Chapter 49: Breaking the Wind

“Sir, please have some water.”
Hokusai softly offered the cup.

As Wang Lu took it, Ding Tai, lying in bed, groaned in discomfort.

Ding Baiying carefully pulled the crossbow bolts from his body one by one, then applied medicinal ointment, causing Ding Tai to scream in pain.

Startled by the screams, Hokusai shrank back slightly. Wang Lu drank the water in one gulp, then casually tossed the empty cup onto Ding Tai.

“What are you screaming about? Afraid others will find out you’re hiding someone here?”

Facing Ding Baiying’s murderous glare, Wang Lu showed no fear and said, “What’s wrong? Is your Ding family really this pathetic? Getting injured and throwing a tantrum—anyone who didn’t know might think he’s a coward, completely lacking in spirit.”

“Try getting hit by an arrow yourself!” Ding Chong snapped angrily.

Having been suppressed by Wang Lu all day, Ding Chong harbored a deep hatred for him. If his master Ding Baiying hadn’t held him back, he would have already fought Wang Lu to the death.

Wang Lu sneered dismissively, fingers tapping on the table, then glanced at Hokusai, Ding Baiying, Ding Chong, and Ding Tai. “Your lives are owed to me. Is this how you repay your savior? Baiying, your disciples are useless—neither skilled in martial arts nor in letters. I’m curious, what exactly have you taught them? They’re all incompetent, yet their tempers are enormous.”

“Who asked you to save us?” Ding Chong cursed loudly.

“Chong!” Ding Baiying interrupted coldly, then looked at Wang Lu and said, “You saved us, but that doesn’t give you the right to do as you please. If Wei Zhongxian finds out you saved us, you’ll be dead too.”

Wang Lu rose and paced before Ding Baiying. “I don’t like your tone.”

Ding Baiying fell silent.

Wang Lu smiled faintly. “You’ve seen my martial arts. As long as I want to live, no one can keep me alive against my will. But killing you all would be a breeze. The capital is under lockdown. You’re weak and wounded—there’s no way you can run. And yet you still dare threaten me?”

“Looks like your martial arts have made your brain atrophy,” Ding Chong retorted.

“Show some respect to my master!” Ding Chong drew his crescent-moon blade and shouted.

Wang Lu chuckled and looked at Ding Baiying. “What do you say? Should I kill Ding Chong now so you know I’m not bluffing?”

“Chong, put the blade away.” Ding Baiying’s pale lips moved, and she stood up. “What do you want us to do? Say it clearly. But after that, you have to help us leave the capital.”

“Simple.”

The next day, Wang Lu opened his eyes and glanced at Ding Tai lying on the floor, looking utterly wronged, then smiled.

What about the injured?

This is his own home, after all!

Even Hokusai, Ding Baiying, and Ding Chong had to sleep on the floor.

It was just past the early morning hour; outside, dawn was breaking and the rain had stopped.

Wang Lu rose and went into the courtyard without dressing, picking up his long blade and beginning to swing it.

After breaking through the cultivation stage, wielding the blade felt entirely different. This custom-made Miao Dao, forged at a cost of two hundred taels, seemed to fuse with him completely.

Where Wang Lu’s resolve went, the blade followed.

Ding Baiying, having washed the bloodstains from her face, stood at the doorway in her dirty white clothes, watching Wang Lu in astonishment.

She never imagined she would see someone wield the Qi family’s swordsmanship with such mastery.

Recalling their first encounter, she clearly sensed that Wang Lu had made great progress since then.

If last time they had been evenly matched, now she had no chance against him.

No wonder Wang Lu said killing them would be effortless.

Wang Lu practiced two full sets of the Xinyou sword techniques before stopping. Though he had just broken through to the next stage, the path to the next realm was still far off.

Not counting his previous life’s accumulation, he had spent seven years from novice to minor proficiency, thirteen years from minor to major proficiency.

From major proficiency to breakthrough, including his current world’s practice, it totaled thirty-eight years.

The difficulty multiplied manifold. To advance from breakthrough to the limitless realm—the so-called mastery beyond forms—Wang Lu estimated it would take at least fifty more years.

Fortunately, he could compensate with simulation points.

After stopping, Ding Baiying’s cracked lips parted to ask, “What do you call your blade?”

Wang Lu hadn’t given the question much thought. Ding Baiying’s own name meant “white tassel.” Shen Lian’s two blades were called “Cloud Drag” and “Thunder Cut”—both impressive names.

Changing his train of thought, Wang Lu smiled, “How about ‘Windbreaker’?”

Ding Baiying chuckled softly, “You just made that up?”

Seeing Wang Lu didn’t object, she nodded, “Not bad.”

Wang Lu smiled again. “Then it’s settled. From now on, it’s called Windbreaker.”

According to the system’s explanation, Wang Lu could take the blade with him when he left this world. Since he could keep it, he wasn’t shy about giving it a name.

“Go wash your face.” Hokusai approached carrying a basin.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ding Baiying’s eyes; she had never seen Hokusai so considerate, like a devoted wife or loving mother.

Wang Lu, however, saw nothing unusual. Since he was eating and living under their roof, he ought to do something in return, otherwise he’d just be freeloading.

Setting the blade aside, he bent down and splashed water on his face twice—considered washing.

A smile flickered at the corner of Hokusai’s mouth, as if witnessing an unfamiliar sight.

“Did you drink some good milk from Sister Xi this early morning to be so happy?” Wang Lu teased, taking the towel clamped under Hokusai’s arm and wiping his face.

Hokusai blushed and hurried away. Ding Baiying snorted, “You really have a vulgar way of speaking.”

“Hey, you’re a bandit—who are you to talk about vulgarity?” Wang Lu scoffed, tossing the towel aside and changing into his Flying Fish suit.

“There’s silver in the cabinet. We have everything here. Just don’t go wandering outside,” Wang Lu warned before leaving.

Ding Baiying said nothing.

At that moment, Hokusai stepped out hesitantly, asking, “Sir, my younger sister…”

Ding Baiying looked puzzled as Wang Lu smiled and said, “Don’t worry, soon.”

Near the headquarters of the Northern Town Pacification Office, at a breakfast stall, Pei Lun was devouring food as if he’d been starving for ages.

All because Wang Lu had said, “Ling Yunkai is dead by my hand; Yin Cheng’s revenge is complete.”

Swallowing the last bun, Pei Lun patted his chest, coughing and nearly choking.

Wang Lu pushed the tea cup toward him. After Pei Lun drank, Wang Lu exhaled deeply. “Good! That breath has finally been released. Yin Cheng can rest in peace underground, though I wish I’d done more.”

“If you hadn’t given me the info, how would I have known Ling Yunkai’s movements?” Wang Lu smiled. “You deserve the credit.”

Pei Lun chuckled and asked, “Should we keep watching Lu Wenzhao?”

“Yes, his matters aren’t finished yet,” Wang Lu replied.