kvmb Chapter 823 Duke Lu
Chapter 823 Duke Lu
Chen Dao may not be a well-known name among the common people of Kyushu, but he is definitely quite famous among martial artists!
The fact that Chen Dao killed the Green King shocked the entire Nine Provinces. Although Chen Dao never revealed his name from beginning to end, it was unlikely that ordinary people would know the name of the person who killed the Green King!
But martial artists are far more well-informed than ordinary people, especially high-ranking martial artists like Butcher Zhu and Thousand-Mile Ear. They must already know Chen Dao's name!
Therefore, Chen Dao was somewhat worried that the two of them would expose their identities.
Although Li Qiao was there to protect him, Chen Dao was not afraid that the Lu family would pose a threat to his life. However, if his identity was exposed, his plan to obtain the Dragon Beard Grass would probably be ruined.
Fortunately, Zhu the Butcher and Qianli'er did not seem to have any intention of revealing Chen Dao's identity. Instead, they nodded to Chen Dao in a friendly manner.
Seeing this, Chen Dao felt a little relieved.
Yang Zheng, standing beside Chen Dao, glanced at the many martial artists in the hall and introduced them to Chen Dao in a low voice: "The martial artist with a small mustache sitting next to the pillar is named Ouyang Yun. He has some reputation in the martial arts world. It is said that he was already a third-rank martial artist three years ago. Now that three years have passed, even if he has not been promoted to the second rank, he is probably not far off!"
"The martial artist to Ouyang Yun's left is named Wei Yuan, a third-rank martial artist!"
"The martial artist opposite us is named Ma Zhi, a third-rank martial artist!"
"And there's that burly martial artist named Zhu the Butcher, who must have recently been promoted to the third rank. The skinny martial artist beside him is known in the martial arts world as 'Thousand-Mile Ear'..."
It must be said that Yang Zheng is a general who attaches great importance to intelligence. He can call out the names and cultivation levels of almost all the martial artists present.
As Yang Zheng recounted his story, Chen Dao gained some understanding of the martial artists present.
Excluding Chen Dao and his group of four, there were about 10 martial artists in the Lu family's hall at this time, including 8 at the third rank and 2 at the second rank.
As for those who hold the highest rank like Li Qiao, there isn't a single one!
But it’s normal to think about it.
The first-grade realm is the current limit for martial artists in the Nine Provinces. Martial artists who have reached this realm are theoretically in a state where they cannot advance any further and are simply not attracted by the herbs offered by the Lu family.
After Chen Dao and the other three took their seats, a small number of more martial artists were led in by Lu Changjiang, and the number of martial artists in the hall soon exceeded twenty!
Looking at the martial artists in the hall, Yang Zheng's expression was slightly solemn. This number of top-rank martial artists was definitely an extremely powerful force. Even Yang Zheng, the King of Yang who controlled two states, dared not underestimate them in the slightest!
"What is the Lu family doing?"
Inside the hall, a burly martial artist seemed impatient and shouted, "We have come from afar, yet we cannot even see the face of the Lu family patriarch. Is he looking down on us?"
"The Lu family is truly impressive, sending only a steward to receive us!"
"Hmph! I don't think the Lu family takes us seriously at all!"
"The Lu family is so powerful and wealthy, it's normal for them to look down on us crude and uncouth warriors!"
"..."
The other martial artists in the hall also started to clamor. As top-ranking martial artists, their status was undoubtedly extremely prestigious.
However, after arriving at the Lu family, they couldn't even see the head of the Lu family, which naturally made the martial artists present very dissatisfied.
Fortunately, the crowd's dissatisfaction did not last long. Soon after, a middle-aged man dressed in a red robe entered the hall. The crane embroidered on his robe made everyone instantly realize his identity.
"Duke Sheng of Lu".
"Greetings, Duke Lu Sheng Gong."
"Qi Ying of Mingzhou greets Duke Lu Sheng."
"..."
Upon seeing this middle-aged man enter the hall, the martial artists, no longer acting strangely as before, all stood up and bowed!
Duke Lu Sheng was a hereditary title bestowed upon the Lu family by successive imperial courts. His status was equivalent to that of a duke, and all heads of the Lu family could inherit this title.
The one who holds this title now is none other than Lu Shengyan, the head of the Lu family!
Facing the many martial artists in the hall, Lu Shengyan remained calm, walked to the main seat and sat down, then said to everyone, "I apologize for any shortcomings in our hospitality!"
Despite saying that he hadn't been hospitable enough, Lu Shengyan showed no remorse on his face. The reason was simple: although everyone present was a third-grade martial artist, they weren't worth Lu Shengyan lowering his standards for.
The martial artists present did not express much dissatisfaction with this.
Anyone who can cultivate to the upper three ranks is definitely not a fool!
They knew very well that although they were high-ranking martial artists of the upper three ranks, they were no match for the Lu family. So even though the Lu family treated them with disdain, they did not dare to retaliate when they saw Lu Shengyan.
This is not only because of Lu Shengyan's title of Duke Lu Sheng, but also because of the strength of the Lu family!
The Lu family, with its lineage spanning thousands of years, possesses an incredibly profound heritage, and its members are filled with numerous highly skilled martial artists. In this place, even these top-tier martial artists do not have the right to act presumptuously.
"Is this the Lu family patriarch?"
Chen Dao silently observed Lu Shengyan sitting in the main seat. From the outside, Lu Shengyan looked like a civil official who couldn't even kill a chicken, but Chen Dao knew in his heart that Lu Shengyan was definitely not as weak and frail as he appeared.
As the patriarch of the Lu family, Lu Shengyan has access to an astonishing amount of resources. In addition, the Lu family has been trading with the barbarians for many years and has no shortage of various medicinal herbs needed for cultivation. Therefore, Lu Shengyan's martial arts level is definitely not low!
"The Lu family has prepared a banquet; please enjoy it!"
As soon as Lu Shengyan finished speaking, a large number of maids carrying trays filed in from outside the door, placing exquisite dishes on the small tables in front of everyone.
After the food was served, the beautiful maids did not leave, but sat down next to the various martial artists and began to serve them.
Looking at the food on the table and the fragrant maidservants beside him, Chen Dao had no desire at all!
The food on the table was indeed exquisite, with perfect color, aroma, and taste. Ordinary people might not be able to eat such a meal in their entire lives!
Even though the food was exquisite, Chen Dao didn't touch it!
Because he saw the fragrant pork on the table!
Pork raised on human milk was considered a rare delicacy and a symbol of status by the nobles of Xia Kingdom!
But for Chen Dao... he only felt disgusted!
While ordinary people are starving and many infants are malnourished due to insufficient breast milk, these wealthy families are extravagantly feeding their livestock with human milk. This behavior is simply disgusting!
As for the maids beside him...
Since the Lu family had sent these women to serve the martial artists present, they had implicitly agreed that those present could enjoy the company of these beautiful women.