Chapter 26: Reviving Blood and the Roar of the Grandmaster

Sipping gently on a bowl of congee, Lu Fan took the white scroll passed to him by Ning Zhao. Upon it was recorded Lu Changkong's version of the Blood Transfusion Technique. He scanned it briefly, silently comparing it to the Daoist Sect's Blood Transfusion Technique. Upon comparison, Lu Changkong's version seemed superior—a realization that surprised him.

Stowing the scroll away, Lu Fan planned to collect the remaining four techniques before conducting a comprehensive analysis.

"Has Father entered the capital?" he asked while picking up a piece of pickled vegetable. The sour yet sweet flavor spread across his palate, complementing the plain congee perfectly. "At such a delicate juncture, isn't he worried about Tantai Xuan's Northern Army making a resurgence?"

"Do not worry, Young Master," Ning Zhao replied calmly. "The master received intelligence early on. After the Northern Army failed to breach the city, they moved to join forces with the Western Army, hoping to use Drunken Dragon Fortress as their breach point."

Lu Fan nodded slightly. Though he didn't fully understand the tides of national affairs, the fact that Lu Changkong felt confident enough to leave Beiluo City indicated he had firm control over the situation.

That said, Lu Fan still found it hard to place full trust in his father. The vivid memory of the city's defense lingered in his mind. His father… always felt somewhat unreliable.

Of course, even if enemy forces advanced, breaching Beiluo in the short term was out of the question. After all, Lu Changkong had stationed troops to keep a close watch over the city's three major noble houses. Even with sword sect experts backing them, these families would not dare act rashly. And without collaborators from within, taking a city was no easy task.

"Let's go bask in the sun. Sister Ning, see if the noble houses have delivered the property deeds," Lu Fan said lazily after breakfast, stretching with a satisfied sigh.

"Yes, Young Master," Ning Zhao replied, bowing slightly before departing the room.

"Yiyue, head into the city and find the finest craftsmen. I want a new wheelchair built to match the dimensions of this chess box, with two hidden compartments fitted on either side."

Yiyue glanced curiously at the two chess boxes in Lu Fan's hands, each filled with black and white pieces. After a moment of hesitation, Lu Fan beckoned her closer and whispered something into her ear. Her expression grew grave, and she quickly departed.

"Xiao Ni, carry the board," Lu Fan said with a grin once Yiyue had left, handing the spirit-pressure chessboard to Ni Yu.

She slung it over her back with a rope. The board nearly reached her ankles, making for a rather cumbersome and comical sight.

"Young Master… are we playing chess?" Ni Yu's wide, curious eyes sparkled.

"Of course. Do you know how to play?"

"Shall we have a game?"

Lu Fan's eyes lit up as he glanced at her. "Let's go. We'll play in the courtyard."

Ni Yu pushed his wheelchair as the two made their way outside.

In the distance, Nie Changqing approached, hands clasped behind his back, a pig-slaying knife tucked at his waist. Behind him trailed Nie Shuang, drenched in sweat. They crossed the arched stone bridge of the garden and arrived at Lu Fan's courtyard.

"Young Lord," Nie Changqing greeted with a slight bow.

Lu Fan, seated in the courtyard playing chess with Ni Yu, held a white piece between his index and middle fingers, placing it with practiced grace. He waved a hand casually without lifting his gaze.

"Old Nie, just call me Young Master like Sister Ning and the others do… Do you play chess? Once I crush this little lass, we can have a match."

Nie Changqing paused, a faint smile creeping onto his lips. "It's been years since I last played. My skills may have dulled. I hope you won't mind."

Then, turning toward Nie Shuang, his expression turned stern.

"Shuang'er, horse stance. One hour."

Nie Shuang pursed his lips but did not argue. He cast a last curious glance at the chessboard, then dropped into stance on the spot.

He'd already been pulled up at dawn for laps around the garden. Exhausted in both body and spirit, he knew, however, that hardship was the only path to martial prowess. No true warrior ever rose overnight.

While Nie Shuang practiced, Nie Changqing strolled to where Lu Fan and Ni Yu were engaged in their match.

Lu Fan—also known as Lu Ping'an—the young lord of Beiluo City and a prodigious talent personally recognized by the National Preceptor, was famed for his brilliance. His mastery of chess was naturally assumed to be exceptional. After all, for a Daoist cultivator, the four arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—were essential, if not mastered, then at least studied.

Nie Changqing's eyes landed on the board.

Hmm?

The moment he focused, a dazzling brilliance seemed to radiate from the chessboard. It felt as though the very board and its pieces exuded an overwhelming aura, pressing down on his chest.

What a mysterious board… and these pieces…

He marveled inwardly, then turned his attention to the game itself.

At first, he wore a look of anticipation, eager to witness a clash of titans. But as he studied the layout further… his smile slowly vanished.

He glanced at Lu Fan, face solemn with concentration, then at Ni Yu, propping her chubby cheeks and squinting thoughtfully.

His lips twitched. The wordless assessment in his heart: rookies pecking at each other.

Yes. These two were about as skilled as blindfolded chickens.

To someone of his level, the board was littered with flaws and missed opportunities. Yet Lu Fan looked as serious as though engaged in a battle of destiny.

Unable to continue watching, Nie Changqing turned his face away.

Clack!

Ni Yu dropped a piece with a cheerful snap, capturing a swath of black stones. Lu Fan leaned back in his wheelchair, face darkening.

Ni Yu counted her captures with childlike glee, fingers dancing over the board. "One… two…"

"Xiao Ni wins by two pieces!" she chirped, standing up in triumph.

"Victory earned, now go hold horse stance. You were so enthusiastic with your training chants yesterday… Your drills will now double—follow Xiao Nie's regimen exactly."

Lu Fan's smile was warm, but his eyes held a glint of mischievous cruelty.

Ni Yu's expression froze. Her cheeks twitched.

Young Master… your heart is smaller than a sesame seed!

"Old Nie, come on. Let's have a match," Lu Fan ignored Ni Yu entirely, his gaze bright as he turned to Nie Changqing.

"Y-Young Master… perhaps not. My chess is… unrefined."

"Don't fear defeat. Come."

Lu Fan was already resetting the board, piece by piece.

Nie Changqing looked torn. Reluctantly, he sat across from Lu Fan, lifting a piece as if constipated, and made the opening move.

At that moment, Ning Zhao entered the courtyard.

"Young Master, the heir of the Chen family, Chen Beixun, requests an audience."

Lu Fan, deep in thought over his next move, gave a distracted "Oh?"

Ning Zhao continued, "The heir brings with him land deeds from the Liu and Zhu families, as well as four thousand taels of silver."

Lu Fan's brow relaxed, a faint smirk forming at the corners of his lips.

"They agreed? Well, the Liu and Zhu families wouldn't have had much reason to refuse."

He casually returned the chess pieces to their box, interest in the game fading. The mention of Drunken Dust Pavilion's deed had dulled his enthusiasm.

"Old Nie, what a pity. Let's continue another day," he said regretfully.

Nie Changqing inwardly sighed with relief.

"Sister Ning, let them in," Lu Fan said, propping his chin on one hand while the other rested on the wool blanket draped across his knees.

She nodded and left.

Lu Fan turned back to Nie Changqing, his smile sly.

"No more chess. Let's talk business. Old Nie, didn't you say yesterday you wanted to learn Spirit Pressure? But you lack the key opportunity. Now, I shall grant you that chance."

Lu Fan leaned back in his wheelchair, gazing at Nie Changqing.

Nie Changqing was taken aback.

Lu Fan reached out. He had intended to grasp Nie Changqing's hand as he had with Ning Zhao when transferring spiritual energy, but then he paused…