Chapter 59: Aura Suppression

“So you’re Lu Hun?” Duanmu Xiong, seeing that Guan Yingfan’s words were on point, didn’t bother to comfort his grandson upon returning—instead, he immediately set his sights on Lu Sheng. Though he hadn’t witnessed everything that had happened in the Sihai Trading Hall, Duanmu Xiong already knew the general course of events. Now, with his grandson injured, and the fiancée he had lined up for him taken by the very man who beat him, his rage found a convenient outlet in Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng, unruffled and composed, didn’t answer Duanmu Xiong’s question. Instead, he turned his gaze to the seemingly amused Guan Yingfan. He understood full well: a Martial Master capable of refining spirit and wielding absolute control over his own mind would never lose composure so easily. Duanmu Xiong’s fury was clearly an excuse to pick a fight.

Earlier, Lu Sheng had exposed himself as an Innate Spiritual Body in the Sihai Trading Hall. With Murong Yu, the other Innate Spiritual Body, taken away, only he remained who could possibly sense the grade six snow lotus. Now, bearing the mission of the Fire God Sect to find the snow lotus, Duanmu Xiong had every reason to target him.

So, Lu Sheng took his time and let Guan Yingfan handle the matter—after all, he was under the protection of the Sihai Trading Company at the moment. As an old hand in the world, Guan Yingfan was well aware of this. Originally, he had hoped Lu Sheng would fend off Duanmu Xiong until the Trading Company’s own Martial Masters arrived. But seeing Lu Sheng expose his intentions and push the issue back to him, Guan Yingfan had no choice but to handle it himself.

“Master Duanmu, Mr. Lu is an honored guest of our Sihai Trading Company. Please—”

“Please what?” Duanmu Xiong’s beard and hair bristled as he roared, “If you want my cooperation, hand over this Lu brat first! Once this matter is settled, then you can invite me to drink as much as you like!”

He sat atop his Iron-Backed Skyhawk, and with just a slight gesture, unleashed his formidable aura toward Guan Yingfan. The pressure was overwhelming. Despite drawing upon all his strength, Guan Yingfan’s face flushed red, unable to utter a single word. Such was the suppression of a Martial Master’s presence—under such force, only another Martial Master could hope to speak.

———

“What’s this, Brother Duanmu? Has Chief Steward Guan offended you somehow?” Just as Guan Yingfan, red-faced and anxious, was about to be overwhelmed and Duanmu Xiong readied to strike at Lu Sheng, a clear, ringing voice descended from above.

Lu Sheng looked up to see a sea-blue giant eagle soaring through the sky, growing larger as it approached.

The Roaring Sea Eagle—this was a flying demon beast cultivated by the Sihai Trading Company over centuries. It served not only as a mount for Martial Masters but also as a formidable fighting force. Its blue plumage made it well-camouflaged in the sky, and it possessed a supernatural roar, capable of shaking the spirits of even those at the same level. For a Martial Master, a third-tier Roaring Sea Eagle was a powerful ally indeed.

“Zhou Weiqian!” Recognizing the newcomer, Duanmu Xiong realized his plan had been thwarted. He immediately withdrew his oppressive aura and laughed boisterously, “Your Chief Steward wants to invite me for a drink, but can’t handle my presence—looks like I’ll have to pass on that wine!”

As one of the Martial Masters stationed in the Western Regions by the Sihai Trading Company, Zhou Weiqian possessed formidable strength. Though his rise to Martial Master had come later, he had already reached the very pinnacle of the realm and was, in fact, slightly stronger than Duanmu Xiong—currently ranked fifty-ninth on the Heavenly Rankings.

From the sky, Zhou Weiqian guided his eagle to land. Though he could see through Duanmu Xiong’s excuses, he didn’t expose him, instead chuckling, “Is that so? Then let me be your host this time. Once this business is settled, we’ll drink until we can drink no more!”

He then turned playfully to Guan Yingfan, “Chief Steward Guan, you won’t blame me for stealing your chance, will you?”

With a Martial Master stepping in on his behalf, Guan Yingfan felt only gratitude, not resentment. He replied earnestly, “Thank you, Master Zhou, for your assistance! Master Duanmu’s wine is a luxury I can’t afford right now.” His words, though mild, carried a pointed barb.

Duanmu Xiong laughed heartily and paid it no mind. “So it’s settled! Brother Zhou, let’s hasten the matter and get this over with!” He patted his Iron-Backed Skyhawk and flew toward Duanmu Yun and Duanmu Qun.

———

“So? Did you offend him?” Once Duanmu Xiong had left, Zhou Weiqian’s smile faded as he turned to Guan Yingfan. Though the Sihai Trading Company enjoyed the backing of both powerful martial force and the imperial court, like all merchants, they preferred harmony. They rarely made enemies of Martial Masters or Grandmasters.

With Duanmu Xiong gone, Zhou Weiqian wanted to know the whole story to prepare accordingly.

“It wasn’t us who offended him—he came looking for trouble himself.” Guan Yingfan had Zhou Weiqian envelop them in his aura, shielding their words from outsiders, and recounted everything that had happened.

After listening, Zhou Weiqian understood. Considering his own mission, he mused, “So, if we want to find the grade six snow lotus, we must rely on this Lu Hun?”

“That’s right. There’s more to this man than meets the eye,” Guan Yingfan confirmed. Though he hadn’t known Lu Sheng for long, he already sensed the man’s unfathomable depth—whatever he set out to do, he seemed always able to achieve.

“No matter what secrets he holds, as long as he can help us get the snow lotus, that’s all we need. If he truly renders distinguished service, even an audience with the Four Seas Exalted One can be arranged. A promise from a Grandmaster—that’s not something he would refuse,” Zhou Weiqian said.

Having spent decades in the martial world, Zhou Weiqian had seen countless secrets. In such a vast world, aside from those in constant seclusion, every accomplished individual had their share of fortuitous encounters. As a Martial Master and a member of the Sihai Trading Company, he had no interest in prying into the secrets of a suspected Lu clan member.

With that settled, Zhou Weiqian and Guan Yingfan discussed their next steps. Then, withdrawing his aura, Zhou Weiqian took out his beast pouch, put away the Roaring Sea Eagle, and turned to Lu Sheng.

“Brother Lu, I can agree to all the terms Chief Steward Guan offered earlier. I wonder, do you have any interest in returning to the snowy mountains?”

———

“An interest in returning to the snowy mountains?” Before meeting Shi Ying, Lu Sheng would have said no. But after encountering Shi Ying—and crossing hands with him—he had developed a keen interest in the Divine Elephant Strength technique.

Though he had sent his Mind-Controlling Gu to quietly follow Murong Yu when she was taken away, both Murong Yu and Shi Ying were Innate Spiritual Bodies. With their spiritual sensitivity and mental strength, he could not hope to control them from afar. This was a situation that called for his personal intervention.

So, upon hearing Zhou Weiqian’s proposal, he didn’t hesitate. “Master Zhou, if you’d please follow me!”

He set out in the direction that Shi Ying and Murong Yu had gone, hastening after them.