Chapter 75 Elder Ma (Please Add to Your Favorites)

After the second round of assessments, only nine remained who could follow Yuan Heng out from the group. Among these nine, aside from Yang Ze and his two companions, there were six others. Within those six, Yang Hai, whom Yang Ze knew well, stood out, while the remaining five were no ordinary figures.

One was Bai Lun, disciple of Bai Fei; another was Feng Lian from the Feng family. The other three were sons of officials, each a skilled practitioner in the early stages of the Qi Drawing Realm.

The nine followed Yuan Heng to the base of a grand platform and halted there.

"You nine will stand here properly. Without my command, you are not to leave this spot. Only when ordered may you proceed to the next step. Is that clear?" Yuan Heng spoke not as a suggestion, but as a direct command.

Yang Ze felt his heart tighten. He said nothing, but his expression grew solemn. This was the final round of the assessment. According to Yuan Heng, he would not preside over this last stage; someone from the Martial Institute of Wuyang would appear. It seemed that moment had arrived.

Everyone’s expressions were grave as they waited. Two figures entered from the plaza’s main gate.

One was Ouyang Xin, though he now kept a respectful step behind another man.

The one leading was a man in white, appearing in his thirties. His looks were unremarkable, but the moment he appeared, his presence dominated the entire gathering—even Ouyang Xin could not compare to him.

As the man in white strode in, the soldiers guarding the square moved their weapons in unison and shouted, "Welcome, Lord Governor!"

The thunderous cry echoed across the plaza, awing everyone present. Even Yang Yuan Zhen and the other martial artists rose to their feet.

"Greetings, Lord Governor!" Yang Yuan Zhen and the others offered respectful salutes, hands clasped. No matter what, the Governor was the master of Yuyang City. Especially since Ouyang Xin’s return, the authority of the officials had surged, now overshadowing the martial world. None dared defy them lightly.

Yang Ze and his group, led by Yuan Heng, bowed respectfully toward the man in white.

Lu Feng stood there, watching everyone salute him, a faint smile appearing on his face. He could not recall how long it had been since he had witnessed such a scene.

Since taking up the post of Governor of Yuyang City, the martial world had opposed him at every turn. The entire city had been divided into independent factions by these martial forces.

The common people knew only the names of these martial groups, forgetting the existence of the officials. He, the Governor, had been largely ignored—until recently, when the government’s prestige was restored.

Since ancient times, the heroes of the martial world have often challenged the law. Lu Feng wished nothing more than for these factions to fight among themselves, weakening each other. Only when the martial world was suppressed could he truly become the master of Yuyang City.

He thought this to himself, but would not voice such sentiments. Instead, he spoke to the crowd, "You may rise."

Yang Ze lifted his head and looked toward the Governor's seat. This was his first time seeing Lu Feng, Governor of Yuyang City.

He dared not scrutinize Lu Feng too openly—such insolence would quickly attract attention and trouble.

Lu Feng and Ouyang Xin exchanged a glance, then both leapt onto the high platform with remarkable agility.

Five chairs had been placed atop the platform. Lu Feng took the second seat from the left, while Ouyang Xin sat beside him.

At that moment, Yang Ze’s gaze flickered with surprise. The agility Lu Feng displayed contradicted the rumors that his martial skills were lacking. Those rumors were false. With his current abilities, Yang Ze could not hope to emulate such movement. Lu Feng’s strength was unfathomable.

Yang Ze breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had never stirred up trouble. With such power, and staying so low-key, Lu Feng was clearly plotting a grand scheme—something extraordinary.

It was not just Yang Ze; the other martial artists present had noticed as well. Lu Feng had been reserved for so long, yet now he revealed his true strength, leaving them all astonished.

On the platform, Lu Feng—previously lively and confident—now sat upright. Even he could not take the chief seat, for that place belonged to someone of even greater status.

As the crowd waited, three figures emerged from the large tent at the rear of the plaza. They leapt onto the platform, landing gracefully.

Among them were one elder and two youths, a man and a woman.

The elder’s face was radiant, his demeanor spirited and dignified. The young man carried a long sword on his back, his manner bold; the young woman, clad in tight-fitting attire, was tall and striking. Together, they made a handsome pair.

As soon as these three appeared, Lu Feng and Ouyang Xin stood at once. Gone was their earlier confidence, replaced by humble reverence.

Both raised their hands in salute, with Lu Feng speaking first, "I am Lu Feng, Governor of Yuyang City. Greetings, Elder Ma!"

Lu Feng bowed his head, as humble as any common citizen, not daring to move.

The elder, whom he addressed as Elder Ma, stroked his beard and laughed heartily, then said, "Governor Lu, there is no need for such formality. This is Yuyang City; you are the host. There’s no need to be so courteous."

Only then did Lu Feng dare to lift his head, his expression solemn. "Elder Ma, you are too kind. The Martial Institute of Wuyang is a top power in Quanyang Prefecture. How could I call myself the master in your presence?"

Seeing Lu Feng’s demeanor, many in the crowd were dumbfounded. None had expected that the man who had just dominated the gathering would become so deferential before the Martial Institute.

Yang Ze was stunned as well. Lu Feng was, after all, an imperial official, the Governor of Yuyang City in Quanyang Prefecture. The Martial Institute of Wuyang, for all its strength, was merely a martial sect—strictly speaking, just another faction in the martial world. Yet it could make Lu Feng bow his head.

If Yang Ze had to sum up Lu Feng in one word, it would be "timid"—so timid, it was almost comical.

"Brother Yang, you seem surprised. It appears you know little about the world beyond," whispered Lu Qing softly in Yang Ze’s ear.