Chapter 1074: Pavilion Master Lu, Can You Show Me Your True Appearance?
Lu Zhou sat with his back straight and his eyes closed while Si Wuya paced back and forth in the hall, waiting for the old butler and Lu Qianshan’s arrival.
After surveying the hall, Si Wuya discovered the pillars in the hall were all red. There were all kinds of distinct engraving on them. Apart from that, the paintings and the calligraphy hung in the hall were all rather exquisite. After a moment, he said with a smile, “Master, Lu Qianshan is quite interesting…”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s clearly a martial artist, but he decorated this place according to the preference of scholars. The decoration is romantic and sentimental. He uses a lot of plums, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums as motifs in the paintings…”
Lu Zhou opened his eyes and took a casual glance at the things Si Wuya pointed out. He said in an even tone, “They’re only mediocre decorations…”
“They’re only ordinary mortal objects. It’s only natural they can’t catch master’s attention,” Si Wuya said with a bow.
The cultivation world did not place much importance on mortal objects. Lu Qianshan’s cultivation base was not low; it was indeed strange that he collected these things.
Meanwhile, the servants of a wealthy family were rather obedient. Moreover, with the old butler personally leading the duo into the hall, they wisely remained silent. The most they would do was serve tea to the duo as instructed by the old butler before he left.
…
In the study in the Lu clan’s estate.
The old butler suppressed his excitement and struggled to his feet shakily. Then, he studied the painting in front of him again.
This was a portrait that Lu Qianshan deeply cherished. He had served Lu Qianshan for hundreds of years so he was familiar with Lu Qianshan’s habits. He knew whenever Lu Qianshan encountered difficulties, Lu Qianshan would look at this painting.
How could the old butler not feel shocked now that it seemed like the person in the painting had come to life?
Bang!
The doors to study suddenly slammed open.
“Old Jiang, how dare you!”
The old butler turned around and saw Lu Qianshan walking into the study with his hands on his back, looking at him angrily. He said incoherently as he pointed at the painting, “Mas… M-master… He… H-he…”
Lu Qianshan said angrily, “Didn’t I tell you before that no one’s allowed to enter my study without permission? Do my words mean nothing now? I know the Lu clan is no longer what it once was; Old Jiang, after being my confidant for so long, are you going to betray me as well?”
The old butler waved his hand and hastily said, “Master, it’s… it’s not like that. T-that person in the painting… He… He’s here!” He did not know how to address the person in the painting so he could only use the word ‘he’.
After saying this, the old Butler let out a long breath. He felt much more comfortable after saying those words.
Lu Qianshan did not take the old butler’s words seriously. “Old Jiang, do you think I’m foolish or old?”
The old butler had calmed down so he was able to speak coherently now. “Master, I’m not lying. That person is waiting in the hall now. It’s really strange… Master, after so many years, this is the first time I’ve entered your study without permission. I needed to confirm my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. I’ve been with you for such a long time, don’t tell me you don’t know my character, master?” He fell to his knees as he spoke; his eyes reddened as well.
Lu Qianshan was slightly taken aback. He admitted he had overreacted earlier; he was not in a good mood after encountering a troublesome matter. He planned to return to his study to calm down when he discovered the old butler in the study and lost his temper. The old butler had been with him for so many years; if the old butler wanted to betray him, the old butler would have done so a long time ago. There was no need to wait until now. Finally, he asked, “Is it true?”
“Master, why don’t you go and have a look?”
Lu Qianshan nodded as he glanced at the painting on the wall.
The master and servant hurried out of the study to the hall. When they arrived outside of the hall, Lu Qianshan came to a halt. He tidied his hair, his long robes, and cleared his throat before he finally entered the hall. At the same time, he tamped down his expectations. After all, it was likely it was just someone who shared the same resemblance, and there was no other meaning.
After entering the hall, Lu Qianshan saw two people. One was Si Wuya, and the other person was Lu Zhou who resembled the person in the painting. He was shocked that he almost lost his footing.
The old butler’s reflexes were quick as he reached out to support Lu Qianshan.
Lu Zhou and Si Wuya looked over and Lu Qianshan.
Lu Qianshan was tall, and his body looked strong. He had a valiant air about him, befitting of a general.
Lu Qianshan broke the silence first. “It’s really you?”
Lu Zhou and Si Wuya were puzzled.
“Do you know me?” Lu Zhou asked.
When Lu Zhou spoke, Lu Qianshan trembled and looked as though he was going to burst into tears. He mumbled to himself excitedly, “So similar… So similar?”
“Similar to who?”
It took a while for Lu Qianshan to calm down before he finally greeted the two guests. “Sorry, I’m really sorry for losing my composure…”
After all, Lu Qianshan was an old general who had spent many years on the battlefield. He naturally regained his composure quickly. Moreover, after a brief moment, he still maintained his rationality and did not jump to conclusions. Just because the person in front of him resembled the person in the painting, he would not treat the person in front of him as though he was the person in the painting.
Lu Qianshan asked, “May I know your names?”
Lu Zhou replied, “My surname is Lu.”
Despite his calm exterior, Lu Qianshan’s heart stirred upon hearing these words. Then, he asked, “May I know the purpose of your visit?”
Lu Zhou bluntly replied, “I heard you have a blue crystal in your possession.”
Lu Qianshan exclaimed in shock, “How do you know that?”
Only a few select people knew Lu Qianshan had a blue crystal.
Lu Zhou did not answer Lu Qianshan’s question. Instead, he said, “The blue crystal is useless to you. Why don’t you give it to me? To express my grat.i.tude, I’ll compensate you in return.”
Lu Qianshan looked at the young man in front of him with a complex expression as his heart raced in his chest.
Meanwhile, upon seeing the strange expression on Lu Qianshan’s face, Lu Zhou asked, “Are you unwilling?”
Lu Qianshan asked, “Can I ask two questions?”
“Go ahead.”
“Where did both of you come from? What do you want the crystal for?” Lu Qianshan asked. If it were not for the fact that Lu Zhou resembled the person in the painting and carried the surname Lu, he would have driven the two guests out as soon as they brought up the blue crystal.
Si Wuya replied, “I come from the Evil Sky Pavilion. I’m Si Wuya, the seventh disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion. This is my teacher.”
“…”
Lu Qianshan was stunned. “Both of you are from the Evil Sky Pavilion? Do you have any proof?”
Lu Zhou and Si Wuya looked at Lu Qianshan silently.
Lu Qianshan immediately said, “Don’t misunderstand. I, Lu Qianshan, have always done things openly and honestly. If it’s not the right person, even if they kill me, I won’t hand over the blue crystal. If you’re really from the Evil Sky Pavilion, I’ll naturally hand it over.”
“As you wish.” Lu Zhou suddenly pushed his hand out.
A blue lotus shot out immediately.
Lu Qianshan’s eyes burned with enthusiasm when he saw the blue lotus shooting toward him. When he finally realized the blue lotus was aimed at him, he hurriedly lifted his arms to block the blue lotus.
Bang!
A huge energy seal appeared. Even so, Lu Qianshan’s arms trembled from the impact and grew numb. He was pushed back until he hit one of the red pillars in the hall. At this time, he gulped when he recalled the collective demotion of the Black Tower Council and Lan Xihe’s defeat. The young man was undoubtedly the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion; he had made the mistake of judging a book by its cover. The young appearance should be a disguise.
After a moment, Lu Qianshan collected his emotions and endured the pain before he lowered his head and said, “Lu Qianshan greets Pavilion Master Lu.”
“Have I met you before?” Lu Zhou asked.
Lu Qianshan replied, “Pavilion Master Lu and I have never met, but Pavilion Master Lu has met my nephew.”
“Your nephew?”
“My nephew’s name is Lu Li,” Lu Qianshan said.
“…”
Lu Qianshan continued, “Lu Li lost his parents when he was young. He stayed in the Lu clan’s estate before he was sent to the Land of Shu to cultivate. Later on, he joined the Black Tower Council.”
Lu Zhou nodded and asked, “Did you send Zhao Hongfu from the Runic Academy to me?”
Lu Qianshan said immediately, “No…” However, he turned to the old butler and said, “Old Jiang, close the doors. No one is allowed to come close or enter…”
“Understood.” The old butler left the hall and drove everyone away before he stood guard outside.
Then, Lu Qianshan said, “After Lu Li went missing, I began to investigate in secret. At first, I thought it was Pavilion Master Lu who killed him. Later, I found out from people in the Black Tower Council that Lu Li’s life stone was still intact. I got in touch with Yan Zhenluo since I knew he had a close relations.h.i.+p with my nephew. I learned from Yan Zhenluo that Pavilion Master Lu had saved Lu Li. Therefore, I sent Zhao Hongfu to you as a gesture of appreciation.”
Lu Zhou felt very at ease now that he discovered Lu Qianshan was Lu Li’s uncle; everything would be much easier now. It seemed like fate with so many coincidences.
At this moment, Lu Qianshan asked, “Pavilion Master Lu, can you show me your true appearance?”