Lu Yuan's Arrival
Bai Chenxiang had long believed the pride of her Min Clan rested in speed. Sharpened for generations, it was all they had. She herself, a sharp-tailed swift spirit master, could outpace most peers her age.
But the man before her—the drunkard in black with a wine jar—shattered that pride in an instant.
Even swaying in a drunken haze, Lu Yuan's speed was absurd. Faster than wind, faster even than her sharp-tailed swifts. He moved like a shadow flowing through moonlight, leaving only sword-qi afterimages behind.
And Zhu Zhuqing, the black-clad beauty trailing behind him, wasn't far slower. Bai Chenxiang's jaw tensed. Monsters… both of them.
By the time they reached the battlefield, Lu Yuan's eyes had already locked on the scene—a white-haired old man chained and held down, a dozen Min Clan captives struggling weakly behind him.
The Blockade
"Xiangxiang?!" Bai He's voice cracked as his eyes landed on his granddaughter. His hands trembled, almost dropping his weapon. "Why did you come back?! I told you to run!"
He had resigned himself already. Even as a Contra, his powers couldn't save them all. Now seeing his granddaughter return nearly broke him.
"Grandpa—I brought help!" Bai Chenxiang pointed desperately toward Lu Yuan, who was casually staggering forward with a mellow smile.
Bai He felt his remaining hope sink. He looked at Lu Yuan's swaying gait, wine jar in hand. This is your savior? He's drunker than a tavern rat!
Lu Yuan huffed, tilting his jar for a long swallow. Then he wiped his mouth and grinned.
"Oi. You holding the old man there. Let him go."
Lei Datou, the brute leading the blockade, turned sharply. "Hah? And who are you to order me?"
"Who am I?" Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes. "The one giving you two jars of fine wine to settle this little debt."
He reached into his Soul Guidance Device, pulled out two ornate jars, and lobbed them casually. They clinked against the dirt. "Royal tribute. Good stuff. Better than gold."
Lei Datou and his men blinked—then burst out laughing.
"Hear that?! The drunk wants to pay debts with booze!"
"Two lousy jars wipe off months owed? Keep dreaming!"
"What kind of fool—"
Their snickers cut short when Lu Yuan raised his hand lazily and tapped a shoulder.
CRACK—THUD!
Lei Datou flew backwards in a perfect arc, slamming into the dirt with a choke. The ground where he fell dented two feet deep.
The snickers died in horror.
"This strength… this arrogance… wait—don't tell me—"
"The wine, the drunkenness, the long sword on his back… gods, is—he's Lu Yuan?!"
At those words, faces drained pale.
"Hm?" Lu Yuan tilted his head. "Who's calling me?"
His offhand reply was confirmation enough. The entire group recoiled like they'd seen a ghost.
"The freak himself… why's he here?!"
Lei Datou wheezed, staggering to his feet. Sweat poured down his temple. He already knew he was doomed if he made this worse.
"Brothers—we withdraw!" he barked, waving his men frantically. They turned tail without hesitation.
But before they'd gotten far—
"Wait."
Lu Yuan's calm tone froze them worse than ice.
Lei Datou turned back slowly, face twisted. "W-what more do you want?"
Lu Yuan smirked, tipping back his wine jar. "Did I say you could leave without taking it? You came here to collect money. You'll take the damn wine as payment, and like it."
He shoved the two jars forward with his foot.
Shakily, Lei Datou's men picked them up. One popped the seal anxiously.
The aroma hit instantly—rich, aged, unmistakably high-grade. His eyes widened. "Dage… this really is tribute wine. Priceless…"
Lei Datou blinked. Then, slowly, relief washed over his face. "Fine. We'll… we'll let this one go!"
"Good man." Lu Yuan swayed back and waved cheerfully. "Don't say I cheated you."
Gratitude Misplaced
The blockade gone, Bai He hurried forward, shaking his head in disbelief.
"So it was… you really dealt with them…"
"Old man," Lu Yuan chuckled, "you're welcome."
Bai He had no words. At first he thought Lu Yuan was just a drunken arrogance. Now he realized—this youth was terrifying beyond reason.
"Lu Yuan… truly, thank you," Bai He finally said, bowing his head sincerely.
"Mm, too polite." Lu Yuan waved a hand unconcerned.
Beside him, Bai Chenxiang still stared at the youth, heart racing. No wonder his speed was like nothing I'd seen—it was HIM.
Bai He straightened. "Little brother Lu Yuan, I swear, the Min Clan will return what you paid on our behalf ten-fold."
"No worries," Lu Yuan said, sipping again. "But if you've got good wine, that'll do."
Bai He froze, expression awkward. He couldn't even secure daily tea—wine was impossible.
Lu Yuan shrugged, unbothered. He stumbled toward the carriage again when Bai Chenxiang suddenly called out, cheeks flushed.
"Lu Yuan… can you escort us, just a while further?"
Her grandfather immediately barked, "Xiangxiang, don't make trouble! He's already helped enough!" His head bowed with shame.
But Zhu Zhuqing spoke first. "We'll go together."
Her eyes avoided his, soft with unspoken meaning. She wanted time. To think. To face the coming storm of Xingluo. Traveling longer, sharing the road… maybe she'd find her heart steadied.
Lu Yuan blinked, then chuckled. "Alright. Come along."
Bai He exhaled deeply.
"Old man, don't worry. I'm not heartless."
Then Lu Yuan's lips quirked wickedly, eyes sliding toward Bai Chenxiang. "Besides, don't you have a granddaughter?"
Bai He choked violently, coughing until his beard shook.
Longxing City – The Four Clans Gathering
Days later, within the Star Luo Empire's Longxing City, the Titan and his Strength Clan had already arrived. Sitting in a spacious hall, he and the stout ox-bodied Niu Gao shared strong liquor together.
"Where are those birds and goats?" Titan grumbled.
"You know their tempers," Niu Gao sighed. "The old goat's too sour, always looking like someone owes him millions. And Bai He… poor as dirt, probably scraping toll coins with his people just to make it here."
"Hmph." Titan slammed his cup. "After Haotian Sect fell, didn't all four of us bleed dry? Yet still, they drag their feet."
At that moment—
"Haha! And you two old ox hides, gossiping as always?"
Bai He swaggered in with the Min Clan. Laughing, he stepped forward to embrace them. Behind him, Bai Chenxiang cheerfully ran up. "Lu Yuan Big Brother, this is the Imperial Clan's homeland! Look, Grandpa Niu's buildings are amazing—they can build anything!"
Her voice chirped with innocence, but her "Big Brother" rang bright, natural, close.
Lu Yuan tilted his head, surveying the sprawling courtyards. "Not bad… basically a construction crew with fancier banners."
Zhu Zhuqing elbowed him lightly, lips twitching.
Within the hall, Bai He moved eagerly to Lu Yuan's side.
"Heh! You two look, this is Lu Yuan. The Lu Yuan."
Titan and Niu Gao's eyes widened faintly. His reputation had thundered across Douluo Continent already.
From the corner of the room, a hesitant voice gasped. "Lu Yuan…?"
Lu Yuan turned lazily. "Mm? Who's calling me now?"
His gaze fell on a familiar face, rigid with fear.
Tai Long stiffened, sweat dripping down his back.
"Grandson…" Bai He chuckled. "Turns out it's you brat."
Lu Yuan smirked, raising his jar. "Oh? The plaster again? Haven't I thrown you out enough?"
Tai Long trembled all over, cursing fate.
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