Returning from the abyss

Chapter 1288 Birthday Banquet

Lu Qingxu found the people from the Lu family and just had a meal with them, and then pointed out some things that needed attention.

Even though Lu Qingyun tried his best to keep them, Lu Qingxu still took Lu Ning back to the inn.

"The Lu family is no longer the same as before." Lu Qingxu said.

After listening to this, Lu Ning asked, "In your opinion, how can the Lu family break out of its current situation?"

"Try to expand the influence." Lu Qingxu shook his head with emotion. "Although some members of the Lu family have gone out to serve as officials and do business, the clan's influence is concentrated in Huai Ling. And now that there are so many people who want to make a name for themselves, let them go out and explore. Several officials of the Lu family are still relying on my protection, but now, I am no longer an official of the court, and they must understand that it is not easy to be an official."

“If you really have this ability, you wouldn’t be trapped in Huai Lingyi.” Lu Ning said.

Lu Qingxu naturally understood: "Now that the aristocratic families in various parts of the Wei Dynasty are entrenched, it is difficult to find a way to break the situation. No... if there is a way, it is not a blessing for the people."

The method he was talking about was probably when the world would be in chaos and all forces would be reshuffled.

"At least now is not the time to consider this matter." Lu Ning said.

"Yes, go to bed early."

On the day of the birthday banquet, as if overnight, a lot of people appeared on the mountain road from the whole village. These people were dressed in costumes of various martial arts sects. After walking along the way, the feeling of a declining population disappeared instantly.

Lu Ning and Lu Qingxu even felt that the mountain road was a bit congested. In front of them was a group of martial artists wearing green shirts and swords, and a few monks wearing cassocks. Behind them was a group of strong men wearing shorts. The mountain road was not easy to walk on. The mountain road here was only simply cleaned up. When there were too many people, it quickly became difficult to walk on. Fortunately, all the people who came here were martial artists.

After reaching the top of the mountain, disciples from Zhenjian Villa were waiting at the gate to receive them. Several older inner disciples checked the visiting cards at the gate, and after each team was checked, an outer disciple would shout loudly and lead the team in.

"Well-organized." Lu Qingxu was very satisfied with the organizational ability of Zhenjian Villa. He was exhausted from walking along the mountain road and didn't want to be stuck at the door for a few more minutes.

Many people set out early, and when Lu Ning and Lu Qingxu entered the villa, the sun had just started to shine.

"My two distinguished guests, Uncle Peng has specifically told you to go to the VIP area." The disciple who led the way smiled and said to the two, "Please go this way."

Lu Qingxu smiled at Lu Ning and said, "I'm still grateful to you this time, Ah Ning. If it were just me or Huai Ling Lu's status, I'm afraid I could only get a seat on the periphery."

"It was just luck that I didn't kill the demon." Lu Ning said, slightly releasing the suppression of the eye, and looked around, and there was nothing unusual. In addition, the demon's eye could even directly see through the back of her head and see what was behind her, without even turning back, which was very convenient in a sense.

The venue for the banquet was chosen to be the square in front of the Jingxin Hall, the main hall of Zhenjian Villa. Under the guidance of the disciple, the two came to a long table on the side and sat down.

"The round table in the center is probably where representatives from various sects sit. Our seats are second only to those people." Lu Qingxu picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup of tea. "A Ning, are you looking forward to this banquet?"

"I'm not impressed." Lu Ning said, "I don't have a real feeling about these famous sects in the martial arts world. Maybe it's because I'm still inexperienced."

"Both the banquet and the aftermath have special meanings. This time, Zhenjian Villa said it was a birthday banquet, but it might have other intentions. The major factions are aware of the livelihoods of the people in this world. I'm afraid that Mr. Luan also wants to take this opportunity to unite the people in the martial arts world again."

"…Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country." Lu Ning said in a low voice.

There was a lot of noise at this time, but Lu Qingxu didn't hear it. He just focused on the person sitting in the center.

Even for the birthday banquet of a martial arts master like Luan Tianyin, the leaders of the major sects would not really come in person. Many sects would only send elders and leading disciples of the younger generation.

The one sent by Xueshan was Master Jingning, the most prestigious disciple among the younger generation.

Master Zhicheng who came from Dingchan Temple is the junior brother of the current abbot Master Zhiwen.

The same was true for the people from other sects. Except for the Changliu Sect, the leader of the other seven sects, Kuang Xiuwen, came in person.

And this Kuang Xiuwen has only been the gang leader for a short time, as the old gang leader who participated in the crusade against the Demon Cult has passed away.

Lu Qingxu whispered these stories to Lu Ning. Lu Ning noticed that some people around who could bring their juniors in were also telling these things to their own juniors. The martial arts world was obviously a circle that valued interpersonal relationships. At least for those people who had to know each other, they would take this opportunity to let the juniors know.

Lu Ning memorized carefully while occasionally using her demon eyes to check the surroundings. Even though Niying was dead, she still felt a little uneasy. In addition to the strange situation she saw in Daonan Mansion, the old chariot seemed to remind her that things were not completely over.

When the sun was at its highest point in the sky, the protagonist of the birthday banquet, Luan Tianyin, finally walked out of the door. Years of martial arts training made him look not so old at this moment, but his hair and beard were still white. Lu Ning could see that the old man was still energetic, but his steps were no longer agile. No matter what, age was still a shackle that martial artists could not get rid of.

Behind Luan Tianyin, the disciples of this generation including Peng Yujian stood on the left and right, and the one standing next to Luan Tianyin was probably Luan Tianyin's son Luan Yucheng.

However, it was heard in Zhenjian Villa that the one with the highest martial arts skills in this generation was not Luan Yucheng, but the second and third disciples. Luan Yucheng was the most likely to become the next head of the sect only because of his management ability. But in the martial arts world, although the head of the sect must have the ability to manage the sect, if the martial arts cannot convince the public, it will eventually be a hidden danger.

After Luan Tianyin appeared, the discussion among the people present gradually quieted down.

After his voice became quieter, Luan Tianyin took a deep breath and spoke with a strong voice: "Thanks to all my fellow martial artists for coming to attend my birthday banquet. Although there have always been various new things in the martial arts world in recent years, it is rare for all the major sects to gather together like today."

"Infinite Buddha." Master Zhicheng chanted and said, "Master Luan wants to call on all the fellow Taoists to do something?"

"Master Zhicheng is right." Luan Tianyin said, "It's just that I'm old, and none of you who are here today can make decisions for the entire sect. This time, I'm just proposing such an idea." Luan Tianyin paused here, and most of the people at the banquet realized something.

"As you all know, the court is incompetent and the monarch is weak. Although this matter has nothing to do with people like us, the survival of our sect is closely related to the local people. When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? If the court is unable to protect the people and causes them to be displaced, how can we survive alone?"

"I've noticed this." Kuang Xiuwen said, "The Changliu Gang has already gathered refugees along the river, but the disaster caused by this war is extraordinary, and I'm afraid it's not limited to the northern part."

"The rumors about the demon star are probably true." Luan Tianyin said.

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused concern among some people who knew about the demons.

"I believe that everyone present here is well aware of this matter. Please make your own judgment on the matter. I also have a suggestion. Time flies. Does anyone still remember the martial arts alliance when we discussed the Demon Cult together?"

"In the beginning, it should have been led by the imperial court, and the major martial arts sects nominated leaders and formed an alliance. But now, the imperial court may no longer have this ability. Who do you think should take the lead this time?" A big man in red with western-style facial features stood up and said.

"The rules of the martial arts world," Luan Tianyin replied. "Since this alliance is formed only by martial artists, the leader will be determined by martial arts. Of course, other conditions must be met, for example, the leader must be young and strong. People like me who are old and weak are naturally not allowed to participate. And the leader's morality and prestige must also be recognized by the majority."

  Wulin leader - this is also a rather old-fashioned plot, but Lu Ning is curious. In a scene where demons exist, even if a Wulin leader is chosen, what can he do with the demons? Can he fight as well as Ning Ke?

When thinking of this, Lu Ning subconsciously opened his demon eyes and took a look, but suddenly found a ball of purple gas rising behind the house.

That was not a demon. Lu Ning had tried it with the corpse of Drowned Shadow. The demon's vision was similar to the result of the demon powder. It was classified into five elements, and these five colors did not include purple. Lu Ning almost stood up, but she suppressed her impulse and was ready to deal with any unexpected events at any time.

  =

As one of the major sects, Zhenjian Villa has a large number of disciples and servants. On the occasion of the birthday celebration, many people were transferred to take charge of welcoming guests and other matters, so naturally there were fewer people in other places. At this time, in a remote and deserted guest room, five servants were tied together and trembling all over. A dishevelled man stood in the middle of the house, chopped off the head of a servant he had caught, and opened his mouth to catch the blood spurting out of the servant's neck. Then he placed the head at the door, cut off a piece of clothing, dipped it in the blood and began to paint on the ground.

But the blood began to coagulate soon, and his painting speed slowed down. Seeing that he could not get enough blood, the man threw the cloth in his hand aside and dragged another person over. The man's mouth was blocked and he could only twist his body continuously. The man slapped him on the head impatiently.

At this moment, the shadow inside the room twisted, and the man seemed to have noticed something. He turned his head and looked, and a creepy smile appeared on his face covered in blood.

"This time, it's so fast..."

He chopped off the second head with his knife, drank a mouthful of blood, placed the head at the foot of the bed, and then continued to draw the bloody picture on the ground.

As the drawing progressed, a shadow under the table finally stood up slowly, and began to show facial features, becoming a human-like appearance.

"What do you mean?" asked the man who was transformed from the shadow.

“Blood for life, death for life…” The man grinned and stretched out his hand to the shadow, “Originally, I wanted six lives, but now I just cut off two and they are calling them out… This scene is really full of demons…”

"Li Gu." The shadow said, and as he said this, the sound of flapping wings was heard outside the window, and a headless white bird landed on the window frame. A red flower grew in its blood-red neck, and in the center of the flower was a blue eye, staring at the man.

The man immediately turned around, lay down, and stretched out a hand: "Gao Jinren... With the testimony of the three of you, I bow with the blood ceremony, cast the chain of life, and am willing to offer it as a living sacrifice..."

"Li Gou, this person's behavior is destined to be with you, let's wait and see him..." The shadow just opened his mouth, but suddenly paused, and his body immediately turned back into a shadow and scattered on the ground, while a golden glow cut through the air and almost chopped off the shadow's head.

"I think it's more likely that I will be with you." Ning Ke, holding a copper coin sword, looked at the two dead people in the room with a cold expression, "You have so many faces, and you're still planning to escape?"

The man turned around and saw Ning Ke, then he flipped back abruptly. A sharp knife fell from his palm and his other hand was put behind his back.

"Nine-life Butcher Gao Jinren, you have the lives of six protected people under the temple in your hands. And you have done a lot of bad things till now, and your mind is almost insane." As Ning Ke spoke, the four surviving servants suddenly fainted, as if they were knocked out by some invisible force.

"Ha, ha..." Gao Jinren panted, scraped the sticky blood on his face with the sharp knife, then licked it in his mouth, and said, "I heard that someone told me before he died that there were people from the Temple of Beheading in the Star Realm Temple who were hunting me down. Haha, but everyone says so, and everyone thinks that someone can kill me. But you have no chance, I have already bound my soul, long before this. And you, I have memorized your face..."

"The sentences are not confusing and the thoughts are clear. Very good, you know why you died." Ning Ke raised the copper coin sword in his hand. Gao Jinren immediately roared: "Kill her! She is just a-"

"Five times."

"--mortal?"

When Gao Jinren shouted the last two words, he felt like he was flying into the sky. He even saw a little red flower next to him flying up with the flower. There was even a hint of doubt in its blue eyes.

His head had been chopped off and flew into the sky, and even Li Gou behind him was not spared.

Ning Ke had already appeared beside the four servants and closed the compass in her hand. The ghost mask on her face extended a fleshy spike and strung the flower that had been cut off from its neck, and put it into the mask's mouth to chew. Ning Ke lowered her head slightly, her eyes becoming a little blurry.

At the same time, in a dilapidated temple dozens of miles away from Zhenjian Villa, a beggar suddenly sat up and exhaled a breath of foul air. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was terrified.

"That...that woman...what is it! Blood Binding Contract! Tell me--"

Before he finished yelling, he heard footsteps outside the ruined temple. Then, the person who should have been dozens of miles away stepped into the temple.

"The Holy Temple of the Head-cutting, Ning Ke. I hereby declare that the criminal Gao Jinren has been executed."

Gao Jinren didn't even have the chance to let out a final scream.