C20 Getting Beaten up

"Deacon Wu, should Young Master Lu return to purchase more ingredients for pill refinement, please extend him every courtesy. We are in need of reliable people at this time," Dugu Binglan instructed.

"Understood, Miss," Deacon Wu responded before excusing himself from the room.

Lu Shaoyou found himself once more on the bustling street lined with vendors of medicinal pills, weaponry, and various materials. He glanced around and confidently strode into the Heavenly Treasure Sect. As a VIP, Lu Shaoyou wasn't about to pass up the chance to save some coins, especially since the Heavenly Treasure Sect was also in the market for pills.

"Good day, Young Master Lu. Are you here to purchase more herbs for pill refining?" the two muscular guards at the entrance inquired, their tone noticeably more respectful than before, having recognized his acquaintance with their mistress the previous day.

"Yes, and I also have a pill to sell," Lu Shaoyou replied.

"Right this way, Young Master Lu," one of the guards said, leading him to the same counter he visited yesterday, where Deacon Wu was waiting.

"Lu Shaoyou, what can I assist you with today?" Deacon Wu greeted him with a warm smile.

"I'd like to sell this Adoptive Pill and purchase some of the same herbs I needed yesterday," Lu Shaoyou stated, presenting the pill he had been holding.

"An Adoptive Pill," Deacon Wu remarked, his eyes lighting up as he examined the pill in his hand. "Though it's a Grade 1 pill, its formula is a closely guarded secret, bordering on Grade 2. Its potency in enhancing a Martial Artist's Spirit far surpasses that of other pills. This Adoptive Pill is of superior quality. Excellent work. As a friend of our Miss, and considering the rarity of such an item, we typically sell the Adoptive Pill for 50 gold coins here at Heavenly Treasure Sect. We'll honor that price for you as well."

"Thank you, Deacon Wu," Lu Shaoyou said, his mind racing with calculations. They might claim to sell it for 50 gold coins, but the cost of production was a mere 15 gold coins. The profit was substantial, and it seemed his financial worries were over.

"As a VIP of Heavenly Treasure Sect, Young Master Lu, we value the Adoptive Pill highly. Should you acquire more, we'd be eager to purchase them at full price, which could also boost our popularity. It's a win-win," Deacon Wu assured him.

"I'll keep that in mind. If I have more pills, Heavenly Treasure Sect will be my first stop," Lu Shaoyou said with a slight smile. "Now, please gather four sets of the herbs I used for yesterday's pills."

"Of course, Young Master Lu. I'll prepare them immediately," Deacon Wu replied respectfully, then headed towards the back.

"Miss, the Lu family's Young Master has returned with an Adoptive Pill. He's looking to buy herbs, likely for more of the same," Deacon Wu reported to Dugu Binglan in the room.

"Adoptive Pill," Dugu Binglan murmured, examining the pill handed to her by Deacon Wu. After a moment, she passed it to Cuiyu. "Take a look at this Adoptive Pill."

"The Adoptive Pill may be a Grade 1 elixir, but its quality borders on Grade 2. Only exceptional Spiritual Cultivators would know how to concoct such a pill. There must be some secrets surrounding the young master of the Lu family," whispered the maid named Cuiyu.

"Deacon Wu, Young Master Lu is to be considered a distinguished guest of our Heavenly Treasure Sect from this point forward. You know what to do. Assure him that his visit here will remain unknown to the Lu family," instructed Dugu Binglan.

"Understood, Miss. I'll make the necessary arrangements immediately," Deacon Wu replied before leaving the room to attend to his tasks.

Within the confines of Heavenly Treasure Sect, Lu Shaoyou took in his surroundings, noting that the Grade 1 pills were priced at around 40 gold coins each. It reassured him that the sect had been honest with him and seemed to be genuinely interested in winning his favor.

"Your requested medicinal herbs are prepared, Young Master Lu. Here are also 50 gold coins for you to count," Deacon Wu said shortly after, presenting several small packages to Lu Shaoyou.

"Do you think I should tally the cost of these pill ingredients?" Lu Shaoyou inquired, estimating that the ingredients for four sets of Adoptive Pills would be around sixty gold coins. With the twenty he already had, plus the fifty from the pill sale, he had sufficient funds.

"No need to count now. In the future, you can settle your account with Heavenly Treasure Sect all at once—it's less hassle than paying piecemeal. Besides, we're looking forward to you bringing more Adoptive Pills," Deacon Wu said with a chuckle.

"Aren't you worried I might default on the payment?" Lu Shaoyou asked, somewhat surprised by their generosity.

"Young Master Lu, you're not the type to do that," Deacon Wu replied with an appeasing smile.

"Very well, I appreciate it," Lu Shaoyou responded, not one to stand on ceremony.

"Take care, Young Master Lu," Deacon Wu called after him, then added with a soft laugh, "Rest assured, the Lu family will remain in the dark about your visits to our Heavenly Treasure Sect."

As Lu Shaoyou prepared to depart, Deacon Wu's words struck a chord, prompting vigilance. If he were to frequent the Heavenly Treasure Sect, it could potentially alert the Lu family. It also appeared that the sect might be conducting a covert inquiry into his affairs.

"Heavenly Treasure Sect," Lu Shaoyou mused quietly to himself before making his way back to the Lu family estate.

Despite being deemed a 'useless' young master, Lu Shaoyou now saw some advantage in his status—it had afforded him a life of sustenance and minimal interference within the Lu family, which made pursuing his personal endeavors much easier.

As night fell, Lu Shaoyou stealthily entered the secret chamber in the woodshed, where the old servant, Uncle Nan, was already waiting.

"What's on the training agenda for today, Uncle Nan?" Lu Shaoyou asked. Uncle Nan had mentioned the day before that today would mark the beginning of a month-long cultivation period.

"It's quite simple—I'm going to train you to take a beating," Uncle Nan said with a sly smile.

"What? You expect me to just get hit?" Lu Shaoyou's expression immediately soured. This was hardly an appealing prospect.

"Exactly. It's part of honing your senses and the five elemental attributes within you. If you can hold out for a month, you'll be able to escape even when facing opponents far stronger than yourself. Otherwise, you're putting your life at great risk," Uncle Nan explained with gravity.

"Uncle Nan, I've got this. Let's do it," Lu Shaoyou responded, his resolve firm. He trusted Uncle Nan's judgment. To safeguard his future, he was determined to endure this month of grueling training.

"First, I'll attack you with the strength of a Layer 1 Martial Warrior. If you can last for an hour, you'll have passed this test," Uncle Nan declared.

"That's hardly fair. I'm just a Third Layer Martial Disciple. The gap is too wide," protested Lu Shaoyou. His current strength was no match for a Martial Warrior; it was clear he was in for a rough time.

"It's perfectly fair. When someone's out to kill you, do you think you can ask for fairness then?" Uncle Nan's face grew stern, and without another word, he altered his hand seal and launched a punch that sent a burst of energy straight at Lu Shaoyou's left shoulder.

"I'm not ready! You can't—" Lu Shaoyou's protest was cut short as he stumbled backward in a desperate attempt to evade. Despite being a bona fide Third Layer Martial Disciple, he lacked experience in real combat.

Before he could recover, Uncle Nan's palm followed through, relentless. In an instant, Lu Shaoyou's shoulder dropped, and he was sent sprawling face-first onto the ground. Pain shot through him; he felt as if his bones were splintering.

"Are you just going to lie there?" Uncle Nan barked, devoid of any softness. He pivoted, launching a kick that whistled through the air towards Lu Shaoyou, its force not to be taken lightly.

Terrified, Lu Shaoyou scrambled forward. A direct hit from that kick would surely break bones.

But the kick was swift. Before Lu Shaoyou could get clear, it connected with his stomach, flipping him over. His blood roiled, and a metallic taste filled his mouth.

"Remember this—your enemy won't offer you courtesy when they're after your life. They'll kill you without a second thought," Uncle Nan lectured as he continued his assault. Punches, slaps, and kicks rained down on Lu Shaoyou, who had no room to dodge in the cramped chamber. His ribs were battered, possibly broken.

After what felt like an eternity but was only half a quarter of an hour, Lu Shaoyou lay bruised and swollen, utterly spent and unable to retaliate. His body was a map of pain.

"Get up. Now is the time to truly connect with the five attributes of your Yin and Yang Physique. This moment is ideal. In the future, your training in Martial Skills will be much more effective," Uncle Nan instructed.

Battered and bruised, Lu Shaoyou had no choice but to sit cross-legged and begin tuning into the five elemental attributes within him, following Uncle Nan's guidance.