Chapter 21 – Become My Coachman First

"Congratulations, Host, for completing [Side Quest 3]. You have received 5 allocatable attribute points.""Task Evaluation: Grade A (Qualified)."

As Nie Changqing lowered his head to the ground, a translucent message from the system flickered before Lu Fan's eyes.A ripple stirred within his heart.Grade A?That was unexpected.A rare and pleasant surprise.Five attribute points—enough to elevate him to the second tier of Qi Refining.A surge of mixed emotions rose in Lu Fan's chest.Finally, he could advance.It hadn't come easy.

This was his first time leveling up—his heart brimmed with anticipation.

The rain had stopped.It had come swiftly and left just as fast.The wind scattered the dark clouds, revealing the luminous moon hanging high like a jade disk.Moonlight spilled down like a veil of soft gauze.

Kneeling on the wet ground, Nie Changqing bowed deeply, his forehead soaked.This decision—to follow Lu Fan—had not come easily.It wasn't merely about the pride of once being the tenth disciple of Dao Sect.It was also for Lu Fan and Nie Shuang's safety.

As a castaway of Dao Sect, Nie Changqing lived under the shadow of their relentless pursuit.To pledge allegiance now was to draw Lu Fan into the storm.Yet Lu Fan had not hesitated in ordering Han Lianxiao's death.In that instant, Nie Changqing realized his fears were misplaced.

From the moment Han Lianxiao died, Lu Fan had already braced himself for Dao Sect's wrath.And so…Nie Changqing made his choice.

What Lu Fan displayed earlier—that oppressive pressure unique to cultivators…He yearned to learn it.

Beside him, Nie Shuang stubbornly kneeled.Mimicking Nie Changqing's motion, he too bowed.In a tender, childish voice, he declared, "Me too."

Pfft.Ni Yu, holding the umbrella, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Lu Fan, snapping back from the system's message, chuckled at Nie Shuang's gesture.

"All right, get up.""A buy-one-get-one deal on loyalty? Seems I've made a profit."

Lu Fan grinned.

Nie Changqing helped Nie Shuang to his feet.

"From today onward, you will follow me. I happen to need a coachman—consider that your duty for now. And while you're at it, instruct little Ni in martial arts," Lu Fan said.His legs once crippled, he had relied on a wheelchair for short distances, and a carriage for long journeys.

"Understood," Nie Changqing cupped his hands respectfully.

"And little Nie… you'll train with Ni Yu," Lu Fan added, glancing at the boy."We'll see who among you becomes a second-rate martial artist first. The winner will be handsomely rewarded."

Leaning back in his wheelchair, Lu Fan tapped the armrest lightly.

Ni Yu's eyes lit up.Nie Shuang, lips tightly pressed, lifted his head sharply.

"Master! Ni Yu will not fail your expectations!"Her plump cheeks flushed red with excitement, her fighting spirit ignited.Then, tightening her grip on the umbrella handle, she shot Nie Shuang a playful, challenging look.

The boy said nothing. He merely clenched his fists, resolve shining through silent defiance.Nie Changqing gently ruffled his head with fatherly affection.

"It grows late, and I feel a touch weary…"Lu Fan rested his chin in one hand, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said lazily,"Yi Yue, take care of the bodies.""Ning-jie, take me back to the manor."

"Old Nie, bring your boy and stay at my residence."

Nie Changqing's lips twitched faintly.He had many questions for Lu Fan.When he attempted the cultivation method he'd received—following the principles of the Blood Moving Technique—nothing had happened.He'd assumed so-called 'immortal fate' was but an illusion.As for the Blade Command Technique, unleashing a sword to kill from miles away—it sounded like pure fantasy.

But after witnessing Lu Fan's spiritual pressure, he began to believe.

Lu Fan had said he lacked a critical opportunity.Nie Changqing was curious—what was that opportunity?

"Master… didn't the Lord ask us to collect land from the Chen family in lieu of rent? Are we still going?"Ni Yu's round face blushed again as she suddenly remembered.

The reminder startled Lu Fan—he'd nearly forgotten the purpose of this outing.

"Fine. Let's make a detour to the Chen estate," Lu Fan said, rubbing his brow with a nod.

That land was crucial.It would serve as the foundation upon which he would build his transcendent force—His gateway to forging a world of cultivation and fantasy.

"Old Nie, gather your things and report to Lu Manor tomorrow?"

"No need, we have nothing to pack. Shuang'er and I shall follow you immediately," Nie Changqing bowed low, holding Nie Shuang's hand.

"Very well.""Ning-jie, give him a bottle of wound salve."

Lu Fan nodded toward Ning Zhao and said no more.

She retrieved a small bottle of medicine and tossed it to Nie Changqing, then began pushing the wheelchair down the narrow alley.Ni Yu followed closely, holding the umbrella.

Lu Fan glanced at her and chuckled, ruffling her head."The rain's over—no need to shield me."

Nie Changqing picked up the basket of pork, secured it, and led Nie Shuang in slow pursuit.

Only when the figures vanished at the alley's end did Yi Yue shift her gaze to Han Lianxiao's corpse.Her feelings were tangled.

Han Lianxiao—the Dao Sect's ninth seat—had nearly killed her in a single blow.Yet such a figure had been crushed to the ground like an ant by Lu Fan.

So this is how powerful the young master truly is.

She would become just as strong.Only then could she protect him… and be worthy of his notice.

Yi Yue raised her head.The moon hung like a flawless jade dish in the sky.Her gaze grew resolute.

Then she flicked her whip, dragging Han Lianxiao's body—and the other two elite martial artists' corpses—out of the alley.All that remained was a pool of blood and the stench of death in the night air.

—

Lu ManorIn the study, candlelight flickered.The storm had lasted all night. Now, only droplets trickled from the vermillion eaves.

At the desk, Lu Changkong held a brush, sleeve lifted.Ink flowed like wind across brocade scrolls.

He soon finished writing."Old Luo."

He dried the ink and called toward the door.

The carved wooden door opened.Luo Yue entered in dark armor, sword at his waist.

"Take this letter. Ride swiftly to the Imperial Capital. Deliver it to His Majesty. Tell him I will personally escort the captured martial masters to court tomorrow."

"Make sure the letter is placed directly in the Emperor's hand."

Luo Yue accepted the scroll and clenched his fist."I will not fail the City Lord's trust."

Lu Changkong smiled faintly."This realm is about to descend into chaos.These martial masters, once loyal to the Grand Preceptor, have chosen treachery at the critical moment."

"If not for Ning Zhao, Beiluo City would have fallen.Dantai Xuan's forces would already be marching on the capital."

Luo Yue remained silent. As one of Lu Changkong's most trusted warriors, he understood the gravity of the situation.

"Back then, the Grand Preceptor, with a feather fan and scholar's robe, roamed the martial world and quelled every sect.Even the Hundred Schools dared not raise their heads.But now… the Preceptor is old, and the realm stirs once more."

Lu Changkong sighed.

Luo Yue drew a deep breath, his tone cold:"Fools who never learn."

"The times have changed.The Grand Preceptor's era ended with the late Emperor's passing…"

Lu Changkong was silent for a long moment before softly sighing.

"Go."

He waved his hand.

Luo Yue bowed and left. Donning his helmet, he immediately ordered the horses prepared.

Lu Changkong, dressed in scholar's robes, stood at the window, hands behind his back.Moonlight bathed the world in silver.

"Old Huang… how fares Fan'er?"

He spoke quietly.

A shadow emerged silently within the room.A hunched figure, soaked from the rain, bowed before him.

"Tonight, during the downpour, the young master slew a Dao Sect operative."

"Oh? A Dao Sect operative?""Who?"

Lu Changkong's voice showed a hint of surprise.

"A tune of 'Tidal Ballad'—the Dao Sect's Ninth, Han Lianxiao," the figure rasped.

"The Ninth… the one fond of playing the xiao…"