headed.