Lu Chengwen didn't even think—he swung his palm back at Long Aotian.
Joking?
You think you're the only one with skills? I'm a player in this game now too!
Sure, at your peak, I wouldn't stand a chance. But after Tie Tuo Wang beat the stuffing out of you and you took that fall, what makes you think you can take me on?
I'd be a fool not to seize this chance to finish you off while you're down!
Long Aotian hadn't expected Lu Chengwen to actually know martial arts.
He'd always suspected something fishy about that Immovable Bright King Technique back in the warehouse. Even if Lu Chengwen were a prodigy training from the womb, reaching that level of mastery was impossible!
It was too terrifying, too illogical, too absurd.
Unless he was in cahoots with Tie Tuo Wang, Long Aotian couldn't fathom how it was possible.
But in this moment, he realized—Lu Chengwen genuinely had some skills.
Not much, but clearly enough to have crossed the threshold.
Ancient martial arts were divided into stages: Lower Four Gates, Middle Four Gates, and Upper Four Gates.
There were rumors of a mythical Heavenly Four Gates, but no one had ever seen it.
Long Aotian had been consolidating the four major families' resources to fuel his ascent to the Upper Four Gates.
He was already a master at the Middle Four Gates' Awakening stage.
Yet Lu Chengwen had somehow stepped into the martial world, reaching the entry-level Body Tempering stage of the Lower Four Gates!
Don't underestimate this stage. Body Tempering marked the divide between ordinary people and martial artists—a world of difference.
At this level, a martial artist's physical potential was fully awakened. Their strength, recovery speed, agility, power, and explosiveness were beyond what ordinary people could comprehend.
A proper Body Tempering expert could take on twenty or thirty regular people with ease—like a gym teacher strolling through a kindergarten class, untouchable.
Lu Chengwen's counterattack caught Long Aotian off guard. Their palms clashed, and neither came out unscathed.
Long Aotian was far worse off—his injuries were much graver. Not only had he fallen off the cliff, but Tie Tuo Wang had already pummeled him mercilessly.
Tie Tuo Wang, as everyone knew, wasn't one to hold back. In his mind, Long Aotian was a deceitful villain deserving of utter destruction. He'd beaten him with the intent to grind his bones to dust and feed them to dogs.
If not for the cliff fall, Tie Tuo Wang would've killed him outright.
So now, Long Aotian wasn't much stronger than Lu Chengwen—in fact, he was significantly weaker.
The clash sent a jolt through Long Aotian's already broken ribs, the pain so intense he could barely breathe. His vision darkened, nearly fainting again.
Lu Chengwen wasn't unscathed either; blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
The two glared at each other, both burning with the desire to end the other.
But neither had the strength to do so.
Hun Tianguang, watching from behind, chuckled. "Not bad, not bad. Both you youngsters have some foundation. Impressive."
He added, "Looks like you two have a grudge, huh?"
Long Aotian gritted his teeth. "We're sworn enemies!"
Lu Chengwen shot back, glaring, "One day, I'll rip your bones out and feed them to dogs!"
"Hahaha! Truly brothers united in spirit, with loyalty that pierces the heavens!" Hun Tianguang exclaimed.
Both turned to him, thinking, Are you even human? Got ears or not? Where the hell do you hear 'brothers united' or 'loyalty' in this!?
Hun Tianguang continued, "Here's the deal. I've got one Internal Eight Palaces Pill. It can rapidly heal your organs and meridians, curing all internal injuries. But there's only one pill. Which of you wants it?"
Long Aotian, clutching his ribs, struggled to kneel. "Senior! This junior is Long Aotian, trained in martial arts since childhood, with some modest talent. I've reached the Middle Four Gates' Awakening stage. If Senior saves my life, I'll be forever grateful, repaying your kindness even if it means going through fire and water!"
Hun Tianguang nodded. "At your age, reaching the Middle Four Gates' Awakening stage is indeed remarkable talent."
Lu Chengwen clasped his fists slightly. "Senior, my life's worth little. I fell into this valley by accident, and I doubt I'll make it out alive. But Long Aotian cannot be saved. I ask that you give this pill to Miss Xuening. She's young, kind, and has a bright future. She shouldn't die in a place like this."
Long Aotian quickly interjected, "Senior, Xuening is my personal attendant. If my internal injuries are healed, I can channel my energy to treat her. Giving me the pill saves two lives! Lu Chengwen's only at the beginner Body Tempering stage—he can't heal anyone."
"Hmm." Hun Tianguang nodded. "Lu Chengwen, your turn."
Lu Chengwen thought for a moment. "Once Hua Xuening's external injuries heal from the Bone-Restoring Pill and her internal injuries from the Eight Palaces Pill, a fully recovered master like her could save Long Aotian. Who knows, maybe she'll be so grateful she'll save me too. Haha."
Hun Tianguang nodded again. "You're both kind-hearted young men, good kids."
He sighed deeply. "You know, when I was young… sigh."
Lu Chengwen quickly said, "No way!"
"Indeed." Hun Tianguang stared into the distance, his face full of sorrow. "After that, my life took a different path…"
Lu Chengwen sighed. "So that's how it was."
"But fate is unpredictable. Later, things just… sigh."
Lu Chengwen shook his head. "That's truly heart-wrenching."
Hun Tianguang slapped his thigh. "But I believed a living man shouldn't be defeated by mere troubles! So I… you understand, right?"
Lu Chengwen praised, "Senior's resilience is a lesson for all us juniors. To remain so strong and brave in such circumstances is inspiring."
"So, decades later, the martial world came to know my name. But… what's that saying?"
"'At the peak, decline follows'?"
"Exactly!" Hun Tianguang said. "After that great battle, I grew disillusioned, no longer caring for the ways of the world."
"So you secluded yourself here, seeking peace and tranquility."
"You know, a man's life…"
"Absolutely, yes."
"But some things just…"
"Tell me about it!"
"I don't mind, but deep down, my heart always…"
"No need to say it—I understand you!"
Long Aotian's eyes darted between them, bewildered. What the hell are you two doing!?
What's with this back-and-forth? Are you chatting or performing a comedy routine?
How do you 'understand' when he hasn't said anything!?
There's no actual content—just ellipses! How are you keeping up with this!?
If you're not chatting, why's it so lively? Full of emotion, pouring your hearts out!
If you were closer in age, you'd probably be swearing brotherhood on your knees by now!
But if you are chatting, what the hell are you talking about!?
Not a single substantive word—just a bunch of filler noises! Hmm, ahh, exactly, sigh, hey, whoa… and then 'go to hell'!?
What is this nonsense!?
Long Aotian snapped, "Lu Chengwen, what did you even hear?"
Lu Chengwen wiped away a tear. "Don't talk to me right now. Hearing Senior's life story, my heart's breaking!"
Long Aotian thought, I'd slap you dead right now if I could, you shameless bastard!
You're acting pretty damn well!
He pressed, "You're sure you know Senior's story? Tell me!"
Lu Chengwen looked devastated. "You heard Senior's life, and you're not moved? A great hero's struggles, his loneliness, his… ahh… you don't feel anything? No sorrow?"
Long Aotian wanted to tear him apart.
Shameless! Absolutely shameless!
Playing this old man like a fool!?
Before Long Aotian could say more, Hun Tianguang spoke. "Alright, here's what we'll do. Meeting is fate. No matter what grudges you had before, I'm in charge here. You two will swear brotherhood and become my disciples. Past grievances will be wiped clean, and from now on, you'll be fellow disciples. What do you say?"
Long Aotian pointed at Lu Chengwen. "Me? Swear brotherhood with him? Be fellow disciples!?"
Lu Chengwen clasped his fists, voice trembling with emotion. "Big Brother!"
"Go to hell!" Long Aotian was about to explode. "I'm Long Aotian, the War God of the Borderlands, a Middle Four Gates master, the Young Master of the Great Organization! Swear brotherhood with you!?"
Hun Tianguang nodded. "Truly the spirit of martial heroes, bold and forthright!"
Long Aotian glared at the confused old man, thinking, I'll take you out first chance I get!
Hun Tianguang said, "Kneel and kowtow. After the ceremony, I'll heal your injuries."
Long Aotian saw no other option. It was either swear brotherhood with Lu Chengwen or risk being accidentally killed by this muddled old man in this cave.
Suppressing his disgust, he slowly knelt.
The two kowtowed to Hun Tianguang.
Hun Tianguang declared, "The first kowtow honors the heavens!"
Long Aotian muttered glumly, "Joining Master's sect, bonding with…" He gritted his teeth. "…my sworn brother Chengwen. From now on…"
He couldn't bring himself to continue.
Lu Chengwen picked up, "From this day forward, we brothers stand united, never to betray! If we disrespect our Master…"
He turned to Long Aotian, clasping his fists. "Big Brother!"
Then to Hun Tianguang, "May we die a terrible death!"
"If we commit evil deeds…"
He turned again, voice fervent. "Big Brother!"
To Hun Tianguang, "May we be torn apart by five horses!"
"If we betray our sect…"
Again, to Long Aotian, "Big Brother!"
To Hun Tianguang, "May we bleed from all seven orifices and die!"
Lu Chengwen launched into a litany of oaths, each prefaced with a shout to Long Aotian:
"Big Brother!"
"May our guts be pierced and rot!"
"Big Brother!"
"May ten thousand arrows pierce our hearts!"
"Big Brother!"
"May our heads be severed from our bodies!"
"Big Brother!"
"May we be struck by heavenly lightning!"
"Big Brother!"
"May our line end without descendants!"
"Big Brother!"
"May we be chopped up and fed to dogs!"
"Big Brother!"
"May we be kicked by a hundred men, targeting our… you know, kicked, then burned, then kicked again until…"
Long Aotian grabbed him. "Enough, enough! I'm already dead!"
Lu Chengwen blinked. "I'm not done venting yet."
Hun Tianguang, wiping tears, said, "Chengwen, you're the most sincere disciple I've ever seen!"
Long Aotian couldn't hold back anymore—blood spilled from his mouth again.
_
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